Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: February 26, 2023
By: Laura Deni
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NEO-NAZI MOVEMENT PICKETS PARADE ON BROADWAY; QUEEN CAMILLA DEFENDS DAHL

Micaela Diamond and Ben Plattt in Parade Photo: Joan Marcus

Hatred, bigotry and the unfortunate opinion that if you whitewash the bad stuff, everything will be okay.

Hatred and bigotry raised it's ugly head on Broadway and whitewashing is taking place on both sides of the pond.

The first preview Parade, a musical dramatization of the 1913 trial, imprisonment, and 1915 lynching of falsey accused Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia. The production was picketed by a far right neo-Nazi movement identified with the National Socialist Movement, which is labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Protestors carried posters and handed out flyers accusing Leo Frank of being a pedophile and child murderer, and shouted antisemitic and racist slurs, harassing theatregoers on the first night of previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway.

Flyers the group handed out included the logo of the Schutzstaffel, or the SS, a paramilitary group in Nazi Germany.

In one posted clip protesters can be seen holding a banner with a link to the website of the National Socialist Movement, which the Anti-Defamation League describes as "the largest neo-Nazi group in the United States."

"You want the truth about who you’re going to see tonight? You’re paying $300 to go worship a pedophile," one masked protester could be heard saying, using an expletive, in a clip shared by Jake Wasserman, an editor for the Jewish American publication, the Forward and first reprinted by The Washington Post.

Broadway To Vegas reviewed the original production, which still ranks as one of the best dramatic musicals ever mounted. See Broadway To Vegas column of December 28, 1998.

Parade, is a dramatization of the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish pencil factory director in Atlanta who was convicted of the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913. He was abducted from prison and lynched by an angry mob two years later, and the case remains a lightning rod for the far-right.

The Leo Frank case is one of the most notorious and highly publicized cases in the legal annals of Georgia.

Leo Max Frank was an American factory superintendent who was convicted in 1913 of the murder of a 13-year-old employee, Mary Phagan, in Atlanta, Georgia. His trial, conviction, and appeals attracted national attention. His lynching two years later, in response to the commutation of his death sentence, became the focus of social, regional, political, and racial concerns, particularly regarding antisemitism. Today, the consensus of researchers is that Frank was wrongly convicted and Jim Conley was likely the actual murderer. Mary Phagan, 13, worked at the National Pencil Company where Frank was director. The girl was strangled on April 26, 1913, and found dead in the factory's cellar the next morning. Two notes, made to look as if she had written them, were found beside her body. Based on the mention of a "night witch", they implicated the night watchman, Newt Lee. Over the course of their investigations, the police arrested several men, including Lee, Frank, and Jim Conley, a janitor at the factory.

On May 24, Conley admitted he had written the notes. Never- the-less on May 24, 1913, Frank was indicted on a charge of murder and the case opened at Fulton County Superior Court, July 28, 1913.

The prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of Conley, who described himself as an accomplice in the aftermath of the murder, and who the defense at the trial argued was, in fact, the perpetrator of the murder. A guilty verdict was announced on August 25. Frank and his lawyers made a series of unsuccessful appeals; their final appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States failed in April 1915. Considering arguments from both sides as well as evidence not available at trial, Governor John M. Slaton commuted Frank's sentence from capital punishment to life imprisonment.

The case attracted national press attention and many reporters deemed the conviction a travesty. Within Georgia, this outside criticism fueled antisemitism and hatred toward Frank. Historian Leonard Dinnerstein wrote that one juror said before jury selection: "I am glad they indicted the God damn Jew. They ought to take him out and lynch him. And if I get on that jury, I’ll hang that Jew for sure." Frank was sentenced to death.

The Washington Post reported in 1983 that jurors in his murder trial heard shouts of "Hang the Jew" outside the courthouse.

The killing of Frank was meticulously planned. The Post "reported in 2017 — from the cutting of the prison phone lines to the draining of the gas from police vehicles to help the attackers escape. But no convictions were ever made for Frank’s killing."

On August 16, 1915, he was kidnapped from prison by a group of armed men, and lynched the next morning at Marietta, Mary Phagan's hometown.

Parade producers and The Coalition of Broadway Unions & Guilds (COBUG), representing workers both on and offstage in New York State and beyond, condemned the protest.

Their statement reads: "If there is any remaining doubt out there about the urgency of telling this story in this moment in history, the vileness on display tonight should put it to rest. We stand by the valiant Broadway cast that brings this vital story to life each night," producers said in a statement.

"Antisemitism, vile hate speech, and censorship have no place on Broadway - or in American culture or society," said COBUG co-chair Laura Penn, executive director of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), in a statement. “COBUG calls on all members of the theatrical community, all people of conscience, and Mayor Eric Adams to safeguard inclusive environments for everyone who participates in or attends theatrical events in New York."

