I bought our home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in just 10 minutes. My wife, Sue, and I walked through the house and I wrote a cheque. We were the first people to look around it because the broker knew we'd like it, and he got us in before it opened to the public. The people who showed up after us were irate because they had been waiting to get inside. In 1995, I was working on Broadway in Blood Brothers, and we'd been looking for a home in Connecticut for a number of years.

I had passed the house in the car for about four years and although it was a wreck, we knew we wouldn't find a place like that again.

Ridgefield is the most charming town - very New England. The house is like a picture postcard, as is the town. It has one of the most beautiful main streets in the United States. The area is historical as it was developed in the industrial revolution, when a lot of Italian stonemasons came and worked in the town.

The house was two-storey brick (what we call brick colonial), set in about 4½ acres of gardens. It was built in 1932 and the
original owner was the president of the Garden Club of America, who had chosen the area because of the trees. There were lots of beautiful plants and a 500-year-old maple tree in the back garden which, to this day, is the most beautiful tree I've seen.

When I finished Blood Brothers, I had 2½ months off when I worked on the house and the grounds every day. I looked after the gardens myself to start with and used a tractor - 4½ acres of lawn is a lot. We were also surrounded by 17 acres of wood, so it was extremely private.

I'd describe it as a country gentleman's kind of place, although I'm not exactly a country gentleman - that makes me sound like I'm retired and smoking a pipe.

Sue and I have done up seven houses - we both like the challenge of restoring a place. When you take a house that has been let go and bring it back, it's like finding an old jewel and polishing it up.

We left the front of the house alone, because it was magnificent, and we worked on the back and the sides. We built an enormous stone and flagstone patio on the back that must have been 2,000sq ft. We knocked walls down, opened it up and put in more windows. We added a large living room and bay window on the back and we put my grand piano in the bay.

I found it inspiring being in an environment that was so aesthetically pleasing. I wrote a lot of stuff there, including songs that
were in a show I did in Las Vegas called At The Copa. I also wrote a song that is arguably one of the best songs I've ever written, called New York City Life, which is going to be on my next CD.

We had a lot of pine and antique New England furniture plus some English and Irish stuff too, which we bought when I was performing in Time in the West End.

My son, Beau, had posters of the Yankees all over his room because we're big baseball fans and go to Yankee games - he's a real all-American boy. He was five when we moved there and he went to his first school (the public school where everybody goes). We'd walk him to the end of the driveway and the school bus picked him up.

I'm not a guy who throws parties and the town wasn't a celebrity hang-out. It was a place where people raised their kids. We got involved in the community and knew our neighbours. People were aware I lived there but it wasn't a big deal. They respected my privacy and didn't take advantage of it. I'd get the odd person who drove by, but it wasn't as if they could see or hear what we were doing.

We sold it at the end of 1997 because I was working in Las Vegas and had to move there, much to my wife's dismay. I have been a gypsy most of my life so I'm able to pack up and move, shifting gears very quickly. I've been on the road for the past 18 months and my home is wherever I am.

David Cassidy plays the Summer Pops festival, in Liverpool, on Thursday. Interview by Louise Johncox
 

Seventies pop icon David Cassidy is back in the region tonight, just months after last appearing here.

The singer-actor, whose face was on the cover of every teen magazine three decades ago, is at Newcastle City Hall for one night only.

He last played there in November, as part of his first tour on these shores in 15 years.

Back then, tickets sold out within days of release. This time round there are still seats up for grabs.

Cassidy's comeback followed the success of his album Then and Now, featuring past hits and new tracks.

"It just seemed the right time," he says. "I wanted to say a big thank-you to my fans over the years who've supported me all this time.

"The album is my life story, in many respects."

Cassidy was one of a handful of American performers who did not cancel their tours last year in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks.

"I owe it to the fans to come over and perform," he said at the time. "What happened was devastating, but I think people need a release from it all, too.

"Hopefully, I can help take their minds off all the troubles for two hours each night."

