Look Who Came To Dinner.

Richard Thomas ("John-Boy Walton"), Georgiana Thomas, actress Barbara Spiegel ("Law & Order"), actor Jim Brochu, Anne Kaufman Schneider (daughter of playwright George S. Kaufman), actor James Cronin (grandson of George S. Kaufman).

Jim Does Greasepaint Oct 1-3 at the York.

Only five performances. JIM BROCHU and JOSH GRISETTI are playing the iconic roles of "Sir" and "Cocky" in a classic show that rarely gets revived because the book is kind of a kind of fantasia on power and class warfare in England. The two characters appear on the stage and play a game where Sir can change all the rules. It was hard for American audiences in 1965 to embrace it, but it had two hit songs -- and many others that have become theater standards.

In this day and age, with Wall Street and Washington changing all the rules all the time, it actually makes more sense.

Social norms and qualms are thrown out the window in The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd, a musical about 1960s London, where two gentlemen of different classes are always trying to get the best of each other and neither truly win. This comic musical premiered on Broadway in 1965 and includes the standards“Feeling Good” and “Who Can I Turn To?”

AndyGram Interview: Zero Hour at 200 Performances.

Wonderful interview with Jim Brochu at AndyGram.

In 1953, Ed Sullivan, who was really a truly wicked man, threatened to expose Jerry Robbins as gay in his column unless he named names. So not only did he have pressure from the Committee [House Un-American Activities Committee] to name names, his career was about to be ruined on many different levels. And back then there was the social stigma of being queer. Of course he capitulated and gave names. He said he gave names that he thought had already been given, but he certainly named Madeline Lee. Madeline and I had a long talk about it one night. 

The other thing that surprised me was his friends. They started to come in droves to the show. And most of them came with their arms crossed: ‘Somebody thinks he can be Zero? Oh, yeah? Show me!’ And by the end, now we are all friends. They gave me stories for the show -- Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Theodore Bikel gave me some wonderful things that are in the play now. So that’s been a wonderful blessing. And all the family has come. Esther Mostel – his niece – all of 86 years old got to the St. Clements Theater [where the production opened in New York in 2009]. She was in a walker and she couldn’t climb the stairs. So our two stage managers just picked her up and brought her up 30 stairs. And she had hands in places that she hasn’t had hands in places in a long time. So she really enjoyed the show. Ha! Ha ha!

...

We started the show in Los Angeles, from there we went to Houston and San Francisco. I did a couple of shows in Boston and then we went to Florida. We did a 16 week run in Coral Springs and sold out this 400-seat theater every night and that’s what gave the shape to the New York show. Then the final touches were in Washington, just before we came up here last year. We won the Ovation in LA, the Carbonell in Florida, the Helen Hayes in Washington, and the Drama Desk in New York. Jesus, as an actor – thank you, thank you! We came here for 12 weeks but when that was up – the reviews were love letters -- the producers said we can’t close this. So now we are going to stay here in New York.

...

Zero brought me back, and I brought Zero back. He’s a star again. He likes that.

Broadway Grab Bag.

For people in New York, or coming to New York, Zero Hour is participating in a little trivia grab bag contest being put on by Broadwayblogspot.com. Here's the press release:

www.BROADWAYBLOGSPOT.com
Announces “Broadway Grab Bag” Giveaway Contest!

BroadwayBlogspot.com announces the “Broadway Grab Bag”
Giveaway Contest! From September 13th, 2010 through October
10th, 2010, visit www.BroadwayBlogspot.com each week, click on
the contest page, and using the www.BroadwayBlogspot.com site,
answer the ten trivia questions (new questions posted each week)
to be eligible to win one of four weekly Broadway “Grab Bag” prize
packages!

“GRAB BAG” Prizes offered will include a mix of some of the following:

A poster and playbill signed by the cast of Billy Elliot on Broadway;

Two tickets to one of the Off-Broadway Shows: Zero Hour, All
American Girls, Danny & Sylvia, the Danny Kaye Musical,
Dietrich & Chevalier and Black Angels of Tuskegee;

Memorabilia from Broadway cast members of Jersey Boys and Billy
Elliot;

Direct from University of Minnesota Press, reprints of Meredith
Wilson’s Classic Books:

“But He Doesn’t Know The Territory”, detailing the making of
the musical, The Music Man; and

“And, There I Stood With My Piccolo”, Meredith Wilson’s
detailed autobiography which led to the creation of The Music
Man;

From our partner, MTIShowspace.com

Hairspray, the original Broadway cast recording, signed by
Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman; and

Frank Loesser Centennial Celebration poster, signed by Jo
Sullivan Loesser

Visit www.BroadwayBlogspot.com to see what's included in each
weekly "Grab Bag" package! There you'll find the contest rules, regulations
and how to participate.

www.BROADWAYBLOGSPOT.com is a theatrical resource website designed
to inspire, educate and create a sense of appreciation for the people who
work both on stage and behind the scenes on Broadway and beyond.

BroadwayBlogspot.com features three ongoing video series:

"Broadway Backstage" Series - featuring backstage tours of Broadway’s
legit theatres and interviews with the creative, dedicated professionals who
work behind the scenes.

"The Glamorous Life" Series - an inside look at what it’s like to audition
for and pursue a musical theatre career in NYC; i.e. attend auditions,
plus get advice from working actors, casting directors, agents, musical
directors and others. It's everything they never taught you in school!

"Broadway Encore" Series - special videos featuring charitable organizations
working with Broadway shows, celebrity interviews, personal backstage stories,
and more!

See these videos now and coming soon to BroadwayBlogSpot.com:

Victoria Mallory: Original Company - Follies and A Little Night Music

Jim Brochu: Zero Hour Off-Broadway

Neva Small: Chava - Fiddler on the Roof movie

Dan Whitten: Producer/Owner - Tiger Theatricals

Steve Schalchlin: Big Voice: God or Merman and The Last Session

Jason Howland: Composer - Little Women-The Musical

Taylor Sternberg: Jersey Boys on Broadway

Theatrical Gems: Producers, Actors Fund benefit - Mr. President

Ty Lackey: Sound Engineer - Memphis on Broadway

Susan L. Schulman: Theatrical Publicist

Dani Davis: Producer - Little Women-The Musical and The Lonesome West

Kolstein Talent Agency: Naomi Kolstein and Laura Packer

Sing for Your Seniors: www.singforyourseniors.org

PLUS a backstage tour at BILLY ELLIOT on Broadway!

"When You Care" new live recording.

For those who have just been clamoring for the recording I made of myself singing "When You Care," I've put it up as a free download from Google Docs. The choir is from the Christ Church Episcopal of Bay Ridge. Fr. Jeff Tamblin is the preacher there, a very gregarious, kind and generous man who, himself, loves music and loves to sing.

You know, I never know how to address clergy at these fancier churches. My dad never cared for titles or even the idea of being "elevated" over the congregation in any way. In fact, I remember one time he pointed at his driver's license and said he didn't even like to see "Rev." on that.

I inculcated this attitude early in life, later to discover it has a fancy name, "egalitarianism."

In the South, when you see the preacher, you say, "Hey, preacher!" in a big Gomer Pyle voice. Not "Hello, reverend" as if going to funeral. At least, I always did. 

The first time I got into trouble for doing that was when Damascus Road, my old Jesus rock band, played at some Episcopal church in south Texas. The minister there didn't respond to my "Hey, Preach!" very well. 

So, each Sunday morning, when I see Fr. Tamblin, I usually say, "Hey, rabbi!"

He just grins back at me.

 "When You Care" is the second formal arrangement I've given this choir. The first was a more elaborate version of "My Thanksgiving Prayer." I will do that with them again, soon, to get a  recording of that. 

What's amazing is that these skilled readers can dive into just about any arrangement at 10am, run through it three or four times, and have it performance-ready at 11. For a songwriter, this is an incredibly valuable gift. And what a music program they're developing as a result. The congregation gets the benefit of terrific music for every service. 

The singer side of me is equally being fed because it's thrilling to sing with great singers, and to be a part of a great ensemble. About 12 of us, more or less, each week.

This past Sunday, for instance, they were having two baptisms. I didn't sing the solo because Mark brought in a cello player and singer, Julie Reyburn, along with the vocal group, Marquee Five -- one of whom sings in the choir already -- and we all sang Mark's very sophisticated arrangement of "Shall We Gather At The River."

