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July 6, 2011
Exotica in the Dining Room
On July 6
th the Dining Room resounded to the glories of Chopin, Debussy, Albinioni and Rachmaninoff as Ina Alexandroff gave a piano recital to an appreciative large audience. The hour-long concert was eclectic, it spanned from the classics to Elton John and traditional folk songs as well as some original pieces, all played in Ina’s characteristic multi-layered style...
All were played with deference to their classical form by this classically trained Bulgarian concert pianist. Ina has performed throughout Europe in her early career before moving to New York fourteen years ago. In this city she has performed at many concerts and devotes a lot of her time performing in hospitals providing music therapy for cancer patients.
Our Dining Room with its relaxed grandeur was the perfect setting for this uplifting evening. More recitals are planned.
♦ Reporting and photo by Jeffrey Hardy (pictured above with Ina Alexandroff)
June 2, 2011
Where Players Meet
The Players bustled with greetings and conversation as the club held its monthly MYFP event. MYFP, aka Meet Your Fellow Players, offers a convivial opportunity to welcome new members and touch base with old friends. Consisting of a cocktail reception which is then followed by a buffet dinner and classic movie, MYFP remains one of the club’s most popular activities. The event is usually held on the first Thursday of each month except August, but check the calendar for exact dates.
♦ Reporting and photos by J. Brooke
Open Mic Night…
where talent lives and thrives, or at least tries. One night every month The Players’ open talent variety night takes place in the Library. Singers, stand-up comedians, musicians and others display their wares. Hosted by recording artist Brute Force, the evening is always entertaining. Watch the calendar for the exact date and time of the next show.
May 1, 2011
Where were you when...?
The evening of May 1st, 2011 was lovely. The Players Hall of Fame Dinner was fantastic (so wonderful to see the club full and vibrant), but the evening was particularly memorable when a small group gathered in the Grill and listened to President Obama share the news of Bin Laden's end. It was like being in a Baptist Church service, we joyful affirmations echoing through the historic venue. After the speech, Martha Plimpton treated the room to Vodka shots (what a gal!), and the excitement of shared experience rang through the walls.
"I like this place....and willingly could waste my time in it."
♦ Photo and reporting by Meryn Anders
April 14, 2011
The Players - The Film
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On April 14th 2011 the first public reading of a screenplay by Player Lee Moore was heard in the Dining Room by an audience of Players and backers.
The film, with the working title "The Players", is an epic sweep of Edwin Booth's life, his successes, sorrows, demons and legacy - our club. A splendid cast brought the story to life.
The production team comprising Matt Jared, Josh Folan, Elizabeth Jackson, Lee Moore, Leslie Moore and Jeffrey Hardy are hoping to commence filming in the Summer, doing some location filming in the club during August, our usual shut-down period. Filming will then continue for the next several months.
It is hoped that as many Players as possible will be cast in the film and be actively involved in the project.
The screenplay, apart from being a darn good story, will let the world know about our glorious club and what a great gift Edwin Booth bestowed upon us.
♦ PHOTO: The Players cast - (Front L to R) Ryan Tramont, David Fuller, Lee Moore (Author and Narrator), Jim Lawson (Director) (Back L to R) Juliette Bennett, Nichole Donje, Jeffrey Hardy, Leslie Moore, Nat Cassidy, Ted Story (absent), Morrow Wilson, Steven Hauk, Matt Baker, C.K. Allen, David Copeland, Max Rhyser.
March 23, 2011
A Bit of Blarney?
Players celebrated the Emerald Isle with a reading of Irish Poetry at the monthly Poetry At The Players event. Readers included Barbara Gidaly, Matthew Baker, Donna Marxer, Leslie Middlebrook, Stephen Friedland, John Rafferty, Lee Moore, and Meir Ribalow. Logged-in members may see program details on the
Poetry Page.
Photos by Charles Gelles
March 10, 2011
Literati Consider Love In Saigon
The Players Book Club discussed The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli at their monthly meeting. Set in the final days of a falling Saigon,The Lotus Eaters unfolds the story of three remarkable photographers brought together under the impossible umbrella of war.
The group next meets on April 14 when the title discussed will be
Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson. For more information and schedules
click here for the Book Club page (registered members only).
Photos by: Charles Gelles
February 25, 2011
The Very Model of a Marvelous Night
World renowned British actor, singer and Gilbert and Sullivan “patter man” Simon Butteriss entertained Players and Gilbert and Sullivan Society of New York members in the Great Hall on Friday February 25th.
The evening comprised the urbane Mr. Butteriss in dialogue with the audience, peppered with previously unheard theatrical anecdotes (including one about our Junius and Edwin Booth), many told against himself and expressing his enthusiasm for the music and lyrics of G & S and tracing their influence through to songs of Coward, Porter, Berlin, the Gershwins and Sondheim. The hugely entertaining talk was punctuated by songs from these luminaries.
The evening was made special by the audience spontaneously providing the chorus for the patter songs, word and pitch-perfect.
Player Lee Moore who sponsored the evening for The Players Foundation afterwards gave Mr. Butteriss a tour of our glorious clubhouse, he was enthralled, but who wouldn’t be.
