Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: August 4, 2019
By: Laura Deni
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MATTHEW BOURNE'S NEW ADVENTURES DANCE COMPANY OFFERS HOPE FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS

Sir Matthew Bourne

Famed dancer choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne widely hailed as the UK's most popular and successful choreographer and director gave the world his magnificent version of Swan Lake and The Red Shoes, based on the classic Powell and Pressburger film, with music by Bernard Herrmann. It won two Olivier Awards in 2017 for Best Entertainment and Matthew Bourne for Best Theatre Choreographer. This year his world premiere tour of Romeo and Juliet opens with 97 dancers making their professional debuts. 81 of Britain’s brightest young dance talent will perform alongside New Adventures throughout the UK tour.

While those accomplishments are highly publicized, performing under the radar is the Tony and Oliver Award winner giving people living with dementia hope for a better life.

And - the dancers also benefited.

Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Dance Company is part of a project called Dance for Life, a program where professional dancers from Matthew Bourne's company have received dementia training. Then those dancers are introduced to situations where they're delivering dance interventions with people living with dementia. Those settings are many and varied. The first programs delivered were with two assisted care homes -- one where the people living with dementia were living with moderate dementia - still mostly mobile and possessing some communication skills.

In the other contrasting care home were people who were in a much later stage, people who were nearing the end of their life. Most of them were no longer mobile, and some had multiple conditions - other physical conditions as well as dementia.

Barbara Stephens provided insight into the Dance for Life program, a joint venture between Dementia Pathfinders and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company, that involved providing dementia training for professional dancers to deliver dance interventions for people living with dementias in care home settings. Stephens told those taking a class in Dementia and the Arts with Lead Educator: Prof Sebastian Crutch and Course Mentor Janette Junghaus: "That first experiment with Dance for Life was evaluated by an independent evaluator, and the benefits were remarkable. People who were perhaps withdrawn and uncommunicative and looking very diminished by their condition were opened up and expressed a lot of joy, connection with the dancers, with eye contact, with movement.

"Some people became sad because, for whatever reason, the music may have touched a deep, sad feeling, but all of these sorts of manifestations were beneficial we felt," she continued. "The improvements in well-being were astonishing. People sustained these improvements after a program of eight weeks. So week after week people were learning dance moves. They were remembering some of the music that had been used in the previous weeks. One particular lady who started the program at the beginning of the eight weeks in a wheelchair, by the end of the eight weeks, was on her feet using a Zimmer frame, but she was on her feet.

"It was fantastic," Stephens emphasized. "It was just heartwarming to see the benefits for the people living with dementia. But over and above that, it was heartwarming to see the benefits for the dancers because they learned so much, and in the evaluation, were able to say just how their attitudes changed and how their understanding of dementia was enhanced by this experience. So it had benefits at lots of levels. It had benefits for the people who were living with dementia. It had benefits for family carers who were involved. It had benefits for staff in the care homes and benefits for the dancers. So everybody benefited from this remarkable program."

Since 2008 New Adventures has developed a team of passionate and dedicated dance-artists who now act as leading ambassadors for the company in a community setting.

"I think the arts have a great role in communicating the experience of dementias, partly because of their capacity to be varied," Prof Crutch said emphasizing " it's dementias, not dementia. But even if you take just one condition, like Alzheimer's disease, for some people, it will particularly affect the front of the brain, and therefore, decision making and personality and social behaviour. For some people, the back of the brain, therefore, affecting vision, seeing what and where things are. Some people more one side of the brain, so perhaps language will be more effected.

"And the arts have a huge capacity, I think, to enable people to continue to express and find forms of expression and communication with other people about their internal states, which may not be possible still in the traditional way. And so if you've lost your words, it's very easy to feel cut off from the world. But actually, if you can express yourself through other media, I think that's very powerful. And I think the arts are also hugely important in communicating about the experience of dementia because of the way that they connect people living with dementia with those around them."

