Songwriters Monthly Presents:

In Review

The Gala Event

ONE FOR THE SCRAPBOOKS!

Musical Chairs: A Red Carpet Event
Yes, I Own A Tux Wow! A red carpet movie premiere, right here in my own home town! [Fact: Living in the suburbs gives you the inalienable right to adopt any nearby city as your own whenever the need arises. Tonight, I was a Philadelphian.] There was no way I was missing this! Even if it was a fancy event.

Mayor Michael Nutter, Janet Carrus (Musical Chairs Producer, Co-founder Janet & Gerald Carrus Foundation), Vanda Polakova (Musical Chairs Cast), Sharon Pinkenson (Executive Director GPFO)

HughE Dillon

Being a part time solo musician, youd think that one of my best investments would have been a keyboard or a sound system or some other essential gear. Nope. It was purchasing a tux. You want me to play your upscale wedding? No problem. Cocktail hour at the

governors mansion? Piece of cake! Theres a movie being shot in town and the casting call is for background, must own tux? I got black tie in the bag. A tux was a great investment because I could use it even when I wasnt gigging! The problem arises when the event is fancy, but not quite black tie. Why? Because I do not own a suit. Yes, I own a tux, but not a suit. Trust me, thats not my most peculiar aspect, not even close! However, I do have a pair of black pants and my son has a black jacket. Problem solved. You know, if I wasnt male, all Id need to do is go out and buy a new outfit for the occasion. Girls have it sooo easy!

Out Of The Garage And Into Extravagance

The view from inside.

My wife and I stepped out of the parking garage elevator and into the lobby of the Kimmel Center for the performing arts yes, she was wearing a new outfit. Ive been to the Kimmel Center a few times before for various events such as poetry readings, NARAS meetings

no, NARAS is not some acronym for government funded space travel, its the people who do the Grammy Awards and sundry performances, but every single time I step into the lobby, I do that touristy thing of looking up. The complex structure must have been built from a blueprint designed by M.C. Escher because there is no other way to describe the perspective twisting majesty of the multi-venued construct. I know I stepped into a building, but inside I was still somehow outside. When I looked up, I saw sky. When I looked ahead, I saw towering well, towering by Philly standards skyscrapers. There was even a period, much later in the night, when it was raining outside and I was getting wet while inside although I dont think that was actually supposed to be happening. Anyway, we had arrived . . . figuratively as well as literally! Its both intimidating and ego-boosting to be at an event where everybody else is a somebody. There were photographers, actors, recording artists, a film producer, a movie director, a former governor, and even the current mayor of Philadelphia. The official press statement, which was released a few days after the event, appeared thusly: Over 100 of the

Pre show mingling.

citys top VIPS and movers and shakers attended the screening and after-party at The Kimmel Center helping raise funds and awareness for the Mayors Commission on People with Disabilities and the Crossroads Adaptive Alliance. So, what on earth was I doing at this event? The extent of my specialness revolved around mixing and matching articles of clothing to create a hodgepodge suit. Looking lost, I awkwardly made my way over to an elegantly dressed young woman who stood poised, her shoulders Sarah back and chin up as she surveyed the crowd. However, she was not employing the critical scrutiny of a partygoer looking to find an engaging conversation partner, she was observing with the watchful eye of someone carrying responsibility. From these subtle body language clues, I deduced that she was the one in charge. Okay, the clipboard helped, but she was all that other stuff, too. [Fact: The person holding the clipboard is always the one running the show.] Her name was Sarah. And, she was, indeed, the one in charge. She told me where to pick up my tickets and after-party wristbands, then urged me to enjoy the evening, promising shed get me all the photos and information I needed if I missed anything. Pretty cool! We grabbed our tickets and wristbands, then for the next hour, we watched the mingling and took pictures of photographers taking pictures of people on the red carpet genuine journalism vrit and, in general, tried to figure out who was who not Al Roker, Mayer Nutter, duh! Oh yeah, we located the bathroom, too, something that doesnt seem important until . . . well, until it is important!

