All of my guests have said yes for my birthday concert, and legends, all of them. We've got every aspect of the EGOT (at least nominee-wise) covered among them. I am so happy I did a cartwheel and threw my back out.
Never EVER jam today. @divarobbie bringing us to Wonderland in our fifth edition!
Tix and info for this year's show at 54below.org/54
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#545454 #54below #jamtomorrow #robbierozelle #aliceinwonderland #carolchanning
It's hard to put into words the tremendous loss I feel today. I met Josh D. Smith over 30 years ago, on an online chat room (probably Playbill's AOL room), talking about Carrie the Musical. We became close, fast friends. Because we were in the same area, we would get together and talk about musicals and Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland because gay. Years later, when I had relocated to the city, I started directing. We needed some charts last minute for Jessica Vosk (including her gorgeous duet with Rebecca Luker of "Our Time"), so I shot him a text message. He created them without ever meeting her, and they were magic. A year later, when I started performing myself, he was the first call I made. He became my first musical director and arranger, and his charts were insane. He took my ideas and ran, and brought brilliant choices of his own. Running "Merrily We Roll Along" through the opening of "Let's Misbehave" was all him. His arrangements were why I wanted to make a live album of the show - his work needed to be preserved. I knew he ran a theatre, but he was still my first call when I started "Tuesdays at 54..." because of the shorthand. When the pandemic happened, we were mixing the album, and he was so smart and concise in his notes. My single of "Wicked Little Town / Make Your Own Kind of Music" is his arrangement. I was able to hire him as an arranger for other things. I only saw him once post-pandemic: he was in town for some auditions, and we were able to catch up and laugh. After he had his stroke, we stayed in touch and talked about what we would do when he was able to play again. To wake up today to the news that we wouldn't be able to make more music together shatters my heart. I love you, Josh.
Was thrilled to celebrate @gillianwithag and 10 years / 500 episodes of @thehamilcast last week.
To see joy radiate from every person in the room, and seeing what happens when someone’s curiosity is sparked and ignited is such a beautiful thing. Congrats on an incredible run, friend.
📸 @rebeccajmichelson
