Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: April 6, 2025
By: Laura Deni
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OPERATION MINCEMEAT ON BROADWAY AT THE GOLDEN THEATRE

American had its Ghost Army while the British used a dead body in Operation Mincemeat.

Operation Mincemeat the hit British West End show about a real military operation involving a dead body has arrived on Broadway with performances at the Golden Theatre.

The military operation was outlandish and quirky and to effectively stage that requires an equally outlandish and quirky cast.

See Broadway To Vegas column of June 11, 2023

Operation Mincemeat was a successful British deception operation of the Second World War to disguise the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily. Two members of British intelligence obtained the body of Glyndwr Michael, a tramp who died from eating rat poison, dressed him as an officer of the Royal Marines, a Major Martin, and placed personal items on him - a photograph of Major Martin’s fiancée, a receipt for an engagement ring, a theatre ticket stub and other evidence - identifying him as the fictitious Captain (Acting Major) William Martin. Correspondence between two British generals that suggested that the Allies planned to invade Greece and Sardinia, with Sicily as merely the target of a feint, was also placed on the body.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill thought it sounded like a great idea. Churchill relayed the idea to General Eisenhower who jumps on board. An interesting fact is that this screw ball idea was conjured up, in part, by Ian Fleming. Yeah, that Ian Fleming.

Most astounding, the plan worked.

When the body was found the nominally neutral Spanish government shared copies of the documents on the body with the Abwehr, the German military intelligence organization, before returning the originals to the British. Forensic examination showed they had been read and Ultra decrypts of German messages showed that the Germans fell for the ruse. German reinforcements were shifted to Greece and Sardinia before and during the invasion of Sicily; Sicily received none.

The full effect of Operation Mincemeat is not known, but credit is given that Sicily was liberated more quickly than anticipated and losses were lower than predicted. The events were depicted in Operation Heartbreak, a 1950 novel by the former cabinet minister Duff Cooper, before one of the intelligence officers who planned and carried out Mincemeat, Ewen Montagu, wrote a history in 1953. Montagu's work formed the basis for the 1956 British film The Man Who Never Was. A second British film based on the events was released in 2022 under the title Operation Mincemeat.

Now comes this new musical and a cast album - Operation Mincemeat a musical comedy with book, music and lyrics by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts who are known as the musical comedy troup SplitLip.

The show has been a London hit, winning the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical. With 74 Five-Star reviews it's been called "the best-reviewed show in West End history" and the cast and show have now transferred to America.

Over a dozen characters are played by the five cast members, often gender-swapped.

Directed by Robert Hastie, the cast includes: David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoë Roberts all making their Broadway debuts.

Understudies: Brandon Contreras (Charles Cholmondeley & others, Hester Leggatt & others), Sam Hartley (Charles Cholmondeley & others, Hester Leggatt & others), Jessi Kirtley (Ewen Montagu & others, Jean Leslie & others, Johnny Bevan & others), Gerianne Pérez (Ewen Montagu & others, Jean Leslie & others, Johnny Bevan & others) and Amanda Jill Robinson (Ewen Montagu & others, Jean Leslie & others, Johnny Bevan & others).

The mise en scene: Jenny Arnold's choreography is impressive, well coordinated and hyper. Her EDM Nazi dance number comes with sequined swastikas thanks to Set & Costume Designer Ben Stones. Attention getting lighting is by Mark Henderson.

Sound by Mike Walker.

The musicians: Musical Supervisor: Joe Bunker; Musical Coordinator: Kristy Norter; Conducted by Joe Bunker; Associate Conductor: Joshua Zecher-Ross; Keys: Joe Bunker and Joshua Zecher-Ross; Electric Bass: Mark Verdino; Drums: Dan Berkerey; Synthesizer Technician: Randy Cohen and Randy Cohen Keyboards LLC; U.K. Keyboard/Live Programmer: Dan de Cruz; Music Preparation: Richard Sidwell.

Generally the musical numbers sound like one long song with the exception of - no less than - a first act tender ballad in which the school secretary Hester Leggatt, played by Jak Malone, perhaps referencing personal memories, sings an imagined love letter which will be planted on the corpse.

After all, this is war and there are moments which will tug at your heart.

