STARS IN THE HOUSE

I have Sirius XM radio in my car.  There are a multitude of station choices, but I listen to only four – ‘60s on 6, Classic Vinyl, Siriusly Sinatra, and On Broadway.

The other day On Broadway host Seth Rudetsky mentioned “Stars in the House”, a daily live-streamed series of “music, community and education” he and husband James Wesley created when the pandemic caused the shut-down of Broadway theatres in March to support The Actors Fund and its programs.  Those who watch live shows can interact with the guests in real time. 

Viewers are asked to donate to The Actors Fund, and the series has so-far raised about $530,000 for the charity.  As the “Stars in the House” website explains - 

“The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Through offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Fund serves everyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance with programs including social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and secondary employment and training services.” 

Guests on the series have included Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Lithgow, Jason Alexander, Kristen Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Tina Fey and many other Broadway actors, writers, composers, and directors. 

I recently watched a “Knots Landing” reunion episode with Joan Van Ark, Ted Shackelford, Donna Mills, Michele Lee, and show creator David Jacobs, and a visit from singer Liz Callaway, that first “aired” on October 9^th. 

BTW – I saw Michele Lee co-starring with tv’s “The White Shadow” Ken Howard on Broadway in the Michael Bennett, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields musical “Seesaw”, an adaptation of “Two for the Seesaw”, back in 1973.  The show also featured Tommy Tune in the unforgettable production number “It’s Not Where You Start (but where you finish)”.

Past episodes of the series have included other tv and Broadway cast reunions.  

Seth and James have also created a “spin-off” series of play readings by Broadway actors called “Plays in the House”, and Seth hosts the online “Seth Concert Series”. 

BFN