I goofed.
Today is Mother's Day and, being new to this column, I didn't really think to plan ahead for the special day.
Many of us have a love of theater because of mom. Whether she loves it herself, sings the songs or gently nudges us toward the stage.
My mom took me to audition for my first musical, "Annie." Somehow, with no stage experience herself, she prepared me for a pretty darned good audition. I sang the requisite "Tomorrow" and was cast as an orphan. What an experience!
It was with a local arts council, so we were responsible for our own costumes. Mom and I went to different thrift stores to look for orphan garb. She muddied up my costume with shoe polish and bought me my orphan bucket.
She drove me to my rehearsals and was there at every show. She even let me stay up late for the cast party, which was at someone's house with a swimming pool.
To this day, Mom (and Dad, but it's not Father's Day yet) has never missed a show. For some productions, she has been there every single night.
Had I planned ahead for this column, I'm sure I would have found a lengthy list of performers who stand on stage every night because they have a great mom who helped them get there.
Perhaps the saying should be: Behind every great performer is a great mom.
Thank you, Mom, I love you.
So, not being one who likes making the same mistake twice, I want to hear from you regarding dear ol' Dad. My mechanic loves "Fiddler on the Roof" because his dad used to dance around the house, arms thrust in the air singing "If I Were a Rich Man."
Do you have a similar story? Please send it to me: ehansen@desnews.com
On to the Great White Way:
Let the awards begin!
Tony Tony Tony: Tony nominations will be announced Tuesday. The funny, Tony- and Emmy-award winning David Hyde Pierce and Tony-winner Sara Ramirez, (former "Spamalot" co-stars) will do the honors live from the Lincoln Center.
Tony Show: Fresh off his appearance with the "Chorus Line" cast on "Dancing With the Stars," Mario Lopez will host a preview concert featuring performances by the 12 eligible musicals. Not to worry, the concert will be taped to be aired some time between May 26 and June 7.
Big Whoop!: Personally, I'm not a big fan of Whoopi Goldberg. The fact that she's one of the few to win a Grammy, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Tony (producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie") aside, I just don't find her all that funny. But she's been named as the host of the 62nd annual Tony Awards, which will air live on CBS June 15.
Lortel Awards: Honors for outstanding off-Broadway shows were handed out May 5. "Adding Machine" won four of the 14 categories and moved to Broadway in February. It could be up for some Tonys. We'll find out Tuesday.
Drama League: A lengthy list of honorees is out. Broadway great Harvey Fierstein hosts with fellow stars, Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole just a few of those presenting. The awards are Friday at the Marriott Marquis.
MTV: Even MTV will honor musicals with its movie awards. Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd," and Nikki Blonsky and Zac Efron, "Hairspray," have been nominated. Those awards will be given June 1.
He's back: Lastly, if you're a fan of the floppy haired, smooth-voiced Harry Connick Jr., he's heading back to Broadway. He will star in a new musical, "Nice Work If You Can Get it," featuring the incredible music of George and Ira Gershwin. Teaming up with his "Pajama Game" director/choreographer, Kathleen Marshall, Connick, who was nominated for a Tony for his role as Sid Sorokin, will play "a Long Island playboy in a show filled with bootleggers, gold-diggers and timeless Gershwin hits."
I can't wait.
E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com