Broadway Showstoppers

By Ian Ewing

In this year’s show, One Night Only Broadway Showstoppers, Broadway and Hollywood performers will come together for an evening of all your favorite songs from the greatest musicals. Because of the show’s stellar reputation, many veteran cabaret performers can’t wait to be part of it.  All performers donate their time and talent for this one-of-a kind performance. Performer appearance is subject to availability. This year’s performers include: Loni Ackerman, Christine Andreas, Don Amendolia, Lucie Arnaz, Brent Barrett, John Barrowman, Jim Brochu, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Scott Coulter, Nita Whitaker and Karen Ziemba to name a few.

One Night Only will be directed by famed Broadway choreographer and director Larry Fuller, with music direction by Christopher Marlowe and presented by Michael Childers.

The legendary and world-renowned photographer, Michael Childers has photographed some of the most iconic stars in Hollywood.  From Natalie Wood and Groucho Marx to John Travolta, Grace Jones and Andy Warhol. Chances are that if the were photographed, Michael was behind the lens. His iconic style is unmistakable. For those who are unaware, Michael is also a philanthropist. He has been on the board of several organizations including the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Palm Springs Art Museum and Jewish Family Services. But today we are here to talk about one in particular; One Night Only and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, the organization this event benefits.

Michael, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. I know you must be very busy with the event quickly approaching so let’s get right to it.

  • You are world renowned for your photography;  have you retired from that and are you more dedicated to your philanthropic work ?

My life in photography has been in continual renewal with exciting exhibitions around the country.  I have 3-4 exhibitions coming up next year and two shows at Yale University this summer in June. It’s nice to live off the archives of 50 years of work. I donate thousands of dollars’ worth of photographs each year to my favorite charities for their auctions. It’s one way of keeping my involvement with much needed philanthropy.

  • What was the impetus for starting One Night Only?

One Night Only actually began in 2002 and it’s our 15th year. It continues to amaze me, excite me, and challenge me to do better and better. I have been so blessed by my golden Rolodex of performers, who continually give their time and their talent to this show, as well as some amazing directors and musical directors

  • Can you tell us a bit about the charity it benefits, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center?

This year’s show is called Broadway Showstoppers and will benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. I am so impressed by their much needed and brilliant work serving hundreds of abused children from all over the valley. It’s an amazing place to visit as well as to support.

  • How do you select your performers?

I select the performers by finding the best possible people I can think of to sing the songs that the musical director and I have chosen. We are particularly lucky that all of the New York performers want to leave the cold and snow after a long winter and come out to the desert. This is good bait to get them here. We are so lucky and blessed to have two great sponsors, Aqua Caliente Resort Casino Spa as well as JetBlue, who without them, this show would not be possible.

  • The show usually last close to 2 hours long without an intermission, why was it produced this way?

For many years this was a two-act show with an intermission, but we tried to keep the pace up and condense the show into 90 minutes of power packed songs that the audience truly loves.

  • This is the 14th year of One Night Only and from day one you’ve always had a completely sold out event, why do think that’s so?

This show is legendary in the desert. I think it sells out every year because we have been able to keep the talent at such a high level. There are so many loyal fans of this show and devoted press throughout the valley who help us publicize the event. It has a wonderful life of its own. It’s renowned for its quality of A-plus performers who are is seldom seen here. It’s nice that 90% of our performers are then hired by other venues such as The Annenberg Theater.

  • Going back to your photography for a moment, you recently had  an Andy Warhol-themed show at the Palm Springs Art Museum, are there any more shows planned in the near future?

I have two shows at Yale University this summer in June as well as shows coming up at SOKA, and the Palos Verdes Art Center. This year is also the 50th anniversary of my partner John Schlesinger’s Oscar winning film, Midnight Cowboy.  It is being screened at various film festivals and museums this year. I am traveling around to speak at some of these including one we just did at the Palm Springs Cultural Center that was sold out, and in April, there will be a showing at the San Francisco Film Festival where I will be speaking with my Oscar nominated director friend, Matt Tyrnauer, about the making of Midnight Cowboy. Also coming up will be screenings at the New York Film Festival, The Hamptons International Film Festival, The London Film Festival, and Chicago Film Festival.

  • Finally, what are your plans for April 25th , the day after One Night Only?

The day after the show I am still floating on a cloud of excitement and already beginning to think about what next year’s show will be. There is no rest for the truly wicked and dedicated.

IF YOU GO

Date: April 24, 2019

Location: McCallum Theatre Palm Desert

Time: 6:30pm Tickets: 760-340-ARTS or www.mccallumtheatre.com