WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. September 29, 2004: Mr. and Mrs. White Plains as well as Mr. and Mrs. Westchest-a showed up in good cheer with checkbooks to celebrate 25 years of Westco Productions, the company that introduces theatre to youngsters all over the county. Their 25th Anniversary Celebration & Silent Auction Tuesday evening set a new standard for entertainment on the "Gala circuit" at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. They saw a helluva show, Mr. and Mrs. Theatre-Goer.
Leslie Uggams, The Diva Without Peer and her wonderful combo bringing down the house at the 25th Anniversary of Westco Productions. Westco supporters caught Leslie Uggams, arguably the premier and most versatile Broadway belter of our time, taking time away from her opening this weekend with James Earl Jones in On Golden Pond, at the Kennedy Center this weekend to honor her commitment to Westco Tuesday night. Ms. Uggams told the audience she appreciated "supporters of the arts, because they bring new people into the business." Honor she did with a show that seemed crafted just for the 300 and up patrons of the arts on hand. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Marilyn Michaels and a Supporting Cast of the Actresses of All Time: Ms. Uggams manic companion on the Westco Program was the consummate Impressario of all female stars, past and present, the madcap mistress of singing styles, Marilyn Michaels. She easily brought new laugh after new laugh in a solid 45-minute set with her imitations of Hepburn, Liz Taylor, Marlene Dietricht, Dinah Shore and a comic duet with a male member selected at random from the audience. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Millin', Mingling, and Schmoozing in the Theatre Vestibule, neighbors and friends bid on the Westco Silent Auction, met and greeted. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
FIRST LADY OF WESTCHESTER THEATRE, Susan Katz, Westco Productions founder and Executive Director and creative force, right, greets Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bergins. Photo by WPCNR SchmoozeCam.
Here's Susan! Carol Greenberg, Co-Chair of the Gala Commitee, and Mr. White Plains, Robert Ruger introduced Susan Katz to kick off the evening after gourmet fare served by the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
Carol Greenberg and Susan Katz: Ms. Katz thanked the corporate sponsors, the persons she has worked with over the years who have helped Westco grow, and noted that Westco productions are 70% self-sustaining through ticket sales, with fundraising used to expand the program. She reported that 21 professional actors and actresses have gotten their start at Westco over the last 25 years. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
WESTCO Honored Ronald McDonald House Charities, underwriter of Westco's Hospital Touring Program. Janet Samaha spoke on how Westco produces performances at Ronald McDonald House, and how the Samahas, who opened the first McDonald's in White Plains in 1973, feel it is important to give back to the community. Left to right, Ms. Katz, Ms. Samaha, Robert Ruger, and Sam Samaha. The John H. & Ethel G. Noble Charitable Trust, administered by Deutsche Bank was also honored for being the Primary Sponsor of the Westco Hospital Touring Program. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
Carol Greenberg Honors Marsha Gordon, President/CEP of The Business Council of Westchester for the Council's support of Westco programs. Ms. Gordon spoke of how important theatre was in her life as a little girl and the value of Westco in presenting theatre to young people at a young age. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains praised Executive Director Susan Katz for caring about creating theatre for the young, and said it takes a person with a good heart to do that. He reminisced about knowing Ms. Katz when she was a little girl and how far she and Westco have come. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
Bright Lights, Big Achievement: The Mayor and Ms. Katz on stage at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
Backstage After the Show: The Stars of the Gala with The Producers: Left to Right, Peter Katz, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Michaels, Sue Katz. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Leslie Uggams and Marilyn Michaels delivered terrific performances.
Uggams was sensational, enthralling the audience with her incredible range, from ballads to belt-outs, swing, to jazz. She created a friendly intimacy with the big house, reminiscing about her first performance at the age of 8 in the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. This lead into telling of how she worked with Louis Armstrong, then she showed all her talent and creativity with her own interpretation of Louis Armstrong singing Up the Lazy River, using her amazing voice to simulate trumpet riffs.
She sequed that upbeat number with a touching treatment of Up on the Roof, the old Drifters' song backed impeccably cooly by her guitartist. She also eased into the styles of Ella Fitzgerald and the blues of Dinah Washington. Just dead solid perfect. Ms. Uggams showed the range of voice for which she is famous throughout, but Up on the Roof was just amazing the way she made you feel.
Leslie Uggams with Susan Katz in Ms. Uggams Dressing Room after the show. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
Ms. Michaels and The Great Katz. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Michaels showed her incredible voice delivered lusty standards and some old jokes but good ones, as she became first one actress, than another, making the audience laugh harder with each new personality she impressioned. Her famous Wizard of Oz routine where she plays every role was uncanny in her ability to shift from inflection to nuance, character to character without missing a trick.
Both acts were just the real deal, presenting the magic these two stars have within them and sharing the wonder of it with the audience for a little while.
Ms. Uggams and Ms. Michaels backstage after the show. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
Backstage, posing for stills, Ms. Uggams shared with us a little insight into "the entertainer's life." Ms. Uggams revealed she was still cramming, getting the script down for her Saturday night opening of On Golden Pond at the Kennedy Center with James Earl Jones, which she was asked to do just two weeks ago after she had committed to the Westco date. But she refused to cancel the Westco gig.
"I'm off stage for only 10 pages," she fretted to Ms. Michaels. Ms. Michaels embraced her and assured Ms. Uggams she had done the right thing, and that she simply had to take the part opposite Mr. Jone, it was such a great part, and not to worry she could do it. Ms. Uggams said, "I had to come up here and do this show."
That's what being a pro is all about. The gala must go on.
And Mr. and Mrs. White Plain in the audience are glad she did. Ms. Uggams received a standing ovation.
