Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: March 17, 2024
By: Laura Deni
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GEEZER BIRD: SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN THE WORK PLACE IS HEARTBREAKING AND CHILLING

Erotophobe ladette Sammy Davenport, a 24-year-old virgin, is unexpectedly thrown on-the radio under the mononym 'Angelique', where she naively takes on the persona of a late night dominatrix.

Set in the late 1990s with ladette culture in full swing, and the pre #metoo assumption that all young women are obsessed with sex, this semi-autobiographical audio drama from Tash Desborough hits a zeitgeist nerve, and questions misogyny in the workplace and assumed attitudes on sex and sexiness.

In Geezer Bird playwright Tash Desborough ably crafts a compilation of interviews to bring to light the sexual horrors of women in the workplace - manipulated women without a support system. Their lives have been changed - forever.

Natasha "Tash" Desborough once hosted a late night radio talk show Chill Out on xfm London. The radio host, author, DJ and radio and television producer knows of what she pens.

Desborough uses a middle of the night talk show to bring characters into focus. Geezer Bird is both heartbreaking and chilling.

"Hello, whose on line seven?"

Sammy played by Lola-Rose Maxwell has a smouldering honey coated voice which attracts men.

She was using a voice she admits she "didn't know how to use."

The bosses changed her name. The sultry, seductive Angelique was born.

On the air from 11p.m. to 2 a.m. the rating were through the roof.

"The sexiest three hours of your day. Whose on Line 1."

Being paid on a limited budget she had to augment with voice over work.

"Hello, what can I do for you tonight?"

"Want to sit on my face?"

She admits she didn't have a producer and didn't realize she could ask for one, she was on her own.

The pop star arrested - a famous person exposing himself. Famous names are mentioned in an offhand, unrelated way. "It's a red card for David Beckham," which refers to a soccer player being penalized for "serious foul play, violent conduct and spitting, among others."

Sammy's best friend is "more Angelique than I'll ever be."

"The husky harlot of darkness. Whose on line 5?"

"The crazy thing is, I started to believe it," she says referring to taking on the persona of a sex goddess.

"After all the five stars reviews started coming in, I started to believe I was Angelique."

She brought in the listeners and the advertisers, but she wasn't being rewarded.

Alone, that's how she felt.

Men at the studio exposed themselves to her. He was so close she could smell him."He was grinning, his eyes fixed on mine."

Soon it was over. "I felt stupid, revolting. Stupid because I was afraid. Revolting because I was contaminated."

The boss instructs her to say: "Something big to get you up in the morning. Make it really uber sultry and hot," are his instructions.

"He showed me his willy," she confides to a friend who giggles.

Poetry to stir your loins. "Can I take you for a drink, or a cuddle, or a kiss," asks a caller.

As Angelique invades Sammy's mind and attitude, Sammy strains under the weight.

Angelique receives three award nominations.

A meeting which could lead to a promotion.

"Don't be so bloody ungrateful. You should be honored that he wants you . . . He doesn't do that for everyone," she's told. She didn't have enough self awareness to feel offended.

Rage against the female executives who didn't complain - rather, enabled him.

Angelique was strong, in control. "She was the voice I wished I had. Angelique was the women I wished I was."

As Angelique gained more power, Sammy was disappearing. She began to think of herself as a disgusting young women.

She's told to "just shrug it off."

The cast: Sammy played by Lola-Rose Maxwell - Bridget – Clare Grogan; DJ Ricky Fisse – Sean Delaney; Jess – Saffron Coomber; Male Callers / Additional Voices – Caleb Obediah & Pete Gold / Additional Voices Jim Sigee / Tash Desborough / Fiona Thraille / Sarah Golding.

The creatives are: incidental music by David Salholm and Get Ghost; Broadcast Assistant – Fiona Thraille; Theme music – Katie Seaton; Sound Designer – Sarah Buchynski; Producer / Director – Sarah Golding.

Recorded by Jim Sigee at the RNIB Talking Book Studios on February 23, 2024.

A Wireless Theatre original, all characters are fictional but events are based on real life.

Trigger warnings – Depiction and talk of experiencing indecent exposure, panic attacks, anxiety, sex addiction.

The sound effects are a little too loud for my personal taste, but they are effective.

