By Maryann Lopinto***Recently, Comedy Tonight! A Roast of Lee Roy Reams, was presented by Rob Schneider and John Sefakis, president of Dancers Over 40 (DO40), at 54 Below, directed and hosted by Jim Brochu, with musical director Fred Barton. Of course, the show was all about roasting and toasting many friends.
On video: tributes from the hilarious Nathan Lane, Rex Smith, Richard Kind and Brandon Maggart (co-star in APPLAUSE 56 years ago!).
Live highlights included: Billy Stritch, from the days of “Mongomery Plant and Stritch;” Melissa Errico with “”How Are Things in Glocca Morra?;” Alex Rybeck telling a funny tale about a trip to Portugal; Mary Callanan with a take off on Johnny Carson’s “Karnak;” Penny Fuller singing a medley from APPLAUSE, featuring “He’s No Longer a Gypsy;” Judy Kaye singing”Our Love is Here to Stay;” and Pamela Myers with special lyrics to “You’re the Top.” Dick Miller also flew up from Florida with a telegram congratulating Lee Roy.
An auction for dinner at Sardi’s with Lee Roy was held, and the final bid was between two fans who each bid $800, thus raising $1,600 for D)40. Of course, the finale was the man himself, with Reams performing a medley of songs that contained the word dance in them.
The one and only The Marvelous Marilyn Maye celebrated her 96th birthday amid a run of shows at 54 Below. This legend has been entertaining audiences for over eight decades, and as the promo from the club declares, she’s a “A theatrical dynamo with the power to “melt the heart of the most hardened cynics” (The New York Times), Maye is a consummate entertainer who breathes new life into classics, carrying the torch from her peers who originated tunes of the Great American Songbook to the future generation of singers. Put simply, “no entertainer gives you more in terms of great music, great theater, and great comedy” (Opera News).” We couldn’t say it better.
Maye has more shows coming up at the club in May. Go to 54below.com for more info and tickets.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
