Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: August 2, 2015
By: Laura Deni
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION

HAMLET GLOBE TO GLOBE IS NOT WITHOUT TRAVELING MISHAPS

Nobody is going to go on a two year tour and not experience some sort of a problem.

That includes London's Shakespeare Globe to Globe Hamlet, a two-year tour to every country in the world which began April 23, 2014 - the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth and continues through April 23, 2016. The 'birthday' tour is a completely unprecedented theatrical adventure.

The tour features a portable set designed by Jonathan Fensom and no special effects, permitting theatre lovers to experience the nature of theatre in Shakespeare's lifetime.

The ambitious endeavor travels in 14 trunks and 3 ski bags. The trunks also double as set pieces, forming Ophelia's grave in the famous gravedigger scene.

Globe’s Artistic Director Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurst direct the 12 actors: Keith Bartlett, John Dougall, Ladi Emeruwa, Phoebe Fildes, Miranda Foster, Naeem Hayat, Beruce Khan, Tom Lawrence, Jennifer Leong, Rawiri Paratene, Matthew Romain, and Amanda Wilkin.

Two weeks ago one of the fears of every traveler - lost luggage - took place.

"It’s the thing every traveller dreads - your luggage has been delayed. For the performances in Kiribati and Micronesia the stage management team had to improvise props whilst the cast had to perform in their own clothes," officials posted.

"Props included using locally sourced Halloween skulls and snooker cues as swords. Despite not being ideal our team proved that it is Shakespeare’s words and the way they are performed that really make him great."

In other words, the performances in Micronesia received great reviews.

"The team were finally reunited with their trunks of props and costumes in Taiwan before they traveled to South East Asia," continued the post. "There was a huge rush at the performance in Cambodia where over 1000 local students ran into the theatre once the doors opened! The company’s final stop was July 15 in Bangladesh, Dhaka where the tickets sold out in 30 minutes."

With the tour half over, the events have been memorable. On January, 29, 2015 the Hamlet Company became the first foreign theatre company to perform a full play in Somaliland in 23 years. February 2015 saw Hamlet continued its journey around East Africa, with performances outdoors in the gardens of the University of Rwanda, and in Burundi, Kenya and Uganda. Shows took place in Madrid, after visiting Nigeria, Ghana and most Southern Arfican countries in March and April 2015; they then traveled to Australia and New Zealand, followed by braving the Pacific Islands.

With hopes of no more delayed luggage, upcoming August stops include:

August 5-9 National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China
12 - The State Academic Theater of Drama, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
15-16 Marronnier Ourdoor Stage, Seoul, South Korea
19 -20 Small Hall, Saitama Arts Theater, Saitama, Japan
23 - The Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Manila, Philippines
25 - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
29 - Jerudong International School, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
31 - Strand Hotel Ballroom, Yangon, Myanmar






Broadway To Vegas is supported through advertising and donations. Priority consideration is given to interview suggestions, news, press releases, etc from paid supporters. However, no paid supporters control, alter, edit, or in any way manipulate the content of this site. Your donation is appreciated. We accept PAYPAL.

Thank you for your interest.

ART AND ABOUT

MARVIN'S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM located in Farmington Hills, Michigan explains itself as being "known from coast to coast, like butter and toast. From headlines to bedlines, from school rooms to pool rooms, this place is like no other that can be found in the contiguous United States and other environs of the free world.”

The museum's founder, Marvin Yagoda, has been collecting the items that populate the 5,500-square-foot museum for 50 years. Yagoda is a recognized expert in the field of mechanical and electrical game apparatus.

In existence since 1990 the museum houses all manner of vintage coin-operated machines. Thousands of exhibits also include animatronic dummies, rides, pinball machines, video games, model airplanes, robots and neons.

Oddity exhibits include one of Sing Sing prison's electric chairs in which 30 people died and an automaton "food inspector" which continuously vomits into a pile of milk bottles.

The museum is listed in the World Almanac's 100 most unusual museums.

Tally Hall, a rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, titled an album after the museum.

PAINT ALONG OPERA a popular event presented by Nashville Opera takes place August 11. Using Turandot as inspiration participants will paint a scene on canvas and listen to Artistic Director John Hoomes discuss the visual elements used to design an opera set.

Wine, light appetizers and art supplies and instructions are included with admission.