When ABC cast Cassidy as its juvenile star in The Partridge Family, it launched one of the most spectacular careers in the 
entertainment industry.

From television to recording and record-breaking concert tours, and from Broadway to Las Vegas production shows, Cassidy, now in his fifties, has established his place in showbusiness history.

Hailing from a family of actors, mother Evelyn Ward and father Jack Cassidy, his fate as a performer was sealed at a young age.

It was to be sheer coincidence that he would star with stepmother Shirley Jones in The Partridge Family.

By the end of 1970, the year the show premiered, Cassidy graced every teen magazine cover in the world, had number-ones and award nominations.

Over the next five years his official fan club grew to become the largest in history, exceeding those of Elvis Presley and the 
Beatles.

He subsequently became the first personality to be merchandised globally; his likeness appeared on everything from posters to cereal boxes; his concerts sold out in the largest venues in the world, which led him to be the world's highest-paid performer at the age of 21.

To date, his records have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

"Regrets?" he reflects. "I don't have any. There have been down-times, as well as the highs, but they all make you what you are.

"There's no point in regrets. What's done is done. You should always look to the future."

For ticket details of David Cassidy's City Hall show tonight, ring (0191) 261 2606.
 

"Tease," in the Blue Note Las Vegas, bills itself as a "naughty musical comedy." It is a notch or two above the growing number of skin shows at various hotels. There is a story line, excellent original music, but unfortunately recorded. There is a fine live percussionist, Joel Richmon, and all of the vocals are live, no lip sync, and extremely well sung.

It tells the story of a so-called gentlemen's club. The entire action takes place during one night shift. There are five strippers: Portia, a veteran; Sue Ann, a virgin, newly employed; Angel waiting for her ideal man to appear; Raven, a sexual predator with a secret; and Pandora Dreams, the weekly star feature act. Each has a story to tell and tells it well.

The occasion is a bachelor party at the Club Tease for Billy Bob, whose impending marriage is a recurring theme. There are two other male characters: Dicky, the Deejay; and Vinny, a ubiquitous busboy, also with a secret. Stewart Daylida, a standout previously in David Cassidy's "At The Copa" at The Rio, is equally effective as Billy Bob, the hapless hero.

Russ Grieves is Dicky, a typical DJ, and Vinnie's nemesis for most of the well-paced 90 minutes. Vinny is New Jersey Italian with a heart as big as his mouth. Steve Connolly, one of the best of the Elvis depictors, scores nicely twice, first as Vinny, a comic relief, and then as Elvis.

Kathryn Arianoff, a thorough pro with worldwide credits, is Portia, "who came with the lease," Judy Lombino is believable but slightly overdone as Sue Ann, making her debut. Robin Berry was just right, in for Treasure Duffy as Angel, looking for and finding her ideal man. Jeanine Zabo's Raven was a most believable predator whose secret was finally revealed.

Jacquelyn Holland was properly star-like as the weekly star feature Pandora Dreams, statuesque, raven-haired and in excellent voice. Also featured are Stacey Linde as Patricia, the Stripper, subject and participant in a very strong number, sung by Billy Bob; Jayme Gies was Brandi at the show I caught. Stacey O completed the attractive and very talented cast.

There are 20 scenes in all. Patricia, The Stripper; "My Boy Friend" and Steve Connolly's Elvis segments are standouts. Kudos to all concerned. It is a noble attempt to give Las Vegas a "naughty musical comedy" that is also a quality production. An easier access to the venue would be a big help.
 

There's buzz that David Cassidy and wife Sue Schrifin-Cassidy might be pulling up stakes after six years in Las Vegas and taking the Rat Pack concept to Florida. ... (Norm Clarke's column) 
 

Notes from the music beat... 
Onetime Partridge Family frontman and teen dream David Cassidy notes that he hasn't been to Detroit in quite some time - for at least a decade, since he last toured.

