Hufford admits that keeping ALS in the public eye has been difficult.  "It is very hard without Michael's presence," she notes.  You need to have people feel connected with the person.  They need a face and a sense of hope.  This year, we are honoring a young man, Andy Knipe, who has ALS.  He's 36 and has a 2-year old son.  So, my message is:  Michael is not here, but there is, unfortunately, somebody to take his place in the form of Andy Knipe.  But we never sought publicity when Michael was alive.  We got on all those great shows because people called us.  The hard thing is, it's not news anymore --- Michael died four years ago.  It's difficult for me to accept that, but that's just the reality."

Hufford hopes soap fans will come out in force for the event.  "This is definitely the kind of evening that the fans will enjoy," she says.  "Although we are in the business of earning as much money as we can, we do make some lower-priced tickets available. We want to make the event accessible; we don't want it to be elitist at all.  We're just hoping to pack the house."

This benefit marks the first time that ZazAngels will venture into the world of cabaret. "Michael loved musical theater;  that was his home as well as daytime.  So, it has seemed for a long time that that would be a perfect evening to offer," she explains.

The list of performers is impressive.  Daytime is well-represented with such names as Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL), Tamara Tunie (Jessica, ATWT) and Rebecca Budig (Greenlee, AMC).  Celebrities like Christopher Reeve will also be there to lend support.  "The fact that Chris Reeve is coming to our benefit is a very big thing for us," notes Hufford.  "He and [wife] Dana have been great supporters of ours.  There are all of these horrible neurological conditions that can be benefited by progress made on ALS."

Hufford and her colleagues' work at ZazAngels may be challenging, and she credits individual and corporate generosity for helping the yearly event be so successful.  Last year, they  raised $250,000 for ALS research.  "The performers donate their time.  The Nederlander Organization has donated theaters four times, Starbucks is donating a coffee bar this year *. And we really do an incredible job with the entertainment," she smiles.

Tickets begin at $100 and can be purchased by calling (800) 672-8857.  For more info, go to www.michaelzaslow.com   Although the dinner with the stars after the event is reserved for large donors, "Several fans can go together and get a table," points out Hufford.  "We're hoping people will come out and celebrate Valentine's Day four days early." 

LOVE LETTERS

One of this year's performers is soap vet Dennis Parlato, who subbed for Michael Zaslow when he was forced to take a leave of absence from GL in 1997.

Explains Hufford, "Quite by accident, Julie Boyd, who is directing part of the show for us, mentioned Dennis Parlato at a meeting, and I said, 'I want Dennis Parlato.'"

Why?  It all started with a letter.  "I sent a letter to Michael when I first came on," explains Parlato.  "I wanted him to be sure that from my point of view, I was just coming in for three months so he could figure out what was going on, kick it and come right back to work.  Roger was his role, it always was his role and it always would be his role.  There was no way I was trying to replace him.  Who could?"

"It was the loveliest note," smiles Hufford.  "Michael carried it around with him.  And I thought, 'How great it is to be part of that profession.'  It was so generous in the midst of a lot of very tricky feelings."

Parlato is thrilled with his role in the upcoming benefit. "I want to pitch in, anything I can do," he exclaims.  "I'm not really comfortable singing in situations like that, but so what?  It's the least I could do."*

Copyright © 1999 by Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels. All rights reserved.
01/04/06 05:15:02 PM