Thanksgiving Memories From The Great White Way
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This is a hard one for so many of us. It’s a holiday that’s all about food and togetherness, and yet that’s precisely what we’re being told to avoid in this pandemic. No big gatherings, keep a mask on, no traveling, stay in your own homes! But there’s a bit of irony in all this. As difficult as it is for many of us to miss the whole Thanksgiving experience, it’s basically the life for theater people. If they’re working a show, chances are they have a matinee and maybe even an evening performance as well. They rarely get to celebrate like the rest of us.
And so while we can’t wait to relegate this Thanksgiving year to the memory books, I asked some of my theater friends if they could share any special memories of this very social holiday. From these generous responses, you discover that in the absence of the standard traditions, theater folk know how to improvise.
Chita Rivera
“Thanksgiving has always been a thankful day ever since I was a child. My mother and four siblings would always celebrate together. Over the years we still continue to give thanks with family and friends. I’ll never forget The Saint Frances Food Pantry 'Thanksgiving In February' where we served food in a NYC hotel to families in need, and at the end of dinner we also served any homeless person that came by. A truly wonderful, thankful event.”
Stephanie J. Block
“I remember being quite young, seven or eight years old and there was an empty chair at the 'adults table' that year due to a cancellation. The kids’ names were put in a bowl to occupy the empty chair and my name was chosen to sit with the adults. I was so very excited to sit amongst the china plates, shimmering glass and beautiful platters. But then in the next room, I could hear my sister and cousins giggling and using silly putty to transfer the images of their comic newspaper place mats... I was so jealous. I never wanted to 'act my age' so badly.”
Here's What she’s up to now: “I am teaching online and performing virtual solo concerts and concerts with Sebastian. I am still in contact with The Atlantic Theatre Company about the hopes of presenting 'The Bedwetter' when it is safe to gather.”
Sebastian Arcelus
“A Thanksgiving blessing...of (and about) a table. Years ago, Jim Caruso, our dear friend and Mayor of Broadway, loaned us his family's beloved dining room table. This sturdy, antique piece of Pittsburgh-Caruso-family history is a marvel that has "lived" in our home now for over 7 years. A long slab of wood heavy with the weight of generations, it rests upon a cast-iron base of matching music lyres lovingly and painstakingly forged by his very own father. It's heavenly - the kind of piece that truly makes a house a home. And just as he shares it with us, Thanksgiving is our little chance to share it with him. While this year is proving both different and difficult...still, we carry with us memories of last year and the years before. Looking around the room as family and chosen family sit together, break bread, honor the past and give thanks for the present and, of course, Jim there smiling at the head of his very own family table. A Happy Thanksgiving indeed.”
Julie Halston
“As I write this I am already getting sentimental. Why? Because I am remembering the crazy holiday theatre schedules we used to perform during Thanksgiving week all the way through to New Year's Eve. We had these crazy schedules because tourists were filling up in the streets of our city, seeing Broadway shows, dining, shopping and walking the lighted streets of midtown. It was the busiest time for shows and so in order to make up for the one night we missed- be it Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve shows would double up on performances. Instead of the usual eight shows a week, you could find yourself doing ten or eleven shows in a row. But as tired as we always were, we always kept it together and I remember cast and crew members of Hairspray bringing in tons of Thanksgiving treats to keep us going. Turkey sandwiches, stuffing, fruits, pies, cookies - it felt like we were in vaudeville somehow. We didn't have much time with our biological family, but we had tons of time with our show business family. It wasn't that long ago but right now it feels far far away. I miss it so.”
What she’s up to now: “As much as I miss live theatre, I'm having a wonderful time interviewing some of the most talented people on the planet on my fun variety/talk show, 'Virtual Halston' on The Cast Party Network on YouTube. We've done over 23 episodes already!”
Ilana Levine
“Anyone who chooses a life in the theater finds out quickly all the reasons that it is the most glorious job in the world. But what you also realize very quickly is that it means you will miss out on most big family celebrations. You may get to the wedding but by the time you arrive everyone is drunk and the bride’s gown is filthy around the bottom from dragging it around the dance floor. The surprise party you helped plan for your best friends 40th happens without you but you do get to see it on someone’s Instagram Story. But the one holiday that most producers agree to keep the theater dark is Thanksgiving and suddenly for the first time in a long time you feel like you are part of the real world, sharing the holiday with your friends and family in real time! We may have to do extra matinees that week or a Monday night show but it is so worth it to get to stay and share a meal with the people who encouraged you to do the thing you love and a chance to say thank you over a beautiful meal filled with love and in my case- my mother Helen’s incredible stuffing!”
Ilana Levine’s Broadway credits include "You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown," "The Last Night Of Ballyhoo," "Wrong Mountain" and "Jake’s Women."She is the host of two theater centric podcasts - "And The Award Goes To…" and "Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine."
