Players packed the Grill for one last Midsummer Night’s Cap before the club closed for its annual August break. Elegant Affairs provided free eats including porterhouse steaks, pastas, burgers and fries, and many another choice morsel – not to mention specially priced martinis! The Players will reopen on September 7th.
July 30, 2010
Aaron Diehl At The Players
The video above was recorded by Aaron Diehl on April 22nd when he and his trio participated in the popular Jazz At The Players series. The series of concerts was conceived of by Lynne Lerner who worked closely with the Jazz Museum of Harlem to bring us concerts by such outstanding groups as the Danny Mixon Trio, the Jazz Museum’s all star band led by Loren Shoenberg, Jonathan Batiste and his ‘under twenty-five year old’ band, and the Aaron Diehl Trio.
Details of concerts for the upcoming season have not been announced, but more sold out performances are expected. Watch for program announcements.
May 25, 2010
Remembering William Wyler
Photo by Lloyd H. Slomanson
On Tuesday May 18th The Players Foundation presented a celebration of William Wyler. One of the most prolific and acclaimed directors in the history of film, his work included Wuthering Heights, The Letter, The Little Foxes, Mrs. Miniver, The Best Years f Our Lives, The Heiress, Detective Story, Roman Holiday,Ben-Hur, and more than two dozen others. His work earned 127 Academy Award nominations: he holds the record for 12 nominations as Best Director and won 3.
The documentary Directed by William Wyler was screened and then followed by an on-stage interview with the producer of the film and Wyler’s daughter, Catherine Wyler. She shared her thoughts about her father, his work, and growing up in Hollywood’s Golden Age.
May 19, 2010
Talking Theatre
On May 13th the second in the successful series of Talk Theatre Lunches was held in the Grill. Organized by Sandy Rochelle and Sharen Benenson, the lunch was well attended and the discussions ranged from recently seen Broadway and off-Broadway to ZERO HOUR: the highly praised show starring Player—Jim Brochu. A Theatre trip is planned to see ZERO HOUR on Friday, May 28th.
The lunch talk was eclectic—including discussions of stage and film performances both current and classic. The lunches will resume in the fall, the third Thursday of the month. We look forward to sharing lively discussions of theatre seen as a group or on one's own.
There is no venue more suitable to ''Talk Theatre'' than The Players—where many of the theatrical discussions came to fruition. It is a way to continue the Tradition of the Players. We encourage you to join us in the fall and to keep the ''Theatre Talk'' flowing.
April 26, 2010
Hall of Fame
On Sunday, April 18th the Players Foundation for Theatre Education inducted twenty-one people into the Players Hall of Fame. Sixteen leading artists were commissioned to paint portraits of each inductee which become part of the club’s permanent art collection. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
This year’s inductees were Sharen Benenson, Leonard Bernstein, Humphrey Bogart, Ben Gazzara, Mel Gussow, Pete Hamill, Rosemary Harris, Earle Hyman, George S. Kaufman, Fiorello LaGuardia, Howard Lindsay, Joshua Logan, Fredic March, Elliot Martin, Laurence Olivier, Peter O’Toole, Frederic Remington, Martin Short, Richard Thomas, Liv Ullmann, and Stanford White. The portrait artist were, Jason Bouldin, Loryn Brazier, Wende Caporeale, Tom Donohue, Irene Hecht, Kyle Keith, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Holly Metzger, Thomas Nash, David Beynon Pena, Michael Shane Neal, Linda Kyser Smith, Joel Spector, Johanna Spinks, Dot Svendson, and Dawn Whitelaw.
The program and presentations were preceded by cocktails and dinner.
April 22, 2010
Jazz Still Popular
Last night a packed house listened to the music of a rising star, Aaron Diehl, a young pianist who is truly a gentleman and a scholar. The Aaron Diehl Trio, all classically trained musicians and graduates of Juilliard, engaged us all with a cerebral form of jazz that was interpretive and very personally theirs.
We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and offering a new series this coming fall.
