Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: February 2, 2020
By: Laura Deni
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THE NAATCO NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT: A NEW INITIATIVE TO SPOTLIGHT ASIAN AMERICAN AMERICAN THEATRE ARTISTS

Mia Katigbak

We're in the age of inclusion - sort of.

Currently, it seems that every television series has one mixed race and one gay character. The popular forms of show business "inclusion" are selective and restrictive. You don't see many Native Americans, Muslims, or for that matter left-handed redheads. A long ignored minority are Asians.

The lack of Asian representation is not exclusive to America. The 73rd BAFTA award ceremony had an absence of black, Asian and ethnic minority nominations in the top four acting categories.

In 2018 NBC reported that a report concluded that "Broadway diversity improves for all but Asian Americans."

The report released by the Asian American Performers Action Coalition stated that Asian Americans were the only minority group to see a drop in representation on New York City stages during the 2015-2016 season.

The report did state that actors of color received 35 percent of all roles on stage in the Big Apple, up 5 percentage points from the previous season.

Regarding Broadway musicals, 43 percent of actors hired in the season were minorities, the report stated.

However, for Broadway plays people of color made up just 16 percent of hired actors and only one Asian actor was cast in an ensemble role, according to the report.

Within the entire industry, Asians accounted for just 4 percent of all roles, falling 5 percentage points from the previous season, according to the report. It was the steepest drop among all minority groups.

The study tallied a total of 1,149 actors for the 2015-16 season, with 574 employed by the commercial sector and 659 by non-profit theater companies.

This is the season in which Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway mega-hit Hamilton took home 11 Tony Awards. It was the most diverse production in the 10 years for which the association has data.

On average, over the last 10 years, 76 percent of all roles went to whites, 15 percent to African Americans, 4 percent to Latinos and 4 percent to Asian Americans, the report reflected. Middle Eastern/North African, American Indian and disabled actors together amounted to just 1 percent of all roles.

Part of the Asian exclusion is of their own making - a long held desire to exist under the radar in hopes of not being persecuted - as they were in this country.

NAATCO 2018 production of Henry VI Parts 1-3. Photo: NAATCO.

Coming out from under their rock, Asian are now realizing that if their registered and voted, they'd be an important force. In the theatrical world there are a few stardom exceptions which make the rule. Fresh Off the Boat was a terrific series even if it was reported that the leading lady was happy to see it cancelled.

Getting stage work has long been an issue for the Asian community.

Confronting that problem the NAATCO (National Asian American Theatre Company) founder and Artistic Producing Director Mia Katigbak has announced the creation of The NAATCO National Partnership Project (NNPP), a national theater initiative that will ingrain the inclusion of Asian American theatre artists, technicians, administrators, and community members in the American theater.

Founded in 1989 by Katigbak and Richard Eng, NAATCO will establish relationships with theatres around the country to implement strategies for the inclusion of Asian Americans in all aspects of its partners’ practices.

In a press release NAATCO announced the NNPP’s anchor partners: Long Wharf Theatre (CT); New York Theatre Workshop (NY), Soho Rep (NY), and Two River Theater (NJ).

“A spotlight shines on ‘inclusion and belonging’ in American culture today. Yet despite an ever growing national movement among Asian American theatre artists and companies to establish strong sustainable communities, Asian Americans remain on the margins of this light, continuing to be represented in stereotypical and formulaic ways, when represented at all. Our partners will join our efforts to foster and create more expansive representations of Asian Americans, on stage as well as behind the scenes. Together, we will augment and fortify these efforts to reflect the multiplicity of cultures, races, and ethnicities that defines this country and keeps our theatre vital,” said Ms. Katigbak.

Jacob Padrón, Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre says, “Long Wharf Theatre is honored to partner with the venerable National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) as they launch this thrilling initiative to amplify the voices of Asian American artists across the country. Through the brilliant leadership of Mia Katigbak, NAATCO has been steadfast in their commitment to build a more inclusive American theater and we at Long Wharf are inspired by this call to action. We must work together, in community, to support NAATCO’s necessary expansion and we look forward to this meaningful partnership.”

