Westco: That’s Entertainment! Uggams, Michaels Bring Down House at Katz Soiree

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. September 29, 2004: Mr. and Mrs. White Plains as well as Mr. and Mrs. Westchest-a showed up in good cheer with checkbooks to celebrate 25 years of Westco Productions, the company that introduces theatre to youngsters all over the county. Their 25th Anniversary Celebration & Silent Auction Tuesday evening set a new standard for entertainment on the “Gala circuit” at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. They saw a helluva show, Mr. and Mrs. Theatre-Goer.



Leslie Uggams, The Diva Without Peer and her wonderful combo bringing down the house at the 25th Anniversary of Westco Productions. Westco supporters caught Leslie Uggams, arguably the premier and most versatile Broadway belter of our time, taking time away from her opening  this weekend with James Earl Jones in On Golden Pond, at the Kennedy Center this weekend to honor her commitment to Westco Tuesday night. Ms. Uggams told the audience she appreciated “supporters of the arts, because they bring new people into the business.”  Honor she did with a show that seemed crafted just for the 300 and up patrons of the arts on hand. Photo by WPCNR StageCam



Marilyn Michaels and a Supporting Cast of the Actresses of All Time:  Ms. Uggams manic companion on the Westco Program was the consummate Impressario of all female stars, past and present, the madcap mistress of singing styles, Marilyn Michaels. She easily brought new laugh after new laugh in a solid 45-minute set with her imitations of Hepburn, Liz Taylor, Marlene Dietricht, Dinah Shore and a comic duet with a male member selected at random from the audience. Photo by WPCNR StageCam



Millin’, Mingling, and Schmoozing in the Theatre Vestibule, neighbors and friends bid on the Westco Silent Auction, met and greeted. Photo by WPCNR StageCam



FIRST LADY OF WESTCHESTER THEATRE, Susan Katz, Westco Productions founder and Executive Director and creative force, right, greets Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bergins. Photo by WPCNR SchmoozeCam.



Here’s Susan! Carol Greenberg, Co-Chair of the Gala Commitee, and Mr. White Plains, Robert Ruger introduced Susan Katz to kick off the evening after gourmet fare served by the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.



Carol Greenberg and Susan Katz: Ms. Katz thanked the corporate sponsors, the persons she has worked with over the years who have helped Westco grow, and noted that Westco productions are 70% self-sustaining through ticket sales, with fundraising used to expand the program. She reported that 21 professional actors and actresses have gotten their start at Westco over the last 25 years. Photo by WPCNR StageCam



WESTCO Honored  Ronald McDonald House Charities, underwriter of Westco’s Hospital Touring Program. Janet Samaha spoke on how Westco produces performances at Ronald McDonald House, and how the Samahas, who opened the first McDonald’s in White Plains in 1973, feel it is important to give back to the community. Left to right, Ms. Katz, Ms. Samaha, Robert Ruger, and Sam Samaha.  The John H. & Ethel G. Noble Charitable Trust, administered by Deutsche Bank was also honored for being the Primary Sponsor of the Westco Hospital Touring Program. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.



Carol Greenberg Honors Marsha Gordon, President/CEP of The Business Council of Westchester for the Council’s support of Westco programs. Ms. Gordon spoke of how important theatre was in her life as a little girl and the value of Westco in presenting theatre to young people at a young age. Photo by WPCNR StageCam



Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains praised Executive Director Susan Katz for caring about creating theatre for the young, and said it takes a person with a good heart to do that. He reminisced about knowing Ms. Katz when she was a little girl and how far she and Westco have come. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.



Bright Lights, Big Achievement: The Mayor and Ms. Katz on stage at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.



Backstage After the Show: The Stars of the Gala with The Producers: Left to Right, Peter Katz, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Michaels, Sue Katz. Photo by WPCNR StageCam


Leslie Uggams and Marilyn Michaels delivered terrific performances.