Seth Rudetsky
“For many years, I volunteered for a great organization called "Hearts and Voice" which brings live entertainment to hospitalized AIDS patients. My weekly shows was at St. Clare's hospital (now closed) on 51st street and it took place in the AIDS prison ward. The reason for the separate ward was because the medical treatment in prison wasn't at a high enough level to treat people with AIDS so they'd be transported out of their cells and treated in a locked unit at St. Clares. The performance started at 5 p.m. every week and I'd always have amazing singers come and perform: Darius DeHaas, Audra McDonald, Betty Buckley, Ric Ryder, Traci Lyn Thomas, Norm Lewis and SO many more. Anyhoo, since my show was scheduled for Thursday, it would always coincide with Thanksgiving. Of course, on one hand, I wanted the day off to enjoy Thanksgiving day festivities, but I knew that the patients wanted something festive as well! So, I would gather my volunteer singers and we'd perform in the prison ward, just like every other Thursday. I'd still have time to go to my Mom's house on Long Island, eat a crazy amount of food, take the LIRR back and then put on a show with my talented friends. I'd always have singers willing to join me because the Broadway community is always generous...and it was always wonderful to see the patients have some joy on the holiday!”
Seth is the host of "On Broadway" on Sirius XM. During the pandemic he has hosted a weekly concert series as well as “Stars in the House,” a YouTube channel that raises money for The Actors Fund.
Thanksgiving in Theater History
Any Broadway fanatic knows one of the best parts of Thanksgiving is the performances on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For this special holiday edition of “Intermission,” we thought we’d share our favorite parade performances from over the years.
Roma’s Pick
For some reason I was never really high on the floats during the parade. Even as a young kid, Santa was kind of anti-climactic for me. But the Broadway numbers were always the biggest thrill. I marveled at how they could perform in such cold weather. And while they’re all great, two stand out because I worked on them. “Sophisticated Ladies” in 1981 starring Greg Hines with Judith Jamison and Phyllis Hyman. The entire cast, including my dear friend, the late great Gregg Burge, was interviewed by Willard Scott before the parade and they all just seemed like one big happy family. The other performance that stood out was “My One And Only” in 1983 with Tommy Tune and Twiggy. There was so much backstory to that show and I loved being part of the wild drama! Check it out here.
And finally, I just loved the “On Your Feet” performance in the 2015 parade. I don’t think anything can top the goosebump inducing thrill of Ana Villafane as Gloria Estefan and the entire company dancing their hearts out to Sergio Trujillo’s killer choreography. So hot on that chilly Thanksgiving morning. Check it out here.
And finally, I just loved the “On Your Feet” performance in the 2015 parade. I don’t think anything can top the goosebump inducing thrill of Ana Villafane as Gloria Estefan and the entire company dancing their hearts out to Sergio Trujillo’s killer choreography. So hot on that chilly Thanksgiving morning. Check it out here.
Nina’s Pick
Every year growing up, I eagerly awaited the Broadway performances during the parade, dashing into any room with a TV to catch them while getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner. And while I of course loved seeing my favorite shows perform, I also relished getting glimpses of ones I hadn’t had the pleasure of experiencing. Unfortunately, I never got to see “A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder” starring Tony Goldwyn and Jefferson Mays, but this number made me an instant fan, and I was glad to get just a taste of the production. Check it out here.
And for even more Thanksgiving Day Parade memories, check out this video from the Broadway Podcast Network. Guests including Cara Cooper (“The Prom”) and Elliot Mattox (“Beetlejuice”) give you an inside look on their experiences performing on the parade.
Watch here.
Broadway at Home - This week’s theater events, available right on your computer
November 28th: “A Christmas Carol” Benefiting Community Theaters Available to Stream
And speaking of Jefferson Mays, the Tony winner stars in this production of the Dickens classic, playing 50 different characters. It was filmed live at New York’s United Palace and directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit local community theaters near you, based on your zip code.
Tickets available here.
November 30th at 8pm EST: The Disney Holiday Singalong on ABC
As part of this hour long special, the Broadway casts of the “Lion King” and “Aladdin”, and the North American touring company of “Frozen” will come together to sing “Let It Go” at the New Amsterdam Theatre. There will also be performances from Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr.
“Frozen” has been one of the first casualties of the Broadway shutdown, announcing it will not return when performances are allowed to continue.
December 1st at 8pm EST: The 20th Annual 24 Hour Plays Broadway Gala
Enjoy six new plays written, rehearsed and performed online in 24 hours. Those set to perform include Wayne Brady, Andra Day, Jesse Eisenberg, Michelle Gomez, Marcia Gay Harden and more. You can purchase general admission tickets, or spring for “Pre-Show Plus” which gets you access to the exclusive pre-show toast with participants and celebrity guests.
Tickets available here.
Cryptic Playbill
And finally, some fun for theater fans, each week we’ll share artwork from a Playbill cover minus the title and see if you can identify the show.
Last week’s Cryptic Playbill was “The Band’s Visit.” The musical starring Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub is based on the Israeli film of the same name. It won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and closed in 2019 after 625 performances.
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