GUILD HALL SUMMER GALA takes place Friday, August 7, 2015.

The evening begins with an Exclusive Exhibition Preview of Roy Lichtenstein: Between Sea and Sky followed by Cocktails at a private East Hampton estate. Then comes a dinner by Sonnier & Castle hosted by April Gomik. Dsncing to music by Hannah Bronfman.
,br> Exhibition dedication presented in memory of Mickey Straus by Dorothy Lichtenstein followed by a Live Art Auction of works by KAWS, Annie Leibovitz, William Wegman and more with auctioneer Alec Baldwin.

Top the evening off with Decadent Desserts, Drinks, and Dancing.

A Guild Hall event in The Hamptons, NY.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND

PINOCCHIO: ORIGINAL TELEVISION CAST RECORDING is a charming release from Masterworks Broadway/Sony of the October 13, 1957 NBC television broadcast.

I'd never heard of this version on Pinocchio and found it an enchanting treat listening to this original soundtrack.

This version of Pinocchio was a live, and live-action, musical version starring Mickey Rooney, with his name above the title, in the title role of the puppet who wishes to become a real boy. Rooney also serves as the narrator. Also starring are Kukla, Fran and Ollie star Fran Allison as the Blue Fairy, Stubby Kaye, the bouncing comedian of Guys and Dolls and Li’I Abner as a Town Crier, Martyn Green, the inimitable Gilbert and Sullivan star as the Fox and Jerry Colonna as a Ringmaster.

A peculiarity is that the television special purportedly included Walter Slezak as Geppetto, although this CD lists Gordon B. Clarke as Geppetto the woodworker.

The ample and complete dialogue conveys the easily understood storyline. The music is bouncy and uplifting. Listen by yourself, or with children or grandchildren. An age defying experience.

Pinocchio featured a script by Yasha Frank and Carlo Collodi and was directed by noted Broadway choreographer Hanya Holm.

Based on the novel by Carlo Collodi which also inspired the classic Walt Disney animated film, this version features a feel good score by Alec Wilder and William Engvick.

If the names Alex Wilder and William Engvick don't fly off your tongue, take note of their substantial credits.

Among the popular songs Alec Wilder he wrote or co-wrote were I'll Be Around, a mega hit for the Mills Brothers, While We're Young which was recorded by Peggy Lee and many others, Blackberry Winter, Where Do You Go? which was recorded by Sinatra and It's So Peaceful in the Country. He also wrote many songs for the cabaret artist Mabel Mercer, including one of her signature pieces, Have You Ever Crossed Over to Sneden's? Unusually for a composer, Wilder occasionally wrote his own lyrics including for his most famous song I'll Be Around.

William Engvick is best known for his collaborations with composer Alec Wilder; they produced songs for the Broadway musical Once Over Lightly (1942), and for the musical television specials Miss Chicken Little, Hansel and Gretel,and, if course Pinoccho. Engvick was also responsible for a number of English language lyrics to songs originally composed in French. Among his lyrics in this category were The Song from Moulin Rouge and I'll Remember Today.

The 13 tracks on this CD open with Opening/Listen To Your Heart with Listen To Your Heart repeated as tracks 6, 8 10 and 12. It's a fanciful tune promising that "you'll find love someday, if you just listen to your heart."

All of the versions are delivered differently. The Number 6 track rendition has more of an soulful, adult delivery by Fran Allison, who has a lovely voice.

While Allison was best known for her role on Kukla, Fran and Ollie, she began her career in Chicago where, in 1937, she was hired as a staff singer and personality on NBC Radio.

In addition to Pinocchio, other television music specials in which she appeared include Many Moons, Damn Yankees and Miss Pickerell.

Allison made records for the RCA Victor label, enjoying two pop hits. In 1950 her recording of Peter Cottontail charted at #26 around Easter of 1950. The next year her recording of Too Young achieved position #20. In both recordings she is backed by Jack Fascinato, who was the orchestra leader of Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

Stubby Kaye's delivery of Happy News is the boisterous ditty that you'd expect from the endearing performer. Rooney's expert dialogue delivery between the numbers moves along the storyline. The commentary that "a child should sing before he talks and dance before he walks" leads into Pinocchio's Song.

