Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: April 26, 2020
By: Laura Deni
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FILMING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC: MAKE A MINUTE LUMIERE

Prince Louis with his rainbow hands. Photo by his mother, Catherine the Duchess of Cornwall

During this COVID-19 experience the citizenry seems to be divided into two groups - those who are clawing at the walls and those who are streaming on line.

In a unique kind of frustration, loving parents don't know what to do with their kids. Dumping them on somebody else's doorstep in the middle of the night isn't feasible.

For the finger paint artists who wish to emulate darling little Prince Louis who celebrated his second birthday last week, with his mother Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge recording it all on camera, a responsible adult paints rainbow colored stripes on a person's palms. Then the "artist" presses the painted palms on paper - or their own cheeks.

The responsible person then carefully washes off the painted person. Understand that the kids love it. No comment from "responsible" adults.

For the more artsy-crafty cut out words and pictures from magazines and newspapers which reflect feelings, opinions, happenings in the person's week.

Or, consider turning the little ones - or yourself - into a filmmaker.

We are all living through a historical epic which your future relatives will want - and need - to learn about. You also need to keep your current household from killing each other or going into a personal meltdown.

Film Education is a marvelous class where you learn that a simple one minute project can be transforming. No expensive or unusual equipment needed.

The program which is used by those as young as pre-schoolers (termed born digital) upwards to senior citizens was devised by:

Charlotte Giese Special Advisor at the Danish Film Institute (DFI) in Copenhagen, focusing on Film Education for Next Generations –with key areas such as Creative Film Studios, Pre-School,

Sabine Genz has been working with and for children’s media since 1995. She has been part of the VISION KINO team for six years and is, among other things,responsible for teaching material, monthly film recommendations for education and copyright issues.

Mark Reid is Head of UK Learning Programmes at the BFI (British Film Institute), where he has worked for over 20 years.

Ian Wall has won two BAFTA’s (children’s interactive learning) as well as a ‘Learning on Screen’ award, all for interactive teaching resources.

Nathalie Bourgeois looks after film education at La Cinémathèque française, and is especially involved in European and international programmes. For many years she has led le Cinema, cent ans de jeunesse, a film education programme running in many countries around the world.

Kari Eggert Rysgaard is the Head of the Educational Program at FILM-X / Danish Film Institute. Her working field is developing hands-on film activities for schools and preschools – both in the film studios FILM-X and in schools, libraries and daycare institutions.

Lisbeth Arto Juhl Sibbesen is editor of film education at the Danish Film Institute. Her main focus is DFI’s streamingsite Filmcentralen.

Martin Brandt-Petersen works at the Danish Film Institute as a consultant in film education and educational manager for Filmcentralen/Education, a learning platform and a streaming service for schools.

Accordinng to the instructors - How to proceed:

Have the budding cinematographer pick a subject - such as how they are feeling. Then they need to photograph something that - to them- represents their feelings. Sad might be rain, a frown, dark colors, closed door. Happy could be the sun, flowers, light colors, laughter, ice cream - you get the idea.

Film for just 1 minute, without moving the frame (no panning, but the camera can be placed on or in a moving object - car, lift, train…) and sound is recorded directly onto the camera. Choose exactly the right moment to start recording your minute. Then 60 seconds later, stop the shot. No editing, no cheating!

The point of this Exercise is not to make ‘funny short films’ like on on Youtube, but to try make the world visible, with brand new eyes.

There are no right or wrong lumieres. A daily lumiere creates a video diary of personal emotions or events during this unusual COVID-19 experience, as well as removing veils which may hamper some from being verbally honest about their feelings.

At the worst it's a project in which no weapons are involved.

For those who enjoy being alone - leave them alone.

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SWEET CHARITY

TIK TOK will donate $2 million to The Actors Fund Covid-19 Emergency Financial Assistance program. The significant donation helps the Emergency Assistance Fund to achieve its short-term goal of $20 million to aid those in the industry who have been left jobless by the coronavirus shutdown.

PLAYS IN THE HOUSE presented by Stars in the House hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley every Wednesday and Saturday Matinee as Part of Its Regular Daily Live-Streamed Show In Support Of The Actors Fund.

Last Saturday, April 25, it was Shaw's Arms and the Man, starring Daniel Davis, Santino Fontana, Alison Fraser, Tom Hewitt, Daniel Jenkins, Lauren Molina, and Phillipa Soo Narrated and directed By David Staller.