When you see the show, you'll discover that all of this really does make sense - we did win the war.

Tickets on sale through February 15 2026.

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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

CARTIER

A gorgeous bracelet from the exhibit. Photo: V&A Kensington.

a major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, including precious jewels, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks, that chart the evolution of Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century opens Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the V&A South Kensington, London.

This blockbuster exhibition charts the evolution of Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship.

Discover how the Maison became an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch world since the turn of the 20th century.

At the turn of the 20th century the three grandsons of founder Louis-François set out to create the first globally recognized jewellery house, establishing branches in Paris, London and New York, building an enviable client list of royalty and aristocracy.

With over 3000 jewels, from ancient times to present day, the V&A's jewellery collection is one of the most comprehensive in the world. Discover impressively technical pieces, exquisite hand-crafted ornaments and more within the collection and beyond.

Highlights include an amethyst and sapphire brooch made by Cartier London (c.1933) for Jacques Cartier’s wife Nelly, the majestic Manchester Tiara from the V&A collection, made in 1903, and much more from the the Cartier Collection and the Royal Collection.

Official accompaniment to the Cartier exhibition at V&A South Kensington, a beautiful book is illustrated with rich photography of featured objects alongside insight from the curators. A must-have for fans of couture jewellery.

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SWEET CHARITY

ELEPHANT FAMILY THE BIG EGG HUNT

As royal guards stand by Queen Camilla and artist Alice Shirley admire Green Humpty Dumpty. Photo: Press pool.

has over 120 large Easter Eggs scattered all around London all for the benefit of the charity The Elephant Family.

Commissioned by The King and Queen, and painted by Alice Shirley, this "Green Man Humpty Dumpty Egg" is just one of over 120 egg sculptures, designed by leading artists, have been scattered across London as part of wildlife charity Elephant Family's Big Edd Hunt.

Founded by HRH The Queen’s late brother, the visionary Mark Shand, Elephant Family stands as a beacon of hope for Asian wildlife conservation.?It is the only charity of which The King and Queen are joint Presidents. Princess Eugenie is also a longstanding Patron.

In 2012, Mark Shand launched the Big Egg Hunt in London to raise money and awareness for the plight of the Asian Elephant and it was such a success that two years later, he took the idea to New York City. In 2024, The Little Egg Hunt, featuring 12 designs from names including Charlotte and Philip Colbert, returned to Chelsea in London, acting as a prelude to the 2025 trail, which aims to represent creativity within the city, free for all to enjoy.

The Big Egg Hunt is designed to be an immersive and interactive experience. Visitors will be able to track and “collect” eggs they find using a free app, unlocking special rewards from participating retailers and restaurants throughout London.

This Easter, Elephant Family are proud to join forces with Clarence Court eggs for The Big Egg Hunt 2025, to help raise vital funds.

We are uniting some of the world’s renowned creatives to bring a city-wide spectacle of egg-celent art. London is set to be dazzled by over 100 decorated large-scale eggs, brought to life by iconic names in not only art, but also design, interiors, food and retail. With the likes of Anya Hindmarch, LUAP, Fortnum & Mason, Chopard, Philip Colbert, Duncan Campbell & Charlotte Rey involved, this amalgamation of talented creators guarantees a spectacle for the whole City to enjoy, for the purposes of raising money for important conservation work through an auction of these wonderful egg sculptures.

Until April 27, 2025, everyone is invited to find the scattered 2ft egg sculptures as part of a free-to-view trail across iconic locations and landmarks. From historic neighborhoods like Chelsea, Canary Wharf, Covent Garden and Marble Arch, to famous cornerstones in London’s rich tapestry, such as Battersea Power Station, The Barbican, The British Museum and The Royal Albert Hall, each landmark provides the perfect backdrop to witness an exhibition like no other while exploring the Capital. The trail is only possible through the support of sponsors IBI Logistics.

Members of the public will be able to "collect the eggs" they find, ticking them off on a free app which is set to reveal prizes along the way. The Big Egg Hunt App can be downloaded on iOS and Google Play.

You can also access the silent auction site where the public can bid to buy the eggs, with money raised going to support Elephant Family’s vital conservation work to protect habitats and wildlife in South Asia.

