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Copyright: September 27, 2020
By: Laura Deni
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BRUSH UP YOUR SHAKESPEARE: ALL THE SONNETS OF SHAKESPEARE BY CAMBRIDGE PRESS DOES JUST THAT

The first thing one notices about All the Sonnets of Shakespeare, published by Cambridge Press is its beauty and elegance. A black dust cover, with gold printing and white lilies. Dame Judi Dench has penned her thoughts. While it is a small sized book - merely 6 1/2 x 8 5/8 inches, the book belongs displayed with elaborate coffee table books.

The book is edited by Paul Edmindson and Stanley Wells. Edmondson is Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Wells is the Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. He is also the general editor of the Oxford and Penguin editions of Shakespeare. Shakespeare.

Everyone knows Shakespeare. That guy has been done to death in virtually every way possible. Most takes on the Bard have authors who want to intellectually opine in hopes of upping their cache.

This book is different in that it succeeds in accomplishing almost the impossible - a brilliant melding of a text/reference book and a fascinating read.

Modern paraphrases and commentary for each poem are clear and distinct. The co-editors don't attempt to tell the reader what to think. Rather, they treat the readers with respect, assuming they have the intelligence to distinguish between two words and form their own conclusion.

The back of the dust jacket contains the impossible to improve upon description: "intended for all readers of Shakespeare, this beautiful and ground-breaking book arranges Shakespeare's sonnets printed in 1609 in chronological order and intersperses the sonnets from the plays among them. A lively introduction provides essential background, while explanatory notes and modern English paraphrases illuminates the sonnets' meanings."

There are two helpful indexes: a numerical index and an index of first lines.

The tome should belong in every library on the planet and anyone who has ever heard the name Shakespeare - - or by anyone who would like to discover that a complicated subject can be easy to understand.

The holidays are fast approaching. All The Sonnets of Shakespeare would be a lovely gift, without offending anyone. Better yet, purchase two - one for display and one to be used, since that one will end up dog eared.

As as song in Kiss Me Kate instructs: "Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now."

Many of his sonnets have to do with sex, a titillating subject which spawns conspiracy theories.

Despite the fact that as a teen he impregnated a young girl, Anne Hathaway, whom, at age 18, he married six months before their daughter was born and later fathered twins by her, many like to use his sonnets to suggest they contain hidden messages that he was actually gay.

What they seem to contain are messages - hidden or otherwise - that Shakespeare had compassion and empathy for all people regardless of persuasion. He may have been the first openly LGBT supporter.

Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon".

While Shakespeare's reputation is based primarily on his plays, he became famous first as a poet.

The sonnets were apparently composed during a period of ten or a dozen years starting in about 1592-1593 and had to do with earning a living during the plague and having a family to support.

London theaters were closed by order of the Privy Council on June 23, 1592. The authorities were concerned about a severe outbreak of the plague. The theaters didn't reopened in June 1594.

Like most Elizabethan treatments of love, Shakespeare’s work is characterized by paradox (“She’s love, she loves, and yet she is not lov’d”), by narrative and thematic diversity, and by attempts to render the inner workings of the mind, exploring the psychology of perception (“Oft the eye mistakes, the brain being troubled”). The poem addresses such artistic preoccupations of the 1590s as the relation of poetry to painting and the possibility of literary immortality, as well as social concerns such as the phenomenon of “masterless women,” and the (to men) alarming and unknowable forces unleashed by female desire, an issue that for a host of reasons fascinated Elizabeth’s subjects, according to the Poetry Foundation.

In 1598 or 1599 the printer William Jaggard brought out an anthology of 20 miscellaneous poems, which he eventually attributed to Shakespeare, though the authorship of all 20 is still disputed. At least five are demonstrably Shakespearean. Poem 1 is a version of Sonnet 138 (“When My Love Swears that She Is Made of Truth”), explained in this new book as "Tis sonnet first appeared in The Passionate Pilgrim of 1599, an early or current version of what would later be printed as Sonnett 118, in 1609. The difference between them is collate below." Edmondson and Wells then list the differences.

