The church is open.  The altar is set up.  The iconic statues have been properly positioned.  The music is blaring from the speakers.  You may now enter my shrine and begin to worship at the feet of Broadway diva and comedienne extraordinaire, Ms. Sherie Rene Scott!

Are you asking yourself, "Bixby what are you fussing about today?"  Well, that is a very good question.  I am about to tell you - so calm down.  Tuesday night I had a chance to see a very special event.  It was a one night only benefit performance of a little solo show called You May Now Worship Me written by and starring Ms. Sherie Rene Scott (currently starring as Ursula in The Little Mermaid).  And, in the words of Christian from Project Runway, it was FIERCE!

The performance took place at the Eugene O'Neill Theater and was packed with tons of Broadway glitterati.  Sutton Foster (Young Frankenstein and soon to be in Shrek) popped in to check out the show.  Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ragtime and many more) was seen chatting up folks in the aisle.  Norm Lewis (from The Little Mermaid - looking VERY buff) joined Brian for an extended chat (ducking into their seats at the last minute).  Michael Mayer was present (director of Spring Awakening and director of the Sherie's show).  I also spotted Sierra Boggess from The Little Mermaid as well as KT Sullivan (the grand dame of NYC cabaret).  Taking the night off from South Pacific was the talented Kelli O'Hara.  It was crazy - I think I got a severe neck strain from craning to see the stars as they arrived (what pain I endure for my readers).

The stars in the audience did not, however, burn as bright as the high wattage super star performance of Ms. Scott.  She is, in a word, a GODDESS and by the end of the evening the packed house at the O'Neil theater had been converted and we were all kneeling to pray at her dainty and talented feet.

The show was a collection of six vignettes that featured stories/monologues and songs.  Each section centered around a particular theme/journey in Sherie Rene's life.  The overall arch of the show was really about the places we find strength and support (whether it be a church, a television show, a four leaf clover or ourselves).  The show bounced from Ms. Scott's early childhood in Kansas where she struggled with religion and her place in it, to her early days in New York City and her encounter with a street magician, to her relationship with an obsessed YouTube fan (or, rather, her obsession with said fan).  Through it all she added songs by such artists as Judy Garland, Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Waits, and Mr. Rogers (more on that later).  The vignettes combined to create an absolutely hysterical, yet powerful and poignant evening that displayed Ms. Scott's unique and undeniable talents as an actress and singer. 

Sherie Rene Scott is really really funny.  From the moment the show started she had the audience in stitches.  She has a marvelous way of adding a quick zinger into the middle of a line that seems like a throwaway, but sets off an avalanche of laughs; as well as a deadpan deliver that is brilliant.  Listen for the way she pronounces TKTS or watch for the moment she performs "Come On Get Happy" to an audience of depressed mental patients.  This lady is HI-sterical (also known as hysterical), but the show is very moving as well.   The way she reinterpreted the Mr. Roger's song "I Like You" brought me to tears (not the only time during the show, I might add).  

Ms. Scott was assisted in her performance by a trio of back up singers and the stupendous Tyler Maynard from Altar Boyz and The Little Mermaid (his lip synching of an Aida song was a major highlight of the evening).  Michael Mayer did an excellent job directing/staging the piece and Dick Scanlan (book and lyrics for Thoroughly Modern Millie) helped conceive and write You May Now Worship Me (kudos to him).

Now, this was a one night only benefit to help a very important cause - the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors Fund (at the end of the evening Sherie Rene presented them with a check for $200,000.00, raised by the show).  "Since 1996, The Actors Fund has focused on helping women in the industry who are coping with critical health concerns through The Fund's Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative. Initiated by Actors' Fund Trustee Newman, the Women's Health Initiative offers a roster of services to help women access health care and to coordinate support services."  So not only was it a great show, but a great cause as well!

I, clearly, loved the show (ya think).  I can only hope that someone recognizes how great this show is and gives it further life.  Additionally, someone needs to get to work on a brand new original musical for Ms. Scott to star in!  While she has had many wonderful roles on The Broadway – I don’t know why she hasn’t been center stage as the leading lady in more shows.  Heck, why not a television show for her to star in, while I’m at it.  What I am getting at here is that we all need more opportunities to worship at the Church of Scott.  If someone builds the altars – we will come!

~ See You On The Aisle