Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: November 12, 2023
By: Laura Deni
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION

VROOM!!! START YOUR ENGINES. FORMULA ONE RACES DOWN THE LAS VEGAS STRIP

FI is being compared to a military operation. Those who live in Sin City are the ancillary victims as roads are closed, detours abound; commuters are weary of traffic clogs, orange traffic cones (some call them the state flower) block lanes. There is fencing. Also, lighting rigs and concrete barriers. The Strip is unrecognizable. 105,000 spectators are projected to sit in the newly constructed bleachers and watch a piece of metal with tires zoom by.

31 different options for track layouts were explored before circuit designers committed to the final design which runs 6.120km (3.80 miles) around the Strip. At 6.120km (3.80 miles), the Las Vegas race becomes the third longest circuit on the 2023 Formula 1 calendar, after Spa-Francorchamps (7.004km) and Jeddah Corniche Circuit (6.178km).

The 17-corner, anti-clockwise track winds its way down Koval Lane, passing the recently constructed MSG Sphere arena. This area of track was originally a long, sweeping left hand bend, but was revised in September 2022 and replaced with a chicane, which is an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course.

The track then continues down Sands Avenue before the cars emerge onto the Las Vegas Strip for a two kilometre run past Las Vegas’ most famous Strip landmarks - which many people won't be able to see because of the bleachers and fencing. The drivers will then execute a tight series of corners, heading up Harmon Avenue and into the complex running through land bought by F1.

The drivers are expected to reach top speeds of over 340km/( 211.266 mph) and the average lap speed could be similar to those seen at Monza – the current fastest circuit on the calendar.

As a gambling town Las Vegas is betting on the FI delivering $500 million in revenue, while one report suggests the race could generate $1.3 billion in economic impact for the city - the "single largest special event in Las Vegas history."

In an unusual move, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday night. Taking a hint from events in Bahrain, Singapore and Jeddah, the race will take place under floodlights. As a result of the race being on Saturday, the practice sessions will take place on Thursday, followed by qualifying on Friday evening. The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix marks the first Formula 1 race to not take place on a Sunday since the 1985 South African Grand Prix.

Hotels are staging F1-themed weekends packages. MGM Resorts-owned Bellagio has sold out of a three-day luxury package for $12,000 per person that included VIP tickets, food and wine from celebrity chefs and sommeliers as well as access to private viewing decks overlooking the race.

On the downside there are reports of numerous restaurant reservations being canceled because customers are worried they won't be able to access the location. Never-the-less, the local government still expects to bank a record $87 million in tax revenue on that weekend.

However, there are enough outrageous events plans to keep everyone busy and happy.

Sporting superstars, superstar music performances, over the top VIP events and team-sponsored watch parties and people flying in from across the pond just to participate. Here is a small sampling.

Dr. Shaquille O'Neal Ed.D. talks about his career.

David Beckham teams with Shaquille O'Neal for a "candid conversation."

Williams’ Fan Zone has been participating in a number of races. The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix pop up experience will be taking place, running on the Brooklyn Bridge at the famous New York-New York Hotel.

Entry to the Williams Fan Zone is free. Two show cars will be on display and there will be limited edition merch available plus a range of other activities on offer. You can also expect appearances from current Williams drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant. The Fan Zone is open every day from Monday, November 13 to Saturday, November 18.

Club Sports Illustrated will be hosting sporting royalty in the form of Shaquille O’Neal and David Beckham on race night.

There are also rumors that a to-the-manor-born royal might also materialize. Either way O'Neal and Beckham will be taking part in "candid conversations" about their respective careers for an exclusive audience.

A Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party takes place November 17 with models Nicole English and Brooks Nader; All part of Club Sports Illustrated’s 3-day hospitality package.

If you're accustomed to always having a few extra thousand to play with, tickets for this event are $7,000 per person plus LET and fees for a 3-day ticket.

James Corden hosts a Sotheby's auction.

Wynn Las Vegas has unveiled plans for an Ultimate Race Week. Top of the bill is an exclusive auction in collaboration with RM Sotheby’s, which will feature unique memorabilia – including Lewis Hamilton’s race-winning 2013 Mercedes car. The auction itself takes place from 15:30 on Friday November 17, hosted by Emmy award winning James Corden who flew over from England for the gavel down.

XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club are also involved in the Ultimate Race Week, with an exclusive entertainment line-up featuring acts such as Calvin Harris, Marshmello, The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia, Diplo, Purple Disco Machine and more.

Some of the watch parties taking place will be sponsored by Formula 1 teams. The Circa Resort & Casino, for example, will be home to the Red Bull Watch Party. Taking place at Stadium Swim, you can take in the race in a heated pool or a private cabana and watch the action unfold on a three-story high definition screen!

Rock and roll super-stars such as Rod Stewart, who is ending his residency at Caesars Palace, so enjoy him while you can - performs on November 15, 17 and 18 - or country star Keith Urban who is in residence at Planet Hollywood throughout Grand Prix week.