The production offers "A special thank you to all of the women and Geezer Birds who shared their experience of misogyny in the workplace for this Wireless Theatre original."

We hear you. You are heard. #ItsNotOk

The production stresses: If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, please visit any of the following organizations for advice and support: Women’s Aid, The Conversation, Rape Crisis, No Panic, Mind.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

ART AND ABOUT

BOB GRUEN: ROCK SEEN

Bob Gruen Photo: City Winery

an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the work of Bob Gruen, one of rock and roll's most esteemed photographers. Known for his captivating images that have defined the genre's visual landscape, Gruen's work includes some of the most iconic photographs in music history.

Bob Gruen's illustrious career has immortalized moments of raw energy and emotion, capturing the likes of John Lennon in his legendary New York City t-shirt, Led Zeppelin in front of their private jet, and Sid Vicious with a hot dog in hand — an image that is now in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. Gruen's photographs have adorned magazine covers, posters, and even postage stamps across the globe. With 15 books to his name, including Rock Seen, John Lennon: The New York Years, Green Day: Photographs by Bob Gruen, and his autobiography, Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer, his work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide.

Bob Gruen: Rock Seen is a retrospective that spans Gruen's remarkable 50-year career, featuring legends from Tina Turner to Green Day. The exhibit predominantly showcases silver gelatin photo process prints alongside archival pigment prints, highlighting the evolution of rock photography. Notably, the exhibition includes two silkscreen print versions of Gruen's John Lennon photos, created by Gary Lichtenstein Editions, capturing Lennon at the Statue of Liberty and during rehearsals at the Fillmore East for his Madison Square Garden show.

The exhibition's opening reception aligned with Theatre Within’s Acoustic Lennon benefit concert. Tha special night featured performances by Ms. Lisa Fischer, Jimmy Vivino, Willie Nile, and David Broza, among others. The concert, in support of charitable organizations benefiting music education and writing, underscored City Winery's commitment to the arts and community engagement.

The exhibit at City Winery in New York City runs through April 30th, offering visitors an unparalleled journey through five decades of music history.

LAIKA is the Oregon-based studio which in 2009 redefined stop-motion animation with the instant classic Coraline. Now boasting five Oscar-nominated films with more on the way, Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA grants you unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the legendary studio’s groundbreaking production techniques, along with immersive set displays, character interactives, and sneak peeks of upcoming work. Real light falling on real sets and puppets? Can’t be beat.

Never-before-seen artifacts from the LAIKA production studios. Immersive set displays. Character interactives. Sneak peek at Wildwood, the studio’s next animated feature film.

Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA will be on exhibition at the Museum of Pop Culture starting Saturday, March 18, 2023 through summer 2024.

POLLY BRADEN LEAVING UKRAINE‘Some found happiness. Some were overwhelmed. Some had to return. Photographer Polly Braden spent two years documenting the lives of Ukrainian women and children as they became increasingly scattered across Europe.'

Discover the personal journeys of displaced women and children, through this exhibition of photographs and short films. Polly Braden: Leaving Ukraine is an intimate portrait of women, forced to leave their homes following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Polly Braden has used her camera to document the lives of women and children unexpectedly scattered across Europe. Through first-hand photographs, personal films and recorded conversations, Leaving Ukraine will take the visitor on a geographical and emotional journey, including the highs and lows of job interviews, first days at school, trips to buy wedding dresses and poignant family reunions, as well as grueling night shifts – a far cry from the jobs they had at home.

The show will explore four central stories focusing on: three school friends trying to forge new lives and continue their education; a young graduate making a fresh start as a lawyer in London; a mother whose baby was born shortly after a perilous escape from Kherson to Warsaw; and two friends and their children who fled to Moldova with help from a kickboxing club, now struggling to find work in Italy.

Polly Braden’s relationships with the women and girls featured in the exhibition continues up to the present moment and we see how their circumstances are continuing to evolve amid the ongoing uncertainty. As the conflict continues into its third year, the passing of time is mirrored in everyday lives, as teenagers grow into young adults and babies into toddlers.

The exhibit is at The Foundling Museum in London through September 1, 2024..

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SWEET CHARITY

ELTON JOHN'S OSCAR PARTY raised a record setting $10.8 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at his annual Oscars Party.

