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| photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert |
| James Baylis, Tyler Kimball, Stephanie Erdel, Brian Roland, Rhett Kalman & Joe Komara sing “Seasons of Love,” with Dan Daly at the piano
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June 7, 2009 -
Grovites gathered at Jumping Jack's Seafood Shack on June 7 to anticipate the 63rd annual Tony Awards® ceremony with a "pre-show," hosted by pianist Dan Daly and singers Rhett Kalman and Brian Roland and produced by Darren Gantt, and a three-course prix fixe dinner and Rhett's special "Broadway Themed Cocktails," and to watch the Tony's-punctuated by more live singing, by our hosts and their guests, and raffle drawings for theater tickets and recordings-on high-definition flat screen television sets. There were prizes, as well, for most correct answers on ballots, second-guessing the American Theatre Wing's judges. An elegantly attired Charity also graced the evening with her presence.
With Dan at the piano, Rhett, in black bowtie and briefs, kicked off the restaurant's First Annual Tony Awards® Party with a song from "Avenue Q" ("I'm gonna find my purpose"). He and Brian promised each other "One thousand sweet kisses" in their love duet, from "Rent," and Brian sang a dulcet "Close every door," from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Guests Joe Komara, from the Broadway cast of "Grease," and Tyler Kimball shared a duet, "It's our musical theater love story," from forthcoming film "A Big Gay Musical."
James Baylis sang "Maria" from "West Side Story" and, from "Jersey Boys," "Can't take my eyes off of you." Stephanie Erdel, featured on "Entertainment Tonight," accompanied herself on guitar for her own song, "(I wanna be) Downtown," and she and Rhett offered their unique take on lesbian duet "Take me, baby, for what I am," from "Rent." Dan and the singers' grand finale, before the Tony's began, was a heartfelt "Seasons of love," from "Rent."
We cheered Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Herman, the "Billy Elliot" boys, and others onscreen, as they won their awards, and Brian, for a number from "Miss Saigon" ("Why, God"), Stephanie for "Somewhere that's green," from "Little Shop of Horrors," and Joe, Kimball, Rhett and Brian for "Greased lightning," from "Grease," in person.
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