Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: February 28, 2021
By: Laura Deni
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BEAUTIFULLY AND MOVING: JAKE BRODER'S UNRAVELLED TOUCHES THE HEART AND MIND

Unravelling Bolero, 1994--a bar-by-bar representation of Ravel's Bolero by Anne Adams

Jake Broder is a brilliant wordsmith. His important and moving play UnRavelled explores the fascinating connection between the work of modern day biologist turned famed Canadian painter Anne Adams (1940–2007) and French composer Maurice Ravel (1875–1937), both of whom lived and worked with the same rare brain disease.

Incorporating research and interviews conducted by Broder, as a Hellman Visiting Artist at UCSF's Memory and Aging CBased on the fascinating real life connection between the two, UnRavelled is an essential new play about love, art, and who we are on the most profound level.

Directed by Nike Doukas. UnRavelled stars Lucy Davenport, Conor Duffy, Melissa Greenspan, Leo Marks, Rob Nagle with Michael Lanahan on narrations. All deliver superb performances.

The play opens in the living room of middle-aged couple Robert and his wife Anne who are playing Scrabble. She has trouble remembering letters and spells nonexistent words. She says that her thoughts have smells. The tone of his voice possesses a certain edge indicating he is stressing.

Their child, Eric, survived a serious auto accident and is getting better, and is now out of the house They never thought he'd recover. They were told if he lived, he'd never walk.

Robert took on a second job while Anne, who is a respected cell biologist at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. has taken up painting, concentrating on strawberries which Robert considers a waste of time. He calls her a "one subject artist".

Robert is sarcastic when he questions why he is working two jobs so she can paint. He fears that her university tenure chair will be taken way.

Scene II is an art lecture by psychiatrist Dr. Miller on modern art explaining how modern art is powerful and clever.

Another art scene regards cubism how time becomes a visual form.

A series of short scenes are introduced by an off camera voice. The music is Ravel's repetitive and hypnotic Bolero. The use of short, sharp scenes seguing between the past and present accompanied by the music of Bolero is piercingly powerful.

As Robert puts it they "mated to it in college."

As her disease progress, her artistic ability improves. Her first truly professional, respected work was Unravelling Bolero, 1994 - a bar-by-bar representation of Ravel's Bolero. At that time, she was unaware of her diagnosis, let alone her connection to Ravel.

Broder, an actor, writer, and musician, who got his BA from Tufts and then trained at the Guildhall in London, calls the painting a measure-by-measure recounting of Bolero, in which each rectangular figure represents one bar of music. “It tracks it almost perfectly,” he has stated, emphasizing, “It was a gigantic leap in her work,” and “an accidental experiment that provides intriguing insights into the neurology of creativity."

In the play Anne walks around in a daze - hasn't kissed her husband in weeks and he senses that she isn't "even there."

Suddenly Anne, then 53, becomes affectionate, which confuses Robert. Normally prone to conservative dressing, she has takes to wearing garish colored outfits.

During speechless segments, an off camera announcer describes the action.

Maurice Ravel

It is ballet dancer Ida who commissioned Bolero and who would eventually take care of Ravel. As his disease progresses Ida feels that Ravel understands her less and less and has become obsessed with Bolero.

As Anne's disease progresses her art work become sublime, demonstrating how colors incite the brain.

There is procrastination and avoidance.

Robert wonders if Anne has suffered a mid-life crisis - things are different but not all bad. Then he wonders if she is having an affair.

Her paintings are now rich and statement making. However, her vision has changed and she suffers migraines. Her third painting is, in fact, titled Migraine.

During a lengthly conversation between Ida and Ravel he points out that you know that something is coming that will eat you alive.

Psychiatrict Dr. Miller uues his segments to describe art and its relationship to the brain. Thoughts are transmotive. Art has a profound relationship to neurology.

Frontal lobe injury: If the right side is effected the person loses empathy, can develop addiction problems. if the left side is affected the patient loses speech - language. Primary aphasia can effect movements and eventually the patient stops breathing.

Ann can't find the words, so she paints them. Robert insists insists that they have to stop pretending that everything is fine - she has trouble with words. Her artistic abilities develop as her speaking ability diminishes. The brain compensates. Anne argues that she is fine.

A confused and distraught Robert attends a support group in which a woman who dearly loves her husband gives an intense, heart wrenching account of what it is like to care for him - including his total incontinence - "we don't have any warning, he just goes. We call it Code Brown."

