Comedy Tonight!– A Roast of Lee Roy Reams
Welcomed by president of Dancers Over Forty, John Seafakis, we’re told the organization started with five people in a coffee shop 30 years ago. Were joy of the art and altruistic community events all it took to garner new (and younger) membership, Dancers would multiply like rabbits. 54Below is packed tonight. Clearly tickled, honoree Lee Roy Reams is escorted to his seat by two extremely fit, scantily clad men.
John Seafakis, Jim Brochu
“That’s the first time he’s seen naked men in 35 years,” quips host Jim Brochu. An early photo of Reams comes up on screen. The garrulous Brochu- a terrific host- makes an affectionate crack about Reams derriere, then explains this is “kind of a light air fry” rather than a roast, as no one wants to say anything bad about the beloved artist.
Scott Raneri, Lee Roy Reams, Areis Evans
“I’ll never forget the first time my grandmother took me to see Lee Roy. She had worked with him in the Kirov Ballet under his real name, Ivanbiteyourtitsoff. This is the man who told George Balanchine to stay in the second row because his dancing was shit; the man who suggested Isadora Duncan use a scarf- it’ll kill them.” (Duncan died when driving in a convertible Bugatti, her scarf got tangled and strangled the dancer.) Vaudevillian humor seems just right tonight.
Billy Stritch
Billy Stritch met the honoree early on and has fond memories of a man he manifestly admires. “I started laughing then and never stopped.” Lee Roy recommended Stritch add “Nothing to Do But Dance” to his repertoire. (Cy Coleman/ Christopher Gore from the unproduced Atlantic City) The performer learned it for this occasion. Whirling, leaping melody arrives with exuberant vocal and instrumental.
Melissa Errico
MD Fred Barton assumes the piano for Melissa Errico’s lilting “How Are Things in Glocca Mora?” (Burton Lane/E.Y. Harburg from Finian’s Rainbow) “He was my first cabaret teacher in ingénue days. Errico’s charm and warmth are on high beam. That beautiful voice with its signature trill is directed with affection at the honoree. Barton’s arrangement is lush.
Mary Callahan, Rob Schneider
The Great Karnak -after a Johnny Carson character – (Mary Callahan in gold turban and cape) – telepathically shares answers to questions in sealed envelopes. Producer Rob Schneider solemnly repeats each song lyric answer belted by Callahan. “But if baby, I’m the bottom, you’re the top” (“You’re the Top” – Cole Porter) is the answer to “What did Charles Loeb say to Carol Channing on their wedding night?” The audience chuckles at risqué suggestions. Fun.
Dick Miller, Alex Rybeck
Dick Miller flew up from Florida with a hand-delivered congratulatory telegram. Alex Rybeck shared anecdotes about Theater Guild cruises. In one, Lee Roy heads to the register in a Portugal souvenir store with a stack of Lisbon sweatshirts for his nieces and nephews. Rybeck then observed him abruptly turn, leaving them on the counter. Apparently Lee Roy realized his not very worldly relatives would’ve thought them lesbian apparel.
Penny Fuller
Penny Fuller, who took over in Charles Strouse/Lee Adam’s Applause, sings “He’s No Longer a Gypsy” with the kind of panache that made her a great success in the musical. Lee Roy played Duane Fox, the star’s gay hairdresser and friend. He praises Fuller.
In addition to a silent auction, there’s public bidding for dinner with Lee Roy at Sardi’s. Brochu handles bidding with, at first, $25 increments until hot competition between two women ends in detente- two bids of $800 each. Blushing like Laurie in Oklahoma! (remember the picnic basket auction?), the honoree agrees to two dinners garnering $1600 for the organization.
Judy Kaye
Judy Kaye takes the stage hailing “Le Roi!…I can’t roast you, I love you too much!” The multi-talented theater mainstay offers “Our Love is Here to Stay” (George and Ira Gershwin), her heart in her voice. It’s splendidly rendered, palpably believable. MD/Piano- Terry LeBolt.
Pamela Myers met Lee Roy in 1968 when he was working on his Master’s Degree; directing, choreographing and starring in three musicals in Vermont. “He’s like my family.” An animated, mugged “You’re the Top” rings out the roster of guests with brio.
Laudatory videos were sent by an impersonal Nathan Lane, a sincere Rex Smith, and Richard Kind who relates that after Lee Roy’s audition for Collette, Diana Rigg told Kind, “ I cannot have a leading man prettier than me.” “You make the world prettier and more wonderful,” the accolade continues, “and I thank you for that.” Ever wry Brandon Maggart, who first met Lee Roy as “mama’s little hothouse flower from Covington, Kentucky,” has known the honoree for 50 years. “We talk on the phone all the time – and frankly, I’m sick of you,” he declares smiling. Love travels.
We additionally watch a clip from the 2012 Dancers Over Forty hosted by Lee Roy in which he conscripts Harvey Evans from the audience to flawlessly recreate jaunty footwork they’d performed 40 years prior at the Bob Ziegler School Of Dance in Covington, Kentucky. Once a dancer…
Lee Roy Reams then thanks the organization, participants, “old friends, new faces, old friends with new faces…” The vivacious, self acknowledged “dancer over eighty” performs a medley of songs about dance concocted by him with MD/accompanist Alex Rybeck. It’s bookended by a version of “Gotta Dance” imbued with wonderful memories. Watching the buoyant, youthful entertainer, every dancer, hell, every person in the club is undoubtedly thinking, “I’ll have what he’s having.”
A delightful evening of talent and deep admiration garnered laughter and an enviable sense of community.
Dancers Over 40 was created as a not-for-profit organization to provide a community of support in response to the needs of mature dancers, choreographers and related artists. Our goals include seeking educational opportunities, presenting seminar and panel discussions and social events geared to topics relevant to mature dancers, whose present-day concerns are focused on their ability to continue to live and work in a creative environment, and continue that legacy to the younger generation about to begin their journey.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
Dancers Over Forty…and Friends present
Comedy Tonight! A Roast of Lee Roy Reams
Directed/Hosted by Jim Brochu
MD/Piano Fred Barton
54Below
254 West 54th Street