March 29, 2010
Proposal for Consideration by Members
Some years ago there was a regular gathering of members called "Talk Theater Lunch." It was chaired by Frances Helm and Carolyn French. Members met at noon and lunched together to discuss theater they had seen and hoped to see. It was fun to do and gave helpful guidance for ticket purchase. Occasionally several in the group decided to attend a performance together.
Last month Sandy Rochelle organized a group of members to meet in the Grill for dinner and then attend "The Cocktail Party," starring our board member, Simon Jones. (See web site.)
A good time was had by all, and we were reminded of "Talk Theater Lunch." Sandy has agreed to organize an effort to get it started again. We would begin at a table in the Grill, each ordering a la carte. If you would like to participate, please let one of us know what day (Tues.-Thurs.) and week of the month (1,2, 3, last?) you prefer, along with any suggestions you have.
Sandy -
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Sharen -
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March 19, 2010
Two Stephens
Phebus and Heiden, holding the
8-ball trophy they won for the Players
in the NY Club Billiards Association Finals at
the Salmagundi Club on March 10, 2010.
March 9, 2010
More Jazz at the Players
Jazz again filled the Dining Room on Wednesday, February 24th as Julliard trained Jonathan Batiste, one of the hottest up and coming jazz artists performing today, rocked the walls of the Club with his New Orleans infused unique blend of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Classical and Blues. He and his ‘under twenty five year old’ band of virtuosos engaged us all and left us wanting for more.
On Sunday, January 17th The Players Foundation presented a screening of CROSSING ALL BOUNDARIES, a video concert / documentary by Regina Resnik Presents. The project’s creators, Regina Resnik and Michael Philip Davis presented the program. The event celebrated the 65th anniversary of Ms. Resnik’s Metropolitan Opera debut.
January 16, 2010
A Story of Survival.
The Players Book Club met on Jan. 14 to discuss SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay. It's a novel about the July 16, 1942 roundup of the Jews in Paris by the French police working for the Nazi's. The roundup was one of several aimed at reducing the Jewish population in Occupied France. More than 13,000 victims were arrested and held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver and the Drancy internment camp nearby, then shipped by rail to Auschwitz. Few of the transported Jews survived. Sarah locks her brother in a cabinet to keep him safe, thinking she will return and let him out. The book goes back in time to tell Sarah's story and to the present to tell the story of an American journalist living in Paris and the personal connection she has with Sarah.
The meeting was very well attended, and we had a lively discussion about the book. Everyone thought it was very moving, especially the parts that dealt with Sarah and her will to survive. The discussion moved from the book to other stories of survival. After the meeting, many of us went down to the grill for dinner at the Book Club table.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 17. Since we are the Players Club, every season we read one play. Our February selection will be THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST by Oscar Wilde
All That Jazz!
The Jazz Museum in Harlem presented the first of its series of jazz performances at the Players Club on Wednesday, January 13th to a packed house. The Jazz Museum's all star band was led by Grammy Award winner Loren Shoenberg. The smooth vocals of the talented Champian Fulton intermixed providing a tapestry of jazz enjoyed by all.
The next performance with be Wednesday, February 24th at 7PM. The third and final of the spring season will be Wednesday, April, 21st.
January 9, 2010
New Year’s Eve At The Players,
Music…
Dancing…
Food…Drink...
...and everyone had a real good time. Once again Elegant Affairs put together a memorable night of merry making for The Players annual ringing in of the new and outing of the old. Over a hundred partiers braved threatening weather to enjoy themselves and each other as the club enters a new decade.
Poetry At The Players
Seasonal poetry was the theme on December 17th when the club’s verse loving members turned out to read and listen to favored selections. Watch the calendar for the next reading.