If you just want to hang around hoping to spot racing giants, The Venetian Resort will be the official home and hotel partner of the BWT Alpine F1 Team over the race weekend.

Race week in Las Vegas also has the drag kind. RuPaul’s Drag Race Live takes place all week at the Flamingo Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas.

You gotta eat somewhere and the grub ranges from overpriced street food to over the top expensive gourmet vittles including trackside dinners with chef Gordon Ramsay.

Jay Leno helps host Lunch with Legends.

Promontory Lunch with Legends takes place today, November 12, 2023, at Delilah at Wynn. Wine connoisseurs and car enthusiasts team up for an afternoon of good times. After a welcome glass of Dom Pérignon, a multicourse meal is served, paired with three vintages of Promontory, one of Napa Valley’s most well-known wines. Bill Harlan, Bruce Meyer and Jay Leno host. Tickets $750.

The Official Opening Ceremony of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place Wednesday, November 15; 7:30 p.m. PT (live in-person), 9:30 p.m. PT (streaming). Watch an immersive display commemorating the Las Vegas debut of Formula 1. A star-studded musical lineup honors the rich legacy of the entertainment capital of the world, including John Legend, Tiësto, Andra Day, Bishop Briggs, J Balvin, Journey, Keith Urban, Steve Aoki, Swedish House Mafia and will.i.am. Plus, Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil perform. An elaborate lighting extravaganza with 1,000 lights and 100 lasers, fireworks, and a drone show sponsored by T-Mobile will round off the entertainment.

Las Vegas is the third US city to host an F1 race, after Miami and Austin. The popularity of the Netflix series Drive to Survive has been credited, including by the drivers, with growing the sport’s audience in the US.

The cars just don't magically appear. They were flown by cargo plane to Las Vegas from Brazil. Spare parts, including engines and tires - lots of tires - hundreds of sets of specialty Pirelli tires - arrived first.

Speaking of tires - McLaren set a new F1 Pit Stop Record: Four Tires in 1.80 Seconds. McLaren's Formula 1 team beat the 1.82 recorded by Red Bull.

In addition to tires rolling in, there are the team's motor homes, which were first dismantled and packed into trucks, before being then flown in. Team uniforms were also shipped. If there is time between races the cars are repainted. Suspension and wiring is checked and replaced if needed and then the machinery is packed once again and driven to the airport. The crates are handed over to DHL, F1’s official logistics partner, and are loaded onto cargo planes which are chartered by Formula One Management (FOM). The teams still have to pay for this service, though. Host cities don't foot the bill.

According to DHL:

On average, each team ships the equivalent weight of eight elephants per race.
DHL cargo travels requires six or seven Boeing 747 cargo planes per event.
There’s around 100 people involved in the logistics overall, including people from DHL, team personnel and locals to each event who aid the operation.

In Las Vegas a dirt lot behind the Strip has been transformed into a permanent pit garage complex. Formula 1 purchased that land. A significant investment of $240 million was made to acquire 29 acres of land situated north east of the Strip. The site of a former car park, it will house the pits and paddock complex over the Grand Prix weekend and is expected to host a Formula 1 exhibition throughout the rest of the year.

However, th temporary bridges and barricades will be taken down, which will also snarl traffic.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix holds an initial three-year contract through to 2025.

Race organizers have flown to Las Vegas hundreds of on-track marshals to manage the track itself, signaling driver flags and recovering crashed cars.

Last August Las Vegas Grand Prix officials launched a hiring drive to fill thousands of paid, temporary positions tied to the upcoming Formula One race. The available job positions included ticketing, food and beverage, and guest services. Las Vegas Valley residents were given first preference.

"The Las Vegas community is incredibly important to us and our planning efforts, and we are thrilled to offer thousands of paid job opportunities to our local community through the November event," Renee Wilm, CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming new members of the team who will play a key role in the seamless execution of the event and to ensuring that our attendees have a memorable and enjoyable experience throughout race weekend."

Temp Guest Services jobs are F1 ambassadors who will welcome and direct guests to their planned destinations. The ambassadors also will offer details regarding event programming and preferred pedestrian routes, and direct line queues and highlight photo opportunities in their area.

Others hired include ticketing resolution representatives who are tasked with troubleshooting ticketing issues and helping the projected 105,000 nightly attendees download/accept their tickets.

Food and beverage positions include bartenders, barbacks, cashiers and catering staff.

If you miss the November 18 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 don't worry there is another race on November 26 - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. That's in the United Arab Emirates. American singer Chris Brown is set to perform at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Grammy-winning RnB artist will headline the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, taking place at the iconic Etihad Park.

If you're determined to see the cars go around in circles in Las Vegas, you'll have another chance next year. Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 takes place November 23, 2024. That means more road closures and orange cones for residents.

E-Book

Soft back Book

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.

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.