I hope you enjoy the recording of "When You Care." It was done with a single mic, informally. But I think it sounds pretty good, except for that lousy lead singer. 

Do you like a man in uniform?

WTC Searchlight on 9/10/10.

Quran/Bible Burnings: My Opinion

People have been asking me my opinion on a publicity-seeking "Christian" pastor who has managed to gain world-wide attention for an upcoming Quran-burning, especially now that America's other publicity-hungry "Christian" gay-hating Baptist family is protesting that the media ignored their Quran-burning activities.

So let's look at this rationally. To burn a Bible or a Quran means nothing, physically.

After you've burned one, you can go to the book store or a hotel room and find another. It's not like Rev. Handlebar is burning the last one on earth, though would be a great Twilight Zone episode -- where the last people on earth are a bunch of religious zealots holding the last copies of each other's holy books hostage with matches and kerosene.)

In an earlier era, he would have been just one lone nutcase with bad facial hair, making money off the locals and moving from town to town after everyone got tired of his shtick. But, now he's got an army of media waiting in his front yard, all breathlessly awaiting his every word.

When he is interviewed, each commentator gets to berate him freely because he's the current Worst Person in the World, and we all get to hate the Worst Person in the World --  especially when they're religious fanatics who are mentally or emotionally ill. We may not be able to figure out who to hate in politics, but we can all agree to hate Pastor Doc Holiday and his stash of burnable books.

Personally, I believe that when we make objects "holy" or "sacred" we're pointing our sacred-antenna in the wrong direction.

"I said there's not a grain of sand
Worth any girl or boy
But somehow in our twisted minds
The killing turns to joy
We watch it like a football game
And wait for it on CNN
Cuz winning's, somehow, everything
And they'll re-run it all again"

Cloud Over Ground Zero Searchlight.

How I Got "My Own Choir and World Class Conductor."

"So, what have you been up to?" Said Miss E., who is one of my new sophisticated New York friends, who's involved in opera and is also a food and wine connoisseur.

"Well," I said, "I have a choir with whom I sing one of my songs each week, under the baton of a musical director who was a protege of Leonard Bernstein."

Her jaw dropped."You're kidding! How did you manage that? You've only been here for how long?"

I laughed. 

"Officially, since last Sunday. But we've been here for awhile with Zero Hour."

"But, how..."

"Well, once we moved Zero in, I decided that I was going to treat New York as if I were a Freshman in college. Mark is the most talented and knowledgeable person I know. So I decided to attach myself to him and learn everything I can."

"Very smart."

"Happily, there's a mutuality about it. He respects me as a writer. In fact, how it started was he asked me to sing a solo at this Episcopal church in Brooklyn where he's the musical director. The choir consists of some of his vocal students from Manhattan School of Music and a few veteran performers in the theater/cabaret scene.

"After I arrived, he asked me where I wanted to sit during the sermon, and I said, 'Can I just be in the choir with everybody else?'

"Then, when it came my turn during rehearsal, I told the choir to make up the harmonies behind me and we did a song. The next week, I went back, purely to sing in the choir, and they gave me another solo spot. Once again, I used the choir, improvising the harmonies. And on the third week, they made my little solo presentation official.

"And now I'm a regular. And I can use the choir for that spot. And I have Mark Janas conducting. Three weeks ago, Mark and I wrote up an all new arrangement for one of my songs. And that's what I realized the incredible opportunity I've been given: a great choir and a world class conductor."

I have always believed that the best way to succeed in life is to go where you want to be and, if you have to, volunteer yourself. Make yourself useful. If you start at the bottom, being everyone's helper, it's the quickest way to learn everything.

Jim cut in, "Did you tell her where the church is?" I hadn't. He continued, "It's right across the street from where I grew up."

So, the point of the story was that I honestly went there with the simple intention of being just another face in the choir so that I could learn from Mark Janas. And my reward was a continuing solo spot, the use of a great choir and a world class conductor/arranger guiding me and teaching me.

The kicker was when I looked up the liturgical scripture reading for a couple of weeks ago, and this is what it said:

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Only ln NY?

It's a store in the Village called Pop Mart. It only has one product. Can you tell what it is? Hint: The cheapest one costs $3.75.

