PREVIEW OF THE 2023 FOUNDATION FOR NEW AMERICAN MUSICALS ALL STAR BENEFIT AND FUNDRAISER

One of the best, classiest, most fun, and most worthwhile events I attended in 2021 was The Foundation for New American Musicals (FNAM) All-Star Benefit and Fundraiser. So when I noticed it would be in the same exclusive venue this year, (the lovely garden of a private residence,) I knew I not only had to attend myself, but share all the info with my SoCal readers because the public is invited to purchase tickets and support the cause. This is one that every fan of Broadway musicals should not miss.

But let me not bury the lede—the special guest of the presentation portion of the program will be none other than…Billy Crystal! Seeing him is worth the price of admission alone.

The event will take place next Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 2PM in Pacific Palisades. (Address will be provided when you order your tickets.)

What the previous event looked like in 2021. See how exclusive it is? Photo by Karen Salkin.

The first part of the proceedings will be the cocktail reception, where the mingling begins. (It continues long after the show portion of the afternoon has ended, when we all have even more to discuss with each other!) The silent auction starts right away, as well. There were some beautiful items last time, so I expect more of the same.

And then the show begins. That’s where Billy Crystal comes in. He’ll be presenting the 2023 FNAM Inspire Award to multiple Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown, who composed the music for Billy’s recent Broadway show, Mr. Saturday Night. Jason’s co-awardee here is his wife, Georgia Stitt, who has her own very long list of musical credits, both as a composer-lyricist and performer herself. I’m impressed by such an accomplished couple who both have their own gigs in the same field, and can also work together from time to time.

The trio of FNAM honorees at the upcoming Benefit: Jason Robert Brown, Georgia Stitt, and Marcia Seligson. Photos courtesy of FNAM.

Along with the Awards, the afternoon will feature musical performances by some very talented artists. As a fan of his voice for years, I’m most excited to see Wayne Brady perform so up-close and personal. There will also be Chris Mann, (whom I still remember as the lone opera singer from the early days of The Voice,) along with Anastasia Barzee, Therese Curatolo, and Cheeyang Ng.

On a side note, I had the pleasure of chatting on the phone the other day with FNAM Board President, (and casting person extraordinaire,) Michael Donovan, who turned out to be a kindred spirit with me. Where has he been all my life??? (Oh wait—being super-successful, that’s where!)

An actress friend of mine had recently taken his class on how to audition, and before I got to speak with him, (and find-out for myself,) she told me that Michael is “lovely, funny, and smart”; she could not have been more correct.

The fabulous Wayne Brady. Photo courtesy of FNAM.

Michael is very enthusiastic about not only this upcoming special event, but The Foundation for New American Musicals, in general. In keeping with their raison d’etre, (which is to educate, mentor, and showcase the next generations of creators of musicals for stage, screen and new media,) Michael teaches his craft at Pepperdine, and directs their Senior Showcase. He had also done the same at my beloved UCLA, which I uber-appreciate because it’s where I first  stalked fell in love with Mr. X when I saw him on stage on just my third night in Los Angeles!  (And, much to his chagrin, the rest has been history.) Michael clearly lives up to the organization’s dedication to providing opportunities for talented newcomers to create and showcase their art.

In our hour-and-a-half convo, (and yes—I did let him get in a few words!,) Michael’s admiration of everyone involved in this event was quite apparent. He was able to reel-off so many credits of all the honorees, and we both talked about “how amazing” Bob Klein is. Bob is one of the organization’s founders, and at the previous fundraiser, he received their first Founders’ Award in recognition of “his considerable support for emerging writers of musical theatre.” Michael told me that at this one, Bob will, in turn, present the 2023 Founders’ Award to FNAM co-founding member, (and Broadway producer,) Marcia Seligson. Long-time LA musical theatre fans are always grateful to her for having created the Reprise series of very famous musicals at UCLA over the years. They featured so many shows that even I, a child of New York City culture, had never seen. It was a really joyous series of shows, and I thank her for all that happiness.

Just a tiny bit of the plentiful fare at FNAM’s previous Benefit. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The best part of the upcoming Benefit is that while we guests are having all that fun, the proceeds of the event will benefit FNAM and its programs. So you’ll be thoroughly entertained while being philanthropic at the same time. It’s a major win-win.

And even if you cannot join us this time, I highly suggest that all fans of musicals, and discovering new talent, check-out the Foundation’s work. It will be eye-opening.

For tickets and more information, please go to www.FNAM.us.