Palin and special needs

Recently on our site Jill Brooke wrote a very interesting article about Palin and special needs kids. This is an area that is close and dear to my heart because my brother Marlin when he was alive was a special needs kid. He had cerebral palsy and had epileptic seizures. While he was alive it was tough on my parents and when he died is was even harder dealing with all the emotions. Soon after my parents divorced.

Take a look as the article Jill wrote as I feel it really hits the nail on the head and is something every parent of a special needs child should read in order to get a better understanding of the path ahead. Check it out:

http://www.firstwivesworld.com/relevant-news/jill-brooke/can-marriage-survive-a-special-needs-child

Cougar Or Not To Cougar...That Is The Question...

On our site First Wives World there is a very interesting conversation taking place about the word cougar. Some women love the word, embrace it and are living the cougar lifestyle. Others don't care for the word and are looking for another word to replace it. Take a look at these two pieces and let me know what you think.

The Term "Cougar": Demeaning, or Purrrrrfect?

Help Me Come Up With a Better Word Than "Cougar"

All my best,
Antonio

First Social Network for Divorced Women

Hello All,

I'm so sorry it has been a while since my last post. We have been very busy getting ready for the soft launch of our social network on www.firstwivesworld.com. Last week we launched just to our divorced friends and family so they could check out the site and give us feed back. We have gotten overwhelming response and the numbers keep growing! We should do a hard launch soon, which will include a big marketing and advertising push.

Please, go check out http://community.firstwivesworld.com/ If you see things you like or don't like let me know so we can make changes. And most of all please send your divorced friends and family to the site because this site was made for them!!!

All my best,
AntonioFWW
http://community.firstwivesworld.com/

AIDS Walk 2008

AIDS Walk 2008 was a huge success. I want to send a enormous hug of thanks to all the wonderful people that donated this year to this amazing cause. Thanks to you we were able to surpass our team goal of $1,000. We not only surpassed it, we doubled it! We raised over $2,000 so thank you all for your help. I hope next year you can all join us at the actual walk as it is an amazing experience.

Thanks again,
Antonio

Night of all Nights - My night with Ron Abel and Lucie Arnez! Plus Debbie Nigro sends words of encouragement to Silda Spitzer.

Last night we launched on youtube Debbie Nigro's video asking the women of NY to give their words of encouragement to Silda Spitzer. The video is heartfelt and a wonderful gesture to our former first lady of NYC. I want to personally say congratulations to Debbie for doing something so sweet and caring. I'm sure Silda really appreciates the wonderful thoughts and prayers being sent her way right now. Here is the video:




Last night at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood Ron Abel the extraordinary arranger for such talents as Lucie Arnez, Valarie Pettiford, and Loretta Devine did a concert for the Actors Fund. During that show there was an announcement that Ron would be creating the music for a new project called Bricktop that will be produced by Paul Lambert, Jonas Neilson and Whoopi Goldberg!!!

I've known about this announcement for some time and I have been biting at the bit to tell you all about it. Below is the official press release that is going out today to all the publications!

Whoopi Goldberg teams us with Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert to produce "Bricktop---Queen of the Night,"

a new , upcoming Broadway Musical , about the legendary and grand cabaret owner who attracted the elite to her clubs in Paris, Rome and Mexico City during the '20s and '30s. Lambert and Neilsen, also the Producers of First Wives Club, the much talked about upcoming Broadway musical, is surprising a Hollywood crowd tonight with the stunning announcement.

Whoopi, Paul and Jonas wanted to announce this partership at the 2008 Actors Fund Benefit Concert series (details below) where the distinctive and intoxicating voice of Loretta Divine (one of the three leads in Michael Bennett's original stage production of Dreamgirls) will be debuting several spectacular songs from "Bricktop."

"A Place Of My Own" and "Queen Of The Night," music and words by Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan, are already being compared to the legendary songs from "Caberet" and "Gypsy." Broadway insiders are buzzing that both songs are destined to become award-winning signature pieces. Business associates and fans of Whitney, Fantasia, Beyonce, Queen Latifa and Loretta have started casting votes for each of their favorites to play the lead in "Bricktop."

This is a very special, rare chance to hear Loretta, the now famous film and TV star ("Waiting to Exhale," "Boston Public," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Preacher's Wife" with Denzel Washington, and "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge") belt out these amazing songs.

Lambert said "There is no one on earth with a better understanding of Bricktop and this exciting era than Whoopi Goldberg. From the minute we met, it was clear that Whoopi understood Bricky better than most. Bricky was tough, gutsy, and fiesty. She was the keeper of many of the elite's secrets. Tonight will be a very special, rare chance to hear Loretta, the now famous film and TV star ("Waiting to Exhale," "Boston Public," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Preacher's Wife" with Denzel Washington, and "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge") belt out these amazing songs.