When it came time for the movie to start we were ushered into an impressive structure yes, a building within a building, if I saw a perpetually spinning top at least everything would make sense that carried the quiet reverence of design usually reserved for churches, cathedrals and synagogues. The overwhelming theme of bare wood running through the Perelman Theater brought to mind Shakespeares Globe Theatre. Nice! We settled in and waited for the lights to dim.

Directors And Governors And Mayors, Oh My!

Philadelphia Mayor, Michael Nutter

Theres nothing quite like that pre show feeling, the moment when the lights first dim. Theres a blast of anticipatory adrenalin and a surge of excitement which intensifies as conversations dissipate and the crowd falls silent in expectation of what is to come. Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, stepped out onto the stage and stood behind the podium at the front of the theater. The charming hostess delivered a warm welcome

Susan Seidelman and Janet Carrus

and introduced Philadelphia Mayor, Michael Nutter. The Mayor gave a shout out to former Governor, Ed Rendell a longtime supporter of the Philadelphia arts community and spoke briefly before bringing up Janet Carrus (co-producer of Musical Chairs and founder of The Gerald and Janet Carrus Foundation) and director, Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan). If you had missed the introduction and just witnessed this pairs engaging chemistry, you would have mistaken these two esteemed women for sisters. Seidelmans rousing message of embracing diversity was summarized by the heartfelt statement: What makes us different is what makes us special. Susan then introduced the final speaker of the evening, her former student, Patrick Murphy, whose short, Modify to Fit, would serve as the opening act for Musical Chairs. Murphy stepped out onto the stage with the absolutely stunning Kendra Bailey. Kendra was the star of Patricks short. The director delivered a few impassioned words about what he does and what we were about to see, then the podium spotlight dimmed. Showtime!

Opening Act: Modify To Fit Patrick Murphys short, Modify Patrick Murphy, Director, Modify to Fit to Fit, is, at times, a caustic documentary that chronicles the struggle and determination of a fearsome athlete who refuses to live within anyones perceived limitations of her. Through the fevered pacing of frenetic camera cuts and the potent snippets of dialogue, this films intensity mirrors the inner fire of Kendra Bailey, a below elbow amputee who scorns pity. The brilliant paralleling of Baileys physical battle at the gym with her outspoken expression of her inner thoughts provides this short with astonishing insight and impressive depth. In just a few brief minutes, you meet Kendra, understand what fuels her drive, and witness exactly what she is capable of when she pushes herself beyond what seems possible. At its heart, Modify to Fit is a high-octane account of one seriously impressive womans resolve to overcome societys perception of her.

Main Event: Musical Chairs In Musical Chairs, it is the sharp attention to detail and the vital nature of what is left unresolved and unsaid that cleave a bold and unique path through the copious tangle of striving outcasts stories which perpetually proliferate the film and television industry. Philadelphia native, Susan Seidelman has taken the classic underdog tale and instead of going bigger, she has turned the focus inward to depict the effort it takes to simply stand your ground when even the people closest to you dont seem to believe in you.

Janet Carrus (Musical Chairs Producer, Co-founder Janet and Gerald Carrus Foundation), Susan Seidelman (Musical Chairs Director), Sharon Pinkenson (Executive Director GPFO)

HughE Dillon

Seidelman focuses on the daily struggles of laboring to be what you know you are instead of falling victim to what people think you should be. Whether its a relationship in conflict with cultural expectations or a lifelong dream that seems to be at an end, Susan dives in deep and explores the fundamental undercurrents nourishing self and strength of character. The film doesnt spend much time brooding, it relies on music, humor, and the every-moments-a-celebration philosophy to let its positive message unfold. With homage to films ranging from Saturday Night Fever to Lady and the Tramp, Musical Chairs is a triumphant and motivating story featuring a carnival of vibrant characters who show you how natural it is to just be who you are.

