If I ran Blogger, everyone would have to do five Charro posts, and be put in front of a blogger board - Charro performs on the 2000 MDA Telethon.
September 3, 2009
haven't hit blogasm yet, but i can feel it coming: Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......
Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......Telethon History
Few television traditions in America are as popular as the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
The 21½-hour, star-studded variety show simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for MDA’s vital service and research programs.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by a lone TV station in New York City, the unique event starring popular comedian Jerry Lewis quickly caught the public’s attention – and raised more than $1 million in pledges. Now, more than 40 years later, the show will be broadcast by 180 MDA “Love Network” stations, assisted by 250,000 volunteers across the country. Some 40 million people will see the show.
In 1998, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast.
The Telethon derives drama from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the “tote board” – operated originally by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry’s goal of raising “one dollar more” than the previous year’s total has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. Last year’s total was $65 million.
Where Telethon Dollars Go
The Telethon is the single most important fund-raising event of the year for MDA. Funds raised help the Association carry on its fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases, including a worldwide program of basic and applied research, a nationwide network of comprehensive medical and support services, and extensive professional and public education.
Children and adults with muscle diseases benefit directly from dollars raised during the Telethon through such services as:
- Specialized care at 220 MDA clinics and 35 MDA/ALS centers;
- free flu vaccinations;
- assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and assistive communication devices;
- support groups for individuals and family members;
- MDA summer camp sessions for thousands of children; and
- ongoing public education and up-to-date information.
Research Advances
This year, MDA has allocated more than $42 million for research, funding more than 300 projects worldwide. MDA-funded scientists are making progress in understanding disease mechanisms, as well as testing promising treatments.In 2009, MDA-supported researchers have:
- completed a pilot trial of gene therapy in people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and found it was not only safe but showed promise of effectiveness
- identified stem cells that develop into specialized muscle-repair cells
- found a gene-repair strategy called "exon skipping" successfully treated dogs with muscular dystrophy when administered systemically
- seen their laboratory efforts to develop exon skipping bear fruit as the technique moves into systemic testing in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy
- identified abnormally leaky barriers between the bloodstream and the spinal cord as a possible factor in ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- found that a protein called utrophin, which can substitute for the protein missing in the most common childhood muscular dystrophy, can significantly help mice with a similar disease when given as an injection
- found a drug called doxycycline, normally used as an antibiotic to fight infections, increased survival time and delayed the onset of paralysis in mice with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy
Celebrity Support
MDA is blessed to have the support of a spectacular array of stars – entertainers, athletes and leaders in business, government and civic affairs – who participate in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and other MDA activities.
Among those on MDA’s Board are singer and Telethon favorite Maureen McGovern and Olympic gold medalist Bart Conner, also a frequent Telethon co-host.
Other notables serve as MDA vice presidents, including Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight;” Alison Sweeney of “The Biggest Loser” and “Days of Our Lives;” Nancy O’Dell of “Access Hollywood;” sports great Nadia Comaneci; and entertainers Tom Bergeron and Tony Orlando; and “American Idol” favorite Ace Young.
And, of course, there’s MDA’s number-one volunteer for more than 50 years. Despite battling debilitating illness, severe back pain and heart surgery in recent years, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis has never missed a Telethon.
Corporate and Community Involvement
Many organizations and businesses support MDA through fundraising events year-round. From the high school marketing club DECA and the International Association of Fire Fighters, to such corporate friends as Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and CITGO, representatives from MDA’s sponsors appear each year on the Telethon to present Jerry with their contributions.MDA and its Telethon also depend on the solid support of a network of some 2 million volunteers nationwide.
For information on how to help MDA as a volunteer or sponsor, call (800) 572-1717. To learn about MDA online, visit MDA’s Web site at www.mda.org. You also can visit MDA’s site devoted exclusively to ALS at www.als-mda.org, or its Spanish-language site at www.mdaenespanol.org.
Dolly Parton - jamie reid header - check
Dolly Parton
Working 9 to 5 or 12 to 12?
April 14th, 2009
4.14.09
Hey everybody,
Lots of things going on in my world since we last talked. I feel like one of those little dust devils that spins in the wind on a hot day. (Ha!)
At this moment I'm in New York at the Marriott Marquis Theater where we are already in previews for "9 to 5: The Musical." The buzz about the show is really good. We're selling out every show and we haven't even officially opened yet. The big night, of course, is April 30th. We'll have lots of stars coming to walk the red carpet and to see the show. That should be fun.
I'm loving hanging out with all the folks involved in the show. I threw a party for everybody at a restaurant called Vynl. They have a bathroom named after me where they have pictures of me, memorabilia on the walls and they play my music while you pee. (Ha!) I guess I should be flattered; but I keep wondering if it means they think my career is in the toilet... I hope not.
We go to work every day around Noon and work until midnight or so. We fall in bed, then get up and do it all over again trying to get it perfect. But I am really enjoying living in my new apartment. I have a great view of the city.
Every night after the show everybody signs autographs outside the stage door. That always draws a big crowd there as they're loving the cast. We're still doing little improvements on the show, as I said, trying to get it perfect before opening night. I've had lots of family and friends come from Nashville every weekend to see it. They all seem to love it.
I'm looking forward to recording the soundtrack album the first week of May with the cast.
I'm planning to do a few more TV shows while I'm in New York... David Letterman, The View and The Today Show. Hopefully the cast will sing some songs from the play on a couple of those shows, which should be fun.
I'm also very excited and pleased that the "Backwoods Barbie" video has been so well received and that the "Backwoods Barbie Collectors Edition" at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores is selling so well. The same with the Collectors Edition of the Photo Album and the pink rocking chairs. Guess you can say I'm rockin' right along. (Ha!)
We had a great opening at Dollywood. I'm excited to receive my honorary doctorate from UT on May 8th and to see the opening of Sha-Kon-O-Hey on May 9th. I'll ride in Pigeon Forge parade on May 8th. Pray for nice weather. I'd hate to have it rain on our parade.
Gotta get back to work. We will talk more later.
I will always love you,
Dolly
Dolly Parton
Dolly PartonDolly's "Change It" video to Debut #1 on CMT Pure Country!
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August 28th, 2009
A big thank you to all of the Big Wigs, Dollyites and Twitter followers who have been persistently voting. Thanks to you, Dolly's "Change It" video will debut at #1 tonight on CMT Pure Country's 12-Pack Countdown at 9 PM ET/PT!
Dolly Parton "Live From London" Performance to Appear on Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon!
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August 27th, 2009
A video clip of Dolly, "Live From London" will play on the 44th Annual MDA Telethon this Labor Day weekend! This wonderful program raises millions of dollars each year to help with MDA research, services and education programs.
Be sure and check www.mda.org for local stations and start times.
75th Anniversary of Great Smokey Mountains National Park
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August 27th, 2009
On September 2nd, Dolly will be on hand as Ambassador for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park 75th Anniversay rededication. She will join Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue along with several others in celebrating 75 years of this National Park.
Vote for "Change It" on CMT Pure!
August 24th, 2009
Hi Dolly Fans!
Show your support for Dolly and her new video, "Change It," by voting for it on the CMT Pure 12 Pack. You can head here to vote!
Playbill News: Punching Out: 9 to 5 Will Close Sept. 6; Tour Will Launch in Nashville
Playbill News: Punching Out: 9 to 5 Will Close Sept. 6; Tour Will Launch in NashvillePunching Out: 9 to 5 Will Close Sept. 6; Tour Will Launch in NashvilleBy Kenneth Jones
29 Jul 2009
9 to 5 stars Megan Hilty, Allison Janney and Stephanie J. Block photo by Joan Marcus The marquee value of both songwriter Dolly Parton and the hit title 9 to 5 was not enough to keep the new musical version of the popular 1980 movie alive on Broadway. The musical will close Sept. 6.
Producer Robert Greenblatt told his cast the bad news before the matinee on July 29. The financial loss for Greenblatt and his partners doesn't keep them from thinking 9 to 5: The Musical has legs: a national tour is in the works, to launch the week of Sept. 20, 2010, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.
By close, the Broadway run of 9 to 5 will have played 148 performances and 24 previews.
"I couldn't have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show," stated Dolly Parton. "I've had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can't wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I'm so proud of everyone involved. And I'm so pleased that we'll be opening the tour in Nashville. Great things happen in Nashville."
The critics weren't all that interested in the production at the Marquis Theatre, but fans of the picture that starred Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda howled to their favorite lines from the script and tapped their feet to the expanded title number, which serves as the opening sequence, choreographed by In the Heights Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (who was Tony-nommed for his work here).
Joe Mantello (Wicked) directed the show, which features a libretto by Broadway newcomer Patricia Resnick (who created the film story and co-wrote the screenplay).It is thought that a return of Irving Berlin's White Christmas will be the next tenant at the Marquis, for a run between November and January. That seasonal show played the Marquis in 2008. No official announcement has been made.
