PERFORMERS

Lucie Arnaz
Brian Boitano
Cate Caplin
Mary Jo Catlett
Carole Cook
Spencer Day
Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker
Penny Fuller
Leslie Jordan
Michele Lee
Meg Mackay
Jon Maher
Sean McDermott
Rod McKuen
Murray Phillips
Stefanie Powers
Elaine Stritch
Renee Taylor
&Joseph Bologna
Lisa Viggiano
Lisa Vroman
Kenny Washington

Ron Abel
Musical Director

David Galligan
Director

LUCIE ARNAZ

Lucie has had an extremely diversified career spanning over thirty-five years in show business. She has starred on the New York stage in “They’re Playing Our Song” (Theatre World, LA Drama Critic’s and Outer Critic’s Circle Awards), “Lost in Yonkers,” and “Grace and Glorie;” in First National companies of “Seesaw,” “Whose Life is it Anyway?,” “Social Security,” and “My One and Only” (Sarah Siddons Award); and in regional theatres i “Wonderful Town,” “Master Class,” “Cabaret,” “The Guardsman, “Annie Get Your Gun,” “I Do! I Do!,” “Educating Rita,” “Vanities,” “L’il Abner,” Bye Bye Birdie,” “Once Upon a Mattress, “Mack and Mable,” in the London premiere of “Witches of Eastwick,” and most recently in the Florida premiere of a new play by Eduardo Machado, “Once Removed.”
She has appeared on television in “The Lucie Arnaz Show,” “Abduction of Innocense,” “Sons and Daughters,” “The Black Dahlia,” “The Mating Season,” “Who Gets the Friends?,” “Washington Mistress,” “Death Scream” and “Here’s Lucy;” on the big screen in “The Jazz Singer” (Golden Globe Nomination), “Down to You,” “Second Thoughts,” and “Billy Jack Goes to Washington.”
Lucie has performed on the Academy Awards, at the White House, and internationally in concert. She was Executive Producer of the “I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special” (EMMY nomination), and “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie” (EMMY winner 1993). She produced two CD ROMS, and recorded an album for Concord Jazz (“Just in Time”). She also travels the lecture circuit (“Surviving Success”).

With her brother, Desi, she manages Desilu, too, LLC. With her husband, actor Laurence Luckinbill, she manages five children. Lucie invites you to visit her online at luciearnaz.com. This is Lucie’s third appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

Few athletes have enjoyed the artistic and popular success that figure skater Brian Boitano has achieved since winning the gold medal for the U.S. at the 1988 Olympics. After turning professional in 1988, Brian won six world professional titles, placing first and scoring perfect 10’s in each of ten consecutive professional championships. As a professional, he won the first 20 out of the 24 competitions he entered, a record unmatched in the history of skating. His first book, “Boitano’s Edge: Inside the Real World of Figure Skating,” currently in its third printing, is considered one of the finest skating books ever published.

Brian was the first American male athlete to have his own network (ABC) television special, Canvas of Ice, which aired worldwide and won awards in the International Film and Television Festival of New York and the Chicago Inter-national Film Festival. In 1990, Brian won an Emmy Award for his starring role in the HBO movie "Carmen on Ice." He toured North America with fellow Olympic champion Katerina Witt in three successful ice shows, also broadcast on network TV. In 1995, Brian co-founded White Canvas Productions with partners Doug Zeghibe and Franc D’Ambrosio, producting "Skating Romance", "Skating Romance II", and "Skating Romance III: Love is in the Air", all three televised on USA Network. Other televised productions include "Skating Kicks Back: Country Music & More", "Three Masters of the Ice" starring Boitano, Scott Hamilton and Paul Wylie, "Boitano’s Holiday Skating Spectacular" with Kristi Yamaguchi, and "Brian Boitano’s Skate Against Hate." Brian began his skating careen at age eight after viewing a performance of Ice Follies. He studied with Linda Leaver, creating a partnership that has lasted 29 years, with Linda also serving as Brian’s personal manager. At 19, Brian garnered world recognition as the first skater to complete all six different triple jumps in a world championship. He placed fifth in the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo. In total he has won more than 50 titles, including 23 international gold medals, two world titles, two Pro/Am titles, 16 professional titles, four U.S. national titles, as well as the Olympic Gold Medal. Brian starred in Champions On Ice (formerly Tour of World Figure Skating Champions) for 11 years.

Brian is the international spokesperson and an international trustee for the Starlight Foundation, which helps grant the wishes of seriously ill children. He is one of the founding members of the National Safe Kids Campaign Entertainment Alliance, dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury and he is a member of the Public Awareness Council of the American Red Cross. Two years ago Brian started his own charity, Youth Skate, which works with the San Francisco School District to introduce inner-city youth to skating. This is Brian’s sixth appearance with "Help is on the Way." TOP

