Celebrating 50 years in the business is more than an accomplishment...it's a sign of being a legend. And that is exactly the word I can use when I talk about the esteemed and gifted performer, choreographer and director, Tommy Tune. Tune will be appearing in his brand new road show, Steps in Time, for Friends In Deed's one-night-only spectacular Broadway Benefit Gala on Monday, September 21st at 8:00 PM at The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College (899 Tenth Avenue) All proceeds will benefit Friends In Deed - The Crisis Center for Life-Threatening Illness.
Steps in Time is a highly acclaimed and critically praised Broadway Biography in song and dance. Written, directed and choreographed by Mr. Tune, the road show will make its Manhattan premiere on September 21st. The multi-talented Manhattan Rhythm Kings will back-up Mr. Tune throughout an evening traveling through the legendary song-and-dance man's 50 years, his golden anniversary, in show business.
Known as one of the most prolific theatre men of the Twentieth Century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences over the past 50 years with his charisma, vision, and innovation. He has been the recipient of a record nine Tony Awards. Two for acting (Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Seesaw and Actor in a Musical for his performance in My One and Only), four for Best Choreography (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Grand Hotel, My One and Only, The Will Rogers Follies) and three for Best Direction of a Musical (Nine, Grand Hotel, The Will Rogers Follies. In addition, he has received eight Drama Desk Awards, three Astaire Awards, and the Society of Directors and Choreographers' George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement. He is also the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the country's highest honor for artistic achievement.
Mr. Tune's talents extend beyond the stage, however. His film credits include Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend, Mimi Bluette, Fiore Del Mio Giardino, and Hollywood Blvd. He has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career, he has toured extensively in productions of Irma La Douce, Seesaw, Tommy Tune Tonight, My One and Only, Bye, Bye, Birdie, and his act with the Manhattan Rhythm Kings. Most recently, Mr. Tune directed the new musical, Turn of the Century, at the esteemed Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The show, slated for Broadway, was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice of Jersey Boys fame.
This interview for me definitely goes under The category of "I can't believe that I actually spoke to him!". But I did and I get to share it with all of you. Ladies and gentleman...Tommy Tune...
TJ: Truly, this is a thrill be talking to the Tommy Tune. It is like a dream come true. I have been a fan for years.
TUNE: Oh, how nice...thank you! You know, we have the same initials. My name is Thomas James and you are TJ as well!
TJ: That's true...I am Timothy Joseph...a nice Irish name. The complete ticket is Timothy Joseph Patrick Fitzgerald.
TUNE: Wow! You don't get more Irish than that!!!
TJ: (laughing) Not that I can think of! When I think of Tommy Tune, the word legend comes to mind. You have achieved so much in your career. What is your secret to success?
TUNE: It's just love and work. Isn't that it...what else is there? I love what I do and I work really hard at it. The other thing that comes to mind is in the secret department. Yves St Laurent was asked what's the most important thing and he said, "The most important thing is to last." So, maybe that's part of it. If you have the good fortune to live a while and work for a long time through your life...maybe that's it! And it all adds up. That's what makes a success.
