NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Off-Broadway's Forever Dusty With Benim FosterForever Dusty, a new musical about the life of late singer Dusty Springfield, plays Off-Broadway's New World Stages. Cast member Benim Foster invites readers to spend a two-show day with him at the theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
February 20, 2013
0
of
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Off-Broadway's Forever Dusty With Benim Foster
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Off-Broadway's Forever Dusty With Benim Foster
Forever Dusty, a new musical about the life of late singer Dusty Springfield, plays Off-Broadway's New World Stages. Cast member Benim Foster invites readers to spend a two-show day with him at the theatre. Read the Playbill.com story.
40 PHOTOS
Hello there everyone. Follow me, Benim Foster, as I take you through one of my two-show days of Forever Dusty. Enjoy! I like to start off my day with a visit to Amy’s Bread! If I hit it now, then I won’t be tempted later, on the way to work.
Benim Foster
This is a sticky bun.
Benim Foster
Here, my girlfriend Rachel Bay Jones moves swiftly through the flower section of Trader Joe’s!
Benim Foster
On my way back from an audition, I ran into these guys...
Benim Foster
This is my shadow. On the way to the theatre. This picture is proportionally accurate.
Benim Foster
As I arrive at the theatre, I always love sneaking my way through the audience who are about to see me in the show. This is always a special moment. And they have no idea…shhhh.
Benim Foster
Inside, I find guitarist Oscar Bautista, and Stage Managers Kris Valentine and Kristine "Alfred" Ayers marveling at the carpentry work of cast member Ashley Betton, as she builds a set of shelves.
Benim Foster
This is what I see at the start of the show. Now, at pre-show, I check my props… Cigarette? Check. Lighter? Check. Ashtray for Dusty to hurl at my chest? Check.
Benim Foster
This is the lovely Kim Carbone, who makes all of our sound... sound so lovely. (Don't you love it when you think you need to lean back in a photo to fit into the frame? But you only end up looking like this…??)
Benim Foster
Our microphone holder. I know what you're thinking. But, the condoms are used to cover the MICS...
Benim Foster
...and these are the mikes... well, two mikes, Mike Murray, Musical Director, and Mike Shapiro, Drummer. Standing is our Bass Guitarist, George Farmer. Our band rocks!!
Benim Foster
Here at Forever Dusty we have many different pre-show routines. Cast member Sean Patrick Hopkins and I brush our teeth.
Benim Foster
This is our pre-show circle.
Benim Foster
Benim Foster, Jonathan C. Kaplan, and Sean Patrick Hopkins. The Men of Forever Dusty.
Benim Foster
Here I’m about to do an offstage voice of an incredibly whiny stage manager... The band calls him Mr. Fussypants. I hear there's already a half hour comedy series in the works!
Benim Foster
This was taken in the wings just moments before I re-enter as Jerry Wexler. Sean, Alfred and Jerry Wexler...BFFs!
Benim Foster
And then...Sean and Alfred snuck this picture. It's Christina Sajous and I listening to Dusty perform "Son Of A Preacher Man."
Benim Foster
There is an annual New World Stages Bake-Off. This year our own stage manager Alfred took home the prize. (Costume designed and added by our own Jeannie Williams)
Benim Foster
And here is our wig and costume extraordinaire Jeannie, only minutes after she got sprayed in the eye with hairspray. It was a sad day.
Benim Foster
This is my friend Missi Pyle, who was in BARE and shared the backstage with us. A tripped out version of the Virgin Mary meets music producer Jerry Wexler. What?!? I love the theatre!
This is Sean enjoying his prop pickle and sandwich, that HIS character gets to eat on stage every show! Yeah, I know! Stage Management will even mix it up for him. Give HIM treats! HE sometimes gets a cookie or a piece of cake with it. Waaaa! NOT FAIR
Benim Foster
Here’s a picture of me that Missi brought in. It was taken in Winston-Salem, NC some %@#! years ago. I’m holding an Emmy in one hand and a bottle of what I think was cranberry juice in the other. The rest is cloudy, at best...
