Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: April 4, 2021
By: Laura Deni
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ANYONE BUT ME STAGE PRODUCTION IS ABOUT EVERYONE

Sheila Carrasco. Photo by Dana Patrick

Anyone But Me written and performed by Sheila Carrasco, directed by Margaux Susi is a string of individual vignettes about females who struggle to be someone they're not - someone better, stronger, happier, more successful, loved.

In Anyone But Me, Carrasco dissects the psyches of women who struggle with self-identity, exploring the personas we create in order to advance or just get by.

An alumna of NYU and Harvard, Carrasco is an amazingly talented individual who both writes and acts in an engaging, attention holding, poignant and pertinent way.

The set is sparse - an office desk doubles as props from a grocery store check out counter to a teen age girl's bedroom. Using little more than body language and minimal clothing changes, Carrasco convincingly and effectively portrays a number of characters trying to manage their way through life.

A production women will understand better than men, it's fast paced, intelligent and relatable.

Sheila Carrasco as Suzanne a grocery store clerk. Photo by Shay Yamashita/TAKE Creative

Individuals include Emily, a receptionist anxious to get promoted, an actress who has almost been on a major TV show, Suzanne a grocery store clerk, a baby being born, a Latino woman pushing her daughter to get straight A's. All are important. However, given the climate in today's society there are three that stand out.

Sheila is applying for a job as Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. She's bi-racial but looks white and, until now, didn't mentioned the bi-racial part of her heritage. Suddenly, she is a bastion of inclusion, changing her first name to an indigenous one, proclaiming that she passes for white and tries to explain that she'd be an asset as VP of Inclusion because she now "chooses my identity based upon my contacts."

Another woman gets sucked into the self help movement, becoming a feminist motivational speaker not realizing that she is the puppet of a man - defining herself in her speaking engagements as a Successful Human, encouraging the audience by promising that "Kevin can help you to be the best you can be - a better more authoritative self. Let Kevin tell you what that is." Their mantra is "Help Me Be Me."

During the pretend intermission Carrasco is self-effacing, assuming the character of Bebe, an older woman who carps on the phone about not understanding the play. "A bunch of characters. All these characters . . . I just want to slap them."

The most poignant segment is the final one. Teenage Brooke is setting herself up - and being set up - to be used and abused by men. Her boyfriend dominates her, "playfully" poking and jabbing her. He has a violent streak such as damaging his bike when he got mad. He makes her promise that she'll never break up with him. That he is the only one allowed to break the relationship. She thinks up excuses for him. She's insecure, raised not to think much of herself and looks to a male to establish her identity. She asks herself "Who would I be if I wasn't with him." She laments to her friend on the phone that; "it feels like he owns me, but I feel like I agreed to it somehow, so it's my fault."

Women of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and goals have all discovered that "it's so much work to try to stay alive."

Impressive production.

Presented by IAMA Theatre Company and filmed live at L.A.’s Pico Playhouse, Anyone But Me continues streaming through April 18.

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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

MARILYN MONROE IN RENO 1961

Marilyn Monroe Reno 1961 photographed by Henri Cartier-Bresson

a gelatin silver print, printed later signed in ink and embossed photographer's copyright credit (margin) by Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004) is part of an April 6 Live Auction 29673 Lot 76 by Christie's.

Estimated auction price $6,000-7,000.

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35 mm film. He pioneered the genre of street photography, and viewed photography as capturing a decisive moment.

Cartier-Bresson was one of the founding members of Magnum Photos in 1947.

Cartier-Bresson's first photojournalist photos to be published came in 1937 when he covered the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, for the French weekly Regards. He focused on the new monarch's adoring subjects lining the London streets, and took no pictures of the king. His photo credit read "Cartier", as he was hesitant to use his full family name.

The exhibition Henri Cartier-Bresson: Tête à tête is presented to May 9, 2021 at the Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana in Slovenia.

WAYNE THIEBAUD 100: PAINTINGS, PRINTS, AND DRAWINGS Marking the artist’s 100th birthday, Wayne Thiebaud 100: Paintings, Prints, and Drawings celebrates the breadth of Thiebaud’s accomplishments and career. Long affiliated with Pop art, the exhibition shows the expansive depth of his full body of work.

