Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: December 29, 2024
By: Laura Deni
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DEATH BECOMES HER WILL LIVEN UP YOUR LIFE

Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard. Photo by: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Death Becomes Her with performances at the Lunt-Fontaine Theatre is a Broadway musical based on the 1992 film of the same name. I loved the movie. Generally, if I'm a fan of the film and it is adapted into a stage version, I'm not so smitten with the results. Other way around, from stage to film - works fine for me, but I've always had an issue with big screen to stage.

Of course, there is an exception to every rule. For instance, Death Becomes Her.

Madeline Ashton ( Tony nominee Megan Hilty) is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp (Jennifer Simard) is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies…until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé , Ernest Menville, (Christopher Sieber) away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star - relegated to hacking products on infomercials, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn (Michelle Williams,) a mysterious woman who gives them a magical potion that restores their youth and beauty, but also creates a grudge that will last forever.

Grudges that last forever. Sort of like real life.

The musical has a book by Marco Pennette and music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey.

We could all use a good laugh and Death Becomes Her is where to find - many of them. For those of you who have lost sleep at night mourning the demise of the Las Vegas showgirl - and boy - this production brings them front and center. The costumes are outrageously Vegas in its hey day.

There are also some visible bare bottoms. It camp, cute ad crazy.

Death Becomes Her has some scenes reminiscence of Las Vegas showgirls. Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

The mise-en-scène have pulled out all the stops. Scenic Design by Derek McLane is outstanding. The costumes by Paul Tazewell are an example why he's won both a Tony and an Emmy as well as being nominated for an Oscar. Never underestimate the power of lighting and Justin Townsend shows off. Between these three creatives there is enough purple and pink to make precocious prepubescent girls hyperventilate.

For those who saw the movie, the musical's plot remains. It transfers from celluloid to proscenium stage as best it can.

The film's only musical number, which opened the film, has been replaced by For the Gaze in which Megan Hilty knocks "Everything I do is for the gaze," to the back row. She can also do Liza and Judy.

Teamed up Hilty and Simard are dangerously funny with precision timing. They are experts delivering zingers to dry humor. They are brilliant.

Hilty and Simard with black strapped, almost dressed showboys. Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

This is a big budget musical with a chorus line of showgirls and boys to fill a Vegas stage. The guys hoist Hilty as Madeline Ashton in a deliberately outdated number Me! Me! Me!

It's narcissism equal to any Hollywood party.

Director and energetic choreographer Christopher Gattelli knows all the tricks and has created an ending as entertaining as the film version.

The talent and hardworking cast and musicians all deserve a mention.

Starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams. The cast also features Marija Abney, Lauren Celentano, Sarita Colon, Kaleigh Cronin, Natalie Charle Ellis, Taurean Everett, Michael Graceffa, Neil Haskell, Kolton Krouse, Josh Lamon, Sarah Meahl, Ximone Rose, Sir Brock Warren, Bud Weber, Ryan Worsing, Warren Yang, Kyle Brown, Lakota Knuckle, Johanna Moise, and Amy Quanbeck.

Swings: Kyle Brown, Lakota Knuckle, Johanna Moise and Amy Quanbeck. Understudies: Kyle Brown (Stefan, Chagall), Kaleigh Cronin (Madeline Ashton, Helen Sharp), Natalie Charle Ellis (Madeline Ashton, Helen Sharp), Lakota Knuckle (Stefan), Johanna Moise (Viola Van Horn), Ximone Rose (Viola Van Horn), Bud Weber (Ernest Menville) and Ryan Worsing (Ernest Menville).

Dance Captain: Amy Quanbeck; Fight Captain: Ryan Worsing; Acrobatics Captain: Warren Yang; Assistant Dance Captain: Ryan Worsing; Additional fight direction by Thomas Schall; Production Photographer: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.

The creative team for the production includes Derek McLane (Scenic Design), Paul Tazewell (Costume Design), Justin Townsend (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), Charles LaPointe (Hair & Wig Design), Joe Dulude II (Make-Up Design), Cha Ramos (Fight Direction), Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Music Supervision), Doug Besterman (Orchestrations), Ben Cohn (Music Direction), Sam Davis (Dance & Music Arrangements), Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Julia Mattison and Noel Carey (Vocal Arrangements), and Kristy Norter (Music Coordination).

Musical Supervisor: Mary-Mitchell Campbell; Musical Coordinator: Kristy Norter; Conducted by Ben Cohn; Associate Conductor: Cameron Moncur; Keyboards: Ben Cohn and Cameron Moncur; Reeds: Alden C. Banta, Julie Ferrara, Steven Lyon and Kristy Norter; Trumpets: Brandon Lee and Liesl Whitaker; Trombone/Bass Trombone: Mike Boschen and Sara Jacovino; French Horn: Nick Auer; Cello: Emily Hope Price; Violin: Bryan Hernandez-Luch; Violin/Viola: Katie von Braun; Guitar: Dillon Kondor; Bass: Rob Jost; Drums: Damien Bassman; Percussion: Bill Hayes; Music Assistant: Adam Beskind; Music Copying: 7th Avenue Music Service, Jacob Fjeldheim and Danny Ursetti; Keyboard Programmer: Stuart Andrews; Associate Keyboard Programmer: Drew Nichols; Ableton Programming and Music Production: Enrico de Trizio.

Associate Director: Bethany Pettigrew; Associate Choreographer: Lou Castro; Resident Director & Choreographer: Mark Myars.

Well balanced sound design by Peter Hylenski; Hair and Wig Design by Charles LaPointe; Make-Up Design by Joe Dulude II; Associate Scenic Design: Erica Hemminger; Associate Costume Design: James Nguyen; Associate Lighting Design: Nick Solyom; Associate Sound Design: Dan Miele; Associate Hair Design: Rachael Geier; Associate Make-Up Design: Suki Tsujimoto; Assistant Scenic Design: Antonio DiBernardo and Rochele Mac; Assistant Costume Design: M. Meriwether Snipes, Elida Berry-Donat and Michael Zecker; Assistant Lighting Design: Colleen Doherty and Emmanuel Delgado; Assistant Video Design: Jan Jericho; Lighting Programmer: Brad Gray. Illusions by Tim Clothier; Initial Illusion Contributions: Rob Lake.

Executive Producer: Marcia Goldberg; General Manager: 321 Theatrical Management; Company Manager: Roseanna M. Sharrow and Spencer Smith; Assistant Co. Mgr: Logan Craig McDonald Production Manager: Juniper Street Productions; Production Stage Manager: Rachel Sterner; Stage Manager: McKenzie Murphy; Assistant Stage Mgr: Lee Micklin and Luke Anderson.

Creative Producer: Lowe Cunningham; Fight direction by Cha Ramos; Casting: Tara Rubin, CSA and Kevin Metzger-Timson, CSA; Press Representative: Polk & Co.; Marketing Supervision: Brand Nexus and Michelle Groner; Advertising: RPM; Ticketing & Revenue Director: Brian DeVito.

Go see the show. You'll feel better after you do.

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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

TOM HANKS TYPEWRITER EXHIBIT Thirty-five typewriters from the famed collection of Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer Tom Hanks will be displayed for the first time at the "Some of Tom’s Typewriters" exhibition in Sag Harbor, on the eastern tip of Long Island opening January 11 and on display through March 10, 2025 at the Church Sag Harbor, an organization founded by artists April Gornik and Eric Fischl, which focuses on exploring the "life of objects" by organizing events centered around material culture, such as bicycles and guitars.

Hanks acquired his first typewriter from a friend who decided to purchase a newer electronic Olivetti model. Two years later, when Hanks took it for servicing, he was advised it wasn’t worth repairing. He left the workshop with a new model and a newfound perspective. "That guy changed my outlook on the role a typewriter can play in one’s life," Hanks told NPR.

Hanks hand-picked the 35 typewriters from his collection of more than 300, spanning nearly the full history of the object, presenting an overview of its evolution as well as some charming, surprising innovations. Simon Doonan, the display and exhibition designer par excellence best known as the former Creative Director of Barney’s and for his books and essays on culture and style, is taking full command of The Church’s unforgettable space, "designing an installation that is beguiling and playful while also underscoring the importance of the subject."