The program consisted of the following readings:
Meir Ribalow White Christmas W. R. Rogers
The Poems of our Climate Wallace Stevens
Alison Broda The Winter Solstice Timothy Steele
Winter Solstice Suzanne E. Cole Jeffrey Hardy A Bush Christmas C. J. Dennis (1931)
Phyllis Rosenberg Santa Baby Eartha Kitt
Ron Rosenberg Mr. Floods Party Edwin Arlington Robinson
Jest ‘Fore Christmas Eugene Field
Leslie Middlebrook Christmas Eve Robert Bridges
Barbara Gidaly The House of Hospitalities Thomas Hardy
Mistletoe Walter de la Mare
John Rafferty The Way-Too-Early Christmas Song Paul and Storm
This Christmas at Dingley Dell Philip Appleman
Anthony Herrera Lovest of Trees A. E. Houseman
The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill Mackie Robert Service
Donna Marxer I’ll Eat My Split-Level Turkey in the Breezeway Ogden Nash
Goodbye, Old Year, You Oaf, or Why Don’t They Pay
the Bonus Ogden Nash
David Copeland Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Robert Frost
The Night Before Christmas Clement Clarke Moore
Matthew Baker Journey of the Magi T.S. Eliot
A Christmas Carol Tom Lehrer
Sidney Zion Memorial
On December 10th Players paused to pay tribute to Sidney Zion who died on August 2nd. To the world Sid was a noted journalist and author, but he will always be remembered here as a fellow Player.
Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
Four From The Foundation
November saw a rush of activity as The Players Foundation presented four programs in a seven day period.
November 17— Ed Sullivan’s Americawith Gerald Nachman, author of Right Here On Our Stage Tonight! and guests Pat Cooper and Julia Meade. Film clips of great Sullivan moments were included. Cocktails and dinner completed the evening. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
November 18— Medicine Show’s Mr. Shakespeare & Mr. Porter, three preposterous mini-musicals. Produced by Sandy Rochelle with Barbara Vann as Artistic Director and Andrew Sotomayor as Music Director. Medicine Show Theatre is the recipient of two OBIE Awards and has been providing provocative theater for intelligent theatergoers since 1970. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
November 22— Pipe Night for Robert Vaughn, In celebration of his critically acclaimed autobiography, “A Fortunate Life,” we honor our long-time fellow Player. An Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, Player Robert Vaughn has pleased audiences for decades with such classic work as The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt, Washington: Behind Closed Doors, and of course, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. It was a great night of surprises, guests, and a terrific interview of Robert Vaughn by fellow Player Lee Pfeiffer. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
November 23— A Benefit / Celebration For Jerry Tallmerthe legendary New York City journalist and critic who created the OBIE Awards (Off-Broadway Theatre) in 1956 and was a founder of The Village Voice. Austin Pendleton was M.C. and guests included Edward Albee, Charles Busch, Baby Jane Dexter, Jules Feiffer, Israel Horowitz, Mark Nadler, Marian Seldes, Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara, and KT Sullivan.
Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
November 24, 2009
Just In Time For Christmas
The Players is pleased to announce a new version of our club logo, the Comedy and Tragedy masks. This new patch is available thanks to a generous gift from Player Pam Singleton, who oversaw its production at the same London firm that made our beautiful Booth Family Crest patch. This looks great on a blazer or jacket, or apply it anywhere you want. Wear your Players membership with pride with our new logo patch! Each patch is $45.00, and all proceeds go to The Players.
It makes a great gift. Only $45. Go to the Store Page in the members only section of the website. If you haven't already registered, this is a good reason to do so.
November 20, 2009
Booth Window Rededicated
The Booth Window at the Little Church, which was given to the Little Church by The Players in 1898, has been restored and was rededicated at the annual Episcopal Actors' Guild Memorial Service. The service took place on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Transfiguration ("The Little Church Around the Corner"), 1 East 29th Street (between Madison and Fifth Avenues) in Manhattan. This historical event has taken place for the past 86 years and honors those in the theatrical community who have passed away since the previous service. There was an address and the reading of names, then the congregation moved to the south transept, where the window, depicting Edwin Booth in his signature role of Hamlet, was rededicated. Booth's own funeral took place at this beautiful and historic church in 1893.
