wolfe who cove directs with joel gray.leased to have them here at this table at this time. >> welcome. >> great to be here. >> so how did this come back, sir? >> how did it come back? a reading was done in october. it was october. joel gray directed. it was a benefit. and the response to it was resounded and everybody loved it. and dell roth who produced the set said this should be on broadway and all forces combined. >> and -- >> and toward the end of the season, it got -- twoand the toward the end of e season they found the theater and joel was doing at show so they asked me to bece involved and we got together, this astonishing cast and here we are. we did it in two weeks of rehearsal. that's the miracle. >> so what does it -- what did he bring to it, the beginning of it? >> genius. genius. and inspiration. and an astoundingly specific vision. and i think a very individual ability to have actorses trust him implicitly. >> you would rather a director say to you this is what i believe, this is what i want to say, rather t

. ♪ it's friendship, friendship >> reporter: lending his friendship and support is joel gray, himself? >> i think that there's somewhere in their brain there's some familiarity they're comfortable with knowing it's cole porter. >> it's a score that almost everyone is familiar with the songs. they're classic songs. ♪ if you ever -- >> reporter: from "i love lucy ♪ ♪ it's friendship >> reporter: to "blazing saddles." ♪ i get no kick from champagne >> you make the songs from so familiar fresh and new. >> i can't believe i'm singing this. ♪ when i got to satan's door >> reporter: can you give me five, six -- ♪ if you're ever in a jam here we go, ready? ♪ if you're ever -- is that right? >> that's good. ♪ if you're ever in a jam, here i am ♪ ♪ if you ever need a pal, i'm your gal ♪ >> that's the truth. >> reporter: sitting down with the incredible performers to discuss a timeless show inspired me to explore my own musical talent. i'm going to go to tap lessons. >> good luck. >> reporter: i may wear a nice shoe b sh nice shoe. >> it's all about the face. fool with a smile and hands. >> so t