Andy Karl in “Wicked”

Fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant Andy Karl has joined the cast of Broadway’s “Wicked” playing the part of “Fiyero.” If you haven’t seen this show, now would be a great time as Andy will entice and enchant you like no other “Fiyero” has with his good looks, sexy and vibrant singing voice as well as his brilliant comedic timing. Take yourself down to the Emerald City at the Gershwin Theatre in NYC (51st Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue) for a “Wicked” good time!

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Wishing Rue McClanahan Well!

Obie and Emmy Award winning actress as well as fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant Rue McClanahan suffered a mild stroke. She is recovering and working hard to get back to doing what she does best–Entertaining her fans! (Thank you Del Shores for the update).

Dear Rue,

Get well soon! Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery! Can’t wait to hear all your “Sordid” stories…

Love,

Adam 🙂

(This is a picture of Rue & I from when she starred on Broadway in 2001 in Roundabout Theatre’s production of “The Women”).

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Anne Brummel

With her powerhouse vocals, Anne Brummel has been flying high! From “Wicked” in Chicago and on the 2nd National Tour to the national tours of “Cats” and “Evita” as well as leading her vocals to fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest participant Bobby Cronin’s “Reach The Sky Concert,” Anne’s voice has been heard around the world filling not only theatre’s, but the hearts of many lucky audiences. You can currently catch Anne traveling the country on the 2nd National Tour of Wicked.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I grew up in theatre. Both my parents were musical theatre performers so, I guess in a way, they inspired me. I don’t think it was any one thing or person as much as it was just in my blood.

2. What is the highest and lowest note you can sing? Oh jeez…..whatever that impossible low note is at the end of “I’m Not That Girl” from Wicked to an E above high C ish.

3. Who is the one person you haven’t worked with that you would like to? There are lots!  I would love to work with any broadway icon…….Carolee Carmello is someone who I would love to be on stage with. She is just Amazing!

4. Who do you consider to be your hero? My mother. She is the coolest person I know.

5. Peanut Butter: Crunchy or Smooth? For sandwiches and apple dipping, smooth. But for glutinous chocolate dipping, crunchy.

6. What skin care products do you use? I’m always trying new things. My skin is not overly sensitive, so I enjoy trying new stuff. Currently I am using Origins A Perfect World cleanser. I also use a Hyurolonic Acid day and night cream and Vitamin E ointment at night.

7. Favorite play/musical? I don’t have just one….Funny Girl, Nine, Evita,Company…..Cats……just kidding…..not Cats!

8. Favorite hobby? Cooking.

9. Best holiday gift ever? My husband got me the most beautiful necklace for my birthday. I know its not recognized as a national holiday , but in my world it counts!!

10. “Saved By The Bell” or “California Dreams”? SAVED BY THE BELL!!!!!!!!!

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Rue McClanahan

Updated: Rue McClanahan passed today, June 3, 2010 at the age of 76 after suffering a stroke. The interview below is from 2009 and a special Thank You to Michael J. La Rue who sat down with Rue to answer these questions and send them on to me. I am forever grateful!

Rue McClanahan is an icon.  An OBIE and Emmy Award winning actress, not a decade has passed by without Rue being in the spotlight since making her stage debut in 1957 at the Erie Playhouse in “Inherit The Wind.” She studied with theatre legend Uta Hagen and made her Broadway debut in 1969 in “Jimmy Shine” starring Dustin Hoffman and in 1970 won the OBIE Award for her role in “Who’s Happy Now?” Rue joined the soap opera “Another World” from 1970-1971. It was her guest starring role in 1972 on  “All In The Family,” created by Norman Lear, that lead Lear to cast Rue in “Maude” (alongside Bea Arthur), where she stayed until the show ended in 1978. In the 80s, Rue was on the hit show “Mamma’s Family” starring Vicki Lawrence (and Betty White for a time) and then came “The Golden Girls” from 1985-1992, reuniting Rue with Bea Arthur and Betty White along with Estelle Getty. After the “The Golden Girls,” Rue continued on as “Blanche Devereaux” in “The Golden Palace.” The late ’90s & new millennium has brought Rue back to the stage, starring in such hits as “The Vagina Monologues,” Roundabout Theatre’s revival of “The Women” and the Broadway production of “Wicked.” She also released her autobiography, “My First Five Husbands and The Ones Who Got Away” and came back to  series TV in “Sordid Lives: The Series.” You can catch Rue September 19 at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, TX as part of “A Sordid Comedy Affair” tour with creator Del Shores along with cast members Leslie Jordan, Jason Dottley, and Caroline Rhea. Like the characters Rue has played, she is strong, funny, and always making fans smile. So watch out, ’cause Rue is still rising!

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? My Mother, Rheua-Nell McClanahan.