But Cassidy still notes with pride that he was the first artist to play at the Pine Knob Music Theatre when it opened in 1972. Not surprisingly, he was chagrined to find out about its name change to the DTE Energy Music Theatre.

"I heard that," Cassidy, 52, says, "but we all still think of it as Pine Knob, don't we?" 

Told that patrons and other performers indeed still refer to the amphitheater by its old moniker, he's pleased.

"Cool; then I don't have to feel like too much of a dinosaur if I refer to it as Pine Knob," he says. "It's one thing to say I played there, and another thing to say I'm the guy who opened it, you know?"

Back then Cassidy was riding a wave of fan mania that was compared to Elvis Presley and the Beatles - and presaged the likes of Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC. He's nowhere near as commercially hot these days, but he may be even busier than when he was the toast of the teen pop world.

Having successful revived his career through theater projects such as "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Blood Brothers" and in the Las Vegas productions "EFX," "At the Copa" and "The Rat Pack is Back," Cassidy - the son of actor Jack Cassidy and stepson of "Partridge Family" co-star Shirley Jones - has turned his attention back to music.

His latest project is "Then and Now," an album for which he re-made several of his old hits ("I Think I Love You," "Come On Get Happy," "Cherish") and recorded a few new tracks, including a cover of the Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe in Magic" that was used for a Mervyn's holiday campaign last year.

Cassidy - who's planning to record a ballad-oriented set for release during 2003 - says his goal with "Then and Now" was "to lovingly go back and see if we can make these songs again in a way people will get it, to get the essence of the material without being dated.

"You have such a different perspective in your 50s than you do at 20 or whenever I recorded them," he says. "It's difficult to be true to the material and try to approach it with the same innocence. It was a challenge."

He's less pleased with another remake of his old material, however. Katie Cassidy, his 15-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, has released a new version of the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" - though not with her father's blessing.

"I have spoken to her and told her what my thoughts are about teenagers going into show business," Cassidy says. "It's certainly not my idea, and I don't think it's in her best interests, personally. This is her mother's deal.

"But I wish her well; she's a sweet girl, a wonderful person and I hope she enjoys it. If it works, great. If it doesn't then she's going back to school, I hope."

David Cassidy performs at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Meadow Brook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University, Rochester Hills. Tickets are $45 and $35 pavilion, $20 lawn. Call (248) 377-0100.
 

      LIVERPOOL is still top of the pops - with the world's top rock stars.

      Paul Simon and Sir Elton John are among those who today gave gold seal approval to the city's record-breaking Summer Pops season.

      Seven sell-out shows featured in the 22-concert line-up, which ran throughout July.

      And the world's top acts will be queuing up to appear in future seasons. Paul Simon led the tributes to the 2002 Pops, which were seen by a record audience of more than 70,000.

      "Liverpool was the very best concert on my 17 date European tour and the audience were also the best. I really enjoyed the show. What an audience, the reaction was really fabulous. Thank you so much Liverpool."

      Sir Elton John, who returned after a first Pops appearance in 2000, said: "Liverpool is a music city, I so much enjoy coming here. We had a ball."

      Another returning mega-star, Dame Shirley Bassey, said: "Liverpool produces a fantastic audience. At this rate, I am going to have to come back next year as well."

      Legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach, who appeared with his band said: "I already knew all about the Beatles, the football and the horse racing. But now I've found out about the people. You Liverpudlians are wonderful and coming to your city was everything to me."

      Veteran crooner Tony Bennett said: "This was my first time at the Pops tent and it was fantastic. I'd love to come back."

      Blues veteran B B King said: "I love Liverpool. We had a great show and the audience was just knock-out."

      One of the warmest tributes came from David Cassidy: "I have played thousands of halls across the world, and I can honestly say I have never felt better about a show anywhere.

      Council leader Mike Storey said: "The Pops have been a fantastic success in bringing world class stars to Liverpool and it's clear they have enjoyed us as much as we have enjoyed seeing them."