“We look forward to building on our existing relationship with NAATCO through this visionary partnership. Mia has always been a role model for me personally, as an artist, producer, and advocate, so it's a dream to be able to collaborate with her and NAATCO to develop and produce the work of Asian American playwrights here at Soho Rep. NAATCO has led the way in representation of Asian American performers in classic plays, and we're excited to be a part of this new expanded vision for Asian American representation in our field," said Meropi Peponides, Director, Artistic Development and Producing, Soho Rep.

The NNPP’s partners have committed to four actions:

1) Collaboratively select a production guided by the parameters of NAATCO’s programming: European and American classics with all-Asian American casts; the adaptation of such classics by Asian American playwrights; new plays by non-Asian Americans with non-Asian or Asian American subject matters or characters realized by all-Asian American casts; the development and production of new plays by Asian American playwrights that incorporate other performative arts and media. This new, fourth category of work will advance the transformational work NAATCO has been doing for the past 29 years.

2) Plan a series of pre- or post-performance events supplementing the productions and highlighting Asian or Asian American panelists and speakers.

3) Institute a plan for outreach to Asian Americans in the community to encourage their participation in all aspects of the partners’ operations.

4) Take the next step towards sustaining Asian American presence in the partners’ programming by announcing one or more productions for upcoming seasons that conforms to one of NAATCO’s four programs. This announcement should occur by the end of the first collaboration.

NAATCO is currently engaged in confirming new partners from around the country. The NNPP will contribute funding to each of the partners to support this effort.

Established in 1965 at the start of the regional theatre movement, Long Wharf Theatre has a historic commitment to commissioning, developing, and producing new work that has become a part of the modern American canon. More than 30 Long Wharf Theatre productions have transferred to Broadway or Off-Broadway runs, three of which—Wit, The Shadow Box, and The Gin Game— won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. They were among the earliest recipients of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1978). Long Wharf Theatre annually engages 50,000 people through productions, arts education programs, and community partnerships.

New York Theatre Workshop empowers visionary theatre-makers and brings their work to adventurous audiences through productions, artist workshops and education and community engagement programs. They have mounted over 150 productions which received a Pulitzer Prize and 25 Tony Awards.

Founded in 1975, and in its theater on Walker Street since 1991, artistic autonomy is paramount at Soho Rep. In recent years, Soho Rep. has presented plays by established and emerging theatre artists such as David Adjmi, Annie Baker, Alice Birch, Christohper Chen, Jackie Sibblies Drury, debbie tucker green, Aleshea Harris, Lucas Hnath, Branden Jacobs Jenkins, Daniel Alexander Jones, Hansol Jung, Richard Maxwell, Sarah Kane, Young Jean Lee, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Kate Tarker, and Anne Washburn.

Two River Theater produces a theatrical season that includes American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we also offer 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Red Bank, New Jersey. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. The theater’s recently opened Center for New Work, Education and Design is a three-story facility that includes two rehearsal studios, artist labs, classrooms, expanded shops and centrally located offices.

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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

ALCATRAZ EAST CRIME MUSEUM

Bronco chase vehicle used by O.J. Simpson. Photo: Alcatraz East Crime Museum

in Pigeon Forge, TN is hosting its 3rd Annual Graffiti Art Contest. The museum is currently accepting applications from artists wishing to participate. The event will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Each year, the museum provides artists with an opportunity to showcase their unique talents and techniques, while flipping the negative stereotype associated with vandalism and graffiti. The contest is judged by local artists and members of law enforcement, and winners receive cash prices of $750, $350, and $200 for first, second, and third places. Winning artwork is also put on display in the museum for a year.

Alcatraz East is called "the most most arresting crime museum in the United States." Guests of all ages can encounter a unique journey into the history of American crime, crime solving, and our justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts,

The museum reports that "our guests are always surprised to see the White Ford Bronco that carried a frantic and suicidal O.J. Simpson during the famous televised car chase! The chase eventually ended at Simpson’s house in Brentwood where he surrendered to authorities. The now iconic footage of the chase was never shown during the trial."

On June 17, 1994, over 95 million viewers were captivated when news broadcasts across the country cut into game five of the NBA Finals to show police in a slow speed pursuit with a white 1993 Ford Bronco on an empty California highway.

In the backseat was former NFL star O.J. Simpson with a gun threatening to kill himself. A warrant had just been issued for his arrest in the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman on June 12th. They had been found brutally stabbed outside her home and Simpson was the prime suspect.

The Bronco was being driven by former NFL player Al Cowlings, Simpson’s friend and owner of the vehicle. Cowlings claimed that Simpson forced him into the vehicle, threatened him with his gun, to supposedly drive them to Nicole’s grave. The chase continued for roughly 2 hours, with police on the phone with Simpson, attempting to keep him from ending his life. The chase eventually ended at Simpson’s house in Brentwood where he surrendered to authorities. The now iconic footage of the chase was never shown during the trial.

Ted Bundy's VW Bug. Photo: Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Many people mistakenly believe that the Bronco from the chase was owned by O.J. Simpson. Both men owned the exact same make and model of vehicle because Cowlings had purchased his Bronco intentionally identical to one owned by Simpson. Simpson’s Bronco, however, had been found outside his home the night of the murders with traces of blood from both victims inside of it and seized as evidence.

Simpson now resides in Las Vegas. Also based in Vegas is the popular Pawn Stars television show. An episode of Pawn Stars that originally aired on August 14, 2017 featured the same original Bronco that is now on display at the museum.

Another permanent display regards Ted Bundy, considered the most notorious serial killer in history. The public’s fascination with his crimes are studied to this day. Some pieces from the museum’s collection include: Bundy’s VW Bug, a typewriter used in prison, and his trial dental mold. His 30 year execution anniversary on January 24, 2019 ignited a wave of general interest, movies, and documentaries.

FREE & SAFE: THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN VERMONT the only permanent exhibition in New England that addresses slavery, abolition, and the Underground Railroad is an award winning, multi-media exhibit which will introduce visitors to Simon and Jesse, two fugitives from slavery who were sheltered at Rokeby in the 1830s. Tracing their stories from slavery to freedom, the exhibit also introduces the abolitionist Robinson family who called Rokeby home for nearly 200 years, and explores the turbulent decades leading up to the Civil War.

February is also last the month for seeing the special exhibit, Amassed & Up-ending: Decoding the Legacy of Stuff. The exhibit is a great opportunity to learn more about the Abolitionist Robinsons. Significant pieces of art, furniture, household goods, letters, and journals illustrate the lives of the four generations of Robinsons who lived at Rokeby from 1793 to 1961. As you experience this remarkable family, it’s also an opportunity to think about how you will be remembered. What of your things are likely to be treasured, and what will they say about the life you have lived?

Rokeby Museum is located in Ferrisburgh, VT.

PORTRAYING PREGNANCY: FROM HOLBEIN TO SOCIAL MEDIA this exhibition is now open at The foundling Museum in London. Explore how representations of the pregnant female body have changed over 500 years, through paintings, prints, photographs, objects and clothing from the fifteenth century to the present day.

This exhibition includes works by Hans Holbein the Younger, George Dawe, William Hogarth, Lucian Freud and Jenny Saville, showcasing how depictions and attitudes towards pregnancy in art have changed throughout the centuries.

This exhibition is on display until April 26, 2020.

THE TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART (TMA) has appointed Adam M. Levine to be the next Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey director of the Museum. Levine returns to TMA from the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, where he is currently the George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs director and chief executive officer. Prior to his post at the Cummer Museum, which began in October 2018, Levine served in several roles at TMA since 2013, most recently as deputy director and curator of ancient art. Levine will begin his directorship at TMA on May 1, 2020.

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SWEET CHARITY

ELTON JOHN'S 28TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS VIEWING PARTY will be hosted by Netflix’s Queer Eye, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Karamo and Jonathan Van Ness, and event hosts Diane Lane, Heidi Klum, Eric McCormack and Billy Porter. There will be a performance by BRIT Award winner singer Sam Fender.

The party benefits AIDS research and takes place February 9th in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

THE 25th ANNUAL LA ART SHOW has announced that actress Sofia Vergara will be the official host of the 2020 Opening Night Premiere Gala being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday February 5. The beloved Colombian actress is known for her role as Gloria Delgado on the ABC television series Modern Family. The long-running, multiple-Emmy award-winning series is currently in its 11 and final season.

Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the sixth year in a row. All proceeds from the sale of Patron and Vanguard tickets and 15 percent of sales of Friend tickets will go directly to the charity.

In addition to food, beverages, live music and art, gala attendees will be given a special sneak peek of the LA Art Show’s 200,000 square foot of programming featuring more than 100 galleries from 18 countries. They will have first dibs to explore DIVERSEartLA, a celebration of pride in LA’s cultural diversity, view Oscar-nominated Kazuhiro Tsuji’s three-dimensional portraits of legendary, historical figures and get up close to 25 years of red carpet dresses designed by Sue Wong (and worn by stars like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Minnie Driver and others).

The LA Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from February 6 - 9. As the city (and west coast’s) largest art fair, and one of the most diversely programmed in the world, the LA Art Show features a comprehensive lineup of exhibitors not only in contemporary and modern art, but also classical and other specialized art scenes that often command their own dedicated shows.

KING'S HEAD THEATRE 50 YEAR BIRTHDAY BASH takes place February 9, 2020 at thutKing's Head Theatre turns 50 years old at Portchester Hall in London.

The Big Birthday Bash as it is being called promises "a dazzling evening of fine dining, live performances and special celebrity guests in the glamorous surroundings of Porchester Hall. As well as throwing the party of a lifetime, we need to raise £100,000 in one night to realize the move into our brand new home and secure our future for the next 50 years."

Confirmed Celebrity & VIP Guests: Actor & Writer Mark Gatiss - Playwright Martin Sherman - Artistic Director (Bush Theatre) Lynette Linton - TV Personality Gail Porter - Theatre Maker Rikki Beadle-Blair - Actor Ian Hallard.

"Upon arrival, a glass of top quality english sparking wine To start, a luxurious selection of mouth watering canapés to sample. A two-course dinner of smoked trout wellington and a scrumptious treacle tart cooked by Clerkenwell Green's top chefs. The opportunity to meet and have your photo taken with our celebrity guests and VIP's. Live singing and performances from King's Head Theatre alumni including Charles Court Opera's John Savournin and award-winning soprano Honey Rouhani. The opportunity to bid on a range of fantastic prizes in our live auction hosted by a professional auctioneer or try your hand in our silent auction Pop-up performances, amusements and a very special top secret event"

SPREADING THE WORD

PRINCE WILLIAM AND DUCHESS KATE

Prince William and Duchess Kate at a recent BAFTA Awards ceremony.

will get all gussied up and attend tonight's (February 2, 2020) EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the couple have been in attendance. Others making an appearance include A-list guests such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Margot Robbie. The ceremony will feature an exclusive performance from Cirque du Soleil.

While American is kicking the football around the Brits will be cheering the films which scored.

However, Prince William wasn't amused that the top four acting category had only white nominees and that the direccting category had only males nominated. The nominations and winners are picked by Bafta's 6,500 members.

EE will debut the world’s first 5G-powered augmented reality (AR) dress live on the red carpet. The dress, designed by multi-disciplinary artist, Richard Malone, will be worn by presenter Maya Jama, as EE opens the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time.

As Maya makes her entrance at the awards ceremony, the dress will transform before their eyes as she makes her was along the red carpet, while spectators outside the Royal Albert Hall will see the dress come to life digitally via Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G smartphones, situated along the red carpet to capture the AR transformation as it happens.

The AR dress was designed by London-based fashion designer Richard Malone in collaboration with EE. Made from ethically-sourced fabric, including recycled, regenerative ocean waste, recycled wool and wadding from ex-factory waste, the dress is hand-sewn, with over 100,000 stitches and took over 250 hours to complete. Made up of six layers in total, the dress contains over 12 body-length wires, totaling over 18 metres in length, and 18 sensor bulbs which, on the night, will transform to create the world’s first 5G-powered AR dress.

In addition to who is wearing what, the evening will also spotlight the best in movies.

Andy Serkis - actor, producer, director and the founder of The Imaginarium Studios - will receive the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award at the EE British Academy Film Awards. One of BAFTA’s highest honors, the award recognises Serkis as a pioneer of the evolving art of performance capture; through the creation of characters such as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings series, Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Supreme Leader Snoke in the recent Star Wars films, Serkis has "single-handedly widened the parameters of what it means to be an actor in the 21st century."

A total of 39 feature films received nominations. Highlights include: 11 nominations for Joker
10 nominations for The Irishman and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Nine nominations for 1917
Six nominations for Jojo Rabbit
Five nominations for Little Women, Marriage Story and The Two Popes
Four nominations for For Sama, Parasite and Rocketman
Three nominations for Bombshell, Judy, Le Mans ’66 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Two nominations for Bait
One nomination for each of the following feature films: American Factory, Apollo 11, Avengers: Endgame, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Booksmart, Diego Maradona, The Farewell, Frozen 2, The Great Hack, Klaus, Knives Out, The Lighthouse, The Lion King, Maiden, Only You, Pain and Glory, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Retablo, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, Sorry We Missed You, Toy Story 4 and Wild Rose.

The following British short films were nominated: Azaar, Goldfish, Kamali, Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl), The Trap, Grandad Was a Romantic, In Her Boots and The Magic Boat.

A NEW PBS DOCUMENTARY HOLLYWOOD ARCHITECT: THE PAUL R. WILLIAM STORY tells the story of African American architect Paul R. Williams as he defied the odds to become one of the most notable architects in history. His fortitude, talent and determination led him to design iconic homes and buildings across the country for movie stars and moguls, in spite of personal tragedy and racial prejudice.

The film premieres Thursday, February 6, 2020 on PBS.

From the early 1920s until his retirement 50 years later, Williams was one of the most prolific architects in America. His list of celebrity clients included Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, William Holden, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. He is noted for his mastery of various iconic architectural styles that include the Beverly Hills Hotel, the original MCA Headquarters Building and he was part of the team that designed and built LAX Airport. Because of his race, Paul Williams wasn’t always welcome in the restaurants and hotels he designed, or the neighborhoods where he built homes, even at the height of his career. Hollywood’s Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story explores how he used his skills, persistence and charisma to overcome discrimination and create a portfolio of work that can be found nationwide.

A co-production of PBS SoCal and RKR Media, the film is narrated by Tony and Emmy award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance. Interviewees include grandchildren of Paul R. Williams Karen Hudson and Paul Hudson, family friend Quincy Jones as well as Paul R. Williams homeowners Robert Iger, Pauletta Washington, Steve Tisch and more. Notable interviews from the architectural world include Smithsonian Institution’s Dr. Lonnie Bunch, LA Conservancy’s Linda Dishman, the City of Los Angeles’s Chief Design Officer Chrisopher Hawthorne and architectural historian Dr. Wesley Henderson.

RED BULL THEATER'S REVELATION READINGS WITH KATE HAMILL'S THE SCARLET LETTER
The one night only event features David Corenswet, Kate Hamill, Robert Sean Leonard, Andrus Nichols, Olivia Oguma and more.

This brand new adaptation of the classic novel sheds new light and laughter on the sin, shame, and utter insanity of a puritanical society -- not far from our own mad, modern world. Revelation Readings offer the unique opportunity to hear rarely-produced classic plays, and brand new plays in conversation with the classics, performed by the finest actors in New York.

PRINCE EDWARD Patron, The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, will attend a dinner on February 11, 2020 at Spencer House, London. The theatre offers a wide range of courses available for people aged 11-25. 2020 Auditions are now open for young performers aged 14-25.

The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain is a world leading youth arts organisation. It was established in 1956 as the first youth theatre in the world and since then has nurtured the talent of hundreds of thousands of young people.

Prestigious Alumni include: Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Rosamund Pike, Orlando Bloom, Catherine Tate, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Derek Jacobi, Timothy Dalton, Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville, Matt Smith and Zawe Ashton.

LOYAL FOLLOWING Music Theatre Wichita staff Wayne Bryan and Nancy Reeves are taking a patron group to San Francisco to seee MTWichita Alum Julius Thomas III star as the title character in Hamilton in the San Francisco production on February 17, 2020.

EDIE FALCO IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE MILLER: CBS’ TOMMY Join Emmy-winning actress Edie Falco and Michelle Miller for a conversation about her acclaimed career and her new role as the title character of CBS’ new series, Tommy. Falco is already generating buzz for her nuanced portrayal of the first female chief of the LAPD - a character navigating between her job in a male-dominated field, a fractured relationship with her estranged adult daughter and her life in the LGBTQ community.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 92Y in New York City.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

JUNEBUG PRODUCTIONS CELEBRATED ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY by awarding $100,000 in funding to five local New Orleans artist art fellowships by establishing the John O’Neal Cultural Arts Fellowship, honoring the great work and legacy of the late John O’Neal - founder of Junebug Productions.

Established through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the John O’Neal Cultural Arts Fellowship will serve as an extension of Junebug’s mission to address a decades-long issue in the field of arts - the importance of direct support to individual artists that are hyper-local in their focus.

The five recipients have work which is steeped in community and make a major contribution to the New Orleans Arts and Cultural landscape and the National Arts Ecosystem.
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“We are grateful for the Andrew Mellon and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s partnership as we evolve in addressing the needs of our local arts field by raising the voices of local artists who are tackling relevant issues and, through their exemplary work, serve as ambassadors for our great city,” said Junebug Productions’ Executive Artistic Director, Stephanie McKee-Anderson. “The John O’Neal Cultural Arts Fellows illustrate the ways in which art and culture flourishes in our city, playing an active and vital role in not only our local arts ecosystem but the national arts ethos.”

Among the awarded artists are Ausettua Amor Amenkum, Sunni Patterson, Frederick "Hollywood" Delahoussae, Kiyoko McCrae, and Shana Griffin. The John O’Neal Artist Fellows are renowned and respected artists that work in a wide range of art forms and traditions including African drum and dance, spoken word, film, arts and organizing.

Junebug Productions is a producer and presenter of performing arts that strive to question and confront inequitable conditions that have historically impacted the African-American community. "Through interrogation, we challenge ourselves and those aligned with the organization to make greater and deeper contributions towards a just society." Founded in 1980, Junebug Productions is the organizational successor to the Free Southern Theater, a major influence in the Black Arts Movement. Over the past 40 years, Junebug Productions has toured 12 original productions to over 46 states and has presented many touring productions and local artists in New Orleans. As a leader in the progressive arts movement, Junebug Productions developed the Story Circle process that is used by artists and organizers nationwide.

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ROADSIGNS a lyrical new play by Jeff Daniels.

Directed by Guy Sanville.

Original music by Jeff Daniels and Ben Daniels.

The play follows Lanny, a young poet, as he embarks on a journey to find the way to himself. This nostalgic tale is filled with rich characters who dwell on the outskirts of life, each following a dream or hoping to bump into one.

Featuring: David Bendena, Tom Whalen, Richard McWilliams, Rusty Mewha, Ruth Crawford, K. Edmonds, Kristin Shields, and Caitlin Cavannaugh.

The creatives are: Set Designer: Sarah Pearline. Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack. Properties Designer: Danna Segrest. Costume Designer: Shelby Newport. Sound Designer: Angie Kane. Choreographer: Rhiannon Ragland. Musical Director: Angie Kane. Stage Manager: Devin Faught. Assistant Stage Manager: Angie Kane.

Through March 14, 2020 at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Michigan.

FAR AWAY by Caryl Churchill.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, widely-regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Caryl Churchill’s work.

You’ve found something secret. You know that don’t you?

In a cottage far away, a child wakes to the sound of screaming. Who will tell her what’s really going on?

And where will the discoveries she makes that night take her in the years to come?

Caryl Churchill’s dazzling play about a world sliding into chaos receives a new production at the Donmar, twenty years on from its explosive premiere.

Featuring BAFTA-winner Jessica Hynes, Aisling Loftus and Simon Manyonda.

The creatives are: Designer Lizzie Clachan. Lighting Designer Peter Mumford. Sound Designer Christopher Shutt. Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG.

Opening February 6, 2020 at the Donmar Warehouse in London.

TUNA DOES VEGAS by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, Jaston Williams

Starring Red, White and Tuna’s Jason Ross and Patty Payne .

"This hilarious comedy re-unites the loveable and eccentric characters from the third smallest town in Texas as they take a rambling romp in “Sin City”. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie (Patty Payne) announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller (Jason Ross) are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows…but everyone in Tuna, TX goes along for the ride. " The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two actors, making this send-up on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all the inhabitants of Tuna – men, women, as well as Vegas showgirls, and more." Tuna Does Vegas plays to March 19, 2020 at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN.

GRAND HORIZONS by Bess Wohl.

Directed by Leigh Silverman.

Featuring Jane Alexander, James Cromwell, Priscilla Lopez, Ben McKenzie, Maulik Pancholy, Ashley Park, and Michael Urie.

"Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as husband and wife. They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other's every sigh, snore and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out. As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the shocking news, they are forced to question everything they assumed about the people they thought they knew best. By turns funny, shocking and painfully honest."

The full creative team includes scenic design by Clint Ramos, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by Palmer Hefferan, projection design by Bryce Cutler, Sarah Lunnie Dramaturg and and casting by TELSEY + COMPANY.

Grand Horizons is co-commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival and Second Stage with performances at Second Stage’s Broadway home, The Hayes Theater, in New York City through March 1, 2020.

HAMLET by William Shakespeare.

Directed by Yaël Farber.

Academy Award nominee Ruth Negga makes her “mesmerizing” New York theatrical debut with a passionate, critically acclaimed portrayal, featuring an ensemble of leading Irish actors the focus shifts from anguish and identity to the power of resistance.

St. Ann’s Warehouse presents, in association with Kate Pakenham Productions Gate Theatre Dublin the American Premiere in association with Irish Arts Center through March 8, 2020 at Irish Arts Center in New York City.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

WHO'S WHERE

BILLY JOEL in the spotlight Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL. Next Sunday, February 9, 2020 he can be found at the Cultuurkoepel Heiloo, Heiloo, Netherlands.

THE BEACH BOYS on stage Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Louisville Palace in Louisville, KY. On Saturday they open a two nighter is at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

AEROSMITH has shows at the Park Theater in Las Vegas on Monday, February 3, Wednesday the 5th and Saturday February 8,2020.

TANYA TUCKER on stage Wednesday, February 5 at The Barns at Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA. Thursday's stop is at the World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA. Friday finds her at the Town Hall, New York City. On Saturday she;ll be singing her hits at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT.

QUEEN WITH ADAM LAMBERT entertain Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand. Friday's gig is at the Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose, New Zealand.

LIONEL HAMPTON BIG BAND FEATURING JASON MARSALIS on vibraphone, February 4th through 8th, at Birdland Jazz Club in New York City.

FINAL OVATION

MARY HIGGINS CLARK author known as the 'Queen of Suspense,' died January 31, 2020 in Naples, Florida. She was 92.

Her tales of women beating the odds made her one of the world's most popular writers.

Each of her 51 books was a bestseller in the United States and various European countries. Her debut suspense novel, Where Are the Children?, is in its seventy-fifth printing.

Higgins Clark was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame in March 2011.

After her first husband Warren Clark whom she married in 1949 died in 1964 she dated throughout her widowhood. She described her second marriage (1978-1986) to Raymond Ploetz as "disastrous," and had it annulled. In 1996, she married John J. Conheeney after they were introduced by her daughter, Patty. John J Conheeney died at age 89 on October 8, 2018. He was the retired CEO of Merrill Lynch Futures.

Her first marriage produced five children: Marilyn, was born nine months after their wedding, with Warren Jr. arriving thirteen months later. A third child, David was born two years after his brother. Two months after Higgins Clark's short story sold, the fourth baby made her appearance and was promptly named Carol, after the heroine in her mother's story. Her fifth and last child, Patricia, was fifth and last child was named after her agent Patricia Schartle Myrer, who represented Higgins Clark for twenty years until her retirement. Young Patty served as a Gerber Baby, while David was featured in a national United Way ad.

Her daughter Carol Higgins Clark and former daughter-in-law Mary Jane Clark, are also writers.

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