Tony Awards Minute: Attending The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party

A Fab Tony Sunday...

Nick LOVES The Actors Fund: Nick Verreos, The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party, Skirball Cultural Center

The 66th Annual Tony Awards happened this past Sunday in NYC of course. Here in LA, Sunday was also LA Pride day in West Hollywood. Well, what better way to celebrate LA Pride, my love of Musicals, the Theater--and not to mention Judy Garland's Birthday (I KNOW!!)-- than to attend a FABULOUS Tony Awards Viewing Party here on the West Coast.

But not just any Viewing Party at someone's house--no kiddies, THE one and only The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party at the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center. The gala featured the ONLY approved live feed of the Tony Awards, since the actual awards were happening in New York. As it has been tradition, I brought my NIKOLAKI design partner-for-life David Paul with me.

Designing Twosome: Nick Verreos and David Paul, The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party, Skirball Cultural Center

He also loves Musicals and the Theatre (with a Capital "T"!) and always tries to make sure we book at least one Broadways show to see every time we are in NYC. There's always room for Broadway in there somewhere!

Jackets Required: (Left to right) Nick Verreos and The Actors Fund National Director of Special Events, Louie Anchondo, The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party, Skirball Cultural Center

My best friend--and "Brother from Another Mother", Louie Anchondo--whom I've known longer than Lady Gaga has been alive (!), is the National Director of Special Events for The Actors Fund and I've been happy to attend, support him, and support such a wonderful organization and naturally, enjoy some Broadway Fun--right here in LA!

The Actors Fund, in case you didn't know, is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition. For the last sixteen years, the Actors Fund has held a Tony Awards Viewing Party and they are always a BLAST. The party begins with a Silent Auction of Broadway Memorabilia during "Cocktail Hour" (the more Dirty Martinis...the more money you spend!)...

 16th Annual Actors Fund Tony Awards Party Mugs

For the first time ever, the Silent Auction was done via iPad's--where there were several "Auction Volunteers" stationed with iPads and if you wanted to bid on something, you would just let them know, and they would put it in and update the auction--it was VERY 2012! I succumbed to bidding at that Silent Auction darlings--third year in a row--and I won something!! (see end of post for what I won).

Following the Silent Auction Preview/Cocktail Hour, there was a delicious three-course dinner (butter lettuce salad, chicken and a YUMMY dessert this year, as seen from above pic!) while viewing the LIVE FEED of the Awards Show. Did I mention it was THE ONLY APPROVED LIVE FEED of the awards show? I think I did. But it bears repeating.

Neil Patrick Harris, during the 66th Annual Tony Awards CBS Telecast

In between--during the commercials--it was all about actor Scott Bakula hosting, getting the Viewing Party crowd excited, telling jokes, fun stories and introducing all the Who's Who's Broadway and Beyond, that were in attendance.

Julie Harris Award honoree. actor Jason Alexander (center) flanked by actress and Award Presenter Annie Potts and host, actor Scott Bakula, The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party, Skirball Cultural Center/photo by Scott Appel

The bash honored actor Jason Alexander with the prestigious Julie Harris Award, which was presented to him by actress Annie Potts of "Designing Women" fame. Now, speaking of "Who's Who", many Broadway and  Hollywood Glitterati attended including Anne Jeffreys, Loni Anderson (I know!), Charlotte Rae, Bruce Vilanch, Frances Fisher, Holland Taylor, and many more. Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland and Syd Luft, was even there. She made a short speech and began a "Happy Birthday" song to her dear mother! I thought I had died and gone to GAY Heaven!