These machines - strange, complex but also ridiculously simple - have so much to teach us about history and culture. This is why I leapt at the chance to design this installation. My goal is to spotlight the charm, engineering majesty and social/historical aspects of these fascinating artifacts. After all, the soundtrack of the 20th Century is the magical clacking and pinging of a typewriter. Clack, clack, clack...ping!”
— Simon Doonan

THE SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (SFMOMA) has unexpectedly terminated contemporary art curator Eungie Joo’s tenure.

“In accordance with institutional policy on workplace conduct, Eungie Joo was separated from SFMOMA on December 17,” a museum spokesperson said in a statement. The venue does not comment on the specifics of personnel matters."

SFMOMA made Joo its first-ever curator of contemporary art in 2017, Joo had previously held several high-profile roles. She was the founding curator at REDCAT Los Angeles from 2003 to 2007, and the director and curator of education and public programs at New York’s New Museum from 2007 until 2012. Joo also curated Korea’s pavilion at the 2009 Venice Biennial, and the 2015 Sharjah Biennial.

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SWEET CHARITY

IN 2024, FARM AID among other things, granted nearly $1.5 Million to strengthen family farmers and the work of farm and rural organizations across the United States.

Responded to major natural disasters, including drought and wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton across the Southeast. Farm Aid granted $235,000 to support impacted farmers.

Partnered with USDA’s Farm Service Agency to create The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN) to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the country.

Brought our festival back to New York and celebrated farmers, good food and agriculture with a crowd of 21,000. Farm Aid 2024 was a certified zero waste event, thanks to our Homegrown Concessions composting effort and our volunteer Green Team.

SPREADING THE WORD

TONY NOMINEE JENN COLETTA who plays Carrie Chapman Catt in Suffs, will ring in 2025 at 54 Below in New York City.

Colella, who was Tony-nominated for her performance in Come From Away, will ring in 2025 with special guests and Suffs co-stars Ally Bonino and Monica Tulia Ramirez.

QUEEN CAMILLA took her grandchildren to see the musical Operation Mincement playing at the Fortune Theatre on London's West End.

Driving a Ford Transit minibus the Queen transported her daughter Laura Lopes, son-in-law Harry Lopes, grandchildren Louis, Gus, and Eliza Lopes, granddaughter Lola Parker Bowles, and her niece Alice Irwin to see the musical based on the true story of a secret World War II mission that used a stolen corpse to deceive the Nazis.

The book, music, and lyrics were written by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts. The musical opened in the West End in March 2023 and won the 2024 Olivier Award for "Best New Musical".

Camilla's family thoroughly enjoyed the musical which has plans to transfer to Broadway.

Following the show the group went out for lunch to celebrate her son Tom Parker Bowles' 50th birthday. The Queen, 77, was herd to have quipped: "It makes me feel very old having a 50-year-old son".

Then the Queen drove the minibus back to Clarence House.

CALViN KLEiN after a hiatus of nearly seven years, is making a return to New York Fashion Week. The PHV-operated brand will show its first runway collection under new creative director Veronica Leoni. The last collection it showed was under Raf Simons in September 2018.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS has been named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. The musician and fashion designer will be UNESCO'S goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship.

The role for the cultural agency of the U.N. involves supporting and promoting initiatives that focus on protecting indigenous cultures, advancing education and healthcare for women, advocating for vigilance against mass atrocities, and working to protect cultural heritage.

The organization cited Williams’s longstanding commitment to charitable works. UNESCO noted in a press release that as a goodwill ambassador Williams would continue to be a mentor for young creators, especially in Africa, where the organization supports the development of cultural industries.

ODYSSEY THEATRE ENSEMBLE'S THRESHOLDS OF INVENTION series of first looks at works-in-process by prominent L.A. visionaries presents new work by writer/performers John Fleck and Sandra Tsing Loh. on Saturday, January 11 and January 18, 2025.

There Are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden, a new work by writer/performer John Fleck on January 11th. Once upon a time there was a boy born with a limp wrist who channeled the fairie spirt of the iconic 1930s theatrical song stylist Beatrice Lillie to battle the forces of darkness threatening to extinguish "their" fabulousness.

