Photo Flash: Anita Gillette Premieres New Show at Birdland

On Monday, November 3, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to host Tony Award Nominated actress & singer Anita Gillette on the historic stage in a wonderful evening of music and memories, and a hilarious look behind the scenes from Broadway to Hollywood in "After All...and furthermore..."

In the biographical show, Gillette told of being a young showgirl starting out in the original cast of Gypsy with Ethel Merman, into the worlds of David Merrick and Gower Champion in Carnival and building a career that has led to a Tony nominated performance in the Neil Simon comedy Chapter Two. From major feature films playing roles such as Ms. Mona in "Moonstruck," co-starring in hit television shows like "Quincy" and game show classics, to playing Tina Fey's Mother in "30 Rock," Gillette will surprise, delight and entertain!

Anita Gillette won both a Bistro and MAC Award for her show "After All", which she debuted at Birdland, and went on to do at Feinstein's, Cape May Stage, London's St. James Studio, and Metropolitan Room. She recently appeared in "Modern Family" and "Blue Bloods." She may be best known for playing Mona the mistress in "Moonstruck" and Tina Fey's mother in "30 Rock," or Jack Klugman's wife in "Quincy."

She has more than fourteen Broadway shows to her credit, including CHAPTER TWO (Tony Nomination, LA Drama Critics Award), CABARET, CARNIVAL, GYPSY, GUYS & DOLLS, DON'T DRINK THE WATER, ALL AMERICAN, JIMMY, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, MR. PRESIDENT, THE GAY LIFE, KELLY, SHOWBOAT, and ENCORES' BLOOMER GIRL and 70 GIRLS 70. Off Broadway and Regional credits include: THE BIG MEAL, (Lortel Award nom) LOVE, LOSS, & WHAT I WORE, THE SEAGULL, SHE LOVES ME, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, BYE BYE BIRDIE, SKIN OF OUR TEETH, JUNO, RICH & FAMOUS, TRAVESTIES, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, FLAMINGO COURT, MY FAIR LADY, THE WINSLOW BOY, IRENE, SOUTH PACIFIC, SWEET BIRD O YOUTH (with Joanne Woodward) THE GREAT WALTZ (recorded for RCA), KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY (with Burt Lancaster).

The Broadway at Birdland concert series takes place every Monday at the historic music room, located at 315 West 44 Street, in the heart of Manhattan's theater district.

Photos by Kevin Alvey