NewsPhoto Exclusive: Laundry, Rehearsal and a Star-Studded Gala! A Busy "Day Off" For Beautiful's Kevin DudaNational Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) and Chairman James S. Turley led a celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman’s Awards Gala on April 13th at The Pierre New York. The Chairman’s Awards Gala supports the creation of theatrical works and arts education at theatres across America. Kevin Duda (Beautiful), who performed in the starry evening, shared an atypical day in the life of a Broadway performer.
By
Matthew Blank
April 21, 2015
"Jason Michael Snow and I are honored that we were again asked to write the Opening Number for the National Corporate Theatre Fund Gala this year. We love writing for the NCTF crowd, because no matter if they work in the corporate world or the theater world, they’re all fans of the art form."
"Like last year, we wrote an original opening number that combined the subjects of this year's honorees: DeWitt Stern, The Long Wharf Theater Company and Michael C. Hall. We cast some of our favorite folks: Natalie Charle Ellis, EJ Zimmerman, Andrew Brewer and Julius Thomas III and were honored to work with Tony Nominee Christiane Noll, who played GOD!! Well, sort of."
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Photo Exclusive: Laundry, Rehearsal and a Star-Studded Gala! A Busy "Day Off" For Beautiful's Kevin Duda
Photo Exclusive: Laundry, Rehearsal and a Star-Studded Gala! A Busy "Day Off" For Beautiful's Kevin Duda
National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) and Chairman James S. Turley led a celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman’s Awards Gala on April 13th at The Pierre New York. The Chairman’s Awards Gala supports the creation of theatrical works and arts education at theatres across America. Kevin Duda (Beautiful), who performed in the starry evening, shared an atypical day in the life of a Broadway performer.
31 PHOTOS
Okay okay, I know this is not that early for most of you. But on my day off, I try to catch up on all the sleep I lost the week prior.
Kevin Duda
It. Never. Works.
Kevin Duda
I always try to start out with the most important meal of the day…Playbill.com for breakfast. (#metashamelessplug)
Kevin Duda
Coffee is essential. As you can see, I’m a Disney fan. When we did the out-of-town tryout for Beautiful in San Fran, I made sure to make a pit stop at The Walt Disney Family Museum, with fellow “Beauties” Arbender Robinson and Rashidra Scott, also Disneyphiles.
Kevin Duda
Ever since she’s won the Tony, Jessie Mueller has been VERY lazy about doing my laundry
Kevin Duda
On my way to the laundry room, I see that my building has a gym. When did they get that?
Kevin Duda
During the rinse cycle, Jason and I FaceTime to discuss a few last minute changes to the number. Then shower, fluff and fold (MY LAUNDRY) and off to morning rehearsal!
Kevin Duda
Pole etiquette? Apparently, the MTA has tips for people who work all day…and all night.
Kevin Duda
I arrive at rehearsal just in time to get new music for the 1st half, sung by the fabulous Christiane Noll. Seriously, that voice.
Kevin Duda
The amazing Emily Miller, Director of Communications for NCTF, corners me for a few, ahem, questionable jokes that I added last minute.
Kevin Duda
During our morning rehearsal, director Robin Levine runs through some ideas with NCTF’s Carl Sylvestre and Bruce Whitacre.
Kevin Duda
I’m honored to be working with Jason. We also wrote a TON of material you’ll NEVER hear from our days in dressing room at The Book of Mormon.
Kevin Duda
Rehearsal is DONE! The lovely folks at Beautiful cut my hair regularly, but tonight there is a “red carpet,” so I need a trim! He knows two phrases “Short?” “Not too short?”
Kevin Duda
Time for a quick lunch with one of my friends, Jonathan Lang, who was in town to visit from Orlando…where he works for DISNEY!!
Kevin Duda
Walking over to the event, I stop to admire all the “talent” in Times Square. OH look – F’Olaf and F’Elsa! Apathy never bothered them anyway.
At The Pierre Hotel Ballroom, it’s time for a blocking rehearsal with Christiane, EJ, Julius, Natalie and Andrew. Got to get everything right tonight, because it only happens once! And it’s over in 6 minutes!
Kevin Duda
The ever-amazing Danny Lincoln was our Musical Director for this event. He and I also teach together at the NY Film Academy.
Kevin Duda
My partner Chad Larabee, who’s also an incredible director, stopped by to see the dress rehearsal. And give some notes. That I ignored.
Kevin Duda
Before heading down to the red carpet, the gang stops for a quick selfie.
Kevin Duda
The 2015 Gala is honoring: DeWitt Stern, which supplies many of the Broadway Shows with their insurance policies; Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, which recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary; and Michael C. Hall, who has had an incredible career both on stage and on my Netflix Account.
Kevin Duda
The gorgeous Robin Levine and I posing. We’ve known each other since we performed in American Jukebox together for Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 199? – I forget what year ;-)
Kevin Duda
Will they remember their lines? A quick speed-thru will help. Thankfully, they’re all great ad-libbers.
Kevin Duda
Jason and I both got starring roles. We know people who know people.
Kevin Duda
The opening course has arrived.
Kevin Duda
It was so nice to see them give some young, unknowns the chance to host the evening. Remember their names, cause I think they’re gonna go places: Elisabeth Moss and Bryce Pinkham.
Kevin Duda
I took terrible pictures from my seat – but managed to capture one of the astounding performances for the evening, John Douglas Thompson, star of Satchmo at the Waldorf. Equally amazing were the trio from Trinity Rep’s production of Melancholy Play by Todd Almond and Sarah Ruhl.
Kevin Duda
Jason and I shamelessly ran after one of our favorite stage actresses, Judith Ivey. We didn’t have to run too far because “time is the furthest distance between two places.” Anybody? Anybody?
Kevin Duda
Then Robin and I mauled our favorite John Boy, Richard Thomas. He and his gorgeous daughter, Kendra, were delightful to chat with post Gala. G’night JB.
Kevin Duda
Did I mention that Tony Award Winner Lena Hall brought the house, er hotel down with her Psycho Killer tribute to Michael C. Hall. I mean, c’mon.
Kevin Duda
Then Jason and I went back to grab our stuff from the dressing room, where Jason thought it would be funny to shut me in the closet. (insert joke here). No one was laughing when I was actually locked in there for almost 5 minutes. There is video. If you’re reading this Jason, I’m coming for you.
Kevin Duda
That was my day off! I got to write some really fun material with one of my best friends and present it for some of the best in the business. Everybody should be lucky to have days off like these…onto the next adventure! Thanks Jason Michael Snow, NCTF, and Playbill.Com!!
The evening's master of ceremony was Tony Nominee Bryce Pinkham. The event included performances by Tony Award Winner and Grammy Award Nominee Lena Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kinky Boots), Tony Nominee Christiane Noll (Ragtime, Jekyll & Hyde), Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys), Natalie Charle Ellis (Les Misérables), Jason Michael Snow (The Book of Mormon) Julius Thomas III (Motown, The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess) and John Douglas Thompson (The Iceman Cometh, Satchmo at the Waldorf).
Michael C. Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) was honored with the Theatre Artist Award, Jolyon F. Stern and DeWitt Stern received the Corporate Leadership Award, and Long Wharf Theatre, in honor of its 50th Anniversary, received the 50 Years of Achievement in Theatre Award.