The Passionate Pilgrime, has yielded and will continue to yield insight into such matters as the relationship of manuscript to print culture in the 1590s, the changing nature of the literary profession, and the evolving status of the author.
,br> The 154 sonnets are conventionally divided between the “young man” sonnets (1-126) and the “dark lady” sonnets (127-152), with the final pair often seen as an envoy or coda to the collection. There is no evidence that such a division has chronological implications, though the volume is usually read in such a way. Shakespeare employs the conventional English sonnet form: three quatrains capped with a couplet. As the Poetry Foundation pointed out: "Drama is conjured within individual poems, as the speaker wrestles with some problem or situation; it is generated by the juxtaposition of poems, with instant switches of tone, mood, and style; it is implied by cross-references and interrelationships within the sequence as a whole.

"The subsequent history of the text of the sonnets is inseparable from the history of Shakespeare’s reputation. John Benson’s Poems: Written by Wil. Shake-speare. Gent (1640) was part of an attempt to “canonize” Shakespeare, collecting verses into a handsome quarto that could be sold as a companion to the dramatic folio texts (“to be serviceable for the continuance of glory to the deserved author in these his poems”). Benson dropped a few sonnets, added other poems, provided titles for individual pieces, changed Thorpe’s order, conflated sonnets, and modified some of the male pronouns, thereby making the sequence seem more unambiguously heterosexual in its orientation. In recent years there has been increasing study of Benson’s edition as a distinct literary production in its own right.

The Romantic compulsion to read the sonnets as autobiography inspired attempts to rearrange them to tell their story more clearly. It also led to attempts to relate them to what was known or could be surmised about Shakespeare’s life. Some commentators speculated that the publication of the sonnets was the result of a conspiracy by Shakespeare’s rivals or enemies, seeking to embarrass him by publishing love poems apparently addressed to a man rather than to the conventional sonnet-mistress.

Sonnet 144 , one of the Passionate Pilgrim poems:
Two loves I have of comfort and despair,
Which like two spirits do suggest me still:
The better angel is a man right fair,
The worser spirit a woman color’d ill.

The speaker’s attraction to the “worser spirit” is figured in harsh language throughout the sequence: in fact, the brutal juxtaposition of lyricism and lust is characteristic of the collection as a whole. The consequent disjointedness expresses a form of psychological verisimilitude by the standards of Shakespeare’s day, where discontinuity and repetition were held to reveal the inner state of a speaker.

"The anachronism of applying modern attitudes toward homosexuality to early modern culture is self-evident. Where Shakespeare and his contemporaries drew their boundaries cannot be fully determined, but they were fascinated by the Platonic concept of androgyny, a concept drawn on by the queen herself (Elizabeth I) almost from the moment of her accession. Sonnet 53 is addressed to an inexpressible lover, who resembles both Adonis and Helen. Androgyny is only part of the exploration of sexuality in the sonnets, however. A humanist education could open windows onto a world very different from post-Reformation England. Plato’s praise of love between men was in marked contrast to the establishment of capital punishment as the prescribed penalty for sodomy in 1533," posted the Poetry Foundation.

In their book Ednondson and Wells explain Sonnet 144 by printing both versions and stating: "The Sonnet first appeared in The Passionate Pilgrim of 1599, and early or corrupt version of what would later be printed as Sonnet 144 in 1609. The differences between them is collated below." They then - straightforward - list the differences.