ART AND ABOUT

WHAT I GATHER

Loji is noted for combining organic elements and consumer products.

a solo exhibition by Loji Höskuldsson who graduated from the Icelandic Art Academy in 2010. It's where he began embroidery after his mother gave him a tufting tool. He has been quoted as saying that the medium "gives me time to think and reflect as I’m working. It is a way to work with natural material, like wool, which offers a variety of textures and color variations."

What I Gather presents Loji’s Höskuldsson’s embroidered reflections and meditations on the complicated relationship between self, society and culture. The works in the exhibition engage themes of national identity, soft spoken cultural cliches and stereotypes, alternative national icons, family roots and self-understanding. Approaching the topics with a wonderful personal broken empirical scientific method, a fragmented type of Knolling, Höskuldsson offers novel perspectives.

The Reykjavík-based artist combines organic materials, such as plants and flowers, with consumer goods, including food packaging and trash. The delicacy of his thread work has been described as "soothing and serene, featuring bright and airy color palettes that pop against the grey burlap backdrop."

November 18 - January 13. 2024 at the V1 Gallery in Copenhagen, Denmark.

TOLKIEN: MAN, PROFESSOR, AUTHOR will open Rome’s National Gallery of Modern Art on November 16 with Italy's first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni who is an admitted The Lord of the Rings fanatic, unveiling the new exhibit. The show is sponsored by Italy's ministry of culture at a rumored cost of €250,000 ($270,000) and marks the 50th anniversary of the death of British fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien.

The 46-year-old politician first read the books when she was 11. In her days as a young member of MSI, she attended the party’s Camp Hobbit Festival in 1993 and sang along with far-right folk band Compagnia dell'Anello (Fellowship of the Ring). Throughout her political life, she’s stuck close to symbols of the series, including a photo shoot with a Gandalf statue after she was first elected as an MP in 2008.

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano in his notes on the exhibition writes how Tolkein’s work prioritizes "the sense of community and nature, tradition, opposition to the most controversial and dehumanizing aspects of modernity, self-sacrifice, the bond of friendship, courage, dedication, the sense of honor."

During the media presentation in Rome last Wednesday, Sangiuliano hailed the exhibition as "the first of its kind in Italy in terms of the size and authority of the international institutions involved." The exhibition aims to "illustrate the different souls of this extraordinary and multifaceted figure of an academic, man of letters, novelist, linguist, philologist and myth-maker," Sangiuliano said. "His cultural and human richness is carefully reconstructed in an unprecedented exhibition itinerary that winds through signed manuscripts, rare images, memorabilia and works of art inspired by his literary visions".

The exhibition will comprise more than 150 works including photographs, documents, letters and virtual reconstructions of the first editions of the books from which the blockbuster fantasy trilogy by director Peter Jackson is based.

The show will also include a multimedia section "showcasing Tolkien's plans in a spectacular way, as well as presenting everything that revolves around the fantasy world created by the British writer", commented producer Alessandro Nicosia who added that visitors can immerse themselves "in the world of Middle-earth thanks to the reproduction (in loop) of the full version of The Lord of the Rings".

Sangiuliano, who strongly supported staging the exhibit, stressed it was made possible thanks to "the prestigious collaboration with the University of Oxford, the writer's alma mater."

The exhibition is curated by Oronzo Cilli, member of the British Tolkien Society and president of the Italian Tolkien Association, and produced by Alessandro Nicosia.

The show will run in Rome until February 11, 2024 before travelling to other cities in Italy during 2024.

AMERICAN ALL STARS In 1921, The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, became the first museum of modern art in the United States. A century later, its collection of American art still ranks among the very finest in the country.

A selection from this iconic collection travels to Denver in All Stars: American Artists from The Phillips Collection, an expansive exhibition showcasing artworks from more than 50 of the most celebrated American artists.

Through the lens of works created across nearly 150 years, you'll follow the journey of American art from the birth of the modernist spirit and post-war painting up to the contemporary art of today.

Opens Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado.

DOWNTON ABBEY THE EXHIBITION

Mrs. Patmore's hectic kitchen.

The family's glamorous dining room.

has opened in Skokie, Illinois. Relieve your favorite moments from the acclaimed six-season run of Downton Abbey. Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will transport visitors on an incredible journey through the grand home of Downton Abbey providing an inside look into the world of the Crawleys and those down stairs that served them.

From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office, to the family’s glamorous dining room, fans will get the chance to walk through some of the series’ most recognizable and beloved sets.

Visitors will also get an up-close look at over 60 of the show’s official costumes, worn by their favorite actors.

The exhibition offers a fascinating look at all aspects of the post-Edwardian period in which the popular TV series is set and offers in-depth insight into the remarkable events that shaped the world.

From World War I to the Roaring Twenties, visitors will have the chance to learn about British society, culture, and fashion.

The exhibition is at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, IL.

E-Book

Soft back Book

SWEET CHARITY

BENEFIT READING OF THIS IS OUR YOUTH by Kenneth Lonergan will take place on Thursday November 16, 2023 at Manhattan’s Center at West Park.

Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, and Missy Yager will star. Mark Brokaw who directed the original staging also directs this reading.

The play premiered Off Broadway in 1996 in a production starring Ruffalo, Yager and Josh Hamilton.

The event, honoring the Center's Founding and Current Board President Mim Warden, will kick off the Center’s new Renowned American Playwrights Showcase, a series of readings of acclaimed stage works performed predominantly by their original casts. Upcoming readings will include the works of Tony Kushner, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Suzan-Lori Parks and more.

Each play in the series will be presented once, followed by a brief talkback with the cast, director, and playwright.

Funds raised will benefit the Upper West Side arts facility and cultural hub that provides affordable performance, rehearsal, and event space to local artists and community members.

SPREADING THE WORD

LIVE IN THE VINEYARD (LITV) presented by Visit Napa Valley, recently concluded its highly anticipated Pop/Hot AC event, held November 1st to 3rd, 2023 boasted an impressive lineup of musical talents, headlined by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Linda Perry, Australian Christian pop duo for KING + COUNTRY, renowned singer-songwriter Edwin McCain, Grammy-winning sensation Tori Kelly, Brent Smith & Zach Myers from Shinedown, pop-soul group Lawrence, multi-platinum pop artist Rachel Platten, and Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks. A surprise appearance was also made by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Andy Grammer.

The event also featured acclaimed artists and songwriters like Garrett Adair, Jay Allen, Jade Bird, Blanca, Charlotte Cardin, Gareth Dunlop, Jackie Evancho, Fritz Hager, Makena Hartlin, Ilsey, Jonah Kagen, Madison Love, Mariangela, Emmy Meli, New West, Ava Della Pietra, Sarah Reeves, Zach Seabaugh, Craig Stickland, and Joe Sumner, who added their unique flair to the already star-studded lineup.

The festivities commenced with the Welcome Reception at the elegant Chandon, followed by an exclusive VIP Luncheon at Charles Krug Winery. The mainstage concerts at the historic Uptown Theatre delivered electrifying performances, while the Send-Off Brunch at Calmére Estate wrapped up the event in style. Exclusive VIP performances were also held at select wineries across the Napa Valley.

Live In The Vineyard is known for its exclusivity and intimacy, offering attendees intimate access to recording artists, premier Napa Valley wineries, and renowned chefs during a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience. This 3-day event brings together industry professionals, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups, and more from across the country to celebrate and discover brand-new music by today’s most successful artists and emerging talents. The event's unique setting amidst vineyard-filled hillsides and world-class wine and culinary offerings truly sets it apart.

While Live In The Vineyard remains a private event exclusively open to invited industry guests, including music supervisors, radio programmers, label executives, corporate partners, and sweepstakes winners, national radio promotions provided fans with the opportunity to enter for a chance to attend.

In 2022, Visit Napa Valley, the destination marketing organization for Napa Valley, became the official title sponsor for both LITV and LITV Goes Country, marking a 3-year commitment to the event. This partnership highlights the role of music in Napa Valley's diverse experiences and promotes the region as a premier destination for music enthusiasts and travelers exploring Northern California's natural beauty and rich culture.

JOSHUA HENRY’S GET UP STAND UP! in person, Saturday, November 18, at 92Y in New York City.

Grammy Award winner and triple Tony nominee Joshua Henry has dazzled Broadway audiences as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, starring opposite Audra McDonald in Shuffle Along, and in his Tony nominated run as Billy Bigelow in the hit revival of Carousel. Now Joshua Henry – a Lyrics & Lyrics veteran - returns to 92NY for the only New York City performance of Get Up Stand Up, a concert experience Henry describes as "a soulful bop through the songs that have moved and grooved us through the decades."

Musicians: Jordan Peters, Music Director, Guitar - Addison Frei, Keys - Donald Barrett, Drums - Chelton Grey, Bass.

SONGBOOK SUNDAYS created and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer, will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club November 19, 2023 with A Little Time With Cy Coleman.

The concert will feature Linda Purl, Nicolas King, and Mar Vilaseca.

Music director Jon Weber will lead an intergenerational band featuring Jay Leonhart on bass/guest vocals, T.J. Reddick on drums, and Birsa Chatterjee on tenor saxophone.

A Little Time With Cy Coleman will deliver a swinging set of tunes that have inspired hit singles from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Barbara Streisand, among other master song interpreters, including such Coleman standards as "The Best Is Yet to Come," "I’ve Got Your Number," "Big Spender," and "When in Rome" plus other gems.

Tony-winning composer Coleman's Broadway musicals include City of Angels; The Life; The Will Rogers Follies; On the Twentieth Century; Little Me; Sweet Charity; I Love My Wife, and Barnum.

TONY AWARD WINNERS SUTTON FOSTER AND KELLI O'HARA will join Steven Reineke and The New York Pops for a special One Night Only performance, their first time sharing the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Friday, November 17, 2023.

