Kent Gash (right), associate artistic director of the Alliance Theatre since 2001, is leaving to run a new program in the drama department of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Gash’s last Alliance show — for now at least — is the world premiere of Quiara Alegria Hudes‘ “26 Miles,” opening March 25.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Gash told Buzz of his new gig. The man behind the Alliance’s “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “Pacific Overtures” said he will be “heading an exciting new training program.” But he said he couldn’t get into specifics.
“It is true that, because of this economy, it’s very rare that there are opportunities where someone is actually growing something or starting something new,” Gash said.
Before coming to Atlanta, he was associate artistic director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He said he expects to continue his work as a “free-lance” director.
The Alliance said it won’t be replacing Gash anytime soon.
“We’ll maintain both our friendship and his professional association with the theater,” artistic director Susan V. Booth said. “I’m not anticipating going on an associate artistic director hunt at this point.”

Radio Transitions
As expected, Cindy & Ray are moving to mornings on Star 94 after a successful five-plus years in the afternoons, according to program director J.R. Ammons. They replace the Morning Mess, who was let go last month after a lackluster 14 months on Atlanta’s airwaves. The Mess was brought in to attract younger listeners (and presumably some of Q100’s “Bert Show” morning audience) in late 2008 after the traditionally soccer mom-skewing station jettisoned Steve McCoy & Vikki Locke. Steve and Vikki, now heard weekday mornings on B98.5, will be competing against their old Star 94 co-workers.
Cindy & Ray’s morning start date is March 23

Four-stars for Sir Elton
Prestigious charity evaluator Charity Navigator has bestowed its highest honor of four stars for the fourth straight year to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the global non-profit started here by the part-time Atlantan in 1992.
In a letter to EJAF, Charity Navigator CEO Ken Berger explained: “Only 7 percent of the charities we rate have received four stars, indicating that EJAF consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America.”
Atlanta EJAF board member Barron Segar was delighted with the news.

Sir Elton and Andy Roddick at last fall's Smash Hits World Team Tennis EJAF benefit at Kennesaw State University.

“Transparency and efficiency have been hallmarks of the EJAF ever since Elton founded it here,” Segar told us. “It’s an incredible honor.”
Still, Segar concedes that the non-profit’s perfectionist founder is always striving for more.
“I’ll never forget the first year we were awarded four stars,” Segar recalled, laughing. “Elton immediately said, ‘I want five!’ Someone had to explain to him that four stars was the best you could achieve!”
Tonight, concert-goers attending the sold-out Elton John and Billy Joel show at Philips Arena downtown are also helping the EJAF. Two dollars from the sale of each ticket go to EJAF and one of Joel’s favorite charities.
During the duo’s national tour, ticket sales help to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the charity.

Atlanta Hawk Zaza Pachulia

Overscene

Atlanta Hawks player Zaza Pachulia dining on the patio at Twist in Buckhead with two ladies. We’re told he even stopped in the middle of his meal to pose for pictures with Hawks fans.

Celebrity Birthdays

Today: Actor Michael Caine is 76. Composer-conductor Quincy Jones is 76. Comedian Billy Crystal is 61. Singer Kristian Bush of Sugarland is 39. Actor Chris Klein is 30. Singer-keyboardist Taylor Hanson of Hanson is 26.

Sunday: Actor Judd Hirsch is 74. Bassist Phil Lesh is 69. Singer Mike Love is 68. Singer-keyboardist Sly Stone is 66. Rock guitarist Ry Cooder is 62. Singer Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) is 54. Model Fabio is 48. Singer Bret Michaels (Poison) is 46. Singer Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) is 41. Bassist Mark Hoppus (Plus-44, Blink 182) is 37. Actress Eva Longoria Parker is 34. Rapper will.i.am is 34. Rapper Young Buck is 28.

Contributing: Wendell Brock, Rodney Ho and News services.

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