The Coalition of Broadway Unions & Guilds is a group of 18 member unions, including Actors’ Equity Association; American Federation of Musicians (international union); American Guild of Musical Artists; Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, IATSE LOCAL 18032; Dramatists Guild of America; The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, AFL-CIO, CLC; International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 817; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30; Associated Musicians of Greater New York (AFM Local 802); Mail Telephone Order Clerks, IATSE Local B-751; Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists, IATSE Local 798; Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ; Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, SDC; Theatrical Protective Union, IATSE Local One; Theatrical Wardrobe Union, IATSE Local 764; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Union, IATSE Local 751; United Scenic Artists, IATSE Local USA 829; and Ushers, Ticket Takers and Stagedoor Persons, IATSE Local 306.

Parade features a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. This production stars Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, and is directed by Michael Arden.

Ben Platt who stars as Leo Frank posted on his instagram account:

"For those who don’t know, there were a few neo-Nazi protesters from a really disgusting group outside of the theater, bothering some of our patrons on their way in and saying antisemitic things about Leo Frank, who the show is about, and just spreading antisemitic rhetoric that led to this whole story in the first place," star Platt said on Instagram after the performance.

He continued, "It was definitely very ugly and scary, but a wonderful reminder of why we’re telling this particular story and how special and powerful art and, particularly, theatre can be. And it made me feel extra, extra grateful to be the one to get to tell this particular story and to carry on the legacy of Leo."

Platt added, "I just think that now is really the moment for this particular piece. I wanted the button on the evening, at least for me personally, to be to celebrate what a beautiful experience it is, and what gorgeous work all my wonderful colleagues did tonight. Not the really ugly actions of a few people who are spreading evil."

"Are you really doing the real work of an artist if you aren’t be protested by Neo Nazi’s?" wrote Prentiss Mouton, another performer in the play. "If I wasn’t proud enough to be a part of this production it was solidified today."

The musical is a dramatization of what happened to Frank during the trial and after.

Parade, a revival of the multiple Tony Award 1998 musical (best book and best original score) written by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, tells the story of the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish man, in Georgia in 1915. The show is set to open on Broadway on March 16. The production must close Sunday, August 6, 2023.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at Reading Room event at Clarence House on February 23. 2023. Photo: Chris Jackson; The Royal Family

Across the pond, Queen Camilla was quick to react when it was announced that the beloved Roald Dahl books would be sanitized to remove insensitive words. She made an extraordinary and unprecedented defense of free speech and the right of writers to express themselves just days after she let it be known privately that she had serious concerns about the censorship in general and one of her favorite authors in particular - Roald Dahl.

On Thursday, in her first public appearance since recovering from Covid 19 for the second time, she delivered a pointed speech to mark the second anniversary of her literary initiative Reading Room at Clarence House. The Queen’s Reading Room grew into a charity after Camilla drew up a list of her nine favorite books during Covid. It now has 150,000 members.

Camilla said: “Thank you, on behalf of book lovers and book clubs everywhere, for sharing your talents with us and for everything you do to promote literacy and a love of literature. Please keep doing so and please remain true to your calling, unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of your expression or impose limits on your imagination."

Referring to the announcement by publisher Puffin to changes they are making to the text of Dahl’s classic books to make his stories more palatable and less challenging to modern readers, the Queen declared "let there be no squeaking like mice but only roaring like a pride of lions!"

Her intervention comes just days after it emerged that the changes by publishers Puffin will include downgrading descriptions such as "fat" to "enormous" to describe the character Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

A few of the other changes include: In The Fantastic Mr. Fox, the sentence "Each man will have a gun and a flashlight" has been rewritten as "Each person will have a person and a flashlight." Another example: "Badger sat down and put a paw around his small son" is now "Badger sat down and put a paw around the small badger."

The earthworm in James and the Giant Peach no longer has an earthworm with "lovely pink" skin but "lovely smooth skin." Mrs. Silver, of Esio Trot, is not referred to as "kind" rather than "attractive."

In The Witches,? a supermarket cashier has become a "top scientist".

What publishers aren't acknowledging is that words can sound insulting and sinister just by the tonal inclination and attitude. When the word "retarded" was replaced with "special"- there is no doubt that "special" can be said to sound pejorative.

Consider what is known in America as "speaking southern" when words which should be flattering and favorable are delivered in a way to be demeaning

The Queen made her opinion known during a speech last week at Clarence House in front of 150 writers including Simon Sebag Montefiore, Michael Morpurgo, historian Andrew Roberts and actor Richard E Grant, who has written a memoir. The Queen met authors Philippa Gregory and Sebastian Faulks. Gyles Brandreth, who wrote a biography of the Duke of Edinburgh, called the event a "unique moment for the royal family to be behind books".

Authors in attendance included: Philippa Gregory and Sebastian Faulks, children’s author Jacqueline Wilson; Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny and Napoleon: A Life, said: "The Queen has very subtly but unmistakably ranged herself behind the principle of free speech and opposing censorship. The fact that she does this in the case of Roald Dahl is a brave and commendable stance."

Camilla's statements were greeted with cheers of "hear, hear".

After the speech, a source close to Camilla said she was "shocked and dismayed" that Dahl’s words should have been altered and believes in the power and freedom of writers as one of the most important things that must be protected at all times.

Camilla was supported by the King at the event, which was a delayed by a week as the queen recovered from Covid. He beamed as his wife delivered her speech.

Long an advocate of the arts, The King, as Prince of Wales, was patron of the charity Friends of the National Libraries, which recently raised £15m to save the Blavatnik Honresfield Library which includes manuscripts by Bronte, Jane Austen, Walter Scot which were all bought and distributed back to the authors’ houses where they were written.

The King, author of several books himself, including a children’s book The Old Man of Lochnagar, is a passionate advocate of reading as an essential tool for life. He is an admirer of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s long poem The Song of Hiawatha, part of which he can recite from memory, as well as the infectiously rhythmic quality of Rudyard Kipling’s poems.

He is known to not only read to his and Camilla's grandchildren but to do so in an expressive way, depicting each of the characters.

The result is that when the Queen speaks her words carry weight.

On Friday, February 24, 2023 Dahl's British publisher announced that they would continue selling non-edited, previous editions of the books alongside the newly edited ones. Puffin, a children’s imprint, will sell the new, edited editions, while its parent company Penguin Random House will offer 17 of Dahl’s original books in The Roald Dahl Classic Collection.

"We’ve listened to the debate over the past week which has reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahl’s books and the very real questions around how stories from another era can be kept relevant for each new generation," said Francesca Dow, Penguin Random House Children’s managing director. "By making both Puffin and Penguin versions available, we are offering readers the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s magical, marvellous stories."

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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

FIRST SHAKIRA EXHIBIT WORLDWIDE explores her path to superstardom and breaking boundaries for Latin artists.

With a career spanning more than three decades, multi-Grammy Award-winning and Latin Gtammy Award-winning Shakira has firmly established herself as a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, visual artist, philanthropist, and global icon. To showcase Shakira’s enduring creative legacy, the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles proudly presents Shakira, Shakira: The Grammy Museum Experience, opening on Saturday, March 4. The exhibit will be on display in the Museum’s permanent Latin Music Gallery.

Shakira, Shakira explores the artist’s musical evolution, from her origins as a Latin rock-loving singer-songwriter in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a global superstar whose catalog spans multiple genres, from bhangra and bachata to rock and reggaetón. Early in her career, Shakira began fusing elements of her mixed ethnicity and multicultural roots, including the Lebanese heritage on her father’s side, with Arabic dancing and the mainstream pop rock that she grew up with, to construct a richly layered sonic universe that allowed her to grow as a creator while appealing to a worldwide audience. In the process, she achieved international crossover success and broke boundaries for Latin artists.

To deepen visitors’ appreciation and understanding of how these cultural elements have shaped every aspect of her songs, music videos, performances, and world tours, the first museum exhibit about Shakira features interactives that provide fresh insights into her creative process. It also includes artifacts from her personal archive, three original films, and an immersive space that draws inspiration from her El Dorado tour.

“Shakira is the rare superstar who has discovered a way to keep evolving as an artist while growing her expansive audience along with her,” said Jasen Emmons, Chief Curator & Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the Grammy Museum. “She’s a serious student of music, and the Grammy Museum is excited to offer a dynamic exhibit that reflects her intelligence and artistry.”

Exhibit highlights include:

Forty artifacts from Shakira’s personal archive
Shakira’s two 2020 Super Bowl LIV outfits (one red, one gold) and her Gibson Firebird electric guitar, covered with 70,000 black Swarovski crystals
Taylor acoustic guitar that Shakira uses for songwriting
Fender Stratocaster, covered with pink Swarovski crystals, that Shakira played on her Oral Fixation tour (2006-2007)
Gold Yamaha Revstar electric guitar Shakira played on her 2018 El Dorado tour
Iconic outfits from Shakira’s 2018 El Dorado tour
Leaf-covered bikini Shakira wore on the cover of her 2005 album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2
Songwriting notebook with handwritten lyrics

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SWEET CHARITY

MAKE A SPLASH FUNDRAISING GALA in association with EON Productions is National Youth Theatre's (NYT) raucous March 7, 2923 West End pool party themed fundraiser will welcome guests to the decadent surroundings of The Londoner in Leicester Square – the heart of London’s West End.