THE DEBATE presented by The Theater Project is a free, staged reading by award-winning NJ playwright Jospeh Vitale. The script in hand performance will be followed by a discussion with the playwright, director, actors and audience. The event takes place at the Cranford Community Center, Saturday, November 18, in Cranford, New Jersey.

"Does God Exist?"

A new play explores the historic 1948 BBC debate.

In late 1947, the British Broadcasting Corporation invited the most famous philosopher of the time, Bertrand Russell, and Britain’s most celebrated young theologian, Fr. Frederick Copleston, to debate the existence of God on the radio. Their encounter took place on a cold January night in 1948 with the country still coping with the aftermath of World War II. Act 1 of The Debate explores who these men were and the events and people who shaped their lives and set the stage for their memorable confrontation.

New York actor and director Mary Linehan will helm the reading.

IRELAND CONJURING UP MAGICIANS the first international magic convention to be held in Ireland in over ten years takes place at Treacy’s West County Hotel. Localted in Ennis, Co. Clare, Irland the venue offers 152 bedrooms, leisure centre with a swimming pool, kids club, and conferencing/meeting rooms. The hocus pocus crowd will materialize there from November 18 to 19.

Among the prestidigitation group slated to attend are magic trick world record holder Jay Sankey, TikTok sensation Aidan Murphy, and America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Ryland Petty who will perform during the convention.

Canada’s Sankey, who holds the world record for creating more unique magic tricks than any other living magician, will also be performing in Ennis, alongside Ireland's Aidan Murphy who has racked up 1.6m followers performing tricks on the TikTok social platform.

Other performing magicians include Ireland’s Colm Dawson and US-based Nick Lopaco, who is the official magician of Penguin Magic - the largest retail magic shop in the world.

Award-winning magician Leon Andersen, who hails from Limerick told the press: "The Midwest Magic Convention brings together magicians and magic enthusiasts from all over the world and features a diverse range of magic from close-up tricks to grand stage illusions to a Magic Marketplace where event goers can purchase tricks, books and other magical paraphernalia."

Danielle Devaney, of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau which is providing financial support for the event, commented: "We are excited about supporting this international event along with our partners Fáilte Ireland and look forward to establishing it as an important annual event in the magic circle worldwide."

The convention, which it is hoped will attract more people to the world of magic, will conclude with a special Gala Evening magic show on the venue’s main stage on the final night of the conference, is open to the public as well as budding or performing magicians.

ED SHEERAN IN DUBAI the British singer to perform two concerts at Sevens Stadium This marks his first concert in the city since his unforgettable show at the Autism Rocks Arena back in 2017.

Sheeran will perform two back-to-back shows as part of his +–=÷× Mathematics Tour on January 19 and 20, in what has been described as the largest open-air concert in the emirate.

RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE STAR GINGER MINJ is welcomed by award-winning cabaret performer and 92NY School of Music faculty member Michael Kirk Lane to his 92NY online series, "Cabaret Conversations" Monday, November 20. Minj joins the ranks of Lane's iconic past guests including Chita Rivera, Lillias White, Joe Iconis, and more who have shared stories of behind-the-scenes and onstage antics along with meaningful insights about their artistic process. Viewers can also participate in a live Q&A with the stars.

Ginger Minj splashed onto the global stage as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7. As a fan favorite and triple threat she was invited back for Drag Race All Stars 2 and made it to the top 3 of All Stars 6. She has starred in the Anne Fletcher helmed Dumplin' for Netflix alongside Jennifer Aniston and Dove Cameron, in the Netflix series AJ & The Queen, and most recently in the Disney+ Original Movie, Hocus Pocus 2. When she is not touring the world, appearing in movies, performing live theatrical shows, or being nominated for two Manhattan Association of Cabaret Awards, Ginger can be heard on her three studio albums, Sweet T, Gummybear, and her newest EP, Double Wide Diva. Her newest production is a tell-all, cookbook, lifestyle manual, Southern Fried Sass: A Queen's Guide to Cooking, Decorating, and Living Just a Little "Extra."

THE SPOKEN WORD PODCASTS GAIN POPULARITY having grown by 55% over the last nine years, and half of spoken word listeners spend more time on that content than with music, according to the Spoken Word Audio Report from Edison Research and NPR.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE SPHERE that 366-foot tall, 18,000-person stadium, which is the world’s largest spherical structure, garnered world wide attention when it opened to the public in Las Vegas on September 29, at a cost of $2.3 billion to build, may have it's bubble burst.

The venue has brought in a fraction of that amount—approximately $6.7 million—from its opening - which featured U2 performing the first show of their residency - through event revenue and sponsorship and advertising, while operating costs totaled about $7.8 million according to a November 8, 2023 operating cost report admitting to a operating loss of $98.4 Million.

Now comes word that chief financial officer Gautam Ranji abruptly quit after he was 'yelled and screamed' at by MSG boss James Dolan.