Founded by Her Majesty’s late brother, Mark Shand, Elephant Family works in partnership with conservation experts on the ground to tackle the challenges facing Asia’s wildlife and the communities that live alongside them. Offices are located in London and New York City.

Elephant Family is an international NGO dedicated to protecting the Asian elephant from extinction in the wild. In the last fifty years, their population has roughly halved and 90% of their habitat has disappeared.

WORLD PARKINSON'S AWARENESS DAY which takes place Friday, April 11 will be the focal point of events at the Flynn Center in Burlington, Vermont.

The day starts with information and learning sessions in Contois Auditorium and culminates in a Flash Mob on Church Street.

Join the Flynn and the University of Vermont's The Frederick C. Binter Center for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders for 2025 World Parkinson's Awareness Day. Working with a number of community partners, they have created a morning of informative and interactive presentations and demonstrations by organizations offering a variety of classes for the Parkinson's community to mark the day and help spread awareness with assorted learning sessions.

Plus, enjoy music and dance at the Flynn with Complexions Ballet's Star Dust - From Bach to Bowie and the opening & closing performances of the 2025 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival World Parkinson's Awareness Day. A free event in Contois Auditorium & on Church Street.

SPREADING THE WORD

KING CHARLES FROM CELLO MASTER TO CARROT FLUTE AFICIONADO

King Charles shows off his carrot flute playng skills. Photo: You Tube

Guest soloists in orchestras are nothing new. However, the world famous London Vegetable Orchestra (LVO) scored a coup when King Charles played a carrot flute with the Vegetable Orchestra during a reception at Windsor Castle recognizing those involved in community music across the UK.

With a glint in his eye, His Majesty looked positively joyful as he stole the show with his solo rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

King Charles and the audience also watched a performance by students from the Royal College of Music in the Waterloo Chamber.

They also enjoye performances by the London Gay Men’s Chorus, the Royal College of Music, the Songs for Ukraine Chorus, the Sing for Freedom Choir and artist YolanDa Brown.

Thursday's reception at Windsor welcomed 350 guests, including leaders of community music groups and music-related projects, many of whom are volunteers.

The LVO features a mouth-watering selection of courgettes, peppers, potatoes, swedes and butternut squash, accompanying a soaring line-up of carrot flutes which are made by resident recorder-making superstar, Tim Cranmore.

The London Vegetable Orchestra (LVO) is the UK's only ensemble offering audiences "Home Grown" entertainment.

The instruments are made up of hand-crafted local vegetables, and they sound as incredible as they look!

The LVO formed more than ten years ago while studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and all members are professional musicians.

The LVO have performed across the UK and around the world. Their work includes private events, educational and instrument crafting workshops, advertising campaigns, and of course performances.

They have appeared numerous times on national TV including This Morning, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (performing with Gary Barlow), Room 101, CBBC’s The Slammer, The Chris McCausland Show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, Let’s Do Lunch wIth Gino and Mel.

They have collaborated with Mika, and appeared in an advertising project for LG, which reached 40 million hits worldwide.

In 2024, the LVO starred in 'The Farmonic Orchestra', a West End show in collaboration with Ginsters Pasties, featuring Merryn the Farmer.

At Christmas 2024, a video of the LVO's performance of Jingle Bells, performed on BBC Radio 3, went viral on Instagram, quickly gaining over 11 million views, and gaining them new fans all over the world.

They now have over 34,000 followers, and their videos are watched by thousands of veg-loving musical connoisseurs across the globe every day.

ON APRIL 8, 2025 two British museums will host special visitors.

The Duke of Gloucester, Patron, will visit London Museum Docklands, while Anne, The Princess Royal will visit Peterhead Prison Museum, in Aberdeenshire.

DICKENS IN DOUGHTY STREET 100 Years of the Charles Dickens Museum in London in on display thorough Junr 29, 2025.

For the 100th Anniversary year of the Charles Dickens Museum, the venue is delighted to welcome you to this new exhibition! Illuminating the life and works of Charles Dickens and the Museum’s role in preserving his legacy.

You’ll be able to see Dickens’s original manuscripts, letters to friends and family and rare first editions of his most famous works. But you’ll also encounter Dickens the man as well as Dickens the writer, his personal style, interests and passions.