CATE CAPLIN

Cate has produced, directed and choreographed over 75 productions in theaters and performance venues in Los Angeles and internationally at the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland. Cate is a 21 times regional and international dance champion, and has performed on television, in films and in a variety of prestigious venues the across the country and world wide including the White House, the Kennedy Center, the Metropolitan Opera House, Ford's Theatre, the Hollywood Bowl, the Paris Opera House, Rockefeller Center, the Ritz Carlton, Caesar's Palace, the Hollywood Palladium, the Los Angeles Theatre Center, the Orpheum Theatre, The House of Blues and the Broadway stage. Cate is also a freelance journalist and coaches and instructs both dancers and actors. The past two season Cate directed and choreographed "Smokey Joe’s Café," "Little Shop of Horrors," "South Pacific," "Cinderella," "She Loves Me" and "Fahrenheit 451," choreographed "Camelot," "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "Dancing at Lughnasa," "The Matchmaker," "Jubilee," two episodes of "Frasier,” a tango for ABC’s "Porte Charles," step out choreography in "Grand Hotel" and coached David Hyde Pierce for 9 months in preparation for his play "Six Dance Lessons" at the Geffen Playhouse. Cate and her dance partner performed in the West Coast Premier of “Swing!” at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center and they are Ovation Winners and current World Champions in Theatrical Showdance. Cate’s production company, Night & Day Entertainment, is shared with creative partner Vernon Willet and specializes in custom designed entertainment for corporate events, industrial trade shows and private parties. Cate is currently choreographing a production of "Taming of the Shrew" in Los Angeles scheduled to open at the Orpheum Theatre later in August. This is Cate’s second appearance in “Help is on the Way.” TOP

MARY JO CATLETT

A versatile actress and comedienne, Ms. Catlett's career has spanned film, television, Broadway and regional theater. Her film credits include "Serial Mom," "The Champ", "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "O'Hara's Wife" and "Semi-Tough." On television, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Mary Finnegan on "General Hospital", was a regular on "Diff'rent Strokes", and appeared in such shows as "Murder She Wrote," "MASH," "Mr. Belvedere," "Bob Newhart," "Night Court," "Matlock," "Gimme a Break," "Saved by the Bell", "Fantasy Island", "Maude", and "Kojak". On Broadway, Ms. Catlett was the original Ernestina in "Hello Dolly!", played Mabel in "Pajama Game," and appeared in "Canterbury Tales," "Lysistrata" with Melina Mercouri, "Fashion", "Different Times" (as six different characters), "Promenade", "Play Me a Country Song", and "Something's Afoot." In regional theater, Mary Jo appeared as Madame de la Grand Bouche in "Beauty and the Beast," as Lotte in "Lettice and Lovage", Lola in "Come Back Little Sheba" (for which she won a LA Drama Critics Award), Mama Rose in "Gypsy," Mother Superior in "Nunsense", Madge in "Philadelphia Here I Come" (another LA Drama Critics Award), Annie in "Annie Get Your Gun," and with Robert Morse in "How to Succeed in Business." Audiences may also recognize her from her over 30 national commercials. This is her fifth appearance in "Help is on the Way." TOP

CAROLE COOK

Carole created the role of Maggie Jones in the New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo companies of Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble's Tony Award winning musical, "42nd Street," and originated the role of Blanche Daly in Bernard Slade's Broadway hit, "Romantic Comedy." She was the first actress in the world to follow Carol Channing in "Hello, Dolly!," playing the role for two years in Australia and New Zealand. She also has the distinction of being the only actress to have played the title role in major productions of "Auntie Mame" and the musical version, "Mame." She co-starred in the Los Angeles and national companies of Oliver Hailey's "Father's Day," for which she received a Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle nomination as Best Actress. She later went on to star in the Australian production of that play. She won Best Actress Awards in Los Angeles for George Furth's "The Supporting Cast," Jack Hefner's "Patio/Porch" and James Golman's "The Lion in Winter" directed by David Galligan at the Pasadena Playhouse and co-starring her husband of 37 years, Tom Troupe. In Elliot Martin's highly successful national tour of Robert Harling's "Steel Magnolias," Carole played the irascible "Quiser" for which she received a 1990 Helen Hayes Theatre Award. She has starred in many musicals including "Stop The World, I Want to Get Off," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Kismet," "Anything Goes," "Call Me Madam" and a few seasons ago starred in the New York production of "Radio Gals." She more recently appeared opposite Julie Harris in a hit revival of "Ladies in Retirement." Ms. Cook once again played "Dolly!" in Birmingham, Alabama's SummerFest Celebration and reprised the role in Oklahoma City in October.

Ms. Cook's feature films include: "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," "Palm Springs Weekend," "The Gauntlet," "American Gigolo", "Sixteen Candles," "Fast Money," "Grandview U.S.A.," "Summer Lovers," "Lost & Found" and she is the voice of Pearl in the animated Disney film, "Sweating Bullets." On television, Carole was Donna La Mar in "Cagney & Lacy," Cora in "Dynasty," a regular on the "Merv Griffin Show" and has guest starred on most major television series. She has toured extensively in her highly acclaimed one-woman show, "Dress Up." Lucille Ball who put her under contract to Desilu and changed her name from Mildred Frances to Carole, after Lucy’s friend, Carole Lombard, brought Carole to Hollywood. In 1995, Carole received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Baylor University. For the past 18 years she has been deeply involved in the fight against AIDS starring each of those years in David Galligan's S.T.A.G.E. Benefit in Los Angeles. This is her seventh appearance in "Help is on the Way."

SPENCER DAY

Spencer Day was born in rural Utah but only began pursuing a career in music 5 years ago when he moved to California. In that short period of time he has had the pleasure of playing some of the finest venues in the Bay Area including The Plush Room, Cafe Du Nord and the Herbst theatre. He has also played on both coast at many prestigious events including National Earth Day event in Washington D.C. Earlier this year, Spencer made his television debut on “Star Search” winning the first semi-finals. He performs solo and with his quintet in the Bay Area, wowing audiences with his amazing skill, showmanship, and humor. He's been likened to Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr., but has a style all his own. Spencer organized "The Crimson Club", a monthly cabaret production that jam-packed a house full of people who'd heard news of this show which blew the lid off of San Francisco's underground freaky music scene. His long-term goal is to establish a successful career in composition and songwriting.