Continued the Poetry Foundation: "In the Sonnets the relationship between the speaker and the young man both invites and resists definition, and it is clearly presented as a challenge to orthodoxy. If at times it seems to correspond to the many Elizabethan celebrations of male friendship, at others it has a raw physicality that resists such polite categorization. Even in sonnet 20, where sexual intimacy seems to be explicitly denied, the speaker’s mind runs to bawdy puns. The speaker refers to the friend as “rose,” “my love,” “lover,” and “sweet love,” and many commentators have demonstrated the repeated use of explicitly sexual language to the male friend (in 106, 109, and 110, for example). On the other hand, the acceptance of the traditional distinction between the young man and the dark lady sonnets obscures the fact that Shakespeare seems deliberately to render the gender of his subject uncertain in the vast majority of cases." The consequences of love, the pain of rejection, desertion, and loss of reputation are powerful elements in Shakespeare's poems.

Critics have praised the Sonnets as a profound meditation on the nature of love, sexual passion, procreation, death, and time.

I recently completed a Shakespeare in Print class presented by Kings College in London, which I highly recommend. Week 2 was about his sonnets. Some of the instructors and guest lecturers were Professor Gordon McMullan from the English Department at King’s College London who pointed out that "Alexander Pope, a magnificent poet himself, gives one instance of the kind of work that editors do. In his case, he was so keen to make Shakespeare into a poet that he actually versified passages that we would now consider best left as prose."

Dr Hannah Crawforth, senior lecturer in Early Modern Literature at King's College and Dr Elizabeth Scott-Baumann, who has been doing research into Shakespeare's sonnets, were instructors.

"We're looking today at what was by far the most influential printing of Shakespeare's sonnets in the years immediately following his writing career. And this is a collection of poems written by William Shakespeare, Gent. That 'Gent' is very important. Shakespeare fought a long time to be a gentleman. . . it was printed in London by Thomas Cotes, the printer of the Second Folio of Shakespeare's plays to be sold by John Benson, dwelling in St Dunstan's Churchyard. John Benson was the publisher of this collection, and has a right, I think, to be thought of as one of Shakespeare's earliest editors. So, what is this edition like? Well, it doesn't look like a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets as we would expect to read them today. One of the first thing to notice is that instead of appearing in numbered sequence, Benson presents the sonnets in a completely different order to what we think Shakespeare would have wished. And he gives the poems titles.

"We have here an example of where he spliced together several sonnets. We have 'Sonnet 60,' 'Sonnet 63,' and '64' over the page all made to appear as if they were written as one poem. And the sequence is called 'Injurious Time.' think, to create the effect of longer poetry - to make him look a bit more like the kinds of poets who were writing in the 1640s."

This is one of the areas where All the Sonnets of Shakespeare can be valuable. Benson has rearranged, renamed and changed Shakespeare's poems. Edmondson and Wells straighten it out.

In this book Sonnet 60 - "Like as the Waves" the editors explain that: "No. 60 is a meditation of the power of poetry to transcend times. Lines 1-4 allude closely to Orvid's Metamorphose."

Against My Love is No. 61 explained as: "A meditation about a male loved one. When I Have Seen No. 64 is explained as: "The first of two sonnets (with 64) without an addressee, but which are about a loved one (Male or female).

All the Sonnets of Shakespeare editored by Edmondson and Wells is a intelligently written, informative and interesting book which should be on a "must have" list.

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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

MUSLIM ADVOCATES AND THE SHANGRI LA MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART, CULTURE & DESIGN

Oil painting by Roya Ahmandi which isn't on display in this exhibit. "My name is Roya Ahmadi. I am a Muslim-raised, Iranian-American painter & high school student from Cupertino, California. Themes in my work are derived from my cultural identity & reflections on global issues. I specialize in Middle Eastern & Muslim women that tell stories of power, vulnerability through faith, resilience, & connection with cultural identity. Being fluent in both Mandarin Chinese & Farsi led me to make a piece examining the historical artistic & architectural influences between the Persian Empire & China on the Silk Road by overlaying Farsi & Arabic calligraphy with Chinese patterns & traditional painting techniques.

"I am deeply interested in issues surrounding race & spent (a) summer organizing a series of panels & conversations to address anti-Blackness in the Iranian Diaspora."

have launched American Muslim Futures, a groundbreaking, new virtual art exhibition that dares to envision a future free from hate against Muslims and all Americans.

