By Ligia Fernandez

Return to Main Entertainers Archive Page

January 2006

Elaine Stritch
(1925 -)

Not unlike many of the ladies she's portrayed on stage and screen, Elaine Stritch is not afraid to say what she thinks and does so with unabashed honestly and the perspective of a life lived on a rollercoaster.

I don't need to tell Ms. Stritch's life story. She told it herself quite brilliantly in her amazing Tony and Emmy-winning one-women show ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY. Pulling no punches, she recounts not only her onstage hills and valleys, but her bouts with alcoholism and ongoing battle with diabetes. In 2005, she turned 80 years young and performed a sell-out engagement at NYC's Cafe Carlyle. On Jan. 3-Feb. 4, 2006, she returns to the Cafe Carlyle stage for what is sure to be another successful run.

Her stage credits include roles in the original casts of PAL JOEY, ON YOUR TOES, SAIL AWAY and COMPANY. She has appeared in a number of films including WHO KILLED TEDDY BEAR, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE, COCOON: THE RETURN, KRIPPENDORF'S TRIBE and MONSTER-IN-LAW.

Jerry Orbach
(1935 - 2004)
In 2004, the worlds of musical theatre and television mourned the loss of one of its most beloved performers.

Many fans who only knew Jerry as Lenny Brisco on the TV series LAW AND ORDER were somewhat surprised to learn that he had a long and successful career as song-and-dance man both on and off-Broadway.

Starting with his memorable turn as El Gallo in the original company of the off-Broadway smash THE FANTASTICKS, he then went on to originate even more memorable characters including Paul In CARNIVAL, Chuck Baxter in PROMISES PROMISES, and his Tony Award-winning roles of Billy Flynn in CHICAGO and Julian Marsh in 42ND STREET. He also won a Tony playing Sky Masterson in the '65 revival of GUYS AND DOLLS.

Movie-going audiences best know him best as Jennifer Grey's father in DIRTY DANCING and as the voice of Lumiere in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.