JILL EIKENBERRY & MICHAEL TUCKER

An accomplished actress with a strong list of theater, feature film, and television credits, Jill Eikenberry's outstanding portrayal of activist counselor, Ann Kelsey on NBC-TV hit series"L.A. Law" was the role that earned her four Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Golden Globe Award. Ms. Eikenberry's theater credits on and off Broadway include "Beggars Opera," "All Over Town" (directed by Dustin Hoffman), "Summer Brave," Wendy Wasserstein's "Uncommon Women," "Eccentricities of a Nightingale," "Watch on the Rhine," "Onward Victoria" and "Lemon Sky" for which she received an Obie Award. Jill made her feature film debut in "Between the Lines" opposite John Heard, then went on to do "Rich Kids" with John Lithgow, "Butch and Sundance: The Early Years," "Hide in Plain Sight" starring opposite James Caan, "Arthur," playing Dudley Moore's jilted fiancee, and again opposite John Lithgow in "The Manhattan Project." On television, Jill appeared in such TV projects as "Swansong" with David Soul, the highly acclaimed CBS-TV movie "Orphan Train," the CBS miniseries, "Kane and Abel," "Family Sins," "A Stoning in Fulham County," "My Boyfriend's Back," "Cast the First Stone," the four-hour miniseries for ABC, "An Inconvenient Woman," "Ties That Bind" with Peter Coyote, Showtime's "Chantilly Lace," and it's sequel "Parallel Lives." Ms Eikenberry co-produced and hosted "Destined to Live," a one-hour documentary on NBC-TV which dealt with the emotional aspects of breast cancer, which she herself successfully battled in 1986. In 1999, Jill was seen in the CBS-TV movie, "My Very Best Friend" and in "Gone in a Heartbeat" in which she costarred with her husband, actor Michael Tucker. Totally committed to the advancement of breast cancer education and research, Jill and Michael tour the U.S. and Canada as official spokespersons for the cause.

Mr. Tucker was catapulted to international fame with his portrayal of Stuart Markowitz on Steven Bochco's Emmy award winning television series, "L.A. Law." Other television projects include the HBO special "Tracy Ullman Takes on New York." He has also reprised his role as the hilarious Harry Rosenthal from Boca Raton in the HBO series "Tracy Take On." A veteran stage actor who made his theatrical debut at the age of 14 in a Ford Theater production of "Peter Pan," Tucker boasts an impressive list of theater credits ranging from regional theater to the Great White Way. The Carnegie Tech Drama School graduate has performed with numerous repertory companies throughout his extensive career, among them Washington D.C.'s prestigious Arena Stage where he met his wife and former L.A. Law costar, actress Jill Eikenberry. Tucker made his Broadway debut with Eikenberry in 1970 when they appeared in the play "Moon Children." His star continued to rise with the Broadway production of "Trelawney of the Wells," starring with Meryl Streep, Mary Beth Hurt and John Lithgow, as well as principle roles in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Measure for Measure," and "The Comedy of Errors," as part of Joseph Papp's legendary Shakespeare in the Park. On the silver screen, Tucker has appeared in a number of highly-acclaimed movies, among them Woody Allen's "Radio Days" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," Barry Levinson's "Diner," Paul Mazursky's "An Unmarried Woman," and "Eyes of Laura Mars" with Faye Dunaway. His recent credits include "For Love or Money" starring Michael J. Fox and "Mighty Ducks II," with Emilio Estevez for Disney Studios, along with "Till There Was You" with Jeanne Tripplehorn. While Tucker has enjoyed considerable success in theater and film, he is most renowned for his performance as lawyer Stuart Markowitz on "L. A. Law." He received three Emmy nominations during his eight-year tenure on the famed show. "The Tuckerberrys" have also appeared together in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," on stage in New York and Los Angeles; Steven Bochco's "Hill Street Blues;" the TV movie "A Family Again," directed by Henry Winkler, and a CBS-TV movie "Archie's Wife," which featured their daughter Allison. This is Jill and Michael's eleventh appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production.

PENNY FULLER

Penny began her Broadway career with “Barefoot in the Park,” “Cabaret” and “Rex.” She created the role of Eve Harrington in “Applause” which won her a Tony nomination. Other New York appearances include playing Samish in the revival of “Do I Hear a Waltz?,” “A New Brain” at Lincoln Center (Drama Desk nomination), “An American Daughter, Ancestral Voices,” “New England” and “Three Viewings” (Drama Desk nomination). Miss Fuller has received Emmy nominations for her work on “China Beach,” “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” “Miss Rose White,” “NYPD Blue” and “ER.” She was awarded the Emmy for her work in “The Elephant Man.” More recently, she stared in “The Color of Love: Jacey’s Story” with Gena Rowlands and Lou Gossett. In Los Angeles theater credits include “Twelfth Night,” “Henry IV,” “Chekhov in Yalta” and “Dutch Landscape” at The Taper, “The Elephant Man” and “Ring Around the Man” at the Ahmanson, and “Betrayal,” “The Tavern” and “The Seagull” (Dramalogue Award) at the Matrix Theatre. This is Ms. Fuller’s first appearance in “Help is on the Way.”