All of the support members admit that there are times when they really wish the person was dead - "so we could mourn and move on."

UnRavelled is educational, illuminating and heart breaking.

According to GBHI co-director Dr. Bruce Miller, “Ravel and Dr. Adams were in the early stages of primary progressive aphasia, a form of frontotemporal dementia, when they were working. The disease apparently altered circuits in their brains, changing the connections between the front and back parts and resulting in a torrent of creativity.”

Sharp and clear production design by Corwin Evans. Excellent sound design by Jeff Gardner. Production Coordinator by Bree Pavey.

Presented by Global Brain Health Institute, UC San Francisco, and Trinity College Dublin.

A production not to be missed.

A screening of UnRavelled, followed by a live seminar, will be held on March 3 (5 p.m. GMT), 2021. UnRavelled remains available on demand at UnRavelledPlay.com through March 31, 2021.

Q&A featuring:
Jake Broder, Hellman Artist, UCSF Memory and Aging Center; Writer, UnRavelled
Nike Doukas, Director, UnRavelled
Bruce Miller; Co-Director, GBHI; Director, UCSF Memory and Aging Center
Bill Seeley; Neurologist, UCSF Memory and Aging Center
Moderated by Francesca Farina, Neuroscientist, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health.

Followed by a brief presentation on brain health by Nicky Taylor, Theater & Dementia Specialist, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, with contributions from people living with dementia.

Event MC: Camellia Latta, Alumni Relations Manager, GBHI

Information:

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or frontotemporal degenerations refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears).

About frontotemporal dementia
The nerve cell damage caused by frontotemporal dementia leads to loss of function in these brain regions, which variably cause deterioration in behavior, personality and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language.

There are a number of different diseases that cause frontotemporal degenerations. The two most prominent are 1) a group of brain disorders involving the protein tau and 2) a group of brain disorders involving the protein called TDP43. For reasons that are not yet known, these two groups have a preference for the frontal and temporal lobes that cause dementia.

The disorders grouped under frontotemporal dementia fall into three subtypes.

Frontotemporal dementia used to be called Pick's disease after Arnold Pick, M.D., a physician who in 1892 first described a patient with distinct symptoms affecting language. Some doctors still use the term "Pick's disease." Other terms you may see used to describe frontotemporal dementia include frontotemporal disorders, frontotemporal degenerations and frontal lobe disorders.

Types
Behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by prominent changes in personality and behavior that often occur in people in their 50s and 60s, but can develop as early as their 20s or as late as their 80s. In behavior variant frontotemporal dementia, the nerve cell loss is most prominent in areas that control conduct, judgment, empathy and foresight, among other abilities.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is the second major form of frontotemporal degeneration that affects language skills, speaking, writing and comprehension. PPA normally comes on in midlife, before age 65, but can occur in late life also. The two most distinctive forms of PPA have somewhat different symptoms:

In semantic variant of PPA, individuals lose the ability to understand or formulate words in a spoken sentence.
In nonfluent/agrammatic variant of PPA, a person’s speaking is very hesitant, labored or ungrammatical.
Disturbances of motor (movement or muscle) function include three disorders that are a part of the frontotemporal degeneration spectrum that produce changes in muscle or motor functions with or without behavior (bvFTD) or language (PPA) problems:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which causes muscle weakness or wasting. ALS is a motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Corticobasal syndrome, which causes arms and legs to become uncoordinated or stiff.
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which causes muscle stiffness, difficulty walking and changes in posture. It also affects eye movements.
Both behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and PPA are far less common than Alzheimer’s disease in those over age 65 years. However, in the 45 to 65 age range, behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and PPA are nearly as common as younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Only rough estimates are available, but there may be 50,000 to 60,000 people with behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and PPA in the United States, the majority of whom are between 45 and 65 years of age.

Key differences between FTD and Alzheimer's

Age at diagnosis may be an important clue. Most people with FTD are diagnosed in their 40s and early 60s. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, grows more common with increasing age.

Memory loss tends to be a more prominent symptom in early Alzheimer's than in early FTD, although advanced FTD often causes memory loss in addition to its more characteristic effects on behavior and language.

Behavior changes are often the first noticeable symptoms in bvFTD, the most common form of FTD. Behavior changes are also common as Alzheimer's progresses, but they tend to occur later in the disease.

Problems with spatial orientation — for example, getting lost in familiar places — are more common in Alzheimer's than in FTD.

