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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Some great theater to see. Promise.
So, I went to Promises, Promises starring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at the Broadway Theatre last week, and really enjoyed it. I love the retro feel of the musical, and the theme of business men who are looking to find themselves with the help of their attractive assistants, having to secure a place for their liaisons, couldn't be more au courant. Based on the 1960 Oscar winning film The Apartment, Promises Promises keeps us engaged, laughing and enjoying the fabulous score from the very first scene.
You see, Chuck Baxter, (Sean Hayes in his Broadway debut) a young, single executive at the Consolidated Life Insurance Company, is asked by first one executive, and then a bunch of execs, for the use of his bachelor pad on certain nights of the week to have a place to, shall we say, "entertain" their mistresses. Chuck reluctantly complies in the hopes of advancement in his job. The plot shifts when he realizes that Frank Kubelik, the woman for whom he has fallen, played by perky Kristin Chenoweth, is having a thing with the big boss.
Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth in Promises, Promises
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Hayes and Chenoweth make a cute couple, but the show truly ignites in the 2nd act, when Katie Finneran enters as somewhat of a temptress to Chuck as he seeks a bar to ease the pain of his discovery.
Finneran is spot on in this role and absolutely hysterical.
She will no doubt be nominated and win the Tony for her performance.
Promises, Promises sports a great score by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and with a book by Neil Simon, you simply can't go wrong.
And then there's Fences.
The very next evening, in keeping with revivals and the theme of men who have liaisons, we went to see Fences, August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Fences is in one word, brilliant. Want to see a play with great writing? Fences.
Want to see a play with dynamic and outstanding performances? Fences.
Want to see a play with great direction? Fences.
Viola Davis and Denzel Washington in Fences
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Fences is deep, poignant, moving, funny, sad. It is one of the greatest pieces of American dramatic writing, and this is a production that gives the words their due.
Make a plan now, because Fences is on Broadway for a limited 13 week engagement.
At the Cort Theatre. www.fencesonbroadway.com
I will be back next week, promise.
Join Valerie Smaldone on May 14
A Ray of Hope: On the Path to Cure Ovarian Cancer
starring Everybody Loves Raymond and Men of a Certain Age's
Ray Romano
performs his Vegas style comedy act in the heart of NYC!
May 14th, 2010
Additional special performances by:
Powerhouse Tony nominated singer Orfeh
Broadway performer Craig Schulman
Emcee Valerie Smaldone
You will enjoy a night of great entertainment, and support a very important cause. VIP tickets including a private after party and meet and greet with Ray are still available, but going fast!
Purchase your tickets today!
Visit www.sassfoundation.org for more information
