Lila Coogan News

Spotted at Cafe Edison:  Hillary Clinton and Cubby Bernstein in serious conversation huddled over bowls of motzah ball soup.  As Leo Frank sang, this is not over yet.

Several great performers have joined the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 20th Annual Festival of New Musicals on October 20 & 21 at New World Stages and more have been added to the benefit concert A Toast for 20! on October 19th at COMIX.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the directors and casts for the eight musicals being presented at its 20th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th St) on Monday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 21, 2008. Also, announced were the line-up for this year's Songwriter Showcase happening during the Festival.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the directors and preliminary casts for the eight musicals being presented at its 20th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th St) on Monday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 21, 2008

ony Award winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel joined two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel, book by Tony & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele. In addition, Lila Coogan has been cast in the role of 'Pamela.' Coogan is currently appearing as 'Jane Banks' in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. The all-star cast also includes Lynn Ahrens, Christian Borle, Carolee Carmello, Sandy Duncan, Gregg Edelman, Christine Ebersole, Stephen Flaherty, Kathie Lee Gifford, Adam Heller, Richard Kind, Robert Klein, Tommy Tune and many others. Special guest David Garrison made appearance as Producer Bernie S. Gerry. The special concert of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL was held on Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) with a reception at Sardi's immediately following. Proceeds will benefit BC/EFA and Theatre Development Fund's Open Doors Program, which Wasserstein founded. This delightful one-act musical, based on Wasserstein's 1996 children's book, tells the story of a young girl from the suburbs who spends an unforgettable birthday with her eccentric, sophisticated Aunt Louise (Murphy) attending a lavish Broadway production and meeting all the glamorous, creative people who made it possible. BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses. For more information please visit www.broadwaycares.org

Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel joined two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel, book by Tony & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award® nominee Graciela Daniele.

BroadwayWorld is pleased to bring you this special recording of Cy Coleman and Lillias White singing 'It Started With A Dream' from 'Pamela's First Musical' which Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS will be presenting a benefit performance at Town Hall on May 18th at 3pm.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is pleased to announce that Tony Awardâ winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel will join the previously announced two-time Tony Awardâ winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award® winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award® winner David Zippel, book by Tony® & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award® nominee Graciela Daniele.

Founded earlier this year by Kelly Gonda, President of East of Doheny Productions, BKC brings together the children from current and past Broadway shows, affording them the opportunity to perform community service and, in the process, instill a strong philanthropic sensibility and foster a sense of community among the young actors and their families.

Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions, signed copies of his new theater book for young people, 'How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater' (Disney Publishing Worldwide) on December 12.

The New York Times 2008 Arts & Leisure Week will take place January 7 to 13. The Times' annual signature event is now a seven-day international celebration of the arts that includes a wide range of activities, from interviews between journalists and their guests at TheTimesCenter in New York City, to special offers at cultural institutions around the world.

Thomas Schumacher, producer of the Tony Award-winning The Lion King, will sign copies of his new theater book for young people, 'How Does the Show Go On?An Introduction to the Theater' (Disney Publishing Worldwide), this December in New York (December 12) and Los Angeles (December 13). The $20 book, which gives theater lovers a rare backstage pass to the industry, is currently in stores.