Uggams was sensational, enthralling the audience with her incredible range, from ballads to belt-outs, swing, to jazz. She created a friendly intimacy with the big house, reminiscing about her first performance at the age of 8 in the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. This lead into telling of how she worked with Louis Armstrong, then she showed all her talent and creativity with her own interpretation of Louis Armstrong singing Up the Lazy River, using her amazing voice to simulate trumpet riffs.


She sequed that upbeat number with a touching treatment of Up on the Roof, the old Drifters’ song backed impeccably cooly by her guitartist. She also eased into the styles of Ella Fitzgerald and the blues of Dinah Washington. Just dead solid perfect.  Ms. Uggams showed the range of voice for which she is famous throughout, but Up on the Roof was just amazing the way she made you feel.



Leslie Uggams with Susan Katz in Ms. Uggams Dressing Room after the show. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.



Ms. Michaels and The Great Katz. Photo by WPCNR StageCam


Michaels showed her incredible voice delivered lusty standards and some old jokes but good ones, as she became first one actress, than another, making the audience laugh harder with each new personality she impressioned. Her famous Wizard of Oz routine where she plays every role was uncanny in her ability to shift from inflection to nuance, character to character without missing a trick.


 


Both acts were just the real deal, presenting the magic these two stars have within them and sharing the wonder of it with the audience for a little while.


 



Ms. Uggams and Ms. Michaels backstage after the show. Photo by WPCNR StageCam


Backstage, posing for stills,  Ms. Uggams shared with us a little insight into “the entertainer’s life.” Ms. Uggams revealed she was still cramming, getting the script down for her Saturday night opening of On Golden Pond at the Kennedy Center with James Earl Jones, which she was asked to do just two weeks ago after she had committed to the Westco date. But she refused to cancel the Westco gig.


“I’m off stage for only 10 pages,” she fretted to Ms. Michaels.  Ms. Michaels embraced her and assured Ms. Uggams she had done the right thing, and that she simply had to take the part opposite Mr. Jone, it was such a great part,  and not to worry she could do it. Ms. Uggams said, “I had to come up here and do this show.”


That’s what being a pro is all about. The gala must go on.


And Mr. and Mrs. White Plain in the audience are glad she did. Ms. Uggams received a standing ovation.




Twenty-five Years of Delivering Theatre Magic to the Young. One of items for silent auction, an original gramophone, surrounded by the Westco Gala Programs.  Photo by WPCNR StageCam


 


 

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Hail to the Juggernaut

WPCNR PRESS BOX. September 26, 2004: As fall fast pitch softball gets underway, and talk and media focus turns to baseball fall classics, WPCNR returns to celebrate in verse and photograph the splendid triumph of the Champions Nobody Knew About, except the thousands who love them: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut, Champions of the National Pro Fastpitch league. 


To do the honors in the Grantland Rice style, we turn to the bard of the diamond, the Howard Cosell of poets, the Shakespeare of sports verse, Fast Pitch Johnny:


Hail to the Juggernaut


By Fast Pitch Johnny


 



The–a Juggernauts Win! Photo, Courtesy, NY-NJ Juggernaut


 


 


 


The women who play are scattered to East and West.


Not to be forgotten their moments in hazy sun the diamond yields


Beautiful and strong they assembled in spring dedicated themselves to a dreamer’s quest


Now they depart as summer rays cast sharp shadows on empty fields.


 



Championship Lineup, August 29, 2004, Akron, Ohio. Photo, Courtesy Nick Leto.


 


From campus, office, field, school and lab they came,


To create a big league game for girls of the future


Though dismissed by media blasé as playing just a girls game


The Juggernaut, the Riptide, Thunder and Racer, Sunbird, and Heat,


The NPF did nurture.


 



Opening Night, June 1. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


In openers uncovered by AP or ESPN, with promises not kept by big leaguers


And nasty editors who should know better, they played before first a hundred


Then more. Fans paid a bargain to watch amazed as Amanda the Great Scott would beleaguer


The best girls who ever played, and Lightning Leto would slap deftly, diving in dirt without dread.


