AUGUST 2, 2009

Last night my wife Kathy and I attended the opening night of the new Broadway show entitled Burn the Floor. We attended as guests of producers Bud Martin, Greg Schaffert, and Richard Levi.

The show was AMAZING and we loved it. Afterwards we attended the opening night party. We met the cast and some other people as well. See photos. Susan Lucci should win an Emmy just for smiling while standing next to me...lol.

JULY 17, 2009

The Mt. Gretna Heritage Festival was fantastic.  The line-up featured Chas Fortescue, Dave Miller, Colleen Donahue, Bud Martin, Kevin McKenna, and his accompanist Tom.  It was a smashing success in a beautiful setting.  It is always fun to perform there each year.

SUNDAY, JULY 26

It was a blast performing with Chas Fortescue and Dave Miller at the Elmwood Park Summer Series at The Bandshell.  It has become a wonderful annual experience for me.  The crowds are always great there.  The rain stayed away long enough for us all to have some fun.

SATURDAY, JULY 25 (Night)

Reunion concert at Busch's in Sea Isle, NJ.  In high school we all performed in a group called "Blue Haze."  In college we were all part of band called "Persuasion."  In later years, we all performed in a group called "MAC" (Middle Age Crisis).  We should probably call ourselves the "Blue Persuasion Crisis Band."

Busch's was PACKED and everyone had a ball listening to the oldies...and by that I mean the performers as well as the type of music....lol.  It was a blast performing with Chuck Shea, Bud Martin, Rick Donze, and Jim Delizzio.  We hope to make it an annual event.  

SATURDAY, JULY 25 (Afternoon)

I performed at the Cardinal O'Hara All-Class Reunion at Lacostas in Sea Isle, NJ.  The place was jammed pack and it was a blast.

JUNE 23, 2009

Tonight was the reading of my new play entitled The Next Reunion at Act Two Playhouse in Ambler. Approximately 80 people were in attendance and the reading went VERY well. One final rewrite should do it.

JUNE 11, 2009

Went to see the production of Mary Stuart with producers Greg Schaffert and Bud Martin.  

JUNE 10, 2009

Went backstage of 9 to 5 with producer Bud Martin and met Megan Hilty.  She is a FABULOUS singer and extremely nice person to boot.

JUNE 10, 2009

Went to the show Jersey Boys and LOVED it.

JUNE 10, 2009

Spend Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday at a workshop for the new musical Pieces by Scott Alan and Kate Wetherhead.  It is a wonderful production.

JUNE 5, 2009

The Springfield Inn signed on as a performance home for our Sinatra: Our Way show.  The first performance will be Wednesday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m.  Thereafter, the show will be performed the last Wednesday of November, January, March, and May (every other month).

JUNE 4, 2009

Today featured a reading of my new show entitled The Next Reunion in front of a small invited audience.  Parts were played by New York actors and actresses: Jennifer Lorae, Greg Pearl, Nick Gaswirth, & Crista Johnson.  Local actor JP Dunphy also read one of the parts.  It was highly successful.  The next step will be a reading of the show at Act Two Playhouse later in June.

JUNE 3, 2009

"New Voices Cabaret" at The Paddock at Devon. It was a terrific night with great performances by Nick Gaswirth (NYC), Crista Johnson (NYC), and JP Dunphy (Philly).  Barbara Browne, the accompanist, was as wonderful as always.  Greg Pearl (NYC) from an earlier "New Voices Cabaret" returned and perform a beautiful rendition of "On the Street Where You Live."

JUNE 2, 2009

Today was the release party for the soundtrack to The Story of My Life.  What a wonderful collection of great music and memories.  Neil Bartram and Brian Hill are a terrific team.  It was great hanging with them last night.

JUNE 1, 2009

Today I traveled to New York City to attend a reading of a new musical entitled Radio Girl.  It was extremely enjoyable with many similarities to the musical Annie.  Look for it to make a run on Broadway within two years.

Tonight I attended a launch party for Malcolm Gets' new CD at Birdland.  It was a fantastic night and he sounded great.

MAY 24, 2009

Tonight was another show of Sinatra: Our Way with Chuck Shea and Steve Bauer at Busch's in Sea Isle.  It was PACKED and everyone had a ball.  We will be bringing the show back to Busch's two or three more times this summer.

MAY 23, 2009

Opening night at Busch's in Sea Isle, NJ.  It was MOBBED and lots of fun.  What a thrill it was to be back at Busch.s  www.buschsseafood.com

MAY 6, 2009

Tonight we performed our second Sinatra: Our Way show at the Paddock.  It was actually SOLD OUT a month in advance with a waiting list of over 2o people.  It was a huge success and a wonderful evening.

MAY 3, 2009

Tonight I took my students from the Honickman Center to the show Respect at Act Playhouse in Ambler.  The music and songs are wonderful.  The four actresses are terrific.

APRIL 30, 2009

Tonight I attended the opening night of the Broadway show Nine to Five.  It was a fantastic time.  It was fun to see the likes of Dolly Partin, Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin, Julie Hagerty (stewardess from the move Airplane), Connie Chung and Maury Povich.

APRIL 10, 2009

Tonight Kathy and I attended the Broadway show entitled Next to Normal at the Booth Theater as guests of Producer Greg Schaffert.  The show was FANTASTIC.  We both LOVED it.  It will be well-known come the Tony Awards.

APRIL 8, 2009

Today I attended the production of Frog & Toad  at the Arden Theater as the guest of Nick Gaswirth.  Nick was terrific and the theater is something special.

