Valeries Gallery
Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007. In addition, she was the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com, writes a theater column for Examiner.com, and has an interview program on the Italian American Network. She is an interviewer and feature reporter on Broadway for TonyAwards.com and hosts and produces celebrity portrait unveilings for Broadway stars at famed theater district eatery, Tony’s.
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2009 Review Highlights
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Another theater packed week, with two shows again back to back.
Relationships examined in Next Fall.
Check out Next Fall, Geoffrey Nauffts endearing and witty play that examines a number of different issues all at once.
Can religious beliefs stand in the way of a relationship? What happens when families are not told about their gay adult child's relationship? How do people cope when life changes forever in an instant leaving behind unknown truths? And perhaps most importantly, Next Fall brings up the concept of living the truth, being authentic and not postponing a thing.
This play has received a great deal of attention because Elton John and David Furnish are the lead producers. It is a really great New York play, and showcases terrific performances and fine direction by Sheryl Kaller. The first act moved swiftly and crisply, the second not so much, and actually dragged surprisingly. For my sensibilities a 15 minute cut in the 2nd act would enhance the play greatly.
Excellent performances by Patrick Breen as Adam, Patrick Heusinger as his partner, Luke, Maddie Corman, as their friend, Holly. Luke's parents played by Connie Ray and Cotter Smith were compelling as was the performance by Sean Dugan as Luke's long time friend, Brandon.
(Photo credit: Carol Rosegg)
Patrick Heusinger and Patrick Breen in Next Fall.
Playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre, go to www.nextfallbroadway.com for more information.
Outrageous comedy
Meanwhile, for a taste of the outrageous, irreverent, and over the top, get yourself to Looped, starring Valerie Harper at the Lyceum Theatre.
Playing the legendary Tallulah Bankhead, Ms. Harper takes the stage by storm, and with her salty language and brazen talk, it is a non stop surprise of laughter. If you are offended easily, this is not for you. You may want to consider who you are taking, because it is not for the prim and proper, and certainly not for children. But Matthew Lombardo's new comedy directed by Rob Ruggiero is a hoot.
Looped takes place in a Hollywood sound studio in 1965 when Ms. Bankhead is asked to record or "loop" one line of dialogue for her last film, the dreadful, "Die, Die My Darling." She is out of control and out of her mind, but she is desperately trying to establish a connection with the hapless film editor left there to get that one little line on tape.
In her day, Tallulah knew how to party and would put today's Hollywood bad girl babes to shame. She was potty mouthed all right, but always expressed herself with cunning humor, and of course, always with panache and glam.
Check out www.loopedonbroadway.com
Till next week, my darlings...