 



The Jugheads (Superfans) with Carri Leto. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


Jugheads whipped their necks at the krush of a Killer Kel


Liner in the night to the rumble of the Jersey Transit line.


Little girls from Cobras, Tornado and Explosion  admired the swat of Clipper Klein


Squealing at young women with little girl in them humming the yellow ball.


 


 


L’il Fastpitchers  with softball cheers urged Kaci on in the circle


For 22 lnnings she windmilled, matching  greats Babe Adams, Marquard, Nehf, Cy and Grimes


When the Riptide and Juggernaut played 27,  a 21st century miracle,


Til Venus singled in Klein for the win in the Milkman’s Matinee classic for our times.


 



Kaci Clark. Photo, Courtesy NY-NJ Juggernaut


 


Assembled by Paul the Peerless Leader, who better than Chance took a chance


Putting his bankroll on 14 strong women, hearts stolen by the game.


Changing managers twice and stalking the bench like The Tall Tactician


He defied convention pulled out stops and would not accept less than the girls’ best game.



The 21st Century Connie Mack: Paul Plemenos, left, Jen Carlo, Rich Perrotty. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto.


 


Standing in pinstripes in white beside young fastpitchers players, admiring in awe


Holding heads high there was ethereal Venus in left, and Laura in center, that hitters fear


Spiderlady Jackie at the hot corner, and Everything Oaks at  first to enthrall,


With Amazing Amanda at 15-7, staring down to sis Courtney — battery without peer.


 



A Naut Tradition. National Anthem with Fastpitch Team of the Night 


Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


They played a season in the moonlight in the Little Ballpark by the Railroad Line


Creating dreams in girls’ hearts, impressing with effort and unflinching resolve.


From Iancin’s dramatic drilled drives with Nauts on the pond, looking so fine.


To the relentless wand of Germaine, tiring Williams and McHugh, ripping  yellow lasers up the middle to the fence after fouls aplenty, the stuff rallies are made of.



Jen Smith in Right on the Moondeck. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


Memorable struggles with Thunder and Racer, with come-from-behind rally


When all seemed over, the Juggernaut made friends for life, showed how to play this fastpitch thing


Dead-tired from intense inning by inning effort, they would sign for


Adoring ponytails and cornrows into the night with smiles and good cheer,


Not for money, not turning away any request, they were all a softball ambassador


Introducing the best game a girl, a teen, a woman can play in any year.


 



Autograph Alley. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


As season wound down they finished # 2 , with playoffs to come.


Amazing Amanda assured the outcome, 2-0, on Kellie’s Booming Fly.


And a Venus bingle.


 



Amazing Amanda Scott Aces Akron, 3-2 to Pitch Nauts into the Championship Game. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto


 


On faithful Friday, The Blonde Who Rules the World, came through with a never-say-die,


With Harms charms and Sis Courtney’s homer putting the Nauts into the final game.


Right down to the last out, they ousted Racers on Lightning Leto’s Twin Killing.


Setting up a showdown with doughty New England.


 



Laura Harms, Kellie Wilkerson, Gina Oaks Romp off the Diamond.


Photo, Courtesy Nick Leto.


 



The Great Scott Mows Down New England for the Championship, August 29. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto


 


 With Riptide succumbing to New England curse, her majesty Klein singled in one


Dynamic G singled home 2, and the Riptide was through.


Innings later, Killer Kel  klonged a 3-run shot


To show New England never belonged,


As Carri and Lisa supported The Great Scott all the way.


 



Wilkerson on third, Leto on Second, prior to Germaine Fairchild’s Game Buster .


Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto


 



Put it in the Books! The Nauts Championship Moment.


Photo, Courtesy, NY-NJ Juggernaut.


 


Holding the first Cowles Cup, the Juggernaut started a tradition – The Juggernaut way.


Champions of the NPF, the  comely competitors  relentless all the way.


Now red dirt diamonds grow dark and languish lonely in autumn sun


We remember the nights we watched the Juggernaut play.


