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NOTE: This is an archived version of this newsletter. Not all shows and offers still apply. Some links may no longer be accessible.

Congratulations to Lauren-Tara Weinman of Studio City, California who is the winner of the $225 Broadway Gift Card for participating in our recent on-line survey! Thank you very much to all of you who contributed your time by completing the survey.

Congratulations are also due to David Sheynberg of Oceanside, NY and Kimberley Carpluk of Laurence Harbor, NJ, winners of the Kids' Night on Broadway 2006 essay contest. A full list of finalists and honorable mentions is available at kidsnightonbroadway.com. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who took the time to submit an entry.

You can read the winning essays in the 2006 Kids' Night on Broadway souvenir Playbill, which will be distributed free of charge at Kids' Night performances in New York on January 31 and February 1. The Playbill will also be posted on KidsNightOnBroadway.com this winter.

Please note that some shows still have tickets available for Kids Night. Check the website for full details.

Four-time Emmy Award winner Valerie Harper appeared in several Broadway shows before (and after) achieving stardom as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and the spin-off series “Rhoda.” A familiar presence on stage and screen, she is currently playing former Israeli Prime Minster Golda Meir in the national tour of William Gibson's play Golda's Balcony. Ben Pesner recently spoke with Ms. Harper by phone from Los Angeles.

Ben Pesner: Are you enjoying touring with Golda's Balcony ?

Valerie Harper: All of my theatre life I've worked in New York City, even as a chorus dancer in the late 1950's and early 60's. I hadn't known about touring, so it is quite an exciting event to go out on the road. Of course, my husband goes with me, which makes a big difference. And we have a great company. The great thing about this particular show is it's a one-person show. You get in, get into make-up, then perform the show in 90 minutes, and you're done.

You've done so much TV and film work. Is there a different kind of energy in live theatre?

wanted the feeling of a play. Each show was the first preview, the opening night, and the closing night all in one. There was a lot of pressure to not only remember lines but to come up with a full performance very quickly.

So your extensive theatrical training served you well in those days.

It really did, indeed. It was a whole decade of working in that way. But I went back to theatre because it was what I was trained for. The theatre is an event. It's not a recording of an event.

Speaking of theatrical events, at each performance of Golda's Balcony you transform yourself into a real historical character, Golda Meir—and several other characters as well.

That's right. I'm in a very specific costume, complete with a prosthetic nose, a wig, a body suit, even padded legs. You're going to see Golda Meir when you see me.

What makes Meir such a compelling character?

You're quite a recognizable figure, yourself. Do you find your TV persona affects your relationship with the audience?

Playing Rhoda has certainly helped me be accepted. I'm not Jewish, but many people think I might be because of Rhoda. Little old ladies grab my cheeks and squeeze them and say, “Darling, I've heard you're not Jewish. Tell me you're Jewish.” I tell them, “In my heart, I am Jewish!” People may come to see Rhoda, but I find they suspend their disbelief immediately. They're willing to do that, and it's my responsibility to make the balloon go up. I try to deliver the thrills and chills as best as I possibly can.

Visit Golda's Balcony on-line for cities, showtimes, and tickets.

View a list of Valerie Harper's New York Broadway credits.

Job description: “My job is to see to the comfort and the enjoyment of the audience. I always give a little speech to the audience waiting in the lobby before we open the house. It helps to relax me and also makes them more comfortable. I try to create a sense of family among the staff as well.”

Oddest things left behind at the theatre: “People leave everything. Glasses. Cell phones. A beautiful Hugo Boss overcoat. How can you forget your coat? Once someone actually left a whole pizza behind.”

What he does between productions: “After Fiddler on the Roof closes on January 8, I'm going to be renovating this lovely place. We're going to redo the lobbies, enlarge the backstage to accommodate the set of the next production— The Lion King, which is transferring here. So I'll be perpetually employed!”

We caught up with a few of Broadway's current and past stars to ask what they are resolving for the New Year. Here are their answers!

Victoria Clark, currently appearing as Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza:

"In 2006, I will look for ways to be a creative, fun, and compassionate mom, and a contributing community member, striving to make New York City a more humane place to live."

John Lloyd Young, currently appearing as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys:

"I resolve to donate to all the small non-profit New York theatres who gave me work (if not always salary) before Jersey Boys. Happy New Year!"

Brad Oscar, recent star of The Producers (and who has played Max Bialystock in the show for over 1,000 performances in New York and around the world):

"Devote myself to Kabala - finally!"

Broadway legend Phyllis Newman:

"To gain weight, start smoking, eat lots of fried foods, stop coloring my hair and go from a size 10 to 14 husky."

Maureen McGovern, currently appearing as Marmee in the national tour of Little Women:

"Well, let's see...To lose 10 lbs...but that's every year! Also, to bring attention to Principal Jane Leach's Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio in any way I can. She has created an excellent curriculum and an extraordinary environment of compassion, dedication and success for her faculty and students. It is a shining model for all inner-city schools and should be adopted by every school in this country."

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