Lullaby is a dreamy composition. The Fox's Pitch is sly, clever and cunning. The Jolly Coachman is just that - jolly. Track 8 has a calliope feel. Following dialogue that segues into another version of Lullaby followed by more Listen to Your Heart.

A Fairy with a magic wand which turns Pinocchio into a real life boy, leads into the Track 10 version of Listen to Your Heart. Turning Pinocchio into a real boy means a birthday party. The Birthday Song is a delight. A song people should learn. It sure beats the Happy Birthday To You song we all are accustomed to hearing. Track 12 of Listen to Your Heart, again sung by Allison, ties a bow around the entire storyline. Stubby Kaye and cast close the CD with the toe tapping Happy News.

Pinocchio:Original Television Cast recording released on Masterworks Broadway is a charming addition to a musical collection.

Produced by Yasha Frank and David Susskind. Arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

SWEET CHARITY

THE 2015 JEFFREY OSBORNE ALL STAR CELEBRITY CLASSIC begins with a comedy explosion on August 9 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

Featuring Cedric The Entertainer, Chris Tucker, Sinbad and hosted by George Lopez.

More fun takes place on Monday, August 10, with the Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Softball Classic at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I.

In his efforts to support non-profit organizations who support a continued push for music and the arts to children and their families, as well as those who provide a safe-haven for families in need, Osborne has again engaged some of the most successful names in the entertainment and sports worlds for this 4th Annual Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic.

The rain or shine game will feature the softball playing talents (or lack thereof) of Osbourne, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Moses Malone, Cedric The Entertainer, Sinbad, Chris Tucker, George Lopez, Steve Grogan, Pete Brock, Ty Law, Jermaine Wiggins, Smokey Robinson, Jerry Roster, Johnny Gil, Bobby Farrelly, Cornelius Bennet, Claudia Jordan, Roland Martin, Phillip Bailey, Jim Harrick, Ed Cooley, Kevin Stacom, Jay Harris, and Doris Burke.

The Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic will also provide music- and art-based scholarships and a humanitarian award to deserving individuals and organizations.

DC BEER WEEK features "more than 100 separate events during the week-long festival throughout the region – from panel discussions to beer dinners and glassware giveaway happy hours to a beer dinner cruise on the Potomac River and more. The 7th Annual DC Beer Week is August 9-16, 2015."

There is a purpose: "DC Beer Week is a celebration of good beer in the National Capital Region from conception to consumption and everyone and everything in between. DC Beer Week also aims to educate all on good beer through various events and seminars."

The kick-off event takes place at Suburbia at Union Market. The 1967 Airstream bar outside of Union Market in northeast DC will host 20 of the region’s top breweries, cideries, and meaderies to mark the beginning of the 7th Annual DC Beer Week. The daytime event will feature tastings, music from DJ-59, a ribbon cutting ceremony with a special guest who will also tap the first official keg of DCBW’s Solidarity Beer of 2015, and more.

On Wednesday the Beer Week's charity event takes place - RFD's 3rd Annual Coast to Coast Tap Takeover. As DC Beer Week’s #1 charitable event, 100% of the $5 cover will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A WALTON'S WEEKEND takes place August 7-8 at Theatricum Botanicum. t A Walton’s Weekend is a a gathering of alumni from the long-running TV series The Waltons that starred Theatricum founder Will Geer as Grandpa Walton from 1972 until his death in 1978.

Members of the Geer family will present series creator Earl Hamner with the first annual Will Geer Humanitarian Award in recognition of his lifetime achievements and concern for others.

The event is a fundraiser for the theater.

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy era Hollywood blacklist (before he became known as the beloved Grandpa on The Waltons), opened a theater for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga.

Friends such as Ford Rainey, John Randolph and Woody Guthrie joined him on the dirt stage for vigorous performances and inspired grassroots activism, while the audiences sat on railroad ties.

Today, two outdoor amphitheaters are situated in the natural canyon ravine, where audiences are able to relax and enjoy the wilderness during an afternoon or evening's performance. Theatricum is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Margaret Harford Award for “sustained excellence,” which is the Los Angeles Critics Circle's highest honor.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the Ford Foundation to support their efforts combating stigma, preventing infections, providing treatment and services, and motivating governments to end AIDS.