"So far, this has been an extraordinary year beyond my wildest dreams, including the honor of achieving the EGOT, but it’s tonight’s gathering that is the ultimate highlight," says Elton John."I’m so grateful to everyone who comes out each year to have a lot of fun and do a whole lot of good together. We’ve been loud and proud about showing compassion and ending the dreadful stigma that follows HIV, and we won’t stop until we achieve our mission."

Seated at his piano, the EGOT performed in front of a star-studded audience which included Patricia Arquette, Donatella Versace, Sharon Stone, Zooey Deschanel, Brandi Carlile, Danny DeVito, Rhea Pearlman, Tim Allen, Elizabeth Hurley, Alexis Bledel, Eric McCormack, Avril Lavigne, Heidi Klum and her husband Tom Kaulitz, Melanie Lynskey, Smokey Robinson, Katharine McPhee, Jane Seymour and Cara Jade Myers. Toni Braxton who will soon begin her residency in Las Vegas with Cedric the Entertainer brought her son to the party, his first Oscar event.

John offered Are You Ready for Love backed by the Trio Gabriels who also performed Love and Hate in a Different Time and Great Wind.

This annual suaree has been an A-listers Oscar-night event, raking in well over $100 million since the first gathering on Maple Drive in 1993. West Hollywood Park is now transformed every year to accommodate the party. Serving as hosts for the event that started at 2:30 p.m. were Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, alongside John and his husband David Furnish, who chairs the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Teaming with other philanthropists like Versace, last year John and Furnish launched the Rocket Fund, which aims to accelerate funding for the foundation. The organization is working to end AIDS by 2030.

A live auction brought in millions with exuberant bidding war leading to a $500,000 sale for Chopard earrings from Maison’s. The brand then donated a second pair, which was instantly sold for an additional $500,000.

A bedazzled Yamaha piano signed by John went for upwards of $360,000, after Sir Elton playing a few bars of Your Song. Other items gaveled down included one of John’s personal Rolex watches, photography from John and Furnish’s personal collection, an early illustration by Andy Warhol, a blueprint drawing from Keith Haring, pinball machines painted with representations of John’s career and exclusive entry into Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

LA NUIT A fundraiser for supporting access to the arts takes place Friday, March 22, at The Flynn in Burlington, Vermont.

Dancing, Drinks, Light Bites, & Auction.

Raffle tickets offer a change to win gold and diamond hoop earrings, valued at $5,600, donated by Von Bargen's.

All proceeds support the Flynn and their work throughout the year to increase access to the arts in Vermont and beyond. Black Tie Encouraged, Dancing Shoes Required.

Event Committee Co-chairs:

Victoria & Corey Bronner and Ali & Shawn Dumont.

Event Committee Members
Deb & Rick Estabrook
Joe Perrotto
Paul & Carol Ode
Susannah Kerest
Staige & Sarah Davis
Rachel & Ben Browdy.

SPREADING THE WORD

THE 27th ANNUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM takes place Saturday, March 23 in Washington, DC.

Ford’s Theatre Society and the Abraham Lincoln Institute are proud to announce the return of the free Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium, a one-day symposium dedicated to promoting the life, career and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. We welcome a lineup of scholars and historians to our theatre this spring. This year’s speakers include:

Callie Hawkins: "Reflections on Grief and Child Loss," exhibit at President Lincoln’s Cottage, Washington, D.C.
Steve Inskeep: Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America
Gordon Leidner: Abraham Lincoln and the Bible: A Complete Compendium
George Rable: Conflict of Command: George McClellan, Abraham Lincoln, and the Politics of War
Michael Zuckert: A Nation So Conceived: Abraham Lincoln and the Paradox of Democratic Sovereignty
The 27th Annual Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium Book Award winners: Edward Achorn for The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History, and Fred Lee Hord and Matthew D. Norman for Knowing Him By Heart: African Americans on Abraham Lincoln.

THE FOUNTAIN THEATRE in Los Angeles board of directors has announced criteria in its national search to replace outgoing artistic director Stephen Sachs, who will retire at the end of 2024.