The episodes feature actors doing live readings of classic, award-winning plays. These performances are all free.

Stars in the House, which kicked off on March 16th is a daily series that features stars of stage and screen singing and performing live (from home!) to promote support for The Fund's services for those most vulnerable to the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the first show, Stars in the House has raised more than $235,000 to benefit The Actors Fund. The Drama Desk just honored The Actors Fund, Seth Rudetsky, and James Wesley with a Special Award for “connecting the theatre community and lifting spirits during the coronavirus crisis through the ongoing Stars in the House series.”

SPREADING THE WORD

GET MARRIED IN LAS VEGAS Sin City can once again be your jumping the broom site. Beginning tomorrow, Monday, April 27, 2020 the marriage license bureau will re-open - but with some safety measures in place.

All couples must first complete the forms on line. Those entering the building must keep social distance and all lovebirds must wear either masks or face coverings.

Maybe Princess Beatrice will decide to come to Las Vegas to finally get married. The bride-to-be had to postpone her May 29th wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi because of the virus.

The ceremony for family and close friends was to have been followed with a backyard reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

No date set for a re-try.

Speaking of weddings, Prince Williams and Duchess Kate celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2020.

TREASURE ISLAND (TI) HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS is currently accepting hotel reservations for May 15, 2020 onward with the warning - subject to change.

On the flip side MGM Resorts has canceled reservations for its Las Vegas resort through May 21, 2020.

NEW YORK POPS VIRTUAL STORYBOOK PREMIERE Monday, April 27, 2020.

Since the New York Pops can’t celebrate their 37th Birthday Gala in person, they've collected some of The New York Pops’ most unforgettable moments to share with online.

In addition to performance highlights from recent concerts, you’ll re-live memories as told by Nick Adams, Lynn Ahrens, Alain Boublil, Matt Doyle, Tony DeSare, Ali Ewoldt, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, James Monroe Iglehart, Capathia Jenkins, Aaron Lazar, Kristen & Bobby Lopez, Rob Marshall, Rob McClure, Frankie Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Lea Salonga, Marc Shaiman, Sy Smith, Georgia Stitt, Paulo Szot and Shaina Taub.

Steven Reineke serves as host.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA (JFNA) and over 30 partner organizations are sponsoring a global celebration of Israel’s 72nd birthday during a virtual one-hour event on Wednesday, April 29 from 2 to 3 pm ET on Facebook and YouTube. Featuring celebrities, members of the Jewish community from across the world, and surprise guests, the star-studded event will highlight Israeli cultural achievement and stories of Israel past and present.

In addition to exclusive footage of Israel’s official Independence Day Ceremony on Mt. Hertzl, the virtual celebration will include performances by Dear Evan Hansen star Ben Platt and his brothers, Broadway star Caissie Levy, Israeli pop singer Rita, and Jewish rapper Matisyahu. The ceremony will also feature a special cooking demonstration by bestselling cookbook author Adeena Sussman, and appearances by West Wing actor Josh Malina, sex therapist Dr. Ruth, and many more.

Since Israeli Independence directly follows Israeli Memorial Day, the ceremony also emphasizes the sacrifices and resiliency of the Israeli people. Isaac Herzog, the son of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, will recount Israel’s War of Independence and pay tribute to former Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.

DEAR IRELAND a national conversation led by Ireland’s artists 50 writers, 50 actors. Presented on our digital channels April 28 - May 1, 2020.

The Abbey Theatre commissioned writers from Ireland, with unique additional contributions from the USA, China and Italy, to each write a monologue, to be performed by 50 actors, and then streamed on their YouTube channel.

Each writer nominated one actor to perform their piece, and the actors are self-taping their performances from social isolation.

Acclaimed Irish artist Maser was also commissioned to respond to the Dear Ireland call and his beautiful artwork is being used for the visuals online, and will be woven through the films.

Composer Ray Harman has also contributed to Dear Ireland, with his music underscoring various elements of this digital project. Released over 4 days, the monologues will be screened in four parts at 7.30pm Ireland time .