HANG IN THERE

VALERIE HARPER 75, is resting with family after being rushed to York Hospital in Ogunquit, Maine after becoming unconscious backstage at her musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

Harper, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2913, appeared in the second act of the play, in the role of wealthy and stylish Millicent Winter, and was due to continue her three-week run until August 15.

At the time emergency services were alerted the Playhouse issued a statement in which Bradford T. Kenney, Executive Artistic Director, said: "Valerie Harper was taken to a local hospital as a precaution before her July 29 evening performance of Nice Work If You Can Get It, at the Ogunquit Playhouse, after reporting that she was not feeling well. She is resting comfortably and will remain in the hospital for observation for the time being.

"Valerie has been performing in the Ogunquit production as Millicent Winter along with Sally Struthers as Duchess Estonia Dulworth. The audiences and all of us here at the Playhouse are greatly enjoying our time with Valerie here in Ogunquit, and we are encouraged that she is feeling better."

Harper was released from the hospital after an overnight stay.

A major news outlet insisted that Harper was in a coma.

A July 31 statement from the Ogunquit Playhouse reads, "There have been conflicting reports in the media regarding Valerie Harper’s condition after being admitted to the hospital Wednesday evening prior to going on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney has been in direct communication with Valerie’s family from the beginning and can report that Valerie is not, and has never been, in a coma. She is currently enjoying her family’s company while resting at an undisclosed location. Valerie has been loving her time in Ogunquit and is looking forward to getting back on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse."

On Saturday, August 1, a resting Harper looked wide awake in a photo she posted on her Facebook page. On her Facebook and Twitter accounts she wrote: "Dear friends & fans! As always, thanks for your amazing support. I am happy to report I am not, in a coma."



A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN by Nobel laureate Eugene O’Neill.

Directed by Gordon Edelstein.

Starring Six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald and Tony Award-nominee Will Swenson.

When Phil Hogan, a salty tenant farmer, fears he will lose his property, his daughter Josie (McDonald), lures their dissolute landlord, Jamie Tyrone (Swenson), into bed one summer night. Under the glow of the moon, truth comes into focus for these two souls, but what awaits them when dawn breaks?

"This raw and invigorating new look at O’Neill’s poetic and bitterly romantic A Moon for the Misbegotten assures us of the heart’s capacity for infinite love and forgiveness."

Featuring scenic design by the world-renowned Ming Cho Lee.

August 5 - August 23 on the Main Stage at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, MA.

SWEAT by Lynn Nottage.

Directed by Kate Whoriskey.

A group of close friends shares everything: drinks, secrets and laughs. But when rumors of layoffs shake up the factory where they work, the fragile bonds of their community begin to splinter and a horrific crime sends shock waves across two generations. This powerful world premiere by acclaimed playwright Lynn Nottage explores America’s industrial decline at the turn of the millennium with a look inside a Pennsylvania town whose people struggle to reclaim what’s lost, find redemption and redefine themselves in a new century.

Co-commissioned with Arena Stage through OSF’s American Revolutions program.

World Premiere will premiere at OSF in Ashland, Oregon on August 2, 2015 and run through October 31.

STAGE KISS a charming new romantic comedy by Sarah Ruhl.

Directed by Casey Stangl.

Does art imitate life? Or does life imitate art? From Pulitzer finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl is "this wickedly clever and charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kiss - or when actors share a real one. When two actors (Stacia Rice and Todd Gearhart) with a history are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the story onstage follows them offstage."

The production stars Stacia Rice, who plays "She" and has 34 of the 35 kisses in the play. Michael Booth is husband/Harrison; Cat Brindisi is Millicent/Laurie; Todd Gearhart is He; Charles Hubbell portrays A Director; Rebecca Hurd is Millie/Maid/Angela and Grant Fletcher Prewitt is Kevin.

Set Designer Todd Rosenthal. Costume Designer Devon Painter. Lighting Designer Tom Mays. Sound Designer C. Andrew Mayer. Dramaturg Carla Steen. Voice and Language Consultant D'Arcy Smith. Fight Director Annie Enneking. Vocal Music Supervisor Raymond Berg. Stage Manager Jason Clusman. Assistant Stage Manager Michele Hossle. Assistant Director Michael Sheeks.

Performances through August 30, 2015 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage of the Guthrie in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

BENT by Martin Sherman.