Problems with speech: Although people with Alzheimer's may have trouble thinking of the right word or remembering names, they tend to have less difficulty making sense when they speak, understanding the speech of others, or reading than those with FTD.

Hallucinations and delusions are relatively common as Alzheimer's progresses, but relatively uncommon in FTD.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and PPA are based on expert evaluation by a doctor who is familiar with these disorders. The type of problems experienced by the patient and the results of neurological exams are the core of the diagnosis. Brain scans such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and glucose positron emission scans are very helpful additional tests, but they must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s history and neurological exam.

Causes and risks
Frontotemporal degenerations are inherited in about a third of all cases. Genetic counseling and testing are available now in individuals with family histories of frontotemporal degenerations. There are no known risk factors for any frontotemporal degenerations except for a family history or a similar disorder.

Treatment and outcomes

There are no specific treatments for any of the frontotemporal subtypes. There are medications that can reduce agitation, irritability and/or depression. These treatments should be used to help improve quality of life.

Frontotemporal dementia inevitably gets worse over time and the speed of decline differs from person to person. For many years, individuals with frontotemporal dementia show muscle weakness and coordination problems, leaving them needing a wheelchair — or bedbound. These muscle issues can cause problems swallowing, chewing, moving and controlling bladder and/or bowels. Eventually people with frontotemporal degenerations die because of the physical changes that can cause skin, urinary tract and/or lung infections.

Help is available
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is a nonprofit organization that provides information, education and support to those affected by frontotemporal dementia and their caregivers. Call 866.507.7222 or email info@theaftd.org to contact AFTD.

The Alzheimer's Association can help you learn more about Alzheimer's and other dementias, and help you find local support services. Call our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

Social Security Administration (SSA) has a "compassionate allowance" program in which workers diagnosed with Pick's disease, PPA or ALS can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You can also call the SSA at 800.772.1213.

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ART AND ABOUT

THE DR. SEUSS MUSEUM, PART OF THE SPRNGFIELD MUSEUM in Springfield, MA is celebrating Dr. Seuss, the children’s author and Springfield native who revolutionized learning to read by making it fun.

Theodor Seuss "Ted" Geisel was an American children's author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, and filmmaker. He is known for his inventing creatures with fanciful names and writing in rhyme, and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss.

His work includes many of the most popular children's books of all time, selling over 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death.

Born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA, before the pandemic, Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Party would draw one of the biggest crowds in a single day to the Museums. To help stay at a safe capacity and allow for social distancing, we decided to spread the celebration out over an entire month. The celebration will include an interactive game for families and opportunities to win a free book in the 31 Books in 31 Days: Hats Off to Reading Book Giveaway.

Not able to visit in person? That’s OK! There are -home activities for kids and families available starting March 2.

Also on March 2, A Seussian Quest - A discovery activity. Find clues around the Dr. Seuss Museum and the Science Museum in pursuit of hats, elephants, turtles, and a few surprises. All participants get their own set of colored pencils and a special prize upon completion of the quest.

RINGO STARR PROGRAM FEATURING THE VIRTUAL EXHIBIT OF THE RECORD SETTING RINGO: PEACE AND LOVE which features new and archival interviews conducted with Bob Santelli, Founding Executive Director of the Grammy Museum, as well as a virtual version of the groundbreaking 2013 exhibit: Peace & Love. The exhibit was both the first major exhibit ever dedicated to a drummer and the first to explore the extraordinary career of the multi Grammy Award winner. The scope of the exhibit spanned Ringo’s life, starting with his early life growing up in Liverpool, to Raving Texans turned Rory Storm, to The Beatles, to becoming a solo artist and then to the All Starrs with whom he continues to tour and just celebrated 30 years, marked by the publication of the stunning book, Ringo Rocks: 30 years of the All Starrs. The virtual exhibit will include images from the unique collection that included diverse artifacts, rare and never before seen photographs, documents, and personal letters.

March 4, 2021 The Grammy Museum.

GOYA'S GRAPHIC IMAGINATION regarded as one of the most remarkable artists from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Francisco Goya (1746–1828) is renowned for his prolific activity as a draftsman and printmaker, producing about nine hundred drawings and three hundred prints during his long career. Through his drawings and prints, he expressed his political liberalism, criticism of superstition, and distaste for intellectual oppression in unique and compelling ways.