The exhibition features the work of 23 Muslim and allied artists and includes paintings, photographs, songs, short films, fashion and more.

Gallery sections include Liberation - Power - Belonging - Futuring.

American Muslim Futures is also available to classrooms as a free educational tool.

American Muslim Futures launched with a virtual showcase at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

More than 350 artists from 34 states submitted art for the exhibit, which was then evaluated by an esteemed panel of cultural leaders.

The 23 finalists include Black, Latinx, Asian and queer Muslim and allied artists from all over the nation. The online exhibit features the 23 works of art alongside audio and video reflections by the featured artists.

The artists include: Mark Feijão Milligan II | Waianae, HI - Chaand Sequence | Tempe, AZ - Essam Muhammad | Seattle, WA - Razaan Killawi | Detroit, MI - S. Alihaji & B. Young | Pasadena, CA - Saniya Ahmed | Chicago, IL - Edy Blu | Mount Jackson, VA - Navid Sinaki | Los Angeles, CA - Roya Ahmadi | Cupertino, CA - Sauliha Mitchell | York, SC - Amirah Sackett | Chicago, IL - Sobia Ahmad | Silver Spring, MD - Faisal Mohyuddin | Oak Park, IL - Nasra Nimaga | Brooklyn, NY - Maryam Mir | Brooklyn, NY - Qais Essar | Payson, AZ - Saba Taj | Durham, NC - Conrado Muluc | Fairfax, VA - Meriam Salem | Alameda, CA - Sagirah Shahid | Minneapolis, MN - Sarah Hakani | Brooklyn, NY - Omni MC & Cedric Clinton | Honolulu, HI - Tijay Mohammed | Bronx, NY.

Visitors are also encouraged to share their reflections on the exhibit for public display.

“At a time when American Muslims are demonized by political leaders, surveilled by the government and targeted by hate, American Muslim Futures shows a new path forward for all Americans—one that is rooted in solidarity, committed to equity and inspired by beauty,” said Muslim Advocates Digital Advocacy Officer Erik W. Martínez Resly.

“The artists in this exhibit courageously declare, in the words of featured artist Sauliha Mitchell, that ‘we are the future and it’s time everyone made the decision to stay behind or to come along,’” he concluded.

“This collaboration between Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design and Muslim Advocates highlights how arts and advocacy organizations can work together to celebrate visions of the country in its fullest expression. America’s brightest moments are realized when artists and communities are called to dream of a better tomorrow,” emphasized Dr. Konrad Ng, Executive Director, Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design.

Shangri La is a museum for learning about the global cultures of Islamic art and design in new and inspiring ways.

THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME has a new addition to its collection - a custom Gucci suit worn by Harry Styles to its Right Here, Right Now exhibit, which explores rock’s most recent chart-topping artists and their musical influences.

Styles wore the suit when he inducted his friend Stevie Nicks into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2019. The pair performed Nicks’ hit Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, which was originally a duet with Inductee Tom Petty.

In addition to Nicks, Styles cites Hall of Fame Inductees Van Morrison, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and Elvis Presley among his musical influences.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Rock Hall continues to add new artifacts open new exhibits, including its 2020 Inductee Exhibit and It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope and Empowerment, both with extended digital experiences at rockhall.com.

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SWEET CHARITY

NICK CORDERO the Tony nominated performer who was tortured to death by the Covid-19 virus on April 11, 2019 recorded his cabaret performance Live Your Life - Live at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Little did he known that it would be his last.

Directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Michael J Moritz Jr., prior to being diagnosed with coronavirus, Cordero and Moritz had been planning to release the recording of his cabaret act, but following his passing, those plans were put on hold. Now, the album has been released on Broadway Records with his family’s blessing to honor his legacy and celebrate the incredible talent and life that was tragically cut short.

Proceeds from the album will go to benefit his wife, Amanda Kloots, and their young son Elvis who turned one while he father was hospitalized.

Whether this album is how Cordero would want to be remembered is a moot question. His talent was so much more than a cabaret act.

Because of his passing, the recording is elevated as something to be treasured; to bring back memories to his family and friends.

A high-point of the recording must be tract 19 in which he tells the audience "I am sure you are aware that my wife Amanda and I are expecting our first child," as his eight months' pregnant wife looked on - followed by him singing The Mother, by Brandi Carlile.

That baby would be Elvis.

Guest performers on the album include Kathryn Gallagher, Drew Gehling, Sara Chase, and Zach Braff who co-starred with Cordero on Broadway. Gehling and Bradt join Cordero on You Matter to Me penned by Sara Bareilles.

The band includes: Piano, vocals: Michael J. Moritz, Jr. Bass: Larry Cook. guitar: Kenny Brescia. Drums: Billy Laguardia. Percussion: Marcos Torres III. Backup vocalists: Onyie Nwachukwu, Kim Steele and Keith White.

The CD features a preponderance of high energy, repetitive beat numbers making it an ideal choice for spin cycling or exercising. There is nothing melancholy on the CD. Cordero wasn't a melancholy type of guy.

Again, all proceeds from the sale of this CD will to to his wife, Amanda and their son Elvis.

IN HONOR OF JOHN LENNON'S 80th BIRTHDAY the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (JLSC) have announced a partnership with Gibson Gives - the iconic American instrument brand’s charitable arm - to support musicianship, music education and songwriting for people of all ages. Among the initiatives, 24 Lennon contest winners will receive an Epiphone LTD Edition Les Paul Quilt Top Pro and an Epiphone Zenith Masterbilt Acoustic Round Hole. Songwriters, artists, and bands are encouraged to enter the 24th annual JLSC with over $300,000k in cash awards and giveaways. All entrants will also qualify for weekly contests, offering additional gear giveaways, including a Gibson guitar.

October 9, 2020 would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday. His contributions to music, culture, activism, art, and fashion resonate to this day. In celebration, the Lennon Bus and Contest will have a virtual Imagine Party on October 9 on the Lennon Bus’ Instagram Live (HERE). The special show will feature celebrities, JLSC winners, Lennon Bus participants and educators. Tune in to hear in depth stories around John Lennon’s Gibson guitars and the songs he wrote with them, as well as giveaways and promotions.

Brian Rothschild, co-founder and executive director of both the Lennon Bus and the JLSC, said, “While venues, live music and events are on hold, we’re focused on the songwriting contests and providing songwriters with even more gear each week while they are stuck at home. Contest entries help support Lennon Bus programs and Gibson Gives shares the same commitment to the next generation of players.”

“Gibson Gives is all about inspiring, creating, and supporting music one guitar at a time,” says James ‘JC’ Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson. “This is our opportunity to ‘imagine’ what could be possible for future musicians by partnering with the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, especially during this challenging era.”

In honor of John Lennon, The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997 to give songwriters an opportunity to express themselves, gain recognition, and get their music heard. The JLSC is made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon and supportive sponsors including Gibson.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is the premiere non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 23nd year of touring, the Lennon Bus features the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The Lennon Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences. Lennon Bus Europe began providing these same opportunities to the young people of Europe when it launched in Liverpool, UK, May 2013.

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY in Washington, DC stages it's free virtual gala which will feature performing artists from around the world in a celebration of STC and all things Shakespeare. Featuring with special appearances by Angela Bassett, Merle Dandridge, Dame Judi Dench, Maureen Dowd, Harry Lennix, Norm Lewis, Joe Morton, and Courtney B. Vance.

You won't want to miss musical performances by tenor Russell Thomas, South African performers Biko’s Manna and Family, jazz group the Antonio Parker Quintet, and local favorite Nova Y. Payton.

The virtual gala is co-directed by STC's Director of Equity and Enrichment LeeAnet Noble and Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul.

