It's that time of year again, when we rev up for our 2024 - 2025 season! And it will be our most challenging season thus far, as we enter our FOURTH DECADE as an organization!

In the words of Tina Turner, "Nothin's evah easy...." and that includes running a small non-profit arts organization in New York City! We are hoping for a full season of activities and NEW and RETURNING members and Friends... as well!

And remember, DO40 has never changed the price of membership since our inception in 1994! Always has been $45.00 for NY/NJ/CT members and $35.00 for others, friends, family and non-performers. NO INFLATION HERE!

We have had major losses of members last year, as you may know from our previous mailings, including Chita Rivera, Gus Solomons, jr., Bill Guske, Lora Martens, Felicia Velasco and more, so membership dues AND DONATIONS are more important than ever. Our large events last year, the 2023 Legacy Awards and the 2024 Lee Roy Reams Roast were extremely expensive to produce. Please consider donating at a Patron Level comfortable with your ability to give (to a great cause!).

Just click to JOIN/RENEW/DONATE and pay by charge, Paypal, or print out the document and send in a check.

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2024, 7PM
OUR VIRTUAL DO40 TRIVIA CONTEST
KICKED OFF OUR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!

AND THE WINNAH IS....!! (AGAIN!)

Link to watch on YouTube (it will be there for YEARS!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H2lWmRtHu8

Had a great time at Charles Kirsch's Backstage Babble Trivia Contest to kick off DO40's membership drive for 2024-2025. Great contestants and questioners! And again and again, producer/director Robert W. Schneider wins the swag! This time a DO40 Tank Top! Last time he won a DO40 baseball cap and modeled it for DO40 publicity. Let's see if we get a pic of him in our DO40 tank! Thanks to all who participated: the Contestants, Jay Aubrey Jones, Robbie Rozelle, Kevin David Thomas and winnah Robert W. Schneider and Questioners Josie De Guzman, David Jackson, Michael Lavine, Stephanie Pope and Mary Stout. And of course kudos to the biggest impresario on any platform, Charles Kirsch, our youngest DO40 member, who turns 17 in September!!

Please remember to join/renew or donate to Dancers over 40 on our website, www.dancersover40.org. Just click on the menu on top and it will guide you through the all the ways you can pay. We can't produce events like our Legacy Awards dinner and 54 Below events without your support!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024, 8PM
OUR ZOOM NATIONWIDE
MEMBERS-ONLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Zoom link will be sent out in September. We will be discussing all of our upcoming events as they come together and hopefully, present our newest inductees into the DO40 Legacy Awards (see below). We’ll talk with DO40 member and author Kevin Winkler about his new Bette Midler book and artist manager Wayne Scherzer about the theater “biz” today!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024, 10AM-6PM
THE BROADWAY CARES/EFA FLEA MARKET

We are always looking for rare Playbills and librettos, and of course, can always find enough product to put in our SUTTON FOSTER did not wear these CLOTHES box! We are still on the lookout for posters, show jackets, memorabilia and opening night tchotchkes! We raised over $6,500.00 last year for BC/EFA! Keep those tchotchkes coming! Contact us at dancersover40@aol.com to donate, or call our hotline, 212-330-7016. We have so much product that we have rented a storage space JUST for flea market materials. And that means more monthly DO40 costs. Your membership & donations are very much appreciated! And please volunteer to help work the tables!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024, 6-9PM
THE 16TH ANNUAL LEGACY AWARDS
AT LIPS RESTAURANT

A return again to the fabulous LIPS restaurant to honor the following DO40 members: Ann Johnson, Alan Onickel, Christine Reisner, Francine Storey and Kevin Winkler. An extremely diverse and talented group of mature artists!

SPRING EVENTS TBA

Board Member Patrick McCarthy is premiering his new musical, Masque, in a staged reading on January 26 at the El Barrio Theater. Also, another potential event at 54 Below, depending on talent and theme! TBA in May for a June event.

This organization is a lifeline for many of our senior members. It will be very difficult for us to keep afloat without your financial support. We must keep up the good fight for our community and everyone who supports us. Please consider a donation along with your membership. We simply cannot do it alone (to coin a phrase)!

