Michelle's Blog

Broadway Bares - See A Strip Show For A Good Cause

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:20:00 GMT

Well this weekend is it - a major fundraiser for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids. It's Broadway Bares, a massive strip tease with 200 Broadway performers taking it all off for a good cause.

I did a story on this a few weeks back, but this is your reminder! And it gives me a good reason to show you a picture of Nick Kenkel, one of the gentlemen I interviewed. He's a top notch choreographer who and one of the dancers. He is definitely Prince Charming!

Now, sure, we make cute comments about the concept of stripping for charity, but what these 200 men and women are doing is truly awesome. They give a lot of time and energy of themselves to make this happen. And if you don't know about Broadway Bares, I've attached a highlight reel below. They are not just standing there and stripping, but these are fully choreographed Broadway numbers.

Last years event raised well over one million dollars - all going to a good cause. Let's hope they break the ceiling and raise even more money for charity this time around!

Didn't get tickets yet? They are already sold out, but some will come up for sale on Sunday. According to the website:

"A limited number of tickets may be available between 3 pm and 7 pm only on Sunday, June 17 at will call in the lobby of Roseland Ballroom. Ticket availability will be based on cancellations and returns. Tickets will be first-come, first-served only. Cash or credit cards will be accepted."

So, there's still a chance to see an amazing show that is one night only and give some cash to a great cause!

Here's a video reel with highlights from a few years ago. And yes, there is some nudity. After all, it is called Broadway Bares....

Inappropriately Funny Moments (aka Darn you Bobby Lopez!)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:21:00 GMT

You know how a sound, image or smell can bring back memories? Or perhaps trigger a song to start playing in your head? Maybe a song that you hum out loud only to realize it might have been seen as a bit inappropriate? Well, let me take you to the NY Subway system today.

I hopped on the 1, on my way to a press conference uptown.

At the first stop along the way, four young Mormon elders stepped aboard.

Everything was just fine until I combined the image of these young men with the sound of the doors of the subway door closing...

The image and the ding-dong of the train sent my head off in it's own direction and that direction was to start playing "Hello", the opening song of Book of Mormon. (If you are not familiar with it, listen below).

Now you can see how I made the connection. The visual of the elders in their white shirts, ties and name tags (as in the opening scene), and the chimes from the subway were just too much to ask my mind to overlook! My brain started singing the words and I caught myself humming along, all the while standing just a few feet away. I am not sure if they heard me, but Elder Malm did not look very entertained.

At least he didn't tell me I had earned myself an express trip to burn in hell.....o!!

The Right Way To Watch The Tony's

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:59:00 GMT

So, I've always been a Tony's fan. But this year it was far more enjoyable a show to watch as I watched it through the eyes of one of the performers.

I interviewed Lee Siegel months ago, as Jesus Christ Superstar was opening on Broadway. He plays Simon Zealotes. He is still one of the most positive people I've met and has a truly amazing personality.

Since JCS was up for a best musical revival Tony, they got to perform. So instead of just watching the show, I was also watchin his facebook page... Here are few of the updates...

8:14 PM - Ok friends. It's overly thrilling to be backstage... Sitting beside Matthew Broderick!!!

8:18 PM - See that stage?! Gonna be on it!!!!! Seize the day Friends!!!!!

When they show went to commercial break with some of the music from JCS, this popped up -

8:25 PM - Loud cheers to hear our theme song backstage!!

8:30 PM - Alright it's time to get ready friends. Loads of love from all here behind the scenes!! Enjoy the show. Xoxoxoxoxoxx. So freakin excited!!

8:40 PM - Just met Matthew morrison!! ;) and we're on the stage ready to perform! ;).

And then I watched the performance. When the whole cast is on stage he is right between Jesus and Mary.

And I got to follow him after he got off stage.

8:59 PM - What a Freaaakin rush!!!!!!'. And we literally just exited the theater and onto a bus. Now back to our theater to prep for a party!! ----- Freakin rush!!!!!! We're so proud. No matter what happens for the rest of the night.... Our rush was insane!!!!! :))

There were plenty more updates, but you get the idea. It was a great way to watch the show, with that extra personal touch. Thanks, Lee, for letting me tag along on your special night!

See the rest of his behind the scenes photos on his Facebook Fan Page

Fleet Week Photo Op in Times Square

Thu, 31 May 2012 13:09:00 GMT

Looking for a New York photo you can't get the rest of the year?

It's time to head out to Times Square for Fleet Week photo ops.

With all the miltary men and women checking out the city, there are also a lot of people out looking for a photo op with the men and women in uniform.

To be honest, it's mostly women. Among the women I met 'hunting photos', was Aisling (on the left in the picture) who went out and bought a complete nautical-themed outfit for her pictures. She even showed off an anchor tattoo. She and her friends were searching for and snapping shots with as many guys in Navy whites as they could find.

They didn't have to work too hard, every where you look you'll see a handful of uniforms - Navy, Marines, Army. The harder ones to find seemed to be the Coast Guard.

And Aisling and her friends weren't the only ones out on the photo hung. There were plenty of groups of young women all dolled up dashing around Times Square trying to snap as many pictures as they could with the men in uniform.

