Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: April 13, 2025
By: Laura Deni
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SIX TIME TONY AWARD WINNER AUDRA McDONALD MAKES GYPSY HER OWN

An ageless masterpiece which stands the test of time Gypsy boasts a book by Arthur Laurents and songs with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim capturing the heart ache and strife that eccentric, obsessive stage mothers ooze as they fight to find their own success through their children. The story is ageless and stage-mothers today are as they were in the 1920s.

Gypsy is a favorite revival of theatres of all sizes, in all parts of the world. Depending upon the venue and budget and what creatives are available to bring to life the gritty angst, some productions are better than others.

What makes this revival at the Majestic Theatre special is - Audra McDonald.

At 54 she is the perfect age to play Rose. Watching her take Gypsy and make it her own, it's obvious that 20 years from now, McDonald will still be selling out the room. In addition to taking home six Tony Awards, two Grammys, and an Emmy, she's the only person to win in a Tony in all four acting categories. She was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2016 from President Barack Obama, and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2017.

She is one of those extremely rare talents who everyone ought to see in a live performance, even if its just once in a lifetime.

To understand what all the hooray is about, see her in Gypsy.

On the surface, it appears that McDonald has led a charmed life. She was born to successful, well educated parents and projected unbridled talent at an early age. That doesn't mean her acting chops can't deliver desperate and determined.

In addition to emoting Rose's Turn with anger, bitterness, pathos and rage, Audra as Rose elevates and inspires. Loving her in spite of herself is Tony winner Danny Burstein as Herbie, a Caspar Milquetoast type of salesman who allows himself to be dominated by Rose. She is a stage mother who has turned unrealistic optimism into an art form.

Based on the memoirs of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, the play begins in the 1920s in Seattle. Roses' kids are rehearsing for Uncle Jocko’s (Jacob Ming-Trent) kid-focused vaudeville act. Baby June is played by future superstar Jade Smith and her sister Louise are set to headline the upcoming performance. Upending the rehearsal is Rose who has excuses and blame laying for everyone except herself when it comes to why they are a fifth rated act in a third rated town.

Enjoy the always hillarious "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" performed by Mazeppa, Electra and Tessie Tura.

Rose is determined that her child band of would-be's are performers. Much like those we all know, who have honed their skills at convincing others that they are either a "comedian' or 'actor' when asked what they do for a living. In actuality, they may have had a booking or two over the years, but a consummate performer they are not. They believe their own fantasy. And so it is with Rose. Her troupe is getting older. They are no longer cute and little. They are at that rebellious age, realizing that there are other dreams besides finding a venue where the dressing room has a door without a peep hole, while Rose, who pontificates fake Bible verses and steals silverware, is doggedly determined to see their name in lights with all of the bulbs working.

Louise is unusually naive considering her upbringing. Much like the butterfly still in its cocoon.

Camilla A. Brown's choreography is energetic especially in the the boys number and costume designer Toni-Leslie James' costumes show how color and fabric convey emotion.

Eventually, a reticient Louise takes to the stage to strip for the men - always leaving them wanting more.

Casting for this Gypsy is entitled to its own commentary. This is a best qualified gets the job casting. What must have been difficult, but done to perfection, is staging this bi-racial production to keep audience attention focused on the story-line rather than how many of each race are in a group and who stands where. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces fit. No staging configuration dominates. Whoever decided who should be in which scene, in what part, is masterful. Low bows to them.

The official casting credit is given as Jordan Thaler, CSA and Heidi Griffiths, CSA.

Along with McDonald, the cast is led by Tony winner Danny Burstein as Herbie and Joy Woods as Louise, with the company also including Jordan Tyson as June, Kevin Csolak as Tulsa, Lesli Margherita as Tessie Tura, Lili Thomas as Miss Mazeppa, Mylinda Hull as Miss Electra, Jacob Ming-Trent as Uncle Jocko, Kyleigh Denae Vickers as Baby Louise, and Marley Lianne Gomes and Jade Smith as Baby June. Tryphena Wade is the standby for Rose.