Responsibilities of the new artistic director will include artistic leadership, including selecting and implementing full seasons of plays for the company; leading the development of new plays and the nurturing of new theater artists; and championing and sustaining arts education, dance and other programs, as well as administrative leadership: collaborating with the board to create and advance the organizational structure of the Fountain; supervising staff; and actively participating in all fundraising and development activities. Skills and qualifications include a B.A. or higher, preferably in the arts, and a minimum of five years experience as an artistic leader at a non-profit theater.

To find a detailed job description; a complete list of required skills, qualifications and personal leadership attributes; and information about salary and benefits, go to fountaintheatre.com Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample on or before April 15, 2024. No phone calls.

PERFORMERS HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES at Britain's Commenwealth Day celebration last Monday at Westminister Abbey included a diverse group from The Ghetto Kids from Uganda; Canadian pianist Spencer Klymyshyn, and the New Zealand soprano and baritone duo Isabella Moore and Benson Wilson. Sir Ben Okri OBE read a specially commissioned poem for the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth.

Queen Camilla and Prince William the Duke of Wales led the royals attending the service.

PET PEEVE people who spell Broadway To Vegas with a small 't' in the word 'To'.

ROYAL BARBIES - QUEEN CAMILLA AND DAME HELEN MIRREN

Queen Camilla with her Barbie lookalike. Photo The Royal Family.

Queen Camilla and Dame Helen Mirran have joined an elite group of ladies who have had Barbie dolls created in their likeness.

Her Majesty The Queen, President of WOW - Women of the World, hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate International Women’s Day and mark the end of the WOW Girls Festival Bus tour. The Bus tour launched on October 11, the International Day of the Girl and concludes at Buckingham Palace following International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8th

The WOW Girls festival is a force for change across society in how it sees girls, their potential and the opportunities it offers for their future.

Accompanied at the reception by Mathilde, Queen of the Belgians and Birgitte The Duchess of Gloucester, Queen Camilla visited the WOW Bus, which has been adapted to allow groups, individuals and families to take part in activities designed by WOW to explore creatively issues around gender equality, including through play, reading, digital experience, video and a recording studio.

Addressing guests, Her Majesty said: Your achievements and your courage are great causes for celebration. As I have followed the progress of the WOW bus across all four corners of the country, I have been enormously impressed to hear of the mentorship that has been offered, the panel discussions that have challenged and strengthened those present, and the partnerships that have been forged with organizations that are, year round, doing incredible work with young people."

While on board the Queen was presented with a very special Barbie, in recognition of her work supporting the WOW Festival as its President. The elegant doll is "dolled up" in an outfit which copied one worn by Camilla - a blue Fiona Clare frock with an Amanda Wakeley black cape and Eliot Zed black boots. Camilla's was also closely replicated on the Barbie as was the jewellery which included gold earrings, a blue and gold bracelet and a broach on her cape.

"You've taken about 50 years off my life - we should all have a Barbie," Camilla quipped as she admired the doll.

Dame Helen Mirren with her Barbie. Photo: Mattel.

Also at the event was actress Dame Helen Mirren, who received her own doll after being chosen as a UK Barbie role model by the toy's maker, Mattel, for this year's International Women's Day.

Her doll recreates the outfit Dame Helen wore at Cannes last year: a cornflower blue gown by Del Core, and jewellery by Bulgari, along with blue hair and a fan. It is also clutching a miniature Oscar statue, in recognition of the actress's 2007 Academy Awards win for her role in The Queen.

In a statmenet on her website, Dame Helen, 78, posted "I am absolutely blown away by my Barbie. To be chosen by Barbie as a Role Model is a huge compliment, and something I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams happening to me at this stage in my life."

“It’s a very special thing, and something I can add to my list of my favourite achievements; becoming a Dame of the British Empire, having an Oscar, having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and having my own Barbie!”

Referring to the blue hair Dame Helen added: "And it was the first time I’d ever had blue hair, and it felt so exciting."

The newly minted Barbie doll model added: "I like to embrace theatrical fashion and the joy that having fun with fashion can bring, and I think that this joy should be ageless. And the cherry on top of the cake is my doll having a miniature Oscar. It is an absolutely perfect reproduction."

Mirren’s doll was one of a series of "one of a kind role model dolls" launched by Mattel to celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary. Among the others now captured as a Barbie are singers Kylie Minogue and Shania Twain and actress Viola Davis; Brazil’s Maira Gomez, a content creator from the indigenous Tatuyo community; Mexican director, producer and screenwriter Lila Avilés; Japanese model Nicole Fujita and German comedian Enissa Amani.