Thiebaud's bright palette, iconic consumerist imagery and graphic presentation were well suited to the Pop art moment that was starting to capture the nation's attention in the 1960s (though he did not consider himself a Pop artist), and Thiebaud remains best known for his paintings of pies, cakes and other sugary treats. His style and use of paint seemed both remarkably lifelike and tantalizingly delicious.

In addition to painting, Thiebaud’s work spans drawings, watercolors and prints. He also beautifully renders people in figure studies and fully realized compositions, and over time, landscapes have appeared with increasing frequency in the artist's paintings and works on paper.

Wayne Thiebaud 100: Paintings, Prints, and Drawings is organized by the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California. On display at the Toledo Museum of Art through May 2, 2021.

CALDER-PICASSO Enjoy masterpieces by two of the most innovative artists of the 20th century, Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso, side by side at the de Young museum in San Francisco only through May 23, 2021. Don’t miss your chance to see more than 100 of their artworks in the first major museum show to explore their artistic relationship.

WORKS & PROCESS the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, presents Daytime Pop Up Performances through April 19, 2021, at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, in New York City. The performances, available with purchase of a museum timed ticket, will feature performances for all to enjoy, from violinist Jennifer Koh to drag opera performer Jasmine Rice LaBeija, musicians from The Juilliard School and CalArts, theatre favorites Dave Malloy and Joe Iconis, to dance performances including Brandon Collwes (Merce Cunningham), Limón Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, Martha Graham Dance Company, New York City Ballet, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. Visitors are invited to experience all of the exhibitions on view at the museum.

The Guggenheim is implementing health and safety measures in consideration of visitors and employees and in compliance with New York State and City guidelines. Face masks will be mandatory inside the museum for anyone over the age of two.

TELEPHONE More than 950 artists from 70 countries played a game of Telephone, in which a message was passed from art form to art form. The message could become a poem, then a painting, then a film, then a dance, as it was passed 7,177,703 kilometers between 489 cities. An interactive, online exhibition of these hundreds of original, interconnected works will debut to the public for free on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 9am EST at phonebook.gallery. This particular game of Telephone was started on March 23, 2020 and will be available after running for 383 days.

Only a handful of staff members know the original message of Telephone. The participating artists are only aware of the work that directly preceded their own, and do not know how their own work was translated or further translated in subsequent. When Telephone becomes publicly available, at Satellite Collective it will be the first time that any of the artists get to see the exhibition in full.

Participants in Telephone were primarily recruited by word-of-mouth, as well via various international message boards. Approximately 60% are based in the United States and approximately 65% are women. In terms of career, players range from Guggenheim Fellows to newly emerging artists, from high school students and elderly artists just developing their practices to Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize winners.

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SWEET CHARITY

THE ACTORS FUND the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment, and Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers have partnered with Christine Baranski on an auction event Stage & Screen. Featuring a diverse array of memorabilia from the performing arts including Theater, Hollywood, Opera, and Dance, lots include original drawings, scenic and costume designs, photographs, meaningful wardrobe and one-of-a-kind memorabilia. Collectors and fans around the world are invited to participate digitally in this landmark live auction event on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 beginning at 10:00 AM ET.

The current selection of items can be viewed at the Doyle Auctions website. The interactive auction catalogue will be published online at Doyle.com on Thursday, April 15.

While a portion of proceeds from every item sold as part of Stage & Screen will benefit The Actors Fund, Ms. Baranski is curating a collection of donated lots for which 100% of the hammer price goes entirely to the organization. She also personally donated three gowns that she wore for appearances at the Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors.

Some of the highlights from the auction will be:

Celeste Holm’s Golden Globe awarded in 1947 for Gentlemen’s Agreement
Golden Age Hollywood and Theatre Memorabilia from the Celeste Holm Collection
The Estate of Thomas P. Lacy featuring classic Broadway costume & set designs
A Wolverine jacket from Hugh Jackman’s closet
Boots, jeans and t-shirt from Bruce Springsteen
Black sequin gown made by David Dalrymple. Worn at Hulaween 2014 and ITV special "It's The Girls" in the UK from Bette Midler
Banjo signed by Steve Martin
Iconic glasses from Elton John
Bob Mackie dresses from Carol Burnett
Dolce & Gabbana dress worn by Glenn Close on the red carpet of the opening night of Sunset Boulevard 2/9/17
Leather Suit that Alan Cumming wore to the Tony Awards when he won the Best Actor in a Musical in 1998 for Cabaret
A collection of signed books from Julie Andrews
Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Renée Fleming to sing at the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (with Alfie Boe).
A limited edition leather bound copy of the screenplay of Downton Abbey (the first film) signed by Director, writer, producer and cast. There are only 30 of these in existence. Courtesy of Carnival Films.
Screen worn leather jackets from “The Good Wife”
Dress worn by Tina Fey to the 2013 Emmy Awards where she won for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for 30 Rock