BC/EFA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TOM VIOLA
SETS RETIREMENT FOR DECEMBER 31, 2024

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola will retire from the nonprofit at the end of 2024, ending a 36-year tenure that saw the organization persevere through two pandemics and emerge as one of the most impactful fundraising and grant-making organizations in the country. Tom is responsible for allowing DO40 to apply for yearly grants, which have sustained us over the past 15 years and allowed us to grow and produce the events you all know and love (along with our member dues and donations, of course!) We will miss him dearly!

Current Broadway Cares Director of Development Danny Whitman, who’s been with the nonprofit for 15 years, will succeed Viola as executive director, beginning January 1, 2025. Viola will remain involved with the organization as a consultant throughout 2025, advising on Broadway Cares’ National Grants Program strategies and procedures.

Tom shared the retirement news with the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on July 18, 2024, after discussions with the organization’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee previously voted unanimously to appoint Whitman to succeed Viola. The full board unanimously approved the succession plan.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has awarded more than $300 million under Viola’s leadership: $142 million to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) and another $160 million to 450 local organizations nationwide through its National Grants Program providing meals and medication, health care and hope to countless individuals and families.

In 2010, Viola was recognized by the Tony Awards with the Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre for “the leadership, advocacy and creativity through which he has mobilized the theater community’s response to AIDS and other critical health issues.” He’s also been honored with the Patrick Quinn Award for Distinguished Service from Actors’ Equity, the Sandy Fund Award from the Humane Society of New York, the Howard Ashman Award from GMHC and The Mosaic Award for Distinguished Alumni from the University of Cincinnati. Viola serves on the Board of Trustees for the Entertainment Community Fund and chairs its human services committee. And yes, Tom received a 2013 DO40 Legacy Award at LIPS Restaurant for his unwavering support!!

Viola’s tenure with the organization dates to its first days in 1988 when he was executive assistant to Colleen Dewhurst, then the president of Actors Equity Association. Viola served as Equity’s staffer on the committee helping it focus on raising money for the just-created AIDS Initiative of The Actors Fund (now the Entertainment Community Fund).

Working closely with Rodger McFarlane, Viola oversaw the merger of Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares. On May 1, 1992, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was born, providing annual grants to the Fund and local AIDS service organizations nationwide.

In 1996, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS began expanding its mission beyond HIV/AIDS and awarded the Fund $10,000 to help create the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative. It was the first step in an expansion of support that today includes every program and service provided by the Entertainment Community Fund for tens of thousands of members of the entertainment industry and performing arts. As the largest single financial supporter of the Fund, Broadway Cares helps ensure the continued effectiveness of The Friedman Health Center, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Artists Health Insurance Resource Center, Senior Services, Addiction and Recovery Services, The Dancers’ Resource, the Broadway flu shot program and more.

Whitman joined Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in 2009 as director of development and member of its senior staff. He has overseen corporate, individual, major and planned giving, and event underwriters and sponsors. Under his leadership, those areas of fundraising have increased from $2.4 million in 2009 to $11.1 million in 2024. In addition to guiding and expanding development efforts, Whitman has served as lead producer for Broadway Cares’ annual events Broadway Bets and Broadway Backwards, while also working closely with the Broadway community on the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction and annual appeals. Additionally, he has served on the human services committee of the Entertainment Community Fund.

Prior to joining Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Whitman worked at New York’s LGBT Center as volunteer manager, corporate relations officer and rising to deputy director of development. He holds a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University and is a member of ASCAP and Actors Equity Association.

A BAWDY, BODACIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL NIGHT
ROASTING DO40 MEMBER LEE ROY REAMS!

WE CAN HEAR TALLULAH BANKHEAD STILL LAUGHING!

Community, Family, Community, Family. That's what it was. That's what we do. Bringing together the mature artistic community to celebrate our History, Our Legacy and Our Lives. And Monday, April 1st was no joke! Well, it was FILLED with them, that’s for sure with our Roast of DO40 member Lee Roy Reams at 54 Below! As director and host Jim Brochu mentioned, it was more of a stir-fry than a roast, but zingers were flying, nevertheless! Broadway Supastar Lee Roy Reams was escorted by two skimpily clad men to his elevated table stage right to view – and comment on – the spectacle as it unfolded! Saucy songs and patter was delivered by Billy Stritch, Melissa Errico (even though she didn’t mean to!), Penny Fuller, Judy Kaye and Pamela Myers, with additional commentary by Dick Miller and Alex Rybeck.