LESLIE JORDAN

In 1982, Leslie Jordan jumped off a greyhound bus from the hills of Tennessee, said “hello” to Hollywood, and has never looked back. With hundreds of television and film roles to his credit, he is probably best remembered for Kyle, the hapless ex-con on “Murphy Brown,” Resplendent Man, the entrepreneurial super hero on “Lois and Clark,” Murray Tuttle, the naïve head of the ski patrol in the cult film classic “Ski Patrol,” and can be currently seen recurring as Mr. Beverly Leslie on the hit series “Will and Grace.” Mr. Jordan just finished a stint on David Kelley’s two hit series “Ally McBeal” and “Boston Public” as Dr. Benjamin Harris, the cloning expert turned new-age reverend turned science teacher tuned drama coach.

Leslie has also had a successful stage career. He played Brother Boy, the Tammy Wynette fixated drag queen, in Del Shores hit play “Sordid Lives” and went on to do the film of that same play starring Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges and Delta Burke. He also won every award known to man for his portrayal of Preston “Peanut” Leroy, the sodden aging homosexual in the runaway hit “Southern Baptist Sissies.”

As a writer, Mr. Jordan’s play “Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far” ran to sold-out audiences at the Hudson Main Stage in Los Angeles and went to a successful seven month run Off Broadway in New York City. His screenplay “Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel” won the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Production Grant award over 600 other screenplays and was made into an independent film currently being distributed by Northern Arts Entertainment. Leslie is currently staring in “The Last of the Honky Tonk Angels,” which he co-wrote with Ronnie Claire Edwards and being directed by David Galligan, at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles through August 10. This is Mr. Jordan’s first appearance in “Help is on the Way.” TOP

MICHELE LEE

Michele has starred on Broadway, in feature and television films, recorded and performed in concerts and variety specials with legends of the entertainment industry. Although known worldwide for her Emmy-nominated role as Karen in the landmark CBS series “knots Landing” (now the second-longest running prime time dramatic series in history).

Ms. Lee’s career began on the stage when discovered as a teen by David Merrick and brought to New York in the musical “Vintage ’60.” At age 19, Ms. Lee starred in “Bravo Giovanni” with Metropolitan Opera’s Cesare Siepe, which led to her breakout role as Rosemary in the original “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” with Robert Morse. In 1974, she appeared on the Broadway stage in Michael Bennett’s musical “Seesaw.” Her performance won her a Tony nomination, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Award for Best Actress.
Ms. Lee has starred in and produced numerous films for television, including CBS’s Emmy-nominated “Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story,” “When No One Would Listen,” and “Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story.”

In 1996, Ms. Lee became the first woman to produce, direct, write and star in a motion picture for television. Lifetime’s “Color Me Perfect” won the prestigious Christopher and the Gracie Allen Award presented by the American Women in Television and Radio. Other television films include “Dark Victory,” “Bud and Lou” and Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound.” Ms. Lee was named the NATO Star of Tomorrow for her debut in the movie version of “How to Succeed…”, starred with Dick Van Dyke in Carl Reiner’s cult classic “The Comic” and in the Disney favorite “The Love Bug.”

In 2000, Ms. Lee returned to the Broadway stage earning rave reviews and a Tony nomination for her role as the mysterious, enigmatic Lee Green in Charles Busch’s “Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” opposite Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts. She is presently shooting a film opposite Ben Stiller and an all star cast in an untitled film for Universal Studios. Ms. Lee was recently presented a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is Michele’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

MEG MACKAY

Meg Mackay is thrilled to be back with “Help is on the Way.” She has been a fixture on the San Francisco cabaret and musical theatre scene for 20 years. Meg is the winner of 7 Drama-Logue / Dean Goodman Awards and 7 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for her work in “Hello, Dolly!,” “Roberta,” “The Grass Harp,” “A Karen Carpenter Christmas,” “And What, Give Up Show Biz?,” “Torch Song Trilogy” (National Tour), “And the World Goes Round,” “She Loves Me” and “Putting It Together.” She played Momma Rose in the TheatreWorks production of “Gypsy,” was Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls” for PASCo and starred in 42nd Street Moon's productions of “Dear Worl” and “Call Me Madam.” She also sings in cabarets nationwide with her husband, pianist Billy Philadelphia. They have recorded two critically acclaimed CD's, “So Many People” and “Legally Blonde.” This is Meg's tenth appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

JON MAHER

Jon is a versatile actor and certified sign language consultant / interpreter whose work includes theater, television and film. Credits include the feature and independent films "Babysitter's Club," "Carlton's Death," "Farce," "Kiss Me Later," and "June." Television includes "The Pretender," "The Red Cross Christmas Special," "Twice Tried," "The Marilu Show," "The Mo Show" and "Comedy Tonight." His theatre work includes "Hoboland," "She Had It Coming," "Master Class," "Death and the Maiden," "Angels in America," "The Gay 90's Musical" and "By Jeeves." Jon is frequently referred to as "The Sign Language Guy" because of his numerous contributions to charities and fundraisers. This is his eighth appearance with "Help Is on the Way."