This exhibition explores Goya's graphic imagination and how his drawings and prints allowed him to share his complex ideas and respond to the turbulent social and political changes occurring in the world around him. The broadly chronological presentation follows Goya's evolution and different phases as a graphic artist as well as his approaches to his subjects. Around one hundred works on display will come mainly from The Met collection—one of the most outstanding collections of Goya's drawings and prints outside Spain—with other works coming from New York, Boston, and Madrid’s Museo Nacional del Prado and the Biblioteca Nacional.

Through May 2, 2021 at The Met Fifth Avenue, New York City.

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SPREADING THE WORD

GOODSPEED ON DEMAND beginning March 15, 2021, "will offer musical theatre fans worldwide a variety of streaming content that ranges from never-before-seen archive recordings of past Goodspeed productions to filmed theatrical performances by musical theatre legends to unique concerts from some of the best and brightest performers on the stage today."

Each production will be available for several weeks and new content will be added on a regular basis. Goodspeed On Demand launches with the archive recording of the highly acclaimed new musical, Passing Through which premiered at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in the summer of 2019 and for the very first time, audiences can view the entire production from the comfort of their own home.

Set amidst the rich sounds and diverse tapestry of the American landscape, Passing Through tells the incredible true story of a young man who journeys on foot from Pennsylvania to California. During his journey, he meets many strangers who share stories that guide him as he goes. When his trek brings to light an unresolved family crisis, he must use the lessons he’s gathered to finally confront his past.

Passing Through features Book by Eric Ulloa, Music and Lyrics by Brett Ryback and is based on the memoir Walking To Listen by Andrew Forsthoefel.

Ulloa is a 2020 American Theatre Wing Jonathan Larson Grant Finalist and a 2020 Kleban Prize Award Finalist.

This new musical was directed by Igor Goldin, Choreographed by Marcos Santana, with Scenic Design by Adam Koch, Costume Design by Tracy Christensen, Lighting Design by Cory Pattak, Music Direction by Matt Meckes, Sound Design by Jay Hilton, and Casting by Paul Hardt.

The cast of Passing Through was led by Max Chernin as Andrew, Jim Stanek as Andrew’s Dad, Garrett Long as Andrew’s Mom, Celeste Rose as Karie, and Jennifer Leigh Warren as Emma and The Professor. The ensemble includes Joan Almedilla, Reed Armstrong, Ryan Duncan, Linedy Genao, Charles Gray and Mary Jo Mecca.

HARVEY GRANAT PRESENTS FRANK LOESSER with guests Susan Loesser and Marissa Mulder. Presented by 92Y in New York City, the event takes place Thursday, March 4, 12 pm EST.

Harvey Granat brings his deep love and knowledge of the American Songbook with a spotlight on the man called “Broadway’s most versatile composer,” the great Frank Loesser. Harvey explores the Tony and Pulitzer Prize Award winner’s hit shows with Susan Loesser — Frank Loesser’s daughter and biographer — including Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Most Happy Fella and more. And he shares the stories you’ll only hear from him (including Loesser’s attempt to coach Frank Sinatra on his phrasing.) Harvey also sings, with guest performer Marissa Mulder joining him in numbers from a songbook that includes the classics “Heart and Soul,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “If I Were a Bell,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Once in Love with Amy,” “I Believe in You” and more.

THE 2021 GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE STREAMING SEASON has kicked off with the comedy Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck, the most Broadway-produced female playwright of our time, starring Drama Desk winner Andréa Burns.
The play, which follows the single mother of a teen daughter as she goes in search of cute shoes, the perfect dress, and a romantic table for two at a great restaurant, will be available for viewing through March 14th.

Andréa Burns received a Drama Desk Award for Broadway’s In the Heights and she created the role of Gloria Fajardo in On Your Feet. She starred opposite Nathan Lane on Broadway in The Nance, which later was broadcast on PBS “Great Performances.” Burns will also be featured in in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film remake of West Side Story.

George Street's production is helmed by acclaimed director Peter Flynn. The costume design by Lisa Zinni, with lighting design by Alan C. Edwards and original music & sound design by Ryan Rummery. Hudson Flynn is the cinematographer.

THE GLOBAL INFLUENTIAL MUSIC INDEX has been released by medimops (a momox GmbH brand), Europe's largest online marketplace for second-hand cd’s and records, shows the countries that exert the most musical influence worldwide.