The ensemble features Jace Bently, Brandon Burks, Hunter Capella´n, Tony d’Alelio, Summer Rae Daney, Kellie Jean Hoagland, Aliah James, Brittney Johnson, Zachary Daniel Jones, Ethan Joseph, Andrew Kober, Krystal Mackie, James McMenamin, Majo Rivero, Sally Shaw, Brendan Sheehan, Thomas Silcott, and Jayden Theophile.

Swings Shanel Bailey, Sasha Hutchings, Cole Newburg, Joe Osheroff, Ken Robinson, Jordan Wynn, and Iain Young round out the company.

Musical Supervisor: Andy Einhorn; Musical Coordinator: Tomoko Akaboshi; Conducted by Andy Einhorn; Associate Conductor: Adam Cole Klepper; Piano: Adam Cole Klepper; Violin/Concertmaster: Tomoko Akaboshi; Violin: Ben Russell, Sita Chay, Hajnal Pivnick and Kayla Williams; Cello: Meaghan Burke, Alon Bisk and Nelly Rocha; Bass: Greg Chudzik; Harp: Tomina Lyden; Reeds: Ben Kono, Zac Zinger, Emily Pecoraro, Chris Reza and Greg Riley; Trumpet: Ravi Best, Chloe Rowlands and Sophie Manoloff; Trombone: Nick Grinder, Hitomi Yakata-Garcia and Ron Wilkins; French Horn: Eric C. Davis; Drums/Percussion: Alvester Garnett; Percussion: Brandon Ilaw; Music Assistant: Griffin Strout; Music Copyist: Josephine Bearden and 7th Avenue Music Service; Original orchestrations restored by Josh Clayton, Jason Buell and Larry Moore.

George C. Wolfe's creative team includes choreographer Camille A. Brown; music director and supervisor Andy Einhorn, who's also penned additional arrangements; scenic designer Santo Loquasto; costume designer Toni-Leslie James; lighting designers Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer; sound designer Scott Lehrer; hair and wig designer Mia Neal; makeup designer Michael Clifton, and animal trainer William Berloni. Orchestrations are by Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler, with dance music arrangements by John Kander, and additional orchestrations and arrangements by Daryl Waters. Rick Steiger is production stage manager.

Broadway's current Gypsy revival will release a cast album via Warner Music Group's Arts Music and Octoverse Media. The recording will be available for streaming and digital purchase beginning April 25, with CD and vinyl releases to follow.

As a teaser "Together (Wherever We Go)" was released as a single on April 11.

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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

THE EDWARDIANS: AGE OF ELEGANCE has opened at The King's Gallery n London and is on display until November 23, 2025.

Discover the opulence and glamour of the Edwardian age through the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary.

More than 300 objects from the Royal Collection are on display – almost half for the first time – including works by the most renowned contemporary artists of the period, including Carl Fabergé, Frederic Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, Rosa Bonheur, John Singer Sargent and William Morris.

The new exhibition explores their family lives, glittering social circles and spectacular royal events.

Explore the opulence and glamour of the Edwardian age through the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary – from their family lives and personal collecting to their glittering social circles and spectacular royal events.

The exhibition covers the period from Edward and Alexandra's wedding in 1863 up to the end of the First World War.

Curator’s introduction to The Edwardians: Age of Elegance takes place Monday, April 28 at The King's Gallery and on line Tuesday, July 15. 2025.

During this lecture, exhibition curator Kathryn Jones will explore the opulence and glamour of the Edwardian age. Kathryn will focus on some of her highlights of the exhibition, including works by the most renowned artists of the period such as Carl Fabergé, Frederic Leighton and William Morris.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND TRAIL is open until April 21, 2025 at the American Museum and Gardens in Bath, England.

Follow the white rabbit on the giant garden trail with Easter gift, Egg search in the museum. Creative activities include making your own Mad Hatter hat. There is a play area and woodland walks Don't forget the fancy afternoon tea parties on the terrace and costume parades over the Easter long weekend.

Come in an Easter costume for sweet photo opportunities with all the daffodils in the gardens!

BARBIE: A CULTURAL ICON is on exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Step back into your childhood as Barbie: A Cultural Icon takes you from 1959 to present day, examining how pop culture and fashion trends have shaped this global phenomenon.

The exhibition celebrates Barbie as a reflection of culture, featuring a priceless collection of over 300 artifacts spanning 66 years of history, including the very first 1959 doll, an original Barbie DreamHouse, behind-the-scenes prototypes and some of the most infamous dolls

Exhibition open now through September 1, 2025.

THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN BOSTON has appointed Pierre Terjanian as the next Ann and Graham Gund Director and CEO. Currently the Museum’s Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation, Pierre succeeds Matthew Teitelbaum and will assume his new role on July 1, 2025.

Formally elected at a meeting of the MFA’s Board of Trustees, Pierre becomes the 12th director in the Museum’s 155-year history. His brilliant curatorial vision, deep understanding of the Museum and our renowned collections, and inspirational leadership style have led the Board to unanimously choose him to lead the MFA confidently and boldly into the future.

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SPREADING THE WORD

SOPHIE, THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH

Duchess Sophie having a loving moment with a Yellow Lab. Photo: The Royal Family.

has become patron of the Yellow Labrador Club, in a position previously held by King George VI and later Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron from 1953 to 2022. .

It's no secret that the wife of Prince Edward is a sucker for a four footed fur ball.

During the recent outing when the Duchess visited Windsor Great Park for "an afternoon of demonstrations, tea, and puppy cuddles," as she met members of the club and their dogs to learn about the breed and its work, it became obvious that her tail wagging attachment has some keeping a close eye on her - and her handbag.

Sophie, 60, was so taken by the dogs that "we had to watch carefully that she didn't sneak one in her pocket," club honorary secretary Sussie Wiles joked.

"She was very taken with a fox-red, nine-week-old puppy. That was one that was definitely heading for her handbag," she added.

Founded in 1924, the Club encourages the breeding of pure Yellow Labrador Retrievers to conserve the best type of working dog; to encourage Field Trials; and to ensure having qualified judges at shows.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place April 24–May 4, 2025, with headliners Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne & Roots Headlining 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest. Kacey Musgraves, Santana, Burna Boy, HAIM and others.

KELLI O'HARA comes to Steppenwolf in Chicago with a program of beloved American Songbook classics and modern Broadway favorites on April 18 & 19, 2025.

The Tony Award winner and Emmy nominee will perform highlights from her incredible body of work which spans twelve Broadway productions. In addition to riveting musical performances, O'Hara will share stories and personal memories drawn from her landmark stage career in an intimate setting.

THE 2025 NAB SHOW ATTRACTED 55,000 registered attendees from 160 countries. The show transformed the global reach for storytellers, with one out of four attendees traveling from outside the U.S. (26%), and 53% of participants registering for the first time. The growing presence of first-time registrants — more than half — reflects the expanding appeal and relevance of NAB Show on a global scale.

The show defined the future of the evolving media and entertainment landscape, with key trends such as artificial intelligence, the creator economy, and the intersection of sports and technology at the forefront.

NAB Show featured nearly 1,100 global exhibitors, including 125 first time exhibitors. Global brands included Adobe, AWS, AT&T Business, Canon, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Fujifilm, Intel, Microsoft, Nikon, Quantum Corporation, Riedel, Sony, and Verizon Business. The exhibit floor spanned more than eight soccer fields of innovation – reinforcing NAB Show as the hub for media and entertainment professionals worldwide.

NAB Show brought together a broad spectrum of thought leaders, including representatives from major corporations like the Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal, TikTok, and YouTube. Top speakers included: Gotham Chopra, Co-founder ROS (Religion of Sports) - Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group - Nick Khan, President & CEO, WWE - Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Chief Content Officer, WWE - Dhar Mann and Sean Atkins from Dhar Mann Studios and Steven A. Smith, Television Host, ESPN.