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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

SONGS OF HOME tells the little-known story of music played and enjoyed in New South Wales, Australia during the first 70 years of the colony. This vibrant musical world is explored through recordings of early music, rare instruments, printed scores, and remarkable stories of people creating home through song. Step into grand houses, humble cottages, vast landscapes, pubs and churches, and discover the soundtrack of early Sydney.

See and hear the earliest transcriptions of Aboriginal songs. Follow the story of Australia’s first piano as it made its way from Britain to Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta. Discover the story of the Murray family and their musical possessions, hauled by horse-drawn carriage over the Blue Mountains. On display for the first time in Australia are albums of music hand-copied by Jane Austen, revealing her musical tastes and practices, similar to those brought to Australia by immigrants in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Experience a diverse array of music, old and new, through performances by leading Australian and British musicians, as well as students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A series of specially commissioned contemporary works by Aboriginal composers, in partnership with the Ngarra-Burria First Peoples Composers initiative with support from the Royal Australian Navy Band, highlight the powerful and continuing presence of Aboriginal music making.

Surprising, moving, entertaining – the fascinating world of music in early NSW is revealed here for the first time as a place of melodious complexity. Saturay, August 10 - Sunday, November 17, 2019 at the Museum of Sydney, Australia.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM has acquired one of Rembrandt's most iconic works Landscape with Three Trees (1643). The Princeton University Art Museum holds 70 of the 300 prints produced by Rembrandt over his long career, providing a cross-section of the artist’s graphic output, ranging from several of his earliest self-portraits and genre studies to some of his greatest late religious compositions. The new acquisition joins the only other landscape etching in the Museum’s collection, Landscape with a Thatched Cottage (1641), which was acquired in 1960.

Rembrandt focused on etchings and drawings of landscapes in the years after the death of his first wife, Saskia, in 1642. Of the artist’s 26 recorded landscape etchings, "The Three Trees" (as it is often called) is the largest and most elaborate, and the most richly imbued with spiritual meaning, often read as a metaphor for the three crosses of the Crucifixion. The atmospheric and theatrical print combines technical virtuosity and conceptual complexity to deliver a visionary spectacle incorporating what has aptly been called “meteorological melodrama.”

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SWEET CHARITY

GUILD HALL SUMMER GALA celebrating Ugo Rondinone: Sunny Days

Friday, August 9, 2019 benefits Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY.

Guild Hall is delighted to celebrate the artist Ugo Rondinone and his exhibition Ugo Rondinone: Sunny Days at the annual Summer Gala. This exhibition features some never-before-seen works by the New York-based, Swiss born artist.

The Summer Gala is a visual and choral ode to the radiant work of Rondinone and will capture the beauty of the Hamptons’ golden hour. The evening honors Guild Hall longtime Trustee and devoted Museum Committee Chair, Michael Lynne, in memoriam.

The Gala is emceed by Bob Colacello, the former Editor-in-Chief of Interview and one of Andy Warhol’s closest creative collaborators. The Host Committee includes Brooke Shields, Julianne Moore, Katie Lee, and Vito Schnabel. The Artist Committee members include April Gornik, Cindy Sherman, Eric Fischl, Laurie Anderson, Mary Heilmann, and Tony Oursler.

Exhibition Preview at Guild Hall followed by Cocktails at Mulford Farm - then a Three-Course Dinner and don't forget the after party.

BAWDY, ROMANTIC MOULIN ROUGE REVOLVES AROUND THE MUSIC

Danny Burstein in Moulin Rouge. Production photos by Matt Murphy

Ever since the musical Moulin Rouge had its Broadway tryout in Chicago the word on the street was - this musical is a hit. Now that it's made its Broadway debut at the Al Hirschfeld Theater the word on the street is - this musical is a hit. It's the tough ticket; the musical to see this season.

Bathed in red, reminiscent of the famed Paris nightclub - or all of the Vegas Strip hotels who decades ago thought having red velvet throughout the showrooms meant sophistication and decadence.