And, of course, you couldn’t keep a good man down at his table! La Reams is always one for the quick retort, the inside scoop and bawdy story to “enhance” the evening’s hilarity. A spirited auction took place with two ladies bidding for a chance to have drinks with Lee Roy at Sardi’s – and they were both so invested that we gave them BOTH the honors! So, you could say, DO40 was acting as his, ah, “manager” (a nicer word than pimp! LOLOL) to benefit DO40 to the tune of $1600.00! Not a cheap date! DO40 prez John Sefakis introduced a short minute clip that was a touching moment near the end of the show – a wonderful impromptu dance by Lee Roy and his Cincinnati dance buddy Harvey Evans from our 2012 DO40 Legacy Awards that warmed the cockles of everyone’s heart!

Speaking with DO40 member Candy Brown after the show (CHICAGO, PIPPIN, LIZA WITH A Z) which she streamed live to Colorado, it was clear how a community – and family – grows on the Great … Way! Without realizing it, by chronicling how she knew Lee Roy, she plotted out how she grew her theatrical family during Applause (where she and Lee roy were never in the same company!). Candy met people like Christopher Chadman, Sammy Williams, Ed Nolfi and Albert Stevenson for the first time, among others. Although shows would open and close, the bond between the performers continued. And that's what DO40 is here for - to continue to reunify relationships and grow new ones from the next generation.

And in the room, a gaggle of DO40 members, including Zeigfeld and Latin Quarter Girl Darlene Larson, Diane Nicole, the “Flying Mariano Sisters,” (as we call them!) Patti and JoAnn, Joe Ahumada, Josh Ellis, Karen Baker and hubby Greg Kayne, Kathy Conry, Linda Rose Iennaco, Virginia Seidel, DO40 board members Loni Ackerman, Patrick McCarthy, Leni Anders, Sharon Wendrow, Sasha Spielvogel, Ken Bloom, Lawrence Leritz, Bobby Heglin-Taylor and the last of the founding members, Eileen Casey, as well as many members who streamed the event (added last week!), Sharla Herbert, Michon Peacock, Cheryl Clark, Christine Colby-Jacques, and a few of our European members and from Austrialia, member Tony Sheldon (we couldn’t see all their names on the monitor!)

There's a quote from an old Angela Lansbury movie, "Something for Everyone," where she laments, "Children have no history..." And it could apply to the next gen on Broadway, who haven't yet understood the bonds that bind Community and Family and how important it is to pay it forward. And that is why we need you, the public, and the Broadway Theater and Dance Communities, to join DO40, whether you are Over or Under 40, whether you are a dancer or not, to help us continue our mission, grow and pay it forward to the next generation.

And a great review from TheaterWOW writer Jim McDermott here on this link: https://theaterwow.substack.com/p/the-filthiest-most-loving-show-on

Click here to view the photo gallery.

Click here to view the videos on the members only page

DANCERS OVER 40
MOURNS THE LOSS OF ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBER CHITA RIVERA

"I always said the one position I do not want to die in is plié, because that is not pretty." DO40 Advisory Board member Chita Rivera died Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 after a brief illness, according to her daughter, Lisa Mordente. The quote above was one of Chita’s opening remarks when she received the 2013 DO40 Legacy Award at LIPS Restaurant. There will be articles, testimonials, remembrances from so many famous people honoring her life, but it is the dancers she worked with side-by-side and who eventually provided back-up for her in her shows, that meant the most to her and feel the loss most deeply.

