2009
SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY
Jan 2-4
I had a great time with pals Christiane Noll and Doug LaBrecque, for this Bravo Broadway Concert. I had never been to San Antonio, but it's Rob's favorite Texas town (city), so he and Nina joined the travels. From the hospitality and food to the Alamo, to the big hair -- we had a good time!
  
It's the Alamo, Nina! Christiane and me - BIG HAIR Rob and the Bean waiting for fajitas.
THE BEST CORPORATE GIG EVER!!
Tarbell Corporate Event*
Feb 12
Lucky Me! Tarbell Realty hired me this year for one of the most incredible concert experiences I've ever had! I got to join Broadway pals, Brian Stokes Mitchell (we started a theatre company together back in the 90's!!), Hugh Panaro (who I've been concertizing with on the symphony stages), Laura Bell Bundy and the staggeringly talented Young Americans for a Rodgers and Hammerstein tribute. The concert included shortened versions of Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and Flower Drum Song, and then a full length concert version of South Pacific. I was thrilled (at my age!!) to play Laurey and Maria, and then have the chance to watch Stokes play Emile and sing Some Enchanted Evening. We performed for the exuberant audience of realtors (not open to the public) and really had a BLAST!!! Best moment ... hanging out with Shirley Jones backstage -- she hosted the concert!!
 
with gorgeous Hugh Panaro with Betsy Tarbell, Hugh, Shirley Jones, Christian Campbell
 
The Gals!! Cathy Newman, Nita Whitaker, Julie Danao-Salkin My beloved Von Trapp kids!
SOUTH COAST SYMPHONY
Staying somewhat close to home, I had the great pleasure of working with the South Coast Symphony and conductor Barry Silverman during these two concerts on Aoril 24th and May 17th. Because we were so close to the Orange County High School of the Arts, I recruited a current student and two former students: Nina Herzog, Jamie Hartmann and Amy Chapman. They helped sing music from Little Shop of Horrors, Rent, Hercules, Company and more. But I still needed a cute and talented guy, SO lucky me ... Broadway Danny Gurwin joined in to sing some romantic tunes!
Jamie, Amy, Nina and me in the green room
  
in concert backstage with Karen Rymar and Danny with Danny on stage
BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK
June 2009
I was so honored to be asked by a lovely couple if I'd provide the entertainment for their 50th Wedding Anniversary party in Baltimore -- a city I love! The party was a smash and the couple doesn't even look old enough to have been alive 50 years let alone married! The trip also gave me the chance to travel with my niece, Maxine, and visit my pal Julia. Karen came along as producer the show and Steve as the handsome pianist -- we had a blast! After Baltimore, I caught Amtrak up to NYC to drop Maxine off at home and caught my pal, Alice Ripley in her Tony-Award-Winning performance in Next to Normal. I love you Alice Ripley!!
  
Karen, me, Julia me and Max backstage with Alice and Karen
BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC
July 12, 2009
So what if on my way home I gt stuck at the Buffalo Airport, then missed my connection in Atlanta, had to sleep at Gate C2 (I don't recommend it) and THEN had to fly into San Diego to get back to Southern California (all the flights to LA were booked), and then drove three hours to get my car at LAX. So what I say? I had a good time while I was IN Buffalo -- cavorting with Capathia Jenkins, Doug LaBrecque and Darius de Haas in our Broadway Rocks concert. Did I mention that in the hour between rehearsal and the show I ran over to Niagra Falls with agent and pal, John Such, to catch of glimpse of this wonder? A fast day in Buffalo ... and a slow trip home.
with Doug, me, pal Kelly and her mom Debbie, and Darius
John, my agent, and me ... our "honeymoon at Niagra" shot. Ignore that I'm 4 months pregnant!
Some Other Fun 2009 Concerts!
February 14 - South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Indiana
Valentines From Hollywood and Broadway
I joined my Broadway pal Gary Mauer (Phantom of the Opera) for this concert of romantic music from stage to screen!
February 21 - VOX Femina Concert!!!
I had the honor to perform an intimate concert for only 75 people (!) at a private home in Beverly Hills; the evening benefited VOX Femina, a celebrated womens choral ensemble.
February 26 - Clarke College, Dubuque, IA
Stephen Cook and I flew to Dubuque and gave our two-act concert. I also loved meeting the students at the master class during the day!
MORE TO COME!
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