US by Michelle Clunie: Powerful and Multi-layered

Michelle Clunie and Adam Rothenberg at "US" Opening Night PartyMichelle Clunie ("Melanie" from Showtime's "Queer As Folk") has made her New York theatrical mark with the debut of her play "US," a powerful and multi-layered show set against the year we elected President Obama. Michelle has written a sophisticated show that tackles love, sex, power, politics, and self-worth.

Michelle Clunie and Jeff LeBeau in "US", Photo Credit: Russ RowlandProduced by Kef Productions and directed by Jennifer Gelfer, "US" is not only written by Michelle, but she stars in it as well along with Jeff Lebeau. From the moment the show began, I was enticed until the very end. This emotionally drama filled show was aided by its comedic moments and intertwining of video projections.

Michelle Clunie and Jeff LeBeau in "US", Photo Credit: Russ RowlandAs a playwright, it was evident that Michelle carefully chose her words, and an actress, she delivered those words brillliantly. Jeff's performance was equally as spot on, really helping bring Michelle's dialogue to life. Both performers have great comedic talents in physical comedy and doing impersonations, but it was their emotional moments that captured me.

Traveling between present day and the road that got them to where they are now, it was very interesting to see the build up of events, even though there were a few moments I had a little trouble following the sequence of events, overall, they were displayed well.

Michelle Clunie and Jeff LeBeau in "US", Photo Credit: Russ RowlandOne of my favorite parts of the show was when each character came to a realization either about himself or herself about the situation and they didn't necessarily know how to change it, but continued on, learning from it. My other favorite part of the show was the true moment of self-empowerment, an action, I hope everyone is able to discover for themselves.

Michelle Clunie and Jeff LeBeau in "US", Photo Credit: Russ Rowland"US" is a must see show whether you are looking for a new playwright with strong writing skills or if you are a fan of Michelle Clunie and want to see a different kind of emotion from her.

"US" plays at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenue) through September 29! Click here for tickets!

Tonya Pinkins at 54 Below: Took My Breath Away

Tonya Pinkins at 54 Below, Jennifer Broski, BroadwayWorld.com & Jenny Anderson, Broadway.comTonya Pinkins and Adam RothenbergTonya Pinkins took my breath away on Monday, August 27, 2012 when I attended her concert at 54 Below in NYC where she performed excerpts and songs from "Hurricane Ethel," a hopeful new show about the life and music of Ethel Waters, written by Dennis Courtney with Tonya Pinkins.

I felt the true depths of Tonya's skills were displayed on that stage at 54 Below, both in acting and singing. Tonya embodied Ethel Waters and brought this iconic woman back to life! With such hits as "Harlem on My Mind"/"Ole Man Harlem," "Heatwave," "I Got Rhythm," "Suppertime," "Stormy Weather," "Come Up and See Me Some Time," "Shake That Thing," "Lil Black Boy," "Moonglow," "Honey In the Honeycomb" and "This Joint Is Jumping," many of the songs made famous by Ethel Waters as well as some of the major achievements Ethel gained during her life and career were covered. Ethel was a real pioneer in many aspects of her life.

Tonya Pinkins at 54 Below, Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski, BroadwayWorld.com & Jenny Anderson, Broadway.comTonya Pinkins at 54 Below, Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski, BroadwayWorld.com & Jenny Anderson, Broadway.comTonya has a vocal range most singers can only dream about! While she triumphed throughout the whole show, my favorite numbers were "I Got Rhythm," "Suppertime," "Stormy Weather," "Shake That Thing," and "This Joint Is Jumping."

"I Got Rhythm" is one of my favorite songs of all time, so it was just a joy to hear Tonya sing it. On "Suppertime" and "Stormy Weather," Tonya hit all the right notes, but it was "Shake That Thing" and "This Joint Is Jumping," where Tonya definitely enticed the audience into interacting with her.

Tonya's concert was full of life. There were so many moments I was in awe of her. I feel so lucky to have been in attendance!

