Theater News

A Helluva Town!

Dan Aykroyd, Stephanie J. Block, Len Cariou, Donna Dixon, Celeste Holm, Rue McClanahan, Paul Shaffer, Mary Testa, and Max von Essen are some of the stars on the town this week.

New York City

On Monday night, Comden & Green’s New York, a salute to the late songwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, was held at the Barrow Street Theatre as a benefit for the Greenwich House Music School. Here’s Green’s daughter, Amanda Green — the evening’s director, writer, and organizer — flanked by producer Jim Caruso and musical director Alex Rybeck.

Amanda’s celebrated mom, Tony Award winner Phyllis Newman, was the event’s honorary chair.

Wicked star Stephanie J. Block was one of many actors who performed on their night off.

Hairspray star Jonathan Dokuchitz was part of the festivities.

Ann Harada and Max von Essen, who both appeared in the recent revival of Les Miserables, also participated in the event.

Jessica Molaskey, currently appearing in Sunday in the Park with George, and husband John Pizzarelli — whose new CD saluting Richard Rodgers will be released in August — were among the benefit’s popular performers.

Xanadu‘s Mary Testa and The Little Mermaid‘s Jonathan Freeman are welcome additions to any line-up.

The wonderful singer-dancer Sean Martin Hingston also starred in the event.

Broadway and television star Kevin Spirtas, who’s soon to join ABC’s One Life to Live, was in the audience.

Cause Celebre, a theater company dedicated to fostering an enhanced understanding of psychological, physical, and social issues, held its Recipe for Life benefit at the Players Club on Tuesday night, featuring Tony winners Frances Sternhagen, Richard Easton, and Tammy Grimes.

Former Golden Girl Rue McClanahan was another of that benefit’s major stars.

On Wednesday night, film and television star Dan Aykroyd and wife Donna Dixon took in The Little Mermaid. Here’s Aykroyd with star Sierra Boggess.

Dixon got a chance to meet Tituss Burgess, who plays Sebastian the Crab.

On Wednesday night, singer/hostess Jamie deRoy presented a special show saluting the Tony Awards at the Metropolitan Room. Here she is with David Letterman’s bandleader, the one and only Paul Shaffer, who was in the audience.

Oscar winner Celeste Holm — another very special attendee — posed after the show with Tony winner Len Cariou, who wowed the crowd with “Pretty Women” and “One of a Kind.”