The Sphere- which is wrapped with 1.2 million LED lights on the outside is seen as a lit up vessel half full rather than half empty by Dolan who issued a statement saying: "We are building positive momentum across Sphere and remain confident that we are well positioned to drive long-term value for shareholders."

E-Book

Soft back Book

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO . . .

KING CHARLES III who turns a sprightly 75 on November 14th. Reaching three fourths of a century entitles him to three birthday wishes, which we hope come true. Also, as much birthday cake and frosting as he can hold.

His birthday is the one day of the year when the Palace Press Corps gets to razz their boss. They have a track record of gifting him with the most awful and outrageous gifts - such as squirrel repellent - and poke fun at him with homemade birthday cards saying things like "Happy Birthday, Chuck."

May be enjoy the birthday and have many more.



PRINCE WILLIAM'S 2023 EARTHSHOT PRIZE winners have been announced.

This year’s winners were chosen from a shortlist of 15 finalists by Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council, chaired by Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief, who played a key role in negotiating the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. Other members of the judging panel include Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, activist Ernest Gibson and Alibaba founder Jack Ma, Cate Blanchett, Sir David Attenborough, Ernest Gibson, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Indra Nooyi, Luisa Neubauer, Naoko Yamazaki, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Stella McCartney and Yao Ming.

The competition is based around five “Earthshots,” or environmental goals. Each winner receives £1 million (around $1.2 million) to assist is bringing their project to fruition.

This year’s winners are:

• Protect and Restore Nature: Acción Andina, from Peru. The grassroots project is working in South America to protect native forest ecosystems across the Andes.

• Clean Our Air: GRST, from Hong Kong. The start-up has developed a new process for making and recycling lithium-ion batteries, paving the way "“to make the electric cars of the future even cleaner."

• Revive Our Oceans: WildAid Marine Program, a global organization with US-based headquarters. The non-profit combines “partnership building and knowledge sharing” to support the planet’s ocean conservation needs.

• Build a Waste-Free World: S4S Technologies from India. The agritech start-up uses its solar-powered dehydration equipment to cut food waste and help farmers process excess crops into products with a longer shelf life.

• Fix Our Climate: Boomitra, a global organization with US-based headquarters. The company is “removing emissions and boosting farmer profits by incentivizing land restoration” through the creation of its soil carbon marketplace.

The winners were announced last Tuesday at a star-studded ceremony at the Theatre at MediaCorp in Singapore. Ted Lasso star and Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham and three time Emmy Award winning American actor and producer Sterling K. Brown co-hosted the glitzy night, while Academy Award-winning actor and Earthshot Prize council member Cate Blanchett, South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Bebe Rexha. Lana Condor, and Donnie Yen were on hand to join the 41-year-old royal to announce the winners.

The show also featured musical performances from Bastille, supported by the Voices of Singapore choral society, and OneRepublic, who performed their hits "Counting Stars" and "I Ain’t Worried."

Prince William and his Royal Foundation launched the ambitious 10-year initiative in 2020, with the goal of funding 50 solutions to some of the planet’s most urgent environmental problems by 2030.

“I choose to believe that future generations will look back on this decade as the point at which we globally took collective action for our planet — the moment we refused to accept the voices of denial and defeatism, and instead became the architects of change towards a healthy and sustainable world,” William said during the ceremony.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast globally on BBC, PBS, MultiChoice, and online from today, Sunday, November 12, 2023.

THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY has announced that the critically-acclaimed Spanish actor, director and entrepreneur Antonio Banderas will receive the 2023 President’s Award.

The award honors extraordinary members of the Latin community who have worked to promote and advance arts and culture around the world. It has only been presented in exceptional cases throughout the history of The Latin Academy, most recently to Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2017.

Banderas has been a steadfast promoter of the musical arts throughout his career, and in 2019 he founded the Teatro del Soho in his native Málaga. The company has staged successful Spanish-language productions of iconic musicals like Company and A Chorus Line, reinvigorating the city’s live theater scene and making it accessible to new generations of spectators throughout the country with touring productions. Banderas will be honored during the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 16 in Sevilla.

"We are delighted to present Antonio Banderas with the President’s Award as we celebrate our first international edition of the Latin Grammys in Andalucía," said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "Antonio’s outstanding and numerous contributions to the artistic community have made him a global ambassador of our cultural heritage."

The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla (Andalucía), Spain, on Thursday, November 16, 2023, on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. The ceremony will be aired in over 80 countries worldwide.

