Bryan Batt and Christina Norrup

Last night, Transport Group presented its first, and hopefully not its last, fund-raising benefit. Almost 300 people attended the event at 45 Bleecker Street, entitled Gimme A Break! Co-founders Jack Cummings III and Robyn Hussa kicked off the event by inviting everyone to their inaugural production of Our Town in February, and then introduced the night’s host, Bryan Batt.

Performers were asked to sing the song that represented their “big break.” Julia Murney kicked off the evening with “Life of the Party” from Lippa’s version of The Wild Party, a song which was originally Julia’s, but which was later given to Idina Menzel in the production. Michele Pawk’s other half, John Dossett, was out sick, so she gave us an adorable rendition of “auditions from her past.” While introducing the pair of Kim Crosby and Chip Zien, Bryan questioned if it was too early to revive a show when the original cast members were still the right ages for the roles. After their rendition of “No One is Alone” from Into the Woods, he admitted it was a terrific idea after all.

Sherry Boone

Maureen Moore sang an adorable song called “The Oyster Song,” followed by Stephen Bogardus, who showed us why he understudied Tony in the revival of West Side Story with his version of “Something’s Coming.” One of the most touching moments came when Rita Gardner explained how she was cast as the original Luisa in The Fantasticks because she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, and then sang a medley from the show. Diana Canova expressed her frustration at having to follow Rita, but then sang “I Still Believe in Love” from They’re Playing Our Song quite beautifully. Antoinette LaVecchia presented the only non-musical act of the night, by performing the “Professor” sketch from her one-woman show.

Robert DuSold

Beth Fowler explained that during rehearsals for the original A Little Night Music, everyone was worried because they were ready to start previews and Stephen Sondheim hadn’t yet come up with the “11 o’clock number.” He finally wrote something, and Beth did a beautiful rendition of “Send in the Clowns.” Sherry Boone sang an aria from La Boheme called “Quando Men Vo Soletta Per La Via.” Christina Norrup explained that her Broadway debut came when she went on as an understudy in Putting It Together - for Bronson Pinchot, in a man’s suit, singing in his keys. She was then joined by backup dancers Eric Fogel and Hector Guerrero for a wonderful rendition of “More” from the same show. Kim Lindsay also got her break as an understudy when she filled in for Eponine the day before her first rehearsal, and sang “On My Own.” Jeremy Kushnier finished off Act 1 by saying that “Almost Paradise” didn’t seem the best song to do, so he sang his Footloose audition song, “Walking In Memphis.”

Lynne Wintersteller

Bryan Batt kicked off Act 2 by introducing his own “biggest supporter and his harshest critic” - himself, and then sang “New Words” from Maury Yeston’s In the Beginning. Mark Nadler followed with his version of “I Love A Piano,” showing why he’s performed that number in Carnegie Hall. Heather Mac Rae’s big break was replacing Diane Keaton as Sheila in Hair so she sang “Easy To Be Hard.” Cheryl Stern dusted off a song she’d written during the Gulf War, which seemed most appropriate these days. It was a comic explanation of how she obsessively handles fear called “I Clean.”

Jenny Giering performed “Poor Girls” from her own show The Mistress Cycle. Malcolm Gets had everyone hysterical with a song that was written by a recent NYU graduate, called “Way Ahead of My Time,” the story of the first gay caveman explaining his lifestyle to his father. Mary Beth Peil was the last Mrs. Anna to play opposite Yul Brynner before he died. She was magnificent in her version of “Hello Young Lovers.” Bob DuSold explained how he covered for Valjean and Javert in the same day and sang “Stars.”

Barbara Walsh

Mary Testa sang her usual audition song, “Order” by William Finn. Veanne Cox first tried to bid $20 to not sing, but thankfully no one took her up on that offer because her “F***’em If They Can’t Take A Joke” had everyone in tears of laughter. Bryan then offered $50 for her to sing it again. Marc Kudisch told how grateful he was that Michael John LaChiusa cast him against type in The Wild Party and sang “Breezin’ Through Another Day.” Lynne Wintersteller told a funny story about how she turned down her big break three times by saying “I’m in Nunsense!” Fortunately she was persuaded to do Closer Than Ever, which gave her her signature song, “Life Story.” Marla Schaffel sang “Painting Her Portrait” from Jane Eyre. Brad Oscar performed his usual audition song, the very funny “My Simple Christmas Wish” and Barbara Walsh finished off the evening with “Holding to the Ground” from Falsettos.

Bryan summed up the evening well by saying, “It’s like the history of musical theatre before your very eyes.” The next time Transport Group has a benefit, they’re going to have to book a much larger theatre, because no one will want to miss it.

-- Nancy Rosati

Photos by Trisha Doss