LOVE’S CONCORDIA BAR a bold and whimsical new pop musical written and directed by Edoardo Tesio, co-written by Marjorie Murillo, playing for four performances only April 16–19 at The Flea in Tribeca, New York City.

Fresh from a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Love's Concordia Bar "is a burlesque-fueled exploration of romantic love in all its messy, euphoric, and sometimes toxic forms. With original pop music by Olivia Altair, the show blends comedy, tenderness, and heartbreak into a dazzling 90-minute journey inside a mysterious nightclub run by Love itself."

Featuring a cast of rising talent including Ariana Perez Black with original music by Olivia Altair.

THE 2025 NAB SHOW kicked off on Saturday, April 5, with exhibits opening April 6, showcasing innovation that "will define the content and entertainment landscape and shape the future of storytelling."

From AI-driven tools to the creator economy, sports, cloud virtualization, and streaming/OTT, the show floor and conference program will highlight the technologies driving innovation across industries. As the world’s largest gathering of media, technology, and entertainment professionals, the 2025 NAB Show runs at the Las Vegas Convention Center and expects more than 60,000 registered attendees.

ENTER THE WORLD OF CLUE in the all-new interactive and immersive experience, CLUE: A Walking Mystery. In this new spin on everyone’s favorite mystery game, guests step into the roles of the beloved CLUE characters (Mayor Green, Colonel Mustard, Solicitor Peacock, Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett and Chef White) as detectives to solve the mystery of who murdered the elusive Mr. Boddy.

The case has gone cold, with the murderer still at large. Determined to finally catch the culprit, the newly minted detectives are instructed by the butler and sent off in search of clues to be found in the furniture that came from the iconic rooms in Tudor Mansion (the Library, the Billiard Room, the Ballroom, etc.), now located on Tampa's Riverwalk.

Searching for these long-lost antiques will challenge players to be the first group to figure out who did it, where and with what?

CLUE: A Walking Mystery, presented by the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, is an interactive game that takes place across multiple locations on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa, Florida.

Detectives will be greeted by the butler and then sent on their way to solve a mystery, gathering clues from popular Tampa sites and shops.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

PRESIDENT TRUMP has signed an executive order to stop sellers "from 'exploitive ticket scalping' in entertainment industry. During Trump's 2024 campaign he vowing to combat high ticket prices for consumers. The president’s executive order will direct the Federal Trade Commission to work with the attorney general to ensure that competition laws are enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.

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HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY

Adoring Charles and Camilla always in love. Photo:

On April 9, 2025 Camilla and Charles will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Also known as King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the royal lovebirds will mark their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday by spending the evening as guests of honour at a state banquet in Rome.

The black-tie dinner, a highlight of the couple’s four-day state visit to Italy which begins on Monday, will be attended by prominent figures from Italian society.

One day their romance and marriage will go down in history as one of the greatest love stories of all time.

No problem, no publicity no slanted poll can cast a shadow on their devotion to each other. Marriage therapists ought to study how circumstances and events - no matter the scope or size - only bring them closer together.



JUST IN TIME book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick. Choreography by Shannon Lewis and is based on an original concept by Ted Chapin.

Developed and directed by Alex Timbers.

Just In Time invites audiences to experience BobbyDarin - the great American entertainer’s meteoric journey – from soaring highs to crushing lows – brought to life by Jonathan Groff, a cast of 11 on-stage actors, and featuring a live on-stage band performing Bobby Darin’s iconic hits including "Beyond the Sea," "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," and "Mack the Knife."

Starring Jonathan Groff, Gracie Lawrence, Erika Henningsen, Michele Pawk, Joe Barbara, Emily Bergl, Lance Roberts, Caesar Samayoa, Christine Cornish, Julia Grondin, Valeria Yamin, John Treacy Egan, Tari Kelly, Matt Magnusson, Khori Michelle Petinaud, and Larkin Reilly.

The creatives are: scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Justin Townsend and sound design by Peter Hylenski.

Just In Time began previews on Monday, March 31st and will open on Saturday, April 26th at The Circle in The Square Theatre in New York City.

HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES the Pulitzer Prize finalist by Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronich.

Conceived and directed by Moises Kaufman.

In 2007, a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. As curators unraveled the shocking truth behind the images, the album soon made headlines and ignited a debate that reverberated far beyond the museum walls. Based on real events, Here There Are Blueberries tells the story of these historical photographs — what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity. Featured in alphabetical order: Scott Barrow | Karl Höcker and Others - - Nemuna Ceesay | Charlotte Schünzel and Others - - Delia Cunningham | Rebecca Erbelding and Others - - Luke Forbes | Tilman Taube and Others (through Apr 10) - - Noah Keyishian | Tilman Taube and Others (Apr 11–May 11) - - Barbara Pitts | Judy Cohen and Others - - Jeanne Sakata | Melita Maschmann and Others - -Marrick Smith | Rainer Höss and Others - - Grant James Varjas | Peter Wirths and Others.

Understudied: Sam Reeder | Karl Höcker, Rainer Höss, and Others - - Jeanne Sakata | Judy Cohen - - Anna Shafer | Rebecca Erbelding, Charlotte Schünzel, Melita Maschmann.

The creatives include: Derek McLane | Scenic Design - - Dede Ayite | Costume Design - - David Lander | Lighting Design - - Bobby McElver | Sound Design - - David Bengali | Projection Design - - Ann C. James | Intimacy Coordinator - - Matt Joslyn | Creative Producer - - Amy Marie Seidel | Associate Director and Dramaturg - - Jacob Russell | Production Stage Manager - - Gillian Lelchuk | Assistant Stage Manager - - Ben Seibert | Production Manager - - tbd casting co. / Stephanie Yankwitt, CSA | Casting - - Evan Bernardin Productions, Hillel Friedman | General Manager.

This powerful production unflinchingly explores the complicity of Nazi perpetrators through a chilling collection of photographs that critics are calling "essential viewing."

Here There Are Blueberries runs through May 11 in the Roda Theatre at Berkeley Rep in Berkeley, CA.

Postshow community dialogue: How do you make a play from an album of photographs? Join us after the show on April 10 to go behind the scenes with the real museum archivist at the center of this story and creative team members. Panelists include Rebecca Erbelding, Historian, US Holocaust Memorial Museum; Tectonic Theater Project’s Moisés Kaufman; and Amanda Gronich. Facilitated by Matt Joslyn and a member of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team.

Jewish Community Night on April 27 hosted by Berkeley Rep in partnership with the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, J. The Jewish News of Northern California, and Taube Philanthropies. Start the evening with live music from Isaac Zones and SHAMATi while enjoying delicious light bites from Saul’s Restaurant & Delicatessen and offerings from Hagafen Cellars in our Narsai M. David Courtyard — all before the 7pm show. Doors open at 5:45pm. This event is free and open to everyone with RSVP. Admission to the evening’s performance of Here there are Blueberries requires a ticket.

Berkeley Rep has also announced a groundbreaking talkback series for Here There Are Blueberries, presented in partnership with Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). These post-show discussions feature renowned experts, including David G. Marwell, author of Mengele: Unmasking the Angel of Death, Franciska Obermeyer, Deputy Consul General of Germany, and investigative journalist Sonner Kehrt. Explore compelling topics like the transformation of ethical norms, the psychology of perpetrators, and Holocaust remembrance in our contemporary world—all included free with your ticket for Here There Are Blueberries.

Join in after the show on April 19 (matinee and evening), April 20 (matinee and evening), April 22, and April 23.

SMASH score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, book by Bob Martin and Rick Elice.

Directed by Susan Stroman.

Choreography by Joshua Bergasse.

SMASH, inspired by the TV series, is a hilarious behind-the-scenes rollercoaster ride about the making of a Marilyn Monroe musical called Bombshell, with all the iconic songs, kick-ass choreography, and backstage pandemonium that make Broadway the beloved institution it is today.

The Broadway cast includes Robyn Hurder as "Ivy Lynn," Brooks Ashmanskas as "Nigel," Krysta Rodriguez as "Tracy," John Behlmannas as "Jerry," Kristine Nielsen as "Susan Proctor" Caroline Bowman as "Karen," Jacqueline B. Arnold as "Anita," Bella Coppola as "Chloe," Casey Garvin as "Charlie" and Nicholas Matos as "Scott."

The company includes Wendi Bergamini, Sarah Bowden, Jacob Burns, Deanna Cudjoe, Chelle Denton, Daniel Gaymon, Merritt David Janes, Ndaya Dream Hoskins, Megan Kane, David Paul Kidder, Ian Liberto, Libby Lloyd, McGee Maddox, Connor McRory, J Savage, Jake Trammel and Katie Webber.

The creatives are: s scenic design by Beowulf Boritt , costume design by Alejo Vietti, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Brian Ronan, projection design by S Katy Tucker, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, dance and incidental music arrangements by Sam Davis, and music supervision by Stephen Oremus.

SMASH began performances on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and will officially open on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre in New York City.

GRIEF CAMP written by Eliya Smith.

Directed by Tony Award nominee Les Waters.

The cast of Grief Camp will feature Arjun Athalye, Grace Brennan, Maaike Laanstra-Corn, Jack DiFalco, Dominic Gross, Alden Harris-McCoy, Renée-Nicole Powell, Lark White, Danny Wolohan.

It’s summer in Hurt, Virginia, where a lone cabin fills each year with campers. There's home-cooked breakfast and an army of box fans and lots of shifting in the dark. Welcome to Grief Camp: a study of loss and adolescence.

The creatives include: sets by Louisa Thompson, costumes by Oana Botez, lights by Isabella Byrd, sound by Bray Poor, special effects by Jeremy Chernick and casting by Taylor Williams, CSA. Becky Fleming serves as the Production Stage Manager.

Grief Camp began performances on Saturday, April 5th, and will open Tuesday, April 22nd, for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 11th. at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City.

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

RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN singer, stage, movie and television actor died of complications from a stroke on March 29, 2025 in Waimanalo, Hawai. He was 90.

He became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare (1961–1966). He subsequently earned the title "King of the Mini-Series" for his work in several TV miniseries such as Centennial (1978), Shogun (1980), and The Thorn Birds (1983). Chamberlain also performed classical stage roles and worked in musical theatre.

Chamberlain co-founded a Los Angeles–based theater group Company of Angels. Chamberlain's singing ability also led to some hit singles in the early 1960s, including the Theme from Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight), which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Dr. Kildare ended in 1966, after which Chamberlain began performing on the theater circuit. In 1966, he was cast opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the ill-fated Broadway musical Breakfast at Tiffany's, co-starring Priscilla Lopez, which, after an out-of-town tryout period, closed after only four previews. Decades later, he returned to Broadway in revivals of My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.

At the end of the 1960s, Chamberlain spent a period of time in England, where he played in repertory theater and in the BBC's "Portrait of a Lady" (1968), becoming recognized as a serious actor. The following year, he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in the film "The Madwoman of Chaillot" (1969). While in England, he took vocal coaching and in 1969 performed the title role in "Hamlet" for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, becoming the first American to play the role there since John Barrymore in 1925. He received excellent notices and reprised the role for television in 1970 for the Hallmark Hall of Fame. A recording of the presentation was released by RCA Red Seal Records and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

He starred as Henry Higgins in the 1993–1994 Broadway revival of "My Fair Lady". In the fall of 2005, Chamberlain appeared in the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Broadway National Tour of "Scrooge: The Musical." In 2008 and 2009, Chamberlain appeared as King Arthur in the national tour of "Monty Python's Spamalot."

Chamberlain never married and had no children. He was not open about his homosexuality for most of his career, to protect his privacy and his acting opportunities. He was outed as a gay man by the French women's magazine Nous Deux in December 1989, but did not confirm that he was gay until the publication of his 2003 autobiography Shattered Love: A Memoir.

Chamberlain was romantically involved with actor Wesley Eure in the 1970s. In 1977, Chamberlain began a long-term relationship with actor and producer Martin Rabbett. They began living together in Hawaii in 1986 and had a private commitment ceremony. The couple separated amicably in 2010, with Chamberlain moving to Los Angeles. In a 2014 interview, Chamberlain said that while he and Rabbett were no longer intimately involved, they remained close friends. According to Chamberlain's obituary in The New York Times, Rabbett and Chamberlain had resumed living together in Hawaii where he died. Rabbett was considered to be his "only immediate survivor".

Next Column: April 13, 2025
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Laura Deni