Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: December 25, 2022
By: Laura Deni
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WELCOMING IN 2023

If you want to welcome in 2023 in style it helps to have money.

New York City has always been one of the best places in the world to celebrate New Years Eve. This year is no exception with harbor fireworks cruises and Times Square offering attractions - provided you have discretionary income.

Offering to sell your first born child is considered tacky.

High class swells can get gussied up and ring in 2023 at Hyatt Centric Times Square. Watching that famed ball drop from the Top of Times Square. Ticket prices begin at $1999.

For water lovers and middle class affluant, you can participate in a luxurious New Year's Eve Gala Cruise aboard the Atlantis Yacht with prices starting at $449.

The financially conservative can celebrate at Peachy Keen Times Square for only $99.

Las Vegas goes big times to show off its reputation as one of the best places to spend New Year’s in the USA. The city shuts down the famed Strip to vehicles and turns it into one giant block party.

More than 400,000 revelers are expected to say bye-bye to 2022.

At midnight, 8 major casinos set off fireworks from their rooftops in a choreographed display, while the Plaza Hotel in downtown Sin City holds an exclusive rooftop fireworks-viewing party.

Bruno Mars

You’ll have plenty of options for entertainment. Bruno Mars performs December 30-31 at the Park MGM; Gwen Stefani at the Venetian on New Year's Eve. Kevin Hart at the Theatre at Resorts World December 31-January 1. Pitbull at the Event Center at Resorts World on New Year's Eve. Other New Year's Eve attractions include Chris Brown. The Killers will be on stage at the Cosmopolitan. The Chainsmokers perform at the XS Nightclub inside the Wynn on New Year's Eve. RuPaul's Drag Race struts down the Flamingo Showroom December 30-January 1.

If you are in Sydney, Australia you'll be celebrating in the city that throws the world’s largest New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Not only will you get bragging rights as the first to ring in the new year (Sydney is GMT +11 hours), but with Australia fully reopening its borders this year, the fireworks display promises to out-sparkle all of the previous spectacles, with the main attractions coming from Sydney’s iconic Harbor Bridge and the Opera House.

Each year, Sydney hosts two different fireworks displays, one at 9 pm for families, with this year’s theme reflecting the local histories and contemporary experiences of Indigenous storytellers, and a big 12-minute finale at midnight, which is perfectly synchronized to music. Australians are extremely respectful of their heritage. At 7:30 p.m. A sacred Smoking Ceremony on the Harbour is conducted by Tribal Warrior. The Smoking Ceremony is a ritual of purification and unity, cleansing the space for the new year.

After the pylon projections and lighting effects begin, there is the Welcome to Country with Gadigal Elders from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council welcoming visitors to Gadigal land.

Kylie Minogue

Dubai UAE has let it be known that they are competing for the best displays. If downtown is more your scene, head towards Burj Khalifa, which is the world’s tallest man made structure known to be center stage for the most extravagant fireworks with a 20-minute display. Further south, the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, located on a man-made island, will host eight-minute synchronized fireworks over water that stretches a mile along the beachfront of Dubai. With over 6,000 fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects, guests can watch the fireworks glisten in the water’s reflection from multiple vantage points. Other hot spots include the heritage district of Al Seef, Atlantis at the Palm, where pop princess Kylie Minogue will be performing. She has 2.4 million followers.

The New Year Yacht Party at the Dubai Marina with live DJ and unlimited alcohol has a 5 hour duration. AED 2699 or $728.73.

London New Year’s Eve is finally returning after its 2-year hiatus, viewing areas have been sold out for quite some time. The iconic Big Ben will ring out at midnight with UK’s largest annual fireworks display happening near the London Eye.Take your pick from watching the fireworks on a New Year’s Eve cruise on River Thames, dancing until the early hours in one of London’s many clubs, or catching the view while dining for a delicious meal. London is noted for its annual New Year's Day Parade. The step off features performances from more than 10,000 dancers, acrobats, musicians and entertainers.

Head to the Barbican Centre for its annual New Year's Day Proms and listen to thrilling music from the likes of Tchaikovsky and Strauss. Or, visit one of London's cathedrals and churches for spectacular New Year's Day concerts.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil offers a New Year's Eve show which is considered the second-largest party after Carnival, Copacabana Beach turns into a spectacle for New Year’s Eve, known by locals as “Réveillon.” The best part is the beach is free; expect 2.5 million tourists to storm the place.

Ahead of the fireworks, enjoy listening to live music along the beach, with several stages set up along the way. At midnight, a 20-minute firework display goes into action with fireworks set off from the boats and barges on the water, where you can also watch the giant cruise ships lighting up the harbor with their festivities.

Paris, France will project a special video show on the Arc de Triomphe followed by a count down into the new year. About 300,000 are expected to gather in the "most beautiful avenue in the world." All public transportation will be free starting at 5 pm on New Year's Eve.

The dazzling Eiffel Tower will also offer a stunning light show to welcome in 2023.

Or, stay home and watch it all on television.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

ART AND ABOUT

RE:IMAGINING MUSICALS

Costume for Eliza Doolittle in Lerner and Lowe's musical My Fair Lady, designed by Cecil Beaton, worn by Julie Andrews, 1958, London, England. Museum no. S.773-1982. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

a free display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London which celebrates the glittering world of musical theatre.

Explore musical theatre through a fascinating collection of costumes, posters & much more.

Explore how some of the best-loved musicals have been adapted, revived, and retold. featuring iconic costumes and props from Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady to modern classics Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; SIX, The Lion King, Wicked and Hamilton.

Exhibits include:

Costume worn by Kerry Ellis as Elphaba in Wicked, designed by Susan Hilferty.

Costume from the musical The Lion King for the character of Sarabi. Replica of original costume designed by Julie Taymor for the debut production in 1994

Poster advertising My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 1958. Museum no. BMT/9/TEMP6. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Costume design for Bobbie in the musical Company, designed by Bunny Christie, 2018. Museum no. S.11-2022. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Toy Olaf from the opening scene of Frozen the Musical, designed by Christopher Oram, created by Young Anna and Young Elsa . © The Walt Disney Company

Set model from the musical Show Boat, designed by Lez Brotherston, 2016.

Costume for Eliza Doolittle in Lerner and Lowe's musical My Fair Lady, designed by Cecil Beaton, worn by Julie Andrews.

Shoes worn by Elaine Paige as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, made by Freed London.

V&A Museum in London until November 23, 2023.

THE FIELD MUSEUM in Chicago has SUE, the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.

ON JANUARY 3, 1923 British Egyptologist Howard Carter found the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the kings near Luxor after several years of searching.

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SWEET CHARITY

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS are back at the Abbey Theatre for its 10th annual fundraising event in aid of Dublin Youth Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.

This event is on for one night only, on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Over the weekend of January 7-8, and all within 24 hours, six short plays will be written, rehearsed and performed by the best of Irish writing and directing talent and over 30 of Ireland’s most recognized and beloved stars of stage and screen. A team of over 35 theatre technicians, including producers from The 24 Hour Plays in New York, will facilitate the work.

All proceeds from this special gala fundraising event go directly to Dublin Youth Theatre to support the delivery of their artistic programs.

SPREADING THE WORD

ROCKETTES OUST GIRL SCOUT MOM FROM SHOW after facial recognition IDs her as lawyer in banned law firm, according to a tweet first posted by Debra Cassens Weiss in the ABA Journal

According to the report New Jersey mother Kelly Conlon was taking her daughter to the famed high kick extravaganza as part of a Girl Scouts film trip. Facial recognition technology identified her as a lawyer working for a firm which had recently sued a related venue. Clonlon is an associae at Davis, Saperstein & Solomon in New Jrsey, which sued a restaurant owned by Radio City owner the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.

First reported by Ars Tecnica, a security guard stopped her, knew her name before she told them and knew the name of her law firm. She was informed she was not permitted inside, Conlon was forced to wait outside, while her daughter was permitted to see the show.

Conlon, who doesn't practice law in New York State, was not involved in the above mentioned lawsuit.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment sent this statement to NBC New York: "MSG instituted a straightforward policy that precludes attorneys pursuing active litigation against the company from attending events at our venues until that litigation has been resolved. While we understand this policy is disappointing to some, we cannot ignore the fact that litigation creates an inherently adverse environment. All impacted attorneys were notified of the policy, including Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, which was notified twice."

KENNEDY CENTER HONORS Broadcast on CBS & Paramount+ Wednesday, December 28. This year’s outstanding cast of honorees include acclaimed actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant; legendary singer of soul, gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight; Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and members of the iconic Irish rock band U2.

DONMAR WAREHOUSE in London reports that in 2022 that Donmar LOCAL including 15 projects, over 4,000 participants and our very first Donmar LOCAL stage production The Trials in collaboration with Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA welcomes three-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as she makes her much anticipated debut at HGO in Massenet’s Werther. A star on the world’s leading stages and screens, Isabel performs as the lovely Charlotte, who is engaged to Albert but pursued by the young poet Werther. Performances at the HGO in Houston, Texas begin in late January.

THE BRIDGE THEATRE IN LONDON has announced that their first musical of 2023 will be Guys and Dolls with a cast of 28 led by Daniel Mays, Andrew Richardson, Cedric Neal, Celinde Schoenmaker and Marisha Wallace.

STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY presents Dragons and Mythical Beasts on Sunday, January 15 at 1pm and 5pm. The Olivier Award-nominated show comes to the U.S. direct from the West End.

Dragons and Mythical Beasts is the new all-ages show from the creators of Dinosaur World Live! Spectacular full-size puppets come to life in this magical on-stage world of myths and legends. Throughout the live stage production, the audience will unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with magnificent beings such as the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik, and Japanese Baku, the adorable Unicorn, the majestic Griffin, and more.

MARILYN MAYE performs Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Birdland Theater in New York City.

THIS WEEK, THIS WEEK billed as "A little Daily Show, a little SNL… a lot of fun!" Live on stage at Atwater Village Theatre, Los Angeles This Week This Week is Open Fist Theatre Company's weekly comic newscast, featuring a revolving cast of actors and special guest stars at every performance. Created and directed by Second City’s Ron West, this is L.A.’s premier topical sketch show, with a hilarious group of talented performers presenting each week’s top news stories as only they can. Thursdays beginning January 5, 2023.

GOOD RIDDANCE DAY takes place December 28, from 12pm – 1pm on the Broadway Plaza between 45th–46th Streets in New York City.

Has this year felt like a marathon that you’ve been running? Celebrate how far you’ve come at Good Riddance Day, the annual event where everyone is encouraged to say goodbye to what frustrated them in the past year and usher in a fresh start for the year to come. Tell us what you’ve dealt with this year, and then make your way through a miniature obstacle course representing everything you’ve overcome. Plus, if you register in advance and then join in person at the event, you could win two tickets to the official Times Square NYE party.

LAS VEGAS HOTEL MOGUL STEVE WYNN

Steve Wynn's Las Vegas mansion. Photo: Top Ten Real Estate Deals

is house cleaning - literally. He's listed his New York City penthouse for sale for a whopping $90 million, according to Top Real Estate Deals..

He also recently listed his Las Vegas mansion for $25 million.

Dubbed “Museo,” a mansion/museum is billed as "a combination of Vegas fashion, European sophistication and a luxury golf resort."

Museo spans approximately 13,500 square feet on 1.5 acres at the edge of the Las Vegas Country Club in a secured community of similar homes. Built in the style of Old World European elegance but adapted to the outdoor lifestyle, the home was recently redesigned and updated at a cost of $16 million - in addition to the $13 million he paid for the home in 2018. With Wynn’s valuable art collection in mind, the home’s security features include a gas suppression system that goes into operation at the first sign of smoke, an art-display hallway with automatic doors that drop out of the ceiling and lock in an emergency, and infrared cameras on the exterior of the home.

Wynn’s home was renovated for grand entertaining with a chef’s kitchen featuring double appliances and a large butler’s pantry that also adds a second kitchen. Included in the six bedrooms and nine baths is a master suite with his-and-her baths, dressing room and hair salon. Additionally there are his-and-her executive offices, family room with wine closet, media room and den. All are dressed in elegant finishes such as gilded doors, silk carpeting and mohair-covered walls. One wing is the caretaker’s apartment but also with a full gym with wet bar, caretaker’s office, laundry room with double Bosch washers and dryers, and climate-controlled garage with skylights and arched entryways. Museo has its own power plant that can run the home’s power needs for 36 hours. Just as impressive on the outside, there are views of the La Madre Ridge Mountains, the Las Vegas Country Club golf course, and an impressive oasis of Italian Cypress trees, palms and extensive gardens. The European-style outdoor plaza features an extravagant four-tier fountain, charming Roman gazebo, pool and spa. The listing agent is Ivan Sher, The Ivan Sher Group, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Nevada Properties Luxury Collection, Las Vegas.

THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT recently signed into law by President Biden was co-authored by Senators Collins (R-Maine) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). Both senators were invited to the signing.

Sen Baldwin issued a lengthy statement which included: "I am proud to have worked across the isle to earn bipartisan support for our Respect for Marriage Act and am overcome with joy to see President Biden make marriage equality the law of the land."

Sen. Collins. stated: "This common sense legislation provides certainty to millions of loving couples in same-sex and interracial marriages, who will continue to enjoy the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities afforded to all other marriages. At the same time, our legislation fully respects and protects religious liberties and diverse beliefs about marriage. This is truly an important and historic step forward for religious freedom as well as for ensuring dignity and respect for all Americans."

In his remarks at the White House signing ceremony, President Biden recognized Senator Collins’ leadership on this issue, saying, "Thank you, Susan Collins, who did not rest until this bill got done."

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY IS CHRISTMAS AND TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF HANUKKAH Decades ago, a game was played where people would ask what would be the 10 things they'd want if marooned on a desert island. Without exception the first answer was always the Bible. Alan Alda expertedly helms an interesting and informative podcast called Clear and Vivid. He specializes in interviewing science achievers. At the end of the podcast he always asks 7 questions. One of those is 'What book changed your life?' Had this podcast aired in the 1930s, 40s, or 50s the answer would always have been the Bible. In today's society and environment that isn't the case. While I haven't listened to absolutely every single of the Alds podcasts, I've turned in to at least 99% and the vast majorly gave answers ranging from an encyclopedia to philosophy and scientific books. Not one has answered the Bible. That's fascinating.

UNSOLICITED COMMENT FOR THE TRYING TO EAT HEALTHY CROWD I baked the plant-based Ham Style Roast with HUB Amber Ale Glaze from Tofurky, which is "Baked and brewed in Oregon." Takes 2 hours in the oven which produces the same aroma as a baking ham. Positively delicious. They don't mislead. On the package it admits that this no cholesterol iten is expensive and is "for extra-special get-togethers". Wish it was cheaper, but worth every penny.

GOODSPEED MUSICALS ANNOUNCES GOODWORKS

Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals has announced GoodWorks, its first formal commissioning program to support the creation and development of musicals that celebrate inspiring and transformational stories. The first GoodWorks commissions will be The Snow Goose and Little Miss Perfect.

The first commission from this new commitment The Snow Goose, is written by Noisemaker, the Scottish writing team of Scott Gilmour and Claire MacKenzie, and adapted from the Paul Gallico novella of the same name. Set against a backdrop of war, The Snow Goose tells the story of Philip Rhayader, an artist living a solitary life in an abandoned lighthouse in the marshlands of Essex, England, a young local girl Fritha and the wounded snow goose who brings them together.

A story treatment is in place and in early 2023 during a residency at Britten Pear Arts on the southeast coast of England, where The Snow Goose is set, a launch into fully writing the piece will occur.

"Paul Gallico‘s novella has captivated and transported readers for generations," Gilmour and MacKenzie shared. "We‘re honored to be bringing this story to the stage for the first time and delighted to continue our relationship with Goodspeed through its ambitious new commissioning program."

For the second GoodWorks commission, a single song has inspired a full-length musical in Little Miss Perfect written by Joriah Kwamé. In this story, coming of age is even harder when you’re also coming out. Noelle struggles to decide whether she will be true to herself and an ally to her peers, or if she will settle with simply being Little Miss Perfect.

"Joriah’s song 'Little Miss Perfect' won the Write Out Loud contest in 2020, was covered by Taylor Louderman and, at last check, has well over 1 million views online," Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton said. "Joriah and his agent approached Goodspeed with the idea of commissioning a full-length musical based on the song. That work is well underway and I anticipate sharing the show with our audiences relatively soon."

"Since writing Little Miss Perfect, I’ve been blown away by its global impact, and I’m so excited to be working with Goodspeed to create an all-inclusive coming-of-age story that will honor the original song while reimagining it in a way that feels fresh, exciting and relevant to today," Kwamé added.

SALUTING THE IGNORED

During this time of year it is custompary for publications, organization and assorted ilk to name people of the year, honor individuals who have contributed to something and generally pass out accolades to people who usually have a room full of plaques and trophies. Obviously these achievers are entitled to their tributes.

Broadway To Vegas has taken the position that there are numerous contributors to society who go unheralded. Below we've listed just a few of the accomplished whose names we probably don't know. Were it not them them we would all be dead or at least not living well.

The first women doctor in America, Elizabeth Blackwell. She was born on February 3, 1821 near Bristol, England. She was awarded her MD by the Medical Institute of Geneva, New York in 1849, established a hospital in New York City run by an all-female staff; and was active in training women to be nurses in the American Civil War.

Maurice Hilleman an American microbiologist, who developed 8 of the 14 vaccines that are currently recommended. Specifically those for measles, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.

Willis Carrier who invented air conditioning.

Lise Meitner. Although she discovered nuclear fission, her colleague Otto Hahn got all the credit and denied that she had helped him. Eventually, however, the truth came out and today she even has an element named after her – meitnerium.

Kansas born Charles Curtis, the first American Indian to serve in Senate and later became the vice president of the United States. He was first elected to the senate in 1907. In 1929 he was elected the 31st vice president of the United States, Curtis often expressed pride in his Caw ancestry. He was directly related to an Indian chief.

Clair Cameron Patterson was the first person to campaign against lead poisoning. He played a leading role in eliminating lead as an additive from gasoline. But during his campaigns, he was ridiculed by the scientific community, and numerous research organizations refused to work with him. Finally, in 1986, the US Public Health Service recognized his efforts. They banned lead from all standard, consumer, and automotive gasoline. By the 1990s, lead levels in the blood of the Americans dropped by almost 80%.

Grace Hopper computer scientist, mathematician, and United States Navy rear admiral invented the compiler which helps to turn code into software. Before her, computers were only used for calculations. Considered "the most important person in information technology of all time," but very few people know about her.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE HARD ROCK HOTEL has finalized its purchased of the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas for $1.1B.

THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER is gearing up for the 2023 CES show which is expected to draw almost 200,000 attendees. Billed as " the most influential tech event, CES 2023, takes place January 5-8, 2023, in Las Vegas.

CES 2023 will host more than 4,500 exhibiting companies, and showcase nearly 20,000 new transformative tech products to more than 170,000 attendees.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, is the world's largest annual trade show for consumer technology and is the technology sector's flagship trade fair.

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E-Book

Soft back Book

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

STEPHEN BONNER UFC Hall of Famer died Thursday, December 22, 2022 of presumed heart complications. He was 45.

He was a professional wrestler and professional mixed martial artist. Bonnar competed as a Light Heavyweight in the UFC for most of his career. Bonner was the first-ever winner of The Ultimate Fighter, competing in a Hall of Fame fight with Forrest Griffin.

"Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” said UFC president Dana White said in the article on UFC.com. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed."

He is survived by his wife Andrea Brown and son Griffin Brandon.

Next Column: January 1, 2023
Copyright: December 25, 2022 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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