Carly Jibson: Cancer's Expensive!!! A Benefit for Renee Zimmerman

Carly Jibson, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesScott Alan and Susan Mosher, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesIt was said over and over, "If love could cure cancer, it would have been cured in that room." That was the sentiment felt all around when Carly Jibson hosted a benefit for her mom, Renee Zimmerman, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Bone and Lung Cancer.

Upon receiving the news of her mom's diagnosis, Carly reached out to her closet friends for help and guidance. It was her friend, award winning composer/lyricist Scott Alan, who suggested they put together a benefit concert and four months later, "Cancer's Expensive!!! A Benefit for Renee Zimmerman" was unveiled.

Nick Adams, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesChad Kimball, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesThe sold-out benefit at The Laurie Beechman Theatre featured a host of hugely talented performers. In addition to Scott and Carly, the line-up included Nick Adams ("Priscilla Queen of the Desert"), Eden Epsinosa ("Wicked" and  "Brooklyn") and Brian Gallagher ("Jekyll and Hyde" revival), Jenna Leigh Green ("Wicked," "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch"), Molly Hager, Tony Award Nominee Chad Kimball ("Memphis"), Caissie Levy ("Hair" and "Ghost") and David Reiser ("Good Vibrations"), Michael Mendez ("Fat Camp" and "Chaplin"), Ben Cameron ("Broadway Sessions"), Susan Mosher ("Hairspray"), Leonard Sullivan ("Hairspray"), award winning vocalist Katie Thompson, and the cast of Off-Broadway's "Fat Camp." Everyone gave their all and performed such heartfelt songs! I was consistently overwhelmed by what I was witnessing!

Jenna Leigh Green, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesKatie Thompson, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesCarly did an excellent job of hosting the evening, considering, all the emotions she must have been feeling! If the strength and love that Carly has was any indication, then it's quite evident what an amazing woman her mom must be! With her unique brand of humor, Carly made the evening really fun and relaxed. That spirit echoed throughout the night to every single person performing on that stage. If the performers above weren't enough, Carly also received an out-cry of support from those who donated items for the raffle including Ricki Lake, Perez Hilton, Bravo's "What What Happens Live," "Wicked," "Memphis," and Cutler Salon in Soho initially gave four free haircut and coloring gift certificates, but then they were so inspired by what was happening during the evening, they ended up giving every performer of the night a cut/color as well. Because Scott Alan is brilliant, in the middle of the raffle, Scott found a way to raise even more money by having an impromtu silent auction. The two items that were being auctioned off were a signed "Wicked" T-shirt by Caissie Levy, Megan Hilty, Eden Espinosa, and two international "Wicked" stars and the genius known as Susan Mosher wrote an on-the-spot Jenna Leigh Green, Megan Hilty, Caissie Levy, Eden Espinosa, Ben Cameron, Photo Credit: Monica Simoessong about one Cast of "Fat Camp", Photo Credit: Monica Simoesperson's life, filmed for viewership on YouTube. I don't know the name of the guy, but we'll call him "Daddy Warbucks" spent over $1200 winning both silent autction items. Instead of having Susan write a song about him, he had her write a song about Scott Alan, which was perfect! I can't talk about this evening without mentioning the amazing generosity of The Laurie Beechman Theatre itself! Every single dollar from the ticket price went directly to helping Carly's mom. I have never been to a benefit where that has been the case. What a great place to host a benefit!

Caissie Levy and David ReiserMichael Mendez, Photo Credit: Monica SimoesOne of the things that impressed me most about the evening was the fact that many people at the event didn't even know Carly or Carly's mom that well, myself included. I attended because I was a fan of Carly's and the other performers and wanted to give what support I could to her and her mom. When my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2003, the amount of love and support I recevied from my friends really made a difference, so here was a way I could pass that support on.

When people come together out of love, it's amazing what can take place! "Cancer's Expensive!!! A Benefit for Renee Zimmerman" was a moment in time I'll remember forever, especially, when at the end Carly announced that her mom's diagnosis has be downgraded to Stage 3. So, things are really looking better for Renee. It was an evening of music, humor, but most of all, of love!

