Photo Flash: The Actors Fund Celebrates FAME 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert
By: Julie Musbach Jul. 16, 2017
POPULAR
The Actors Fund - the national human services organization that helps everyone in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition - celebrated "FAME" 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. A one-night-only celebration of the music and memories that made the television series "FAME" a worldwide phenomenon, this landmark reunion marked the first US concert by the cast since 1985. 100% of the proceeds from the event benefit The Actors Fund's programs and services.
The concert was headlined by "FAME" stars Debbie Allen ("Lydia Grant"), Jesse Borrego ("Jesse Valesquez"), Lee Curreri ("Bruno Martelli"), Cynthia Gibb ("Holly Laird"), Erica Gimpel ("Coco Hernandez"), Billy Hufsey ("Christopher Donlon"), Carlo Imperato ("Danny Amatullo"), Valerie Landsburg ("Doris Schwartz") and P.R. Paul ("Montgomery MacNeil"). Surprise guests included composers William Goldstein and Robert Kraft, legendary vocalist Oren Waters,, and original "Fame" dancers Shaun Earl, Melissa Hurley Cassidy, Kim Layton Hurley, Eartha Robinson and Bronwyn Thomas. The concert featured Dedrick Bonner, Melissa Haygood, Jesimiel Jenkins and Margaret M. Spirito on background vocals. The band was comprised of Mike Walker on keyboards, Steve Garcia on guitar, Roy Venturina on keyboards, Carter Aristei on drums and percussion, and Joey Clement on bass.
The "FAME" 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert was written and directed by Luke Yankee, musical direction by Mike Walker, and produced by Scott Appel for The Actors Fund.
The evening's set list was as follows: "Life Is A Celebration" (Erica Gimpel, Carlo Imperato & cast),"On The West Side" (Cynthia Gibb & Valerie Landsburg, featuring Robert Kraft), "I Still Believe In Me" (Erica Gimpel, featuring Lee Curreri), "Dogs In The Yard" (P.R. Paul), "Be My Music" (Lee Curreri & Erica Gimpel), "Friday Night" (Carlo Imperato with Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey and P.R. Paul) "Beautiful Dreamer" (Valerie Landsburg), "Out Here On My Own" (Cynthia Gibb), "High Fidelity" (Valerie Landsburg), "The Other Side Of The Road" (Jesse Borrego), "A Special Place" (Debbie Allen, featuring William Goldstein), "Starmaker" (Cast) and "Fame"(Erica Gimpel & cast).
"FAME" originally premiered on NBC on January 7, 1982 and won 2 consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical in 1983 and 1984. Based on the 1980 film of the same name, the series followed the lives of the students and faculty at New York City's High School for the Performing Arts. Over the course of 6 seasons on NBC and in syndication, 136 episodes were produced. The worldwide popularity of the show led to several hit records and sold-out concerts tours. The "FAME" 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert follows The Actors Fund's concert presentations of "Bombshell" (the musical created within NBC's "Smash") and "Grey's Anatomy: The Songs Beneath The Show." The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org.Photo Credit: Nina Prommer/The Actors Fund
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Billy Hufsey at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Billy Hufsey, Yvette Nicole Brown at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Carlo Imperato at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Cynthia Gibb at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Erica Gimpel at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Keith McNutt, Erica Gimpel, Debbie Allen, Meg Thomas at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Lee Curreri, Valerie Landsberg at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
WEST HOLLYWOOD - JUL 13: Scott Appel, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego at the 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert of 'FAME' To Benefit The Actors Fund at Troubadour on July 13, 2017 in West Hollywood, California
RELATED STORIES - Los Angeles
1
BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards December 5th Standings; INTO THE WOODS Leads Best Musical!
It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
2
Odyssey Theatre Presents Earnest Kearney In THE GREAT SATAN SPEAKS! AN EVENING WITH ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL
Odyssey Theatre presents Earnest Kearney in ‘The Great Satan Speaks! An Evening with Robert Green Ingersoll’. One night only on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
3
MUSIC AT THE ODYSSEY Celebrates The Puerto Rican Beat With Plenazao Tribe
Odyssey’s ‘Music at the Odyssey’ series celebrates the Puerto Rican beat with Plenazao Tribe. Experience a vibrant tapestry of traditional and contemporary Puerto Rican music, from plena to salsa, meringue, bomba, and reggaetón.
4
Society of Camera Operators to Celebrate 45 Years of Excellence with Lifetime Achievement Awards on February 24
The Society of Camera Operators will celebrate 45 years of excellence with Lifetime Achievement Awards on February 24, 2024. Join us for this special event honoring the best in the industry.
Videos
 |
Time for Three Smothers Theatre (1/30-1/30) |
|
 |
The Pasadena Playhouse Holiday Spectacular Pasadena Playhouse (12/14-12/23) |
|
|
The Pasadena Playhouse Holiday Spectacular Pasadena Playhouse (12/07-12/23) |
|
 |
Radical or, are you gonna miss me? Atwater Village Theatre (11/11-12/11) |
|
 |
Green Umbrella Series: March 19 Phillip Glass Etudes Walt Disney Concert Hall (3/19-3/19) |
|
 |
LA Phil's Chamber Music and Wine: Beethoven and Schumann Walt Disney Concert Hall (5/07-5/07) |
|
 |
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Carpenter Performing Arts Center (2/03-2/03) |
|
 |
Silvana Estrada | Cécile McLorin Salvant Walt Disney Concert Hall (5/31-5/31) |
|
|
Green Umbrella Series: Phillip Glass Etudes Walt Disney Concert Hall (3/19-3/19) |
|
 |
Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) Smothers Theatre (2/02-2/02) |
|
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | ||
Recommended For You
Get Los Angeles's #1 Newsletter
Get the best news & discounts for Los Angeles Shows & beyond.