SEAN MCDERMOTT

Sean McDermott has established himself as one of Broadway's leading performers. He has played the roles of Chris in the Broadway production of “Miss Saigon” with Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce, Whizzer opposite Mandy Patinkin in James Lapine's production of “Falsettos,” Rusty in Trevor Nunn's production of “Starlight Express,” and Broadway's Danny Zuko in the smash hit revival of “Grease.” Off-Broadway credits include the role of Larry in the critically acclaimed revival of “the Boys in the Band” and Sean has appeared in the National Tours of “South Pacific” as Lt. Cable, directed by Geraldine Fitzgerald, and Rusty in “Starlight Express,”this time working with Arlene Phillips. Regionally, Sean played Sid Sorokin in the Goodspeed Opera House production of ”The Pajama Game” and Billy Bigelow in “Carousel.” Mr. McDermott played Tony in the critically acclaimed production of “West Side Story” for the Victoria State Opera in Sydney, Australia. He sang for the President of the United States on two separate occasions at the Kennedy Center, in Washington D.C., and for Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, at a command performance.

On television, Sean starred as Hart Jessup in the long running CBS Daytime Drama “The Guiding Light.” He also appeared on NBC'S “The Tonight Show” while Johnny Carson was still mastering the host seat. His recordings include his debut album of original material entitled “New York Nights,” as well as “South Pacific” with Paige O'Hara on Jay Records. His most recent album features Broadway hits and is entitled “My Broadway,” also on Jay Records. Sean recently made his Solo Concert Debut, garnering glowing reviews, at New York's prestigious JOE'S PUB. He is also very proud to have shared the stage with Bernadette Peters for her solo debut at Carnegie Hall. Sean can be heard on the Angel Records recording of that concert. Most recently Sean starred in “Chess.” as the American Freddie (PITY THE CHILD) at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and played the role of Jesus in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” for The Austin Musical Theatre. This is Sean’s third appearance in “Help is on the Way.” TOP

ROD MCKUEN

Mr. McKuen was born in Oakland, California and is happy to be returning to his roots for Help is on the Way. After serving two years as an infantryman in Korea, he returned to the Bay Area and began his career as a singer of folk songs, and eventually his own material, debuting, with the help of his friend Phyllis Diller, at San Francisco's Purple Onion. McKuen went on to become a contract player at Universal Studios and a vocalist with Lionel Hampton's band and amassed a considerable following as a recording artist and nightclub performer before becoming a best-selling author in the 1960s. With more than 200 albums to his credit as a vocalist, conductor and composer, McKuen has appeared in most of the major theatres and concert halls throughout the world. For ten years running he gave an annual birthday concert at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center and recently celebrated his 70th birthday at Carnegie.

Mr. McKuen is probably best known in America as a songwriter and poet. He first came to attention as a writer in the early fifties when he read with Kerouac and Ginsburg at San Francisco's Jazz Cellar. His books, numbering more than sixty titles, have been translated into some thirty languages and with sales of nearly 40 million copies have made him the best-selling, most widely read poet of his time.

Hundreds of artists have recorded McKuen songs including Perry Como, Petula Clark, Madonna, Chet Baker, Pete Fountain, Andy Williams, The Kingston Trio, Percy Faith, The London Philharmonic, Dusty Springfield, Johnny Mathis, Al Hirt and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra commissioned an entire album of original McKuen songs resulting in the highly successful and much acclaimed "A Man Alone," which produced two hit singles. His nearly seventeen-year collaboration and partnership with the French songwriter-performer Jacques Brel produced "Seasons in the Sun," "If You Go Away," "I'm Not Afraid," "The Port of Amsterdam," "To You," "The Far West" and two dozen others. This composition among others has earned the writer-composer more than forty Gold and Platinum Records worldwide. Rod's film music has twice been nominated for Academy Awards ("The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "A Boy Named Charlie Brown"). His classical works (symphonies, concertos, suites, chamber music and song cycles) are performed by leading orchestras and artists throughout the world. "The City," a suite for Narrator and Orchestra, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Music. His "Lonesome Cities" won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album in 1968 against such formidable competition as "John F. Kennedy: As We Remember Him" and "The Collected Speeches of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy."

Rod McKuen's poetry is currently taught in schools, colleges, universities and seminaries around the world. He is a recipient of the Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman Awards for outstanding achievement in poetry and the Brandeis University Literary Trust Award for "continuing excellence and contributions to contemporary poetry." "The Power Bright and Shinning," a book of poetry on America, won him the First Amendment and Freedoms Foundation Awards. He is well known for his dedication to various causes that champion human rights. For his endeavors on behalf of anti-discrimination, he has been awarded a second medal from the Freedoms Foundation and has twice been named Variety Club's Man of the Year.

In April of 1998, Mr. McKuen turned his talent to the Internet, resulting in a site entitled Rod McKuen/A Safe Place to Land (www.mckuen.com). In addition to poetry, music, photographs and personal information, the author contributes a daily column under the heading “Flight Plan.” Over the last three years, the website has become one of the most visited personal sites on the Internet. Rod's newest book, not coincidentally titled after his site is titled "A Safe Place to Land." In addition to 160 pages of new poetry, it contains two CDs with the author reading selections from the work to a full musical score. His current vocal album is the two discs set "The Platinum Collection." Mr. McKuen currently resides in Southern California with his brother Edward and four cats, Rocky, Dinah, Kubby and Sunny. An avid music and record collector, McKuen is considered by many to have one of the world's largest private record collections. This is Rod's third appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production. TOP