Registration is free. The event will stream live on Saturday, October 3 at 7 p.m. ET on STC's YouTube channel and Facebook page.

THE COVID-19 RECOVERY FUND is now accepting applications. The Fund has been created for workers in UK film, TV and cinema affected by the crisis, that are the least financially resilient and most at risk professionally and personally.

The Fund offers financial and wellbeing support to those eligible working in film, TV and cinema, to sustain themselves and their careers through and out of the pandemic. The Fund will provide grants of £750 a month for up to six months (up to £4,500), to help ease the pressure.

Applications will close 5pm Monday, October 12,2020.

A NIGHT 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING The Ridgefield Playhouse 20th Anniversary Gala takes place either live or virtually on Saturday, October 3 with Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby - and virtual special guests. Gala tickets include open bar, seated dinner and more. Plus -their online auction is open to everyone.

Socially-distanced events with seating under a tent. Chairs are provided for all ticket holders and will be pre-assigned based on the date of ticket purchase. Members will receive priority seating.

Presented by The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT and ROAR (Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue).

SPREADING THE WORD

YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE at the flagship Saks' store in New York City through October 9, 2020.

MIKE TYSON says he will be voting - for the first time - in the upcoming election.

“This election will be my 1st time voting,” he posted. “I never thought I could because of my felony record. I’m proud to finally vote.” — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) September 22, 2020.

People convicted of felonies are allowed to vote in most states, but not all. Nevada restored voting rights to convicted felons last year.

Under the new law (Assembly Bill 431), any Nevada resident who is convicted of a felony is immediately restored their right to vote upon the individual's release from prison, according to information on the state's website.

Tyson received a six-year sentence after being convicted on one count of rape and two counts of deviant sexual conduct in 1992. He served three years in prison.

WIDE-RANGING CHANGES TO BAFTA'S voting, membership and campaigning processes have been announced following an in-depth, independently verified seven-month Awards Review and a scathing attack by Prince William.

The Review began as a direct response to the lack of diversity in the 2020 Film Awards nominations, but whose remit soon expanded to encompass all aspects of BAFTA and the awards. The changes signal the beginning of a significant cultural shift in BAFTA and challenges the industry to address the serious lack of opportunity and equality.

Prince William, who is Patron of the organization, has openly backed the plan to invite 1,000 new members from 'diverse communities'. He had previously attacked the 'whiteness and maleness' of the awards in a damning speech delivered last February.

New measures include discounted rates, conscious voter training and plans to put the British back into Bafta by putting the spotlight on British guaranteeing that voters see all movies on the list, not just Hollywood blockbusters.

JOHN LITHGOW: TRUMPTY DUMPTY WANTED A CROWN 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown’s John Lithgow is a multi-award-winning and prolific actor who starred in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, Bombshell, and this year in HBO’s Perry Mason. Lithgow, a New York Times bestselling author, follows the success of his last book, Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse, with his latest collection of satirical poems and drawings, Trumpty Dumpty Wanted A Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age. It continues to chronicle our era and is darker, funnier and more hard-hitting than ever. No one in the Trump administration is spared.

Monday, October 5, 2020 staged by 92Y in New York City.

MAGIC WITH THE MUSICALS – a special program recorded at the London Palladium to celebrate the UK theatre industry aired last Wednesday, September 23 on Magic Radio.

Conducted by Jon Ranger, the program featured the 23-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra, playing some of the world's greatest musical hits. Singers included West End stars John Owen-Jones, Ruthie Henshall, Nicole Racquel Dennis, Lee Mead, Rachel Tucker, Emma Hatton, Louise Dearman, Tyrone Huntley, Mazz Murray and Cassidy Jason.

Alongside performances from the glorious Palladium stage, the program featured exclusive interviews with the cast and some of the industry's most influential voices.

Songs presented were from some of the most popular musicals, from Wicked to Waitress; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to Jesus Christ Superstar; Les Mis to The Lion King and many more.