PASADENA, Calif. -- He appears to be another successful producer, good looking in a California way, chunky in a middle-aged way, relaxed in his backstage role as executive producer and assured as he talks about his returning drama series.

But look more closely at the 42-year-old man behind the CBS series "The Agency," and you can see the toothy good looks of someone who reigned as a million-selling teen idol before Britney Spears or Michelle Branch were born.

Shaun Cassidy is here as part of the Television Critics Association summer press tour, and he's patient with questions about his former lives - when the younger brother of David Cassidy surpassed the former "Partridge Family" star as teen idol, scoring late-1970s Top 10 hits like "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Hey Deanie."

"I was riding a pretty successful rock 'n' roll career," Cassidy says. "But that was a couple of decades ago." And such a career, he says, "generally isn't a long-lasting one."

Cassidy parlayed his fame into the TV series "The Hardy Boys Mysteries" and "Breaking Away," and performed on Broadway in "Blood Brothers" and "Mass Appeal."

But, in recent years, he's found his niche as a creator, writer and TV producer of such shows as "Roar," "Players" and "American Gothic."

None has been as successful as "The Agency," the CBS drama about the CIA, in which the story line is supercharged with stories of terrorism, nuclear threats, biological welfare and assaults on the United States.

Cassidy says that now that he's an executive producer, he has no desire to return to the other side of the camera. "When I was an actor, I was so much more interested in how they were lighting and what was going on in the writers' room," he says. "And I'm a control freak. I wanted to run the thing."

Mostly, he says, "I just always wanted to be writer. I was always writing. I used to write songs when I was a kid. And I would write plays, and I did a lot of theater. As an actor, I got to see the playwrights pretty much run the show. And in television, fortunately for me, the writer runs the show, whereas in movies, it's the director. So I actually prefer working in television."

Cassidy has had a hand in all of the scripts on "The Agency," which he feared might never run last autumn.

"I actually thought we'd be canceled and this was before we ever aired," he says. "Our pilot was about a hunt for Bin Laden. Our second episode was about an anthrax attack on Washington. They were both shot and written before 9/11."

Instead, he said, the network chose to begin the series with "some Castro thing, which seemed very quaint and charming comparatively. But then we leaped into what was going on."

That continues in the second season of the show, starting Sept. 28, starring Beau Bridges, Daniel Benzali and University of Connecticut graduate Paige Turco. Cassidy says the goal is to entertain.

"People can get all the stuff they want off the evening news," he says. "The best thing we can do with this show is, aside from telling good stories, is show how people, each with a different moral compass, are dealing with this."

In a summer when his older brother continues singing "I Think I Love You" on the concert circuit, what keeps the younger Cassidy from also returning to the stage?

"The thought of playing Six Flags Over Oblivion." 

LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- In her first significant commitment to a TV series, Lolita Davidovich has signed on for a five-episode arc on CBS' sophomore CIA drama "The Agency," playing a love interest to newly appointed CIA director and former senator Tom Gage (Beau Bridges). 

Davidovich's character, Avery Poole, is a special agent for the FBI serving as a liaison with the CIA who is rumored to have had an affair with Gage years ago when she worked as his aide in the Senate. 

While her deal is for five episodes, Davidovich could do more, sources said. 

"Agency," from Radiant Prods., Universal TV and CBS Prods., is set to launch its second season Sept. 28 in its new Saturday 10 p.m. period. Wolfgang Petersen, Gail Katz and Shaun Cassidy, a longtime friend of Davidovich's who was instrumental in bringing her on board, will executive produce. 

Davidovich's recent feature credits include "Play It to the Bone" and "Mystery, Alaska." On the small screen, she recently appeared in NBC's miniseries "The Judge" and the Showtime telefilm "Snow in August." 

Davidovich is repped by Writers & Artists and manager Nancy Sanders. 

tvguidenewsletters.com writes:
... Actress Lolita Davidovich will appear in five episodes of CBS's The Agency this fall. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she'll play a love interest for Beau Bridges's CIA director...