David Friedman at The Lambs
November 19, 2018
The Lambs was the place to be on Monday Evening, November 12th when Lamb Sandi Durell presented the well-known and beloved composer David Friedman. David Friedman (composer of the recent award winning off Broadway hit Desperate Measures), writer for Disney animated films (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and many more), arranger for 6 Broadway musicals, producer of all the late-great Nancy LaMott’s CDs, who appears monthly with Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today’s Show “Everyone Has a Story” segment, regaled the full house with some of the stories he gathered that are now part of his latest book ‘How They Met’, reading selections and telling humor-filled tales about the relationships between long standing couples.
The audience was riveted throughout as David wove stories in and through his songs of inspiration – longing, love and matters of the heart and soul. With David at the piano singing and playing “You’re Already There,” he introduced the lush voiced Peter Saide (recently The Sheriff in Desperate Measures) who gave meaning to “There is Life,” “Trick of Fate” and the well known “Help Is on the Way.” The lovely soprano Raissa Katona Bennett (Phantom of the Opera), added her luminous vocals to “It’s Never Too Late (lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford), “What I Was Dreamin’ Of” and the much needed mantra of today (or any day), “We Can Be Kind.”
Just about the entire audience lined up for a signed copy of David’s book, including the 17 song CD.
Special thanks to Lamb Magda Katz for her help and for filming the event and taking photos!
Lee Roy Reams at The Lambs
October 30, 2018
“Song & dance man nonpareil” (New York Times), choreographer, and director, Lee Roy Reams has long been a pillar of the Broadway musical theater. He originated the role of Billy Lawlor in the legendary David Merrick-Gower Champion production of 42nd Street, for which he had Tony and Drama Desk nominations. He played Roger De Bris on tour and then on Broadway in The Producers. He had leading roles in Beauty & the Beast, Hello Dolly!, Lorelei, Oklahoma, La Cage aux Folles, and Applause. Reams directed and choreographed the 1994 Broadway revival of Hello Dolly! and directed and starred in An Evening with Jerry Herman. His concert, TV, and cabaret performances have taken him to the White House and around the world, performing for Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Most recently, he’s played to sold-out houses at Feinstein’s.
This event is in coordination with our friends at Harvardwood. Lee Roy Reams will be interviewed by Foster Hirsch about his long career and the fascinating people he’s worked with. Hirsch is Professor of Film at Brooklyn College and the author of 16 books on film and theater, including the classic study Film Noir: The Dark Side of the Screen, Harold Prince and the American Musical Theatre, and, most recently, Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King.
As a special treat, Lee Roy Reams has agreed to cap the evening for us by performing a few songs, accompanied by his Music Director, James Followell. Lee opened with a song, then gave a candid and lively talks about his long career and the numerous people he’s worked with, then ended with a song. Afterward guests convened in the pub for dinner and causal talk, where Lee ran into Lamb Don Pippin. The two have done many shows together and were able briefly catch-up.
A video of his talk is seen people.
Shepherd’s Portrait Unveiling
October 14, 2018
Oct 12, 2018 – The Lambs followed one of its traditions of the past 144+ years: the unveiling of the Shepherd’s portrait. Members gathered for a party in our 5th floor quarters to witness the unveiling of Shepherd’s Marc Baron’s portrait, created by Lamb Everett Raymond Kinstler.
Marc Baron has served the membership for over 36 years. As a member of Council (more than 25 years), as entertainment co-chair, then elected as Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, two-time Boy (VP), and now as a two-term Shepherd, our 35th.
Ray Kinstler (pictured here), a Lamb for over 20 years, has painted Shepherd A. J. Pocock’s portrait, which hangs in our pool room. Eight US Presidents have posed for Ray Kinstler: Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump. His portraits of Ford and Reagan are the official White House portraits. Ray is represented in museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Museum of the City of New York. The National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian owns more than 100 Kinstler originals, and in 1989 awarded him the Copley Medal, it’s highest honor. Read more about Ray HERE. The evening began with a showing of a PBS video about Ray, followed by a few words by the artist (see HERE).
The evening was Collied by Peter Kingsley, Boy, who talked about the tradition and meaning of portraits. Lamb Rosa Antonelli, a Steinway artist who has performed in major halls around the world – including Carnegie Hall – performed a Chopin nocturne. Once the portrait was unveiled, Paul Chamlin played party music as members gathered around our baby grand and joined in song, as other members took photographs of and with the portrait, while others enjoyed ample food and drink. Lamb Doug Gerbino, a member of our Council, revived another Club tradition by creating a caricature of the Shepherd, which was signed by all in attendance. Then the multi-talented Gerbino took over the piano and kept the music playing.
The portrait is the property of The Lambs Foundation and will hang in the pub while Shepherd Baron remains in office, only to be replaced by the portrait of the next Shepherd…after the next unveiling as the tradition continues!
Loretta Swit – Honorary Member
October 4, 2018
October 1, 2018: Loretta Swit was made an Honorary Member of The Lambs.
Two-Time Emmy Award winner Loretta Swit gave a talk at The Lambs, hosted by Lamb Jay Michaels, talking about her varied career on stage, in television and film, and about her work as an artists and animal rights activist. Among the many attendees was Joan Copeland, who spoke at The Lambs in November of 2015. Below are photos and a video of the talk. Loretta signed copies of her book, a collection of her water color paintings titled Switheart: The Watercolor Artistry & Animal Activisim of Loretta Swit, and Loretta donated a signed copy to The Lambs’ Library. Shepherd Baron then presented a surprised Loretta with a certificate of Honorary Membership as decreed by the Lambs Council. Below you may see photos and a video from that evening.
