HELP IS ON THE WAY XIII GOES TO THE
MOVIES GETS RAVE REVIEWS
REAF Newsletter
10 August 2007
The
stars aligned perfectly for one spectacular gala event on
Sunday, August 5th at the Palace of Fine Arts with one show
stopping act after another at this summer's "Help is on the Way
XIII Goes to the Movies." The opening act began with Sarah Lowe,
film icon Ruby Keeler's granddaughter, dancing in sync with her
famous grandmother by video behind her to the title song from
42nd Street and was followed by 35 more tap dancing wizards
joining Sarah for an all-out tap extravaganza.
Video was included in many numbers in this year's big gala which
included a clip of Audrey Hepburn singing the title song from
"Moon River" followed by International Ballroom Dance champions
Cate Caplin and Gary Franco in a beautiful pas de deux of the
same song. Broadway/TV star Valarie Pettiford also danced a
lovely and moving duet with Cyd Charisse via a video performance
from the film "Band Wagon" and American Idol star Kimberley
Locke paid tribute to both Jeannette McDonald and Judy Garland
with her rendition of "San Francisco."
Lucy Lawless fans screamed their
approval of her rendition of "Footloose" and Marissa
Jaret Winokur showed why she was the original 'Tracy' in
"Hairspray" with "Good Morning Baltimore." Jai Rodriguez's
rendition of "And I Am Telling You" from "Dreamgirls" showed
that you don't have to be black diva to tear the roof down with
that song. The boys' got unbelievable pipes. Susan Anton
continued to wow our audiences with her rendition of "Better
Than Ever" (which she is) and Raül Esparza showed us why he was
nominated for a Tony Award with his slightly bluesy "God Give Me
Strength." Ol' Blue Eyes might want to take note of the new
"Blue Eyes" on the scene crooning the standards. Joey McIntosh
always had rhythm when he started out as the youngest of the New
Kids on the Block but he's just released a new CD of standards
in showing he's more than a pretty boy pop star – not that
there's anything wrong with that… Bruce Vilanch, Mary Jo
Catlett, Carole Cook and Jason Graae provided some great comedy
moments while the four stars of JERSEY BOYS brought the house
down with their "Macho Man Medley" – a rather poor quality
version is also now on You Tube.
Broadway stars Andrew Samonsky and BD Wong both showed us what
put them on Broadway and Connie Champagne took us on ride on the
Trolley with The Trolley Song. But perhaps the most moving
moment of the night was when Bruce Vilanch reminded us of why
were all there by asking us to remember those who we've lost to
AIDS and the cast of JERSEY BOYS offered up a moving "Seasons of
Love" from Rent. That was just the show. There were the parties
before and after… Elvis and Marilyn were there. So was Austin
Powers, Charlie Chaplin and Clint Eastwood. It was THE place to
be – dead or alive.