Directed by Moisés Kaufman.

Set in Germany in the 1930s, Bent follows the struggles of gay men trying to survive in Nazi Germany, in particular two men who, in the midst of the darkest moments of mankind, manage to give and receive love and find strength in each other. The Taper production is the first major U.S. revival of Bent since the Broadway premiere in 1979, when it was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.

With Hugo Armstrong, Ray Baker, Tom Berklund, Matthew Carlson, Brionne Davis, Wyatt Fenner, Patrick Heusinger, Charlie Hofheimer, Andy Mientus, Jake Shears, Brian Slaten and Jonathan B. Wright.

Set and costume design are by Beowulf Boritt; lighting by Justin Townsend; sound by Cricket S. Myers; wigs and hair design by Carol F. Doran; fight direction by Steve Rankin; choreography by Ken Roht and casting byHeidi Levitt, CSA. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

Performances through August 23 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Stephen Canny and John Nicholson.

Directed by Patrick Davies.

Featuring Patrick Davies, Nick Dunbar, and Simon Leary.

When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his remote estate, in eerie, seemingly supernatural circumstances, and surrounded by giant paw prints, the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate.

With his devoted assistant, Dr Watson, in tow, Holmes must apply his famous powers of deduction to unraveling the terrifying mystery of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

The most popular of all of the Sherlock Holmes adventures is brought to life in this slapstick comedy spoof packed full of laughter, suspense and lightning- fast costume changes.

August 8-Septmber 5, 2015 at the Fortune Theatre in New Dunedin, New Zealand.

NABUCCO music by Giuseppe Verdi.

Nabucco is the epic Biblical tale of King Nebuchadnezzar. His virtuous daughter abandons her faith for love, but will she be undone by her vicious, backstabbing sister's thirst for power? Experience this monumental story, as it comes to Seattle Opera for the very first time. With an inventive new production that puts the orchestra at the heart of the action and brings you closer to the singers than ever before. Thrill to the “Va, pensiero” chorus, marvel at the grandeur, and connect with the characters on a whole new level.

Starring Gordon Hawkins who returns in Verdi’s first great baritone role, the King of Babylon. Mary Elizabeth Williams takes on the challenge of his vicious daughter, Abigaille. Christian Van Horn makes his Seattle debut as Zaccaria, the High Priest. Russell Thomas returns as Ismaele, and Jamie Barton makes her Seattle Opera debut as Fenena.

Also featuring Weston Hurt, Raffaella Angeletti, Andreas Bauer, Jonathan Silvia and Eric Neuville.

Robert Schaub - Set Design; Robert Bonniol - Projection Design; Duane Schuler - Lighting Designer; Ginette Grenier - Costume Designer; Joyce Degenfelder - Hair and Makeup Designer; Jonathan Dean - English Captions.

In Italian with English subtitles.

August 8 through 22 at Seattle Opera in Seattle, Washington.

MISALLIANCE by George Bernard Shaw.

Directed by Stephen Brown-Fried.

Starring Ames Adamson, Brian Cade, Katie Fabel, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Matthew Sherbach, Erika Rolfsrud, Caralyn Kozlowski, Robbie Simpson and Matt Kleckner.

"Misalliance transports audiences to Edwardian-era England and the lush Tarleton solarium, where patriarch John Tarleton struggles to maintain control over his rebellious daughter and headstrong son, as well as a host of unexpected visitors. Over the course of a single Saturday afternoon, Shaw creates a chaotic clash of class, gender, and generation and explores the idiosyncrasies of the British classes and their family values."

The scenic designer is Brian Clinnin, costume designer Tilly Grimes, lighting designer Andrew Hungerford, and sound designer Toby Algya. Denise Cardarelli serves as production stage manager.

Presented by The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey August 5–August 30 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, NJ.

HELLO DOLLY! music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Book by Michael Stewart, based on Thorton Wilder's 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker, in 1955.

One of the last great “classic” American musical comedies makes a much-requested return to MTWichita.

"And what do you do for a living, Mrs. Levi?” asks Ambrose Kemper in the first scene of this most delightful of musical comedies. “Some people paint, some sew… I meddle,” replies Dolly. Hello, Dolly! is full of memorable songs including Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, Hello, Dolly!, Elegance, It Only Takes a Moment and So Long, Dearie. And we are off on a whirlwind race around New York at the turn of the twentieth century, as we follow the adventures of America’s most beloved matchmaker.