Jonas Neilson said" Whoopi adds such creative depth to the team and will attract an all star roster of talent. Paul and I have such great respect for Whoopi because she is totally unique, an independent thinker, one of the most diverse and creative backgrounds ever. It is an honor to work with her."

Whoopi Goldberg is one of America's best known and most cherished entertainers. Her films, The Color Purple, Ghost and Sister Act have won her an international following. Her appearances as host of the annual Oscar broadcast and as a regular on such television programs as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Hollywood Squares have brought her into the homes of millions of Americans.

Over the course of her career, Whoopi Goldberg has achieved success as a comedian, dramatic actress, writer and producer, and has won the top honors in her profession, including an Oscar and the Mark Twain Award for American Humor. Millions of Americans watch her every day as co-host of the daily television discussion program The View.

Below are the details for tonight's event. Call if you want to attend or need more information

Contact:
Lois Whitman 917 822 2591 loisw@hwhpr.com

The Highly Anticipated 2008 Actors Fund Concert Series

in the Lobby of the Historic Pantages Theatre

Kicks off with the music of

RON ABEL

Performed by an all-star cast!

”The real star is undisputedly the music. This career move puts the guy in a whole new league.”

–Entertainment Weekly

WHAT: Actors Fund concert series entitled MUSICAL MONDAYS, a series of Cabaret events in the lobby of the historic Pantages Theatre, Produced by John Bowab and Martin Wiviott. All shows include pre-show cocktail reception at 7:30 pm and post-show dessert reception with the artists.

WHO: Monday March 24^th – Ron Abel

Scheduled to appear: Lucie Arnaz, Loretta Devine, Joely Fisher, Joey Gian,

Marsha Kramer, Wayne Moore, Valarie Pettiford, Linda Purl & Giselle Wolf

Following the Actors Funds critically acclaimed concerts with Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Gallagher, Valarie Pettiford, Alice Ripley & Emily Skinner, Melissa Manchester and Sam Harris - this spectacular cast starts their 3^rd year of the series off with a bang!

The Actors Fund returns with their 2008 sequence of exclusive and intimate Musical Mondays in the foyer of the Hollywood landmark. In the tradition of offering exclusive and unforgettable experiences to the public, The Actors Fund is proud to offer the incomparable talents of Ron Abel. This multi-award winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and musical director has an enviable listing of stage, film and TV credits and an even more impressive international list of artists that he has worked with, including Carol Burnett, Michelle Pfeiffer, David Hyde Pierce, Lily Tomlin, Jason Alexander, Kim Basinger, Johnny Mathis, Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli and Jessye Norman, to name only a few.

THE ACTORS FUND is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals - both performers and those behind the scenes – in performing arts and entertainment. Founded in 1882 – and celebrating its 125^th Anniversary this year – The Fund serves those in film, theatre, television, music, opera, and dance with a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services, health services, supportive and affordable housing, emergency financial assistance, employment and training services, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. Administered from offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis, or transition. www.actorsfund.org.

Star studded event!!!

What an amazing week to be working for First Wives World and First Wives Club the musical! The excitement never stops around here.  Last week I had a great trip to Los Angeles where we hosted an event for Mimi Schmir, which was a star studded event to say the least.  You can read about the event at Mimi's here:

http://www.firstwivesworld.com/relevant-news/katherine-mckee/stars-align-hot-flashes

I can't say much right now about most of the meetings in LA but I can say that they all went very well!  We have another event coming up on the 24th in Los Angeles that will have a huge announcement that will go out to all the press.  I can't say what just yet (and it's killing me) but I guarantee it is enormous!  So keep tuning in and as soon as I can say you can look here for your inside track!

All my best,

Antonio

Pictures provided by Maya Myers Photography

Wow, I'm speechless - First Wives Club the musical

I have to apologize for not writing for a few days. I, like so many New Yorkers, came down with the flu, so I was flat on my back for a about a week and a half. I actually still have the sniffles but at least now I feel like I'm part of the living again :)

I'm back in the office and what a day. We have the new scripts in and they look fabulous. Since I work in the office I was able to read it early this morning. I cried, I laughed and I applauded. Rupert really did a great job and the music by HDH is just wonderful. Everything is just falling into place and you wouldn't believe the people that want to play the parts. We have gotten resumes in from some really huge names!!! Once something becomes final I will blog it here for sure.

All my best,
Antonio
 

Above is a pic just for you insiders of one of the working meetings between Rupert Holmes, Francesca Zambello, Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson.