BROADWAY BY REQUEST
Copyright © 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Drama Queen

November 25, 2007, was one of my best days ever. I will never forget the day I met Ron Raines, the infamous Alan Spaulding of Guiding Light and a veteran of musicals with a voice that can only be described as magnificent. Appearing with Ron were Broadway performers Debbie Gravitte and Lisa Vroman.

It was a beautiful day in Palm Desert, California when my husband and I arrived at the theater early for the 2 p.m. matinee performance of "Broadway by Request." We discovered that our seats were terrific, quite near the stage, and with a clear view of everything that would transpire. Strike up the band!

The orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Richard Kaufman was very smooth, and opened the show with a wonderful piece arranged by Barry Manilow called Overture of Overtures. It slid effortlessly from one piece of a song to another piece of a different song, and seemed to include most Broadway musicals ever produced, through one snippet or another. Very, very nice.

Then the three stars came onstage and sang a rousing rendition of the title song from "Applause." During the course of the performance we would hear one, two or all of the three together sing a total of 22 wonderful songs.

I know what you want to know is: what did Ron Raines sing? He sang "Some Enchanted Evening," "Luck Be A Lady," "All I Care About," "Razzle Dazzle" and "Anthem" solo. With Ms. Vroman he did a delightful "Thou Swell," and the three of them sang (in addition to "Applause") "It's A Grand Night for Singing" and "Give My Regards To Broadway." All of them were superb!!

Afterward, outside the stage door, we found Ron. Having just ended this spirited performance, he was fully charged and that was very appealing. He asked us if we liked the show and said he hoped they had given us some fun and "energy." He asked us how far we had come to get there, and where our city is. He was gracious and patient as we took pictures and he signed the CD I brought with me. He signed it with my name, and then "Glad you enjoyed the show, Ron Raines."

Of course, I went goofy and it shows in the pictures. What's new? Most of them with me in them are unusable as usual.




He went on to talk to others in attendance, but when we got to the lobby he was out there. We watched as he interacted with fans, and he spotted us and suggested another photo with my husband and I, and asked a security guard to take the picture. He is such a nice man.

Earlier, back by the stage, I had said to him that he is not an actor who sings, he is a singer who acts. He agreed and shortly after joked, "I have something to fall back on." I'm sure he meant GL as his second job. Now, as he left, the last thing he said to us was "keep watching!!" I think I will.





Debbie Gravitte was also in the lobby.


Ron Raines with his fans.


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