Karen Mason, Mario Cantone, et al. to Take Part in Bradshaw Smith Memorial, 7/9

A memorial celebration to honor the life and career of Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video) has been scheduled for Monday, July 9 at 4PM. Some of the performers and speakers taking part will include: Jared Bortz, Mario Cantone, Dan Daly, Jamie deRoy, Julie Halston, Jeff Harnar, Linda Harris, Karen Mason, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Lee Roy Reams, Richard Ridge, Steven Skeels and Todd Stockman. The memorial will take place at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). A reception will follow in the Signature Theatre's Café and Bar.

Bradshaw Smith died on January 16, 2012, at age 57, following a sudden and severe stroke. A native of Ansonia, CT, Brad moved to New York City in the mid 70's. As a cabaret performer he won the first Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Award for Best Male Vocalist and later also won a Back Stage Bistro Award. In 1990, he received the MAC Board of Directors Award for his cable television show Cabaret Beat.

Robert Simonson wrote in his obituary of Bradshaw Smith at Playbill.com: "as the videographer of Broadway Beat, he indefatigably chronicled the New York theatre scene and shot close to three decades of New York theatre events from openings to press events to concerts and award ceremonies. With his colleague, interviewer Richard Ridge, he was a fixture on Broadway's red carpet." Broadway Beat aired on Manhattan Neighborhood Network cable and also on the web at BroadwayWorld.com.

Applause Video was one of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) first and longtime major donors. The company's table at the annual Broadway Flea Market was always a top earner. Bradshaw's brother, RoBert Smith, stated that donations in Bradshaw Smith's name may be sent to Broadway Cares in his brother's honor. The address for BC/EFA is 165 West 46th Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10036.