On Saturday, January 18 it's I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Come to It by Sandra Tsing Loh. A true story about her new play that was dropped from Center Theater Group’s 2023 all-female season, only to rip through Los Angeles, New York and London in 16 explosive months. In this TED(x!) talk crossed with a "You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again" for theater, shots are taken at "Tony Award-nominated" (sure!) producers, Actors’ Equity (because it deserves it) and, of course, diversity/equity/inclusion (cue Twitter cancellation) by a pudgy 62-year-old CIS-crone who doesn’t give a f*k any more! Absolutely not supported by the Ford Foundation or Doris Duke Charitable Fund. Directed by the late David Schweizer.

Taking place at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.

ADOPT A BLACK BEAR

These two cuties can be symbolically yours. Photo: Sedgwick County Zoo

The Sedgwick County Zoo located in Wichita, Kansas is in need of some black bear loving folks to "symbolically adopt our black bears, Takelma and Sama, with our exclusive holiday Zoo ls package! Each adoption includes an animal certificate, fact sheet, photo, ornament, and one year of recognition."

Male Takelma and and Sama a female are charming orphaned black bear cubs from Oregon who are relative new additions to the zoo.

They arrived at the zoo in late July when they arrived at 3 months old. Zookeepers said they were too small to be in their outdoor habitat alone. But after growing and exploring, the zoo announced last August that the pair have grown and gained enough confidence to hang out in their habitat. Visitors are able to catch a glimpse of them should they be in the mood to step outside.

THE ABBEY THEATRE IN IRELAND is celebrating. On December 27th 120 years ago, the first ever performances at the Abbey Theatre took place.

To celebrate 120 years of the National Theatre of Ireland, the venue hosted a special event in early December, called Spreading the News - an event named after the play of the same name, written by Abbey Theatre co-founder Augusta Gregory, which was performed on the opening night of the theatre.

The celebration was led by a company of well-known Irish artists including Barbara Bergin, Peter Coonan, Kate Gilmore, Domhnall Herdman, Patrick Martins, Seán McGinley, Bríd Ní Neachtain, Stephen Rea, Kate Stanley Brennan, Sexy Tadhg and Eileen Walsh.

The event featured a range of scripts, characters and speeches written by Barbara Bergin, Marina Carr, Brian Friel, Lady Gregory, Stacey Gregg, Tom Murphy, Anna Mullarkey, Frank McGuinness, Caitríona McLaughlin, Conor McPherson, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Sean O’Casey, Mark O’Rowe, J. M. Synge, W. B. Yeats and Enda Walsh.

On December 27, 2024 radio RTE aired that special event.

"The performances in Spreading the News reflect a particular moment in time and embrace some of the groundbreaking stories and works that have been at the heart of the National Theatre of Ireland since its foundation," according to the theatre.

OPERA SARATOGA has announced the creative teams for its Summer Festival 2025. The musical She Loves Me, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joe Masteroff, is first up with performances beginning June 21, 2025.

The production will be directed by John Matsumoto Giampietro. Scenic design will be in the hands of Krit Robinson with lighting design by Anshuman Bhatia.

The cast of She Loves Me includes Festival Artists Christine Taylor Price (Amalia Balash), Kate Morton (Ilona Ritter), Shavon Lloyd (Steven Kodaly), Michael Segura (Ladislav Sipos), Jack O’Leary (Arpad Lazlo), Wagner Pastor (Head Waiter), and Guest Artist Peter Kazaras (Mr. Maraczek). Nathan Cicero will serve as assistant conductor, with Festival Artist Paige Dirks-Jacks as assistant director at Universal Preservation Hall. Saratoga Springs, New York.

WICKED FLOAT IN THE ROSE PARADE Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses is celebrating Wicked in the 136th Rose Parade. The float appropriately entitled, "Defying Gravity," features larger-than-life depictions of the two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, poised on either side of the Emerald City, commemorating their profound friendship as they journey to the magnificent land of Oz. Created in collaboration with the talented team at Phoenix Decorating Company, the float includes captivating elements, such as a motion-activated Elphaba, Glinda’s sparkling bubbles, and a shimmering Emerald City.

Expertly directly by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu, Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz and stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet at Shiz University and forge an unlikely friendship – before their lives take different paths following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Their extraordinary adventures will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

The Wicked float in the Rose Parade captures the heart of this story, celebrating friendship, self-discovery, and the vibrant, fantastical world of Oz in a dazzling visual spectacle that truly defies gravity.

The float has a Height: 24 feet - - Width: 18 feet -- Length: 55 feet -- Estimated Number of Flowers Used: 76,748 built by Phoenix Decording Company.

