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by Michael Portantiere

Friends of the Theater


  • Friends of the Theater

    The 60th annual New Dramatists spring luncheon was held at the Marriott Marquis on Tuesday, May 19. The organization's Lifetime Achievement Award went to the late, great playwright Horton Foote, and there were multitudes of actors, writers, composers, producers, etc. on hand for the festivities. Here are my pix of the event.

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    Shelley-Seldes-Feldshuh2.jpg

    Three great ladies of the theater: Carole Shelley, Marian Seldes, and Tovah Feldshuh.

    Foote.jpg

    Hallie Foote, the playwright's daughter and one of his greatest interpreters.

    Ripley-Spencer.jpg

    Alice Ripley and J. Robert Spencer, who play husband and wife in the new musical Next to Normal.

    Yorkey-Kitt.jpg

    The writers of Next to Normal: Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics) and Tom Kitt (music).

    Lansbury.jpg

    The ever-beautiful and gracious Angela Lansbury.

    Grenier-Daniels.jpg

    Zach Grenier (33 Variations) and Jeff Daniels (God of Carnage).

    BillyElliot.jpg

    Four young stars of Billy Elliot: Trent Kowalik, David Bologna, Kiril Kulish, and David Alvarez.

    Sieber-James.jpg

    From Shrek the Musical: Christopher Sieber and Brian d'Arcy James.

    Ireland-Sadoski.jpg

    Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski, who never look this happy when playing their troubled characters in reasons to be pretty.

    Marans-Roth.jpg

    Playwright Jon Marans (The Temperamentals, Old Wicked Songs, etc.) and producer Daryl Roth (whose credits are too numerous to mention).

    Schwartz-Weidman.jpg

    Composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and librettist John Weidman.

    De Roy-Rocca.jpg

    Performer/producer Jamie deRoy and humorist Mo Rocca.

    Monk-Chita.jpg

    Two of John Kander & Fred Ebb's favorite women: Debra Monk and Chita Rivera.

    Lindsay-Abaire-Wilk.jpg

    David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek, Rabbit Hole, etc.) and Max Wilk.

    Reams-Dale-Shelley-McMartin.jpg

    Four beloved theater veterans: Lee Roy Reams, Jim Dale, Carole Shelley, and John McMartin.


    Published on Tuesday, May 19, 2009


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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