November 18, 2009
Booth’s Birthday Remembered
On the evening of Friday, November 13th an overflow crowd of Players gathered in The Great Hall for the annual observance of the founder’s birthday. Produced by club's Booth historian Elizabeth Jackson, the ceremony featured notable Players offering readings and music followed by a terrific slideshow that all worked together to evoke the persona of Edwin Booth. The ceremonial proceedings ended with the laying of a wreath on the Booth statue in Gramercy Park. Then everyone went back into The Grill for birthday cake.
Photos by Bo Zaunders Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
November 11,2009
New Members' Lounge Opens
Now, Players can enjoy a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of The Grill in the new Members’ Lounge located on the club’s second floor. It’s a perfect place to have a quiet conversation, to read a book, or simply enjoy a drink.
November 9, 2009
Oleanna Special
On November 1 a group of players enjoyed a special outing to see David Mamet’s play Oleanna starring (Player) Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles. After the performance the attendees were transported back to the club, along with the two stars, for a buffet supper and reception.
Oleanna is Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet’s most controversial drama. The gripping new production, directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes, left Los Angeles audiences gasping and critics raving.
Oleanna has electrifying dialogue, blazing emotion and an ending that leaves audiences talking for weeks. A college professor and his female student become embroiled in a war of words that takes a dangerous turn as their serene campus is transformed into a battleground for justice. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
October 26, 2009 (updated 11/3)
For Every Interest
Something is always going on at The Players. Here is a sampling of recent events.
A Players Foundation cocktail reception in honor of the Women’s Project was held on October 20th. Founded by Julia Miles in 1978, the Women’s Project is the nation’s longest running and critically-acclaimed company dedicated to producing and promoting theater created by women.
Julie Crosby, Producing Artistic Director of the company and other special guests appeared in a short program that included excepts from theirupcoming production, OR by Liz Duff Adams and directed by Wendy McClellan. The cast members of OR are Kelly Hutchinson, Andy Paris, and Maggie Siff.
Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
Live For Today! — -- a gala concert of Victor Herbert’s music was hosted by cabaret legend KT Sullivan and performed by the Light Opera of New York on October 23rd. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
A Players Foundation commemoration of Elia Kazan took place on October 18th. The event was in recognition of his 100th birthday with Foster Hirsch, Celeste Holm, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Lois Smith, David Margulies, and the stars of America, America Stathis Giallelis and Linda Marsh. Sunday Brunch was served.
Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson Passionate Pilgrimagesfrom Chopin to Coward, a new theatre book by Elizabeth Sharland, was celebrated on September 30th with cocktails, dinner and readings by Tammy Grimes, Steve Ross, Joe Sirola, and Leslie Shreve.
Under the observant eye of author Elizabeth Sharland, the homes, studios, and enclaves of eorge Sand, Puccini, and George Bernard Shaw reveal new insights into their legendary creative endeavors. From London to Lake Lago, she immerses herself across Europe in their intimate settings, bringing the past, and their daily routines, back to life.
Up-close perspectives are also seen of authors, actors and composers Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, Katherine Mansfield, Paul Bowles, and Lady Gregory. Sprinkled throughout are photographs and anecdotes, lending the crux of this nonfiction work, an inescapable sense of time and place. Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
October 14, 2009
Jazz at the Players
The Players Club hosted its first Jazz at the Players concert on the evening of Tuesday, October 13th. More than 75 members and guests attended to hear the music of The Danny Mixon Trio: Danny Mixon on piano, Bryce Sebastien on bass and Chuck Ferruggia on drums. Our special guest MC, Arthur Barnes of the Jazz Museum in Harlem and fellow Player, kicked off the night. The Trio invited student musicians from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and NYU's Steinhardt School of Jazz Studies to jam with them on stage. Ms. Simmons from Juilliard provided soulful vocal to the mix. Seasoned musicians lent inspiration for the young student musicians as they played with amazing skill. Together, all poured out some wonderful music. Everyone was excited for the debut performance and enjoyed a mesmerizing night of jazz.
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