Floral and Design Highlights:
Elphaba:
Hat and Cape: Black seaweed and fine ground onion seed.
Hair and Nails: Black onion powder, curly seaweed, fine ground parsley.
Dress: Black seaweed, onion seed, and light grey lettuce seed.
Broom: Handle crafted from coffee grounds, walnut shell, coco stix, and sisal rope.

Glinda:
Crown and Wand: White fine cut everlasting and pink strawflower.
Dress: Pink carnations with detailed bodice and skirt accents.

Emerald City:
Constructed with white button mums, Kermit mums, gold flax seed, mung beans, and green split peas.
Accents of green parsley flakes and brown coffee.
Yellow Brick Road: Made with fine cut yellow strawflower.
Tulip Fields: Red, hot pink, lavender, and orange tulips alongside walnut shell paths.
Sculpted Tulips: Dark purple, orange, and yellow strawflowers with green ti leaves.
Cherry Blossom Trees: Shades of pink dendrobs with coffee-colored trunks.
Grimmerie Books: Crafted with redwood bark, sparkles of everlasting, and crème paper bark pages.

The parade takes place January 1, 2025, 8 am - 10 am PT in Pasadena, California. Tune in to the 136th Rose Parade on NBC and YouTube.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR with a special shout out which has to do with health. Never have I heard of one family having so many non-related health issues. King Charles, cancer. Queen Camilla walking pneumonia as we call it here. Princess Kate, cancer. Anne, The Princess Royal clobbered in the head by a horse. Fergie, The Duchess of York, cancer. Princess Michael of Kent breaking both wrists.

May all of their bad luck be behind them.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

FASHION WORKERS ACT SIGNED INTO NY LAW After what has been a lengthy legislative process, the Fashion Workers Act has officially been signed into law in New York. The bill intends to regulate the modelling and creative industries in the state, specifically tackling "predatory management agencies" that have previously gone unchecked.

Set to go into effect from June 2025, the Fashion Workers Act will ensure models are granted access to contracts with their own clients, increased transparency into expenses, safeguards against harassment and a formal channel to report violations, among other protections. Model and content creator management agencies will also, for the first time, be required to register with the state and will “have a legal obligation to act in the best interest of the people they represent”. The bill further addresses protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), according to Fashion United.

Prior to the bill, management agencies sat under the “incidental booking exception” of New York State General Business Law, allowing them to escape licensing and regulation. Firms had the right to further accept payments on behalf of models, many of whom were further subject to unsatisfactory living conditions and unjust rental fees. From June, such agencies will be required to pay models and creatives within 45 days of completing a job, as well as carry out health and safety checks on set, all of which had not yet been essential.

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BALLET SHOES by Noel Streatfeild in a new version by Kendall Feaver.

Directed by Katy Rudd.

The bestselling book revitalized for the stage.

In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be.

Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions. But in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way?

The cast includes: Stacy Abalogun Ensemble / Understudy Theo Dane and Doctor Jakes: Eryck Brahmania Ensemble / Understudy The Prince: Cordelia Braithwaite Young Juliette Manoff / Ballerina / Ensemble / Understudy Winifred and Katerina Federovsky: Luke Cinque-White Off-Stage Swing: Michelle Cornelius Ensemble / Understudy Nana (Miss Gutheridge):Sonya Cullingford as Winifred / Ensemble: Yanexi Enriquez asPetrova Fossil: Jenny Galloway as Nana (Miss Gutheridge): Courtney George Ensemble / Understudy Petrova Fossil and Pauline Fossil: Georges Hann The Prince / Ensemble: Nadine Higgin as Theo Dane: Nuwan Hugh Perera Pianist / Ensemble / Understudy Jai Saran: Philip Labey Ensemble / Understudy Great Uncle Matthew (GUM) and Madame Fidolia: Katie Lee Off-Stage Swing: Helena Lymbery as Doctor Jakes: Sharol Mackenzie Ensemble / Understudy Posy Fossil: Pearl Mackie as Sylvia (Garnie): Xolisweh Ana Richards as Katerina Federovsky / Ensemble: Sid Sagar as Jai Saran: Grace Saif as Pauline Fossil: Justin Salinger as Great Uncle Matthew (GUM) / Madame Fidolia: Daisy Sequerra as Posy Fossil: Katie Singh Ensemble / Understudy Sylvia (Garnie).

The creatives are: Set Designer Frankie Bradshaw. Costume Designer Samuel Wyer. Choreographer Ellen Kane. Composer Asaf Zohar. Dance Arrangements and Orchestration Gavin Sutherland. Lighting Designer Paule Constable. Sound Designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph Video Designer Ash J Woodward. Illusions Chris Fisher. Casting Director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor. Classical Coach Cira Robinson. Dialect Coach Penny Dyer. Voice Coach Cathleen McCarron and Tamsin Newlands. Associate Set Designer Natalie Johnson.Associate Choreographer Jonathan Goddard. Swing Consultant Eddie Slattery. Fight Director Haruka Kuroda. Staff Director Aaliyah Mckay. The Audio describers will be Eleanor Stollery, supported by Ess Grange and Andrew Holland. The interpreter for the BSL performance is Rebekah Spencer.

Performances at the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre in London.

FIREBIRD a new play by Richard Hough based on the memoir by Sergey Fetisov and the screenplay by Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior.

Directed by Owen Lewis.

Set during the Cold War, Firebird draws on the true story of a young soldier's clandestine affair with a charismatic fighter pilot in 1970’s Soviet-occupied Estonia. The tale was adapted into the multi-award-winning 2021 film of the same name, which premiered at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQI+ Film Festival and drew on the memoir of Sergey Fetisov, later translated into English.

Starring Robert Eades, Nigel Hastings, Sorcha Kennedy and Theo Walker.

The creatives include: Designer Gregor Donnelly. Lighting Designer Clancy Flynn. Sound Designer Jac Cooper. Intimacy Coordinator Jess Tucker Boyd. Casting Marc Frankum CDG. Producer James Seabright.

Opening Thursday, January 9, 2025 at King's Head Theatre in London.

THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare.

Directed by James Lloyd.

Cast: Sigourney Weaver as Prospero, Jude Akuwudike as Alonso, Jason Barnett as Stephano, Selina Cadell as Gonzalo, Mathew Horne as Trinculo, Mara Huf as Miranda, Forbes Masson as Caliban, Mason Alexander Park as Ariel, James Phoon as Ferdinand, Oliver Ryan as Sebastian, and Tim Steed as Antonio.

The production is part of a season of Shakespeare at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which will also include Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell.

The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver will be performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London to February 1, 2025.

THE OLD GLOBE IN SAN DIEGO, CA has announced the full cast and creative team for the San Diego premiere of Appropriate by Tony Award-winning playwright and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. The comic drama, which is a searing and bitingly funny portrait of family, history, and legacy, plays on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park, from January 25 to February 23, 2025, with the official opening night on Thursday, January 30. Tickets go on sale Friday, January. 3, 2025.

The cast of Appropriate includes Daniel Dale as Rhy, Brynn Gauthier as River, Steve Kazee as Bo, Maggie Lacey as Toni, Serena Parrish as Cassie, Daniel Petzold as Franz, Christopher Smyres as Ainsley, Daniel Smyres as Ainsley, and Sarah Stiles as Rachael .>br>
Appropriate understudies include Dylan August, Madi Goff, Chris Hathaway, Conner Keef, Jonathan Lorenz, Wendy Waddell, and Shalyn Welch.

Also joining Jacobs-Jenkins and Broadnax as part of the creative team are Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Design); Celeste Jennings (Costume Design); Alan C. Edwards (Lighting Design); Curtis Craig (Sound Design); David Caparelliotis, CSA and Joe Gery/Caparelliotis Casting (Casting); and Norman Anthony Small (Production Stage Manager).

Opening Night post-show receptions for the cast and donors are held in Hattox Hall, located in the Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center.

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

FINAL OVATION

RICHARD PERRY record producer died December 24, 2024 in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 82.

Perry was launched on his career as a producer, with early projects including Captain Beefheart's debut Safe as Milk and Fats Domino's Fats Is Back. In 1967, Perry moved to Los Angeles and, in 1968, produced God Bless Tiny Tim, the debut album of Reprise Records artist Tiny Tim. The album was Perry's first charting hit, reaching No. 7 on Billboard magazine's Pop Albums chart.

