In NYC for a client shoot, I was honored to photograph the after party celebrating the NYC debut of the award-winning 'I am Harvey Milk' at Lincoln Center. The producers commissioned me to capture emotional moments throughout the evening packed with Broadway VIPs. I'm excited to share these images and anecdotes; it is NEXT LEVEL social reportage to photograph Broadway stars, who revel in doing any weird and wacky thing you ask of them for a good picture. I had so SO much fun photographing this party.
Composer Andrew Lippa, actress Kristin Chenoweth, and SF Gay Men's Chorus Director Timothy Seelig (from left).
The show was incredibly moving, detailing the life of gay rights activist Harvey Milk over 60 minutes that left the celebrity-laden audience laughing and crying (often at the same time). With a 200+ person men's chorus of Broadway all stars, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the role of Milk performed by Lippa himself, and Broadway and Hollywood legend Kristin Chenoweth as the soprano lead, it was the most impressive musical performance I've even seen. Garnering thunderous applause with a reference to the Supreme Court announcement earlier that day, Whoopi Goldberg introduced the show and set the emotional tone for the evening.
Andrew Lippa, composer of 'I am Harvey Milk'.
Andrew Lippa on the red carpet after party.
Kristin Chenoweth, Andrew Lippa, and director Noah Himmelstein at the ' am Harvey Milk' after party.
Kristin Chenoweth and Andrew Lippa share a moment on the red carpet.
The cast and producers hit the red carpet with other notable attendees and I focused on capturing the manic energy of the paparazzi/subject exchange. After the press left I stayed to get images of the stars hanging out together and generally being excited about the show. Photographing Chenoweth (who screamed, "I love your short hair!!" at me at one point), Lippa, and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Director Timothy Seelig was a hoot and half since they were off in their own little world...you can see those images at the beginning of this post.
The party was something else entirely; packed with Broadway VIP producers, actors, and industry heavyweights, the event was a fun opportunity for everyone to kick off their shoes and have some fun after an intense show. It was a dream to photography, since everyone in the room has a bigger personality than the next.
Many thanks to Danny Wein (below, left) the 'I am Harvey Milk' social media manager who invited me on for the project, producer Robb Nanus (below, center) for having me, and director Noah Himmelstein (below, right) for a wonderful show. You can read Danny's article on the euphoric evening in the Huffington Post HERE.
I may or may not have gathered both gentlemen wearing plaid, introduced them and asked them to pose for a photo together.
