Legend

Last night I donated my time and stage managed a benefit for a dear friend. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular. The benefit was for the Ali Forney Center.

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June of 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. We are committed to providing these young people with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met, and where they can begin to put their lives back together.

It is a great charity and I was more than happy to donate my time for this great cause. It was a superb evening! Steven Brinberg is Simply Barbra and let me tell you....he's fantastic! We were doing the sound check with Steven and he starts the show off stage and that man started singing... I looked over at my friend and my mouth dropped. The sound he creates is unbelievable. When Steven transformed into Barbra, it's even more unbelievable. He has her manuerisms down to a tee. What's even better than his talents...he is so kind. It was great to chat with him and find that we have a lot in common. :) If you get a chance to see Simply Barbra, please do. It's a great evening!




My highlight of the evening was meeting legend Julie Wilson. She made her way as a Cabaret performer and made her Broadway Debut in 1946. She is now 84 and still performing her heart out. She is just divine! She is just so precious and I instantly fell in love with her. The way she spoke was just so wonderful. I found her in a full length glittery gown and big, puffy slippers that looked like cartoon tennis shoes. I complimented her on her slippers and she turned around and told me it is like walking on "powder puffs". She later complimented me on my hair color. "It's fake" I whispered to her. "NO!" she says followed by a sly giggle, "I just did mine yesterday!" She wanted to look terrific for her night with Barbra. What a dream she is... The show started and I escorted Julie up the stairs. She walks out on stage with a HUGE red boa to which she says is named Suzie. I am in love with her.