Left to Right: Actor Theo Bikel, Charlotte Rae (of "Facts of Life" fame), and Bruce Vilanch, The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party, Skirball Cultural Center

Left to Right: "WKRP in Cincinnati" actress Loni Anderson, Julie Harris Honoree Jason Alexander, Ruta Lee (How FABULOUS is SHE!!???), and Host Scott Bakula--The Actors Fund 16th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party Skirball Cultural Center

David and I had a wonderful time--as always--and oh yes, before I forget, as I mentioned previously on the top of this post, we bid on several items during the Silent Auction--and well, we lost on one (I'm not telling what it was), but...we did win one: a signed poster of the current Broadway Revival Production of "Evita" (starring Ricky Martin, Elena Roger and Michael Cerveris) and here it is:

 Ricky Martin is somewhere in there: "Evita" cast signed poster

We still have to find a place in our home where it will go--I'm sure it will go next to the item we bid and won at last year's The Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party Silent Auction...

The Homeless Charity and the "Race to the Gutter"

Below is the UNISON press release on the attack on terms and conditions of staff employed by London Homeless Charity Broadway. Our members (seen lobbying their Board meeting on Tuesday evening in Commercial Street, Tower Hamlets) carry out a very difficult and demanding job supporting vulnerable single homeless people across London. both "on the street" and in hostels and projects.  Of course the original "villain" in all this is the Tory Government for cutting "Supporting People" funding. 

However, a small number of rogue Housing Associations and "Charities" are under cutting decent employers in a bidding war to win "new business". This is truly a "race to the gutter". You simply cannot provide a quality service to clients by decimating your staff's pay and conditions. No responsible employer should take part in such bids. Our branch is launching a campaign against "Rachman employers". Believe it or not there are employers who are treating staff even worse. 

NEWS FROM UNISON

UNISON MEMBERS PROTEST AGAINST ATTACKS ON TERMS & CONDITIONS

On the 13th March angry UNISON members employed by Broadway Housing Association lobbied Board members, following their decision to slash wages and dramatically cut terms and conditions.

The proposed changes - which have reached the end of a consultation with UNISON despite objections from the union and staff - would;

·         Reduce the pay of new front line staff by at least £4,500 per annum – in effect a 20% reduction in salary(with salaries which currently stand at between £23,000-25,000 being pushed down to between £18,500 – 20,000).

·         Reduce the pay of 14 existing staff which Broadway believes are paid above the medium wage for their roles.

Terms and conditions for new staff will be dramatically cut and will include:

·         No pension provision(current staff receive 5% employer contributions matched by 3% employee contribution).

·         Reducing Annual leave entitlement to statutory requirements (a loss of 6 days per year).

·         Abolishing dependency leave and halving compassionate leave to 5 days

·         Reducing sick leave entitlement(to statutory during probationary period and a 4 weeks full pay and four weeks half pay per annum in the first three years of employment).

·         Reducing maternity pay to statutory.

In addition to these cuts Broadway intend not to pay a cost of living increase for 2012/2013.  

Joel Bodmer Chair of the UNISON Housing Association branch, which represents members employed at Broadway as well as many other housing associations said

“ It is absolutely shameful that Broadway have apparently made a strategic decision to position themselves away from a focus on quality; which the organisation have in past been associated with, and move themselves towards the “no frills airline” model of care and support.

The organisation are clearly re-jigging themselves to be at the forefront of the race to the bottom which we are witnessing in the sector. It is really sad that very skilled people who work in some incredibly challenging environments are being so un-fairly rewarded for the jobs they do.

People choose to work in the sector because they believe in helping the most vulnerable members of society; this good will is clearly being abused by organisations who believe they can squeeze terms and conditions as much as possible, and still receive high quality work from dedicated staff. We will continue to fight the short-sightedness off all attempts attack the terms and conditions of people who perform such crucial roles in our society.”

Broadway claim the cuts are necessary for the organisation to remain viable and continue to be in a position to win new services claiming it could not allow its reserves to fall below £850,000.

For more information please contact:  

Colin Inniss, UNISON Regional Organiser 07703 194 127 / c.inniss@unison.co.uk

John Gray, Branch Secretary, UNISON Housing Associations Branch - 07432 150 530 / J.Gray2@unison.co.uk