While I was commuting back and forth to shoot RESCUE ME in New York, Veronique Peck invited me to debut a new version of my one-man show, “Don’t Give Up On Me,” at The Mark Taper Auditorium in downtown LA to benefit the Gregory Peck Reading Series. It’s a terrific series. I once met Gregory Peck and he was as impressive in person as he always was on screen. For the benefit we had a packed, star-studded audience, an all-star band with Pete Thomas, Don Falzone, Mark Stephens and Bob Thiele, Jr. and a good time seemed to be had by all.

The following week we brought the show to The Drury Lane Theatre In Chicago for four more performances. Chicago is a great town. Here are some of the reviews:

“Gallagher’s surprise opening to “Don’t Give up on Me” paves the way for a seamless one-man, autobiographical show at the Drury Lane Water Tower that is packed with energy, his glib singing and his heart-felt stories… There are no huge props or stage sets, just Gallagher and his ability to move an audience with simple narrative and his beast-of-a-Broadway voice. The show includes songs by Lyle Lovett, Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Randy Newman and Frank Loesser.”

- Terry Loncaric, Post-Tribune

“It’s Gallagher’s career stories which really seal the deal and cement this show as a must-see.”

- Philip Potempa, NWI Times

“The biggest surprise is Gallagher’s ability to mimic, casting off his familiar voice and distinctive delivery to slip into dead-on Cagney or Dean Martin. That goes for the music, too. Backed by a solid four-piece band, Gallagher’s selections are mostly the croonable showtunes and standards you’d expect, but wait till you hear his Lyle Lovett.”

- Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago