Actor John Cullum with Georgiana Vines, chair of the Clarence Brown Theatre Advisory Board, this past weekend in New York City. (Photo by David Byrd)
The 2015 Tony Awards nominations came out this morning, and one group of Knoxvillians was keenly interested in them. It was the 20 folks who went to New York City this past weekend led by the Clarence Brown Theatre’s artistic director, Cal MacLean, and managing director, David Byrd.
And guess what? Two of the plays we saw — “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” and “The King and I” garnered 15 award nominations between them. The third play, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” was nominated for seven Tonys last year and took home two — Best Leading Actress for Jessie Mueller and Best Sound Design.
Cal really knows how to pick ’em.
This annual trip is for Clarence Brown Theatre supporters, and we highly recommend you consider it. Alan and I even added a fourth play on the front end of the trip. We saw Helen Mirren playing Queen Elizabeth in “The Audience” and absolutely loved it. It was nominated for three Tony Awards this morning.
Next year’s trip already has been set for April 7-10.
Other trip highlights included lunch at Sardi’s with Knoxville’s own two-time Tony winner John Cullum; a late-night show by a legendary singer performing at a legendary jazz club; a reunion of Clarence Brown Theatre alums now living in New York; and some of the best meals of our lives.
Here are some highlights. If you’d like to go next year, contact Amanda Middleton, external relations associate, at the Clarence Brown Theatre at (865) 974-5654. If you go, I predict you will see some of the 2016 Tony nominees!
The view from our 25th-floor room in the Intercontinental hotel, conveniently located in the Theater District. That’s the Hudson River at the back of the photo. It was fun watching a huge cruise ship dock for a couple of days.
Alan and I arrived in New York on Wednesday and took in “The Audience” on our own. On Thursday, we headed over to the Historic Barrymore Theatre on West 47th Street to meet up with our Knoxville pals for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Alan at the Barrymore on West 47th Street prior to the first play with our Knoxville group.
Here are members of our group, Bob and Margie Parrott, settled in for the show. (Photo by David Byrd)
Dean Theresa Lee of UT’s College of Arts and Sciences, left, with group members Donna and Terry Wertz in the theater lobby. (Photo by David Byrd)
We thought the play was fantastic. It is about a young man with autism and it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Alex Sharp definitely deserves his Tony nomination for Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play. We hope he wins.
After the play, it was time to head to a reception for University of Tennessee grads living in the Big Apple.
The second annual reception for Clarence Brown Theatre grads living in New York was held at the Bourbon Street Bar and Grille, inspired by New Orleans. Here’s Alan at the entrance.
From left, David Byrd of Clarence Brown; Michelle Geller, who is in development for UT’s College of Arts and Sciences; and the college’s dean, Theresa Lee.
From left, Amelia Mathews, who graduated from UT in 2010; Adam Bradley; Miwa Ishii, who graduated in 2013; and Ricardo Birnbaum, who graduated in 2012.
Knoxvillians Fran Scheidt and Jeff Stanley at the bar.
Georgiana enjoying an offering from the buffet.
Alan with one of our favorite Clarence Brown Theatre alums, actor Ronny Venable.
Mingling. (Photo by David Byrd)
Wes Stowers, left, with Clarence Brown’s Jed Diamond, center, and Jed’s son, Quinn.
From left, Carl Tallent of class of 2005; Erin O’Leary of class of 2006; and Tim Hart of class of 2013.
From left, Georgiana, ChristinaNoel Reaves and Vee Panagakos.
More mingling.
Chris Cox, left, director of development for visual and performing arts at UT, with Georgiana and his wife, Vee Panagakos.
Clarence Brown Artistic Director Cal MacLean made a few remarks.
Amanda Middleton, who helped with trip arrangements, also documented the goings on.
The next day, Friday, we headed over to Sardi’s on West 44th Street to have lunch with John Cullum, an actor Alan and I love.
John Cullum, center, with Jeff Stanley, left, and David Byrd. (Photo by Amanda Middleton)
“You know how you get to be a legend?” Cullum asked. “You live long enough!” He’s 85.
Here’s a 1974 caricature of Cullum on the wall at Sardi’s. It was at the time of his Tony-winning performance in “Shenandoah.” “I hate that picture,” he muttered.
Cullum chatting with Donna and Terry Wertz.
During lunch, Cullum talked about his career and people he has worked with. He’s a big fan of Carol Mayo Jenkins, who teaches acting at UT now. At Knoxville High School, he was a classmate of Mary Costa and Patricia Neal was a few years ahead of him, he said.
Cullum and Fran Scheidt.
Chris Cox and Vee Panagakos at Sardi’s.
Rosemary Gilliam, right, with UT alumna Jess Milewicz of the class of 2014.
When Cullum was introduced to Milewicz, he offered the aspiring actor this piece of advice now that she is living in New York City. “You’ve got to keep moving,” he said. “Don’t fix up your apartment and have dinner parties. Get out there. Keep moving. You’ve got to be where things are happening — that’s where the opportunities are. You never know when it’s going to happen. And have a good piece ready. I had an eight-minute piece from ‘King Lear’ ready to recite at any time.”
