Robbins told Playbill On-Line dates in the next five weeks are being explored for her to make up the gig. She'll be in Philly for two more weeks, and then Washington, DC, but is within reach of Philadelphia for a Monday performance in that time period.
Robbins said she and the cast of the tour of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife are snowbound in Hershey, PA, but hope to begin performances as planned in Philly on Feb. 18. If the roads are clear, the trucks with the set will pull an all-nighter, if necessary, to make it to the Forrest.
Robbins was to play Stage 3, the intimate studio space at the Walnut Street Theatre (steps away from the Forrest) at 7:30 PM Monday Feb. 17. A blizzard has shut down businesses and events between Washington, DC and Long Island, NY. Broadway's Phantom of the Opera performance Monday is cancelled, and the annual Broadway Bears benefit has been postponed. Performances of Allergist's Wife, with Valerie Harper and Robbins, play the Forrest Feb. 18-March 2.
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"The thing I'm most excited about aside from returning to The Walnut Street Theater where I played Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, some years ago, is the fact that we are doing the full length of the original show, which had been shortened during my runs in the cabaret setting," Robbins said. "As much as I love performing in cabaret, I'm thrilled to have my show produced by The Walnut Street Theater on stage in their Stage 3." One Hell of a Ride! played New York clubs settings, at Arci's and Danny's, in early 2002. Robbins said since New York, One Hell of Ride: The Songs of Cy Coleman has played in Los Angeles; her alma mater, Stephens College (as a fundraiser); Chicago; and now Philadelphia.
"In this time it has naturally matured in performance and musically," Robbins said. The show includes tunes by composer Coleman from shows including Sweet Charity, Seesaw (from which the title comes), Little Me and City of Angels, as well as from his jazz years — such songs as "The Best Is Yet To Come", "Witchcraft" and "You Fascinate Me So" and lesser known material such as "When In Rome" and "A Moment of Madness."
Tickets are $27. Walnut Street is at 825 Walnut St. For reservations or information about the new date, call (215) 574-3550.
