Michael Childers’ 'One Night Only' Benefits Jewish Family Service

McCallum Theatre event highlights “The Jewish Legacy of Broadway”

Gloria Greer Social Scene

 

Kudos to producer (and famed photographer) Michael Childers for once more bringing the talent-driven “One Night Only” to the McCallum Theatre.

This year’s show, written and directed by Calvin Remsberg, paid tribute to the contribution of Jewish on and off stage performers, composers, lyricists, and producers who helped create the American musical theatre. The show benefited Jewish Family Service.

Kaye Ballard, of Italian descent, drew laughs and applause when she received a Lifetime Achievement Award saying, “I always wanted to be Jewish” and then praised the Jewish community for always supporting the arts.

My favorite performers: Alix Korey and Janene Lovullo with their impeccably timed “The Grass Is Always Greener” from Woman of the Year; Mimi Hines with two hysterical bits before recreating “The Music That Makes Me Dance” from her Broadway role in Funny Girl; Billy Stritch and his Tin Pan Alley medley, and Terri White’s rendition of “Fifty Percent” from Ballroom.

Some of the other performers who added to the evening of song and tribute were Jim Brochu, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Sharon McNight, Christine Andreas, Brian Childers, Vicki Lewis, Debra Monk, Peter Marshall, Von Smith, Liz Callaway, Donna McKechnie, Charles Busch, Millicent Martin, Roger Bart, Dee Hoty, Shana Blake Hill, Kevin Earley, Bruce Vilanch, Sal Mistretta, and Julia Murney.

Many recreated songs they had performed on tour or introduced on magical Broadway. No one but Childers could gather this much talent together on one stage for one night. John McDaniel was the music director.

Honorary chairs and platinum sponsors Annette Bloch and Helene Galen welcomed sponsors from the stage.

Additional cochairs were platinum sponsors Harold Matzner and Barbara Keller, who with husband, Jerry, was also a platinum sponsor. The event cochairs were Barbara Fromm and Terri Ketover.

One Night Only Angels were Dorothy and Melvyn Lefkowitz and Bobbi and Mike Resmo. Galen underwrote the cast party at her Tamarisk home. Wells Fargo was presenting sponsor.