You might even be able to say - come for the scenery by Derek McLane and the costumes by Catherine Zuber and stay for the songs. Moulin Rouge is a jukebox musical with depth.

Adapted from Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie by John Logan and directed by Alex Timbers Moulin Rouge is unusual in that there is deliberately shallow character development. The characters exist as props for songs from Adele, Beyoncé , the Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Lorde, Elton John, Bernie Taupin and Gnarls Barkley to name only a few, brilliantly strung together by arranger and orchestrator Justin Levine. The unusually large number of song segments permits the audience to connect with what the songs mean to them and fantasize those feelings into the characters. Each showgoer will have their own opinion of the characters - and the show - based on emotional transference of music memory into character development.

This musical is what you want to make it - meaning some may feel that it's polarizing.

Ricky Rojas as Santiago and Robyn Hurder as Nini in Moulin Rouge. Producton photos by Matt Murphy.

Lyric tenor Aaron Tveit as a naive American songwriter writer Christian (played in the film by Ewan McGregor), has come to Paris from Lima, Ohio to follow the debauched, defiant Bohemian revolution. Courtesan Satine, played by Tony award winner Karen Olivo, a role which earned Nicole Kidman a best actress nomination. Her affections are also coveted by the club's patron: the Duke of Monroth (Tam Mutu). A dangerous love triangle ensues as Satine and Christian attempt to fight all odds to stay together but a force that not even love can conquer is taking its toll on Satine.

In other words the monied Duke of Monroth will pony up the lucre to save the bankrupt club in exchange for Satine.

Tony nominated Sahr Ngaujah, who is cast as Toulouse-Lautrec plays him as an aristocrat.

Karen Olivo and Tam Mutu in Moulin Rouge. Production photos by Matt Murphy.

Veteran performer Danny Burstein as club emcee Harold Zidler channels Joel Grey's performance in Cabaret. but places his own signature on the part. “Welcome, you gorgeous collection of reprobates and rascals, artistes and arrivistes, soubrettes and sodomites,” he menacingly chortles. “No matter your sin, you are welcome here.”

All of the performers are beyond excellent. However, from a singing perspective they are underused. The music isn't constructed to stop the show, but rather to be the most important element - along with the scenery and costumes. And, let's not forget the leg extending choreography by Sonya Tayeh or the make-up design by Sarah Cimino.

The cast of Moulin Rouge. Production photos by Matt Murphy.

An extremely clever audience welcome comes in the form of the scenery (including the iconic windmill) and erotic lighting by Justin Townsend. It's what Las Vegas wedding chapels looked like in the 70s - valentine hearts, cushioned love seats, chandeliers, exotica, and enough pink, purple, red and all shades in between to offer any sex-starved matron a romantic fantasy. Costumer Catherine Zuber knows how to dress the implication of imminent decadent sex. The performers slink around the stage tempting you to enter their lare.

The cast includes: Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Tam Mutu, Ricky Rojas, Robyn Hurder, Jacqueline B. Arnold, Holly James, Jeigh Madjus, Olutayo Bosede, Kyle Brown, Sam J. Cahn, Max Clayton, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Bahiyah Hibah, Ericka Hunter, Morgan Marcell, Brandt Martinez, Jodi McFadden, Reed Luplau, Kevyn Morrow, Fred Odgaard, Dylan Paul, Khori Michelle Petinaud and Benjamin Rivera.

Musical Supervisor: Justin Levine; Musical Coordinator: Michael Aarons; Music Producer: Matt Stine; Conducted by Cian McCarthy; Associate Conductor: Jeff Tanski; Keyboard: Cian McCarthy and Jeff Tanski; Guitar: Sean Driscoll and Craig Magnano; Drums: Jared Schonig; Bass: Bobby Wooten III; French Horn: Judy Yin-Chi Lee; Reeds: Matt Hong; Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Piccolo: Manuel Ruiz; Trombone/Bass Trombone: Mike Davis; Concertmaster/Violin: Katie Kresek; Violin 2: Maxim Moston; Viola/Violin 3: Rachel Golub; Cello: Claire Bryant; Electronic Music Programmer: Taylor Williams; Associate Electronic Music Programmer: Dana Haynes.

SPREADING THE WORD

KATY PERRY AND CAPITOL RECORDS

Katy Perry

have been fined by a California judge over copyright infringement.

Following the ruling Broadway To Vegas received a press release on behalf of attorney J. Michael Keyes who is a partner at the international law firm Dorsey & Whitney in its California office. "Keyes is an intellectual property attorney with extensive trial and litigation experience in cases involving trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition and false advertising. He has tried several cases in federal courts across the United States. Keyes has a piano performance degree and has written on the issue of music copyright. One of his law review articles was cited extensively in a case in Chicago federal court in a music copyright case brought against Lady Gaga. He say the Perry decision this week is a huge blow to artists and record companies.

"Yesterday a California jury determined Katy Perry, Capitol Records, and others must pay $2.7m because the song Dark Horse “infringed” the gospel rap Joyful Noise. It is a disturbing verdict and a troubling time for the music industry for the following reason.

"The test for music copyright infringement is fundamentally broken. Under our current system, a defendant can be held liable when a very short musical snippet (in this case a 4 beat, 3 note phrase) sounds similar to another musical pattern," Keyes says.

"The problem with this formulation is that literally for centuries musicians have borrowed from each other, either as an homage or otherwise. The history of western music is replete with numerous such examples. Bach, Beethoven, and Billy Joel (and countless others) have all borrowed musical phrases and chord progressions. In fact, our very own national anthem is not “original” to America—it’s an old British drinking song entitled “To Anacreon in Heaven.” Keyes continued.

Research by Broadway To Vegas turned up: The Anacreontic Song, also known by To Anacreon in Heaven, was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, an 18th-century gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London. It's commonly referred to as "a sly 1700's paean to drinking and sex." Composed by John Stafford Smith, the tune was later used by several writers as a setting for their patriotic lyrics. Francis Scott Key borrowed for the melody of The Star-Spangled Banner. Key had previously used the To Anacreon in Heaven melody for his hymn to America’s military might, When the Warrior Returns, which celebrated U.S. heroes of the First Barbary War.

The difference between the insipid To Anacreon in Heaven, the respected God Save the Queen and the judge's ruling on a key 16-second musical riff from the rap song Joyful Noise, is that the first two are in the public domain and the latter has a copyright.

"Musical borrowing is, in part, how the music genre thrives and evolves," stressed Keyes. "We should have a legal test in place that acknowledges this long-standing musical reality."

Broadway To Vegas inquired: "What does Mr. Keyes feel should be the cut off mark? If 4 beat, 3 note phrase is too short then what does he feel is the appropriate cut off line?"

As of deadline there hadn't been a response.

Broadway To Vegas forwarded a portion of the PR release to the current class of a Copyright Law course I had completed to see if the students had any thoughts. A sampling of replies included: "I’m in full agreement with what's stated in the PR release. From ‘Blurred Lines’ to the pending ‘Stairway to Heaven’ to 'Dark Horse', a new precedent is being set. Historically, the argument has always been an infringement of lyrics word or word or a melody note for note. I’m of the view copyright infringement doctrine has to be revised; judges now declare that apart from lyrics and/or melody violations, copyright infringement now extends to chord structure, rhythms and other musical elements/arrangements in the entire sound recording."

MEGA PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCIES ROGERS & COWAN AND PMK-BNC have officially merged into one formidable flak house. The combined companies, which both maintain offices in Los Angeles and New York City , boast a client roster of more than 500 actors, musicians, directors and other artists, as well as 30 major brands.

The new mega-firm will be led by Rogers & Cowan Chief Executive Mark Owens and PMK-BNC CEO and Chairman Cindi Berger. Berger will serve as chairman, and Owens will be CEO. Rogers & Cowan Co-President Alan Nierob will become chairman of the entity’s entertainment division. Berger serving as chairman thrusts her into the position of perhaps being one of the few women who can have it all. Happily married with two children, the seemingly ageless beauty has megawatt brain power and has always been formidable, having climbed the ranks in a profession which has long been dominated by men.

FX’S POSE: RYAN MURPHY IN CONVERSATION WITH TONY WINNER AND EMMY NOMINEE BILLY PORTER on Tuesday, August 13, at the 92Y in New York City.

Tony Award winner Billy Porter, who’s just earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, is joined by Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy for a conversation about their work on the groundbreaking series.

Now in its second season, Pose tells the story of the predominantly LGBTQ ballroom community in New York City in the late ’80s and ’90s, focusing on their fights for equality, against HIV/AIDS and for the night’s fiercest looks. Join them for an intimate, revelatory and celebratory discussion about how the series came to be, and why it’s shaping into a classic tale for our times..

This event is sold out.

THE RAINMAKER RECEIVES FAMILY APPROVAL On August 1, N. Richard Nash's daughter, Amanda, who lives in Massachusetts, came to see East Lynne Theater Company's The Rainmaker and brought four cousins, including Lois, the daughter of Nash's sister Mae, who was the inspiration for "Lizzie" in this comedy-drama. They all loved the play, giving it a standing ovation. Amanda thanked director Gayle Stahlhuth for "bringing this family back to life" in such "a wonderful production." She grew up with this play and the profits from it paid for her college education.

N. Richard Nash (1913-2000) was a dreamer and a philosopher who lived through the Great Depression and World War II. He wrote plays, screenplays, and novels that were on The New York Times Best Seller list.

The Rainmaker takes place out West in 1930, at the beginning of the drought. A stranger, Starbuck, enters the Curry home, claiming he can make it rain if they pay him $100. The Curry's cattle are dying and ranch hands have been laid off. Starbuck may be the only one who can save the family – or is he a liar and a con man?

This comedy-drama opened on Broadway in 1954; Nash adapted it for the 1956 film and wrote the book based on the play for the musical 110 in the Shade with Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt.

The Rainmaker runs through August 31, in Cape May, New Jersey where the Equity professional award-winning East Lynne Theater Company is in residence.

STAR TREK CONVENTION LANDED IN LAS VEGAS through today, Sunday, August 4, 2019 at the Rio hotel. More than 100 celebrities from the beloved sci-fi franchise attended including William Shatner.

AUGUST 4 is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day August 5 is National Oyster Day while August 6 slurps up National Root Beer Float Day. August 7 is National Raspberries in Cream Day. August 8 is National Zucchini Day and National Frozen Custard Day. August 9 celebreates National Rice Pudding Day. August 10 is National Banana Split Day and National S'mores Day.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

LAS VEGAS RESORT FEES ARE AGAIN INCREASING from $39 to $45 per day. That charge is - of course - in addition to what you are being billed as a daily room rate. The added fees include the use of such amenities as Wi-Fi, a pool and a gym. Resorts affected include Aria, Vdara and Bellagio. The increase now matches what the Wynn Resorts are already charging.

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FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Music by Jerry Bock. Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Book by Joseph Stein.

Directed by Tony award winning Bartlett Sher.

Choreography by acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins.

Bartlett Sher brings his fresh take on a beloved masterpiece to life as Fiddler on the Roof begins a North American tour. A wonderful cast and a lavish orchestra tell this heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the timeless traditions that define faith and family. To love! To life!...

Featuring the Broadway classics Tradition: If I Were a Rich Man: Sunrise, Sunset: Matchmaker, Matchmaker and To Life.

Acclaimed Israeli actor and director Yehezkel Lazarov will star as Tevye. In addition to Lazarov, the touring cast of Fiddler on the Roof includes Maite Uzal as Golde, Jonathan Von Mering as Lazar Wolf, Carol Beaugard as Yente, Mel Weyn as Tzeitel, Ruthy Froch as Hodel, Natalie Powers as Chava, Danielle Allen as Sphintze, Emerson Glick as Bielke, Jesse Weil as Motel, Ryne Nardecchia as Perchick, Joshua Logan Alexander as Fyedka and Jeffrey Brooks as Constable.

The show's ensemble features Danny Arnold, Eric Berey, Nicholas Berke, Eloise Deluca, Derek Ege, David Ferguson, Olivia Gjurich, Michael Hegarty, Allegra Herman, Carolyn Keller, Paul Morland, Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Jacob Nahor, Jack O’Brien, Maxwell Parr Perkins, Leah Platt, Lynda Senisi, Nick Siccone, Brian Silver and Britte Steele.

August 7 - 18, 2019 at at Dallas Music Hall.

JERSEY BOYS music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.

Director/ Choreographer: Kevin P. Hill.

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard...and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story – a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for “Best Musical,” Jersey Boys features the legendary top ten hits Sherry; Big Girls Don’t Cry; Walk Like A Man; Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and December, 1963 (Oh What A Night).

August 6 - 18, 2019 at North Shore Musical Theatre in Beverly, MA.

THE BAND'S VISIT Original Score by David Yazbek, Book by Itamar Moses.

Directed by David Cromer.

After a mix-up at the border, an Egyptian Police Band is sent to a remote village in the middle of the Israeli desert. With no bus until morning and no hotel in sight, these unlikely travelers are taken in by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected ways. The Band's visit celebrates the deeply human ways music, longing, and laughter can connect us all.

The creative team includes Patrick McCollum (Choreography), Scott Pask (Set Design), Sarah Laux (Costume Design), Tony Award winner Tyler Micoleau (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Kai Harada (Sound Design), Maya Ciarrocchi (Projection Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Hair Designer), Tony Award winner Jamshied Sharifi (Orchestrations), Andrea Grody (Music Supervisor, Music Director & Additional Arrangements), and Dean Sharenow (Music Supervisor & Music Coordinator).

Winner of 10 Tony Awards, The Band's Visit brings its national tour to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC for performances August 6 - 25, 2019.

ANASTASIA the Broadway musical adaptation of the beloved 1997 animated feature film continues its 30-city American tour .

The production features an expanded score by the film’s Oscar-nominated writers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and an all-new book by Tony winner Terrence McNally.

Lila Coogan stars as Anya in the tour alongside Stephen Brower as Dmitry, Jason Michael Evans as Gleb, Joy Franz as Dowager Empress, Tari Kelly as Countess Lily, Edward Staudenmayer as Vlad, and Victoria Amelia Bingham as Little Anastasia.

Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak directs. The creative team includes Alexander Dodge (set design), Linda Cho (costume design), Donald Holder (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design), Aaron Rhyne (projection design), Charles LaPointe (hair/wig design), Thomas Murray (music supervision and direction), and Doug Besterman (orchestrations), with casting by Telsey + Company.

Performances August 7-18, 2019 at the Buell Theatre in Denver, CO.

RIGOLETTO by Giuseppe Verdi.

Directed by Lindy Hume.

Verdi’s tense and brutal tale of a megalomaniac’s bitter minion caught in a web of lechery, betrayal, and revenge runs the emotional gamut in true operatic fashion. Hugely popular ever since its Venice premiere, the indelible melodrama boasts memorably complex characters and an action-packed plot propelled by a parade of iconic, unflaggingly brilliant music, especially the iconic La donna è mobile.

It’s Election Night at the Presidential Palace and the Duke of Mantua is holding court. Contrasting the bawdy ostentation of the privileged and powerful with the gritty squalor of Rigoletto’s working class struggles - in this version director Lindy Hume pulls no punches drawing comparisons to newsmakers of today.

The double cast parts include Lester Lynch and Giuseppe ALtomare as Rigoletto. Madison Leonard and Soraya Mafi as Gilda. Liparit Avetisyan and Yongzheo Yu as the Duke of Mantua.

With Maya Lahyani as Maddalena. Ante Jerkunica as Sparafucile. Clayton Brainerd as Count Monterone. In Italian with English Subtitles at McCaw Hall August 10–28, 2019 by Seattle Opera in Seattle, Washington.

LES MISERABLES Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s musical, adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo returns as a concert production, previously staged at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2, will have a limited 16 week run at the Gielgud Theatre, whilst Les Misérables current home, The Queen’s Theatre, undergoes refurbishment.

Michael Ball, who originated the role of Marius in the original Barbican theatre production, will take on the role of Inspector Javert with Alfie Boe returning to the role of Jean Valjean. John-Owen Jones will perform the role of Jean Valjean for three performances a week.

The all-star production will also feature Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe in the roles of Fantine, Thenardier and Madame Thenardier.

Les Misérables is the world’s longest-running musical now in its 34th year in London. will return to the Queen’s Theatre in December 2019, where the 2009 staging of the production will be performed.

Les Misérables will run from August 10, 2019 until November 30, 2019 at the Gielgud Theatre, London.

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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.

WHO'S WHERE

QUEEN and Adam Lambert take to the stage on August 6 in New York, N.Y. at Madison Square Garden. The August 9 stop is in Chicago, at the United Center. On August 10 they are in St. Paul, Minn. at the Xcel Energy Center.

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2019 the 10th anniversary tour starring Starring The Turtles, Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Buckinghams, The Classics IV and The Cowsills perform Wednesday, August 7 in Effingham, IL at the Effingham Performance center. On Thursday the show is in Kettering, OH at the Fraze Pavilion. Friday's stop is in New Buffalo, MI at the Silver Creek Event Center.

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC and his Strings Attached Tour backed by a full symphony orchestra, with costumes, props and a video wall. performs at the Smith Center in Las Vegas on August 7. Thursday's stop is in Costa Mesa, CA at Pacific Amphitheatre, On Friday the gig is in - Berkeley, CA at the Greek Theatre. On Saturday the show is also at the Greek Theatre, but his one is located in Los Angeles. Next Sunday, August 11, he can be enjoyed in Sacramento, CA at the Memorial Auditorium.

SARAH McLACHLAN with over 40 million albums sold worldwide, three Grammy Awards and twelve Juno Awards will be performing live alongside the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the BMO Harris Pavilion in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 9th.

PINK MARTINI bring their blended harmony to Deauville, France for a show on Tuesday, August 6. Thursday's show is in Noirmoutier-en-l'ile, France. On Saturday, August 10, the tour returns to America with a show in San Jose, CA. Next Sunday, August 11, the gang is at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco, CA.

FINAL OVATION

HAL PRINCE who earned 21 Tony Awards over a legendary 70-year Broadway career, had the effrontery to die way too soon on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 after a brief illness in Iceland, thus depriving his billions of fans from enjoying further creations from him. He was only 91.

Discharged after spending two years in the army during the Korean War, he became an assistant stage manager to legendary producer George Abbott, he had his first hit with 1954’s The Pajama Game.

His golden touch successes included: Damn Yankees (1955), West Side Story (1957), Fiorello! (1959), Fiddler on the Roof (1964), Cabaret (1966), Company (1970), Evita (1979) and The Phantom of the Opera (1988).

Prince also collaborated with Bob Fosse, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, for various projects.

“Not just the prince of musicals, the crowned head who directed two of the greatest productions of my career, Evita and Phantom,” Webber said in a statement. “This wonderful man taught me so much and his mastery of musical theatre was without equal.”

In 2006, Prince was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tony Awards for his contribution to the stage.

Prince is survived by his wife, Judy, daughter Daisy, son Charles, three grandchildren.

Next Column: August 11, 2019
Copyright: August 4, 2019 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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