Photo credit: Janet Donovan & KSF
“He’s not as big as Frank Sinatra but better than Frank Sinatra,” lobbyist Tommy Quinn told Hollywood on the Potomac at the After Party at Poste following the “Kevin Spacey in Concert” benefit at the Harman Center for the Arts, The Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Kevin Spacey – Photo credit: KSF
“There’s no doubt that people were really surprised at how much effort, time and work that Kevin Spacey put into this. The idea was that it was going to be a few songs, but it’s really a production. He’s an extremely talented singer, dancer.”
Tommy Quinn and Lynly Boor
“I thought it was a fabulous evening…….. lots of energy and a wonderful cross between Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. I knew all the songs. For once in my life I knew all the songs,” added Lynda Webster.
“Kevin Spacey was out of his mind good. He was just terrific, so enthusiastic, brought so much passion and personality to it. He just hit a home run and it’s for a great cause and we’re really just so happy to be supporting it, the arts and education. So it was terrific, really really just fantastic.” Erik Huey, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Software Association. “The concert had an enormous orchestra. I think there were a hundred people. Honestly, I don’t know how many, I tried to count. It was like another era because of the orchestra. I think Kevin’s voice was amazing and the crowd really enjoyed it – I certainly did. What’s not to love?” Nancy Bagley, Editor-in-Chief Washington Life
Nancy Bagley and Erik Huey
“It was fantastically unique, especially for Washington, DC,” said Michael Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association. “What a talented performer doing what he loves so much but that isn’t his day job and doing it here in Washington for a great cause. I was very pleasantly surprised about his vocal skills, but also his energy which was so profound.”
“I thought he was terrific. He had great stage presence, great entertaining qualities about him. I thought he was very good, very versatile, just as he is as an actor and now he is as a singer-performer.” Lloyd Hand, Former Chief of Protocol.
Lloyd Hand (right)
“It was a tour-de-force – Kevin’s amazing ability. He is so protean and has this ability to just keep growing, to just keep doing new things. It was fun times. I thought the harmonica was great, the Billy Joel song, Piano Man. I also loved Gregg Field, who’s a friend of mine, the drummer. You saw how good that drummer was tonight? He’s the best. He’s fantastic. I loved the pianist too, he was great. The whole show was big time. I kept thinking this is like the Jackie Gleason Orchestra. This guy is really talented and just wanted to grow into this orchestra and he did it. He’s got his Kevin Spacey Orchestra. I was also trying to think of how he kept it all together, his own choreography. He did a lot of stage work there. I know Kevin. We (Kathleen) went over and saw him at the Old Vic when he produced and starred in Inherit The Wind. He took an entire British cast and they all spoke American. The whole cast spoke American, but they were British. Come on, Kevin is amazing.” Chris Matthews, MSNBC Host
Photo credit: KSF
The Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF) was established in the United Kingdom in 2010 and in the United States in 2013. ‘KSF’s purpose is to use the esteem and fame associated with its namesake to create initiatives that discover, train and mentor emerging artists in drama, dance, music, and film.’ “We do three things,” said Steve Winter, Executive Director. “We offer scholarships to those that can’t afford to go to the University; we give money to emerging artists; and then we also work in schools. So it’s three strands really: schloarships, grant building and theatre education.”
All of the above takes us to the Twist of Lemmon: “I was that shy kid,” said Spacey, “who was 13 years old in the corner of the room and didn’t really know how to get involved. Now that I am in the position that I find myself in, it is my enormous pleasure to send the elevator back down.” “If you’ve done well in the business you want to do well in, then it is your obligation to spend a good portion of your time sending the elevator back down.” Jack Lemmon.
The After Party at POSTE:
Spacey with a ‘Twist of Lemmon’
