ExploreDance

Event Management & Marketing: Weiss Creative Group
Featuring: Karen Mason, Kelly Bishop, Barbara Bruno, Carleton Carpenter, Caitlin Carter, Marge Champion, Dance Times Square, Mercedes Ellington, Eileen Fulton, Carlin Glynn, Robert Hedglin, Cady Huffman, Ilene Kristen, Michael McGrath, Patrice Munsel, Bebe Neuwirth, Rex Reed, Angie Schworer, Julie Wilson, Deborah Wingert, The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Special Guests, and Music Performed by the Lounge-O-Leers.

Director: Tony Stevens; Costume Coordinator: Julia Noel and Van Vliet; Lighting Director: Tim Brecker; Sound: David Smith; Production Stage Manager: Vienna Hagen; Press Representative: Kevin P. McAnarney (KPM Associates).

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
June 27, 2004

According to tonight's program notes, Sally Rand was seen by more people than any other live entertainer of the 20th Century. As a shrewd businesswoman, she danced at World Fairs State Fairs, nightclubs, theatres, and other large events. She danced until just before she died, well into her 70's.

Tonight's performance, with special guest Karen Mason (Mamma Mia and Sunset Boulevard on Broadway) singing History is Made at Night, with Bebe Neuwirth and life-size chickens in Young Sally/Morning in the Ozarks, with Deborah Wingert en pointe as Pavlova and The Dying Swan, with Carleton Carpenter retelling the story of Sally and her Fan, with Patrice Munsel retelling The History of the Erotic Dance, with Mercedes Ellington joining Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith of Dance Times Square in a Valentino Bolero, with Barbara Bruno dancing with a life-size blue bubble, introduced by Marge Champion, and with Caitlin Carter performing Sally's legendary Fan Dance, was a casual, warm, humorous, and delightful affair. One of the most dynamic hosts was the legendary Rex Reed, who added contemporary political innuendos to his very campy and charming speech, Fanning a Breeze into a Tornado: Chicago 1933.

Julie Wilson, in great form, crooned Bad, Bad, Bad Woman with a giant boa and some help from a friend. Kelly Bishop, Eileen Fulton, and Cady Huffman, as extemporaneous judges with robes and gavels, enacted a scene about Sally's Censorship and Trouble with the Law. Sally Rand's D/Nude Ranch was introduced by Carlin Glynn and sung by Ilene Kristen. The skit, Miss Rand Will Be Delighted to Autograph… was engagingly presented by Michael McGrath and Angie Schworer, and the four Ozark chickens performed on their own.

Of course this event was a benefit for Animal Haven, " a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the Tri-State area and provides lifetime care to animals that can't be placed". So, a parade of The World's Most Beautiful Glamour Girls with The World's Most Beautiful Dogs entertained and tempted the audience to visit the Animal Haven van, strategically parked outside of Town Hall for the evening. The dogs did not dance with bubbles or fans, but they mugged mercilessly.

Kudos to Sally Rand, and kudos to all tonight's dancers and performers who volunteered their efforts and time on behalf of Animal Haven.

Sally Rand
Photo courtesy of KPM Associates

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