Honoring Ms. Peters

Bernadette Peters accepting the Isabelle Stevenson Awards at this year's Tony Awards.



Broadway Barks this year is on 14 July from 330-630 PM at Shubert Alley.

Broadway Barks 13

Broadway Barks is this Saturday, 09 July. Scheduled to present the dogs and cats from New York City animal shelters are the following Broadway performers: Sutton Foster, Edie Falco, Victoria Clark, Heidi Blickenstaff, Yul Vazquez, Jackie Hoffman, Nikki M. James, Michael McGrath, Patina Miller, Michael Mulheren, Brad Oscar, Andrew Rannells, Norbert Leo Butz, Bobby Cannavale, Will Swenson, and Joel Grey.

The adopt-a-thon will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.

Saving Little New Yorkers

It was pouring rain when I headed out for the city. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, all for a good cause. This was Broadway Barks' 12th year.

This was about 2 and a half hours before the event.

The pets are here!



Founders and hosts Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore
Jane Huffman reading a proclamation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg declaring June 11 Broadway Barks Day. The Empire State Building was also lit in purple, pink and yellow in honor of the event.
The ladies from A Little Night Music, fresh from their dress rehearsal. Ms. Peters is headlining with Elaine Stritch when performances resume 13 July 2010. That's Erin Davie in the yellow shirt.
South Pacific's Loretta Ables Sayre
Chad Kimball from Memphis. Apparently, he had a dog he named Buffy Kimball (with many other middle names).
Sean Hayes from Promises Promises. He got the loudest ovation. At least while I was there. I couldn't stay long enough to wait for his co-star Kristin Chenoweth's presentation.
Sean's co-stars Tony Goldwyn and Tony winner Katie Finneran on the left wearing the white shirt. Tony's dog threw up on him. Stage fright maybe?

From Lend Me a Tenor, Tony Shalhoub and his wife Brooke Adams

Cheyenne Jackson, who said his rescue dog changed his life. One of the dogs he was presenting was said to have a "subtle" personality, to which Cheyenne quipped, "something Jackie Hoffman doesn't have."
The Addams Family's Jackie Hoffman and thrice-Tony-nominated Kevin Chamberlin. They presented Siamese cats, which made Ms. Hoffman sing the "We are Siamese" song from the Disney cartoon "Lady and the Tramp". Not to be outdone, Mr. Chamberlin sang part of "I will never leave you" for a Side Show reference. Jackie said she likes cats, because they don't write bad reviews.
Karen Olivo and George Akram (I think he's a cutie.) from West Side Story. Josefina Scaglione was also scheduled to appear. I had to catch my train so I missed Kelsey Grammer. 3 of his La Cage Aux Folles castmates presented earlier. Ruthie Henshall was being introduced when I left.
Corbin Bleu from In the Heights.

Broadway Barks 12

It's time for the Shubert Alley cat and dog adopt-a-thon again! Join founders Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore at Broadway Barks today from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. Come see other Broadway stars like Kelsey Grammer, Sean Hayes, Chad Kimball, Kristin Chenoweth, George Akram, Tony Shalhoub, Montego Glover,Tony Goldwyn, and Jackie Hoffman. (I'm watching a matinee of The Addams Family today so it's good to hear that the celebrity presentations of the animal shelter pets will be from 530 to 630. Whew! Ms. Hoffman, please be at the performance!)

Ms. Peters will be autographing copies of her book, Stella is a Star! at the Schoenfeld Theatre after the event.

(photo from Playbill)

Anything Pawsible

Happy National Pet Parents Day! Looking for eco-friendly pet products and organic treats for your furry "kids"? Anything Pawsible will be at the Lexington Avenue Festival between 60th and 66th st. on 01 May, 22nd Annual Broadway Spring Festival between 86th and 96th street on 02 May, and the Ninth Avenue International Food Fair on May 15 and 16. Percentage of the sales will go to Broadway Barks and the Mayor's Alliance for Sheltered Pets in New York City.

UPDATE: Come see Tony Nominee Jan Maxwell (for Royal Family and now in Lend Me a Tenor) 12-1 at the booth. And on 5/16 from 12-1 Tony Nominee Kevin Chamberlin/Uncle Fester from Addams Family will be present.

Broadway Barks Benefit

See Broadway Barks founder and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids Trustee Bernadette Peters in a one night benefit "A Special Concert for Broadway Barks because Broadway Cares" on 09 November at the Minskoff Theatre. Visit Broadway Cares to buy tickets, or call (212)840-0770 x 268.

Hounds of Broadway

Angela Lansbury and Madame Barkati (Blithe Spirit)

Claude (Hair)

At this year's Broadway Barks, which will be held on July11, they are auctioning off Autographed Hounds of Broadway.

From the press release: Authographed Hounds of Broadway are one-of-a-kind stuffed dogs that are signed by the casts (and in some cases, decorated by the wardrobe departments) of some of Broadway's hottest shows are auctioned to raise money for the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

Just check out the samples from the pictures above! I'm really amused with the Madame Barkati one. For more photos of the stuffed hounds from other shows, please click on the link above.

(photo from AnimalAllianceNYC.org)

A Mutt like Kramer

Tony Award winner and best-selling children's book author Bernadette Peters will be at FAO Schwarz today, 08 November. She will be doing a reading from her book Broadway Barks and unveiling the Kramer dog plush toy from the book. The book character is based on Ms. Peters' own dog who she got from the ASPCA. All profits will go to the Broadway Barks organization.

(photo from Playbill)

It's a dog's life

Mark your calendars pet lovers! Broadway Barks 10 is this Saturday, 12th of July from 3:30-6:30PM in Shubert Alley. Bernadette Peters will be signing her new book, also called Broadway Barks.