"MTWichita last presented Hello, Dolly! as the season finale of our 1994 season, and it will be lovely to welcome her back after an absence of more than two decades".

August 5-9 at the Music Theatre Wichita in Wichita, Kansas.

MADAME BUTTERFLY by Puccini.

Featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by LA Opera’s Grant Gershon.

Stage direction by Tara Faircloth.

Experience Puccini’s heartbreaking masterpiece of passion, honor, and sacrifice with Wolf Trap Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra in this new staged and costumed production with custom video projections.

The lush romantic music is infused with the exoticism of early 20th-century Japan as the young geisha Cio-Cio San gives up everything for the dashing American Lieutenant Pinkerton.

Starring Alexandria Loutsion as Cio-Cio San, Robert Wataon as Lt. B. F. Pinkerson, Joo Won Kang as Sharpless, J'nai Bridges as Suzuki, David Margulis as Goro, Evan Boyer as The Bonze, Grace Newberry as Kate Pinkerton and Ian Koziara as Prince Yamadon.

Video and projections designer S. Katy Tucker, costume design by Rooth Varland. The new scenic design is by Zane Pihlstrom. Lighting design by Mark Stanley. Hair & Makeup Designer is Anne Nesmith. Language Consultant Franca Gorraz. Musical Preparation Justine Lee and Stephanie Rhodes. Production stage manager Michael Janney.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles in-house.

Friday, August 7, Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA.

WHO'S WHERE

IDINA MENZEL is on stage Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Seattle, WA at the Paramount Theatre. Friday's performance is in Concord, CA at the Concord Pavilion. On Saturday she'll be in the spotlight in San Diego, CA at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Next Sunday, she can be enjoyed in Phoenix, AZ at the Comerica Theatre.

JAMIE CULLUM AND LIZA FISCHER star at The Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA on Wednesday, August 5.

ONE DIRECTION brings their tour to the MedLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday, August 5. Saturday's gig is at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

TAYLOR SWIFT opens a two nighter Tuesday, August 4, at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On Saturday she can be enjoyed at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA.

DUNCAN SHEIK a Grammy and Tony winning singer/songwriter, Duncan Sheik performs his memorable hits, including Barely Breathing, along with newer compositions from his new record, Legerdemain, as well as songs from his Tony Award-winning rock musical Spring Awakening. April 24-25 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas.

WOODY ALLEN AND HIS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND performs at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on August 8.

THE SECOND CITY that famed Chicago sketch comedy troupe is performing their show Let Them Eat Chaos through August 9 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, DC.

FINAL OVATION

CECIL THE LION was brutally wounded by Walter James Palmer an Eden Prairie, Minnesota dentist, who then "paid $55,000 to a pair of local guides to kill, skin and behead the beloved Zimbabwe lion on private land outside Hwange National Park," according to published reports, so that the human butcher of innocent animals could have some personal trophies.

Cecil was 13.

Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force told the press that Cecil had been deliberately lured outside of his protected environment.

A police official in Zimbabwe told the press that two Zimbabweans, Honest Trymore Ndlovu and Theo Bronchorst, had been arrested in the murder case and that police were looking for Palmer on poaching charges. Ndlovu and Bronchorst also attempted to destroy Cecil's tracking device.

Cecil was a participant in a study that Oxford University in Britain was conducting, and he had been outfitted with a GPS collar.

On Wednesday, July 29, Bronkhorst pleaded not guilty to a charge of "failing to prevent an unlawful hunt" at a court in Zimbabwe's capital Harare. He was granted bail of $1,000 and ordered to appear in court again on August 5. If convicted, Bronkhorst faces up to 15 years in prison. His co-accused - farm owner Honest Ndlovu - will appear at a later date.

Oppah Muchinguri, Zimbabwe’s environment, water and climate minister, told a news conference. "We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his (Palmer's) extradition to Zimbabwe so that he be made accountable."

"There has been an outcry," Ms. Muchinguri said. "Almost 500,000 people are calling for his extradition and we need this support. We want him tried in Zimbabwe because he violated our laws."

However, there is not an extradition agreement between Zimbabwe and the United States.

