Phyllis Turns 100!

Winter Coat Drive Still On

PHYLLIS TURNS 100! Phyllis Creore (also known on radio as Phyllis Jeanne), the original "Canteen Girl" is turning 100 on March 29, 2016. She has had a fascinating history with TV and radio. Here are the pertinent facts. first Miss Television at the 1939 World's Fair where she had to interview those standing on line to enter the RCA pavilion via a live mobile unit; the interviews were televised live inside the pavilion actress on the NBC television show "Girl About Town - Bathing Suit Story" that was broadcast on NBC March 29, 1939 from 2-3 p.m. (a month before television was officially launched at the World's Fair). Notable because the show was produced by the first woman television director and producer Thelma A. Prescott (Phyllis has preserved a copy of the script's cast and credit list.) host of her own NBC radio show during WWII called "Canteen Girl" composer of the popular song "This Is My Wish" which she sang as the theme song of "Canteen Girl" in 2010 donated to the Paley Center for Media copies of 19 radio programs including 2 episodes of "Canteen Girl" as well "Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories" and "The Voice of the Army" on which she appeared as an actress in 2012 profiled in a video exhibit and interview at the New York Historical Society's exhibition "New York and WWII" sculptor - later in life -- with gallery exhibits of her work As a young aspiring actress Phyllis lived at the Rehearsal Club (the setting for the play and movie "Stage Door") and is still an active member of the Rehearsal Club group. In 1941 she roomed with Francis Buss Buch (hired as the first woman television director at CBS in 1944). CAROL BURNETT 2015 SAG Awards Evening  Life Achievement  Honoree UPCOMING: Beacon Theater, NYC September 16 & 17 An evening of laughter and reflection - the evening will harken back to her early shows when she took questions from the audience & gave spontaneous answers. PIA LINDSTROM with PHYLLIS  The American Theatre Wing: NPR story 2010 Interview New York Daily News  by Nicholas Hirshon  New York Times - 97th Birthday by Corey Kilgannon  AM NEW YORK by Cristian Salazar  Phyllis as Miss Television 1939 (She's the third from the left - they had to hire extra assistants because of the work load). SEND CARDS & LETTERS TO:  Ms. Phyllis Westerman 1150 Fifth Avenue New York, NY  10128 SEEKING RC ALUMS:  If anyone remembers and knows where to find the following Alums: Patti Parsons Marmer, Susan Thompson, Fran Hice, Zoe Terzetta, Priscilla Decatur, Faye Dean please let us know! Thank you to Maria Mallman who reports "Prissy" Decatur wed Tad Danielewski in 1964 & had two children (Annie & Mark).  She divorced & became Mrs. James L. Loeb.  She is now 75 and could be tracked down thru her son, Mark Danielewski (a writer).  If anyone follows up, let her know how to find us! OTHER ALUM ACTION: Our women continue to get hired and/or generate their own work.  OLYVE HALLMARK ABBOTT, one of our Cinderella writers, is already a published writer - check out her books on Amazon.com (her last book, Come Sundown, was ranked in the Top 50!) RC Alum TV performers might find TV-Live or Dead  especially fascinating. DOTTIE BELLE is a former Rockette, featured in the upcoming Diet Coke documentary; now runs her own business as a personal physical therapist - www.fitnessforever.biz  BETTY BIGGERS is retired, but constantly busy campaigning for her son, a Majority Leader of the Florida Senate and has just completed her first book, "Zapped by the Spirit."    JOHANN CARLO   is  a member of Actor's Studio, is continually writing & performing. KATHY CONRY continues to direct and choreograph professionally while producing projects for her ministry.   CYNTHIA DARLOW is a member of TACT in NYC, currently doing Sense & Sensibility in Storrs, CT DIANE FINDLEY  is coming to Broadway again soon in Gotta Dance. ANDREA FRIERSON is a singer, actor, and writer living in New York City.  Currently, she performs her one-woman show, "me & ella" throughout the U.S.   www.andreafrierson.com  BETH FRITZ-LOGREA is Artistic Director of the Logrea Dance Academy and Westchester Ballet Company.  www.logreadance.com BETTY GALVANO has a new book, "Zapped By The Spirit" released September, 2015 SUSAN GARVEY most recently was cast in Calendar Girls ("Annie Clarke") & "Myra Brhul" in Deathtrap. PATRICIA HILL continues working primetime behind the camera.  LIZ HODES continues to produce & perform out of her home in NYC.  Next up:  State of the Union, Nov 15, 2015  Contact:  lizhodes@yahoo.com SUNNY KEYSER's daughter, Jen Halpern, casting director, also produces an annual "Rescue Men" calendar featuring men who adopt our furry friends: www.rescuemen.org MARSHA KRAMER continues to work in LA; most recently on Modern Family FRANCINE MANCINI continues to perform her original music & lyrics for her rock band, "NO UTURNS."  www.nouturnsad.wix.com/rock DIANE PHELAN, our 2013 RC Rising Star is in "King and I." www.dianephelan.com GRACE KILEY's  Ongoing and Master Classes in Acting & Directing.  Contact her directly at gracekiley@gmail.com MARY JANE HOUDINA teaches Pilates, adult jazz & tap  @ 5-6-7-8 Dance Arts (Brewster, N.Y.) & @ Logrea Dance Academy (Ossining, N.Y) regularly.  She continues to choreograph professionally, most recently "High Society". LEE KELLEY is available for coaching MELANIE MAYRON is actively directing; watch for her name in Pretty Little Liars, Grace & Frankie; and Jane the Virgin. ANNIE O'DONNELL continues to perform & can be seen in features like, Jersey Boys & The Artist while continuing to guest star regularly. DENISE PENCE continues her weekly broadcast, "The Cinematic Arts" for Gatewave Radio, is an Associate Member of Articulate Theatre Company in NYC (directing & performing, Feb. 26 & 27, "Articulating Folk"); teaches the monthly seminar, "Business of the Buzz," at the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory. (www.articulatetheatre.com)   www.denisepence.com  CHERYL STEINTHAL  is a retired Rockette currently active with the Original Florida Follies (performers are 61-92 years young). She choreographed their next show, "A Brand New Day"  http://www.theoriginalfloridafollies.com CAMERON TAYLOR continues to work as an actress in NY - watch for her in the new film, Anesthesia, starring Glenn Close  AMANDA TREES recently co-authored and starred as "Alice" in Alice Are You, based on Alice in Wonderland,  performed in Brooklyn to a sold out crowd. www.aliceareyou.com BONNIE (BOROIAN) WINTZ is launching a new business in February!  Visit www.blissfullybetter.com for more info Contact us with your Goings On! Paid up member's latest news is repeated on our website: Then & Now (special thank you to Francine Mancini for web updates) membership@rehearsalclubnyc.com  WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     BLOG