Spice Girl Mel B and former Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes were also recognized as some of the nation's leading women and attended the event alongside schoolgirls and others who have contributed to the promotion of women and girls.

As president of the foundation, Camilla gave a speech recounting the story of two suffragettes who broke palace windows with stones in May 1914. The stones, which were on display at the event, were then kept on the orders of Queen Mary, the wife of King George V - King Charles' great-grandfather.

"In 1914, I believe, they represented hope to the women who threw them, hope that, in the future, they would not be victims of their history, nor of the social and economic forces that were ranged against gender equality," the Queen said after holding up the stones.

"Above all, they represented the hope that it was possible, as Christabel Pankhurst (daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst) said, 'to make this world a better place for women'."

She added: "Today, 110 years later, you have been invited into Buckingham Palace because you too represent hope for women in the present and in the future."

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JULIETTE BINOCHE has been announced as the next president of the European Film Academy Board, succeeding Polish director Agnieszka Holland, who intends to dedicate her time to making films. Binoche was unanimously proposed by the board members after Holland decided to step down.

Holland who became President of the EFA in 2021, was the first female president of the board. She succeeded German director Wim Wenders, who was the second-ever president of the EFA, succeeding the founder - Swedish director Ingmar Bergman - in 1996. Binoche’s appointment officially begins on May 1, 2024.

She is the only woman to have won best actress honors at all three top European film festivals - taking the Volpi Cup in Venice for Trois Couleurs: Bleu in 1993, Berlin’s Silver Bear for The English Patient in 1996 (for the role that also won her the 1997 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress), and the Palme d’Or in Cannes for Certified Copy (2010).

The actress can currently be seen in the Cannes premiering The Taste of Things, as well as Apple TV+ limited series The New Look, in which she plays Coco Chanel opposite Ben Mendelsohn.

THE PRINCESS DIANA LEGACY AWARD CEREMONY took place at the Science Museum in London on March 14, 3034 2024, with awards presented in person by HRH The Prince of Wales in The Diana Award’s 25th anniversary year.

The Legacy Award Ceremony took place at the Science Museum,with awards presented by HRH The Prince of Wales in The Diana Award’s 25th anniversary year. It's mission is "to develop and inspire positive change in the future of young people."

20 Legacy Award winners from around the world, including the U.S., Australia, Bangladesh, the Cayman Islands, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, the UAE and the U.K. were honored.

In a speech, Prince William said, "I’m thoroughly delighted to be here today to recognize the transformational achievements of twenty exceptional young people from across the world. Each and every one of their stories, which you will hear shortly, are testament to their character, passion and determination to make a lasting and meaningful difference to the lives of others.
"The paths taken by these young people have not always been easy. Many have overcome adversity and prejudice, but they are driven by courage, compassion and commitment – qualities shared by my mother.

"This evening’s Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother’s belief that young people can change the world," he stated. "I know that she would have been honored to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe." The Prince of Wales emphasized, "She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life. That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years."

Singer Tom Walker performed his song Lifeline at the event.

The award ceremony lasted seven hours and didn't break up until 1am. Each winner received a standing ovation, shook hands and had their pictures taken with Prince William.

Later, the winners traveled five miles back to their Hilton Hotel, assembling in a conference room so they'd be able to virtually meet Prince Harry as he spoke from America via video.

Prince William (center) with Legacy Award winners. Photo Diana Award.

Prince William and the winners were each allowed to select a song which would introduce them. Prince William chose Thunderstruck by AC/DC, later revealing, "that's George's song."

The latest group of Legacy Award recipients have been chosen by an independent judging panel, chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and were selected from a pool of exceptional individuals already recognized for their impact on society with The Diana Award in 2022 or 2023.
The three American award winners run various non-profits. They are Olivia Zhang, 18, from McLean, Virginia, who started Cancer Kids First; Hailey Richman, 16, from New York City, who set up Kid Caregivers; and Sikanda "Sonny" Khan, 26, from Michigan, who founded Paani Project. LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENTS

ALIZEY KHAN -- CHIARA RIYANTI HUTAPEA ZHANG -- CHRISTINA WILLIAMS -- DEJEA LYONS -- GABRIELLE WONG -- GOBHANU SASANKAR KORISEPATI -- HAILEY RICHMAN -- JOEL NKEONYE MORDI -- MADDISON O'GRADEY -- MANASI GUPTA -- NAFIRA NAYEEM AHMAD -- NETRA VENKATESH -- OLIVIA ZHANG -- OLUWADAMILOLA AKINTEWE -- SHAMIM AHMED MRIDHA -- SIKANDER ‘SONNY’ KHAN -- SOFIA SCARLAT -- SOPHIE PENDER -- UDAY BHATIA -- YUSUF BEN-TARIFITE.

"Every year, we welcome judges to assess nominations for the Legacy Award. To keep the award fair and transparent, the external panel members are tasked with the tough decision to read, score and agree on who will receive a Legacy Award."

THE LEGACY AWARD JUDGES:

Baroness Doreen Lawrence: Founder and Chair of The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, and Labour Life Peer in the House of Lords.

Vivi Lin: Legacy Award Recipient.

Rosie Nixon: HELLO! Magazine.

Yashveer Singh: Co-founder & Global Leader, Ashoka Young Changemakers.

Aodhán Roberts: Legacy Award Recipient.

HRH Olori Ivie Atuwatse III: Royal Iwere Foundation, Queen of the Warri Kingdom.

Ben Thornton: Founder of 5654 & Company.

Ally Zlatar: Legacy Award Recipient.

Artur (Litar) Litarowicz: Senior Vice President, Beauty Care Europe (Procter & Gamble).

Paul Wharton: Emmy Nominated TV Host, Creator/Executive Producer & Author,CEO Paul Wharton Productions Tunde Oyebamiji: Legacy Award Recipient.

Anthony Yazbeck: President and COO at WeWork.

Cecilia Chapiro: Yunus & Youth Founder.

Sia Godika: Legacy Award Recipient.

Natasha Müller: Founder of NM Impact.

John Hecklinger: President and CEO, Global Fund for Children.

Roudy Ali: Legacy Award Recipient.

HH AlSayyida Basma Al Said: Not Alone Campaign for Mental Health and Whispers of Serenity Clinic.

Sean Doyle: CEO and Chairman, British Airways.

Lottie Leach: Legacy Award Recipient Charlotte Kensett: Director of Social Investment and Strategic Delivery at Nationwide Building Society Stephen Greene CBE: CEO and co-founder of RockCorps



ARSENIC AND OLD LACE By Joseph Kesselring.

Directed by John Clemo.

Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic dark comedy play written by Joseph Kesselring. The story follows the eccentric Brewster family residing in Brooklyn. On the surface, they seem like an ordinary, quirky bunch, but beneath their charming facade lies a sinister secret. Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic, discovers that his sweet and seemingly harmless aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, have been poisoning lonely, elderly men as an act of mercy. They believe they are doing a charitable deed by sparing these men from their lonely lives. Mortimer, torn between his love for his aunts and his duty to uphold the law, struggles to handle the shocking revelation.

Complicating matters further, Mortimer’s brother Teddy believes he is President Theodore Roosevelt and keeps digging graves in the basement, and his long-lost criminal brother Jonathan arrives with his accomplice, Dr. Einstein. Chaos ensues as Mortimer attempts to keep the family’s dark secrets hidden from the outside world while dealing with his brothers’ unpredictable antics.

As the play progresses, the Brewster household becomes a madhouse of mistaken identities, frantic cover-ups, and unexpected encounters. The dark humor arises from the stark contrast between the cheerful facade of the Brewster family and the macabre nature of their actions.

March 21 - March 30, 2024 at Dakota Stage Playhouse in Bismarck, North Dakoda.

BREEDING Written by Barry McStay.

Directed by Tom Ratcliffe.

Zeb & Eoin have met, kissed, fallen in love, moved in, got married... What’s next? Zeb will be Fun Daddy. Eoin will be Serious Daddy. Beth’s job is to decide if they get to be Daddies at all. Together they navigate the exposing road to adoption, forced to lay bare fears and secrets, all in the hope of being deemed "appropriate" parents.

"Breeding was the highlight of 2023's Queer Futures Season; a funny, moving drama about parenthood, queer families & enduring love."

March 21 - April 14, 2023 at the Kings Head Theatre in England.

CHICKEN & BISCUITS written by Douglas Lyons.

Directed by Kevin "Blax" Burroughs.

Chicken & Biscuits reveals the rivalry between sisters Baneatta and Beverly when they come together to bury their father. Between Beverly’s flaunting of her "blessings" at the chapel, the accompaniment of Baneatta’s son by his neurotic Jewish boyfriend of whom she disapproves, and Beverly’s overly inquisitive daughter poking into everyone’s business, the family is not so sure they can make it through the day without killing one another! Baneatta’s pastor husband tries to mediate the family drama while officiating the funeral, but when a shocking family secret is revealed during the ceremony, the siblings are faced with a truth that could either heal or break them.

Featuring Kimberly King as Baneatta; Taylor Renee Henderson as Beverly; Durwood Murray as Reginald; Allyce Calloway as La'Trice; Jacob James as Kenny; Kiara Hudlin as Simone; Marley Bauer as Logan; Michael Amira Temple as Brianna,

Tori Jones stage manager; Andre Buck Jr. sound designer; Emily Carter costume designer; Mashun Tucker lighting designer; Reiko Huffman scenic designer.

The regional premiere has performances through March 24 at the Oceanside Theatre Company which is the resident theatre company of the Sunshine Brooks & Studio Oceanside, CA.

KING JAMES by Rajiv Joseph.

Directed by Justin Emeka.

The breathtaking career of NBA icon LeBron James is the backdrop for this energetic and funny play. Shawn is Black and Matt is White, and they couldn’t be more different—except for their love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The friendship that develops between them, at turns contentious and compassionate, becomes something as enduring and profound as James’s legacy itself. Interwoven with moments of camaraderie, laughter, and poignancy, King James dives into the heart of basketball fandom and highlights the profound connections that sports can cultivate.

The cast includes Joshua Echebiri as Shawn and Caleb Foote as Matt.

Understudying Matt and Shawn are Danny Adams and Kevin Alicea-Minor respectively.

The creatives are: Lawrence E. Moten III (Scenic Design), Sarita Fellows (Costume Design), Abigail Hoke-Brady (Lighting Design), Lindsay Jones (Sound Design), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Sam Allen (Production Stage Manager).

Performances through March 31, 2024 on the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

FINAL OVATION

E. DUKE VINCENT a legendary Blue Angel, an Emmy award-winning television producer and writer, and an accomplished novelist, died on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, at his home, Montecito, California. He was 91.

In 1960 he joined the Blue Angels for the 60-61 seasons. During that time, they flew the F11-F and Duke flew the F8F-8P filming the aerial photo sequences for the NBC Television Series The Blue Angels. It was that experience which sparked his interest in television.

Duke resigned from the Navy in 1962 he went to New York where he and a friend, writer, Arnie Kane, were hired by RKO General and Seven Arts to write and produce seven one-hour documentaries called Man In Space. While in Los Angeles, filming sequences for the series, Duke met with Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, the executive producers of The Dick Van Dyke show. After writing a "spec" script for them, he signed on to do their next TV series, Good Morning World. The following year Duke became Producer/Head Writer of Gomer Pyle, and subsequently, The Jim Nabors Hour; Arnie, and The Little People.

In 1977 Duke met Aaron Spelling and became his partner in 1978 and they remained partners for over 29 years, until Spelling's death. Their list of television credits grew to include 43 series, including Dynasty; Hotel; Vegas; Matt Houston; The Colbys; Beverly Hills 90210; Melrose Place, and 7 Mini-series---including Jackie Collins' Hollywood Wives and James Micheners' Texas----and 39 movies for television including the Emmy Award- winners Day One and And the Band Played On.

Duke was also executive producer with Spelling on the Warner Bros. Network's long-running series Charmed and on its highest rated and longest running drama –7th Heaven.

During his 40-year Hollywood career, Duke wrote or produced over 2300 hours of film and tape, including 1600 hours of prime-time and over 750 hours of daytime television. His titles when he retired were Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of Spelling Television.

After retirement Duke wrote 4 novels: Mafia Summer; Black Widow; The Strip; and The Camelot Conspiracy.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Hensley Vincent.

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Laura Deni

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