THE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS were announced last Friday. Of particular interest to Broadway To Vegas readers is the Best Musical Theater Album category. The five in contention for the trophy are:

Kimberly Akimbo
John Clancy, David Stone & Jeanine Tesori, producers; Jeanine Tesori, composer; David Lindsay-Abaire, lyricist (Original Broadway Cast)

Parade
Micaela Diamond, Alex Joseph Grayson, Jake Pedersen & Ben Platt, principal vocalists; Jason Robert Brown & Jeffrey Lesser, producers; Jason Robert Brown, composer & lyricist (2023 Broadway Cast)

Shucked
Brandy Clark, Jason Howland, Shane McAnally & Billy Jay Stein, producers; Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally, composers/lyricists (Original Broadway Cast)

Some Like It Hot
Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks & NaTasha Yvette Williams, principal vocalists; Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Bryan Carter, Scott M. Riesett, Charlie Rosen & Marc Shaiman, producers; Scott Wittman, lyricist; Marc Shaiman, composer & lyricist (Original Broadway Cast)

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Annaleigh Ashford & Josh Groban, principal vocalists; Thomas Kail & Alex Lacamoire, producers (Stephen Sondheim, composer & lyricist) (2023 Broadway Cast)



THE HOUSE OF UHYGGE by Vivienne McKee.

Directed by Vivienne McKee.

Choreographed by Peter Friis.

Set and costume designer Kirsten Brink.

"A story of hilarious horror which will make you die laughing!"

Dr. J. Robert Jekyll has established his laboratory in a remote old mansion on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland, called The House of Urhart. He is developing a drug which brings out the dark, depraved and secret passions of people, in the hopes of winning the Nobel Prize for Physics.

In order to pay for the maintenance of the mansion, he has rented a wing of the house to Gwyneth Honeypot to use as a Wellness Centre for her treatments including Aura Healing, Qi Gong, Tree-hugging, and Mud Immersion Therapy. While she sells her popular healthcare creams, which she calls "Poo-Ha " products, online using social media, Nurse Hyacinth Nellie Nutcracker is hired to deal with the patients. Hyacinth is unafraid of anything, except for the strange and scary assortment of creatures she encounters at the House. These include a homocidal maniac called Horrible Herbert, Frankenstein’s man-made monster, ghosts and ghouls, Count Dracula and his blood-thirsty bride, Necrophilia.

All hell breaks loose when the Scottish housekeeper, Miss MacCrumble, reveals a dreadful curse falling on anyone who stays at the House. No living creature is safe from death or disaster, not even the lovely heroine, Gwyneth, the hapless hero, Hamish MacDonald, or even the brave American fitness instructor, Ben Goodbody.

Dr Jekyll ’s drug becomes a weapon of destruction which he cannot control, even with the help of his old friend Dr. van Helsingør from Elsinore.

Eventually, the local police detective, Inspector McToggle, arrives to investigate the dreadful crimes that are happening in the area, until he also is dragged into the horror when he unknowingly drinks the Jekyll Juice with unexpected results.

"With vampires thirsty for blood, and monsters hungry for destruction, only those who are prepared to laugh their heads off will survive the House of Uhygge. In fact, if you die laughing, you will get your money back!

"The Crazy Christmas comedy team will take you on a nail-biting roller-coaster ride through the supernatural world of the greatest ghouls and ghastliest monster creations of all time, with its potent mix of sensational songs, silly slapstick, sexy sirens, dubious double entendres and daring dance numbers stirred up into a ghastly gruel of a crazy Gothic Horror Show."

Starring: Vivienne McKee, David Bateson, Andrew Jeffers, Katrine Falkenberg, Kevin Kiernan-Molloy, Sebastian Harris and Claus de Lichtenberg.

The Graveyard Gremlins aka The Band are: Stuart Goodstein Musical Director; Søren B. Petersen drummer and sound effects, and Tom Højlund Olsen percussion and guitar.

Performances November 14 - December 30, 2023 at the Glassalen, Tivoli, Denmark.

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB book by Marco Ramirez music by the Grammy Award winning David Yazbek.

Directed by Saheem Ali.

Choreography by Patricia Delgado and Tony Award winning Justin Peck.

Featuring: Skizzo Arnedillo, Renesito Avich, Natalie Belcon, Angélica Beliard, Rosie Berrido, Kenya Browne, Josh Ceballos, Danaya Esperanza, Carlos Sanchez Falú, Moses Garcia, Carlos Gonzalez, J. Jared Janas, Jared Machado, Hector Juan Maisonet, Arnulfo Maldonado, Ilda Mason, Tyler Micoleau, Marielys Molina, Julio Monge, David Oquendo, Marco Paguia, Leonardo Reyna, Mel Semé, Dean Sharenow, Olly Sholotan, Jainardo Batista Sterling, Nancy Ticotin, Luis Vega.

The world premiere musical Buena Vista Social Club, is the story behind the legendary 8X platinum, Grammy-winning album that ignited a spark in the heart of Havana and became a global sensation. "This production brings the acclaimed album to life with an exceptional company of artists and performers from all over the world."

November 17 – December 31, 2023 Linda Gross Theater in New York City.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Celebrating the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim.

Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga lead a stellar cast alongside Christine Allado, Clare Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Jac Yarrow, Marley Fenton and Beatrice Penny. The company also includes Harry Apps, Bella Brown, Richard Dempsey and Monique Young.

Strictly limited season until January 6, 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Book by Doug Wright. Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater.

Director and Choreographer: Sarah Nowak.