NYT Members will create the Headline Performance in a piece directed and created by Paul Roseby, as well as plenty of surprise star-studded appearances from NYT alumni & illustrious friends.

The Live Auction will be conducted by none-other-than Sotherby’s chairman Lord Harry Dalmeny. When all the fundraising of the night has finished, everyone will be invited to dance the night away with the stars. Previous galas have featured Beverley Knight, Hugh Bonneville, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feeling, Rosamund Pike, Regé Jean Page, Heather Small, Jazzie B, Rhys Stephenson, Katia Kvinge, Matt Smith, Catherine Tate, Tom Allen, Krishnan Guru-Murthy and many more.

A sumptuous four-course meal, fine wine and champagne will flow as a complimentary bar is included for all guests.

Make A Splash, enables NYT to raise vital funds to provide even more services, outreach programs, free training and Bursary Funds to those who need them most.

The Gala Committee is chaired by NYT President & Bond Producer Barbara Broccoli and Vice Chair Tilly McAuliffe from Think Publishing who are Print Sponsor for the gala.

Gala Committee:
Barbara Broccoli (chair) - Tilly McAuliffe (vice chair) - Dawn Airey - Tania Black - Judith Chan - Jacqueline de Croÿ - Graham Elton - Nigel Hall -Diana Hiddleston - Joyce Hytner - Daisy Lewis - Annette Mason - Tim Lloyd Hughes - David Pearl - and Julian Vogel.

THE SLIM MAN BAND on March 4th will stage a show at California's El Paseo Gardens, "a very cool outdoor venue, right in front of Saks Fifth Avenue!

"So go buy some Jimmy Choo’s and stroll on over to the Slim Show. March forth on March 4th!

"Proceeds go to the Coachella Valley (CA) Volunteers in Medicine. They offer medical and dental services to folks with no insurance."

Backing up Slim Man will be Chase Huna on sax, Hans Zermuehlaen on piano, and Craig Chesnut on drums.

SPREADING THE WORD

ALEC BALDWIN received news that New Mexico prosecutors dropped the five year enhancement sentencing provision they included when they criminally charged him with involuntary manslaughter regrding the shooting death on the movie set Rust.


Reason for dropping the enhancement charge - that enhancement didn't exist under New Mexico law at the time of the shooting.

Proecutors have also dismissed enhancement against co-defendant Gutierrez-Ree, 35, who was billed as the armorer - weapons supervisor - for the production.

Last Thursday, Baldwin entered a not guilty plea to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

DAME HELENE MIRREN 77, suffered a broken bone when she attempted to perform her own stunt while filming Shazam! Fury of the ods. Fortunately, she will enjoy a full recovery as the broken bone was in her finger. She disclosed that imformation while guesting on The Graham Norton Show She stressed that she neither mentioned it, nor complained as she wnated to be seen as "a real stunt person."

In Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Mirren portrays Hespera, the daughter of Atlas who attempts to take back the powers of Shazam, played by Zachary Levi. The film is set to premiere in theaters on March 17, 2023.

Dame Helen is the only performer to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Mirren has won one Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, a children's and Family Emmy Award, and one Tony Award. The Triple Crown of Acting is winning the Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award in the acting categories.

BALLET ICONS GALA 2023 takes place at Dubai Opera, UAE on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Following its success last year, The Ballet Icons Gala 2023 returns to Dubai Opera with a stellar international cast celebrating the beautiful art of ballet.

"The Ballet Icons Gala is a highly acclaimed star-studded event in London now making Dubai Opera its second home. It is considered by audiences and critics as one of world’s cultural and social highlights."

The show is performed by international ballet stars and multi-awarded principals from the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Vienna State Ballet, Bavarian State Ballet, New York City Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Ballets de Monte-Carlo and others with the highlights from the classical ballet repertoire such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Les Corsaires, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, Romeo & Juliette and contemporary masterpieces by leading choreographers of the 20/21 centuries such as Roland Petit, Jerome Robbins, Alexey Ratmansky, Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, John Neumeier, Jean-Christophe Maillot and Mauro Bigonzetti.

Among performing stars are:

Maia Makhateli – Victor Caixeta, Dutch National Ballet
Iana Salenko – Marian Walter, Berlin State Ballet
Nicoletta Manni – Timofej Andrijashenko, La Scala Milan
Yasmin Naghdi – Matthew Ball, Royal Ballet
Sergio Bernal, National Ballet of Spain
Katjia Kanuhkhova – Aitor Airetta, English National Ballet
Polina Semionova – Alejandro Virelles, Berlin State Ballet
Guiseppe Picone, Teatro di Carlo

A PERFORMANCE OF ANNA ZIEGLER'S HIT PLAY THE WANDERERS followed by a conversation with members of the cast and playwright, Anna Ziegler, moderated by Ruthie Fierberg. This 92NY event takes place at Roundabout’s Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre – Laura Pels Theatre, on Thursday, March 9.

