Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: August 11, 2024
By: Laura Deni
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION

$50,000 REWARD! JUSTICE FOR REBA

Reba. Photo: Facebook

Before this happens to child . . .

Reba was a sweet English bulldog whose mouth was duck tapped,before she was squeezed into a bag which was taped shut and then into a plastic container and left near a dumpster in a Las Vegas Von's grocery store back lot, located at Maryland Parkway and Katie. The grocery is across the street from the Boulevard Mall.

She was left to die in scorching 110-degree egas heat. A passerby heard her whimpering and rescued the adorable canine. Taken to the Veterinary Emergency Group who worked 24 hours a day trying to save her.

Though it was at first reported that Reba' condition was improving, Reba ultimately succumbed>

“Terrible news to report. Our baby Reba just passed away," the Vegas Pet Rescue Project announced."She went into sudden cardiac arrest from the DIC blood clotting condition she developed as a result of the severe heat stroke and shock. The only saving grace is that it was sudden and she felt no pain,” the group said trying to put the best possible on a terrific situation. "We did try to revive her for quite some time, but she was gone. She is now over that beautiful rainbow bridge. Perfectly happy and healthy. She stayed with us just long enough so we could get her story out there and to find her abuser and murderer. JUSTICE FOR REBA !!!!".

Police in Las Vegas, Nevada, have launched an animal torture and starvation probe and desperately needs the public's help.

"Unfortunately we have not had success in finding video on this dog being dropped off and who had done so, we haven’t been able to find any witnesses to the crime and we have basically exhausted all means of investigation," complained Sgt. William Gethoefer.

"This is an open and ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made at this time," police the statement said. "We urge anyone who may have any information regarding this incident to please contact LVMPD at (702) 828-2907. You can also contact Animal Cruelty officers at (702) 828-3364. To remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at (702) 385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.comCrime Stoppers of Nevada at 702-385-5555."

Just because Reba was dumped in Las Vegas doesn't mean she lived in Sin City. No matter where she lived, she was driven to where she was left. That means there are a lot of options as to where Reba was from or where her murderers have fled. An assumption might be made that the location is somewhere in the western United States. Then, again, most of the time it's best not to assume anything.

Reward donations almost immediately reached the $25,000 amount. Then Florida based no-kill shelter Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest in the nation, announced an anonymous donor had doubled the reward for information on the abuse that leads to an arrest and conviction for Reba's death.

That's $50,000.

The Vegas Pet Rescue Project also recently announced 48 digital billboards are being put up around the valley. Those advertise the original reward amount. Justice for Reba t-shirts are also being sold.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue also indicated that the anonymous supporter has also hired private detectives.

"The news of the utter cruelness of leaving this defenseless dog to die in the Nevada heat next to a dumpster with no chance to survive moved us to action," said Lauree Simmons, CEO of Big Dog Ranch Rescue. "It is our goal to find and punish this person or persons and to send a national message that anyone who harms an innocent animal will be punished. These abusers often go on to abuse children and more animals so it is with great urgency that we identify and arrest those responsible."

As mentioned in the previous quote - there is a long standing direct link with people who abuse animals to then abusing children.

Statistics and research:

J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May; 17: 3116. Published online 2020 Apr 30. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17093116 PMCID: PMC7246522PMID: 32365760
Understanding the Link between Animal Cruelty and Family Violence: The Bioecological Systems Model Brinda Jegatheesan,1,* Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers,2 Elizabeth Ormerod,3 and Paula Boyden4 Violence towards animals and violence towards people are often interconnected problems, and as such, this phenomenon has been termed the Link. Violence towards animals is a strong predictor that the abuser may inflict violence on people.

1.3. The Link—Animal Cruelty and Family Violence
For companion animals, their status as family members comes with both benefits and possible harm. In most families, companion animals are an integral part of the family and are treated similarly to the rest of the family members (e.g., including playtime and walks, food and medical care, birthday celebrations, and sleeping together). However, in other families, they are subjected to the harshest and most unkind conditions of neglect, emotional and physical abuse.

1.3.1. Animal Cruelty as a Marker In a 2011 literature review conducted about animal abuse in the context of other violent and antisocial behaviors Gullone concluded that animal abuse is a marker of other potentially sinister experiences . . . . Often, companion animals can become victims during family violence, or used as pawns by the perpetrators to instill and enforce fear and control over their partner and children, creating interlocking systems of companion animal abuse, child abuse, and family violence.

This is nothing new. The connection between the treatment of animals being closely associated with the treatment of fellow human beings was first documented in the 13th century.

According to PAWS: The FBI sees animal cruelty as a predictor of violence against people and considers past animal abuse when profiling serial killers. National and state studies have established that from 54 to 71 percent of women seeking shelter from abuse reported that their partners had threatened, injured or killed one or more family pets. In assessing youth at risk of becoming violent, the U.S. Department of Justice stresses a history of animal abuse.

More than 80 percent of family members being treated for child abuse also had abused animals. In two-thirds of these cases, an abusive parent had killed or injured a pet. In one-third of the cases, a child victim continued the cycle of violence by abusing a pet.

A 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that 70 percent of animal abusers had committed at least one other crime. Almost 40 percent had committed violent crimes against people.

"Companion animals can be a source of comfort to victims of domestic abuse. Unfortunately, the abuser often exploits this bond to manipulate, control, and punish victims," according to an article in Legal Digest. "To create fear and control, the abuser may threaten, hurt, or kill the animal. Cruelty to the animal may be used to convince the victim to return to a violent relationship, keep the victim isolated, financially control the victim, or coerce the victim into staying. Further, the offender may physically harm the animal to psychologically punish the victim or to remind the victim that the abuser can assert physical force to maintain dominance and control. Often, the abused partner will choose to stay in the violent situation out of concern for the pet’s safety."

The publication continued that: "Seventy-five percent of abused women who have companion animals report a history of their companion animal being threatened or intentionally harmed by their intimate partner, with children being present and witnessing the violence over 90% of the time."

While the focus is on bringing Reba's killers to justice, we all need to remember that animal cruelity is all around us - perhaps even in your own neighborhood. I know it has been in mine.

I didn't learn this until after the fact, but I once had a neighbor who, over a period of time, brutally stabbed three dogs to death. He'd take the dog into the back yard at night and stab it in its heart then bury it in the back yard. The third dog was one I had even once met, an absolutely, darling, lovable little black curly haired four footer. When I learned the male neighbor had been encourages family members and friends to bring him their dogs so he could kill them I complained explaining I could never be friends with anyone who was mean to a dog. I didn't even want to speak to anyone who was hateful to animals.

He said he wasn't going to kill anymore dogs because, with the last one, when he put the knife in the first time the dog's screams could be heard blocks away, but it didn't die. So, as he stabbed the dog for the second time, the pup licked his hand and then died. After the house was sold he dug up the three dead dogs and threw them away so the new owner wouldn't find them.

As animals cruelty leads to a ladder of human abuse, this same man would occasionally beat his wife with a belt. When I told the wife that she didn't have to take that, to tell her grown child, an agency, kick him out, etc she wanted to know how I knew. I explained that I could hear her screaming and hear the sound of the belt lashing. Her reply was 'I must have deserved it' and 'Next time I'll try not to yell so loud.' People and their cultures are different and you have to be extremely careful. There is a fine line between helping and intruding. You can also be putting yourself or property in danger.

Others in the neighborhood have a female dog who isn't spayed. When she gave birth to a litter, some being born alive, the female resident took the living pups and smothered them to death saying - 'they never knew they were alive.'

Animal abuse is everywhere. It does translate to humans. It isn't funny. It isn't a game. The violence relationship between animals and humans shouldn't be minimized.

Somebody somewhere, at some point in time, had seen Reba. Come forward. Somebody somewhere has heard a rumor, gossip, or has a suspicion about who tortured Reba. Come forward.

You can not only help bring Justice for Reba but perhaps save a child's life.

There is also $50,000 on the table.

For reference and addtional information:

1 Phil Arkow, "Recognizing and Responding to Cases of Suspected Animal Cruelty, Abuse, and Neglect: What the Veterinarian Needs to Know," Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, no. 6 (November 2015): 349-359, accessed January 26, 2021, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S87198.

2 Catherine A. Faver and Elizabeth B. Strand, “Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty: Untangling the Web of Abuse," Journal of Social Work Education 39, no. 2 (2003): 237-253. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2003.10779134.

3 Arnold Arluke et al., "The Relationship of Animal Abuse to Violence and Other Forms of Antisocial Behavior," Journal of Interpersonal Violence 14, no. 9 (September 1999): 963-975. https://doi.org/10.1177/088626099014009004.

4 Harold Hovel, The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence (Kingston, NY: New York State Humane Association, 2019), https://www.nyshumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Hovell-H-Animal-Abuse-Web-print-2-2020-edition-OPTIM-ToC-revised3.pdf.

5 "Facts and Myths About Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse," Animal Welfare Institute, https://awionline.org/content/facts-and-myths-about-domestic-violence-and-animal-abuse.

6 Clifton Flynn, "Examining the Links Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence," Crime, Law and Social Change 55, no. 5 (June 2011): 453-468, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-011-9297-2.

7 Andrew M. Campbell et al., "Intimate Partner Violence and Pet Abuse: Responding Law Enforcement Officers’ Observations and Victim Reports from the Scene," Journal of Interpersonal Violence 36, no. 5-6 (March 2018): 1-20, accessed January 26, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518759653; and Hovel.

8 Hovel; and Amber R. Macias-Mayo, "The Link Between Animal Abuse and Child Abuse," American Journal of Family Law 32, no. 3 (Fall 2018): 130-136, https://www.wbmhlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Article-The-Link-Between-Animal-Abuse-and-Child-Abuse.pdf.

9 National Link Coalition, The Link Between Violence to People and Violence to Animals (Stratford, NJ: National Link Coalition), https://nationallinkcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/LinkSummaryBooklet-16pp.pdf.

10 National Sheriffs’ Association, Animal Cruelty as a Gateway Crime (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2018), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/Publications/cops-w0867-pub.pdf.

11 "Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act," Animal Welfare Institute, accessed January 26, 2021, https://awionline.org/content/pet-and-women-safety-paws-act.

12 "Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act," Animal Welfare Institute, https://awionline.org/content/preventing-animal-cruelty-and-torture-pact-act.

13 Olivia S. Garber, “Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence: Why the Connection Justifies Increased Protection," The University of Memphis Law Review 47 (2016): 359-389, https://www.memphis.edu/law/documents/olivia_garber.pdf; and Charlotte Lacroix, "Another Weapon for Combating Family Violence: Prevention of Animal Abuse," Animal Law 4, no. 1 (1998): 1-32, https://www.animallaw.info/sites/default/files/Weapon%20for%20Combating%20Family%20Violence.pdf.

14 Michigan State University, Animal Legal & Historical Center, Cross-Reporting Laws for Child Abuse and Animal Abuse, https://www.animallaw.info/intro/cross-reporting-laws-child-abuse-and-animal-abuse; and Garber.

15 Alberta Girardi and Joanna D. Pozzulo, "The Significance of Animal Cruelty in Child Protection Investigations," Social Work Research 36, no. 1 (July 2012): 53-60, https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svs012.

E-Book

Soft back Book

Broadway To Vegas is supported through advertising and donations. Priority consideration is given to interview suggestions, news, press releases, etc from paid supporters. However, no paid supporters control, alter, edit, or in any way manipulate the content of this site. Your donation is appreciated. We accept PAYPAL.

Thank you for your interest.

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.

ART AND ABOUT

WOODSTOCK: 3 DAYS OF PEACE, LOVE & MUSIC Revisiting the weekend that inspired a multi-generational movement and subsequent iterations, this photographic retrospective which spans the gamut from '69 to '99 makes its MHG debut with special host and Woodstock's first official photographer, Henry Diltz.

Last Thursday the Sunset Marquis West Hollywood gallery hosted an exhibition opening night event and today, Sunday, August 11, the New York gallery will follow suit with sponsorship from City Winery and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Host Henry Diltz will be in attendance.

"The Woodstock Festivals all hold such a special place in my heart, and the same for many of us! I was hired by Michael Lang to be the official photographer for all three festivals,” said Henry Diltz. “The original Woodstock 1969 was very organic, all peace and love, we just made it up as we went along. Woodstock 1994 was a bit more planned, it was at an abandoned Air Force base. This was the first Woodstock where there was crowd surfing... it hadn't been thought of yet in '69! I took so many photographs of people up above the crowd being passed around. Woodstock will always be the festival that had all the biggest and the best music of its time."

Henry Diltz is a music photographer who has shot more than 250 album covers and thousands of publicity shots in the ‘60s and ‘70s, including the iconic Morrison Hotel cover for The Doors. Other artists, whose fly-on-the-wall style portraits he’s known for, include musical legends such as the Eagles, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, America, Steppenwolf, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, The Monkees and David Cassidy. He was the official photographer at the Woodstock festival in August 1969. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LIFE, People, Rolling Stone, High Times and Billboard. He is also a founding member of the Modern Folk Quartet, and formerly a co-founding partner of Morrison Hotel Gallery.

Headlined by photography legends like Diltz, Danny Clinch, Joseph Cultice, Sam Erickson, Elliott Landy, Lisa Law, Ken Regan, Amalie R. Rothschild and Rowland Scherman, among others, Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music will remain on public view at both galleries through Tuesday, August 20th with select works on permanent view on line.

E-Book

Soft back Book

SWEET CHARITY

BRODYFEST 2024 the 4th annual tribute to comedian Brody Stevens, takes place August 17th and 18th.

The comedy community mourned the loss of the larger than life Brody Stevens in 2019, and friends of Brody’s started the 818 Walk in honor of his memory for his fans and friends. Four years later, the tribute is still going strong, celebrating Brody, as well as raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health services from Comedy Gives Back.

This year, The Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship Walk and first ever softball game, are on Saturday, August 17th in Reseda, CA starting at 1pm. On Sunday, August 18th, The Comedy Store will once again host a special benefit show, Performers include: Jay Mohr, Byron Bowers, Eleanor Kerrigan, Doug Benson and more. As always, BRODYFEST will directly benefit the mental health programs of Comedy Gives Back, the safety net of the comedy community.

Jodi Lieberman, Amber J Lawson and Zoe Friedman (JAZ) are Co-Founders of Comedy Gives Back.

ELLIOTT SMITH TRIBUTE CONCERT celebrated Elliott Smith's legacy on who would have been his 55th Birthday with an All-Star Tribute Concert on August 6, 2024.

New Monkey Studio, originally founded by Elliott Smith, has announced the special benefit concert titled All My Rowdy Friends, took place at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles. The live performance was broadcast live exclusively on Veeps. The stream was free for All Access subscribers.

The benefit concert featured a set by DJ Anthony Valadez and performances by Elliott’s Figure 8 touring bandmates Scott McPherson, Aaron Embry and Shon Sullivan joined by a diverse line-up of guest artists including Jason Lytle and Jim Fairchild of Grandaddy, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, Illuminati Hotties, Cheekface, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Kevin Devine, Johanna Samuels, Earlimart, Emily Kinney, mehro, Madison Cunningham, Violet Grohl, and more.

Net proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit New Monkey Studio, the space that Elliott Smith meticulously outfitted with handpicked vintage recording equipment to serve as the creative sanctuary for his musical projects. It is the closest thing to a functional Elliott Smith museum. The studio stands as a bastion of the artist's enduring legacy, offering a haven for both emerging talents and established names in the music industry.

Established by Elliott Smith in the late 1990s, New Monkey Studio has hosted an array of talented artists from Beck to Phoebe Bridgers, and is home to an inviting and well curated recording environment. The studio continues to foster creative exploration and collaboration, honoring Smith’s vision and contributing to the music community’s vibrant landscape.

"The goal of this concert is to protect the future of the studio for generations of artists to continue to enjoy a creative space that was crafted by one of the most deeply adored and respected musicians," according to Chief House Engineer Greg Cortez. "People should be able to use the real hardware and experience the studio process while it still exists in this form," said Joel Graves, co-caretaker of New Monkey Studio. Studio manager Robert Cappadona adds, "This night is not only a celebration of Elliott’s music but also a critical step towards preserving a sonic sanctuary that has become a historical landmark in the music community."

THE HAWAII THEATRE CENTER IN HONOLULU is the beneficiary of William Link and Richard Levinson’s original Columbo mystery thriller production. The mounting starred Pat Sajak as a psychiatrist who plots with his mistress to murder his wife and then is pursued relentlessly by an unassuming LAPD lieutenant, who is played by Sajak's good friend, Hawaii news anchor Joe Moore.

Net proceeds for the show, which had its final staging on August 10, are earmarked to support the Hawaii Theatre Center.

Sajak has previously starred at the venue.

SPREADING THE WORD

NOTHIN; BUT DUKE ELLINGTON

Duke Ellington. Photo: Wikipedia

is Jazz at Lincoln Center American Songbook celebration on Sunday, August 18.

This Songbook Sundays swings Ellington's greatest songs, like" Sophisticated Lady" and "I'm Beginning to See the Light", to "Prelude to a Kiss", "I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good", "Come Sunday", and more.

Hosted and curated by leading American Songbook expert Deborah Grace Winer, the set features jazz and Broadway greats, siblings Aisha de Haas and Darius de Haas, with JALC rising star Anaïs Reno.

Music Director Richard Cummings leads a band of all-stars including Damon DueWhite on drums (Branford Marsalis, Hugh Masakela), Kenny Davis on bass (Art Farmer, Geri Allen) and Ed Jackson on Alto Saxophone and flute (Count Basie Band, Illinois Jacquet) With some breezy stories, it's a sizzling August jam party.

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Merrily We Stole A Song which opens September 19, 2024 has announced the full cast for the Broadway musical parody show. The company now includes AJ Holmes, Sasha Hutchings, Chris Collins-Pisano, Jenny Lee Stein. Fred Barton will serve as musical director/pianist.

PASADENA PLAYHOUSE has announced the full cast for Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, freely adapted by Martin Crimp. Directed by Mike Donahue which opens September 4, 2024.

The cast: Larry Powell, Jens Austin Astrup, Aaron Costa Ganis, E.M. Davis, Christine Lin, Barry Livingston, Michael Nathanson, Kila Packett, Sawyer Patterson, Jonathan Slavin, John Garet Stoker, Chukwudi Iwuji, Rosa Salazar, Will Hochman and Kimberly Scott.

CHRISTOPHER SIEBERT a two time Tony award nominee can be enjoyed performing two shows at 54 Below in New York City on August 19 and 20. The August 0th show will also be livestreamed.

Sieber shares stories and songs from his 14 and 1/2 Broadway shows. These include "Company," "The Prom", "Matilda", "Spamalot", "Shrek", "La Cage", "Chicago", "Pippin", and so many more! Hear about the disasters and triumphs onstage and off, the many Broadway stars he has had the honor of working with, and everything along the way, during his 33 year Broadway career.

He's also set to star on Broadway in Death Becomes Her.

The stage musical adaptation of the film is scheduled to open at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre on November 2, 2024, following previews beginning October 23, 2024.

DOUBTING THOMAS Frontline on PBS has been airing Biden's Decision #4304 described as "The inside story of Biden's rise to the presidency, the personal and political forces that shaped him and led to his dramatic decision to step aside."

The documentary includes the death of Bo Biden from brain cancer and his Roman Catholic burial mass conducted by a Catholic priest in good standing with that church. Afterwards, the priest was interviewed at which time he said: "IF there is a heaven . . .

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION awarded the Sebastián Yatra Scholarship to Cuban double bass player Leo Luna Roblejo during a special ceremony in Miami, hosted by award-winning journalist Pamela Silva, and sponsored by Loud And Live as part of their $1 million commitment over five years. Yatra, a Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee, performed alongside Luna Roblejo and additional scholarship recipients and alumni.

Also known as the Prodigy Scholarship, and sponsored annually by a Latin music icon, it was created ten years ago to support music education and Latin music genres. It holds a maximum value of $250,000 and allows Luna Roblejo to pursue a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, starting this fall. In addition, the scholarship supports the costs of tuition, room, board and wrap around services that include ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities provided in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. Previous sponsors include: Nicky Jam (2023), Sofia Carson (2022), Juanes (2021), Julio Iglesias (2020), Emilio and Gloria Estefan (2019), Carlos Vives (2018), Miguel Bosé (2017), Juan Luis Guerra (2016) and Enrique Iglesias (2015).

Luna Roblejo, who resides in Miami, was selected by the Foundation's Scholarship Committee from a highly competitive group of hundreds of applicants worldwide. Since its establishment, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has committed an extraordinary sum of more than $10 million in scholarships, grants, musical instruments, and educational programs throughout the United States and Ibero-America.

The Foundation also announced the recipients of its annual Gifted Tuition, Tuition Assistance, Bulova and Gibson Gives scholarships—with additional funds from First Horizon and the Arturo Sandoval Institute—that award 43 talented students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue an education at some of the most prestigious music institutions in the world.

The following three students will each receive the Gifted Tuition Scholarship, with a maximum value of $120,000, which will support the tuition costs of four years of study at the university, college or music institution of their choice, and includes wrap around services provided by the Foundation:
Abraham Jiménez Sánchez, pianist from the Dominican Republic
Marcos Castilla Jiménez, pianist from Spain
Melany Fiorella Cisneros Fernández, bass player from Peru

In addition, 40 students will each receive the Tuition Assistance Scholarship, a one-time scholarship with a maximum value of $12,500 toward the tuition costs for the university or college of their choice, and includes wrap around services provided by the Foundation. Bulova will sponsor one Tuition Assistance Scholarship and Gibson Gives, Gibson's philanthropic division, will sponsor three Tuition Assistance Scholarships of up to $12,500 each, in addition to a gifted Gibson or Epiphone instrument, for students pursuing a music education with electric or acoustic guitar as their principal instrument.

E-Book

Soft back Book

THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Tony and Emmy nominated Dorian Harewood, University of Cincinnati class of '72.

conferred a BFA diploma in Musical Theatre to Tony nomiinatd Dorian Harewood, officially recognizing his alumnus status from the University of Cincinnati. Dorian left CCM prior to graduation in 1972 to pursue an offer and his first acting role.

After a long and celebrated career, most recently garnering a Tony nomination for his work on Broadway in The Notebook The Musical, Harewood received his diploma on the heels of his 74th birthday. The diploma presentation and birthday celebration took place at Bond 45 in New York City. Present were Kevin McCollum producer of The Notebook The Musical & CCM Alumnus and cast and crew from The Notebook The Musical as well as officials Jennifer Heisey, VP & Chief Alumni Officer, CCM and Elaine Cox, Senior Director of Development, CCM.

Harewood, who celebrated his 74th birthday, is best known for playing Jesse Owens in "The Jesse Owens Story" (1984), Det. Paul Strobber on "Strike Force" (1981–1982), and Rev. Morgan Hamilton in "7th Heaven" (1996–2003).

A Tony and Emmy nominated actor, Harewood got his start in musical theater. On Broadway, he performed in "Two Gentlemen of Verona," "Streamers," and "The Mighty Gents." For his role in "Don't Call Back", Harewood received a Theatre World Award for Most Promising Actor. While in a stage production with Bette Davis, she encouraged Harewood to continue acting in dramatic roles, and he credits her as his mentor. He made his film debut in "Foster and Laurie" (1975).

Harewood portrayed Simon Haley (father of author Alex Haley) in the ABC miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations." He appeared regularly on "Trauma Center" alongside Wendie Malick and Lou Ferrigno, had a recurring role on "China Beach" and was Hank Mitchell in "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill."

In 1994, he was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie, for his recurring role as jazz/blues saxophonist Clarence "Cool Papa" Charleston on the NBC drama series "I'll Fly Away." The following year, Harewood voiced Hank Aaron in "Hank Aaron: Chasing a Dream," narrating the television film. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for the special.

Hehas appeared in over 100 productions in film and television.

For his role as Older Noah Calhoun in the Broadway adaptation of The Notebook, he was nominated for the Tony award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Harewood married actress Nancy Ann McCurry on February 14, 1979. The couple have two children, Olivia Ruth and John Dorian.

A pre-eminent institution for the performing and media arts, CCM offers nearly 120 possible majors, along with a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate programs. The Musical Theatre program at CCM is the oldest in the country. The conservatory is frequently ranked among the top represented colleges on Broadway.



MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B by Kate Hamill.

Directed by James Vásquez.

"A fast-paced and wildly entertaining new play that reimagines the most iconic detective team of all time. In present-day Baker Street, steampunk hipster Shirley Holmes and her spunky new roommate Joan Watson become entangled in a series of cases all related to the same supervillain, who always seems to be one step ahead of them. This irreverent take on the beloved characters packs nonstop laughs into a rollicking murder mystery with a bold and modern lens."

The cast for includes Jenn Harris as Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson, and Others; Nehal Joshi as Inspector Lestrade, Elliot Monk, and Others, Ruibo Qian as Ms. Sherlock Holmes; and Natalie Woolams-Torres as Ms. Joan Watson .

The creatives are Sean Fanning (Scenic Design), Shirley Pierson (Costume Design), Amanda Zieve (Lighting Design), Melanie Chen Cole (Sound Design), Ka’imi Kuoha (Fight Choreography), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Marie Jahelka (Production Stage Manager).

Extended through September 1, 2024, at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in Balboa Park,San Diego, California.

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIONS THE MUSICAL written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris.

Directed by Bill Buckhurst.

Starring Kym Marsh and Faye Tozer.

"When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups. Dodie Smith’s classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, witty songs and irresistible puppies!

The creatives are: David Woodherd Set Designer - Sarah Mercade Costume Designer - Lucy Hind Choreographer - Alfonso Casado Trigo Musical Supervisor - Jack Hopkins Orchestrations - Jimmy Grimes Puppetry Designer/Director - James Whiteside Lighting Designer - Chris Whybrow Sound Designer - Leigh Stanford Thompson Musical Director - Lucy Casson Casting Director.

Performances at the Belfast, Ireland Grand Opera House August 13-17 with the following stop being at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton August 20-24, 2024.

SOMEONE SPECTACULAR a new play by Doménica Feraud.

Directed by Tatiana Pandiani.

Once a week, six recently bereaved strangers gather for group therapy. It’s a stable routine — until one day, their grief counselor is inexplicably MIA. The group’s typical session quickly goes off the rails, offering an open-ended meditation on loss, with revelations that are at once beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking. Domenica Feraud’s newest play examines the complicated emotions that accompany grief, while exploring universal and personal truths that are sure to stay with you for a lifetime.

Scenic design is by two-time Tony Award nominee dots, costume design is by Siena Zoë Allen, lighting design is by Drama Desk nominee Oona Curley, and sound design is by Tony Award nominee Mikaal Sulaiman. Casting is by Conrad Woolfe, CSA and Leigh Ann Smith, CSA. General Management is by Cheryl Dennis Productions.

Performance sat the at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center 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

OZZIE THE GIRAFFE

Ozzie the painter.

the only giraffe in Nevada - and a sought after artist - died after suffering a fall. He was 10 years old.

Ozzie lived at the Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson near Las Vegas, Nevada. The beloved creature was always the star of the show. Personable, he stumbled and fell in his pen early Friday, August 2, sanctuary officials say.

Something startled Ozzie, causing him to fall in the quiet hours before dawn, the ranch said in a Facebook post.

"Ozzie fought valiantly to rise, and our dedicated staff, owners, and veterinarians rallied around him," the ranch said in the release. But he did not survive.

The reticulated giraffe was born at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita, Kansas, the ranch stated. He arrived at the Nevada sanctuary at 8 months of age when he was 8 feet tall and grew to be 17 feet tall.

"Ozzie was no ordinary giraffe. He possessed a gentle spirit that touched everyone he encountered," the sanctuary said in the release.

He was also a famed artist, learning to paint by holding a brush in his teeth.

"Ozzie was an artist, too — a creator of one-of-a-kind masterpieces," the ranch said referring to his abstract paintings which were part of his daily public demonstrations. "And as the tallest supervisor on our ranch, he watched over us all, his regal presence a comforting beacon."

Next Column: August 18, 2024
Copyright: August 11, 2024 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.
Link to Main Page

---

Laura Deni