 



Carri Leto. Photo, Courtesy, NY-NJ Juggernaut


 


To see Jaclyn’s flash of leather to snare a liner and steal a double


Leto’s sprawl and flip for miracle force at second, or nip a Racer at first.



The Spiderwoman, Jaclyn Pasquerella.


Photo, Courtesy, NY-NJ Juggernaut


 


To watch Kaci fine, paint the corner time after time, no-hitting the Heat on YES!


 Amanda and Gina reaching back to ease out of trouble.



KACI Clark’s Final No-Hitter Pitch.


Photo Capture from YES Network.


 


Watching Crafty Courtney choreograph an AB and grab risers hard.


Calling for Amanda’s riser, Gina’s slider, or K.C. heat


At exactly the right count to record another K on the card


Celebrating sisters in ball high five Lyndsey , Kelly and G at the home plate meet.


 


Not to forget role players awaiting their chance to deliver again,


Coming through from the bench, Iancin and Hansen and elegant Jen,


Gina Everything filling in the dependable third circle shift


Rookie Harms who sparked a down-the-stretch lift.


 


Here’s a Champagne Toast to  Walter Mitty, the persistent Paul


Coach of Champions, who made his ball team dream come true,


Proving a fan can manage and lead, and make decisions too,


Outmanaging legends of the game,  winning his first year,


Something even Steinbrenner did not do.


Paul Plemenos, the Juggernaut played because of you.


 


 


In the Little Ballpark by the Railroad Line, with M.C. Kellie


Keeping us amused between innings with many a quip,


To tasty dogs and burgers fried up with a smile


At fair prices that made us come back in a little while.


 


The Juggernauts in the Little Park made friends for life


Young and old, sons and daughters and parents, too.


We love  you, wherever you go. Thank you for giving yourselves


To us on golden summer evenings.


 We look up to you and wish our daughters


could grow up just like you.


 


 

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Traffic Bungle: Nightmare on North Street as High School Lets Out.

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. September 28, 2004: When The CitizeNetReporter pulled out of his corporate headquarters to go out Havilands Lane to North Street to the high school at 2:45 P.M. today, he met a wall of traffic, not moving leading up to the high school entrance, usually a 3-minute spin. Instead it took 10 minutes to go two blocks to the entrance to the High School Athletic Circle. 



Westchester County chose today, in the third week of school to begin repaving North Street. Traffic consisting of Northbound vehicles and parents attempting to pick up their high schoolers, was backed up slightly past Ridgeway Avenue, as the county had blocked one of the lanes off for its milling machine to remove pavement.


WPCNR contacted the Westchester County Department of Public Works and asked why this job was being done during the school year. The spokesperson said that it was an inconvenient time but that the job could only be done when emergency funds came available. He said the North Street job was being executed as part of a 4-road contract which amounted to $1.9 Million, approximately $150,000 to $200,000 of which was dedicated to the North Street repaving.


The spokesman said parents could expect the North Street approaches to be worked on for at least two weeks, with the project expected to be completed by October 10. Asked why there were no police available to faciliate traffic movement, the county spokesman said he had thought the White Plains Police were contacted, and he said he would check on it.


Asked why the project could not be done at night, the County DPW spokesperson said the cost of asphalt rose dramatically from $50 a ton to $85 to $90 a ton when it was laid at night because of the cost of lights and overtime.


The White Plains Police said they were aware of it and a White Plains Police officer would be out tomorrow, Wednesday to help the traffic flow.


Parents picking up students should be aware to allow extra time to pick up their children at the White Plains High School.

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Delgado Will Let Hockley Keep Council Salary Earned from March 02 to July 04

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. September 28, 2004, UPDATED September 29, 2004, 12:noon E.D.T.: Councilman Larry Delgado announced Tuesday that he would not seek recovery of salary monies paid to Glen Hockley during the period Hockley served on the council.