Artists involved in Dear Ireland include: Writers:

Blindboy, Dermot Bolger, Pom Boyd, Sinéad Burke, TKB (Thommas Kane Byrne), Dylan Coburn Gray, Karen Cogan, John Connors, Kit de Waal, Shaun Dunne, Iseult Golden, Stacey Gregg, Sarah Hanly, Nancy Harris, David Ireland, Colm Keegan, Sonya Kelly, Deirdre Kinahan, Emmet Kirwan, Darach Mac Con Iomaire, Manchán Magan, Aoife Martyn, Owen McCafferty, Rosaleen McDonagh, Frank McGuinness Meadhbh McHugh (New York), Una McKevitt, Phillip McMahon, Andrea Molino (Italy, Gina Moxley, Jimmy Murphy, Zoe Ní Riordáin, Edna O’Brien, Eva O’Connor, Joseph O’Connor, John O’Donovan, Mark O’Halloran, Jody O’Neill, Shane O’Reilly, Felicia 'Felispeaks' Olusanya, Margaret Perry, Ursula Rani Sarma, Arthur Riordan, Ciara Elizabeth Smyth, Abbie Spallen, Keith James Walker, Enda Walsh, Michael West, Carmel Winters, and Zhu Yi (China).

Actors:

Cathy Belton, Andrew Bennett, Dawn Bradfield, Amanda Coogan, Nicola Coughlan, Timmy Creed, Bríd Criomhthain, Zara Devlin, Mark Doherty, Deirdre Donnelly, Mike Donnelly, Ashleigh Dorrell, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Clare Dunne, Graham Earley, Sorcha Fox, Eva-Jane Gaffney, Denise Gough, Brendan Gleeson, Peter Gowen, Julia Gu, Breffni Holahan, Seána Kerslake, Katherine Lynch, Conor MacNeill, Amy McAllister, Owen McDonnell, Lucianne McEvoy, Abigail McGibbon, Siobhán McSweeney, Leah Minto, Deirdre Molloy, David Moss, Marie Mullen, Bríd Ní Neachtain, Rory Nolan Eoin O Dubhghaill, Kathy Rose O'Brien, Marion O’Dwyer, Jolene O’Hara, Patrick O’Kane, Clare O'Malley, Marty Rea, Ericka Roe, Owen Roe, Camille Lucy Ross, Norma Sheahan, Joan Sheehy, Stanley Townsend, and Eleanor Walsh.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK the free annual festival which has been staged at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater since 962, has been cancelled because of COVID-19.

Shows which would have taken place include a new production of Richard II, directed by Saheem Ali, which was to have begun May 19; followed by a musical adaptation of As You Like It, directed by Laurie Woolery.

Shakespeare in the Park has followed the Edinburgh festivals, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Williamstown Theater Festival in calling off their summer festivals.

The Public Theater will furlough 70 percent of its full-time, permanent staff - estimated at about 160 people - from May 4 to Aug. 31, the end of its fiscal year. Most of the remaining staff, everyone who makes over $60,000 per year, will take up to a 25 percent pay cut. Oskar Eustis, the artistic director of the Public Theater will take a 40 percent pay cut.

Employees will receive health insurance through December 31, 2020.

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON the largest fan convention in North America and one of the biggest promotional events of the year, which attracts upwards of 130,000 participants annually has been cancelled - the first in the event’s history.

The event was scheduled to have run from July 23 through July 26, 2020.

THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER folded its intention of shuffling the deck for their 51st edition of the event which was originally scheduled to begin on May 26 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, it has been postponed to the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were 101 bracelet events on the schedule before the postponement.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL the three-day Las Vegas music, arts and culinary festival has been canceled for 2020. It was scheduled to take place over multiple stages September 18-20.

Life is Beautiful had grown into one of the city’s biggest annual music events, bringing in upward of 175,000 fans.

SHOULD LAS VEGAS BE USED AS A TESTING GROUND FOR THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman 81, who won election to her position by 80% of the voter, gave a meltdown interview to CNN's Anderson Cooper last Wednesday.

The interview went viral, talk show panels discussed her and late night talk show hosts ridiculed her for comments including one where she suggested Las Vegas should be used as a testing ground on how COVID-19 is spread.

Goodman told Cooper that she wanted the city to be the control group, or “placebo,” to test whether social distancing was effective. After Cooper said the group that receives the placebo generally gets the “short end of the stick,” Goodman snapped, “You don’t know.”

She also indicated it wasn't her job to tend to the safety of her constituents, although her job as mayor is precisely that.

The largest labor union in Nevada, Culinary Local 226, citing to 11 union members who have died from COVID-19, charged that Goodman’s statements were “outrageous.”