The show featured more than 550 conference sessions and more than 1,000 speakers.

Sports Summit – This inaugural track explored the rapid convergence of sports, media, and technology, featuring insights from leaders such as Portia Archer, CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association.

THEIR MAJESTIES KING CHARLES AND QUEEN CAMILLA were guests of honor at a diplomatic dinners held to honor their visit to Italy last week. The banquet was hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Palazzo Quirinale, and opera singer Andrea Bocelli — who performed at King Charles' Coronation Concert in May 2023 — was among the guests.

ALL MY SONS will open at the Wyndham Theatre on London's West End this November with Ivo van Hove directing Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS 2024 BROADWAY CAST ALBUM takes place Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at THe Museum of Broadway un New York City.

Sutton Foster, Michael Urie, Daniel Breaker, Will Chase, Ana Gasteyer and Nikki Renée Daniels will appear to perform a few selections from the Album and to sign CDs.

The New York City Center Encores! revival of Once Upon a Mattress, directed by Lear deBessonet, was recorded following the record-breaking run of the musical at the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles last week. The album will be released by Center Stage Records and Shout! Broadway and is produced by Emmy Award-winner Amy Sherman-Palladino, Tony Award-winner Adam Guettel, Emmy and 4-time Grammy Award-winner Lawrence Manchester, Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Jenny Gersten, and executive produced by Van Dean for Center Stage Records and Douglas Denoff for Shout! Broadway.

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BMI AND NAB HONOR BROADCASTING LEGENDS AT HISTORIC 75th ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND NAB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS took place at Encore in Las Vegas, NV. The event marked the end of BMI’s historic run hosting the dinner, with plans for NAB to continue the Hall of Fame tradition moving forward.

Part of the 2025 NAB Show, the evening honored two of the most iconic figures in broadcasting: the National Football League (NFL) in television, and legendary BMI singer/songwriter John Oates in radio. The ceremony was a tribute to their profound impact on their respective industries, both shaping the media landscape and inspiring future generations.

Television Hall of Fame Inductee: National Football League (NFL)

The NFL was inducted into the NAB Television Hall of Fame for its pioneering influence on sports broadcasting, from its early days to its role as a cultural powerhouse today. Since the first televised NFL game in 1939, the league has consistently broken barriers in the broadcasting world. NFL broadcasts have become a defining feature of American television, with Thursday Night Football, Sunday games, Monday Night Football, postseason and the Super Bowl dominating primetime TV slots and cultural conversations.

Rich Eisen, renowned NFL Network broadcaster and host of The Rich Eisen Show, accepted the award on behalf of the NFL, acknowledging the league’s far-reaching impact on sports broadcasting and television culture. A special video produced by NFL Films was shown, highlighting the NFL’s journey in television history, leading into Eisen’s acceptance speech and video messages from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Radio Hall of Fame Inductee: John Oates

John Oates was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame for his immense contributions to American radio as an acclaimed solo artist and the co-founder of Hall & Oates, the best-selling rock duo in music history. Oates’ timeless hit songs span five decades, transcend generations, and, as a cornerstone of American radio, remain in constant rotation across multiple radio formats. In accepting the award, Oates thanked the NAB for the honor and talked about the importance of radio in his life, sharing that the music played on the stations he listened to growing up was “indelibly printed on my soul, my mind, and it’s the music that made me. I owe everything to radio.” He then performed six songs, including the Hall & Oates hits "Out of Touch" and "She’s Gone," as well as his solo hits including "Mending" and "Pushin’ a Rock." Oates then treated guests with "A Ways Away," an unreleased song from his forthcoming album slated for release later this year and ended the performance with a rousing rendition of the Ray Charles classic, "I Got A Woman."

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE VOKOL GROUP is now casting for a charismatic and confident Male-Spokesperson / On-Stage Team Presenter host for promotional and media events for a contract-based entertainment engagement during Summer 2025, with the potential for ongoing and international opportunities.