Boasting a star-studded cast with Sarah Cooper, Lucy Freyer, Katie Holmes, Dave Klasko, and Eddie Kaye Thomas, The Wanderers tells the story of two Jewish couples grappling with big questions about the nature of happiness, spirituality, love, and the stories we tell about our lives. Hear members of the cast discuss the play, how they prepared for their roles, stories from backstage, and more.

QUARTETTO DI CREMONA see four of The Met's most prized musical instruments in concert together for the very first time, wielded by one of Italy's foremost string quartets: the Quartetto di Cremona. Two violins from the famed Cremona workshop of Antonio Stradivari, a 17th-century viola by Jacob Stainer (considered to be German-speaking Europe's greatest luthier), and a cello by 19th-century Parisian craftsman Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume make their quartet debut with favorite works by Bach, Webern, and Schubert.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

LANG LANG performs March 3, 2023 at the Krannert Center in Champaign, IL.

PATTI LuPONE brings her Don't Monkey With Broadway show to the Valentine Theatre in Toledo, Ohio on March 4, 2023.,Joseph Thalken is the Musical Director.

KING CHARLES last week let it be known that he isn't just a poster boy monarch. He commended the people of the Ukraine for showing "true remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy," in a message marking the one year anniversary of conflict in the country.

"It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full scale attack on their nation," the statement read.

"They have shown remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy. The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have ad the great pleasure of meeting here in the UK and indeed, across the world, from Romania to Canada."

The King added that it was "heartwarming" to see the UK and its allies "doing everything possible to help at this most difficult time."

He reaffirmed his support to Ukraine President Volodymyre Zolensky and expressed his "personal support" for the people of the Ukraine.

Earlier in the week King Charles visited an undisclosed location in Southwest England where Ukrainian military recruit are being trained.

A MUSICAL CORONATION

If King Charles III wasn't committed to his current occupation, he'd probably be playing cello in a symphony orchestra.

His Majesty has a long standing love of music. Thus, it should come as no surprise that he had taken a hands on approach to the music which will be part of the coronation of his and his wife's coronation May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

Twelve newly commissioned pieces of music will played, including Greek Orthodox music in honor of his father the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who was born in Greece.

The King has personally selected the musical program for the service, which will see "a range of musical styles and performers blend tradition, heritage and ceremony with new musical voices of today," according to Buckingham Palace.

In total, six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission have been composed for the occasion, including a new Coronation Anthem by musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Sir Bryn Terfel

There will be solo performances from bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, soprano Pretty Yende and baritone, Roderick Williams, with a special coronation orchestra conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

Describing the musical program, the Palace said it blends "tradition, heritage and ceremony with new musical voices of today, reflecting The King’s life-long love and support of music and the arts".

Fanfares will be played by The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force, the palace said.

One of the liturgical sections of the ceremony will also be performed in Welsh to reflect Charles's "long-standing and deeply held relationship and affiliation with Wales," according to the statement from Buckingham Palace.

Music by classical composers including George Frideric Handel, Edward Elgar, Hubert Parry and Ralph Vaughan Williams, some of which has historically featured in the service for 400 years, will be included in the program, along with the music of living Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.

Music by Elgar, Parry, and Williams were also performed at the crowning of Charles's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.

Handel's coronation anthem Zadok the Priest, which was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727, will be played at the ceremony, the palace said.

Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is a British anthem that was composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. Alongside The King Shall Rejoice, My Heart is Inditing, and Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, Zadok the Priest is one of Handel's coronation anthems.

The text is a translation of the traditional antiphon, Unxerunt Salomonem, itself derived from the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon by the priest Zadok (1 Kings 1:38-40). These words have been used in every English, and later British, coronation since that of King Edgar at Bath Abbey in 973 An earlier setting is thought to have been written by Thomas Tomkins for the coronation of King Charles I in 1626, the text of which has survived but not the music. Henry Lawes wrote another for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661; this was also sung at James II's in 1685, although the music may have been amended to accommodate changes to the text made by Archbishop William Sancroft.

The lyrics of the piece are biblical, being a distillation of 1 Kings 1:34-45:

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king.
And all the people rejoiced and said:
God save the King! Long live the King! God save the King!
May the King live for ever. Amen. Hallelujah.

While the lyrics of "God Save the King" are based on the same scripture passage from which "Zadok the Priest" originated, the lyrics of "Zadok the Priest" do not change based on the sex of the sovereign. Because it is a hymn and pulled directly from scripture, and because the king in question is Solomon, it remains "king" even if the monarch is female.

