Zev Buffman is a legendary Broadway producer who has produced more than 40 shows and 100 national tours. He brought Elizabeth Taylor and Dustin Hoffman to Broadway and was a founding member of the NBA’s Miami Heat. He has spent the last eight years as the director of Owensboro’s RiverPark Center.

Laura Early, assistant professor of theatre arts at KWC, arranged for Buffman to spend last evening at KWC reminiscing about his life and career. The story that follows was in the Messenger-Inquirer today.

Buffman shares tales of his past and announces his departure at KWC
By Dariush Shafa, Messenger-Inquirer
Published: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Nearly every seat was taken in Roger’s Hall at Kentucky Wesleyan College on Tuesday night as students, faculty and residents turned out to hear Zev Buffman talk about his experiences in show business. The crowd got an extra treat as Buffman also shared his favorite stories and some of the lessons he learned along the way.

Buffman’s stories ranged from his first big break as a director and producer to working with celebrities such as Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Taylor and Muhammad Ali.

Laughter and applause turned to disappointment though, as the president and CEO of the RiverPark Center also shared the news of his pending departure. Buffman’s eight-year contract at the RiverPark Center was not renewed in a Tuesday meeting of the RiverPark Center’s board, and Buffman announced he has accepted a job in Clearwater, Fla.

Still, Buffman said Tuesday’s event at KWC was something that he was glad to do, even with the day’s events weighing on his heart.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for the two or three months it’s been in the works. I’m only sorry we didn’t do it more often,” Buffman said.

Those in attendance said they not only enjoyed Buffman’s stories and advice, but are sad that his time in Owensboro is drawing to a close.

“I am a Broadway child. My mother was a Broadway dancer, and I’m from New York City,” said Ginny Weant, a vocal performance sophomore at KWC. “Every story (he told) was meaningful and can be applied not only to theater but to life in general.

“I’m very heartbroken I don’t get to spend more time with him, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity (tonight),” Weant said.

Buffman’s departure will be difficult to overcome, said Matt Ruark, Assistant Director for Development at KWC, who came to see Buffman’s event.

“He’s done a lot for Owensboro, and I just wanted to hear about it straight from his mouth,” Ruark said. “That’s a great loss for Owensboro. I don’t think we’ll be able to replace him.”

Laura Early, assistant professor of theater arts at KWC, said she’s glad Buffman was able to come for the event.

“It’s huge. How many times do you have the opportunity to have someone who’s produced 40 Broadway shows speak to students?” Early said. “You can tell the students love it. They’re just ecstatic to meet him.”

Phoenix Jenkins, a senior studying sociology at KWC, also said she was happy to be there and talk to Buffman.

“I felt honored,” Jenkins said. “He’s humble and he shows you that you can be all you can be.”

Buffman said he is especially enthusiastic about the future show business and educational possibilities that exist in Owensboro thanks to the partnership between the RiverPark Center and local educational institutions.

“The marriage between the performing arts center and theater students is not always possible,” Buffman said. “You don’t get that in Miami or New York because you can’t get them (students) across the line because there are strict (labor and union) rules.

“This is not only going to be a more important college town when the new downtown arrives, but also a major destination for theater students,” Buffman said.”There is a great future for this town just around the corner.”

During the event, Buffman said that the opportunity to talk to and share experiences with students is a joy because it’s a chance to pass on the little things that helped make him successful.

“You should never stop dreaming just because you wake up in the morning,” Buffman said, noting how that is one of his favorite sayings.

Buffman later said he felt Tuesday night’s event helped take away some of the sorrow from the end of his time in Owensboro.

“On a day like today, which was a day of departure and moving on, this to me was a phenomenal catharsis of just feeling free and happy about my eight years here and knowing I can still make contact with young people,” Buffman said.

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Meet our new president and his wife, Dr. Craig and Annette Turner:

Read all about them in the latest issue of KW Today, our alumni magazine. You can also read the rest of the magazine on our website. Happy reading!

Jessica Collins Allen ’00 is married to Chaz, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. In January, he lost both his legs in a bomb blast. Since then, family and friends have rallied around the couple and their two girls to create Team Allen to provide support and encouragement as Chaz recovers and the family gets used to a new normal. (Jessica has been flying back and forth from Tennessee to Washington D.C., splitting time between Chaz and their girls.)

Last night, Jessica and Chaz got to renew their marriage vows on stage in front of 10,000 people at a sold-out Train concert in Nashville. The group has been the Allens’ favorite – Train’s music has been a soundtrack for their lives together, so Jessica entered a contest to win a chance to propose on stage during Train’s hit song, Marry Me.

Even though they were already married, their story moved the band so much the Allens won the contest. Here’s a video of the Marry Me part of the show last night — you’ll see the Allens at about 3:20. Jessica gets to share part of their story and the couple gets serenaded by Train. Good stuff:

USA Today picked up the story and ran an article about the event in today’s paper. You can also read Jessica’s take on the night on her blog, The War of a Wounded Warrior Wife, and you can see photos of the evening on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GoTeamAllen.

Follow Team Allen on Facebook to stay updated on their inspiring journey. Go Team Allen!

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The crowd on the front lawn ...

The annual Concert on the Lawn with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra is this Saturday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m. on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Great Movies — Grand Piano will feature movie music with pianist Rich Ridenour, who performed with the OSO last year in Canon Hall at the RiverPark Center.

This free, family-friendly event (sit anywhere on the lawn you like!) also features a table-decorating contest — the winner will perform with the OSO. The theme for this year’s decorating contest is “My Favorite Movie!” If you want to reserve a table for eight for $100, call the OSO at 270-684-0661.

Pre-concert festivities include a performance by the Owensboro Community Band, while the US Bank Home Mortgage will sponsor children’s activities, including an instrument petting zoo guided by Owensboro Public School teachers. The fun starts at 5:00 p.m.

2nd Street will be playing during intermission, so come ready to kick your shoes off and dance on the lawn!

Contact the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra at 270-684-0661 or check their website at www.theoso.com for more information.