Benim Foster
Our post-show high fives! Alfred and Jeannie form a line and wait for us after every show. Go team! Go!
Benim Foster
Hey! This theatre has a washer and dryer!
Benim Foster
After shows, I visit with Darryl Winslow at the Avenue Q concessions. I like to discuss the many ways in which we can incorporate puppets into Forever Dusty...!
Benim Foster
Between shows I meet Rachel and our girl at the pediatrician's office… I had to drag Rachel away from those trains!
Benim Foster
On the way to my second show, this is me trying to use a pay phone to tell my stage manager I’m running late. Until I realize that: 1. no one actually still uses pay phones. 2. I can probably just call on my iPhone.
Benim Foster
Just...so New York...
Benim Foster
Musical Director Mike Murray and I walking to make half hour... He follows me around.
Benim Foster
This is me once again trying to call my stage manager. Until I realize that:
1. This is the prop phone on our Forever Dusty set... 2. she’s the one taking my picture.
Benim Foster
Exciting action photo! My 90 second quick change!!
Benim Foster
Another exciting action photo! Cast member Christina Sajous! Texting!!
Benim Foster
And another exciting action photo! Cast member Coleen Sexton! Reading!!
Benim Foster
I’m not a doctor, but I play one in Forever Dusty. However, If I were a REAL doctor...this might be the last image you ever see...
Benim Foster
My favorite costume. Hands down. So 70's. Yeah baby! (PS - my daughter designed and drew the art on that mug. So proud!)
Benim Foster
Cast member Jonathan C. Kaplan. Excited about the end of a two show day!
Benim Foster
Cast member Kirsten Holly Smith, aka Dusty Springfield, and I sharing a post show moment.
Benim Foster
Here at New World Stages we have many post show routines. Missi Pyle and I like to share a post show cocktail. And look like we're in a cop show. "Tonight, on a very special JERRY WEXLER AND THE NUN..."
Benim Foster
End of the night. On my way home…
I am NOT going back into Amy's Bread. I am NOT going back in! I am NOT!!
The show, by Kirsten Holly Smith and Jonathan Vankin, officially opened at Off-Broadway's New World Stages Nov. 18 following previews that began Nov. 11.
Directed by Randal Myler (Love, Janis; It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues), Forever Dusty is produced by Jorja Fox, Leslie Brockett, Jane Gullong and Sandalphon Productions, with executive producer Eva Price of Maximum Entertainment Productions.
"I'm ecstatic to be part of the team bringing Forever Dusty to the New York Stage," said Price in a previous statement. "Dusty Springfield was one of the most inspiring and soulful performers of the 20th century. Dusty transformed the music industry and paved the way for the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse in a world that doesn't often appreciate the magic of vocal performance and true melody. Being able to tell Dusty's complicated and compelling life story through musical theatre and Kirsten's performance is a gift to the Fall Theatrical Season." The creative team also includes set designer Wilson Chin, lighting designer Richard DiBella, sound designer Matt Kraus, musical director Michael Thomas Murray and costume designer Nancy Palmatier.
Forever Dusty, according to the producers, tells the "compelling and moving story of Dusty's journey, in a dramatic, high-energy musical filled with some of the most exciting pop songs ever written," including "Son of a Preacher Man," "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," "The Look of Love" and many others.
Born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, Dusty Springfield became what the producers call the first great female pop star of the 1960s.
Show times are Monday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 2:30 PM and 7 PM, Thursday and Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2:30 PM and 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
New World Stages is located at 340 West 50th Street. Tickets range in price from $69-$79, with premium tickets available at $110. There is also be a general rush policy in place, which will take place every day when the box office opens. Rush tickets are $26.50, cash only, and each person may purchase up to two tickets. For more information visit foreverdusty.com.
