before I start...
I have to give a shout out to John Lloyd Young. I met John at BMI when I was performing in the Archie Musical and he was working on Like You Like It. He was unbelievably charming from the moment I met him and I instantly developed a boy-crush (a cruch on a boy that is unavailable or...well...straight). He's a great person who I'm very proud to know. He's always been so supportive of all his friend's endeavours (including my own) and now, he's STARRING in the new Broadway musical JERSEY BOYS! It couldn't have happened to a better, harder working person than John Lloyd. I'm really proud of him.
so on to the meat!
Hey there,
I wanted to invite you all to one or all of these upcoming events which I'm currently involved in...standby...this is a long email, but I'll try to be as concise as I can be...(not likely)
Love, Jamie
THIS MONDAY!!! - September 19th, An All-star reading of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite will benefit the future expansion of Opening Act, an innovative nonprofit that provides free after-school theater programming to New York City’s most underserved public high schools. Produced by Suzy Myers and Jamie McGonnigal and directed by Jonathan Ross, Plaza Suite stars Laura Benanti (FX’s Starved, Broadway’s Nine, Into the Woods and upcoming Wedding Singer) and Michael Berresse (The Light in the Piazza, Kiss Me, Kate) who play former high school sweethearts reunited for one night at the Plaza Hotel. The cast also features John Lavelle (Broadway’s The Graduate). Recently added to the cast: One Life to Live's Ilene Kristen, All Shook Up's Alix Korey, Christopher Murney (Julia's AMAZING Dad), "The Practice's" Michael Badalucco, "Dell Dude" Ben Curtis and Mamma Mia's Britt Shubow. Visit http://www.openingactnewyork.org/ for tickets!
I'M PERFORMING!!! - Sept. 23 at 8 PM, Sept. 28 at 4:30 PM, Sept. 29 at 8 PM, Oct. 1 at 1 PM and Oct. 2 at 1 PM and 4:30 PM. Isabelle and the Pretty-Ugly Spell. I'm performing the role of Clyde, the clumsy inventor and I'm having a blast working on it. Come see it, I think it's going to be really fun. I don't perform onstage very often anymore, but I've been working on this show in readings and workshops now for years and couldn't say no. Ruth Gottschall as "Izzy" is just unreal. I love her! and working with Kevin B McGlynn again after several years ago working at Le Depot is an experience and a half. Come join us. All tickets are $15. For reservations call (212) 352-3101 or visit http://www.nymf.org/.
September 25-28-The World Premiere of Reluctant Pilgrim, The lesser-known songs of Stephen Schwartz as part of the 2nd Annual New York Musical Theatre Festival. I'm producing and directing this one. My dear OLD friend, Christine Rowan is among the 5 amazing performers. Should be a lot of fun! Reluctant Pilgrim will be performed from September 25th-28th at The Barrow Group Theatre at 312 West 36th Street. For further information, scheduling and ticketing, please go to www.nymf.org or call 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 (toll free).
September 26th at 1PM, PLANET HOLLYWOOD – A Fasion Show for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Showing off the fashion creations of OGEAR Clothing by Broadway’s Chad Kimball. Currently scheduled to appear are Tony Award-Winner Cady Huffman, Lennon’s Julia Murney, Dance of the Vampire’s Max von Essen, ROOMS’ Natascia Diaz and Jeremy Kushnier, BARE’S Michael Arden, Avenue Q’s Barrett Foa, Hairspray’s Rashad Naylor, Wicked’s Robb Sapp, Joy’s Ben Curtis and Michael Busillo, Altar Boy Ryan Duncan, Spelling Bee’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Deborah S. Craig, Little Shop’s Kerry Butler, Little Women’s Danny Gurwin, Don Imbroglio’s Nick Dalton, Stand up comedienne Judy Gold and DOZENS of others. No reservations necessary, admission is FREE!
September 26th at 8PM, The Makor - SONGS YOU DON’T KNOW BY PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU: The Music of Dan Lipton and David Rossmer The concert of songs from Dan Lipton and David Rossmer’s musicals, notes to MariAnne and JOE! will be performed by Broadway favorites, Kate Baldwin (Wonderful Town), Bridget Barkan (HBO’s Everyday People), John Cariani (Tony Nominee-Fiddler on the Roof), Matt Cavenaugh (Urban Cowboy), Mark Jacoby (Man of La Mancha), Steven Pasquale (A Man of No Importance), Suzan Postel (Edwin Drood), Anthony Rapp (Upcoming RENT Film), Steve Rosen (Spamalot), Josh Young (Les Miserables) and several others. And the evening’s musicians include Adam Ben-David, Howard Joines, Joe Quigley, Peter Sachon and Andrew Sterman. The evening is being presented by Araca’s Kirsten Berkman and Jamie McGonnigal (World AIDS Day Concerts of Children of Eden, Pippin and this year’s The Secret Garden). For further information, scheduling and ticketing, please go to http://www.nymf.org/ or call 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 (toll free).
October 23rd-Working on a Benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina. With Love…From Broadway to the Bayou will feature performances by Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Kerry Butler (Little Shop…), Ann Hampton Callaway (Swing!), Liz Callaway (Baby, Miss Saigon), Matt Cavenaugh (Urban Cowboy), Nikki Renee Daniels (Little Shop…), Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha), Melissa Errico (Dracula), Max von Essen (Dance of the Vampires), Sara Gettelfinger (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Comedienne Judy Gold, Danny Gurwin (Little Women), Tony Award-Winner Cady Huffman (The Producers), Tina Maddigan (Mamma Mia!), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia), Julia Murney (Lennon), 2005 Tony Award-Nominee, Kelli O’Hara (The Light in the Piazza), Randy Redd (Parade), Brooke Tansley (Beauty & The Beast), Patrick Wilson (HBO’s Angels in America), and several others. The evening will be hosted by Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles), musically directed by Seth Rudetsky (Dreamgirls, Funny Girl, Hair, On the 20th Century Concerts) and directed/produced by me. All seats $50. Tickets available at The Public Theater box office or through Telecharge: www.telecharge.com or 212.239.6200.
and of course THE SECRET GARDEN IN CONCERT. December 5, 2005. Not a whole lot of information about this, but go visit our kickass new website at http://www.worldaidsdayconcert.org/ for the most up-to-date info and to MAKE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS SO WE CAN BE SURE IT WILL HAPPEN!
If you made it through this whole email, you deserve a medal. Thanks for your ongoing support!
Hope to see you at one of these events, if not all of them!
Much Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 1:09 AM