The Lambs Honors Stephen Schwartz
October 23, 2019
October 22, 2019 – New York, NY
The Lambs, America’s first professional theater club and one of the three oldest professional theatrical organizations in the US, honored Stephen Schwartz at a Shepherd’s luncheon.
Stephen, known for writing hit musicals as Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, has been awarded four Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, a Drama Desk, the 2015 Isabelle Stevenson Award, and a special Tony Award for his commitment to serving artists and new talent. Stephen has led Musical Theater Workshops for the ASCAP Foundation for over 25 years, and The Lambs Foundation has recently become a supporter of his workshops.
Interviewed by Michael Kerker, Vice President of Musical Theater at ASCAP, as Stephen candidly spoke about his work, his process and musical theater. The full audience was pleasantly surprised when Stephen hit the piano and performed a song form his new show, The Prince of Egypt, was opens in London in February 2020. After the talk, Shepherd Marc Baron awarded Mr. Schwartz Honorary Membership status of The Lambs “…in recognition for his outstanding achievements in musical theater, film, music composition and education in music theater” as decreed by The Lambs’ Council.
Adding to the afternoon festivity was the celebration of the 95th birthday of Lamb Joyce Randolph, best known as Trixie of The Honeymooners. Joyce’s late husband, Richard Charles, was Shepherd 1986-1997. Mr. Schwartz played “Happy Birthday” as the room arose in song.
Lambs have been involved in the formation of The Actors’ Fund of America, Actors’ Equity, Paramount Pictures, Screen Actors Guild and, most recently, in the merger that created SAG-AFTRA. ASCAP was founded in 1914 within The Lambs, six of the nine ASCAP founders were Lambs. The ASCAP Foundation was founded in 1974 by Lamb Jack Norworth.
The Lambs Marks the 100th Anniversary of the Actors’ Strike of 1919
August 6, 2019
August 5, 2019 – New York, NY
The Lambs, America’s first professional theater club and the oldest professional theatrical organization in the US, marks the 100th Anniversary of the Actors’ Strike of 1919.
A century ago this month the biggest story in show business was unfolding, an event with repercussions that are still felt today. This was the Actors Strike of 1919, a labor action that closed Broadway for a month and gave stage actors a standard contract. At the center of this activity were The Lambs–on both sides of the strike–who would ultimately negotiate its successful conclusion and win lasting rights for actors. At the time The Lambs was just 45 years old with perhaps 2,000 members, more than the fledgling Actors Equity Association which launched in 1913. Of the 21 original Equity council members elected, only one actor was not a Lamb.
The Lambs will be marking the Strike and its central role with daily postings on Twitter (@TheLambsInc) and Instagram (TheLambsInc), and has posted a story on its web site at: The-Lambs.org/ActorsStrike1919 and will use hashtag #1919ActorsStrike and #TheRealLambs
Lambs have been involved in the formation of The Actors’ Fund of America, ASCAP, Actors’ Equity, Paramount Pictures, Screen Actors Guild and, most recently, in the merger. Members are urged to share on social media the full article and the daily reports!
Bruns & Allen Live!
August 6, 2019
August 5 The Lambs hosted a presentation of an award winning play about Geroge Burns and Gracie Allen. “The Raconteurs” was written by Lauren Milberger, and her four-actor play was semi-finalist for the 2018 Eugene O’Neill Center National Playwright Conference. Lauren has written extensively about Burns and Allen.
George Burns, legendary 100-year-old entertainer finds himself telling the story of his and wife Gracie Allen’s life story, with his best friends Jack Benny and Mary in The Raconteurs: A story of Burns and Allen. From Vaudeville to radio and finally to television. George spins a tale of romance, songs and success as the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Is the key to living a great life the same as crafting a great joke? Or is truth-in-comedy a myth? Relive some of your favorite George & Gracie moments, as well as some you never knew!
The response from the pack-ed house was tremendous – and Lauren has agreed to en encore presentation later this year!
Legendary actress Carroll Baker visits…
July 17, 2019
7-15-19 Actress Carroll Baker visit The Lambs and talked about her career in a joint event with our friends at Harvardwood. Best known for her work on film in Baby Doll, Giant, The Big Country, How the West was Won, The Carpetbaggers…and in her later years in Kindergarten Cop and Ironweed. Interviewed by Foster Hirsch, Carroll was funny, charming and revealing. She intended to sell copies of her new novel, Who Killed Big Al (her 4th novel), she surprised a delighted audience by giving everyone a copy! Just another example of how Lambs’ membership has benefits! Watch the video (by Lamb Magda Katz).