For those of you who couldn't make the benefit or would like to give even more, please visit http://www.giveforward.com/friendsofreneezimmerman

Adam Rothenberg and Nick Adams, Photo Credit: Raellen ForemanChad Kimball, Beverly Waldman, Adam Rothenberg, Photo Credit: Raellen ForemanNick Adams, Perez Hilton, Jenna Leigh Green, Carly Jibson, Caissie Levy, Photo Credit: Monica Simoes

The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits: Delights and Enchants

With their own spin on such hit tunes as "Happy Together," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Sherry," and "California Dreamin'," The Midtown Men have released their debut CD, "Sixties Hits," which will delight baby boomers and enchant a new generation of listeners to these timeless songs!

Comprised of 4 original stars from the Tony Award winning musical "Jersey Boys," The Midtown Men are Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer! On Broadway, these four guys rocked the stage in "Jersey Boys," but as The Midtown Men, they triumph! The formation of The Midtown Men reminds me of another legendary musical quartet, The Beatles! Like the Fab Four, the blending of their vocals and talents are golden. While each member has their own flair, it's their combined strengths that really make the music!

I love the mix of songs The Midtown Men have included on "Sixties Hits." My favorite tracks are "Can't Buy Me Love," "Happy Together," "Big Girls Don't Cry/Sherry," "California Dreamin'," and the Four Seasons' medley "Let's Hang On/Working My Way Back To You/Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." I gravitate to these songs in particular because I just love their rhythm and vibe and they also bring me back to a very fun time in my life, when I hosted my own '50s/'60s radio show in college.

The Midtown Men: J. Robert Spencer, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, Christian HoffI think it's wonderful that Christian, Michael, Daniel, and J. Robert have teamed back up to bring this music to their allegiance of fans, both old and new! Separately, these four men are a sight to see, but when their "superpowers" are combined, the result is pure perfection! In the words of "Jem and the Holograms," "This is only the beginning" for The Midtown Men, cause like "Jem," they are "Truly Outrageous!"

For more information on The Midtown Men be sure to visit http://www.themidtownmen.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Tim Intravia: From Busk Till Dawn: Delivered with honesty and humor

Photo Credit: Emily IntraviaIf you walk through NYC's Times Square, you will see dozens of street performers from Mickey Mouse and Elmo to the Naked Cowboy to the Silver Statue guys vying for your attention. To some, these street artists are the greatest spectacle ever seen. To others, they are just gimmicks trying to sell something. But to those underneath their masks and costumes, they are actors or singers or another craftsperson trying to make a name for themselves.

For one NYC street performer in particular, his job as one of those Silver Statue guys, is just that, a survival job, while he tries to jump-start his acting career. On Friday, August 24, 2012, I decided to take a step inside the world of Tim Intravia when I attended one of the final performances of his show "From Busk Till Dawn: The Life of an NYC Street Performer" in the New York International Fringe Festival!

Tim Intravia as the "Silver Statue" guy, Photo Credit: Emily IntraviaWhat made Tim's show so enjoyable was his honesty, humor, and delivery! He performed most of the show in his "Silver Statue" outfit. From getting arrested to being assaulted to being yelled at, Tim took the audience through his daily routine of standing still in Times Square, hoping someone will tip him to make a move. Tim also showed us what goes through his mind, while waiting for that one person, to drop a coin in his box. For seven years now, Tim has been performing as one of those Silver Statue guys in Times Square, a job, that has taken him around the world, but mostly, it's kept him "frozen" in one spot.

With bigger dreams than being a "Silver Statue," Tim goes from audition to audition, hoping for THAT moment, when he will finally be able to wash off the Silver make-up for good. While Tim's frustration of being a "Silver Statue" is evident, what I saw from Tim's performance was an actor who knows how to tell a story and keep his audience laughing and engaged for an hour.

Keeping me fascinated the whole time; I hope "From Busk Till Dawn" will help "move" Tim's career forward! Whether this show continues on or not after the Fringe Festival, Tim's life is about to get bigger when his web series "Parker & Steve" premieres in late September on a computer near you and Tim starts writing for BACKSTAGE's "Take 5 Column," chronicling his life as an actor!