| Michael McGrath | |
| Posted by: reed23 05:19 am EST 11/05/24 | |
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| Yesterday, a memorial event for Michael McGrath was held at the Westside Theatre on 43rd Street. McGrath's death last year shocked the theatre world, just as he was about to join the cast of BABBITT at the La Jolla Playhouse. Martin Short hosted the memorial event in high style and with much hilarity. He had met McGrath decades ago in THE GOODBYE GIRL, in which Michael understudied him. McGrath stood by for Martin Short in the second LITTLE ME revival, and was part of the company assembled for Short's TV talk show. Speakers included Julie Halston, with whom Michael had performed in TOOTSIE, and who appeared in BABBITT just after Michael's death; Andrea Martin, who appeared with Michael in MY FAVORITE YEAR (about which she said she remembered not a thing, including her character's name, to general hilarity); Matthew Broderick, who starred in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, for which Michael won his Tony Award, after which McGrath stood by for Broderick (and went on) in PLAZA SUITE; Erin Dilly, who was Michael's co-standby in PLAZA SUITE; Gary Lynch, Michael's best friend since their earliest days in summer stock at Tommy Brent's Theatre-By-The-Sea; Katie McGrath, Michael's daughter; Scott Ellis, who directed Michael in SHE LOVES ME and ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY; and, perhaps, most unexpectedly touching, Brooks Ashmanskas, who appeared in the Martin Short LITTLE ME with Michael, and described a number of failed readings and workshops, and a decades-long friendship. Kelli O'Hara sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," in tribute to McGrath's heritage. Kristen Chenoweth (ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY) sent a video statement. The point made in common in all the speakers' remarks was Michael's devotion above all to his family – Drama-Desk-Award-winner Toni Buono (FUNNY GIRL, THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE), and his daugher Katie. Present in the audience were Hank Azaria (with whom McGrath had done SPAMALOT), Donna Murphy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marc Shaiman, Mary Testa, Judy Kaye, and just about anyone who was anybody in pre-2020 musical theatre. Although the laughs were huge and carried the afternoon, I've never seen a more touching or heartfelt memorial for a Broadway personality. |
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