A SPECTACULAR STAR-STUDDED DO40 SPELLING EVENT!

DO40 president John Sefakis with the Spellers and Spell-ees!
(pictured L to R top to bottom:  Charles Kirsch, Kevin Winkler, Candy Brown, George Dansker, Jamie DeRoy, Brad Oscar, Bari Biern, Ken Bloom, Michael Lavine, Lawrence Leritz, Barry Kleinbort)

It was the Sharks vs. the Jets!  The Hatfields vs. the McCoys! The Dancers vs. the Civilians!  And (drum roll…) the Civilians won – the first DO40 Broadway Spelling Bee fundraiser!  Impresarios and DO40 members Ken Bloom and Charles Kirsch produced and hosted this fun, entertaining – and educational - evening, where you not only got to know HOW to spell dance and theater legends’ names, but heard stories right from the “horse’s mouth” ABOUT them and their craft (and some juicy APPLAUSE…”info!”).   The event is still up on youtube for free viewing at YouTube, at this link and the

DO40 president John Sefakis with DO40 Advisory Board member and
Director/Choreographer Jerry Mitchell

Special guests who provided the names to spell included DO40 Advisory Board member and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (HAIRSPRAY, LEGALLY BLONDE, KINKY BOOTS),  Jim Brochu (ZERO HOUR, BRIGADOON), Jason Graae (STARDUST, PATENT LEATHER SHOES), PR maven extraordinaire Josh Ellis, actor/writer Charles Busch (TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE), Penny Fuller (APPLAUSE, CABARET), Mary Testa (XANADU, 42ND STREET, OKLAHOMA), Lee Wilkof (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, ASSASSINS)) Karen Morrow (A JOYFUL NOISE) , Steven Brinberg (SIMPLY BARBRA), Ted Chapin (Rogers and Hammerstein Organization president) and DO40 members Cheryl Clark (PIPPIN, CHICAGO, A CHORUS LINE), James Dybas (PACIFIC OVERTURES, DO I HEAR A WALTZ?) and Ron Young (MY ONE AND ONLY, MAME, A CHORUS LINE).

Actress Mary Testa

And in this corner, the Spellers:  The Dancers were represented by DO40 board member Lawrence Leritz (NUREYEV & FONTEYN ON BROADWAY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF), DO40 members Candy Brown (LIZA WITH A Z, PIPPIN CHICAGO, GRIND), Kevin Winkler (CATS), Bari Biern (CAPITOL STEP) and Brad Oscar (THE PRODUCERS). The Civilians were musical director Michael Lavine, songwriter/director Barry Kleinbort, producer/performer Jamie DeRoy, historian George Dansker and DO40 president John Sefakis.

A heartwarming thanks to all who contributed their time and effort to this spectacular evening of spelling!

And remember, it’s never too late to join Dancers over 40 as a card-carrying, dues-paying member – or donate to our Patron Wall!  Just go to www.dancersover40.org and click on theJOIN/RENEW/DONATE BUTTON!  No spell check required!

DO40 member Cheryl Clark

Actress Penny Fuller

Actor Jason Graae

Actor/Playwright Charles Busch