MURRAY PHILLIPS

Murray Phillips is an award winning jazz dancer and choreographer. His film credits include “A League of Their Own,” “ Straight Talk,” “Moment of Truth,” “Totally Blonde” and “Can't Stop Dancing.” Television credits include “X-Files,” “The 69th Annual Academy Awards,” the “Miss America Pageant,” “Fame LA” “The Young and The Restless,” “General Hospital,” “Everyone Loves Raymond” and Disney's Sing-A-Long Video Series “Happy Haunts” which he also co-choreographed. On the theatrical stage Murray has been seen in “Cabaret,” “Sweet Charity,” “A Chorus Line,” “Oklahoma,” “Anything Goes” and the twenty-year revival of “Hair.” He has worked with such stars as Madonna, Barbara Mandrel, Rosie O'Donnell, Dolly Parton and performed extensively with Harry Blackstone, Jr. He and his dance partner Cate Caplin are three times U.S. Open champions in Theatrical Show Dance and won first place in the California Star Ball, the Emerald Ball and the California Open in Theatre Arts Adagio. Together they coached the adagio sequences in Sony Picture's “Dance With Me” and choreographed a tango for ABC's “Porte Charles.” Murray and Cate were guest artists at the International Dance Competition in Shanghai, China and choreographed the feature film”Steps” (a spoof on underground dance competitions) which also featured them acting and dancing. Murray recently completed a run of “Swing!” at Musical Theatre West and choreographed a tour for recording artist “Andi.” This is his second performance in “Help is on the Way.” TOP

Actress Stefanie Powers, whose charming and thoughtful real-life personality may most closely resemble stunning renaissance woman Jennifer Hart, the character she portrayed on the hit TV series “Hart to Hart,” has combined a natural curiosity and passion for knowledge, world travel, and diverse cultures into both an award-winning acting career and an equally active life of heartfelt philanthropic work. The cornerstone of that work is the William Holden Wildlife Foundation (located near the Mount Kenya Safari Club), a public charity dedicated to the preservation of wild animals, which Stefanie helped to found in honor of the late actor.

Her acting credits include 28 feature films such as “Experiment in Terror,” “The Interns,” “McClintock!,” “Die Die My Darling,” “Love Has Many Faces,” “Stagecoach,” “Herbie Rides Again” and “The Man Inside.” Her TV credits include three series: “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Feather and Father Gang,” and “Hart to Hart.” Her many mini-series include: “Washington: Behind Closed Doors,” “Deceptions,” “Mistral’s Daughter,” “At Mother's Request,” “Burden of Proof” and “Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun,” which she also produced. On stage, Stefanie has appeared in “Oliver,” “Annie Get Your Gut,” “My Fair Lady,” and the London production of “Matador.” She starred as Margo Channing in the revival of “Applause,” the musical “All About Eve,” during its U.S. tour, showcasing her singing & dancing prowess. She was reunited with Robert Wagner in the play “Love Letters” in London, followed by tours of the play in the U.S. and Canada. The pair also recreated their “Hart to Hart” roles in eight 2-hour movies for NBC and The Family Channel. Ms. Powers recently hosted a 7-part series on personal investing called “Funding Your Dreams” for PBS and a 13-part series on wine for the Romance Classics network called “Wine Express.” She is the subject of a “Lifetime Intimate Portrait” produced for Lifetime TV and also plays the mother of Joan Cusack's boyfriend in “What About Joan.” Ms. Powers runs her own production company.

Stefanie travels considerably, speaks 7 languages, launched a fragrance line on QVC called Rare Orchid which captures he orchid's scent in the wild and replicates it without harming the plant itself. She is involved with several American zoos where she works with species survival programs and has released three home videos, one on horseback riding, a workout video, “Stefanie Powers Broadway Workout,” and the current “Power Pilates” and “Power Pilates2.” This is Stefanie's first appearance in a "Help is on the Way” production. TOP

ELAINE STRITCH

“Elaine Stritch at Liberty” is the winner of the 2002 Tony Award for Special Theatrical Event. The show opened at The Public Theatre on November 7, 2001 to unanimous critical raves and audience acclaim and was extended three times. Following it’s sold out run at The Public, “Elaine Stritch at Liberty” moved to the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway for a smash hit limited run of 80 performances only.

Ms. Stritch began her career in musical comedy on Broadway. She went from standing by for Ethel Merman in “Call Me Madam” to creating some of her own and Broadway’s most memorable roles. In the musical “Angel in the Wings,” she introduced the song “Civilization.” Next came the Broadway revivals of Richard Rodgers’ and Lorenz Hart’s “Pal Joey” and “On Your Toes” followed by her first New York dramatic appearance in “Bus Stop”, directed by Harold Clurman and her film debut in the 1957 remake of “A Farewell to Arms.” Her first starring role on Broadway was in “Goldilock” and after Noel Coward saw her perform, he specifically wrote “Sail Away” for Stritch, which she performed in both New York and London. She starred in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (after Uta Hagen) and made her memorable appearance in the Stephen Sondeheim/George Furth/Harold Prince musical “Company,” which featured her legendary rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch.” Elaine Stritch has had a recurring role on “Law & Order,” (Emmy Award) and was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the miniseries “An Inconvenient Woman.” In 1995 she starred on Broadway as “Parthy” in Harold Prince’s revival of “Show Boat,” followed in 1996 by her unforgettable performance in Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance,” which earned her the Drama Critic’s Award and her fourth Tony nomination. This is Ms. Stritch’s first appearance in “Help is on the Way.” TOP