Data-driven study highlights the levels of recognition, worldwide reach, and uniqueness of popular music to define the countries with the most musical influence.

The artists whose music is streamed the most around the world come from the USA, followed by the UK, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Puerto Rico, Australia, Spain and Sweden.

Ed Sheeran is the most played music act on streaming services globally, followed by Billie Eilish and Post Malone.

Russia produces the most Classical music, while the USA produces the most Rock, Pop and Electronic.

Brazil has the highest World Music Uniqueness score, meaning its folk and traditional music is the most distinct from the other countries in the index. It is followed by Colombia and Ireland.

WOMEN IN THE MIX a virtual event kicking off Grammy Week takes place Monday, March 8 recognizes the contributions of women in music and amplify the female voices across the industry. Highlighting producers, engineers, artists, and executives, this program champions women who set the tone for their own communities and work to close gender gaps on and offstage. Following in the footsteps of the Recording Academy's Women In The Mix Pledge launched in 2019, the event will spotlight female producers and engineers in the music industry while encouraging and facilitating mentorship between established women in the industry and aspiring female music professionals. Panels, discussions and performances. Confirmed participants include:

Christine Albert, Chair Emeritus, Recording Academy® Board of Trustees
Ingrid Andress, current three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter
Denisia "Blu June" Andrews (Nova Wav), current three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter
Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Recording Academy
Brittany "Chi" Coney (Nova Wav), current three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter
Rocsi Diaz, television personality
Maureen Droney, Sr. Managing Director, Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing®
Chloe Flower, classical pianist & composer
Tera Healy, Sr. Director, East Region, Recording Academy
Tammy Hurt, Vice Chair, Recording Academy Board of Trustees
Leslie Ann Jones, five-time Grammy-winning engineer and Recording Academy Trustee
Cyndi Lauper, two-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter
EveAnna Manley, president, Manley Laboratories
Ruby Marchand, Chief Industry Officer, Recording Academy
Harvey Mason jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO, Recording Academy
MC Lyte, Grammy-nominated rapper
Piper Payne, mastering engineer
Sheila E., Grammy-nominated artist and percussionist
Kelley Purcell, Vice President, Membership & Industry Relations, Recording Academy
Ebonie Smith, music producer, engineer & singer/songwriter
Tina Tchen, president & CEO of Times's Up

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

WHAT IS GEORGIA HOUSE BILL 226? This bill would restore tax-exempt status for ticket sales for non-profit performing arts businesses in Georgia. When a similar bill was passed last time, it saved The Serenbe Institute and our divisions over $600,000 over a 3-year period. As the Institute, and other performing arts organizations, work towards recovery from facing challenges during the global pandemic, this tax exemption is even more important now, according to a release.

Did you know that the creative arts business sector is responsible for 200,000 jobs throughout the state?

Did you also know that the creative arts contributes over $37 billion to Georgia's economy?

"We aren't asking for more money from the state. Instead, we are asking to reinstate tax-exempt status for our ticket sales. This bill has a team of both Republicans and Democrats who have sponsored the legislation. Supporting the arts is a bi-partisan issue and if this bill passes, it'd be a step in the right direction as Georgia ranks 49th nationally in arts funding."

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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.






23RD ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT LAW INITIATIVE EVENT & SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS OF WRITING COMPETITION This annual Writing Competition invites law students to write a 3,000-word paper on a compelling legal topic facing the music industry today. The contest is open to Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) candidates currently enrolled at any U.S. law school. A $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the author of the winning paper, and a $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to the two runners-up.

WINNER
Sophia Sofferman - University of Miami - Miami, Fla. Paper Title: "It's My [Recapture Right], And It's Now or Never…"

RUNNER-UP
Evan Biegel - St. John's University - Queens, N.Y. - Paper Title: "Tuning the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Musical Work Infringement"

RUNNER-UP
Alberto Vargas - University of Chicago - Chicago, Ill. - Paper Title: "Bare Possibility or Reasonable Opportunity? In Defense of a Defendant- Conscious View of 'Access' in a Digital Age"

The 23rd Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Event & Scholarship Presentation will take place during Grammy Week in a new virtual format, gathering the nation's most prominent entertainment attorneys to promote discussion and debate about the most compelling legal issues facing the music industry today. The event will honor the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association — a nationally recognized leader in legal education and professional development within the United States for lawyers and professionals in the entertainment, sports and related industries — with the 2021 Entertainment Law Initiative Service Award.

This honor is awarded to an attorney or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to advancing and supporting the music community through service. Sophia Sofferman, the winner of this year's Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Competition along with runners up Evan Biegel and Alberto Vargas will also be recognized during the virtual event.

Other program participants include Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason jr., Entertainment Law Initiative Executive Committee Chair Laurie Soriano, Entertainment Law Initiative Executive Committee member Ken Abdo, and Recording Academy Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Valeisha Butterfield Jones, who will lead a roundtable discussion that will explore the current state of diversity in the music industry.

The Entertainment Law Initiative event is the nation's preeminent by invitation only gathering for entertainment attorneys and the music business community, and it provides a forum for the industry to honor its legal practitioners, hear from thought leaders, and support promising law students interested in entertainment law.

The Recording Academy will present the Grammy Awards on Sunday, March 14, 2021, on the CBS Television Network from 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. ET/5:00 – 8:30 p.m. PT with Emmy Award-winning "The Daily Show" host and comedian Trevor Noah serving as host.

FINAL OVATION

GARY GUNAS Broadway producer and general of Pancreatic cancr at his home in London on February 22, 2021. He was73.

Gumas was executive producer of an extensive nujmber of shows including The Who's Tommy; Jekyll & Hyde and Ragtime.

Born in Manchester, Connecticut, May 26, 1947, Mr. Gunas began his career Off-Broadway in 1969 as an apprentice company manager for the musical Promenade.

Gunas also general managed stage performances by such performers as Peter Allen, Ashford & Simpson, Charles Aznavour, Josephine Baker, Count Basie, Shirley Bassey, George Benson, Rodney Dangerfield, Ella Fitzgerald, Patti LaBelle, Bette Midler, Gilda Radner, Mort Sahl, Frank Sinatra and Lily Tomlin.

Gunas relocated from New York to London in 2002 and worked for Clear Channel’s UK office for several years. His final producing credits were the world tour of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, UK tours of Cats and Starlight Express and a European tour of Fosse. He retired in 2005.

He is survived by his husband, playwright and record producer Bill Rosenfield.

DOUGLAS TURNER WARD Tony honored playwright, actor, director, and theatrical producer, noted for being a founder and artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) died February 20, 2021 in Manhattan. He was 90.

Ward was enshrined into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1996. He was also conferred the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. He published The Haitian Chronicles in March 2020, having worked on the three-play series for around four decades. He viewed the series, which focused on the Haitian Revolution, as his magnum opus and intended to have it staged by NEC alumni.

Ward married Diana Powell Ward in 1966. Together, they had two children: Elizabeth Ward–Cuprill and Douglas Powell Ward.

LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI a prolific poet with more than 30 collections published over a half-century died February 23, 2021 at his home in San Francisco. He was 101.

Ferlinghetti and a partner launched City Lights as the country’s first all-paperback bookstore in 1953. The store is still in operation.

As former Times reporter Elaine Woo writes in The Times’ obituary, “Ferlinghetti became a publisher in 1955, when he started the City Lights Pocket Poets Series. The first volume was a collection of his own poems, ‘Pictures of the Gone World.’ Future volumes would feature work by Rexroth, Kenneth Patchen, William Carlos Williams, Robert Duncan, Philip Lamantia, Denise Levertov and Diane diPrima. None of them, however, would earn the notoriety of No. 4 in the City Lights series — ‘Howl.’”

Ferlinghetti was prosecuted for obscenities for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s controversial epic poem, standing trial in what Woo described as a precedent-setting 1st Amendment case, in which the judge found that Ginsberg’s profanity-laced work had “redeeming social significance” and therefore was not obscene.

Despite his disdain for government and “dissident sensibility,” Ferlinghetti agreed to serve as the city’s inaugural poet laureate in 1998.

FRED SEGAL icon of Los Angeles fashion and retail store which bears his name died from complications from a stroke Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica,California. He was 87.

Segal launched new designers and dressed A-listers like The Beatles, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5 and Angelina Jolie.

, He had suffered a stroke on Feb. 5, 2014.

In 2012, New York-based media company Sandow acquired global licensing rights to the Fred Segal name. The company is now owned by Global Icons, which acquired the brand in 2019.

Per the company's website, there are now locations in numerous cities with a store planned for Las Vegas.

Survivors include his wife, Tina; five children, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two stepchildren and a step-grandson.

Next Column: March 7, 2021
Copyright: February 28, 2021 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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