In the roles created by Parton, Tomlin and Fonda, the Broadway trio of secretaries included Megan Hilty, Allison Janney and Stephanie J. Block. Their work is preserved on a cast album released by Dolly Records in July 28.
9 to 5: The Musical opened April 30. Judy (Block), Doralee (Hilty) and Violet (Janney) — three office workers who are "just a step on the bossman's ladder," according to the title tune — came to life on Broadway on April 7, the first day of previews. The troupers had a fall 2008 tryout world-premiere run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.
The stage score includes six new Parton songs written especially for the show. 9 to 5 marks the songwriting Broadway debut of the seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician.
9 to 5 was nominated for 2009 Tony Awards in the following categories: Best Original Score Written for the Theatre (Dolly Parton), Best Actress in a Musical (Janney), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Kudisch), Best Choreography (Blankenbuehler).
Allison Janney won the 2009 Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her work in the show.
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As in the film, the heroines of the piece prey on chauvinist boss Franklin Hart (here played by Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch), but their worlds and passions are now more fully realized with songs, new mates and fresh scenes. There's also a video screen upstage to create atmosphere and settings ("imaging" is by Peter Nigrini & Peggy Eisenhauer).
Like the film, the musical is set around 1980.
Of the Broadway process, Parton admitted, "I was kinda scared of it…I thought, 'This is a whole different world to me. I hear these people can just eat you up alive.' And I thought, 'Well, I'm not one to be eaten alive without kickin' and a-fightin'!'"
Musical direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus (Wicked, All Shook Up).
Parton told Playbill.com in a summer 2008 interview, "I was more than happy to adjust and adapt to anything they needed me to change. I didn't take that as an insult as a writer. I thought, 'Well, this is what they do — they should know.' And I certainly can change it, I can write on my feet, y'know. They were impressed 'cause I'd never done [this] before. I was kinda proud of myself, 'cause I didn't know that I could do it at all."
Parton has said that 9 to 5 is a theatre score, not a country music score — despite the fact that Parton recorded and released one country-flavored song from the show, "Backwoods Barbie," a number for Doralee.
Here's the 9 to 5 plot in a nutshell: "When pushed to their boiling point by their boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Kudisch), Violet Newstead (Janney), the super efficient office manager, Judy Bernly (Block), a frazzled divorcee, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty) turn the tables on him. The trio hatches a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot, and that plan quickly spins wildly and hilariously out of control."
The production features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Kenneth Posner and sound design by John H. Shivers. Oremus also shares credit (with Alex Lacamoire) for additional orchestrations and incidental music arrangements. Orchestrations are by Bruce Coughlin. Lacamoire wrote the dance music arrangements. Hair design is by Paul Huntley and Edward J. Wilson. Production supervisor is William Joseph Barnes.
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9 to 5: The Musical stars four-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Janney ("The West Wing," Present Laughter), Block (The Pirate Queen, Wicked) as Judy and Hilty (Wicked) as Doralee, plus two-time Tony Award nominee Kudisch (Bells Are Ringing, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Franklin Hart Jr., the chauvinist boss women loved to hate 30 years ago in the movie comedy.
The 30-member opening-night cast featured Kathy Fitzgerald (as evil office supervisor Roz), Andy Karl (as accounting employee Joe, a possible love interest for Violet), Ioana Alfonso, Timothy George Anderson, Jennifer Balagna, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Gaelen Gilliland, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Neil Haskell, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Mark Myars (dance captain), Justin Patterson, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Brandi Wooten.
9 To 5: The Musical is produced by Robert Greenblatt, Green State Productions, Richard Levi, John McColgan/Moya Doherty/Edgar Dobie, James L. Nederlander/Terry Allen Kramer, Independent Presenters Network, JAM Theatricals, Bud Martin, Michael Watt, The Weinstein Co/Sonia Friedman/Dede Harris, Norton Herrick/Matthew C Blank/Joan Stein, Center Theatre Group, Toni Dowgiallo and GFOUR Productions.
The Marriott Marquis is located at 1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets.
The playing schedule for 9 to 5 is as follows: Tuesday at 7 PM; Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM; with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com (212) 307-4100 or at the Marriott Marquis Theater Box Office and range from $126.50 to $66.50.
For more information visit www.9to5themusical.com.
Megan Hilty and Marc Kudisch in 9 to 5. photo by Joan Marcus
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