♦ Reported by Jeffrey Hardy
February 23, 2011
At Home In Any Port
Poetry of the Sea was the theme for the Players monthly poetry reading. Among those participating at the Wednesday gathering were (l to r) John Rafferty, Barbara Gidaly, Matthew Baker, Meir Ribalow, Donna Marxer and Stephan Friedland. Logged-in members may see program details on the
Poetry Page.
♦ Photos and Reporting by Brenda Gelles
February 16, 2011
More Jazz At The Players
On Wednesday, February 16th, the Players Club pulsed with the rhythms of Drummer/multi-talented percussionist Bobby Sanabria. Bobby grew up in the Bronx, where he was exposed at a young age to the metropolis' vibrant Afro-Cuban/Nuyorican scene. After graduating from Berklee in 1979, Sanabria worked with leading members of the Afro-Cuban big band scene, such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, Chico O'Farrill and Mario Bauza. Both he and his recordings have been nominated and received numerous awards, including "2005 Percussionist of the Year" by the readers of DRUM! Magazine, several Grammy nominations and an NEA grant. A full house enjoyed the talents of this teacher, composer, educator and iconic New York percussionist who was accompanied by: Carlo di Rosa on acoustical base, Peter Brainin - Sax and Flute and Enrique Haneine at the piano.
Join us April 13th for the last of the " Jazz at the Players" series until October.
♦ Reported by Lynne Lerner
Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
February 10, 2011
Book Club Performance
At the Players Book Club we discussed two plays by Arthur Miller, THE CRUCIBLE and DEATH OF A SALESMAN. To make it a true theatrical experience, Players actors Peter Johnson, James Thomas, David Copeland, and Louisa Cabot (seated at table) performed a dramatic reading of one scene from each play. It really brought the plays to life. After the reading we had a very spirited discussion about both the plays and Arthur Miller. A few members recommended reading Miller's autobiography, TIMEBENDS. We all agreed that DEATH OF A SALESMAN is a masterpiece.
♦ Photos and Reporting by Brenda Gelles
January 21, 2011
A Tribute to Michael Allinson
In the “President’s Corner” beneath the portraits of distinguished former club presidents were displayed photographs, theatre programs, two familiar well-worn Players’ ties, and most poignantly a "Henry Higginsesque" tweed hat. These were the mementoes of our former beloved President, Michael Allinson who passed away in California on the eve of his 90th birthday (however, having been born in London which is five hours ahead of New York, he did indeed make his 90th birthday). He was a Player 1963 – 2010, Player President 1995 – 2003 and an Honorary Lifetime Director.
Michael’s life was celebrated in the Great Hall with musical tributes from Steve Ross (with a distinctly British theme), Leslie Middlebrook Moore (“I’ll See You Again” from Coward’s Bitter Sweet) and Joe Sirola (with a selection from My Fair Lady) and affectionate recollections from his friends and family.
For those who were not able to attend the memorial it may be meaningful to learn that his last hours on earth were peaceful, made perhaps even more so by the opportunity he had to earlier listen to the recorded Player’s Christmas Gala of December 9th 2010, which had been dedicated and sent to him.
With Michael, an era has passed and he is lovingly remembered.
♦ Reported by Jeffrey Hardy
Photo by Lloyd H. Slomanson
January 13, 2011
Book Club Monthly Meeting
The January meeting of the Players Book Club discussed ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE: My Family’s Journey to America by Kati Marton. The club meets on one Thursday every month for literary nourishment followed by dinner in the Grill. All Players are welcomed to participate. For more information and schedules
click here for the Book Club page (registered members only).
January 10, 2011
Kevin Spacey - Edwin Booth Lifetime Achievement Award
The Great Hall was the historic and elegant backdrop to a sumptuous evening when the Edwin Booth Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to actor and Player Kevin Spacey on Monday January 10
th.
The ever-youthful Mr. Spacey is no stranger to a full and appreciative house, and this one comprising distinguished Players and their guests was also a particularly enthusiastic one.
L to R: Miss USA 2010 - Rima Fakih and Jason Kampf; Giacomo Selloni and Tony Bennett; Denis Leary; Stephen Baldwin; Simon Jones, Richard Thomas, Giorgiana Bischoff-Thomas, Yvonne and James Fenniman; Al and Sandy Rochelle.
Mr. Spacey in his warm, humorous and eloquent acceptance speech, clear in his great affection for the
club, entertained us with anecdotes about John Gielgud, Jason Robards (he had presented the Booth Award to him some years earlier) and Jack Lemmon (his mentor), all of whom he impersonated to perfection. Most poignant was his description of the work he has of late undertaken heading the famed Old Vic Theatre at Waterloo in London (for which he was recently awarded an honorary CBE [Commander of the British Empire] by Queen Elizabeth) and the responsibility, taught him by Jack Lemmon, of “sending the elevator back down” to help others ascend. He emphasized the importance of education and access to the words, performances, music and brushstrokes that bind humanity in all of its diversity.
It was wonderful to see our beloved Tony Bennett there and our many busy actor members, and let’s not forget, Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010. Mr. Spacey with true modesty said that actors live in doubt about whether their work is good; there can however be no doubt that he is a most worthy recipient of this award.
♦Reported by Jeffrey Hardy
Photos by Ann Vellis
