Hilary Swank |
Rosie O’Donnell |
Kathleen Turner |
Amanda Green |
Stewart and
Bonnie Lane |
ACTOR’S
FUND OF AMERICA
Once Again
They Prove
Nothing Like A Dame
By Edward T. Callaghan
Photos by Rob Rich
 ROADWAY’S
brain trust was out in full force for the eighth annual Thinking
Women’s Vaudeville Nothing Like A Dame 2003.
The dazzling galaxy of
stars on and off stage, assembled by Brit director Jude Kelly
(O.B.E.), proved that our Broadway babes are triple S: sexy, sassy
and smart. The popular yearly concert written by, about and for
women was a knockout from the start to rousing finale.
Imagine in one theater Lauren
Bacall, Kathleen Turner, Edie Falco, Sutton Foster, Bebe Neuwirth,
Liz Smith, Rosie Perez, former Texas Governor Ann Richards,
Cady Huffman, Amanda Green, Hilary Swank and Hairspray’s
redoubtable “Edna Turnblad” aka Harvey Fierstein in full
hair.
Throw in the casts of The
Producers, La Boheme, Def Poetry Jam and Hairspray and
you’ve enough star power to light Rte.80 from NYC to LA.
If these ladies simply
brought along their Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes,
the producers wouldn’t even have to turn on the lights!
Highlights of the evening
included a special dames tribute to Adolph Green who passed
away this winter. The beloved lyricist of Broadway and film was a
fave with the ladies. His long time wife Phyllis Newman and
daughter Amanda Green held the family banner high.
Broadway vet Kate
Mulgrew, known to millions of TV viewers for her commanding role
on Star Trek, brought more than a little otherworldliness to
her interpretation of Kate Hepburn for the show she is
rehearsing.
But it was those Hairspray
gals – hair hoppers all who stole the show with their rousing “Welcome
to the 60’s” especially written for the evening.
Hats off to Broadway Cares
/ Equity Fights AIDS for presenting this once-a-year gala to benefit
the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative of the Actor’s Fund
of America.
Kudos to Continental
Airlines and The New York Times for their sponsorship. And a
special nod to Broadway hangout Angus McIndoo for the tasty pre–show
goodies.
When the standing ovation
finally ended, the Broadway troupes, led by Lauren and Turner,
headed to John’s in Times Square for that favorite meal of dames
everywhere – pizza & beer! |