Zadok the Priest is written for SS-AA-T-BB chorus and orchestra (two oboes, two bassoons, three trumpets, timpani, strings with three violin parts rather than the usual two, and continuo), in the key of D major. The music prepares a surprise in its orchestral introduction through the use of static layering of soft string textures followed by a sudden rousing forte tutti entrance, augmented by three trumpets.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber

Commissioned works include a new Coronation Anthem by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Lord Lloyd-Webber's anthem is based on the Biblical text of Psalm 98, that begins: "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things."

"My anthem includes words slightly adapted from Psalm 98. I have scored it for the Westminster Abbey choir and organ, the ceremonial brass and orchestra," Lloyd Webber said. "I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion."

Psalm 98 begins:
1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (Believed to be the inspiration for the song Joy To The World)
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Other special commissions include a Coronation March by Scottish film composer, Oscar nominated Patrick Doyle who has scored over 60 films including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and is a longtime collaborator of Sir Kenneth Branragh. it is pointed out that Doyle has previously written a different kind of royal music, with Branagh's - the movie version of Shakespeare's Henry V.

There will also be new commission for solo organ incorporating musical themes from countries across the Commonwealth by Iain Farrington, plus new works by Master of the King’s Music, Judith Weir, Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J. Thompson, Roderick Williams, and Classic FM’s Composer in Residence, Debbie Wiseman.

Andrew Nethsingha

Andrew Nethsingha, who last year was appointed organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, will direct the music during the service and oversee all the musical arrangements.

Nethsingha said that the choice of music "reflects the cultural breadth of the age in which we live".

He added: "It has been a privilege to collaborate with His Majesty in choosing fine musicians and accessible, communicative music for this great occasion."

Under the baton of Nethsingha, the service will be sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, together with girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast and from Truro Cathedral Choir.

The Ascension Choir, a handpicked gospel choir will also perform as part of the service and the King’s Scholars of Westminster School will proclaim the traditional 'Vivat' acclamations.

Italian maestro Sir Antonio Pappano, who is music director at the Royal Opera House, will conduct the Coronation Orchestra, a blend of musicians from orchestras of the former Prince of Wales’ Patronages including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

WHEN SUSAN COLLINS (REP. MAINE) first arrived in the Senate in 1997, there were only a handful of women serving in Congress, and they didn’t even have their own bathroom yet. Today, Collins – along with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, Republican Rep. Kay Granger of Texas and Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut – will hold the top spots on the Senate and House Appropriations committees, an influential crew on Capitol Hill commonly known as the "‘Four Corners."

Can they avert a fiscal disaster? They’re determined to try.



THE SECRET GARDEN book and lyrics by Marsha Norman. Music by Lucy Simon.

Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle.

Follow young, orphaned Mary Lennox as she's sent from her home in India to live with her reclusive uncle on his haunted English country estate. Guided by an exceptionally beautiful score, Mary's unapologetic curiosity and the help of unlikely companions send her on a thrilling quest to untangle the pieces of her family's past and, most importantly—discover herself.

Starring Sierra Boggess. Featuring Terron Brooks, Mark Capri, Peyton Crim, Derrick Davis, Randi De Marco, Susan Denaker,Kelley Dorney, Ali Ewoldt, William Foon, Ava Madison Gray, Emily Jewel Hoder, John Krause, Aaron Lazar, Julia Lester, Reese Levine, Sam Linkowski, John-Michael Lyles, Yamuna Meleth, Cassandra Marie Murphy, Ariel Neydavoud, James Olivas, Sadie Brickman Reynolds, Kyla Jordan Stone, and Vishal Vaidya.

The creatives are:

Music Supervision and additional arrangements by Rob Berman. Orchestrations by Danny Troob. Music direction by Dan Redfeld. Set design by Jason Sherwood. Costume design by Ann Hould-Ward. Co-lighting design by Ken Billington and Brian Monahan. Sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. Wig and makeup design by Victoria Tinsman. Casting by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. Production stage manager is David Frankline.

Performances through March 26, 2023 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

On March 2?American Express Card Member are invited to the exclusive post-show event—Celebrating the Music of Lucy Simon. This post-show event, hosted by Sierra Boggess and other members of the cast of The Secret Garden, will weave stories, showtunes, and popular songs including Winkin, Blikin and Nod (Meet the Simon Sisters), Father to Son (Stolen Time Album), Now (Dr. Zhivago) and ,Lily’s Eyes (The Secret Garden) into an unforgettable evening celebrating the musical legacy of Lucy Simon as a multi-talented trailblazer on Broadway and Grammy Award-winning composer.

GUYS AND DOLLS based on the story and characters by Damon Runyon. Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Choreographer Arlene Phillips.

Musical director Tom Brady.