Adventures At The After-Party

HughE Dillon Robert X. Golphin (Actor), Joan Bressler (Director, GPFO), Stanton Bizzell (Philadelphia Real Estate Professionals)

After stretching and walking off a severe case of theater-legs, we debated skipping the after-party. Why? I might be able to lecture to a crowd or conduct an interview with a rock star, but for some reason sidling up to a stranger to make small talk, well, its kinda terrifying. Ultimately, we concluded my wife convinced me it would be rude to not attend and thank our hostess. The event was on the second floor, so we headed over to the elevator. Peer pressure made us squeeze into the already crowded space: Come on, youll fit, itll be fun, try it. I eavesdropped while staring vacantly at the front of the elevator. Besides myself and my wife, there were six other people in the elevator. Of the six, one was an influential game-changing executive sort, another was an up-and-coming recording artist, the other two

Mathew Clark (Musical Chairs Cast), Vanda Polakova (Musical Chairs Cast), Susan Seidelman (Musical Chairs Director)

couples were upper crust, maybe philanthropist types. It was the recording artist who interested me. The doors opened. We stepped out onto the set of a movie. Okay, it wasnt really a set, but it could have been because everything was so ideal. Even the hors doeuvres were works of art: lightly crisped bread spears, exotic cheese sliced in perfect triangles, dips that matched the color scheme of the room, and absolutely adorable mini zucchini burgers! We snatched up some of the edible masterpieces, grabbed something to wash them down with, then sat and pretended to talk to each other, but we were really people watching. At some point, we were photographed by a guy who, unlike me, had a big boy camera, but after that I was ready to head home. And thats when my wife left me. My wife is a smart woman. Left on my own, she knows I panic converse. Translation: I get so uncomfortable standing alone that it trumps my shy nature and Ill actually approach someone I dont know.

HughE Dillon

Sara Olsen (Board of Directors at Crossroads Adaptive Alliance), Patrick Murphy (Modify to Fit Director, Crossroads Adaptive Alliance), Kendra Bailey (Crossroads Adaptive Alliance), Lindsay Warnes (Crossroads Adaptive Alliance)

So, she left me alone. And, I, in turn, panic conversed with a good number of people a good number for me, at least. I gushed to Susan Seidelman about how the details of her movie had been so brilliant. I thanked Janet Carrus for the quotes she had given me for my piece the previous week. Youre, Allen?! [SFX: Record scratch then silence.] Not only did she remember me, but Janet had read the advance article and more importantly enjoyed it! Momentarily stoked, I zeroed in on the recording artist from the elevator. Teaser: The young woman I talked to is a brilliant strategist. When her plan unfolds the way she and her team have envisioned it, I promise you, she is going to change the way the public perceives celebrities. I vowed that no spoilers would appear in print . . . yet. But rest assured, theres a really, really cool story coming your way. As soon as all of the pieces fall into place, youll get the scoop! Okay, Id reached my limit. Three conversations in one evening? I was good. Time to find my wife and go home to let the night sink in so I could write about it.

HughE Dillon

I stood about six inches from my wife for a full ten minutes before she realized I was there. She had found a guy and was involved in an intense discussion about Obamacare. Obamacare? We never talked politics at home. It was a shock hearing her discussing politics with such vigor. More than that, however, it was impressive! I was struck by a sudden case of newfound admiration. Nice! Before we left, we let Sarah know what a magnificent, memorable evening it had been. She smiled brightly, thanked us for coming, and once again promised that Id have anything and everything I needed within the next few days.

Janet Carrus (Musical Chairs Producer, Co-founder Janet and Gerald Carrus Foundation), Edgar Osorio (Musical Chairs Choreographer)

One Last Thing If you cant tell from the included photos Im certain you see the difference between real photographs and my blurry click and run images and the correctly spelled names and titles, Sarah came through as she had promised. And as an added bonus, she slipped in the picture that guy with the fancy camera had taken of me and my wife. That one is going in the scrapbook!

For more information on the Mayors Commission on People with Disabilities and the Crossroads Adaptive Alliance please visit: www.phila.gov/mcpd and www.crossroadsalliance.org. For more information on Musical Chairs, visit: www.musicalchairsthefilm.com.

HughE Dillon