Perry was well established as a producer by 1970. His credits during the subsequent decade included albums by Harry Nilsson (Nilsson Schmilsson, Son of Schmilsson), Barbra Streisand (Stoney End, Barbra Joan Streisand, Live Concert at the Forum), Carly Simon (No Secrets, Hotcakes, Playing Possum), Art Garfunkel (Breakaway), Diana Ross (Baby It's Me), Martha Reeves (Martha Reeves), Manhattan Transfer (Coming Out), Leo Sayer (Leo Sayer), and Andy Williams (Solitaire).

Among his projects was the 1973 album Ringo, by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. The album featured work by the other three Beatles and reached No. 2 on the Pop Albums chart. Another high point was his work with Fanny. Perry produced the group's first three albums, Fanny (1970), Charity Ball, which featured the top 40 title track (1971), and Fanny Hill

According to AllMusic's Bruce Eder, the 1970s found Perry "the most renowned producer in the field of popular music".

Perry earned at least fifteen gold records (four of which had gone platinum) and a dozen gold singles. Perry had achieved these figures by February 2, 1982. Among the label's roster during his tenure were acts such as Billy Thermal, Bates Motel, the Plimsouls, the Cretones, Bill Medley, Sue Saad and the Next, and the Pointer Sisters, whose charting album Energy was the label's debut.

After leaving Planet Records, Perry continued producing some of its acts, including the Pointer Sisters, as well as producing efforts by such artists as Streisand, Donna Summer, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond, and Randy Travis.

While pursuing these projects, Perry spent the latter part of the 1980s also pulling together a passion project, 1989's Rock, Rhythm & Blues, which featured contemporary artists like Elton John, Rick James, and Chaka Khan performing classic rock songs by musicians of the 1950s and early 1960s. Also in 1978, Perry played the part of a record producer in the film American Hot Wax, which was based on the life of disc jockey Alan Freed.

Perry was married to actress Rebecca Broussard from 1987 to 1988. They had no children together.

Perry and Jane Fonda were in a relationship from 2009 to 2017.

GREG GUMBEL longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel died December 27, 2024 from cancer. He was 78.

Gumble spent over 50 years in the broadcast industry.

The legendary broadcaster first started with CBS Sports in 1989, where he pulled double duty as an NFL play-by-play announcer and an in-studio host for college basketball, including the NCAA Tournament. Gumbel was not part of the 2024 men's NCAA Tournament coverage earlier this year due to a "family health issues," CBS announced at the time. Gumbel became the first Black play-by-play announcer to call a U.S major championship sporting event when he called the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the New York Giants in Super Bowl 35. Prior to his rising to prominence at CBS, Gumbel worked for MSG, ESPN, and WFAN radio in New York City. At ESPN, he anchored the show SportsCenter and did "play-by-play" for early NBA games. On MSG, Gumbel served as a backup announcer for Marv Albert on New York Knicks broadcasts as well as providing coverage for college basketball. When MSG signed a huge contract to broadcast New York Yankees games in 1989, Gumbel served as host of the pregame and postgame shows. In addition to his MSG duties, he was the host of the first radio morning show on radio station WFAN. However, station management replaced him with WNBC Radio personality Don Imus once WFAN took over WNBC's AM 660 frequency.

He is survived by his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle.

JOHN W. ORLAND died John Orland moved from Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA in 1960, in pursuit of his desire to make movies. He took small production jobs, attended evening film classes at USC, becoming an expert in film pre-production, production and post-production. John's successful film career spanned nearly sixty years.

His career included Cameraman, Film Librarian at David L. Wolper Productions; Stage Manager at Latin Casino Theatre Restaurant; Worked at Atlas Productions LLC.; Instructor - Screenwriting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute; Instructor - UCLA Extenstion: Pre-production, Production, Post-Production; Editorial Department at Paramount Pictures; Writer at Warner Bros., Writer at ABC Television Network.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia Orland, his children, Michael Orland and Arianna Orland, daughter-in-law Celia Orland, grandson Dylan Orland, sister Sandy Orland Gilbert, stepchildren William Eichenberger, Todd Eichenberger, Kortney Eichenberger and Whitney Ellis, and niece Shannon Ferguson.