Starring Daniel Mays as Nathan Detroit, Andrew Richardson as Sky Masterson, Celinde Schoenmaker as Sarah Brown, Marisha Wallace as Miss Adelaide and Cedric Neal as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.

Also appearing are Cornelius Clarke (Lieutenant Brannigan), Cameron Johnson (Big Jule), Anthony O’Donnell (Arvide Abernathy), Mark Oxtoby (Benny Southstreet), Adam Pearce (Harry the Horse), Ryan Pidgen (Rusty Charlie) and Katy Secombe (General Cartwright).

Completing the cast are Simon Anthony, Lydia Bannister, Kathryn Barnes, Callum Bell, Cindy Belliot, Petrelle Dias, Ike Fallon, Leslie Garcia Bowman, George Ioannides, Robbie McMillan, Perry O’Dea, Charlotte Scott, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Isabel Snaas, Sasha Wareham and Dale White.

The creatives are: Assistant director Lily Dyble. Associate director & choreographer James Cousins. Orchestrations by Charlie Rosen. Lighting designer Paule Constable. Sound designer Paul Arditti. Set design by Bunny Christie. Costume designers Deborah Andrews & Bunny Christie. Casting Charlotte Sutton CDG.

March 3 through September 2, 2023 at the Bridge Theatre in London.

MISTY written by and starring Olivier Award–nominee Arinzé Kene in his US stage debut.

Directed by Omar Elerian.

Fusing live music, spoken word, and absurdist comedy, Misty is an exhilarating journey through a city in flux, transporting audiences to the streets of gentrifying London in an exploration of the pressures and expectations that come with being an artist in our time. In a performance that is part poem, part concert, part confession, Kene self-consciously wrestles with cultural representation and identity politics as they pertain to a new play he has been commissioned to write. "This riveting production is accompanied by a pulsating original score performed by a live band and composed by Arinzé Kene, Adrian MacLeod, and Shiloh Coke."

The creative team includes Rajha Shakiry (set/costume design), Jackie Shemesh (lighting design), Elena Peña (sound design), and Daniel Denton (video design).

Misty was originally commissioned and produced by the Bush Theatre in London, with Madani Younis, Executive Producer, and had its world premiere on March 21, 2018. Misty transferred to the West End for a limited run presented by Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Jonathan Church Productions, Eilene Davidson, and Audible, September 8 – November 17, 2018.

Preview performances for the four-week run begin March 3, 2023; the production opens on March 9 with performances through April 2 in The Shed’s intimate Griffin Theater, New York City.

THE REWARDS OF BEING FRANK written by Alice Scovell.

Directed by New York Classical’s Stephen Burdman.

"Oscar Wilde’s much-loved The Importance of Being Earnest receives a hilarious sequel in this world premiere and co-production with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Set seven years after the events of Wilde’s play, see what happens to our characters when they meet Frank."

The cast features Moboluwaji Ademide Akintilo as Frank, James Evans as Algernon, Kelly Mengelkoch as Gwendolyn, Tora Nogami Alexander as Cecily, Jeremy Dubin as Ernest, and Christine Pedi as Lady Bracknell.

Scenic design is by Samantha Reno, costume design is by Rainy Edwards, lighting design is by Justen N. Locke, and sound design is by Alex Brock. Associate Lighting Designer is Deborah Constantine. Properties Designer is Kara Eble Trusty. Casting Director is Stephanie Klapper. Voice/Speech Coach is Sarah Summerwell. Production Stage Manager is Elizabeth Robinson. Assistant Stage Manager is Madison Lane.

Performances March 3-26, 2023 at the Mezzanine Theatre at ART/New York Theatres in New York City.

THE MORITIFICATION OF FOVEA MUNSON A World Premiere Kennedy Center Commission with a book by Mary Winn Heider, based on her novel. Music and Lyrics by Justin Huertas. Music Direction and Arrangements/Orchestrations by Steven Tran.

Directed by M. Graham Smith.

Abra cadaver! Laugh out loud on an adventure like no body has seen before.

Fovea Munson is stuck working at her parents’ cadaver lab now that her summer plans have fallen through. But she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein’s snuffling assistant, Igor! That is, until three disembodied heads, left to thaw in the wet lab, start talking. To her. Out loud. What seems like a nightmare, or bizarre hallucination, is not. Fovea is somebody’s Igor, all right. Three somebodies, actually. And they need a favor.

March 4 - 19, 2023 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

COWBOY BOB created by Molly Beach Murphy, Jeanna Phillips & Annie Tippe. Music & Lyrics by Jeanna Phillips. Book & Additional Lyrics by Molly Beach Murphy. Additional Music by Alex Thrailkill.

Directed and Choreographed by Annie Tippe.

You think you know somebody. . .

