THE RESPONSE REPORT
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Welcome to The Response Report. This is our way of keeping you informed about unique happenings, special events, and emergency response efforts during this unprecedented time. The Actors Fund has always provided an essential safety net for members of our community, and now their services are more vital than ever. The Fund has temporarily transitioned to online and phone-based services, which remain available to all performing arts and entertainment professionals. For a complete list of their services, along with comprehensive information about the organization, please visit ActorsFund.org.
With shut 
downs on Broadway and in film and television, theater, concerts, dance, music and many other areas of entertainment, the need is great and growing. Since March 18, The Actors Fund has distributed $3,977,209 to 3,282 people who work in performing arts and entertainment to help provide emergency financial assistance for those in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
–> The Actors Fund announces new comedic weekly series “Viral Vignettes”
This week, The Actors Fund announced a new comedic weekly series, “Viral Vignettes”, featuring original work with popular character actors from classic TV shows and films premiering this Wednesday, April 15 at 12:00 PM PDT / 3:00 PM ET.
The series will showcase 5-10 minute vignettes and will premiere on YouTube Channel: Pop Goes the Culture TV. Donations can be made at actorsfund.org/vignettes. Appearing on the first episode this Wednesday, April 15 will be: Robert Wuhl (Batman, Bull Durham) and Don Most (“Happy Days”, “Glee”).
Celebrities participating in the “Viral Vignettes” series include Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Spin City”), Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue”, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, She’s Having a Baby), John Schneider (“The Dukes of Hazzard”, “Smallville”), Renee Taylor (“The Nanny”), and Audrey Landers (“Dallas”, A Chorus Line). More exciting stars to be announced. The writers range from veteran network comedy showrunners and award-winning playwrights to newcomers, adding their own unique voices to the mix.
The series is fully scripted and is set in the present. Stars play characters talking to each other over Skype or FaceTime, dealing with the ups and downs of life during this very strange and unprecedented time.
Produced by BrainStorm Inc, the innovative, genre-busting series will raise money for emergency financial assistance and other services for entertainment and performing arts professionals who have been impacted by COVID-19. New episodes will premiere every week, at least until film, TV and theater productions are back up and running.
All proceeds from viewer donations will go directly to The Actors Fund, the national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency and serves as a safety net to everyone in performing arts and entertainment.
View, embed and share the video here. To view the full press release, click here.
–> Joel Grey celebrated his 88th birthday on “Stars in the House”
“Stars in the House” welcomed the legendary Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey to the show on Saturday, April 11 at 8:00 PM ET on the occasion of his 88th birthday, saluting Grey on his unparalleled career. Surprise guests joined the virtual birthday celebration throughout the show including Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Ann Reinking, Donna Murphy, Bebe Neuwirth, Bernadette Peters, and Jennifer Grey.
View episode here. –>
This week on “Stars in the House” and “Plays in the House”
Since the first show, March 18, “Stars in the House” has raised approximately $193,200 to benefit The Actors Fund.
“Stars in the House” announced a preview highlighting some of this week’s guests and episodes. To view a complete guest schedule, click here.
Tuesday, April 14 at 8:00 PM ET
Cast reunion of the hit Fox TV show “Glee,” including Matthew Morrison, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Amber Riley and Jenna Ushkowitz.
Wednesday, April 15 at 2:00 PM ET
“Plays in The House” presents The Divine Sister by Charles Busch. With Charles Busch, Alison Fraser, Julie Halston, Amy Rutberg, Jennifer Van Dyck, and Jonathan Walker. Directed by Carl Andress.
Wednesday, April 15 at 8:00 PM ET
Cast members from the hit Canadian sketch comedy TV show “SCTV,” including Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short.
Thursday, April 16 at 2:00 PM ET
Variety Thursday!
Friday, April 17 at 2:00 PM ET
Broadway Cast Reunion: Caroline, or Change with Sharon D. Clarke.
Friday, April 17 at 8:00 PM ET
NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” with cast members: Skylar Astin, Peter Gallagher, Lauren Graham, Jane Levy, Alex Newell, Mary Steenburgen, John Clarence Stewart, creator/executive producer Austin Winsberg and producer/choreographer Mandy Moore.
To watch, visit YouTube or StarsintheHouse.com
This week on “Humpday With Hampshire”
The April 15 episode of the live-streamed talk-show “Humpday with Hampshire” hosted by “Schitt’s Creek” star, award-winning actress and Screen Actors Guild Nominee Emily Hampshire will include Michelle Visage (Emmy Award Winner, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, “Strictly Come Dancing”), Ross Mathews (“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Celebrity Big Brother”, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, “Straight Talk with Ross Mathews” podcast) and Katherine Moennig (“The L Word: Generation Q”, “Ray Donovan”, “Grown-ish”).
The weekly program on The Actors Fund YouTube channel here continues to feature virtual interviews with celebrities in their natural habitats—be it their bedrooms, kitchens, garages or closets. They’ll share advice on how to get through this unprecedented time with humor, kindness—and your sanity intact.
This week on “Broadway Jackbox”
Today’s episode of “Broadway Jackbox” will reunite SpongeBob SquarePants’ Ethan Slater and Danny Skinner (SpongeBob and Patrick Star on Broadway, respectively). Head Over Heel’s Bonnie Milligan and Alice By Heart’s Natalie Walker will also take part in the live gaming event, joining creators Andrew Barth Feldman and Alex Boniello.
The now twice-weekly “Broadway Jackbox” features Broadway personalities playing games from developer Jackbox Games while raising much-needed funds for The Actors Fund during the coronavirus pandemic.
Today’s show will be at 6:00 PM ET on Twitch. Money is raised through donations from viewers.
To view, watch here.
–> 35th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards nominations announced
Nominations for the 35th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced today by theater veterans Jeremy Jordan and Ashley Spencer. The Awards will be presented during a special online event on Sunday, May 3, broadcast on the official website – www.LortelAwards.org – beginning at 7:00 PM ET. As always, the Lortel Awards will be a benefit for The Actors Fund and fans are encouraged to make donations at actorsfund.org/Lortel. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF.
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To those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund, please click here. Your contribution will help continue to foster stability and resiliency, and provide a safety net for those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 at this time.
