BroadwayWorld.com presents the fifth in a series of Broadway profiles leading up to the 12th Annual "Nothing Like a Dame" benefit, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on March 19, 2007 at 8:00 PM at the Marquis Theatre (1565 Broadway). "Nothing Like a Dame" benefits the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors' Fund of America.
Newman has appeared on Broadway in
Broadway Bound, Awake and Sing!, The Madwoman of Central Park West, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Apple Tree, Subways are for Sleeping, Moonbirds, First Impressions, Bells Are Ringing and
Wish You Were Here. Off-Broadway credits incude
The Vagina Monologues, The Moment When, The Food Chain and
I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road. Newman, who was the first woman to host "The Johnny Carson Show," has enjoyed principal guest roles in such recent hit series as "Oz," "100 Centre Street," "Murder, She Wrote," "thirtysomething," and "The Jury." Her films include
For the Time Being, It Had To Be You, A Price Above Rubies, Fish in the Bathtub, The Beautician and the Beast, Only You, To Find a Man, Mannequin, Bye Bye Braverman, and
Picnic.
Newman's life was dramatically altered in 1983 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Simon & Schuster published her candid, often funny, and highly-praised account of her triumph with the disease,
Just in Time: Notes From My Life, which is still available as a deluxe paperback from Limelight Editions. Newman's lecture,
The Gift of Laughter, based on her successful book, has received standing ovations throughout the country. Her experience with breast cancer inspired her to raise awareness of women's health issues and needs in the entertainment industry, and in 1996 she launched The
Phyllis Newman's Women's Health Initiative of The Actor's Fund of America with a star-studded benefit concert, Nothing Like A Dame.
Phyllis Newman resides in New York, and is currently writing a musical about a private duty nurse in a hospital on New Year's Eve. She was married to the late
Adolph Green, the legendary lyricist/screenwriter/composer, for 42 years. They have two grown children, Adam and Amanda.
The benefit will also feature Liz Callaway, Victoria Clark, Kate Clinton, Joyce DiDonato, Jill Eikenberry, Melissa Errico, Sutton Foster, Jenn Gambatese, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Milena Govich, Jennifer Holliday, Judy Kuhn, Beth Leavel, Julianna Margulies, Ana Gasteyer, Maureen McGovern, Julia Murney, Bebe Neuwirth, Lynn Redgrave, Lea Salonga, Jennifer Smith, Julie White, Tika Sumpter, young dancers of the Westchester Dance Academy, the women of In the Heights, and the women of Company.Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.
The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative dedicates a range of resources solely to addressing the health needs and concerns specific to women in the entertainment industry, providing direct services and financial assistance to many women who are often without health insurance. The Initiative has helped clients confront breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers; domestic violence, chemical dependency, mental health, and other conditions. Inspired by actor/director Phyllis Newman, a breast cancer survivor, The Women's Health Initiative was launched in 1996 with the leadership of Broadway Cares. The Initiative provides comprehensive case management services, caring for women with a wide array of health-related concerns, including breast, ovarian, and other cancers; domestic violence; anorexia and bulimia; HIV and AIDS; menopause; substance abuse; Lupus; depression; mental health issues; chronic fatigue syndrome; and osteoporosis. Visit www.broadwaycares.org for tickets and more information.
Photo of Phyllis Newman by Linda Lenzi