"When You Care" Choral Arr. This Morning.

This morning, at Christ Church, Bay Ridge Episcopal in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, I'm going to sing "When You Care" during the morning liturgy, which starts, at 10am. And, behind me, if there's enough to rehearse it, the church choir will be singing the actual original arrangement which you hear on "Buddy's tape" in the final scene, and which you hear on the Original Cast Album and my Bonus Round Sessions CD.

I hadn't announced it earlier because I wasn't sure I would find it. But I did. It was a photocopy of a photocopy of the original, hand-written (more like, hand-scrawled) by Alan Satchwell -- and I've spent all week deciphering it. (Does anyone know where Alan is? I'd love to find him and reconnect.)

I'm now off to meet Mark for rehearsal. But I have a great story about that choir. I'll tell it when I come back.

Ayatollah Fears Musical Insurgency!

I'm trying to imagine a country without music, but destroying music and art is exactly what the despots, who disguise themselves as "religious leaders," do. From the Wall Street Journal, Terry Teachout reports:

According to the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's maximum politico- spiritual leader, the promoting and teaching of music—not just Western music, but any kind whatsoever—is "not compatible with the highest values of the sacred regime of the Islamic Republic." 

 The Journal's Eric Felten suggested the other day that such attitudes are at bottom political. Music, Mr. Felten writes, "somehow manages to make despots nervous." Why? Because "it affects people profoundly and can't be controlled," which would explain why authoritarians of all stripes look upon it as trouble incarnate.

TROUBLE! Right here in River City!! And here you thought my idea of a "musical insurgency" was just a clever marketing ploy? Do you think we should start body scans when people get on a plane, looking for hidden harmonicas? Will a person whistling while walking down the street get arrested?

He "suggests" that Iranian youth should instead "spend their valuable time in learning science and essential and useful skills and fill their time with sport and healthy recreations instead of music." Those Iranians who prefer to do as they please run the risk of getting themselves stoned, by which I don't mean high.

Apparently, this religious leader never read the studies showing how music helps the brain develop so that it can more effectively learn "science and essential and useful skills." And I'm guessing there won't be any marching bands at halftime at soccer tournaments.

If it seems to you that you've heard that song before, you're right. The Taliban of Afghanistan long ago acquired the nasty habit of blowing up music stores, and they also believe in the word of the Prophet Muhammad, who said that "on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress." An equally tough antimusic line is now being taken by the Islamist militia that runs much of Somalia.

 Time to find a new god to worship. Christians love music and would never do such a thing, would they?

Most of the early Protestant reformers, including John Calvin and Martin Luther, opposed the use of musical instruments in worship, and Puritans have always set strict limits on what kinds of music were permissible. Many an English church organ was put to the torch in the 17th century, and to this day there are numerous sects that refuse to allow instrumental music in their services.

Oops. Burn those church organs! The Ayatollah, oops, I mean, the preacher don't like no music playing. But, why?

Flash forward to 1698 and you'll find in Jeremy Collier's "A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English State" a pair of sentences that would sound no less at home in the mouth of a Taliban cleric: "Music is almost as dangerous as gunpowder; and it may be requires looking after no less than the press, or the mint."

Music scary!

In the song "Holy Dirt," I make the point that you can judge a religion by two rules. One, "what does it make you do." Two, "What does it make you do to others."

When your religion tells you that music is bad, and when your religion blows up music stores and burns musical instruments, you're in the wrong religion. Time to get out, no matter what your "prophet" or "minister" or "holy book" says, said or didn't say.

The saddest thing is that an entire generation of kids will grow up without music. Now, that's how you destroy the spirit of a culture.

Lazarus come out.

Happy 200th Off-Broadway Perf. for Zero Hour

It happened on the day I arrived back in New York. Zero Hour hit its 200th performance, Off-Broadway. Don Myers, our beloved former stage manager, brought a cake. (We love our Don).

Philip Loeb Panel Emphasized his Activism, Kindness, Humor & Obstinacy.

Philip Loeb was one of the most beloved "TV dads" during the 50s, when he was unjustly named as a communist on a publication called Red Channels, which sought to expunge any possible "commies" from being able to work in TV and film. Eventually, Philip, who was living with Zero and Kate Mostel, committed suicide. Or, as Anna Berger put it, at the panel discussion, sponsored by Actors Equity and the Museum of Jewish Heritage last night, "He died of a disease called the blacklist."

I met the panel earlier that day at O'Lunney's, an Irish bar near Actor's Equity headquarters. Then, we adjourned to the Philip Loeb Room at Actor's Equity. Phil was a fiery activist on behalf of actors, especially concerning issues such as paid rehearsal time, hot running water in dressing room areas, allowing black actors full equality, etc.

This is a new plaque. The old one had his name misspelled with two "l's."

Author Glenn Smith ("Something on My Own"), filmmaker Aviva Kempner ("Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg!"), actress Anna Berger,
Loeb's nephew, Dr. Steve Loeb.

Philip Loeb's great-nephew, Dr. Steve Loeb.

On the wall: Photo of Philip Loeb in a play.

Scholar Glenn Smith holding his Gertrude Berg book, "Something On My Own."
which provided the basis for the film "Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg."

Aviva Kempner, Steve Loeb, Actor Equity President Nick Wyman.

Nick Wyman delivers emotional speech about Phil Loeb and his contributions as an actor.

Author Glenn Smith, actor Jim Brochu.

Actor Peter Friedman ("Brooklyn Bridge"), Steve Loeb, Aviva Kempner, Anna Berger, Glenn Smith, Jim Brochu.

Peter Friedman, Anna Berger, Aviva Kempner, Jim Brochu.

Jim Brochu ("Zero Hour") speaks about Zero Mostel's love for Philip Loeb.

Panel on Philip Loeb.
The DVD of "Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" is packed with extra footage about Phil.

Philip Loeb panel at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Peter Friedman, Jim Brochu, Glenn Smith, Steve Loeb, Anna Berger, Aviva Kempner.

The panel discussed Phil's life, how he was both beloved and reviled, similarly to the reactions people had to Zero Mostel. They both fought against the blacklist and injustice, but their headstrong ways did not win them friends among their opponents.

They also talked about how funny he was, that he could, without notes, keep an audience or small crowd, laughing. Anna Berger talked about how she, as a young actress, found a defender and helper in Phil Loeb. And how, even after he was forced off the show, he would come to the set and be a friend.

Phil died of an overdose in the Taft Hotel after painful cataract surgery. Shortly afterwards, the FBI cleared his name.

NY Times Profiles Jim Brochu's Encounter with Zero Mostel.

Today, in the NY Times, there is an article about leading theater actors meeting their heroes. Jim tells about meeting Zero Mostel.

Clockwise, from top left: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times; David Rodgers; Stan Barough; Joan Marcus

Clockwise, from top left: Laura Linney and Brian D’Arcy James in “Time Stands Still”; Charles Busch in “The Divine Sister”; Jim Brochu in “Zero Hour”; and Mandy Gonzalez in “Wicked.”

Philip Loeb & The Blacklist Panel Tonight at Jewish Heritage Museum

From Theatremania:


Anna Berger, Jim Brochu, Peter Friedman, et al. Set for Panel Honoring Philip Loeb

By: Dan Bacalzo · Aug 3, 2010  · New York

Jim Brochu (© Tristan Fuge)

The Museum of Jewish Heritage will host a panel discussion honoring the late actor and union activist Philip Loeb, to be held on Wednesday, September 1 at 6:30pm.

At the height of his career in 1949, Loeb was blacklisted for his union activities as he was playing Jake Goldberg on the popular television show, The Goldbergs. The demise of his career is featured in the documentary film Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, and the evening will feature excerpts from it, along with other clips related to Loeb's career. Loeb committed suicide on September 1, 1955; this program commemorates the 55th anniversary of his death.

Panelists will include Aviva Kempner, director of Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg; Anna Berger, an actress on The Goldbergs; Jim Brochu, actor and playwright of Zero Hour, a play about Zero Mostel who was a friend of Loeb's; Peter Friedman, an actor who is writing a play about Loeb; Dr. Steve Loeb, Loeb's grandnephew; Dr. Glenn Smith, Loeb's biographer; and other special guests.

Tickets are free, but donations are suggested.