APRIL 4, 2009

Tonight I returned to the Media Theater production of All Shook Up with my wife and some friends.  Kathy and I were guests of Amanda Lavergne, who had the lead in the show.  I wanted Kathy to see this wonderful production and everyone loved it.

APRIL 2, 2009

Tonight I attended the show All Shook Up at the Media Theater as a guest of Carly Mayo, one of the performers.  The show was sensational.  

APRIL1, 2009

Tonight was our first "New Voices Cabaret" at The Paddock at Devon. It featured Carly Mayo (NYC & Philly), Greg Pearl (NYC), and Jennifer Lorae (NYC). Barbara Browne was the accompanist. It was SOLD OUT. The performances were EXCELLENT.

CABARET OFF TO A FLYING START...MARCH 4

Tonight the Cabaret at The Paddock at Devon series started with a SOLD OUT performance of Sinatra: Our Way.  The show featured Steve Bauer, Chuck Shea and myself, with a special guest appearance by Jennifer Lorae.  The show actually sold out 10 days in advance.  It was a FANTASTIC night.

The Story of My Life Closes...Sunday, Feb. 22

Due to bad reviews, The Story of My Life closed on Sunday, February 22.  Despite standing ovations EVERY night, the critics were not kind to the show.  Fortunately, you will see this show all over the country next year.  It will be coming to the Philadelphia area at the Act Two Playhouse in Ambler, PA.  Don't miss it.  It is something special.

OPENING NIGHT - Feb. 19

Tonight Kathy and I attended the official opening night for The Story of My Life.  The show was amazing and received a rousing standing ovation.  The party afterwards at Sardi's was AMAZING.  It was fun rubbing elbows with the likes of Bernadette Peters, Joan Rivers, and Rue McLanahan.  See photos of this event.

PROJECT HOME HITS BROADWAY (Feb. 15)

Today I took my kids from Project Home to Broadway to see The Story of My Life.  It was an amazing experience.  The students were great...even though this is really not a kid's show.  Afterwards, Bud Martin had arranged for a "talk-back" session with the writers and the actors.  What a great day!

Board of Directors

I have been asked to join the Board of Directors at Act Two Playhouse in Ambler, PA.  I very honored to receive this invitation from this wonderful Equity house theater and the great people that work there.

February 2, 2009

Tonight was a special dress-rehearsal of The Story of My Life for invited guests.  It was a full house and the show was amazing.  The rousing standing ovation bodes well for the future.  The show starts Feb. 3 and has it grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 19.  www.thestoryofmylife.com

New York, New York

The Story of My Life moves to the Booth Theatre.  I will travel there on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  Check out the webpage for this wonderful show at: www.thestoryofmylife.com

Shoulder Surgery - Friday, Jan. 16

On Friday, January 16 I had shoulder surgery.  Dr. Joe Vernace was in charge and did a great job. He is a long time friend.  Physical therapy starts on Wednesday.

Concert for Mr. & Mrs. Borth

On Wednesday, January 7, a group of old friends got together and performed a concert for old friends of ours....Mr. and Mrs. Borth.  They are now residing at Rose Tree Plaza and it has a wonderful grand piano in their lobby.  These friends included (left to right) Rick Donze, Larry McKenna, Buddy Martin, Jim Delizzio, and Chuck Shea.  Patty Borth (daughter and cherished friend) is standing next at the end.

"LONG WAY BACK" SONG IS FINISHED

I finally finished writing, producing and recording the song "Long Way Back" for the Save the Leatherback Operations (SOLO).  The beautiful voice on this recording is Julie Opet.  You can hear this song  by accessing their blog at www.saveourleatherbacks.blogspot.com

The song will start playing if you are just patient.  Please note that the "Larry McKenna" mentioned in the blog is NOT me, nor is it a relative.  The other Larry is a new friend that I met when our emails got crossed up.  He later hired me to write this theme song for his upcoming documentary.

January 16, 2009

I have been asked to serve as Editor of the North Philly Metropolis, the newspaper put out by Project Home.  I have accepted the position and look forward to the challenge.

April 30, 2009

Opening night for Nine to Five at the Marriot Marquis Theatre on April 30.  Preview shows begin on April 7.    Check out the webpage at www.9to5themusical.com

February 19, 2009

Official opening night for The Story of My Life at the Booth Theater in New York City.  I am thrilled to be part of this great night.  The show begins with preview performance on February 3.  This is a WONDERFUL show.  Check out the show's webpage at www.thestoryofmylife.com

Facebook web page: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41860344659&ref=ts

February 17, 2009

Opening night for The Philly Fan at the Act Two Playhouse in Ambler, PA.  This wonderful play was written by the very talented Bruce Graham and performed by the equally talented actor, Tom McCarthy.  There will be a new ending....due to the Philadelphia Phillies championship.  An Eagles' victory in the Super Bowl might require a second new ending....lol.

January 16, 2009

Today I had shoulder surgery and will be out of commission for a little bit.  The surgery was done by my good friend Joe Vernace.  Everything went well.  I will soon be able throw a football 80 yards on a rope.....and if you believe that I have some swamp land to sell you.  

January 15, 2009

Last night I performed at Brittinghams in Lafayette Hill, PA.  It was a terrific night and I thank all of you who stopped by.  Your support is never taken for granted.  I will be returning to Brittinghams on the second Thursday of February & March.  If all goes well, it may continue to be a monthly gig.