RENEE TAYLOR & JOSEPH BOLOGNA

Renée Taylor, with husband Joe Bologna, is currently touring the counrty in the semi-autobio-graphical comedy, "If You Ever Leave Me... I'm Going With You!," direct from Broadway. She also wrote and appears around the country with her acclaimed one -woman show "Golda," the inspiring life of Golda Meir. She has just finished filming the feature "Lady Killers" with Louise Lasser and Chris Klein. Her portrayal of the title character's mom on the hit series "The Nanny," earned her an Emmy nomination. The theatrical feature "Love is All There Is," which she co-directed and co-wrote with her "husband and boyfriend of 30 years," Joe Bologna, and in which they both appear, earned Cannes Film Festival raves and was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn in the fall of 1996. Taylor and Bologna's play "The Bermuda Avenue Triangle," which they co-wrote and in which they starred, was the SRO Toast of Los Angeles and Broadway for eight months.

As recently as 1993, Taylor managed the incredible feat of juggling not two but three television series on three different networks. Besides “The Nanny,” she also played Brian Benben's outrageous mom on HBO's “Dream On” and Richard Lewis' mom on the FOX comedy, “Daddy Dearest.” A native New Yorker and graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts, Taylor supplemented her theatrical studies under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler and Harold Clurman. While writing and performing in the off-Broadway review”The Third Ear,” directed by Elaine May, Taylor was spotted by Mike Nichols, who cast her as Anne Jackson's understudy in the hit comedy “Luv.” Her performance attracted the attention of George Abbott, who cast her in his Broadway show “Agatha Sue, I Loue You.” She then went on to do the restoration comedy “The Rehearsal” and the semi-autobiographical “Lovers and Other Strangers,” which she co-wrote and co-starred in with husband Joseph Bologna. Off-Broadway audiences have applauded her roles in “Three Sisters” and “Machinal,” which was directed by Gene Frankel. She also starred in the national companies of “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Li'l Abner” and “Wish You Were Here”

Following her motion picture debut in Jerry Lewis' “The Errand Boy,” she and Bologna worked together professionally developing the film “Lovers and Other Strangers” and “Made For Each Other.” In 1987, Taylor co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred with Bologna in their third motion picture collaboration, “It Had to Be You.” She has had starring roles in the “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” with Alan Arkin, Elaine May's “A New Leaf” with Walter Matthau, “The Detective” starring Frank Sinatra, “Lovesick” starring Dudley Moore, and “Love Sex and Marriage” with Marlo Thomas and Charles Grodin. Recent film appearances include”Hollywoodland”with Sean Young, Sydney Pollack's “White Palace” opposite Susan Sarandon, “Delirious” with John Candy, and “All I Want For Christmas” with Lauren Bacall.

Taylor and Bologna were nominated for an Academy Award for their first screenplay, “Lovers and Other Strangers” and earned an Emmy Award for their television special “Acts of Love and Other Comedies.” The couple also collaborated, both on screen and behind the typewriter, on the Emmy-nominated CBS special “Paradise” and the HBO special “Bedrooms.”

Taylor is also the author of the best-selling satire spoof on "how to" celebrity health books, “My Life On A Diet,” published by Putnam. Taylor resides in Beverly Hills, California. This is Ms. Taylor’s first appearance in “Help is on the Way.”

Joseph Bologna's acting career dates back to his days as an undergraduate at Brown University. After a tour of duty in the Marines, he began directing documentaries and commercials and writing special comedy material. In 1965, he married writer/actress Renee Taylor. They wrote the Broadway play “Lovers and Other Strangers,” in which Mr. Bologna made his professional acting debut. They then collaborated on the screen version which earned them their first Oscar nomination and critical acclaim. In 1971, the duo co-wrote “Made for Each Other,” which marked Mr. Bologna's feature film acting debut. The feature was re-released in 1985 and has developed a tremendous cult following.
Bologna and Taylor received an Emmy Award for co-writing the television special “Acts of Love and Other Comedies.” They wrote and co-starred in the television special, “Bedrooms,” for which they received a Writers Guild award. The duo also created the television series “Calucci's Department” on CBS. Additionally they co-wrote, co-directed and co-starred in the feature film “It Had to be You,” based on their Broadway play. More recently, they shared the same duties in their original feature film, “Love is All There Is,” starring Angelina Jolie in one of her earliest film roles.

In between writing projects, Mr. Bologna's acting career flourished. His feature film credits include: “My Favorite Year,” “The Woman in Red,” “Blame It On Rio,” “Chapter Two,” “Honor Thy Father,” “Coupe de Ville,” “Cops and Robbers,” “Mixed Company” and “The Big Bus.” He also played Adam Sandler's father in the box offlce hit “Big Daddy.” On television, Mr. Bologna starred in the movies”One Cooks, the Other Doesn't,” “A Time to Triumph,” “Sins,” “Torn Between Two Louers,” “Copacabana,” “An Inconvenient Woman,” “The Danger of Loue,” “Citizen Cohn,” and the series “Rags to Riches.” He also appeared in the Showtime original feature comedy “Family Therapy” opposite Robert Loggia and Angie Dickinson. Joe also made a guest appearance on “The Nanny,” playing (ironically) "Sylvia Fine's lover". Bologna and Taylor are following up their long running “The Bermuda Auenue Triangle” with their semi-autobiographical comedy, “If You Ever Leave Me... I'm Going with You!” They recently completed successful runs in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami, and Atlantic City. They will soon re-team in the independent feature comedy “Returning Mickey Stern.” TOP