This high-energy role blends on-stage appearance with with hands-on assistance in staging execution, making it ideal for a seasoned performer who thrives on stage and behind the scenes. The selected candidate will join a fast-paced, professional team delivering nightly media and promotional elements in a fun, dynamic environment with full travel support provided. Title: Spokesperson / On-Stage Team Member. Gender Identity: Male. Age Range: appearing to be in 20’s or 30’s. Height: 6’1” to 6’4”. Silhouette: Athletic to muscular. Experience: Must be confident, charismatic, and team-oriented, with a background in theatrical or live performance. Candidates will appear onstage at promotional events and in addition assist with setup and operation of staging nightly media and promotional event. Key Requirements: Must be 18+ with a valid passport - Strong team player mentality - Theatrical/live performance experience - Physically capable of assisting with stage setup and real-time execution.

CONTRACT DETAILS: Duration: Approximately 12 weeks - Training begins in June with engagements running through Labor Day 2025 - Rate: $700/week - Non-Union - Travel provided Perks: Diversified training, potential for international travel and future television opportunities.

To be considered, applicants must submit the following: PHOTOS (taken in form-fitting black clothing, full smile showing teeth) Shoulders-up (front).2. Shoulders-up (profile). Full-length. Additional Materials: Current resume and headshot. Any links (YouTube, Dropbox, etc.) to reels or performance videos that showcase relevant skills or on-stage experience. By May 1, 2025 Email submissions to: casting@thevokolgroup.com.



MY MASTER BUILDER by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek, and is inspired by Ibsen’s classic drama The Master Builder.

Directed by Michael Grandage.

My Master Builder promises to be a very modern take on the original drama, set in the Hamptons on the eve of the 4th of July.

Elena Solness is a publishing magnate, about to throw a party to celebrate her husband, architect Henry Solness, as he unveils his latest building masterpiece. Their already vulnerable marriage is completely shattered by the unexpected arrival of Mathilde, a former student of Henry’s, with whom he previously shared an intimate connection. As the evening unfolds, each find themselves face to face with a reckoning that indelibly tilts the axis of their lives.

Starring EwanMcGregor, Elizabeth Debicki as Mathilde & Kate Fleetwood as Elena, David Ajala as Ragnar, and Mirren Mack as Kaja.

The creatives are: Set and costume designer Richard Kent, lighting designer Paule Constable, composer and sound designer Adam Cork, casting director Sophie Holland, associate director Bethany West, production manager Kate West, costume supervisor Lisa Aitken, and props supervisor Kate Margretts.

My Master Builder will run at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London from April 17 to July 12, 2025.

There are also rumors that My Master Builder will be heading to Broadway with Ewan McGregor, although no details have been revealed.

AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig.

Directed by Shane Bosher.

All aboard Agatha Christie’s most thrilling murder-mystery.

One murder, eight suspects and a wild ride that’s about to go off the rails.

It’s the winter of 1934 and the luxurious Orient Express is travelling through the night on its way from Istanbul to London, when a snowdrift stops the train in its tracks. In the first-class carriage is Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, returning home from an 'unfortunate' murder case.

When one of his fellow passengers is found dead, with eight stab wounds to his chest, there are no footprints to be seen in the snow. Taking charge of the investigation, Poirot reaches the only possible conclusion: the killer must still be on board the train.

The creatives are: John Verryt Set Design. Sean Lynch Lighting Design. Elizabeth Whiting Costume Design. Paul McLaney Composition & Sound Design.Harley Campbell Motion Design. Kirstie O'Sullivan Accent & Dialect Coach. Todd Emerson Intimacy Coordinator. Ni Dekkers-Reihana The Engine Room - Assistant Direction.

