Michael Greene musical features Mackie costume
By Gary James -- Furniture Today, March 13, 2005
Ossining, N.Y. — "Tzedakah!" — a musical about the value of charity co-written by retired Furniture/Today columnist Michael Greene — has been presented by the Ossining High School drama club here.
Greene, a former furniture retailer, published children's author and composer, enlisted the support of noted fashion and furniture designer Bob Mackie, who designed an outfit for the show's female dancers after reviewing the script, lyrics and music.
"I got to know Bob in 1999 when he introduced his Bob Mackie Home collection at American Drew and I wrote a column about the launch," said Greene, widely and affectionately known as the Ol' Swami."When we began putting together this new musical, I wrote to him and asked whether he might be able to help with the design of the kids' costumes. He quickly sent back a sketch of the perfect outfit for the girls.
"He's a classic mensch — a person of integrity and honor."
"Tzedakah!" is based on a children's book by Greene called "Tzedakah and the Precious Pushke." The story is inspired by the Jewish custom of collecting small coins in a box, or pushke, to give to charity, or tzedakah.
"These coins are donated to various charities and service organizations to demonstrate that even a few pennies can make a big difference," said Greene, who collaborated with local director Tanya Wills on the script for the musical.
The book comes with a CD of songs that Greene composed, along with a fold-out version of a pushke.
"Giving, social responsibility, repairing the world and world peace are among the key themes of the book and the musical," said Greene, aka Grandpa Mike-y to some of his youthful fans.
He and his wife Anita, aka Bubbila, regularly present programs of stories and songs at libraries, schools and children's centers.
At 83, Greene remains very active in his community. His recent projects include raising money for a water project in the Middle East.
In addition to shows at Ossining High, the drama club also performed at a number of elementary schools in the area.
A total of more than 2,000 people saw Greene's musical.
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