Encompass New Opera Theater celebrated it’s 2014 Gala at the National Arts Club by gathering together the who’s who of musical theater for a concert honoring Tony and Academy Award winning legend Joel Grey and award winning composer Jeanine Tesori. The talent line up featured generations of musical theater giants including Sheldon Harnick, Maury Yeston, John Kander, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Kristin Chenoweth, Hal Prince and Liza Minnelli, contributing either in person or via letter or recording.
Encompass New Opera Theater was founded in 1975 with the purpose of creating, developing and producing new musical theater, contemporary opera and revivals of important musical works. It is run by two powerhouse women; Nancy Rhodes, founder and artistic director and Mara Waldman, conductor and current music director. Ms. Rhodes and Gala Co-Chair, Harriet Slaughter graciously welcomed everyone and then the Musical Salute began! First up was the amazing Michael McElroy, who created the role of Flick in Violet Off Broadway. With his ensemble of musicians, Mr. McElroy illuminated the room with a rendition of “Bring Me to Light”. Opera singers David Pittsinger and Patricia Schuman, embodying Eugene O’Neil and Carlotta Monterey, from Ms. Tesori’s recent opera A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck with librettist Tony Kushner gave us a heated scene of confrontation between the famous playwright and his last wife. Other performances honoring Ms. Tesori included the talents of 17 year old Assata Alston singing “Gimme Gimme", talented Tonya Pinkins, with a number from Caroline and Change, a hysterically funny Christopher Sieber and Betsy Wolfe, bringing the house down singing “The Girl in 14G”. We were given a taste of Broadway bound hit musical Fun Home, with a moving rendition of “Welcome to Our House on Maple Avenue” sung by Judy Kuhn, introduced by its book writer, Lisa Kron.
The excitement and heat continued to rise as the spotlight turned to Joel Grey. Tributes crisscrossed genres including Ned’s passionate monologue from The Normal Heart brilliantly acted by Patrick Breen, actor from the 2011 Broadway production that Grey helmed. Joel’s heritage, as the son of comedian and musician Mickey Katz, were honored when the vivacious Joanne Borts sang in Yiddish and followed by a tribute to his vaudeville roots and star turn in George M! with Jeffry Denman’s rousing “Give My Regards to Broadway”. Looking at more of Joel Grey’s iconic roles, Karen Mason sang from Stop the World - I Want to Get Off and in a delightfully droll monologue followed by the Wizard’s song from Wicked, David Garrison tried to persuade Mr. Grey to come back to the show in order to boost ticket sales. Bebe Neuwirth ended the program with a delicious rendition of “Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago. The evening’s performers were supported by the extraordinary talents of bassist Jay Leonhart and pianists Christopher Fenwick, Beth Ertz and Scott Cady.
Ms. Tesori accepted her award in honor of her Italian grandfather, a musician whose American dream was to play at the Met. Acknowledging the strength and vulnerability it takes to be a theater artist, Joel Grey accepted his award saying, “When I was nine, I saw a show in Cleveland and said I want to do that!” Then he sang “Willkommen”, bid us auf wiedersehen and sent everyone home deliriously happy!