“We want people back to work, but it has to be safe and secure and we don’t want workers to be part of an experiment,” union Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline said in a statement. “Workplaces need to be safe and healthy — not a Petri dish.”

Wags all over the press are criticizing Goodman. The most generous comment was by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak who called her "misinformed."

However, he stressed that: “You cannot allow our citizens, our folks, to be used as a ‘control group’ in this unscientific experiment that she’s talking about, relating to the spread of the virus. That’s just simply not allowable,” he said. “I mean, there is no way I would even permit the discussion about using the city of Las Vegas as a control group in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. That’s beyond the pale. I can’t even imagine someone even contemplating that."

To refer to her statements and behavior with Cooper as bizarre is a understatement. Goodman has been in Las Vegas since 1968. I've been here since 1963. Goodman has spent 52 years working to support and benefit Sin City. Until recently she was always extremely intelligent, thoughtful, and well reasoned.

While there is no knowledge of, or implication implied, board certified physicians are known to prescribed drugs to patents for a variety of physical illnesses which can - within hours if not minutes - cause a temporary (as long as the drugs are administered) personality change which can be dramatic - even an almost an opposite of the patient's normal personality. Patients will say and do what they normally would find distasteful, uncomfortable - even abhorrent.

Extreme stress can also trigger some people to respond in unexpected ways.

What rolls through my mind is - Goodman entered office having just been diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer. She went through chemotherapy treatment which landed her in the hospital. There has not been a recent update on her cancer prognosis. That may have changed. All cancer patients go through times of emotional frailty.

Mayor Goodman's interview with Anderson Cooper was so beyond the realm of good sense, intelligence and reason that I wonder what might be transpiring in her life.

Under normal circumstances her argumentative and beligerant interview would have been career ending. However, Goodman is in her last term as Mayor of Las Vegas, which doesn't include the famed Las Vegas Strip. Although the next day Goodman attempted to backtrack some of her statements, the damage had been done. Fortunately, she didn't do harm to anyone other than herself. She isn't in a position to open up Las Vegas or to authorize experiments (or any other kind) on the citizens of Las Vegas.

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Question: How many folk singers does it take change a light bulb?
Answer: Four. One to change it and three to sing about how great it was.

My old aunts would come and tease me at weddings, “Well Sarah? Do you think you’ll be next?”
- We’ve settled this quickly once I’ve started doing the same to them at funerals.

Job interviewer: “And where would you see yourself in five years’ time Mr. Jeffries?
- Mr. Jeffries: "Personally I believe my biggest weakness is in listening."

Dentist: “This will hurt a little.”
Patient: “OK.”
Dentist: “I’ve been having an affair with your wife for a while now.”

I got another letter from this lawyer today. It said “Final Notice”. Good that he will not bother me anymore.

A mother asks her son: "Anton, do you think I’m a bad mom?"
- Son: "My name is Paul."

Doctor: You're obese.
- Patient: For that I definitely want a second opinion.
- Doctor: You’re quite ugly, too.

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HANG IN THERE . . .

TONY NOMINATED ACTOR NICK CORDERO is recovering after having his right leg amputated following complications with coronavirus, his wife Amanda Klotts sadly announced.

. The Broadway star r spent two weeks fighting coronavirus for more than two weeks before his doctors determined that there was no other alternative but to amputate.

While sedated for 18 days in the ICU of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, blood clotting issues developed in his right leg, preventing his blood from reaching his toes.

Blood thinners he received in an attept to solve the clotting issues affected his blood pressure and causedg internal bleeding in his intestines, Kloots posted.

He had his right leg amputated.

Cordero made his Broadway debut in 2012 in Rock of Ages and accomplished the unusual status of always being employed. In 2014 he appeared on Broadway in the musical Bullets Over Broadway in the role of Cheech, for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award.

He then originated the role of Earl in Waitress. He left the Sara Bareilles musical to originate the role of mob boss Sonny in A Bronx Tale: The Musical, which earned him a Drama Desk Award. Cordero and his family moved to Los Angeles where Cordero starred in the newly mounted production of Rock of Ages.

The production shut March 14 due to the pandemic.

The pair wed September of 2017. Kloots and their son Elvis Eduardo remain healthy and are at home in Los Angeles. His wife has asked that images of people dancing be posted, to inspire Nick.

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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.

Next Column: May 3, 2020
Copyright: April 26, 2020 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.
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