Featuring: Bronwyn Ensor Greta Ohlsson a pious missionary full of devotion and good intentions. Sophie Henderson as Countess Andrenyii, a captivating Hungarian aristocrat who carries her noble title with natural elegance and poise. Jennifer Ludlam as Princess Dragomiroff who is regal, formidable, and utterly unimpressed by lesser mortals. Mayen Mehta as Hector MacQueen, the capable young American secretary who can handle all manner of correspondence and delicate business matters. Ryan O'Kane as Colonel Arbuthnot a no-nonsense officer with a stiff upper lip and a fiery sense of honor, & also performs as Samuel Ratchett. Mirabai Pease as Mary Debenham a bundle of nerves wrapped in propriety . Cameron Rhodes as Hercule Poirot the world’s most meticulous investigator, with a sharp mind and an impeccably maintained mustache. Jordan Selwyn as Michel the conductor of the first-class carriages, is so organized he could run a circus and as the Head Waiter who always serves you your dinner on time and hot. . Rima Te Wiata as Helen Hubbard a larger-than-life American with a flair for the dramatic. Edwin Wright as Monsieur Bouc a man who adores luxury and fine living.

April 22 – May 10, 2025 at the ASB Waterfront Theatrem Auckland Theatre Company in New Zealand.

THE LAST BIMBO OF THE APOCALYPSE a world premiere musical with book by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley, music and lyrics by Michael Breslin with additional music and lyrics by Patrick Foley.

Directed by Jack Ferver.

In 2006, The New York Post infamously labeled Paris, Lindsay and Britney "The Three Bimbos of the Apocalypse." But who is the fourth girl in that famous photo? Today, three Gen Z internet sleuths investigate that icon – Coco, an early 2000’s one-hit wonder who mysteriously vanished. Their epic musical quest leads them to uncover the truth, deliver justice and rewrite pop history.

The complete The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse cast includes Patrick Nathan Falk, Keri René Fuller, Sara Gettelfinger, Luke Islam, Milly Shapiro, and Natalie Walker.

The creatives are: vocal arrangements by Michael Breslin and Dan Schlosberg, orchestrations and music direction by Dan Schlosberg, choreographed by Jack Ferver, and directed by and developed with Rory Pelsue. Scenic Design by Stephanie Osin Cohen, Costume Design by Cole McCarty, Lighting Design by Amith Chandrashaker, Sound Design by Megumi Katayama and Ben Truppin-Brown, Hair and Wig Design by Matthew Armentrout, Properties Supervision by Jackson Berkley and Dramaturgy by Ariel Sibert and Cat Rodríguez. Production Supervisor is Five Ohm. Casting Director is Judy Henderson, CSA. Production Stage Manager is Clarissa Marie Ligon.

Previews begin April 22 in advance of Official Opening Night on Tuesday, May 13. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through June 1 at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.

REGENCY GIRLS a world premiere musical Book by Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan. Music by Curtis Moore. Lyrics by Amanda Green.

Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.

In Regency Girls, Elinor Benton is in a predicament: she’s pregnant, unmarried, and living in 19th-century England. What’s a young woman to do? Facing certain ruin, she gathers up her best friends and sets off on the ultimate road trip to find the one woman who might offer a chance to change her fate. This epic journey, equal parts hilarious and profound, transforms each of them as they make choices about their own futures.

The cast includes Isabelle McCalla as Elinor, Krystina Alabado as Dabney, Kate Rockwell as Jane, Ryann Redmond as Petunia, Nik Walker as Stanton, Gabe Gibbs as Dingley / Galloping, Janine LaManna as Lady Catherine / Madame Restell, Sav Souza as Scutter, Benjamin Howes as Earl of Lenwich, Kyla Stone as Ensemble / Understudy for Elinor and Jane, Marissa Rosen as Ensemble / Understudy for Petunia, Amy Jo Jackson as Ensemble / Understudy for Lady Catherine and Madame Restell, Ariella Kvashny as Ensemble / Understudy for Dabney, Ellis Dawson as Ensemble / Understudy for Stanton, Laura Leo Kelly as Swing / Understudy for Scutter, Jacob Caltrider as Swing, David Engel as Ensemble / Understudy for Earl of Lenwich, Joel Acosta as Ensemble / Understudy for Dingley and Galloping Dick, Sophia LaRosh as Swing, and Wesley Carpenter as Swing (Dance Captain) / Understudy for Elinor and Jane.