Even reporters fell prey to the charm of getting one of those photos.

What do the guys think about all the attention? Listen to the story below:

Fleet Week - Sunset Parade USS Wasp

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:24:00 GMT

I was invited to join a number of military families and dignitaries for the Sunset Parade aboard the USS Wasp during Fleet Week.

The Sunset Parade featured the Marine Corps Band from Quantico and USCG Silent Drill Team, a ceremonial lowering of the flag and a reception afterwards.

Below are pictures and videos I took during the evening. Enjoy!

First things first. When you walk up the first few ramps into the Wasp you are inside the ship, in the Hangar area. So, how do you get topside for the ceremony? Well you could climb more ramps... or take the faster way up - the elevator. And when I say elevator in this case, I mean the elevator they use to transport planes from the flight deck down inside the ship....

This is definitely more people than you can usually fit in an elevator!

When I arrived on Deck the Marine Corps Band was wrapping up playing New York New York, and once we all got up there and in place, the ceremony began.

Here's a video of the Coast Guard Silent Drill Team. They were phenomenal:

And as we know what goes up... must come down.. . Here's my view on the elevator as we were taken back down into the ship.

The reception was in full swing

We were even treated to a performance from the crew of the Indonesian Tall Ship that is taking part in Fleet Week.:

And what event is complete without some USO girls!

Fleet Week - Lasting Impression

Thu, 31 May 2012 13:05:00 GMT

Lasting impressions. That's what some of the US Marines at fleet week hope they are leaving behind.

Fleet week is starting to wind down. The first of the ships has pulled out and more are going by the day. The week officially ends Wednesday.

Staff Sgt Charles Robert McAdams has spent day after day talking to kids and adult alike about his job and being a Marine. He can't help but think some of them will be the next generation of the corps.

“Knowing these kids are going to replace you one day and do the same job, it's motivating”, he said.

He says thats what happened to him.

“When I was a kid, I seen a marine one time, he was a recruiter, and I just remember how good his uniform looked and how he carried himself. That lasting image stayed inside my mind, even to this day,” he said, “That's why its important that these kids get the full experience while we're out there and we take the time to show them around so they have that image too.”

And he hopes he become become that image in another kid's mind.

Listen to a story with one of the kids on the USS Wasp who was enamored with the Marines(and thier planes) here:

VIDEO : Fleet Week Memorial Day Ceremony at Intrepid

Thu, 31 May 2012 13:07:00 GMT

The Memorial Day ceremony at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum included the unfurling of a masive American flag by members of the Fleet Week Flag Detail as the Marine Corps band from Quantico played in the background.

Then all military members, current and former, were welcome to take part in the holding of the flag as a lone bugle played Taps and there was a flyover by the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron Fifteen.

And here are more pictures from the ceremony:

The Marine Corps Band

Robert James Wilkner, 91-year-old Pearl Harbor Survivor. He sang the Star Spangled Banner at the top of his lungs and stood with a salute through much of the ceremony. He was a complete pleasure to meet!

Preparing the Wreaths

The 100-ft flag unfurled:

It was held by current and former military service members.

Hear a story about one WWII veteran's experience holding the flag here:

Wilkner, the 91-year-old Pearl Harbor Survivor, was a very popular man -

Generations of veterans -

Hear my story on the ceremony here:

VIDEO : ICYMI - Fleet Week - Trace Adkins National Anthem

Sun, 27 May 2012 18:44:00 GMT

One of the Fleet Week Events was the 2012 Salute To Freedom Gala. It was held onboard the Intrepid Museum of Sea, Air and Space.

Trace Adkins sang the National Anthem.

Take a listen below-

Fleet Week Muscle - The Crew From Finland

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:33:00 GMT

You can't have a bunch of military men and women on shore for Fleet Week without a little competition, right? Tug of War it was on Pier 86 by the Intrepid. Here are some pics from the contest:

It was run like a 'final 10' with teams squaring off back and forth round after round until only one team was left standing and the winning team was - Finland.

But look at these guys??? I'm 5'10 and not petite by any standard, but they made me look small!

Here's my story with the sound of thier win and a couple comments from them afterwards.

Congratulations to the crew of the fm!

Michael Winslow Joins Voca People This Week!

Sun, 13 May 2012 22:58:00 GMT

If you like a Capella music, beat boxing, and Michael Winslow, the man of 10,000 voices, I have the show for you. He is joining Voca People on stage over the next week.

Voca People are regularly playing at the New World Stages. But this week Winslow will be popping on stage for a couple minutes to add his vocal magic to the performances.

I saw the show the first night he was on. My thoughts?

I had never seen Voca People before. I thought their voice work was simply magnificent. The alien storyline that went with the show I could give or take. Honestly, they could be in regular street clothes and give a concert and I would happily shell out my cash. They are masterful with the music they create..

I have also been a fan of Michael Winslow since his Police Academy days. Yes, I know I am dating myself. In the show that I saw he popped on stage for a few minutes, but that was it. I left wanting more. I wanted him to have more spotlight time and really let go with the sounds!

Learn more about the show on their website. Click Here

You can also listen to the story, and hear a little of their sound, below: