Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: February 19, 2023
By: Laura Deni
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION

PRESIDENTS' DAY WEEKEND REMIND US THAT BROADWAY HAS ALWAYS SALUTED (OR MOCKED) THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Decades ago American celebrated the birthday of Abraham Lincoln by eating a chocolate cake roll, decorated like a tree log, in honor of him being raised in a log cabin and, on February 22, the birthday of George Washington by consuming cherry pie, in recognition of the fantasy story about him chopping down a cherry tree.

Then retailers realized they could get more bang from the consumer buck if the two presidental birthdays were combined into a Presidents Day with sales (especially on mattresses and home furnishings) running all week or longer, depending upon the dollars tallied up.

Broadway has always has a fascination for those in or aspiring to the White House.

Christopher Jacson as George Washington in Hamilton. Photo: Publicity photo

The first two list toppers actually focus on the formation of America, rather than on a specific president, although several presidents have significant roles.

Taking pride of place is - of course - Lin-Manuel Miranda’s phenomenon Hamilton. Though the musical focuses on founding father Alexander Hamilton, who was never POTUS, though he finds himself intertwined with three future presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

This incredible production has given new life to history classes and people's interesting in our founding fathers.

Tied with Hamilton as the production to rejuvenate how history is taught is the delightful musical 1776 which featured, in the original Broadway production, Ken Howard, William Daniels, Henry LeClair, David Vosburgh, and Howard Da Silva.

This story also takes place before this nation's official formation. 1776 uses literally license to explain the Second Continental Congress which included John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, both members of the committee that ultimately drafts the Declaration of Independence.

During this period of attempting to declare a separation from King George, Congress receives dispatches from General George Washington, who is leading the battle against Great Britain at the front lines.

Washington, Adams, and Jefferson became our first, second, and third presidents.

1776 was written by Sherman Edwards (music and lyrics) and Peter Stone (book).

The first musical to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Drama was Of Thee I Sing, the 1931 satire of a United States presidential election. With a book by celebrated comedy writers George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, and a score by George and Ira Gershwin, the musical took pointed jabs at the process and platforms presidential candidates must navigate in order to win over voters. John P. Wintergreen wanted to be president and his running mate was the bumbling, forgettable Alexander Throttlebottom. Running on a platform of "Love," the duo ultimately won. Starring Broadway comic actors William Gaxton and Victor Moore, Of Thee I Sing received a sequel in 1931, the short-lived Let ‘Em Eat Cake, that continued the Wintergreen/Throttlebottom political story.

If this was the first satire, the latest was POTUS

POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive is a play by Selina Fillinger that opened on Broadway on April 27, 2022 at the Shubert Theatre. Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, POTUS was called "a foulmouthed political funhouse farce." he production featured Lilli Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Rachel Dratch, Julianne Hough, Suzy Nakamura, Julie White and Vanessa Williams.

"One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble."

The star-studded production earned three 2022 Tony nominations.

Speaking of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that address was also the title of a a 1976 musical with music by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. It is considered to be a legendary Broadway flop, running only seven performances. It was Bernstein's last original score for Broadway. Never-the-less the production featured three presidents. It was the first (and last) collaboration between Lerner and Bernstein and featured a star-studded creative team, and major financial backing.

The musical opened on May 4, 1976, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre and closed on May 8, 1976, after 7 performances and 13 previews. It was co-directed and co-choreographed by Gilbert Moses and George Faison.

The musical examined the establishment of the White House and its occupants from 1800 to 1900. Primarily focusing on race relations, the story depicted (among other incidents) Thomas Jefferson's then-alleged affair with a black slave, James Monroe's refusal to halt slavery in Washington, the aftermath of the American Civil War and Andrew Johnson's impeachment. Throughout the show, the leading actors performed multiple roles: Ken Howard played all the presidents, Patricia Routledge all the First Ladies, and Gilbert Price and Emily Yancy played the White House servants, Lud and Seena. Future Broadway stars Reid Shelton, Walter Charles, Beth Fowler and Richard Muenz appeared in ensemble roles, as did the young African American baritone Bruce Hubbard.

Discouraged by the critical and public response to the work and angry that during the tryouts much of his music had been condensed and edited without his consent, Bernstein refused to allow a cast recording of the musical.

Another flop was Mr. Strauss Goes To Boston, from a story by Geza Herczeg and Alfred Gruenwald; opened in New York City September 6, 1945 and played through September 15, 1945, starring George Rigaud and Virginia MacWatters.

Music by Robert Stolz; lyrics: Robert Sour; book: Leonard Louis. Music orchestrated by George Lessner. Choreographed by George Balanchine; Staged by Felix Brentano. Scenic Design by Stewart Chaney; Costume Design by Walter Florell Conducted by Robert Stolz.

Arlene Dahl played Mrs. Taylor.

Another short lived 1964 play by A. E. Hotcher The White House crammed 24 of the presidents from John Adams to Woodrow Wilson, putting in the spotlight obscure presidents such as Rutherford B. Hayes. Gene Wilder portrayed Hayes and two other presidents.

The 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, has appeared or been mentioned in Broadway productions more than a dozen times, starting with Benjamin Chapin’s Lincoln in 1906; Washington is a distant second.

Sam Waterson starred as Honest Abe in the 1993 revival of Robert E. Sherwood's Abe Lincoln in Illinois. This was Waterson's last Broadway role.

The eleventh annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) featured Bayonets of Angst in which Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer starred as Abraham Lincoln in this bluegrass musical comedy. In this show, Lincoln is joined by the last remaining veterans of the Civil War, who tell the story of the behind-the-battlefield exploits of our 16th President, General Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant.

LBJ, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama all got their just due on the Great White Way.

Clinton: The Musical based on the presidency of Bill Clinton played off Broadway in the spring of 2015. Hillary and Clinton opened on Broadway on April 18, 2019 at the John Golden Theatre. John Lithgow played Bill Clinton opposite Laurie Metcalf's Hillary.

Bryan Cranston made his Broadway debut as Lyndon Baines Johnson in All The Way a new play by MacDowell Fellow Robert Schenkkan. Cranston received the 2014 Tony for his performance. The Real Society starred Brian Cox as LBJ and picked up where All The Way left off - with Johnson's Presidential campaign in 1964.

Larry Luckinbill as Lyndon Johnson. Photo: Publicity

Laurence Luckinbill starred in his one man show about Lyndon Johnson as well as penning and starring in his one-man show based upon the life of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Frank Langella won a Tony award for portrayed Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon based upon Nixon's attempt to rehabilitate his image by taking part in a multi-part interview with broadcaster David Frost. Langella portrayed Nixon in not only the Brodway production but also the West End staging and then went on to take home an Oscar for the 2008 film adaptation.

Beth Fowler and Len Cariou in the Broadway production of Teddy & Alice, a musical that celebrated the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and his relationship with his spirited daughter Alice, Teddy & Alice was a short-lived 1987 show. Alice was a modern woman, outspoken and incorrigible (sometimes smoking in the White House), much to the concern of Teddy. Adding to the Americana of the piece, Hal Hackaday fashioned lyrics around the melodies of John Philip Sousa, known for his patriotic marches. The book, by Jerome Alden, featured two future presidents as well: William H. Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 2020 the future president was depicted on stage during this Presidential Election year, thanks to Theater in Asylum’s The Debates 2020, a show that uses transcripts of the actual debates to create a theatrical adaptation.

Call Me Madam is a musical written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin received the Tony award for best musical score. Other 1952 Tony wins included Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Ethel Merman - Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Russell Nype - Best Stage Technician Peter Feller.

President Harry Truman was the inspiration for this 1950 musical comedy. The musical was a breezy satire of Truman’s appointment of D.C. hostess and Democratic Party fundraiser Perle Mesta to the post of Ambassador to Luxembourg in 1949.

In the musical the presidential appointment of socialite Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) as ambassador to the fictional European nation of Lichtenburg, pokes fun at real-life news.

The musical is a satire on politics and foreign policy that spoofs postwar America's penchant for lending billions of dollars to needy countries. It centers on Sally Adams, a well-meaning but ill-informed socialite widow, who is appointed United States Ambassador to the fictional European country of "Lichtenburg". Signs in Lichtenburg are written in German, and inhabitants wear traditional Bavarian costume. While there, she charms the local gentry, especially Cosmo Constantine, while her press attaché Kenneth Gibson falls in love with Princess Maria of Lichtenburg.

The Playbill distributed at each performance humorously noted that "neither the character of Mrs. Sally Adams nor Miss Ethel Merman resemble any person living or dead."

Producer Leland Hayward budgeted the production at $250,000. In exchange for the original cast recording and television broadcast rights, he arranged to have it financed 100% by RCA Records and NBC, with the two sharing 35% of the net earnings. In order to increase the profits, Hayward decided to charge an all-time high of $7.20 for orchestra seats.

With a record advance sale of $2 million, the Broadway production opened on October 12 at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 644 performances and grossed more than $4 million.

The national tour of Call Me Madam was headlined by Elaine Stritch; Merman's understudy during the show's Broadway run, Call Me Madam opened in the West End at the London Coliseum on March 15, 1952 for a run of 486 performances: Billie Worth headlined a cast which included Anton Walbrook as Cosmo Constantine and Shani Wallis - in her first major stage role - as Princess Maria.

A 1953 20th Century Fox film adaptation stars Ethel Merman, George Sanders, Donald O'Connor, Billy DeWolfe, Charles Dingle, and Vera-Ellen.

Ralph Bellamy portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt in Sunrise at Campobello a play about Roosevelt learning to overcome his handicap from 1958-59. It was Bellamy's last Broadway role and he won a Tony Award.

According to Wikipedia actors who have portrayed presidents on Broadway include:

George Washington played by Philip Merivale in Valley Forge - 1934
Cecil Humphreys as George Washington in The Patriots - 1943
James Daly as George Washington, James Monroe, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Martin Van Buren in The White House - 1964
Ken Howard as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Andrew Johnson in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - 1976, and as Thomas Jefferson in 1776 - 1969
Christopher Jackson as George Washington in Hamilton (musical) - 2015
William Daniels as George Washington in 1776 - 1969
Thomas Jefferson played by Carl Anthony in Hamilton (play) - 1917
Raymond Edward Johnson as Thomas Jefferson in The Patriots - 1943
James Madison played by Okieriete Onaodowan in Hamilton - 2015
Hardee Kirkland as James Monroe in Hamilton (play) - 1917
Judson Laire as James Monroe in The Patriots - 1943
John Tyler, Rutherford B. Hayes and and Quincy Adams played by Gene Wilder in The White House - 1964
Jeff Hiller as John Quincy Adams in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - 2008
Benjamin Walker as Andrew Jackson in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - 2008
Lucas Near-Verbrugghe as Martin Van Buren in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - 2008
Chester A. Arthur, James K. Polk, John Adams and William McKinley played by Eric Berry in The White House - 1964
Zachary Taylor played by Eugene Roche in The White House - 1964
Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson and and Franklin Pierce played by Fritz Weaver in The White House - 1964
Abraham Lincoln played by Benjamin Chapin in Lincoln - 1906
Frank McGlynn as Abraham Lincoln in Abraham Lincoln - 1918
Raymond Massey as Lincoln in Abe Lincoln in Illinois - 1938
Ulysses S. Grant played by Sorrell Booke in The White House - 1964
Bill Raymond as Ulysses S. Grant in Cold Harbor - 1983
James A. Garfield and Gerald Ford played by William Parry in Assassins - 1990
Kevin Carolan as Theodore Roosevelt in Newsies - 2012
Franklin D. Roosevelt played by Ralph Bellamy in Sunrise at Campobello - 1958
Raymond Thorne as Franklin D. Roosevelt in Annie - 1977
Harry S. Truman played by James Whitmore in Give 'em Hell, Harry! - 1975
Lyndon B. Johnson played by Bryan Cranston in All the Way - 2014
Brian Cox as Lyndon B. Johnson in The Great Society - 2019
Richard Nixon played by George S. Irving in An Evening with Richard Nixon - 1972
Frank Langella as Nixon in Frost/Nixon - 2006
George W. Bush played by Alex Jennings in Stuff Happens - 2004
Will Ferrell as George W. Bush in You're Welcome America - 2009
Conan McCarty as George W. Bush in When We Go Upon the Sea - 2010
Barack Obama played by Peter Francis James in Hillary and Clinton - 2018

Not to totally ignore other mediums, two of the best movie comedies featuring presidents are the 1999 release Dave starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver and the 1995 flick The American President starring Michael Douglass, Annette Benning, Michael J. Fox, and Martin Sheen.

E-Book

Soft back Book

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

Thank you for your interest.

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

ART AND ABOUT

FLYING SCOTSMAN: 100 YEARS; 100 VOICES on February 24, 2023

The Flying Scotsman: Photo: National Railway Museum

it'll be 100 years since the world's most famous locomotive, Flying Scotsman, entered service. To mark a century since it was built, the National Railway Museum in York, England has created a new exhibition that celebrates a myriad of voices in varying capacities to represent the far-reaching impact of the engine as a lasting testament to its life.

The display is on exhibit until April 23, 2023.

Explore stories from people whose lives have been touched by the locomotive, plus objects from the National Railway Museum archive.

Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices, showcases documents, photographs and stories from the museum’s archives as well as from a recent public call-out. A specially commissioned exhibition film The Flying Scotman: A Rail Romance will cement the legacy of the locomotive through the lives it touched.

Released in 2013 The Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance directed by David Parker featured: Barbara Flynn Self - Narrator(voice); Jonathan Glancey Self - Author, Giants of Steam; Andrew Roden Self - Author, Flying Scotsman; Peter Tuffrey Self - Historian; Peter Townend Self - Former Shed Master, King's Cross; Bob Gwynne Self - National Railway Museum; Fiona MacCarthy Self - Biographer of Eric Gill; Ron Kennedy Self - Driver of Flying Scotsman - Interviewed in 1999 (archive footage); Simon Kohler Self - Hornby Hobbies; Alan Pegler Self - Former Owner of Flying Scotsman - Interviewed in 1999(archive footage)(as Alan Pegler OBE); Penny Vaudoyer Self - Alan Pegler's Daughter; Terence Cuneo Self - Railway Artist(archive footage); John Noakes Self - Blue Peter Presenter(archive footage); Anna Turner Self - Dancer on American Tour of Flying Scotsman; William McAlpine Self - Former Owner of Flying Scotsman - Interviewed in 1999(archive footage)(as Sir William McAlpine); Tony Marchington Self - Former Owner of Flying Scotsman - Interviewed in 1999(archive footage) (as Dr Tony Marchington).

Built in 1923, the Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive to run at 100 miles an hour and to star in its own feature film. In 1929 The Flying Scotsman became famous for being the first film of both Bill Shine and Ray Milland, as well as for its daring stunts performed aboard the moving train.

As part of it's centenary celebrations, Flying Scotsman train will be at the museum from April 1 - 23. Bring the family for this rare chance to see the most famous steam engine in the world, for the perfect day out for young and old.

E-Book

Soft back Book

SWEET CHARITY

SURVIVOR 43 WINNER MIKE GABLER made Survivor history twice. First, at 52 years old, Gabler became the second oldest person to ever win the TV reality survival game show. Secondly, he announced he will donate his $1 million prize to veterans’ causes becoming the first Survivor winner to donate their entire winnings to charity.

According to Wreaths Across America, in a recent TV interview, Mr. Gabler stated, "There are people who need that money more, and I'm going to donate the entire prize — the entire million-dollar prize, in my father's name, Robert Gabler, who was a Green Beret — to veterans in need who are recovering from psychiatric problems, PTSD and curb the suicide epidemic."

On Wreaths Across America Radio Friday, February 24, 2023 Gabler will answer questions about his win and generous gift to the veteran community as he sits down for an exclusive interview with Wreaths Across America (WAA) Youth Correspondent in Texas, Leslie Farrant.

Eleventh-grade high school student Leslie is a well-known supporter of veteran causes in the Huston and Galveston areas. Since the 6th grade, Leslie’s been a volunteer for groups like Honor Flight, and Wreaths Across America. She joined the Wreaths Across America Radio’s Youth Correspondent program in 2022 reporting on stories that impact the lives of active-duty military and veterans in her home state.

Gabler, a fellow Texan, agreed to Leslie’s request for an interview to talk about his historic win and his decision to donate the prize money to charity.

ENTERTAINING THE TROOPS The saying "war is months of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror" likely came about due to the endless trench warfare of WWI. Soldiers of all nations and militaries turned to a wide variety of entertainment to manage the boredom and distract from the terror: from sports, gambling and card games, to music, food and drink, to organized performances and dances.

Entertaining the Troops gives a peek into the life of a WWI soldier beyond the battlefield, whether waiting for the enemies’ next move or partying in Paris. Fans and spectators of April’s 2023 NFL Draft, taking place in large part at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, will have the chance to learn about football and other sports played by military members to pass time. The National Football League was formed in its earliest version just after the end of the Great War in 1920.

March 2022 saw the viral rise of an icon symbolizing Ukrainian resistance to Russian invasion, Saint Javelin. One year later, on March 24 at 6 p.m., the Museum and Memorial will host Saint Javelin: Art, Faith and Mobilization. Two key figures in the icon's popularity – Christian Borys, former journalist and founder of the Saint Javelin corporation, and California-based artist Chris Shaw, who created the original painting that Saint Javelin is based on – will join in conversation with Museum and Memorial Specialist Curator Patricia Cecil and President and CEO Matthew Naylor. The Saint Javelin painting has been on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial since August 2022 and will remain until Feb. 28, 2023.

Guests can begin the discussion with a ticketed reception on the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge before the program, in partnership with Stand With Ukraine KC. All proceeds will directly benefit Ukrainian aid.

Entertaining the Troops opens February 23, 2023, the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City.

SPORTS JERSEYS AUCTION FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS In the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, Merih Demiral, a Turkish soccer player who currently plays for Atalanta, took the initiative to raise funds for the victims by auctioning off signed jerseys from his former Juventus colleagues.

The charity auction began with Demiral approaching former teammate Ronaldo, who agreed to auction off his shirt to raise money. In the first auction, Ronaldo’s shirt was gaveled down for $212,450.

The success of the auction quickly caught the attention of fans and other football (soccer) stars, who began donating their signed jerseys to the fundraiser. Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema are just a few of the players who have sent their signature jerseys for the campaign.

Series A counterparts Leonardo Bonucci and Paulo Dybala, offered signed jerseys that will be up for auction, with profits donated to nonprofit earthquake relief efforts.

Also on board are Atletico Madrid stars Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata donated a sign jerseys and did Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and teamnate Dejan Kulusevski, who is on loan from Juventus.

France's Kylian Mbappe donated his signed jersey as have Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne; Real Madrid winner Eden Hazard; and Paris Saint-Germain stars Lionel Messi.

The Union of European Football Associations donated 300,000 euros (about $214,000) to support humanitarian efforts in Turkey and Syria.

All proceeds from the auctions will be donated to the Turkish Ahbab Association to assist those affected by the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8, hit southern Turkey and northern Syria, followed by another earthquake hours later with a magnitude of 7.6, and hundreds of violent aftershocks. The earthquake death tole has surpassed 46,000.

STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY PRESENTS HOPE FOR UKRAINE featuring Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine on Friday, February 17 at 7:30pm. The Hope for Ukraine: Classical Season Celebration includes a pre-show cocktail party, tickets to the performance, and a post-show reception.

Hope for Ukraine is this year’s focus for State Theatre’s annual Classical Season Celebration fundraiser. Created to acknowledge and celebrate the classical performing arts, all proceeds from this event support the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and year-round classical and education programming at the State Theatre. Hope for Ukraine is sponsored by Magyar Bank, a Central New Jersey institution with Hungarian heritage that recently celebrated their centennial anniversary.

Featuring Principal Conductor Theodore Kuchar and piano soloist Oksana Rapita, the program includes Stankovych’s Chamber Symphony No. 3 for Flute and String Orchestra; Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92.

Founded in 1902, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine is one of the nation’s largest and most internationally renowned ensembles. During its first season, the orchestra performed nearly 115 concerts, featuring the symphonies of Beethoven and symphonic works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Dvorák, Bruckner, Mahler, Saint-Saëns, and Tchaikovsky. Guest conductors for the first season included Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, and Mieczyslaw Karlowicz.

In 1933, the orchestra became incorporated as the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine and was led by Adam Soltys. He actively worked with the orchestra until 1938. During this period, the orchestra collaborated in performance with prominent composers Maurice Ravel, Béla Bartók, and Karol Szymanowski, as well as soloists Anton Rubinstein, Ferruccio Busoni, Wanda Landowska, Leopold Godowski, Jacob Milstein, and Eugene Ysaye, among many others.

Today, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine tours extensively around the world, including Poland, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and The People’s Republic of China. During the past several seasons, they have completed highly acclaimed recordings for major international labels including Naxos and Brilliant Classics.

After two seasons as the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor, Theodore Kuchar was appointed the Principal Conductor of the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine in 2022.

TURKISH ACTORS took part in a telethon to raise funds for earthquake victims. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also took part in the telethon and said that every penny collected from the campaign will be used for the rehabilitation of the earthquake survivors and victims.

The fundraising campaign was jointly organized by eight Turkish national TV channels and the participation of numerous Turkish TV celebrities. These celebrities answered the phones taking pledges of donors calling into the live telethon to donate in the campaign titled "Türkiye One Heart" ("Türkiye Tek Yürek"). The channels ATV, FOX, Kanal D, Kanal 7, Show TV, Star TV, TRT 1, and TV8 aired a live joint broadcast.

Celebrities taking part in the campaign were: Burak Özçivit, Hande Erçel, Engin Akyürek, Afra Saraçoglu, Burak Deniz, Alp Navruz, Asli Enver, Merve Dizdar, Baris Falay, Selahattin Pasali, Özge Özpirinçci, Ugur Günes, Murat Yildirim, Mehmet Özgür, Birkan Sokullu, Eda Ece, Melisa Asli Pamuk, Ismail Hacioglu, Kadir Dogulu and his wife Neslihan Atagül Dogulu, Seda Sayan, Hasan Can Kaya, Aras Bulut Iynemli, Ezgi Mola and Halit Ergenç.

The campaign collected $6.1 billion (115.1 billion Turkish liras).

SPREADING THE WORD

NEW OHIO THEATRE TO CLOSE in New York City, after 30 years as "an indispensable pillar of the downtown independent theatre community," New Ohio Theatre will conclude operations at 154 Christopher Street at the end of the current season on August 31, 2023. "We had a hell of a run," says Founding Artistic Director Robert Lyons.

The decision is the result of a confluence of factors, including Robert’s intention to step down as Artistic Director, the shifting landscape and dynamics of the field, and increased financial pressures. The Board felt the time was right for New Ohio to step aside and make space for the next generation of theatre-makers and producers. "We think theatre organizations have their own natural life spans. This is a perfect moment for new ideas, new energy, and new models for the indie theatre scene," said Lyons in a release.

The 74-seat theatre space will remain a home for not-for-profit theatre. The building’s landlord, Rockrose Development, began accepting proposals on February 15th, in a similar process that brought New Ohio Theatre to the space 12 years ago. At that time, New Ohio managed a floor-to-ceiling renovation including the installation of a new sprung stage, a new grid, new risers, an HVAC system, and a bathroom in the dressing room for actors. "We’re proud to have stewarded this space for 12 years and to be able to hand it off a dramatically improved, turn-key theatre," says Board chair Margaret Grossman.

ORLANDO BLOOM guesting on The Jimmy Kimmel Show disclosed that, for Valentine's Day, he gifted her with a diamond pendant from Tiffany's.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES that would be William and Kate to those of us across the pond, and their two oldest children George, 9, and Charlotte,7, received a special late night tour of The Rings of Power studios in Buttersteep Rise, Ascot.

The royals met the cast of The Rings of Power series and were shown around the set, which held a particular fascination for the children.

Actor Martin Freeman, who played Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit films said that 'Williams is a long time fan of the fantasy series and JR Toljien' and 'He knew all the facts about the Middle Earth,' while a source told The Sun; "William is a huge fan of the films so jumped at the chance [to visit the studios]."

The Lord of The Rings spin-off is the most expensive show in history, costing Amazon more than £1billion to make just the first season. In American money that's $1,203,702,589.16 (USD) or one billion, two hundred three million, seven hundred two thousand, five hundred eighty nine dollars and sixteen cents.

Production for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's second series required the construction of a lavish castle set.

ROCKER BILLY IDOL will stage a unique show - first ever show- at Hoover Dam (also known as Boulder Dam) located outside of Las Vegas. The Dam, on the Nevada, Arizona borders, provides water to seven western states; Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah as well as a portion of Mexico.

According to Idol's posting on Twitter, the concert is meant to raise awareness of the drought issues in western parts of the country.

The performance will take place April 8 along with other events over the weekend.

The under the stars concert will be filmed to help spotlight the importance issue of water conservation.

Attendance is limited to 250 VIP guest packages. Their purchase also includes accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Las Vegas.

Other perks include a Sunday morning mimosa Q&A brunch with Idol's guitarist Steve Stevens.

BILLIONAIRE TILMAN FERTITTA hosted his annual Mardi Gras party in Galveston, Texas on February 17, 2023 with a Pitbull performance and a $150M mega-yacht. Tilman is a third cousin to Station Casinos Lorenzo Fertitta III, owns more than 600 properties through his restaurant and hospitality giant Landry's, including five Golden Nugget casinos. He also owns the Houston Rockets.

an The Fertitta empire owns the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas and Laughlin, as well as casinos of the same name in Louisiana, Mississippi and Atlantic City.

In 2022 Fertitta Entertainment sold Golden Nugget's Online Gaming to DraftKings for $1.56 billion.

Attended by 1,800, the black-tie gala hosted by Tilman Fertitta and his family was sold out.

MOUNTAIN STAGE join a live taping of NPR’s acclaimed radio music show hosted by Kathy Mattea and featuring David Bromberg Quintet, Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman, Peter Rowan, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, and The High Hawks. February 24 at the Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

IRISH ROCKERS U2 who announced through a Super Bowl advertisement that they will perform in Las Vegas, will open the new MSG Sphere, later this yer. However, In a statement since released, the band confirmed that Bono, the Edge and Adam Clayton, will all take to Sin City for their latest musical adventure - but added that bandmate Larry Mullen Jr would not be joining them as he is currently recovering from surgery.

The global superstars will perform a live show, based around their 1991 album Achtung Baby, at the MSG Sphere.

Bram van den Berg will be in the drum seat.

On Friday, February 17, 2023 the band will released Songs of Surrender – a collection of 40 songs from their back catalogue, re-recorded and reimagined.

BRUNO MARS has announced more 2023 performance dates at Park MGM in Las Vegas May 24, 27, 28, 31. June 2, 3. He'll also perform six shows throughout July at Park MGM.

With eight Hot 100 No. 1s, Mars is ranked No. 1 among male artists with the most Hot 100 No. 1s for this decade, extending his lead over Justin Bieber, Drake, Eminem, and The Weeknd. Most recently, Silk Sonic – the collaboration project with Anderson Paak – received their first No. 1 with their debut single Leave The Door Open.

CHRISTY ALTOMARE who originated the role of Anya in the Broadway production of Anastasia for which she received the Theatre World Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Award and a Drama Desk Award for lead actress in a musical performs February 18, 2023 at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS (NAB) announced that more than 1,000 companies, including 140+ first-time exhibitors, will debut new products and offer first looks at trailblazing technologies through interactive exhibits and live demonstrations.

The 2023 NAB Show will run April 15–19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

CALLING ALL REVOLTING CHILDREN! is how the Zilker Theatre, located in Dripping Springs, Texas, headlines their audition notice. The venue intends to stage the musical Matilda as their summer musical. They are currently casting children at least eight years of age. If you have a "revolting child" with theatrical aspirations, this is your big chance.

IN THE COURTS

Sara Jacqueline King

A lawyer living it up in Las Vegas has been slammed with a massive fraud lawsuit.

According to a "massive fraud" lawsuit, filed February 11, 2023 in federal court in the Central District of California, attorney Sara Jacqueline King moved into the Wynn Las Vegas Resort, spent over $10M in a 'massive fraud'.

According to Law 360 in an article by Debra Cassens Weiss published February 15, 2023, in the ABA Journal the lawsuit filed by a lender LDR International Ltd., based in the British Virgin Islands, has accused California lawyer King, of spending and gambling away more than $10 million that was intended to used by her lending company to make third-party loans, primarily to professional athletes and others with significant collateral. The 33-page original petition cites information and belief that lawyer Sara Jacqueline King used the money to gamble in Las Vegas and to lead "an extravagant lifestyle."

The plaintiff, LDR International Ltd., provided the money to King and her company King Family Lending, believing that King was in turn using it for loans to professional athletes and others with significant collateral, the suit says. LDR International made 97 loans in all totaling more than $10.2 million that were never repaid, according to the suit.

King Family Lending is a California limited liability company formed in February 2020, and its principal place of business in Orange County, California, according to the suit.

The suit contends that most of the missing money is the result of King’s alleged penchant for gambling. LDR International "is informed and believes that King moved into the Wynn Las Vegas resort and hotel, lived there for six months, and gambled 24/7."

LDR International alleges that King and her company provided phony documents for the purported third-party loans and the collateral supposedly securing those loans. King allegedly cited collateral that included luxury cars, yachts, jewelry, watches, precious metal coins and earnings from professional sports contracts.

The lawyer took pictures with NFL quarterbacks to showcase fake 'connections' according to the lawsuit.

The Newport Beach-based attorney is a graduate of Loyola Law School. Her Linkedin account states: "Sara King is a lawyer and entrepreneur with 10 years of practical business experience. Combining law with business expertise allows Sara to provide strategic solutions to her clients.

"Her legal experience includes business litigation and transactions including entertainment, intellectual property, insurance and business formations. "Sara's current practice focuses on real estate, and corporate law."

The suit says King’s ex-husband, who has fled to Morocco in North Africa, "has substantiated plaintiff’s belief that King engaged in a massive fraud" on LDR International.

King paid LDR International $2 million against interest owed when LDR International demanded payment before filing suit.

King has "recently provided evidence she only has $11.98 to her name," the suit says.

According to Law and Crime "King, in an email sent on February 9, 2023, is still asking Plaintiff and its principal for more money so she can try and make back the money she has stolen. As of February 9, 2023, King also is still sending fake deals to the Plaintiff and or its agents. King claims she has spent all of the funds and has no money left to her name. King also is crossing state lines to engage in further frauds."

King Family Lending’s license with the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation became inactive in April 2022, which means that it wasn’t licensed most of the time that LDR International was providing money for the supposed third-party loans that King claimed to be making, the suit says.

The suit alleges breach of contract, fraud and civil theft.

Weiss' report indicates that "Law360 tried contacting King through an email sent to King Family Lending, but the email bounced back. The ABA Journal had the same result. The State Bar of California does not list contact information for King."

Law&Crime also reached out to an email address associated with King, but no response was received at the time of publication.

FLORIDA JUDGES can no longer receive required Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for general 'fairness and diversity' courses, state supreme court has ruled.

The Florida State Supreme Court deleted part of a rule that permitted judges to take those classes.

The change, backed by six judges, received a strong dissent response from Justice Jorge Labarga, who penned that it "paves the way for a complete dismantling of all fairness and diversity initiatives in the State Courts System."

Previously, "approved courses in fairness and diversity also can be used to fulfill the judicial ethics requirement."

The ruling came in the wake of a high-profile attempt by Gov. Ron DeSantis to curb diversity-related programs in the state's colleges and universities.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

AMBASSADOR AND JUJAMCYN THEATRES to merge. Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), one of the biggest entities on the London West End theater scene, owning 58 venues across the UK, Germany, and the US, including two Broadway theaters announced it will merge with Jujamcyn which owns five of the 41 venues on Broadway - including the St. James and Al Hirschfield theaters.

The New York Times was the first to report that Jujamcyn President Jordan Roth will continue to deterime what shows are mounted at the five theaters he's overseen for the last 14 years.

VALENTINE SPENDING topped $25.9 billion up by $2 billion compared to last year.

E-Book

Soft back Book

THE EE BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS (BAFTA) awards takes place tonight, Sunday, February 19, 2023. Prince William and Princess Kate will attend, first watching the awards before meeting winners and the nominees in the EE Rising Star award category. Veteran actor Helen Mirren, who has portrayed Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions, will lead a special tribute to the late monarch.

THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS RESEARCH AND PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM This program provides grants to music institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists, and researchers around the world who are enhancing and preserving Latin music heritage. The four grants, with a maximum value of $5,000 each, support diverse initiatives: The Preservation Grants fund the archiving and preservation of Latin music and its unique customs, while the Research Grants support projects that emphasize historical and anthropological research, in addition to documenting traditions and Latin folklore.

Awarded Preservation Grants:

Andrew Skinner, Clayton, GA, United States, and Daniel Zanessi, Mendoza, Argentina – Through the project “Preservation and Distribution of the Studio Zanessi Collection” (Rescate y Difusión de la Colección del Estudio Zanessi), the goal is to digitalize, promote, and distribute unpublished recordings of invaluable cultural and historical significance to Argentina's interior, archived in quarter-inch tape in Mendoza’s historic music studio, Zanessi Studios. Gustavo Ahualli, Latin American Music Center, The Catholic University of America – For many years, the Latin American Music Center (LAMC) at The Catholic University of America has suffered from a lack of resources to devote the proper time and attention towards the process of cataloging and maintaining its specialized library of Latin American sheet music, books, and recordings. The LAMC has responded to this issue by developing a multi-phase project focused on the process of cataloging and digitizing the complete collection while preserving its fragile materials.

Awarded Research Grants:

Gabriela Gómez Estévez, Louisiana State University – “Dicotomía: Contextualizing the Symphonic Works of Margarita Luna García” is a project that analyzes the life of Dominican composer and pedagogue Margarita Luna García, who was one of the most notable figures of avant-garde music in the Dominican Republic in the twentieth century.

Dr. Sang Woo Kang, Seoul, South Korea – Musical borrowing is a pervasive aspect of musical creation in all genres and periods. Musicologists use several terms to describe composers’ uses of existing works, including borrowing, self-borrowing, transformative imitation, quotation, modeling, emulation, decomposition, influence and indebtedness. The goal of the project "Appropriation and Multiculturalism of Latin Influence in early American Music" will be to show Latin American influence on early American music through explanatory text and recordings while also highlighting the composer Louis M. Gottschalk, one of the founding fathers of classical music in the United States, including his influences and use of folk tunes, and the Latin composers who inspired him. A committee of experts from Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the United States selected the recipients among numerous qualified candidates. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $175,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received a Latin Grammy and Grammy Award.



THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell. Directed by Simon Levy.

Starring Ron Bottitta, Inger Tudor, Jonah Robinson.

What’s more important: writing the truth, or telling a good story?

Based on the nonfiction book by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal, this highly entertaining, very funny new play follows Fingal (Jonah Robinson), a young intern at an elite New York magazine. Fingal’s first assignment from his editor (Inger Tudor) is to fact check an essay written by a highly celebrated and cantankerous author (Ron Bottitta as John D’Agata). What Jim finds turns his world upside down. Thought-provoking, with zinging one-liners, The Lifespan of a Fact explodes into a hilarious slugfest between “facts” and “truth,” making it hard to imagine a play ever being more timely.

"The play urges us to take a harder look at the content we read and the stories we're told — even from sources we trust," says Fountain Theatre artistic director Stephen Sachs.

"What I love about this play is that it’s based on a true story, and that it tackles the concepts of ‘fact’ and ‘truth’ in a theatrical context through three wonderfully contrasting, funny and compulsive/obsessive characters," says Levy. "When you’re writing a nonfiction piece about a real person, are 'facts' and 'truth' negotiable? Or is it okay to make stuff up for the sake of a good story?"

The Fountain’s creative team includes scenic designer Joel Daavid, lighting designer Alison Brummer, sound designer Marc Antonio Pritchett, costume designer Michael Mullen, video designer Nicholas Santiago and properties designer Joyce Hutter. The production stage manager is Hannah Raymond. Stephen Sachs and James Bennett produce for the Fountain Theatre.

The stage adaptation, which opened on Broadway in 2018 starred Daniel Radcliffe, Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones.

The Lifespan of a Fact runs February 18 through April 2, at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

THE OVER-SHARER: ALL THE SEX I'VE EVER HAD created by Mammalian Diving Reflex / Darren O'Donnell.

Most of the stuff you know about this person is against your will. You know all the saucy details of their past and present relationships, you’re across their beef with Becky from the third floor, and you hear about their therapy sessions verbatim. All The Sex I’ve Ever Had is over sharing brought to an art form. Hear all about the colorful sex lives of a group of over-65s who are spilling the beans on their life experience.

Following a hugely successful Sydney Festival season in 2016, Canada’s Mammalian Diving Reflex returns to create the world’s first LGBTQIA+ edition of All the Sex I’ve Ever Had, with elders from Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.

In this taboo-busting tell-all, the spotlight is at last shone on a part of the population too often rendered invisible, with a show that has a tender encounter with real people.

The six seniors starring in this production - all of whom have dedicated decades of their lives to LGBTQIA+ activism and movements are:

Barry Charles - Known as Trough Man, Barry was a party icon during the 80s and 90s. He joined the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP) as soon as it was formed in 1971. Barry was a founding member of the UNSW branch of CAMP and a secretary of CAMP and UNSW Gay Liberation (1972-74). Barry is a 78er, participating in the first Mardi Gras, and was a co-convenor of the Gay Rights Lobby from 1982-84.

Titi Chartay - is an activist, writer, photographer, classically trained flautist, BDSM educator and elder of the leather community. She is currently the co-chair of the Original 78'ers, and for over 40 years has been the Cardinal of the Sydney House of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence.

Sylvia Kinder - Born in Liverpool in 1948, Sylvia brought her scouse, working class humor to Australia in 1967 at the age of 19. She fell in love with Australia and developed a taste for bushwalking, kayaking, cycling, women and lesbian feminist politics. She is currently active in the Older lesbian movement and still retains her links with union activism.

Peter Murphy - was born in 1953 in Milton, Brisbane. He was a pious altar boy who trained for the priesthood, but later become a red-ragger who sailed the seas as a steward. Peter began his activism at Macquarie Uni in the 1970s and is yet to take a break.

Wilfred Roach - is a writer with a particular interest in biography, short stories and creative content (ie podcasts). He has published volume 1 of his memoir titled ‘Black, Gay & Underage’ and is currently preparing volumes 2 and 3. Wil is the current facilitator of the WestWord’s LGBTQIA+ Writers Group.

John Thomas Turner - Born in Sydney in 1949, John is an artist who attended the National Art School from 1972-1973 and ANU School of Arts from 1990-1996 studying visual arts, art history and theory. He has worked in fashion and created costumes for films and plays and is currently working towards having a painting exhibition in the near future, as well as writing an autobiography.

Content Warning: This show contains conversations about sex, and may contain references to traumatic events. Parental discretion is advised.

All the Sex I’ve Ever Had is made possible in part thanks go grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council.

Performances February 21-26, 2023 at Darlinghurst Theatre Company in NSW, Australia which acknowledges "the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land."

INTO THE WOODS Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award–winning triumph.

Directed by Lear deBessonet, this theatrical event honors Stephen Sondheim’s legendary memory and his masterpiece.

Into the Woods features Montego Glover as The Witch, Stephanie J. Block as The Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as The Baker, and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf - all reprising their Broadway roles.

February 23–March 19 at the Opera House, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ with the Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson.

Script Consultant: David Auburn.

Directed by Kari Hayter.

Music Director: Anthony Zediker who helms a live band.

Starring Ernesto Figueroa, Samantha M. Lawrence, Phillip J. Lewis.

A pop/rock musical by Jonathan Larson about the courage it takes to follow one’s dreams.

tick, tick… BOOM! is Larson’s funny, moving, autobiographical work about an aspiring composer trying to write the great American musical, even as time and life seem to pass him by. Originally written and performed by Larson as a musical monologue, it was adapted into a three-person musical by playwright David Auburn after Larson’s death. The result is a revealing look at the man who would go on to posthumously receive three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his revolutionary rock musical, Rent.

Jon (Ernesto Figueroa) is an aspiring composer living in SoHo and waiting tables, his first big break on the horizon but always out of reach. His best friend (Phillip J. Lewis) is making big bucks on Madison Avenue, and his girlfriend (Samantha M. Lawrence) wants to get married and move out of the city. But Jon continues to hold fast to his dreams - even as he questions his life choices on the eve of his 30th birthday.

A brilliant, groundbreaking creator of musical theater, Larson died tragically of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996 - ten days before his 36th birthday and one day before the off-Broadway premiere of Rent at New York Theatre Workshop.

Tick, tick… BOOM! has vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus. The creative team for the ICT production includes set designer Matt Scarpino, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey, prop designer Patty Briles, and hair and wigs designer Anthony Gagliardi. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Donna Parsons.

Performances through March 5, 2023 at the International City Theatre in Long each, CA.

LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS a West End revival of Sam Steiner’s debut play of the same name, following its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015.

Directed by Josie Rourke.

Starring in the two hander are Jenna Coleman, best known for her BAFTA-nominated performance as Clara in Doctor Who and for playing Queen Victoria in ITV's Emmy-nominated series Victoria, and Aidan Turner who played Ross Poldark in the 2015–2019 BBC adaptation of The Poldark Novels by Winston Graham.

Jenna plays rule-abiding lawyer Bernadette while Aidan portrays free-spirited musician Oliver.

The official synopsis reads: '"Let's just talk until it goes". You're going to speak more than 123 million words in your lifetime. What will you do when they run out?

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a tender and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can't say anything anymore".

The play explores a young couple’s response to a dystopian world in which words are rationed by 'hush laws.'

The play, in a limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London is receiving mixed reviews.

THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare.

Directed by Rick Dildine. ASF alumnus Greta Lambert stars as Prospero.
Shakespeare’s final play is a story of adventure, magic, music, and forgiveness. Prospero has been exiled on an island with her daughter for more than a decade when she conjures a storm that crashes her enemies on the island in a violent shipwreck. What follows is a story which asks: "How do we forgive and move on after we have been harmed?"

February 23 - March 12, 2023 at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Alabama.

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by book author Khaled Hosseini.

Stage directed by Roya Sadat.

Fifteen-year-old Mariam, the cast-off bastard child of a rich father, is forced to leave her rural home after her mother's suicide and marry a middle-aged shoe-maker from Kabul named Rasheed. Alone, scared and forced to wear the burqa, something unfamiliar to her, she tries her best to be a dutiful wife but is unable to conceive a child. Consequently, she lives a loveless existence with a husband who abuses her regularly for her failure to give him a son.

Seattle Opera World Premiere. Set against Afghanistan’s volatile history, this new opera tells the breathtaking story of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women. Brought together under the brutal Taliban rule, the bond between Laila and Mariam leads to unthinkable sacrifices, and ultimately, one family’s survival.

Based on Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel, this story has captured the hearts of millions including American composer Sheila Silver and librettist Stephen Kitsakos who adapted the novel for the opera stage. Directing the production is Afghan filmmaker Roya Sadat, whose trailblazing work as one of Afghanistan’s first female film directors has garnered more than 20 international film awards, including the 2021 Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Film Award and the 2018 International Women of Courage Award presented by the United States Department of State.

Starring as Mariam, mezzo-soprano, Karin Mushegain; Laila portrayed by soprano, Maureen McKay; Rasheed played by baritone, John Moore; Tariq is tenor, Rafael Moras and Nana is played by Tess Altiveros.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is on stage February 25–March 11 at McCaw Hall, Seattle Opera in Seattle, Washington.

DISNEY'S HERCULES music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by David Zippel. Book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn & Kwame Kwei-Armah, artistic director of London's Young Vic.

Based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.

Directed by Obie Award winner Lear deBessonet.

Music Supervised by Michael Kosarin.
Choreographed by Chase Brock & Tanisha Scott.

"It’s a terrific twist of fates! The inspired Disney animated film is now a mythical new musical adventure. Hercules is the divinely funny story of an honest-to-Zeus hero on a quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Is love a possibility too? Oh, Hades, yes! The roof-raising score by Alan Menken and David Zippel features all the hits you love from the film, including the Oscar-nominated song "Go The Distance," as well as "Zero to Hero" and "I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)," along with new songs written for the stage.

Starring Bradley Gibson as Hercules - Shuler Hensley as Hades. James Monroe Iglehart as Phil - Isabelle McCalla as Meg.

Performances through March 19, 2023 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.

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.

BLESSINGS TO . . .

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER 98, who has entered hospice care in his home in Plains, Georgia. The 39th president is the longest living American president in American history. The official release indicated that he "decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention." May his final journal be a peaceful one.

FINAL OVATION

RAQUEL WELCH died February 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. She was 82.

Welch, who became an international sex symbol after wearing a deerskin bikini in One Million Years B.C. , began her career as a weather girl on a San Diego television station KFMB.

She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1974 for her performance in The Three Musketeers. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Television Film for her performance in the film Right to Die (1987). In 1995, Welch was chosen by Empire magazine as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History". Playboy ranked Welch No. 3 on their "100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century" list.

Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. She also had a successful line of wigs.

On stage she appeared in Raquel and the World of Sid and Marty Krofft as herself at the Las Vegas Hilton from 1973-74 which was adapted into the television special Really Raquel.1981–1983 Woman of the Year Tess Harding Palace Theatre[98] In 1995 she was cast in The Millionairess as Epifania Ognisanti di Parerga at the Alexandra Theatre and in 1997 she replaced Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria as Victoria Grant/Victor Grazinski at the Marquis Theatre.

Divorced four times she is survived by her children Damon Welch and Latanne "Tahnee" Welch from her first marriage to James Welch.

Next Column: February 26, 2023
Copyright: February 19, 2023 All Rights Reserved. Reviews, Interviews, Commentary, Photographs or Graphics from any Broadway To Vegas (TM) columns may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, utilized as leads, or used in any manner without permission, compensation and/or credit.
Link to Main Page

---

Laura Deni

For the snail mail address, please E-mail your request.