2. When did you realize you wanted to become a performer? I realized I wanted to be a performer when I was five and cast as the Mother Cat in my Kindergarten’s performance of “Three Little Kittens.”  I realized I actually could do it as a profession when I was 12; I figured out that the people I saw in movies were not from Hollywood, they were actually from other towns, even small ones, just like me.

3. Who is the one person you haven’t worked with that you would like to? Harrison Ford.

4. Is there ever a time you thought about quitting? Heavens no!

5. What is the best advice a teacher ever gave you? Barney Brown, a man who directed me at The Pasadena Playhouse – and directors are often teachers, at least the good ones –  he told me: “You’ll never become great until you’re willing to go out on a limb, much further than you feel comfortable, so far out it is dangerous, and then you learn to pull it back and refine it.”

6. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? It would be me actually, but only because there is a particular dream I want to experience again. In it, I was floating in the air, conducting a symphony that I had created; and I knew I was in a dream and wouldn’t be able to bring the wonderful music from my subconscious out with me. I would love to have that dream again!

7. Favorite kind of shoes? Anything that is really comfortable.

8. Favorite holiday? Christmas.

9. Favorite color? Blue

10. Favorite kind of sundae (ice cream flavor & topping)? A classic: vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that no one knows about? I can write backwards, upside down, and even upside down AND backwards.

12. What is the weirdest thing you’ve read about yourself and where did you read it? There was an article filled with lies about the “Golden Girls” actors in the “National Enquirer.”  Someone gave it to me on the way to the airport and I read that I had narcolepsy; that condition where you just fall asleep out of the blue.  It also said that Betty White ate six cheeseburgers a day!  Whoever leaked to the press got it wrong.  I have the ability to take naps anywhere, and often did, even behind the couch on the set of “Golden Girls,” but I do not suffer from narcolepsy.  And Betty White did not eat six cheeseburgers every day, she ate one.

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Making Good Concert in LA Aug. 23 at 7:30pm

Fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant Billy Porter directs “Stephen Schwartz: Making Good” concert tonight at 7:30pm as part of Upright Cabaret’s “Wicked” Summer Nights series in Los Angeles, CA. The concert will debut the West Coast premiere of songs from Schwartz’s new opera, Séance on a Wet Afternoon, as well as tunes from the composer’s many Broadway and film musicals.

Those scheduled to perform are: Terrence Mann, Tracie Thoms, Michael Arden, David Burnham, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Elizabeth Brackenbury, Barrett Foa, Audra Mae, Michael Marcotte, Katy Mixon, Nicole Parker, Hila Plitmann, Aaron Refvem, Tami Tappan Damiano, Ty Taylor and Brenna Whitaker.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood, CA. For tickets www.uprightcabaret.com/events

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Robb Sapp in “Shrek”

Catch fellow “Adaumbelle Quest” participant Robb Sapp for a limited time in the Broadway blockbuster “Shrek” at the Broadway Theatre. He is playing the role of “Pinocchio” through December 15 while John Tartaglia is on a leave of absence.

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Reach for the Sky Concert

A host of talent will be taking part in “Reach The Sky” concert this Monday, August 3 at 7pm & 9:30pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street) celebrating the songs of Bobby Cronin including:

Caissie Levy (“Hair”), Jared Gertner (“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” & upcoming “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant), Kate Pazakis (“Jerry Springer Opera”, “Divas I’ve Done”, “A Broadway Diva Christmas”, solo CD “Unzipped: Live at the Zipper”, & upcoming “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant), Katie Thompson (“Giant”), Natalie Weiss (“Wicked”), & Ben Cameron (“Wicked”).

Tickets are $15 at the door. For reservations call: 212-695-6909.

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Robb Sapp

From Broadway’s “Wicked” to Off-Broadway’s “Zana, Don’t”, “Johnny Guitar: The Lounge Western”, and “Enter Laughing” Robb Sapp is multi-talented actor. He can currently been seen in Lincoln Center’s production of “Happiness” through June 7. Be sure to catch him!

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I knew I wanted to be onstage when I would go to my older sister’s dance recitals or drop her off at dance class.  Pretty familiar story…they should right a song about it…oh, they did???

2. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that no one knows about? I sometimes think I have ESP…does that count???

3. Who do you consider to be your hero? My Mom.

4. Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts? What do you order? Starbucks, no question.  Venti Iced Hazelnut Coffee.

5. Boxers or Briefs? Boxerbriefs.

6. How old were you when you had your first “real kiss”? 13.

7. Books or Magazines? Books.

8. What website do you get your news from? CNN.com…and dlisted.com…but that’s not real news.

9. Favorite ride at an amusement park? Any that start with “roller” and end with “coaster”.  I also enjoy the waterpark sections of amusement parks.  I am from Ohio, after all.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman.

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