STAGE AND LIGHTING DESIGNERS have all jumped to the forefront allowing their creativity to sparkle. They've been forced to create new sets which allow for social distancing while projecting a feel of intimacy. GMA-3, Jimmy Kimmel Show, The Talk and Kelly Clarkson all have splendid new sets. The easy to watch Clarkson show has a set which cleverly positions zoom audience live photos on audience seats.

PRINCE CHARLES has announced the creation of @WeAreRETV, which begin #ClimateWeekNYC 2020. The Duke of Wales' launch of this new global platform for compelling films and articles by the SMI, will champion the most inspiring solutions for sustainability from around the world. With content curated by HRH, viewers will be able to explore five defined sub-channels: Re:Imagine; Re:Design; Re:Balance, Re:Invigorate, and Re:Invest.

"We've got to come together as a world on this," declared Prince Charles who serves as editor-in-chief of RE:TV, a platform to share inspirational stories and solutions of those working towards a more sustainable future for people and planet.

Launched in Davos at the@wef in January, The Prince’s Sustainable Markets Initiative aims to support communities, businesses, investors and consumers to take the urgent and necessary steps required to transition to more sustainable practices.

Last June His Royal Highness’s Sustainable Markets Initiative and the @wef launched #TheGreatReset. The global initiative encourages us to ‘build back better’ through the rebuild, redesign, reinvigoration and rebalance of our world in the wake of Covid-19.

ABU DHABI, UAE has given permission for the re-opening of entertainment centers inside shopping malls in a relaxation of restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19.

. "The restoration of amusement and entertainment centers and electronic gaming venues represent an important step towards revitalizing the community and the gathering areas of the members of the Abu Dhabi community and providing safe and entertaining means to enhance the public's confidence to return to recreational and tourism activities," Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Under-Secretary of The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said in comments published by state news agency WAM.

ADDED specified in its circulars to the owners and managers of recreational and entertainment play centers that they must adhere to daily and periodic sterilization procedures, to make hand sanitizers available in all public spaces and payment points, and to disinfect all children’s games and equipment.

Visitors must also be encouraged to pay using contactless cards and to deny entry to any visitor if they show any symptoms of Covid-19.

Areas and games that use plastic balls should not exceed 30 percent of the total game capacity, with deep sterilization measures once every hour and at the beginning and end of the working day.

Ironically, the announcement was made on the same day that the UAE recorded its highest ever daily figure for new coronavirus cases, as 1,083 infections were reported.

E-Book

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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.

FINAL OVATION

TOMMY DeVITO founding member of the Four Seasons rock ’n’ roll group who also managed the group, died Monday, September 21, 2020 of COVID-19 at Siena St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada. He was 92.

. DeVito sang baritone and played lead guitar in the Four Seasons with singles which topped the pop charts during the ’60s.

With DeVito, Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi, the Four Seasons would go on to rock ’n’ roll fame. The group’s string of hits began with Sherry, which hit No. 1 in 1962 and continued with Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man — both of which also hit No. 1 — Let’s Hang On; Dawn (Go Away); Rag Doll and Working My Way Back to You.

The Four Seasons are one of the best-selling musical groups of all time, having sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide.

DeVito was bought out of the group in 1970. In 1990, he, Valli, Massi and Gaudio were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The story of the Four Seasons was depicted in Jersey Boys, a Tony Award-winning musical that debuted on Broadway in November 2005 and was turned into a 2014 feature film directed by Clint Eastwood. The musical and movie cast DeVito as a disruptive influence, whose gambling put the group into debt and led to his involuntary move to Las Vegas.

Jersey Boys was also a Las Vegas hit. A production of the show opened at Palazzo in 2008 and transferred to Paris Las Vegas in 2012. By the time it closed there in September 2016 it had become the longest-running Broadway musical on the Strip.

Next Column: October 4, 2020
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