September 2005

what’s new

What’s New Archives — September 2005

Plaza Suite Benefit Reading

a huge success for Opening Act!

September 20, 2005

On September 19th, 2005, an all-star reading of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite benefited the future expansion of Opening Act.

Plaza Suite was produced by Suzy Myers and Jamie McGonnigal and directed by Jonathan Ross. One Life to Live’s Ilene Kristen and Christopher Murney, along with Mamma Mia’s Britt Shubow, starred in the first act as a couple whose 23rd wedding anniversary brought more than just celebration. Laura Benanti (FX’s Starved, Broadway’s Nine, Into The Woods and Swing) and The Light in the Piazza’s Michael Berresse played former high school sweethearts reunited for one night at the Plaza Hotel. In Act III, All Shook Up’s Alix Korey and Michael Badalucco (The Practice, O Brother, Where Art Thou) struggled with a daughter whose wedding day jitters left her locked in the bathroom of their Plaza Suite. Other cast members included John Lavelle (The Graduate) and

Toby Lawless.

what’s new

archives

September 2006

*Love’s Fire

*The Mystery Plays

*Summer Intensive

*5th Annual Spring Benefit

*Come on Get Happy Hour

*DCA Grant

*Original Works

September 2005

*Plaza Suite

July 2005

*Revealed

*CAN grant

*4th Annual Spring Benefit

Plaza Suite played to an enthusiastic audience in the auditorium of Manhattan’s High School for the Humanities. With a tremendous response from both actors and audience, Opening Act plans to make this Fall Benefit Reading an annual event!

Special thanks to the following businesses who donated silent auction items and reception refreshments:

Crumbs Bakeshop

Dale and Thomas Popcorn

Doodle Doo’s: A Children’s Hair Salon

Salon 40 East Third

Zazii

Plaza Suite

Honorary Committee Members:

Mark Abrahams,

fashion photographer

Chris Barron,

lead singer of the Spin Doctors

Kristen Bell,

star of TV’s Veronica Mars

Benjamin Bratt,

actor

Carolee Carmello,

Tony nominated actress

Sutton Foster,

Tony award winning actress

Robert David Hall,

actor, CBS’s CSI

Joe Morton,

actor, NBC’s E-Ring

Donna Murphy,

Tony award winning actress

Toby Lawless, Christopher Murney, Ilene Kristen, Britt Shubow and John Lavelle, the stars of Plaza Suite’s First Act.

Right: Act II stars Laura Benanti and Michael Berresse.

Below:

Berresse and Benanti perform in Act II.

Below: Act III starred Alix Korey, Michael Badalucco, Opening Act student Tiffany Wade and John Lavelle.

Below: Alix Korey, Suzy Myers, Ilene Kristen

and Michael Badalucco.

Below: The cast: (top L to R) Alix Korey, Michael Badalucco, Ilene Kristen, Tiffany Wade, Michael Berresse, Laura Benanti, Christopher Murney; (bottom L to R) Britt Shubow, Toby Lawless, John Lavelle and director, Jonathan Ross.

Right: Act I stars Christopher Murney and Ilene Kristen.

Far right: Act II stars Laura Benanti and Michael Berresse
share a moment with the Plaza waiter, John Lavelle.

Far left: Producer Jamie McGonnigal and Laura Benanti.

Left: Michael Badalucco and Alix Korey.

Left: Britt Shubow and Suzy Myers.