"Disguised as "Cowboy Bob," Peggy Jo Tallas was a notorious Texas bank robber. Inspired by Peggy Jo’s life story, this world-premiere musical with a genre-bending score tells the tale of Cowboy Bob through the eyes of a chain-restaurant waitress, desperate to buck her flavorless life and awaken to all that’s possible. Don’t miss the heist!"

The cast of Cowboy Bob includes Jackie Burns as Peggy Jo Tallas and Ashley Pérez Flanagan as Rena, Adam Gibbs as Cop Hank, Brandon Hearnsberger as Manager Bill, Susan Koozin as Jerry "Ma" Tallas, Julia Krohn as Kathy, Camryn Nunley as Cop Roy, Jamila Sabares-Klemm as Tanya, and Nathaniel Tenenbaum as Stan.

The creative team includes: Scenic Designer Diggle, Costume Designer Haydee Zelideth, Lighting Designer Christopher Bowser, Sound Designer Tony-winner Jessica Paz, Projection Designer Stivo Arnoczy, Music Supervisor and Orchestrator Alex Thrailkill, Orchestrator and Vocal Arranger Mike Brun, Music Director Ada Westfall, New York Casting Stewart/Whitley, Fight Director & Intimacy Specialist Adam Noble, Production Stage Manager Erin Gioia Albrecht, and Assistant Stage Managers Emily Bohannan and Ethan Mitchell.

Performances March 3 – 26 at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas.

BOOTYCANDY by Robert O’Hara.

Directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu.

The UK premiere of Robert O'Hara's Bootycandy is a semi-autobiographical, kaleidoscopic, Black queer fever dream of connected vignettes.

"It’s Called A Bootycandy...
You too young to be calling it a d*ck don’t let me hear you say that again have you lost your mind in real life?"

Sutter is on a journey. A sugar-exploding pilgrimage to understand himself, the world around him, and why his Old Granny calls his d*ck a "bootycandy". But in continuing to discover all the parts that make him "him"… will he come to terms with what he finds?

"Exploring childhood, sexuality, fantasy and reality, Bootycandy licks the raw, encrusted parts of us that make us who we are and questions how we can even begin to honor them."

Featuring: Bimpé Pacheco, Prince Kundai, DK Fashola, Luke Wilson, and Roly Botha.

The creatives are: Milla Clarke – Designer; Jahmiko Marshall – Lighting Designer; Duramaney Kamara – Sound Designer; Malik Nashad Sharpe – Movement Director; Malena Arcucci – Costume Supervisor; Raniah Al-Sayed – Intimacy Coordinator ; Wabriya King – Dramatherapist; Tatenda Shamiso – Assistant Director; Daniel Bailey – Creative Associate; John Pfumojena – Vocal Coach;- Aundrea Fudge – Accent Coach;-Sophia Khan – Wig Maintenance; Nikita Bala – Stage Manager; Keegan Curran – Production Manager; Zoe Gledhill – Assistant Stage Manager; Olivia Hilton-Foster – Assistant Stage Manager; Dan Britton – Assistant Stage Management (Placement).

Content guidance: This show contains sensitive and difficult themes. Age guidance: 18+

Performances through March 11, 2023 at The Gate in London.

I LOVE MY FAMILY, BUT . . . a new musical with books & lyrics by Lauren Gundrum and book, music & lyrics by Brandon Lambert.

Directed by by Guy Stroman.

Music direction by Alex Ratner.

Choreography by Sierra Barnett.

This musical centers on how a family is always there for you – in all the wrong ways! Join Timmy, his parents, and their firecracker neighbor Claire on an 80-minute tour through life’s wildest ups and downs - the birds and the bees talk, funerals for pet fish, or asking for a divorce.

The cast includes J.D. Daw as Frank, Julian Diaz-Granados as Timmy, Jennifer Dinolfo as Claire, and Katie Oxman as Martha with pianist Alex Ratner.

in previews, the opening is set for Thursday, March 9 at The Huron Club at Soho Playhouse in New York City.

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

FINAL OVATION

ALICIA ALLAIN SCHNEIDER wife of actor John Schneider died February 21, 2023 at her home in Plaquemine, Louisiana, surrounded by family. She was 53.

Allain was a producer and executive director. The couple married in 2019.

Alicia is survived by her husband, John R. Schneider, who he called "My Smile"; her daughter, Jessica Ann Dollard (Daniel Turner) who she was very proud of; parents, Michael and Linda Marino Allain; brother, Brandy Michael Allain; grandmother, Doris Crutti Marino Alvarado; step-daughter, Karis Schneider (Justin); granddaughter, Sierra Schneider. Alicia was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ferd Sr. and Ruby Allain, Joe Marino.

Next Column: March 5, 2023
Copyright: February 26, 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.
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Laura Deni

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