LISA VIGGIANO

Lisa Viggiano has been performing coast to coast in concert and cabaret settings such as New York's Don't Tell Mama and San Francisco's Plush Room. She is a veteran of stage and screen, appearing in films such as Running Out with Anthony Michael Hall and Philadelphia with Tom Hanks. Most recently, Lisa starred in the San Francisco premier of the new musical, Oh, Progeny! Recordings include the original cast album for Oh, Progeny!, and a live solo CD entitled One Private Moment which features an eclectic mix of "standards-to-be" and old favorites enhanced by the magic of Christopher Marlowe's unique arrangements. Critical praise continues to mount for both the CD and the live performances. CDs can be found online at www.amazon.com. Lisa appeared in last December's Help is on the Way for the Holidays and this is her third appearance in a Help is on the Way production. TOP

LISA VROMAN

Before opening "The Phantom of the Opera" in San Francisco, Lisa Vroman played Christine in the show's national tour. She toured as Cosette in "Les Misêrables," made her Broadway debut in "Aspects of Love," then returned to "Les Misêrables" as Fantine (thereby playing both mother and daughter in the space of two years). At Cameron Mackintosh’s request, Lisa had the honor of performing excerpts from "Phantom" (with Colm Wilkinson and Michael Ball) in a Royal Gala Benefit Concert in London. Miss Vroman has been featured as guest artist with the San Francisco Symphony for "Rodgers & Hammerstein and Friends" and joined, for the second year, organist David Higgs on the Symphony Holiday Series in December for "Pipe Dreams." Lisa has also sung with the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Empire Brass, the Diablo Symphony, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and has performed the National Anthem for the 49er, the Raiders, the Giants, and the A’s. She is featured on the 1997 holiday CD, “Christmas Center Stage,” an S.F. Phantom company AIDS benefit recording.

Lisa recently joined Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz in two evenings of his music in Marin. She costarred in Ken Ludwig's "Sullivan and Gilbert" (Canada, Kennedy Center). In New York she played in "The Knife" with Mandy Patinkin, as Portia in "Shylock," Queen Isabella in "Cristobal Colon," and in Mademoiselle Colombe with Tammy Grimes. Regionally, Miss Vroman has played Christine in Maury Yestson’s "Phantom," Eliza in "My Fair Lady," Guenevere in "Camelot," Maria in "West Side Story," Amalia Balash in "She Loves Me," and Carrie Pipperidge in "Carousel." She has performed with the Greater Miami Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Lake George Opera, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Ensemble. Lisa is a George London Competition Grant recipient and was added to the State University of New York's “Outstanding Alumni” honor roll. Her proudest moments, however, have been as both producer and performer in numerous events benefiting HIV/AIDS support organizations, Leukemia research, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2001, Lisa released her first solo CD, "Classical Broadway." This is Lisa's ninth appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production.

KENNY WASHINGTON

A native of New Orleans, Kenny developed a deep love for music at a very young age, singing and performing gospel at the local Baptist church. Performing with school bands, he picked up the saxophone and sang and performed at school-related functions. At age 22, Kenny began working professionally with various groups performing varied styles of music ranging from traditional and contemporary jazz, classical, rhythm and blues and pop. He joined the honorary U.S. Navy Band in 1986, performing and touring for nine years nationally and internationally throughout the U.S., Asia, Russia, and Australia. Kenny made the Bay Area his home in 1995 and began working in nightclubs and on various recording projects locally and nationally. Currently, he is the featured vocalist at San Francisco’s world famous Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel’s Top Of The Mark. Of recent, Kenny appears in Roy Nathanson’s Off-Broadway production of “Fire at Keaton’s Bar and Grill” featuring Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry, soon to open in London. Emulating the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, infusing colours of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, Kenny’s freedom-play approach, with over a four-octave vocal range, he is one of the most versatile artists of our time. TOP

RON ABEL, Musical Director

Ron won both the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and L.A. Weekly Theatre Awards for his score for "Twist of Fate." His other well-received stage musicals include "Is This Your Life?," "Rockwell: Life on a Palette" and "To Sir, With Love". Ron is the co-creator of the Off-Broadway musical "Blame it on the Movies." His musicalization of the Dumas classic "Camille" premiered in Los Angeles. Film and television credits include composing, arranging and/or orchestrating for Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur and Carol Burnett. He wrote the television theme songs for "Animal Court" and "Nitecap." Ron was also the on-camera musical director for ABC's "Nitecap" as well as "Name That Tune." As an actor, he appeared on the hit series "Cheers" in a featured role. He scored and supervised film music for "Awakening Pictures." Ron music directed and arranged the long-awaited albums from Petula Clark and Helen Reddy. He helmed the debut album of actress Linda Purl as well as producing a first album for television favorite Stephanie Kramer (Hunter). He co-produced the album "George and Ira Gershwin: A Musical Celebration."

As arranger and conductor, Ron has appeared live on-stage with Bette Midler, Johnny Mathis, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Jones, Lucie Arnaz, Sam Harris, Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, Jason Alexander, Joely Fisher, David Hyde Pierce and opera diva Julia Migenes. He has music directed, arranged, orchestrated and conducted the annual S.T.A.G.E. benefits in L. A. for the past fifteen years. This is his fifth musical direction of "Help is on the Way." TOP