Touch the Sky, a benefit celebrating the Manhattan and Brooklyn arrival of the L.A.-based playgrounds organization Shane’s Inspiration, will honor multiple Tony winner Chita Rivera October 1 at 7:30 PM in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

Those scheduled to pay tribute to Rivera, who received the 2018 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, include Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso, Melissa Errico, Ali Stroker, Joan Ryan, and Liz Callaway. Seth Rudetsky will host.

The evening was conceived by Ryan and is executive-produced by Ryan and Scott Mauro. Producers include Brad Thornton and NY1’s Roma Torre. Bruce Vilanch will provide special material, and Ron Abel is musical director.

Paul Hastings LLP will receive the Corporate Responsibility Award for its unwavering commitment to Shane’s Inspiration.

The post Bruce Vilanch will provide special material at a benefit honoring Chita Rivera October 1, 2018 first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

As I sat in Michael Childers’ gorgeous Rancho Mirage home—his award-winning photographs adorning the walls—he told me the story of how the hugely successful One Night Only show came to be.

The star-studded annual event, a benefit for Jewish Family Service of the Desert, will return to the McCallum Theatre Wednesday, April 25.

It all started nearly 13 years ago, Childers said, when he approached his dear friend Barbara Keller about putting on a variety show; it was an idea he’d had great success with in Santa Fe, N.M. The concept was simple: Assemble a cast of veteran cabaret performers and a great orchestra; choose crowd-pleasing musical numbers; and raise an impressive amount of money for a local charity. Keller spoke to her board of directors at Jewish Family Service—which provides psychological counseling, food, housing and other services to valley residents, regardless of religious affiliation.

A new Coachella Valley tradition was born: One Night Only premiered in the desert, with Childers’ buddy Lily Tomlin as the mistress of ceremonies. It was a smash, and now the event sells out every year.

It’s a large undertaking that takes a full nine months of planning. When deciding on the theme, Childers thinks about what he and audiences would like. Last year, it was the music of Jerry Herman; this year, it’s the classic music of Rodgers, Hammerstein and Hart. Jason Graae is back for his second year as director, with musical direction by Christopher Marlowe.

Childers and the director sit down with their rolodexes and choose the cast. Because of the show’s stellar reputation, many veteran cabaret performers clamor to be part of it—even though the performers are donating their time. However, being in the show has its perks: Childers says the stars are treated well, with glamorous parties and such—plus a few days in Palm Springs is very appealing if you’ve been dealing with months of chilly weather in New York.

Weary of the traffic and backstabbing in Los Angeles, Childers moved here in 1999 with his partner, Oscar-winning film director John Schlesinger (who later died of a stroke). Calling the valley “a wonderful, very philanthropic community,” Childers quickly became involved in the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and joined the board of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

A world-famous photographer, Childers currently has an Andy Warhol-themed show on display at the Palm Springs Art Museum. His work is also being featured in San Diego and will be on display at Yale University in the summer of 2019. A frequent lecturer on the subject, Childers said a great photographer is consistent and produces a lifetime of work, including iconic photographs.

When asked what makes a great live stage show, Childers’ answer was simple: Fit the show to your target audience, and keep it moving—don’t let it go on too long. This year’s One Night Only is slated to be a compact 90 minutes, with no intermission.

So what’s left on Childers’ bucket list? He’s working on an autobiography, called And I Have the Pictures to Prove It. Music education is one of Childers’ passions—and he’s very proud of One Night Only, calling it an iconic production in the desert.

One Night Only, a show benefiting Jewish Family Services, takes place at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, at the McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert. Tickets are $75 to $175, with a limited number of VIP tickets, including an after-party, available for $495. For tickets or more information, call 760-340-2787, or visit www.mccallumtheatre.com.

The post The Evening the Stars Come Out: Michael Childers’ ‘One Night Only’ Charity Extravaganza Returns to the McCallum Theatre April 25 first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Tickets for the 11th annual Michael Childers’ production of One Night Only: Rodgers, Hammerstein & Hart, are now on sale. This star-studded musical production will be presented on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 @ 6:30pm, at the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts and benefits Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS). Since 2008, One Night Only has sold out has sold out quickly every year.

General admission tickets are $175, $95 and $75 and are available through the McCallum Theatre Box Office at 760-340-ARTS or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com. Limited sponsorships and VIP tickets (including premier seating and the after performance dinner with the cast at Acqua Bistro @ The River) are available through JFS at 760-325-4088, extension 118.

In Rodgers, Hammerstein & Hart, Michael pays tribute to the incomparable composer Richard Rodgers and his partners, Oscar Hammerstein and Lorenz Hart, featuring some of their most popular songs from shows such as South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I and Babes In Arms. Directed by Jason Graae with Music Direction by Christopher Marlowe, the cast features the best of Broadway and Hollywood performers. This year’s cast includes Brent Barrett, Shoshana Bean, David Burnham, Liz Callaway, Ann Hampton Callaway, Patrick Cassidy, Scott Coulter, Kevin Earley, Davis Gaines, Julie Garnye, Jason Graae, Susan Graham, Alix Korey, Bets Malone, Sal Mistretta, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Faith Prince, Ron Raines, Teri Ralston, James Snyder, Billy Stritch, Constance Towers, Bruce Vilanch, Nita Whitaker. All performers donate their time and their appearances are subject to availability.

“One Night Only managed to be breathless, dazzling, humorous and emotional all at the same time. It’s perhaps the “show of the year” at the McCallum…!” Chris Foster, The Desert Sun

For over 35 years, JFS of the Desert has provided services throughout the Coachella Valley to those in need, regardless of religion, age, income, ethnicity or life style. JFS services and programs are made possible through the financial support of Jewish Federation of the Desert, Desert Healthcare District, the Weingart Foundation, the Auen Foundation, Kaiser Permanente and other gr grants and the generous support of donors. Most of the nearly 3,000 men, women and children served are from low income households. They rely on JFS for low cost mental health counseling, crisis intervention and food support. JFS provides isolated, homebound seniors with care, transportation and enrichment activities. JFS also offers counseling in local elementary schools. JFS is located in Palm Springs. For information visit www.jfsdesert.org or call 760-325-4088.

The post Vilanch, Prince, Gaines, Burnham, Callaway. and More Join Celebration of Rodgers, Hammerstein, & Hart first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Broadway and Hollywood entertainers will pay tribute to Jewish composers and performers at a benefit in Palm Desert tonight.

“One Night Only” is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the McCallum Theatre and will support Jewish Family Service of the Desert. The show, produced by celebrity photographer Michael Childers, will explore the “influence of Jewish composers and performers from the beginnings of Broadway through the present,” according to the McCallum.

The 20-plus cast includes Roger Bart, Liz Callaway, David Engel, Shana Blake Hill, Mimi Hines, Peter Marshall, Millicent Martin, Sal Mistretta, Debra Monk, Gary Shaw, Billie Stritch, Bruce Vilanch, and Terri White.

Jewish Family Service provides a variety of services to senior citizens, children and families in need.

Tickets are $195, $95 and $75. To purchase tickets, call (760) 340-2787 or go to www.mccallumtheatre.com.

The post Bruce Vilanch And Others Pay Tribute To Jewish Composers In “One Night Only” first appeared on We Got Bruce!.