Since March 18, 2020, The Actors Fund has provided more than $20 million in emergency financial assistance to more than 15,800 people who work in performing arts and entertainment. With shutdowns on Broadway and in film and television, theater, concerts, dance, music and many other areas of entertainment, the need is great and growing. This emergency financial assistance is helping the most vulnerable and those in financial crisis to cover basic living expenses, such as food, essential medications, utilities and more.

All proceeds from viewer donations will go directly to The Actors Fund, helping to support programs that foster stability and resiliency and serve as a safety net to everyone in performing arts and entertainment.

BULLYING PATHWAY SERVICE is a program of the Film and TV Charity in Britain. They state:"Don’t be defeated by bullying. Taking action for yourself or for colleagues takes courage. We're here to help

"Our Bullying Pathway Service is a unique source of support for people who work behind the scenes in film and TV. If you've experienced bullying, or have witnessed others being bullied, our Bullying Pathway Advisor will be able to offer support and confidential guidance that is completely specific to your experience. Book an appointment through their Support Line.

SPREADING THE WORD

JOHN CULLUM: AN ACCIDENTAL STAR prresented by Vineyard Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Irish Repertory Theatre in association with Jeff Berger.

Conceived by John Cullum and Jeff Berger. Book by David Thompson. Music supervision by Georgia Stitt. Music direction by Julie McBride. Directed by Lonny Price and Matt Cowart. Streaming April 8 - April 22.

Two live watch party events will take place April 8 at 7:00 pm EDT and April 17 at 2:00 pm EDT.

The 80-minute intimate evening of stories and songs spanning Cullum’s illustrious career is told and sung by the 91-year-old two-time Tony Award winner. Directed and filmed earlier this year by Lonny Price and Matt Cowart.

An Accidental Star takes you behind the scenes with Broadway icon John Cullum -- from his 1960 debut in Camelot and Tony Award-winning performances in Shenandoah and On the Twentieth Century, to his starring roles in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Urinetown and The Scottsboro Boys. John captivates with songs from the Golden Age of the American Musical and never-before-heard stories of working with friends Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Goulet, Julie Andrews and more. An Accidental Star is a rare opportunity to revisit the making of some of Broadway's greatest shows, illuminated by funny, moving and fascinating encounters John had along the way.

John has been married for more than 60 years to Emily Frankel, a prominent choreographer and writer. At 91, his passion for acting has not dimmed and he continues to entertain audiences and inspire his younger colleagues.

Director of Photography is Carlos Cardona with costumes by Tracy Christensen and lighting by Megan Peti. Line producer is Adrian White.

DARIUS DE HAAS presents a concert evening created just for Bucks County Playhouse- songs from the Great American Songbook to Broadway to beloved artists like Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder.

Darius has thrilled audiences around the world with his concerts of Duke Ellington as well as Billy Strayhorn music. Also known for his extensive work in theater - the original Broadway casts of Rent; Kiss of the SpiderWoman and Shuffle Along - Darius is also the singing voice of “Shy Baldwin” in the beloved hit TV show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

April 9 and April 10 at 8pm at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA.

GAME OF THRONES is set to become a stage show opening in 2023 on "Broadway, to the West End, to Australia... and eventually, to a stage near you," according to the announcement.

The theatre adaptation depicts a pivotal gathering a decade before the events in George RR Martin's novels and the hit TV series.

The show will be brought to life by the British pair of playwright Duncan MacMillan and director Dominic Cooke.

"The production will boast a story centred around love, vengeance, madness and the dangers of dealing in prophecy, in the process revealing secrets and lies that have only been hinted at until now," a statement said.

Cooke was artistic director of London's Royal Court Theatre from 2007-13. Martin has recently signed a five-year deal to develop more TV shows for HBO. A prequel series, House of the Dragon, set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, is expected to air next year, while several other TV spin-offs are also already in the works.

THE SMITH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS in Las Vegas will resume live performances in October.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE SCOTTISH BEER AND PUB ASSOCIATION (SBPA) announced that due to the Covic-19 lock-down, the loss of beer sales over this Easter weekend alone will result in the sector missing out on £31 million ($42.7M) of trade.

Under the current restrictions, pubs and bars must remain closed until April 26 at the earliest – when the country is expected to move to Level 3 of Covid-19 measures – at which point they will be able to sell alcohol outdoors. However hospitality venues will have to wait until at least May 17 to be able to sell alcohol to customers indoors.

ATG MAKES MAJOR US THEATRE PURCHASES The U.K. conglomerate Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has acquired the 2,400-seat Golden Gate and the 2,200-seat Orpheum theaters in San Francisco and Detroit’s Fisher Theater along with the operation of that city’s Detroit Opera House and Music Hall which joins a portfolio of more than 50 performance venues throughout the U.K. and the U.S.

ATG is already in San Francisco operating the Curran Theater.

The transaction was initiated by Nederlander’s financial adviser, Barron International Group.

PAUL SIMON 79, has sold his song catalog to Sony Music Publishing for an undisclosed sum.

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THE OLD GLOBE in San Diego has announced the appointments of four Resident Artists to join the Globe’s artistic staff for a two-year residency. Patricia McGregor, David Israel Reynoso, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg , and James Vásquez will provide their artistic insights and counsel to Globe leadership. Each of these successful San Diego artists has a celebrated history of collaboration with The Old Globe. The artists began their residencies on April 1, 2021.

They will be involved in the process of how plays are selected for production, helping to democratize the process of selecting plays and to center BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) works and artists in the life of The Old Globe. Resident Artists will attend Globe artistic staff meetings; read plays under consideration and share their opinions of them; weigh in on creative teams being assembled for productions that are under serious consideration; offer ideas for additional material to consider in the Globe’s programming; and introduce playwrights, directors, and designers to the Globe; and they are invited to submit projects on which they are primary creatives.

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

MERRILL JONAS a TV commercial casting director died Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills, Calif. after a long illness. She was 96.

She joined the U.S. Women Marines during WWII and then started out on CBS Radio’s music quiz show “Grand Slam.” In the 1950s, Jonas worked in public relations, joining Radio Free Europe and traveling to Europe for the Crusade for Freedom project launched by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. She represented Radio Free Europe to TV writers, producers, directors and talent on “The Perry Como Show,” “Today,” “Home” starring Arlene Francis, “Tonight,” “What’s My Line,” “Armstrong Circle Theatre,” Jack Paar, Ed Sullivan, Arthur Godfrey, Steve Allen, “Studio One,” “Monitor,” Art Linkletter and “To Tell the Truth.”

Starting out as an actress, Jonas rose to head of the casting department at Ogilvy and Mather in New York, where she led a six-person team that cast more than 100 commercials. The celebrity talent included Patricia Neal, Karl Malden, Anna-Maria Alberghetti, Arthur Ashe, Sonny & Cher and Ravi Shankar.

While working as director of the commercial department at talent agency CMA in New York, she cast talent including Jackie Gleason, Rod Serling, Florence Henderson and Mel Brooks.

Her agency Celebrity Casting Associates made deals for NBC’s Frank Blair, Phyllis Newman, Peter Duchin, Pete Rose and Dan Pastorini.

In 1975, after moving to Los Angeles, she headed the on camera department at The Charles Stern Agency, among others, for many years.

She is survived by a daughter and son, Gail Carol Glaser and Garrett Neal Glaser, and a grandson, Bennett Joseph Fischer.

DONNA ARNOLD an actress and former child star died March 21, 2021 from cancer. She was 84.

She began her career at age 4 appearing on the Our Gang, Little Rascals series. She became a Wompas Baby Star in 1956 and later a singer/dancer on Ernie Ford's TV Show where she met and married Danny Arnold, a writer on the series. She retired to raise a family while Danny became one of TV's top Emmy winning writer/producers.

She is survived by her sons Daniel and David and their wives and three grandchildren.

Next Column: April 11, 2021
Copyright: April 4, 2021 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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Laura Deni

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