Palmer is responsible not only for Cecil's death, but for the probable deaths of Cecil's cubs. Palmer tampered with the Law of the Jungle. "The saddest part of all is that, now that Cecil is dead, the next lion in the hierarchy, Jericho will most likely kill all Cecil's cubs so that he can insert his own bloodline into the females," Rodrigues told the press. "This is standard procedure for lions."

Some officials have indicated that Cecil's brother is attempting to protect the cubs. However, should Jericho and Cecil's brother decide to engage in a fight to be King of the Jungle, it would be a fight to the death.

CNN reported that this may not be the first time Palmer, an avid big game hunter, had broken the law. CNN reported that a person believed to have been Palmer "illegally killed a black bear in Wisconsin several years ago, according to court documents. That individual pleaded guilty to making a false statement. He knowingly made false statements to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was sentenced to one year on probation and ordered to pay a fine of nearly $3,000, records show."

Cecil was a prized lion in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where visitors regularly saw him wandering around. A video of the animal, regal, indifferent and sleepy-eyed, has been widely disseminated. He had become friendly towards humans.

Cecil is survived by millions of worldwide fans.

LYNN ANDERSON Grammy Award winning country singer died of a heart attack at Vanderbilt University Medical Center l in Nashville on Thursday, July 30, 2015. She had been hospitalized for pneumonia following a trip to Italy. She was 67 years old.

She began her career as a singer on The Lawrence Welk Show between 1967 and 1969. Her most famous hit was (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden, penned by Joe South. Anderson’s other hits included, Rocky Top, You’re My Man, How Can I Unlove You, What a Man, My Man Is and Top of the World.

She performed for presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan.

She was also a horse breeder and an award-winning, lifelong equestrian who became involved in therapeutic horse riding programs for disabled and troubled children.

Anderson wed producer/songwriter Glenn Sutton in 1968. He produced several of her hit songs - and penned some too, including You’re My Man and Keep Me in Mind. The couple divorced in 1977.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of The Recording Academy issued the following statement: "Lynn Anderson was one of the leading ladies of Nashville in the '70s, a powerful singer born into a family of music makers. Rose Garden, which earned Lynn the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female in 1970, remains an indelible hit of its era, and she went on to chart more than 15 top 10 records on the country charts. Her passing is a sad loss for country music, and our condolences go out to her family, friends and fans."

She is survived by her father, three children - Lisa Sutton, Melissa Hempel and Gray Stream - four grandchildren and her partner Mentor Williams.

ROBIN PHILLIPS an actor and director often credited with revitalizing Ontario's Stratford Festival in the mid-1970s died July 25, 2015 just outside of Stratford after a prolonged illness. He was 73.

Born in Haslemere, England he came to Canada after studying at the British theatre company Bristol Old Vic and acting across the U.K. on television and in film.

He worked 11 seasons in total - five as director - at Stratford Festival and directed 40 productions, including Measure for Measure, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear.

Phillips was the festival’s fourth artistic director. He commanded the troupe from 1975 to 1980 when the organization was called the Stratford Shakespearean Festival. Among the performers he directed there were Maggie Smith, Jessica Tandy, Peter Ustinov, Richard Monette and Brian Bedford.

Known as a perfectionist; he resigned in 1980, citing exhaustion.

After leaving Stratford, he became artistic director of the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. He returned to Stratford from 1987 to 1988 to direct the Young Company. And he was director general of the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton from 1990 to 1995. He also helped found Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre Company. On Broadway he directed the 1997 production of Frank Wildhorn’s long-running Jekyll & Hyde. His also helmed Abelard and Heloise, a drama starring Diana Rigg in 1971. In London's West End he directed a 2000 production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night starring Jessica Lange and Ghosts in 2001.

He also directed the Canadian Stage Company's productions of Larry’s Party and the Elephant Man.

Mr. Phillips was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Western Ontario in 1983, the Order of Canada in 2005, and a Governor General's Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010.

Next Column: August 9, 2015
Copyright: August 2, 2015 All Rights Reserved. Reviews, Interviews, Commentary, Photographs or Graphics from any Broadway To Vegas (TM) columns may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, utilized as leads, or used in any manner without permission, compensation and/or credit.
Link to Main Page

---

Laura Deni

For the snail mail address, please E-mail your request.
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION