Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: August 7, 2016
By: Laura Deni
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ACTORS REQUIRED TO TAKE SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING

Mark Consuelos stars in the new Fox series Pitch. The cast was required to attend sexual harassment classes.

Sexual harassment is rampant, covered up and victims continue to be victimized.

With accusation running rampant that sexual harassment at Fox was pervasive, the network has responded with training classes.

Last week Mark Consuelos guested on Jimmy Kimmel and divulged that he was required by the Fox network to take a Sexual Harassment Training class - an event which he said contained 40 to 50 people. The training program was serious. Those who answered questions inappropriately were forced to stay another hour for re-training.

Consulelos stars as Oscar, a baseball team's general manager in Pitch about Ginny Baker who became the first female Major League Baseball player. Called an "inspiring series' Pitch premiers on Fox beginning September 22. Today, Sunday, August 7, there will be a preview first episode screening at Victory Field in Indianapolis as the Indianapolis Indians take on the Toledo Mud Hens. After the game the Premiere episode of Pitch will be shown.

Workplace sexual harassment is a major worldwide problem. However, sexually harassment in the broad scope entertainment industry is really an animal unto itself, with more slimy layers than a rotting onion.

Gossip about Roger Ailes' sexual exploits has been in serious circulation for years.

The fact that Ailes resigned came only after at least 20 women claimd years of sexual abuse. The dam burst when former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes. After working for Fox News for 11 years she was abruptly fired on June 23. Nine months earlier, during a meeting with Ailes to address her feelings that she had been discriminated against, she alleges he told her that "you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago."

Carlson's lawsuit contends that Ailes, 76, ogled her, repeatedly commented about her legs, urged her to wear clothes that emphasized her figure and told her she was sexy but "too much hard work."

Ailes had announced that he'd slept with with three Miss Americas but not Carlson who was crowned Miss American in 1989.

Carlson asserts that she was fired as a host of the morning show Fox & Friends in 2013, resulting in a pay reduction with the transfer to a daytime slot, because she had complained about sexual harassment.

She had to have known there would be blowback and people who would defend Ailes.

As might be expected questions are being raised as to whether women who spend years enduring inappropriate behavior, complaining only after they are fired or demoted, could appear to be viewed as having given a type of consent to their sexual harrasment.

These aren't women in low level, minimum wage jobs who are desperate to feed their kids and keep the lights on.

Roger Ailes is represented by high profile attorney Susan Estrich who has stated that there has been a "rush to judgment."

Before famous victims are tarred and feathered, ask yourself: if the guy in charge offered you a multimillion dollar contract, fame and all the perks that go along with it, under the condition that you have various forms of sex with him, or activities such as dancing for him in a garter belt - would you?

To keep your lucrative position would you get down on your knees and pledge allegiance to your boss? No, not in Iran - America.

The later is what is alleged to have been required of Laurie Luhn, a former Fox News booker of 20 years.

While Ailes is the name which immediately pops up - he's not the only one who thinks of himself as a demi-god. Only in the eyes of these guys, they remove the qualifying "demi." Once a man who would become a television executive waited for me outside a ladies room in a Las Vegas Hotel. As I exited he grabbed my breasts and crotch - then laughed.

It's all about power and control.

Show business in all its forms has a unique lack of a straight laced moral code. An old joke reads: What are the Hollywood 10 Commandments? Answer: 6 Thou Shall Not's and 4 - Just do the best you can.

It isn't go along to get along. Rather, go along to keep a sought after lifestyle in one of the world's most competitive of occupations. It's also go along or you'll regret it.

Numerous people have used coded phrases that I don't know how to "be friendly" or "get along." Yes, I used to complain - a lot.

Three examples to establish some serious points: Sexual harassing men have MODs; They are vindictive; There are others who know and cover up, and without a support system you are fair game for revenge from anyone and everyone.

For years I was part of Los Angeles radio shows and news broadcasts. In one instance, for several years I, not the station, had a sponsor. That meant that I was guaranteed a needed paycheck, while the station only received a small percentage. The now deceased owner, Jim Simon, who was also a excellent on-air communicator, didn't like that arrangements and tolerated me when we interacted on the air. One day I received a call from him informing me that a massive motel chain, a subsidiary of a major hotel chain, wanted to sponsor me, as well as purchase other spots on the station. That was important because that contract would have been lucrative for the station. Jim was handling this himself, because that way he wouldn't have to pay the lady who normally sold advertising her commission. I was instructed to go to one of the chain's motels and meet with an executive to learn about the chain and what was important to them. To be requested to learn about a sponsor is not unusual.

Former Miss American Gretchen Carlson got demoted and got mad. At leas 20 other women have joined her in complaining.

I arrived on time and was ushered into a small meeting room. The man and I shook hands. He then made it very clear that having sex with him was conditional for the contract. I immediately walked out and reported the incident to Simon. He took the position that I had lost the station an important contract and that I didn't know how to play the game.

Because I was sponsored I remained on the air. From that time forth Simon didn't merely tolerate me. Rather, he insulted and ridiculed me on air.

He also told his staff, many of whom were low level, poorly paid and perhaps not that savvy that, if they came to Las Vegas, I'd get them comped.

When the guys started calling me wanting free trips to Sin City and were told I didn't know what they were talking about, and that there were no comps for them, the guys took the position that their boss wouldn't lie, viewing me as an entity to get even with.

Example Two. I went to a major hotel chain to interview the CEO for an article in a major business publication. I sat at the conference table with a tape recorder running. A phone rang and the executive answered it indicating to bring something in. The door opened and a person holding a large box entered and placed the box on the table. The messenger left and closed the door. The executive reached over and turned off my tape recorder.

He opened the box and said he wanted to show me something. Inside the box was a gorgeous, full length mink coat. In one of the oddest propositions I've ever received the influential and powerful executive indicated he wanted me to fly on the company's private jet. I'd be staying with him in a suite which, as he put it, would contain one queen sized bed, accompanying him to a party where I would wear the coat. Upon arriving back in Las Vegas he'd take back the coat and return it to the fur shop located inside his hotel.

It does take a moment to digest that.

I politely declined his offer and he politely walked me to the door. I came home and immediately called the magazine editor who took the position that the executive was his best friend and would never have done such a thing. In fact, he had just hung up from speaking with the executive who complained that I had not been courteous. The editor informed me that he expected all of his reporters to be courteous.

Sitting at the dinner table that night the man I was involved with for far closer to two decades than one asked me if something was the matter. I explained what had happened. He laughed at me. Actually laughed and snickered, indicating he didn't think such a thing could have happened.

That hurt.

Later, in 1985 to be precise, I woke up to find Henri Lewin's picture in the newspaper with an article detailing that he was being sued for sexual harassment by a hotel employee who charged that he tried to assault her while he was chief executive of the Las Vegas Hilton. The victim's description of what had happened to her had a lot of similarities to what I had experienced. That fur coat must have gotten quite a work out.

Shortly thereafter I received a phone call from the magazine editor who apologized to me. He also tried to cover himself with stories of how the executive had him fooled and how much good the man had done for the community. His apology didn't come with a check.

Lewin paid the woman to settle the case out of court

Lewin died April 16, 2008 at age 85. Las Vegas casino executives and newspaper powerhouses praised him as a gaming visionary and defended his sexual foibles, implying that maybe the woman had been lying.

Example Three: In a public setting I had interviewed a high ranking executive from a different Las Vegas mega resort. The article ran in Amusement Business, an excellent industry trade publication. The man I primarily had quoted called, complimenting me for the article and saying he'd like to take me to lunch to thank me for the article. That is commonplace. I thanked him and agreed to come to his office. We would then have lunch in one of the hotel's numerous restaurants. His secretary announced me. I entered his office. Immediately after the door closed, he grabbed me and tried to kiss me. I pushed him away and ran out of his office. His secretary barely looked up from her desk.

The next day an ad man for Amusement Business called me. Sam Young was a great ad salesman and a wonderful person who would never have permitted anyone to be sexually harassed. I was paid on the editorial side, while Sam was sales. The hotel big wig had called Sam and engaged in a sneakily smooth conversation. He indicated his hotel would like to purchase some substantial ads for an event which would be staged at the venue. Sam was requested to specifically send me to come to his office and pick up some material. He also convinced Sam that he had information for me regarding hotel property changes which would be pertinent for an Amusement Business reader. I smelled a rat. Sam was excited and seemed to have the highest regard for the executive. Sam had also told the executive that he was sure I could stop by his office.

Having previously not been believed by a business magazine editor, I decided not to tell Sam what had happened and figure out a way to handle the situation.

I thought about a plan as I did my nails.

The next day I arrived on time. The secretary looked at me and suggested that I try to relax. I entered the executive's office. When he put his hands on my shoulders and tried to push me down on a divan saying, "You know you want me," I scratched his face - hard. Both sides. Then I left. I don't know what he told people. Sam still got the ad sale and I never again was called into the hotel. In fact, I was removed from invitation lists.

That's why women are reluctant to complain. The victim continues to be victimized. They either want to get a job or keep one. The more glamorous, high paying with perks the easier it is for a victim to succumb, making her the unwilling-willing partner. That can confuse people. Why only complain after you have lost the job?

Because, at that point you have nothing to lose. Complain at the onset, and you can lose everything.

None of this takes place without others either suspecting or even enabling. They need to be held accountable.

Any woman accusing a superior of sexual harassment is an underdog. David and Goliath is a charming Bible story. In real life, generally the victim will continue to be victimized. That doesn't mean women shouldn't fight back. It does mean that you should prepare yourself for the realities of the situation and have your ducks in a row before you file changes or make a complaint.

Sex in the work place can be a real or implied bargaining tool and can work both ways. Women can let it be known that they are available to work late, will do anything to get the project completed and can flirt and flatter and sexually imply. That is especially pervasive in the world of entertainment where outrageous flirting can range from an attempt to keep a parking pass to getting a promotion or the part. There are women who know how to "work it" and men whose ego, if not body parts, need the stroking.

Powerful men who engage in sexual harassment have numerous common traits; they're visionaries, brilliant, over achievers, personable - even charismatic, have many friends, have egos which could sustain a fleet of blimps and view themselves as omnipotent. They revolve around themselves and expect everyone else to do the same.

I was told so often - "Who do you think you are to refuse me? - that I once considered embroidering the phrase on a mat for framing and hanging.

Sexual harassment in any workplace is wrong. It even has little to do with sex. It's all about power and control.

And ... it's ... wrong.










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ART AND ABOUT

JUKEBOX JEWKBOX! A CENTURY ON SHELLAC AND VINYL Go on a musical journey of discovery through popular culture, featuring records that changed lives and the technology that made it happen.

In the late 19th century, a German-Jewish immigrant to the USA changed the world. With Emil Berliner’s invention of the gramophone and the record, the age of mass entertainment found its first global medium.

This interactive exhibition takes that moment in history as its starting point, exploring the experience of the 20th century through shellac and vinyl, celebrating the history of Jewish inventors, musicians, composers, music producers and songwriters.

See early examples of phonographs and gramophones and immerse yourself in the sounds of the 20th century; from Jewish folk music to Yiddish theatre songs, from Broadway musicals to rock‘n’roll via the rebels of punk and psychedelic rock.

Hear personal stories from artists, musicians and collectors. Explore the art of the record sleeve and enjoy a display of 500 records including iconic sleeves from Amy Winehouse, the Ramones, Bob Dylan, and Barbra Streisand.

This exhibition was developed by the Jewish Museum Hohenems in collaboration with the Jewish Museum Munich On display until Sunday, October 16, 2016 at The Jewish Museum in London.

SWEET CHARITY

ANNUAL ROKEBY MUSEUM PIE & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Volunteers prepare the pies. Photo: Rokeby Museum

when you've been doing it for 30 years, the pie-making volunteers have it down to an art form. Peach, apple, berry pies of every kind and a whole lot more - it’s a selection to make the Broadway musical Waitress jealous.

You can also make it “a la mode,” with ice cream from Vermont’s own Wilcox Dairy. And you can justify helping yourself to a second slice because all proceeds support the Museum’s work.

The Museum points out that having a great day is as easy as pie on Sunday, August 14, 2016.

Rokeby Museum is a 90-acre historic site and National Historic Landmark designated for its exceptional Underground Railroad history. Rokeby was home to four generations of the Robinson family, from 1793 to 1961. The Museum is located on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont.

THE 6TH ANNUAL CELESTIAL SEASONINGS B STRONG RIDE A CELEBRATION OF SURVIVORSHIP takes place August 13, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado.

It’s a full day of family fun, including three different bicycle courses in and around lovely Boulder, Colorado, plus great food, music and entertainment all afternoon long. Best of all, proceeds benefit local cancer charities like the Boulder Community Health Center for Integrative Care and the George Karl Foundation.

Over the years, the event has raised over $1.6 million.

LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FEST OFFERED FUN AND A FRIENDLY STATUE

Good news for everyone who suffered nightmares over the not funny statue of Lucille Ball unveiled in 2009. The creation was dubbed "the scary statue" and has been replaced by one which is a more realistic and friendly reminder on the famed comedienne.

That new image was unveiled during the Lucille Ball Comedy Fest which took place August 4 - 7 in the late comedienne's hometown of Jamestown, New York.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival featured more than 50 events at a dozen venues. There was also a special exhibition in honor of the 65th anniversary of I Love Lucy at the Dykeman-Young Gallery.

Events included grape stomping and chocolate wrapping contests, a Lucy and Ethel's Lunch or Dinner Show, hometown and cemetery tours, Improv events, little theatre, kids' comedy show and theatre tours.

The festival also played host to comedy film writers and directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly in a moderated discussion which focused on the personal approach they took to create some of the most iconic cinematic comedy in recent decades, including: Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, Kingpin with Bill Murray and Woody Harrelson, There's Something About Mary with Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz, Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore, Outside Providence with Alec Baldwin and The Three Stooges with Larry David.

Kliph Nesteroff, who was recently named Jamestown’s National Comedy Center curator, moderated the discussion.

In addition the Farrelly Brothers show, this year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival featured The Daily Show host Trevor Noah; “king of the rant” Lewis Black, and comedian Brian Regan.

Festival highlights also included a discussion with the critically acclaimed Story Pirates kids’ comedy troupe, and a roundtable discussion with Kitty Bruce, Rain Pryor and Kelly Carlin - daughters of comedy legends Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor and George Carlin, respectively.

The new lifelike bronze statue of Lucille Ball was crafted by Carolyn D. Palmer.

Then there is that statue. The unveiling of the new statue took place yesterday, Saturday, August 6, which would have been Ball’s 105th birthday, at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park - where she used to play as a child - in the village of Celeron.

The stunning and realistic looking statue was created by New York artist Carolyn D. Palmer who beat out more than 60 artists in a national competition to create a new Lucille Ball statue, which stands six feet tall and took nine months to create.

Palmer attended the convention, speaking last Friday at a dinner in which she discussed it was like sculpting the new Lucy statue.

Lucy is the latest in a long line of high status commissions awarded Palmer. Others include President Clinton, both FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Jefferson, and Pope Francis which greeted the Holy Father in the foyer of the Papal Residence in NYC. The Holy Pontiff performed a special benediction over it during his visit to the USA in 2015.

CBS also discovered Carolyn's talent and rented her sculptures for the set of the television series, Madam Secretary.

SPREADING THE WORD

THE 15TH ANNUAL STAR TREK CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS

Whoopi Goldberg in Star Trek

opened last Wednesday and beams off today at the Rio all Suites Hotel. The sold out Trekkie event featured William Shatner who has been associated with Star Trek conventions for 35 years.

There were also over 100 celebrity guests in attendance including Whoopi Goldberg making her first Star Trek convention appearance. Last Thursday she was on stage talkig about her character, signing autographs and doing photo-ops with fans.

Goldberg played the hyoer-sensed El-Aurian hostess of "Ten-Forward," the ship's bar/lounge, from Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2 onward. She told the crowd that she wants to have her part of Star Trek discovery, "trying to get on that."

Her Star Trek voyage began with Gene Roddenberry who told her: "I've created a character for you. I created a bar." I said "Thank you."

Goldberg explained that Roddenberry had told her that she could be anyone on the casts great, great, great, great grandmother. “I always assumed Guinan was Picard’s great, great, great, great grandmother.” As for Guinan - “She and Q are equals. And we both could actually crush the universe — If we wanted to.”

Then there are those statement making hats. "I loved my hats. If you look at the hats very closely, they’re the ship. They’re the front of the ship.”

Opening night featured Leonard Nimoy's son Adam, director of two Star Trek: the Next Generation episodes Timescape and Rascals, as well as many other genre TV shows. More recently Adam worked with his dad on the documentary Leonard Nimoy’s Boston and is also the director behind the new film For the Love of Spock, which offers an in depth look at the enduring impression of the character and the man behind the beloved iconic Vulcan. Adam spoke and showed clips from his new film.

Last night's Gala Star Trek Music Salute featured The Nevada Pops Orchestra conducted by Jay Chattaway who is best known for his work for Star Trek television series including TNG, DS9, Voyager and Enterprise. His beautiful music for the classic TNG episode The Inner Light is truly a fan favorite.

The multi-day event explored everything from Star Trek’s set designs to its game-changing foreshadowing of some of today’s top technological advancements. Along with numerous costumes, prop displays, and convention-only freebies, the gathering will be a full-scale immersion for the ultimate Star Trek fan.

A large vendor room also featured collectibles and celebrity booths where attendees could meet-and-greet their favorite performers.

DIRECTOR ALEX TIMBERS has departed as director of the anticipated Broadway mounting Frozen as first reported by Variety.

“Making the tough calls when creating a new Broadway musical is never easy, but this was especially painful,” said Thomas Schumacher, the president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, in a statement. “Alex Timbers is one of the most exciting and innovative theater directors I know, and we’ve proudly worked with him from my support of the early development of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson through our work together on Peter and the Starcatcher. Though we have chosen to go in another direction with this role, we are committed to seeing ‘Frozen’s’ tremendous theatrical potential brought to life onstage.”

A new director was not named.

Previously it had been announced that a pre-Broadway run would open at Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the summer 2017, with a projected Broadway opening planned for ahead of a spring 2018.

THE AMERICAN THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF THE LITTLE PRINCE took place this past weekend at the World War I Museum in Kansas City. The first screening was on Friday, August 5, with an additional free screening on Saturday, August 6. Based on the beloved classic novella about the captivating story of The Little Prince and his enchanting travels, tales and life lessons, the film claimed the 2016 César Award for Best Animated Film. The movie features the voice talents of Academy Award winners Jeff Bridges, Marion Cotillard and Benicio del Toro, Academy Award nominees Albert Brooks, James Franco, Paul Giamatti and Rachel McAdams and Kansas City native Paul Rudd.

MEET THE REAL MAE WEST New Yorker, vaudevillian, upstart, and jailbird. The Annual Mae West Event Revisits the Brooklyn Bombshell’s Struggles and Trial That Made Her Famous.

On Wednesday evening, August 17, 2016 people are invited to celebrate Mae’s birthday with a talk and slide-show by Greenwich Village historian LindaAnn Loschiavo featuring rare photos of the young variety artist, who toured as a “specialty dancer” before becoming a writer and going to Hollywood in 1932 for a small role in Paramount's Night After Night. Archival images of NYC vaudeville theatres, Greenwich Village, and Jefferson Market will be screened as you’ll be introduced to the company Mae kept such as Owney Madden, George Raft, Jack Dempsey, West 8th Street resident Texas Guinan, etc.

There will also be refreshments and a raffle.

August 17 at the Jefferson Market Library in New York City.

AGELESS ICON TONY BENNETT

Tony Bennett at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. Photo: Dwight McCann/Chumash Casino Resort

had his 90th birthday celebrated last Wednesday at the Rainbow Room in New York City with a bevy of A-listers. Those wishing the best for the birthday boy included: Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Katie Couric, Martin Scorcese, Regis and Joy Philbin, Steve Buscemi, Katie Couric, Gayle King, Christian Siriano, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, and oodles of other important people.

The Empire State Building honored his musical legacy with a Music To Light show followed by a light display of the Italian and American flag colors in acknowledgement of Bennett's Italian-American heritage. His star-studded birthday festivities were highlighted by Lady Gaga "flipping the switch" to light up the Empire State as well as a performance for invited guests.

Musical performances from the event will be shown on the prime-time TV special, Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best is Yet to Come, which will air December 20 on NBC.

Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Steve Wonder and k.d. lang are among those who will perform with the pop singer, the network said. Other stars taking part are Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Billy Joel, Elton John, Diana Krall and Rufus Wainwright.

The musical and artistic genius is on tour, performing August 12 in Detroit, MI and August 13 in Highland Park, IL.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE TRUMP TAJ MAHAL CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY will close after Labor Day it was announced. I covered the opening for a Los Angeles radio station, flying from New York City to Atlantic City on the Trump helicopter which was an efficient and totally elegant flying experience.

The resort was opened by Donald Trump on April 2, 1990, and was built at a total cost of nearly one billion dollars.

Michael Jackson was the resort's opening star. I was in the hotel lobby doing a live radio phone interview when Jackson walked passed me, waved and spoke - an event which I immediately described to the radio listeners.

Among the promotions was Raja's Riches in which there was the opportunity to win one of the "magnificent Rolls Royces." All you had to do was fill out an entry blank and drop it at any one of three Rolls Royces Display locations at the first level Porte Cochere entrance; the Broadwalk entrance, and the second level near the self park garage and promotions booth. The drawings took place on June 10, 1990, July 15, 1990 and September 16, 1990. I didn't win.

Run by Tropicana Entertainment, The Taj Mahal is now owned by billionaire Carl Icahn. The venue is the victim the longest union strike in the city's history.



GROUNDHOG DAY composer and lyricist Tim Minchin. Written by Danny Rubin, based on his 1993 hit film.

Directed by Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus.

Groundhog Day is the story of Phil Connors (Andy Karl), a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in the isolated small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, when he finds himself caught in a time loop, forced to repeat the same day again and again…and again. As each day plays out exactly the same as before Phil becomes increasingly despondent, but is there a lesson to be learnt through his experiences, will he ever unlock the secret and break the cycle?

Starring Andy Karl who is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

With Carlyss Peer as Rita Hanson and an ensemble of 23.

Choreographed by Peter Darling. Set and costume designed by Rob Howell. Ellen Kane Co-Choreographer. Christopher Nightingale orchestration, additional music & musical supervisor. Hugh Vanstone lighting. Simon Baker sound. Paul Kieve illusions. Finn Caldwell additional movement. Andrzej Goulding video. David Grindrod CDG Casting.

Groundhog Day is playing a strictly limited 10-week engagement through Saturday, September 17, 2016 at The Old Vic in London.

THE WICKED ADVENTURES OF COUNT ORY music by Gioachino Rossini.

Directed by Lindy Hume.

Giacomo Sagripanti conductor.

The score includes soaring bel canto arias, choral drinking songs, and even a love trio.

Two fabulous casts featuring world-class tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Barry Banks in the title role, Seattle Opera favorite Sarah Coburn returning with Lauren Snouffer making her Seattle Opera debut as the Countess Adele.

A zany story involving a skirt-chasing Count, a repressed Countess, a lovesick page boy, and lots of wine-fueled half-baked schemes. three’s a crowd when a randy playboy and a lovesick teenager both invade a chaste noblewoman’s bed.

Outrageous costumes that include gorgeous gowns for the Countess, glam-rock getups for the noblemen, Monty Python-inspired outfits for the knights, and a multitude of disguises for Count Ory and his merry men by production designer Dan Potra.

Duane Schuler lighting designer. Daniel Pelzig associate director & choreographer.

Presented by Seattle Opera through August 20 at McCaw Hall in Seattle, WA.

AIDA music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David David Henry Hwang.

Directed by Matt Lenz.

Choreography by Jon Rua.

Andrew Graham is the Music Director.

Starring Michelle Williams in the title role. Featuring Zak Resnick (Radames), Elizabeth Stanley (Amneris), Patrick Cassidy (Zoser), Ken Page (Amonasro) and Lara Teeter (Pharaoh).

A decade ago, Muny audiences fell in love with an unforgettable tale. Set in ancient Egypt, this timeless saga of forbidden love between the Ethiopian princess Aida and her Egyptian captor has been re-envisioned for this enchanting production. Expect to be captured yourself by Elton John’s soaring melodies including Written in the Stars, The Gods Love Nubia and Elaborate Lives.

First Muny Production in 10 Years is staged August 8-14 at The Muny in St. Louis, MO.

EXIT THE KING by Eugene Ionesco.

Directed by Bonnie J. Monte.

This compelling allegory operates on a number of symbolic levels. A short work, it plays without intermission, showing us the last hour of a king’s life. It is a funny, dark, moving metaphor, and its significance goes far beyond King Berenger’s death. This production will feature a talk-back symposiums after each performance starting on August 14.

Featuring Brent Harris, Marion Adler, Jon Barker, Kristie Dale Sanders, Greg Watanabe and Jesmille Darbouze.

Set design by Brittany Vasta, lighting designer is Tony Galaska, costume design by Hugh Hanson, and sound design by Karin Graybash. Serving as production stage manager is Christine Whalen.

August 10 - 28 on the Main Stage at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison, NJ.

AND NO MORE SHALL WE PART by Australian playwright Tom Holloway.

Directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman.

With Emmy and Golden Globe Award-nominee Jane Kaczmarek, and Tony and Emmy Award-nominee Alfred Molina.

When Pam (Kaczmarek) becomes terminally ill, she and her husband Don (Molina) must face the most difficult decision yet in their long and loving marriage. With passion, fear, strength and even humor, they grapple with how, and if, to say goodbye.

American Premiere August 10 - August 21 on the Nikos Stage at Williamstown Festival in Williamstown, MA.

THE MUSHROOM CURE by Adam Strauss.

Directed by Jonathan Libman.

Inspired by a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure obsessive-compulsive disorder, Adam Strauss embarked on a program of vigilante psychopharmacology. By turns hilarious, harrowing and heartrending, The Mushroom Cure is the true story of Adam’s attempt to treat his debilitating OCD with psychedelics.

This unique theatrical experience first ran in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, garnering widespread acclaim before being workshopped in the New York Fringe Festival, where it won the Fringe's Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance.

All profits from this limited engagement will be donated to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the non-profit behind the study that inspired Adam’s quest. “Right now, more research is taking place on psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat mental illness than at any time in history,” says Brad Burge, spokesman for MAPS. “The Mushroom Cure sets the bar for an earnest and humorous conversation about this cutting-edge science."

Extended through August 13th at The Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City, with no further extensions possible.

WHO'S WHERE

ALABAMA SHAKES begin a sold out two night stand on Tuesday, August 9 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Friday's stop is at the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley, CA.

THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE WITH YO-YO MA stars at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA on Thursday, August 11, 2016.

GAVIN McGRAW performs Friday, August 12, at the IP Casino in Biloxi, MS.

ROD STEWART performs his hits at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas through. August 21.

JEFF BECK AND BUDDY GUY perform Wednesday, August 10, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. On Thursday they are on stage at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA. Friday finds them at the Pala Casino in Pala, CA.

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC regaling with stories on Tuesday, August 9, at the McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids, IA. On Wednesday his Weirdness will be in the spotlight at the Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln, NE. On Friday he stars at the Bluestem Center for the Arts in Moohead, MN. On Saturday he participates in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip event in Sturgis , SD.

FINAL OVATION

JAMES HOUGHTON founder of the Signature Theatre Company died on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at his home in Manhattan from stomach cancer. He was 57.

Noted producer, theater administrator, and founding artistic director of New York's Signature Theater Company (1991), he set the company's agenda of single-playwright seasons, with playwrights such as Edward Albee, Horton Foote, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Romulus Linney, Arthur Miller, Lanford Wilson, and others, in residency during the seasons devoted to their works. In addition, Signature has produced 41 premiere works, including 17 premieres, some of them created during two "all premiere" seasons.

Began his career as a stage actor, performing with several companies including John Houseman's Acting Company, founded by Mr. Houseman originally with actors who were the first to have studied at Juilliard. Guest lecturer at numerous colleges and theater programs, including Yale, N.Y.U., Columbia, and the Actors Studio. Has also been a judge and nominator for prestigious awards including the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and the PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Award, among others, as well as a presenter and speaker at many panels and symposiums.

From 2000 to 2003, Houghton also served as the artistic director of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Conn., developing new plays by Kia Corthron, Gina Gionfriddo, David Lindsay-Abaire, Adam Rapp and many others.

From 2006 until his death, he was director of the drama division at the Juilliard School. During his tenure, Juilliard added a Master of Fine Arts degree program in drama for the first time and created a partnership with Signature to enable students to work in a professional theater setting.

He is survived by his wife Joyce O’Connor, a son Henry, daughter Lily, a brother, parents; three sisters, Susan Devine, Lynne Houghton and Trish Line.

Next Column: August 14, 2016
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Laura Deni

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