Let me set the record straight. I have seen “The Expendables” seven times.
I watch hockey for the fights and I drink milk right out of the carton. I can fix a leaky pipe with a big wrench and I once built a treehouse for my kids that was so big it had a man cave. I love my wife and I occasionally smoke cigars.
All that being said…I love show tunes. There, I said it. I – Love – Show – Tunes! One of my earliest memories was of my mother singing and dancing around the kitchen to “Wouldn’t it be Loverly.” My first Broadway experience was so powerful that for the next few days I wandered around 70th street looking for “Maria.” I’m surprised I didn’t get into a dance-fight with Joey Pinto. I am a grown man now and still haven’t lost my love of musical theatre. New Jersey is home to many local community and regional theatres presenting some really fine productions, venues that range from the Spring Lake Theatre to the always-fabulous Paper Mill Playhouse. I hit ‘em all.
I also like to listen to SiriusXM’s On Broadway with Seth Rudetsky. And wouldn’t you know it, these various fancies are all coming together for me in one glorious night when NJPAC presents Spotlight Gala 2014 featuring four of the theatre’s grandest dames. You KNOW I will be there for that! (Of course I will drive to the show in my Ford F-150 pick up truck).
In the spirit of “There is Nothing Like a Dame,” we honor the ladies of the musical theatre stage on this night. Is it my imagination or is it not the women who rock the packed houses of Broadway and steal the show night after night, eight shows a week? Seriously, these babes have some cojones! The ladies gracing the stage at Prudential Hall on the night of September 27th include Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy), Barbara Cook (The Music Man’s original Marian), Patina Miller (Pippin) and Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls). This incredible array of stage talent, featuring a special appearance by “Honorary Dame” and Broadway leading man Brian d’Arcy James, is hosted by the aforementioned Seth Rudetsky, afternoon host of SiriusXM’s On Broadway, founder of SethTV.com, and author of My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan and Broadway Nights. If you’ve heard him, you know he’s hysterical, and if you haven’t, put down the router and turn on the radio.
The Gala is presented by the Women’s Association of NJPAC. Tickets are $50 and if you’d like to add to the experience, there will be a full evening with dinner and dancing (of course) and table sponsorships.