Chita participated in DO40 events from the moment she joined the board back in 2008, with our Jack Cole event at Symphony Space with dance greats Marge Champion, Alan Johnson and George and Ethel Martin, then on to our Peter Gennaro panel at St. Luke’s Theater, where she discussed Peter’s choreographic involvement in West Side Story with Peter’s daughter, Liza, Carol Lawrence and WSS dancer and DO40 Legend Harvey Evans. She then participated in the DO40 CARES 2012 dance concert at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater which reunited her with her Cell Block Tango ladies from CHICAGO, including DO40 members Cheryl Clark, Michon Peacock, Candy Brown and Fosse dancer for decades, Richard Korthaze (a long time DO40 board member until his death last year). DO40 also produced the 60th anniversary of West Side Story at a sold-out St. Luke’s theater. Many of them are now gone, including David Winters, Martin Charnin, and her lovable sidekick and long-time Bernardo (from WSS), George (Georgie Porgie) Marcy. The last time we saw her perform was August, 2023 in Cherry Grove, Fire Island at the Ice Palace to a sold-out crowd of gay men and women.

She had an optimism about life, and an uncompromising love for everything dance. She was the last living legend of the Golden Age of Broadway. Dancers Over 40 is here to protect, promote and to save the History, Legacy and Lives of not only a legend like Chita, but all of the amazing creative talents in DO40 – all preserved in the videos of our events at the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts. We urge dancers and friends of dancers (over or under 40!) to join DO40 to help us continue our mission. The next generation needs to be acknowledged – and documented.

We send our love and jetés to her daughter, Lisa Mordente and Chita’s long-time assistant, Rosie Bentinck. They will also carry on Chita’s legacy. And it will continue through the many organizations and charities that she supported over the years. Right now, Gwen and Bob are waiting for her to perform one more Hot Honey Rag….

“If I ever came back again I would most definitely want to come back as a dancer. The fact that Dancers over 40 allows dancers to continue their passion is something that is a blessing. And we’re very, very, very grateful for that.” – Chita Rivera

THE SASSY SPLITS ENDS ITS RUN WITH THE BROADWAY SHOW LEAGUE

THE SASSY SPLITS ENDS ITS RUN WITH THE BROADWAY SHOW LEAGUE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AT 11:15PM
WITH A HOLIDAY PARTY AND AWARDS CEREMONY OF THEIR OWN!

THE FESTIVIES HAVE BEEN AT FRAMES PORT AUTHORITY
BOWLING LANES, 40TH & 9TH AVENUE

We’ve had a BLAST with the Broadway Show Bowling League this Fall. It's been every Thursday from August 31 st through December 14th! A long run! Hard to get members to stay up that late, but hey, most of you were there “in the day!” Matter of fact DO40 friend and producer Ed Gaynes and his wife Pamela Hall were the 1973 bowling WINNAHS (we asked them to come and help but they said it was after their bedtime now)! 

Thanks to our all our participants over the past four months who have trekked to the Port Authority/Hell’s Kitchen and 9 th Avenue to form our Sassy Splits team: Alan Onickel, Mary McCatty, Christine Lemme, John Sefakis, Fran Sperling, Sara Odze, Lawrence Leritz, Ken Bloom, Gayle Stahlhuth, DJ Salsbury, Patrick McCarthy, Bernie Stote, Domenic Henriquez, team leaders Loni Ackerman and Bobby Hedglin- Taylor and cheerleaders Leni Anders and Sharon Wendrow. Everyone got great t- shirts and had good food each week! It was great meeting people from the League, and getting to know cast and crews! We WERE nominated for 2023 Mx. Congeniality, the only team to be nominated (against single bowlers from the Broadway shows). We didn’t win, a member of the huge team of SOME LIKE IT HOT took the crown. But we were up there and got known around the lanes, as they say! And we didn’t finish LAST as a team – or next to last, either! We beat ALADDIN, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE and Circle in the Square to end up 2 th out of 28 teams. And one of our members came in 5 nd (I won’t say whom, as to not discourage our other team members!) out of 405 bowlers! Well, a HUGE handicap helped! (Who knew it was like golf?!?!?!?) 

Thanks to all of our members and friends who joined us in this sporty event! We would LOVE to continue with the League’s Spring Season, but unfortunately, our DO40 budget is unable to come up with an additional $3,000.00 in lane and food costs. If there is a Bowling Benefactor out there, contact dancersover40@aol.com ASAP!