Ron Onesti: Give my regards to Broadway

I heart N.Y.! I recently visited the "Big Apple" for talent-buyer meetings, as I do a few times a year, and each time I am absolutely marveled at the intensity of this great city.

If you are as into entertainment as I am, this is truly a place to visit. As cool as Las Vegas is, it is more of an entertainment theme park with bits and pieces of "Old Vegas" scattered about. But every block you walk in or around Times Square is oozing with greasepaint and other theatrical makeup. Every table not occupied by a wide-eyed tourist is involved in a heated discussion between artist and agent, manager and producer or budding star and publicist. (By the way, the way to tell local pros from tourists, the pros call it "Broad-Way" instead of Broadway").

One of my favorite attractions in that area (and it's not the photo-op with that famous naked cowboy covered only by his guitar) is a statue of the legendary showman and theatrical producer George M. Cohan. If you have ever seen the 1942 classic film "Yankee Doodle Dandy" starring James Cagney as the singing danceman-slash-producer, you know what I am talking about.

There is a great scene in the movie that gives a wide-shot of 42nd Street with multiple marquees sporting Cohan's name as the producer or star of the production. We was the "Man who owned Broadway," who also wrote many American classic songs including the WWI staple "Over There," "Give My Regards to Broadway," "The Yankee Doodle Boy" and "You're a Grand Old Flag."

One of my favorite things to do in New York is to walk the streets in the area, popping into the classic theatres if allowed. Each has a very public "Private" entrance where fans congregate just to get a glimpse of their favorite stars. One such theatrical shrine is the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

With that venue now presenting "Beautiful," the musical about singer/songwriter Carole King, I went to visit my close buddy Jarrod Spector. He stars in the play as Barry Mann, and formerly portrayed Frankie Valli in the Chicago production of "Jersey Boys."

Going backstage at the classic theater was a true immersion into theatrical history. The countless 6-foot by 6-foot dressing rooms, overflowing dress racks in the hall, show-day call sheets, scripts on folding chairs and so many other would-be props just made me want to do a scene from "Phantom" myself.

Yes, New York City is a place for me to get my inspiration. The city is always alive with talent, hopes and dreams. The air is filled with music and song, and I am filled with a 2-pound corned beef sandwich from The Carnegie Deli.

• Ron Onesti is president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and The Historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Celebrity questions and comments? Email ron@oshows.com.