In addition to Crittenden, Allan, Moore, Green, and Rhodes, the creative team includes orchestrations by Moore and James Sampliner; music supervision by Sampliner, scenic design by Anna Louizos; costume design by David I. Reynoso; lighting design by Adam Honoré; sound design by Jason Crystal; music direction by Patrick Sulken; additional arrangements by Dan Lipton; fight direction by Jake Millgard; dialect coach Nathan Crocker; associate director Deidre Goodwin; associate choreographer Lee Wilkins; casting by Paul Hardt, Hardt Casting; and production stage manager Anjee Nero.

Regency Girls plays through May 11, 2025 in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

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

WILLIAM FINN Tony-Winning Composer of Falsettos, A New Brain and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has died. He was 73.

The two-time Tony-winning composer and lyricist was known for subversive, bitingly funny and tragic musicals—including Falsettos, A New Brain and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Born in 1952, Finn grew up in Natick, Massachussets. For his bar mitzvah, he received a guitar which he taught himself to play, developing a love of musical theater initially sparked by Mary Martin TV musicals and segments on The Ed Sullivan Show. At eight, he played Nicely Nicely in a production of Guys and Dolls at camp. He and his siblings would create routines set to songs from the Bye Bye Birdie original cast recording. “I loved every Broadway show, unlike today... I wish I could go back to those times when I was enthralled.” He enrolled to study literature and American civilization at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where Sondheim had studied, writing and singing his own musicals on the side. By the time he graduated, Finn had written three musicals, and was awarded the Hutchinson Fellowship for music composition, which Sondheim had also won at Williams.

Finn first worked as a script reader for the Public Theater but gradually gained notice staging musical plays in his apartment, with the audience seating consisting of chairs borrowed from the synagogue across the street. On the strength of these apartment performances, Finn was invited to participate in the inaugural season of the musical theater lab at Playwrights Horizons, who subsequently commissioned more work from him. Of March of the Falsettos (1981)—the second in a trilogy of musicals centered around the character Marvin (beginning with the 1979 musical In Trousers) Nine years later, again for Playwrights Horizons, Finn completed the trilogy with Falsettoland, which, combined with March of the Falsettos, turned into Falsettos. The show opened on Broadway in 1992 (his second Broadway credit after penning the lyrics to the short-lived musical Dangerous Games) and ran for 486 performances, winning the Tony Award for Best Original Score as well as for Best Book of a Musical. A critically acclaimed revival opened in 2016 and garnered five Tony nominations.

The same year as Falsettos' Broadway premiere, Finn was rushed to the hospital suffering deteriorating vision, dizziness and partial paralysis. He endured the ensuing medical ordeal listening to Leonard Bernstein's ''Make Our Garden Grow'' over and over. In September, he underwent surgery to treat arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, in his brain stem. After the treatment,along with his Falsettos collaborator James Lapine, Finn penned A New Brain about the experience, the show premiering off-Broadway in 1998.

Following his song cycle Elegies, which ran off-Broadway in 2003, Finn would have further success on Broadway with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (2005). While continuing to create his own work, including revues and a musical adaptation of "Little Miss Sunshine", Finn co-founded and led, as artistic producer, Barrington Stage Company’s Musical Theatre Lab, an incubator for new musicals, and was a faculty member at the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theater Writing. He was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2024.

Finn is survived by his partner Arthur Salvadore.

MIKE BERRY singer and actor who starred in "Are You Being Served?" died April 11, 2025. He was 82.

As a singer he enjoyed top ten hits "Don't You Think It's Time" (1963) and "The Sunshine of Your Smile" (1980) before portraying Mr. Spooner in "Are You Being Served?" as the show's resident heartthrob. Berry stayed until the end of the show's run in 1985.

After the death of Nicholas Smith in December 2015, and until his own death in 2025, he was the lone surviving actor from the show who played a starring character.

Next Column: April 20, 2025
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Laura Deni