FRED FRUMBERG with a career in the performing arts died in Los Angeles on December 7, 2024. He was 64.

He earned a degree in Theater at Temple University, where he persuaded the department head to let him craft an individualized program of study in arts administration. Before he'd even graduated, he was hired by the San Francisco Opera. Later he worked with San Diego Opera; St. Louis Opera; and Spoleto Festival USA; he then spread his wings to Europe, where he interned in East Berlin at Komische Oper with stage director Harry Kupfer.

Fred rose to the level of associate director with Peter Sellars (Nixon in China, Death of Klinghoffer. Persephone/Iolanta), Deborah Warner (La Traviata, The Messiah, Dido and Aeneas), and Francesca Zambello (War and Peace, Salumbo, Boris Godunov). At Paris National Opera and Netherlands Opera, he also assisted directors such as Philippe Seureil, Elijah Moshinsky, Herbert Wernicke, and Liviu Ciulei.

His vast talents led UNESCO in 1997 to send him to Cambodia as a consultant addressing the need to rebuild the arts infrastructure there after the Khmer Rouge's devastation of that culture. He was successful in reviving the ancient traditions of Cambodian dance and theater. While living in Phnom Penh, he established AMRITA Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization committed to the development of contemporary Cambodian dance and theater along with the preservation of traditional Khmer performing arts.

Returning to L Los Angeles, where in December 2016 Fred joined the Center of the Art of Performance at UCLA as Deputy to Artistic and Executive Director Kristy Edmunds. When Kristy moved on, Fred acted as co-director with his colleague, Meryl Friedman, for two years, during which among other achievements, the new Nimoy Theatre was opened, adding to CAP UCLA's six performance spaces and reach.

Fred is survived by his husband, Ping (Reichen) Yu, Fred's brother, Phil Frumberg, sister Liz White, nephews Shawn White and Ryan White, their spouses Kailyn and Amanda, and children Maya, Zoe, Ava, Adalena, and Kimora.

OLIVIA HUSSEY British actress died at her home December 27, 2024. She was 73.

2008, Hussey was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, after nearly a decade in remission, the cancer returned in 2017, leading to further treatment.

Hussey began acting professionally as an adolescent using her mother's maiden name. She appeared in a 1966 London production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, opposite Vanessa Redgrave which led to her being scouted for the role of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Hussey received widespread acclaim and international recognition for her performance. In 1974, she appeared as the lead character Jess Bradford in the cult slasher film Black Christmas. This and her roles in the horror productions Psycho IV: The Beginning and Stephen King's It (both 1990) earned her the label of scream queen. Hussey reunited with Zeffirelli in the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Mary and appeared as Rosalie Otterbourne in John Guillermin's Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile (1978). She appeared in several international productions throughout the 1980s, including the Japanese production Virus (1980) and the Australian dystopian action film Turkey Shoot (1982). She also worked as a voice actress, providing voice roles in Star Wars video games including Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998), Star Wars: Force Commander (2000), and Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011).

In 2016 Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting the stars of Romeo and Juliet were reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film. In December 2016 the BFI and British Council presented Shakespeare on Film around the world as part of Shakespeare Lives. One of the most popular events was the Q&A of the film at The American Cinematheque in Los Angeles.

Married three times, her first husband was Dean Martin's son Dean Paul Martin whom she was wed to from 1971-1978. She is survived by her third husband of 35-years singer, songwriter, and actor David Glen Eisley, and her three chilfren: Alex Martin from her marriage to Dean Paul; Max Fuse whose father is Olivia’s second husband Akira Fuse and daughter India Eisley an actress known for The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and her grandson, Greyson.

LOUIS BLOOM died on November 25, 2024 in Northridge, California. He was 92.

Louis received a B.A. in music from UCLA. He later served in the army for two years during the U.S. occupation of Austria. After his service Louis remained in Europe, studying at the Academy of Music in Vienna and the University of Munich.

For the next several decades he was active as a freelance pianist, composer and arranger for theater, television, film and cabaret. Some of the highlights of his career were working on the films Cabaret and Willie Wonka, composing, arranging and conducting for BMW's automobile music promotions, and accompanying singer Hanne Wieder on her tours of Europe and Israel.

Louis is survived by his sister, Barbara Bloom-Rowland-Lubick, and his niece and nephews.

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Laura Deni