Join in under the sea for this Disney classic about a young mermaid who dreams of the world above! See Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, and all your friends from the beloved movie come to life on the Croswell stage.

Featuring: Ariel: Emma Skaggs - Prince Eric: Xavier Sarabia - Grimsby: John Lamb - Flounder: Ella Flumignan - Scuttle: Jonah Hiatt - King Triton: Brian Jones - Sebastian: Zachary Flack - Flotsam: Madelyn Bowman - Jetsam: Cooper Adams - Ursula: Anjewel Lenoir - Chef Louis: Jeff King - Aquata: Amber Wilkes - Allana: Alexandra June - Adella: Lila Brighton - Andrina: Rachel Ogger - Arista: Emily Smith - Atina: Kayla Garlick - Pilot: Steven Owsley.

- Ensemble: Trent Aneed, Joanna Bacarella, Carsyn Benzing, Oden Berthelsen, Haylie Blohm, Kylie Bushman, Lavina Flores, Christopher Harlan, Aiden Ketola, Jarrold King, Bella McQuigg, Reed Schwieterman, Chris Smith, Katie Spieles.

The creatives are: Assistant Director and Choreographer: Emily Flack. Music Director: Ray Novak. Vocal Director: Wynne Marsh.

November 17 to December 3 at The Croswell in Adrian, Michigan.

The Croswell’s 2023 season is generously sponsored by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

ELF THE MUSICAL Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin Music by Matthew Sklar Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based on the New Line Cinema Film by David Berenbaum.

Directed and choreographed by Keenon Hooks.

Music Director Paul Marszalkowski.

Buddy is the biggest Elf the North Pole has ever seen. When his enormous size and poor toy-making skills cause him to face the truth, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father and share the true meaning of Christmas.

Featuring George Walker as Buddy, Christen Celaya as Jovie; Andrew Philpot as Walter; Kitty Balay as Emily; Caden Rennick as Michael (Green Cast): Alex Robertson as Michael (Red Cast); Molly Dobbs as Deb: Christian McCovey as Store Manager: Don Stewart as Greenway: Erik Stein as Santa.

The ensemble includes: Alexander Pimentel, David Gary Perez Jr., Amanda Adair Russell, Annabelle Oglesby, Courtney Ekstrom, Chiya Newman, Edella Westerfield, Jason Wells, Jessica Peters, Joey Orozco, Joshua Oscar, Justin Roslinda, Hadley Nelson, Nolan LeMay, Reid Gregory, Rosie Quintana, and Sophie Rhiannon Long.

The creatives are: Set Design by Jason Bolen and Lighting Design by Jennifer "Z" Zornow.+ Costume design by Jacqueline Heimerl Erik Stein Casting Director/Associate Artist' Emily Trask Associate Artistic Director. Performances through December 23, 2023 at the Marian Theatre, a 440-seat theatre with a thrust stage, in Santa Maria, CA.

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

LYRICIST SHELDON HARNICK was remembered November 9, 2023 by Broadway Community in a Celebration of Life.

An array of Broadway luminaries, including Danny Burstein, Robert Cuccioli, Jason Danieley, Harvey Fierstein, Rob Fisher, Jessica Hecht, Judy Kuhn, Nancy Opel, David Rockwell, Alan Schmuckler, Elena Shaddow, Alexandra Silber, Emily Skinner, Deborah Grace Winer, Sherman Yellen, and Karen Ziemba will gathered at the Music Box Theater to pay tribute to the iconic lyricist.

Later that night, as the Broadway League previously announced, the Committee of Theatre Owners dimmed the lights of all 41 Broadway theaters in New York for one minute at exactly 6:45pm in Harnick’s honor.

One of our nation’s and world’s most beloved treasures, Sheldon Harnick passed away at 99 years old on June 23,2023. During his iconic career working on Broadway and spanning more than seventy years, Sheldon wrote many of Broadway’s greatest critically-acclaimed and timeless hit shows.

His prodigious work earned him numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize, 4 Tony’s and a Grammy. Sheldon, together with his longtime collaborator Jerry Bock, created some of the most important and influential pieces of theater in the world including but not limited to; Fiorello! (1959): Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award;Tenderloin (1960); She Loves Me (1963): Grammy Award; Fiddler on the Roof (1964) Tony Award; The Apple Tree (1966) and The Rothschilds (1970). Other collaborations include A Christmas Carol with Michel Legrand (1981); Rex with Richard Rodgers (1976); A Wonderful Life with Joe Raposo (1986) and The Phantom Tollbooth with Arnold Black (1995). For Dragons and Malpractice Makes Perfect, he provided book lyrics and music, He has written songs for the films The Heartbreak Kid (1972) and Blame It On Rio (1984) both with music by Cy Coleman; and Aaron's Magic Village (1995) with Michel Legrand.

Harnick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margery Gray, his two children Beth Dorn and Matthew Harnick and four grandchildren.

Next Column: November 19, 2023
Copyright: November 12, 2023 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.