Supporters of Mr. Hockley recently held a fundraiser for him at Dooley Mac’s  (September 9) to raise money for legal fees to continue with his appeal. In invitations to that meeting, signed by Liz Shollenberger, Chair of the City Democratic City Committee, it was stated that “Delgado seeks to take more than $80,000 from Glen,” and quoting a six-month old WPCNR quote from Jeffrey Binder to that effect, as documentation, though no suit for back pay had ever been filed. Today Mr. Delgado issued this statement:


“In recent months there has been speculation and statements by others as to my intentions with respect to suing Mr. Hockley in a separate action to reclaim the wages he earned while acting as Council Member.  I have often said that I considered such speculation to be wholly premature since a cause of action would not even accrue until there was a final unappealable judgment on the issue of the rightful winner of the election.


 


Section 63-b(4) of the New York State Executive Law (a.k.a. “The Quo Warranto Statute”) states in relevant part:


 


‘Where final judgment has been rendered upon the right and in favor of the person alleged in the complaint to be entitled to an office, he may recover, by action against the defendant, the damages which he has sustained in consequence of the defendant’s usurpation, intrusion into, unlawful holding or exercising the office.”


 


Even though this case has been prolonged by Mr. Hockley’s continuing appeals and notwithstanding the above provision of the statute, I have concluded that it is best to clear the air on this issue.  Today I am announcing that should I prevail in the appeal (which I expect) I will not use Section 63-b(4) or any other potential legal remedy against Mr. Hockley for back wages.  This case has always been about who was rightfully elected by the White Plains voters in the November, 2001 elections for Common Council.  It has never been about reclaiming pay earned by Mr. Hockley.


 


I have already instructed my attorney to communicate this pledge to Mr. Hockley’s counsel.”


 


Hockley Supporters Reported Delgado Going After Hockley Back Pay.


 


The Hockley Fundraiser letter written  to “Dear Fellow White Plains Dems:” from Liz Shollenberger on Mr. Hockley’s behalf may have apparently triggered this “clearing of the air” statement. A copy of this letter was obtained by WPCNR  from an anonymous sender several weeks ago. 


 


The beginning of the letter announces the White Plains Labor Coalition as holding a fundraiser on Thursday, September 9, for Glen Hockley’s Defense Fund, and after stating “Glen has a strong appeal,” and giving the particulars of the invitation, It contains the following paragraph at the close of the letter with Ms. Shollenberger’s signature “Liz” above it:


 


A footnote:


 


Some folks–even Democrats! — are tempted to be a little sympathetic  to Larry Delgado, who, too, has been in legal limbo for these past two-and-a-half years. Please– save your tears.


 


Consider: first because the Attorney General brought the case to court, since December of 2002, the State of New York (you and me and all the other taxpayers), not Delgado, has borne the lion’s share of the litigation costs against Glen, while Glen has had to fund his defense, from supporters’ contributions, and, in large measure, from his own pocket.


 


Second, Delgado has behaved extremely dishonorably toward Glen: when the appellate court heard legal arguments over the statute of limitations, Delgado’s position–stated in open court–was that he wouldn’t DREAM of going after Glen’s slary, if Delgado were seated on the Council in Glen’s place. This was part of Delgado’s “logic” in persuading the intermediate level appellate court to buy a six-year statute of limitations for an action to overturn the results of an election. Now, however, Delgado has done a complete about-face. His spokesman was quoted in the press, saying “Mr. Delgado has now decided to seek full restitution from Mr. Hockley of all wages and pension contributions Mr. Hockley received during the almost 28 months Hockley has served” (July 8, 2004, CitizeNetReporter). Delgado seeks to take more than $80,000 from Glen.


 


The fundraiser attracted approximately 40 persons, according to a person who was present, at $50 minimum donation.


 


Jeffrey Binder, Mr. Delgado’s legal counsel, upon reading the charges in the fund-raiser letter, issued this statement to WPCNR:  “After reviewing the limited caselaw and the facts, Common Councilman Delgado’s decision to forego suing for back wages was indeed the right thing to do for all involved. I agree with and applaud my client’s good will.”


 

 


 


 

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