It was such a treat to spend time with John Cullum. He will be in Knoxville for a Clarence Brown fundraiser on June 7, the night of the Tony Awards this year. Click here for info on the gala, which will be held at RT Lodge. If you become a sponsor of the gala, you will get first dibs on a room at the lodge that evening and will have breakfast with Cullum the next morning. That’s what we are doing.
As an added bonus, as we were leaving Sardi’s we spotted a familiar face at a nearby table.
James Lipton from “Inside the Actors Studio.” What luck!
The next play was “The King and I” at the Lincoln Center Theatre on West 65th Street.
Here’s how close we were. I took this photo from my seat.
Afterward, Conrad Ricamora, a 2012 graduate of UT, took us backstage. He plays Lun Tha in the musical. Here he is with Ashley Park, who plays his love interest.
A few autographs.
A little chit chat.
Saturday, it was cold and blustery in New York City. We had not brought coats from Knoxville. So I invested $7 to buy this great wrap from a street vendor in Times Square. If you’re going to look like I tourist, I figured, why not go all the way?
And what’s a trip to NYC without a little street food? Here is Liz Stowers, left, and her sister sampling some of the edible wares. (Photo by David Byrd)
Saturday afternoon was time for our matinee performance of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on West 43rd Street.
We loved it. I rated it the third best play of the trip — after “The Audience” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Here are Jeff Stanley, left, and David Byrd, right, with their friend, actor Paul Anthony Stewart after the show. He played Don Kirshner in the play. (Photo by Patrice Shallow)
Following the last play, many of us gathered in the bar of our hotel for a wrap-up meeting.
Cal’s wife, Rebecca MacLean, ordered a Manhattan. Very appropriate, I thought.
Guess what I had. I loved this label.
Our young thespian friend, Jess Milewicz, talked about acting as a career.
Here’s a bunch of us. From left, Alan Carmichael, Liz Stowers, her sister, Elizabeth Matthews, Rebecca MacLean, Wes Stowers, Georgiana Vines, Cal MacLean, Jess Milewicz and Fran Scheidt.
I don’t know about you, but Alan and I often listen to WUOT-FM, the public radio station in Knoxville. A show we really like is a jazz program called “Last Set at Birdland.” And what was located directly across the street from the entrance to our hotel? Yep. Birdland.
Birdland.
And there was another great coincidence. One of my favorite movies last year was a documentary about back-up singers called “20 Feet from Stardom.” One of those back-up singers, Lisa Fischer, was performing at Birdland! We bought tickets to the 11 p.m. show. It was awesome.
My favorite was her spooky, soulful rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.”
Lisa Fischer
More Lisa Fischer.
Very memorable.
If you’re not convinced yet to go on this trip next year, wait until you see The Blue Streak’s next post. It’s about the food!
That Terry and Donna Wertz are cool cats!
Tom: They really are! We have been with them on several trips now. We love them! You and Deanene need to get in on this.
John Cullum was so entertaining and generous with his time and stories. I hope he tells the stethoscope story at RT Lodge. I also hope Lisa Fischer makes Knoxvile one of her stops. She has personality plus, her rendition of “Gmme Shelter” was out of this world.
This looks like so much fun!
Gay: It is! You and Bill need to come next year. It will be a blast.
“Get out there. Keep moving. You’ve got to be where things are happening — that’s where the opportunities are. You never know when it’s going to happen.”
Love this advice from John Cullum – applies well beyond the stage.
I am so jealous you all saw Lisa Fischer! I am obsessed with her voice after watching “20 Feet From Stardom.” Looks like a great trip!
The roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd! New York, New Yoooork!
Liz Stowers is a rock star! So much talent and a great heart for the students at UT and at Webb. What a fabulous trip…someday. 🙂
What a treat it was to spend so much time with you all! The Clarence Brown Society, along with Cal and David, are instrumental to a student’s success while at UT! It is certainly something SPECIAL to continue the relationship after graduation. I will say though— my roommates were quite confused when I came home and said, “Take it all down! Sell the dinner plates! We are hitting the streets! John Cullum says to GET OUT THERE!” 🙂 See you next year!
Maria: You are so right. It applies to every career.
Amanda: Lisa Fischer was amazing — and an unexpected treat for us. It was a fabulous trip. These escapades are usually fraught with surprises.
Laura: I agree about Liz. You all need to come on this trip!
Jess: We loved being with you. It makes our support of the Clarence Brown Theatre mean so much. I say you should take John Cullum’s advice. He knows what he’s talking about! Good luck to you. We look forward to following your career!
Eric: You are cracking me up!
Thanks for the great article Cynthia. Always love your posts on the Blue Streak, and yes, the trip to NYC is always a great time. Glad to be with you all!
Cal: You all do such a great job planning the trips. You have a nose for picking Tony-winning plays! We love the way you put together the weekend to have so many special “together” times but still leave space for all of us to do our own things.Thanks so much.
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives