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Copyright: January 21, 2018
By: Laura Deni
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GRAMMY WEEK BEGINS IN NEW YORK CITY

U2 will perform at the Grammy Awards.

From a tribute to victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas to delivering an important message about suicide attempts to honoring Elton John plus Paul Shafter hosting the pre-ceremony - this year's Grammy Awards looks to seamlessly honor, respect and celebrate.

Grammy nominees Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee; current Grammy nominee Kesha; Grammy winner and current nominee Bruno Mars with current nominee Cardi B; current nominee SZA; and first-time Grammy nominees Alessia Cara, Khalid, and Logic, who will take the stage with a group of suicide attempt and loss survivors selected by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in a special performance delivering an important message.

In addition to honoring musical excellence, the Grammys will also take a moment to honor the victims lost to gun violence and terrorism at various live music events over the course of the past year. In a special tribute performed by three of the artists who participated in the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, known officially as 1 October, current Grammy nominees Brothers Osborne, past Grammy nominee Eric Church, and Grammy winner and current nominee Maren Morris will come together for what promises to be a touching segment.

"Live music events have always provided a safe space for fans to gather in a shared celebration of music. Sadly, that wasn't always the case this past year," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "We believe it's incredibly important to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in these senseless tragedies and to remind musicians and music lovers alike that live music will continue to be a powerful force that unites us all."

"In many ways, our show encapsulates the year in music," said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Grammy Awards. "Although that usually means a focus on achievement and excellence, sadly, last year was marred by a number of senseless tragedies that took place at live music events. We didn't feel like we'd be doing our jobs if we didn't reflect on these tremendous losses."

Presenting the first Grammy Awards of the day in approximately 70 categories will be current Grammy nominees Zac Brown, Natalie Grant and Bernie Herms, Ledisi, Lisa Loeb, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and former Recording Academy Chair Jimmy Jam.

Elton John will both perform and be honored for his AIDS charity.

Elton John will be joined onstage by Miley Cyrus for an incredible performance in which the two stars will come together to perform one of Elton's classic hits. Performers on the telecast include Rihanna, Childish Gambino, Lady Gaga, Little Big Town, Patti LuPone, P!nk, Ben Platt, Alessia Cara, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Kesha, DJ Khalid, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, Bryson Tiller, U2 and SZA.

The Grammy Awards kick off on Sunday afternoon with a Premiere Ceremony at The Theater at Madison Square Garden streamed live internationally. Preceding the 60th Annual Grammy Awards telecast, the Premiere Ceremony will feature performances by current Grammy nominees Body Count, India.Arie, Jazzmeia Horn, Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo', and Stile Antico. Singer, composer, and instrumentalist Paul Shaffer will host the ceremony and will serve as musical director while his World's Most Dangerous Band will serve as the house band.

The after party dubbed The Celebration will have performances by Nile Rodgers & CHIC. The Celebration will also feature a performance by saxophonist Jimmy Greene and members of the Grammy Camp - Jazz Session and a DJ set by Brendan Fallis. After-party guests will be treated to a "Diamond Jubilee" theme - a salute to the 60th anniversary milestone of what has come to be known as Music's Biggest Night. The after party will take place at the Marriott Marquis where "an invigorating atmosphere filled with memorable performances and exceptional cuisine to more than 4,000 guests," is on the agenda.

The menu will feature an assortment of cuisines, allowing guests the opportunity to indulge in four different food stations inspired by the city of New York, and a "Diamond Jubilee" themed dessert collection including a variety of delectable treats.

During the day on Friday, January 26, at New World Stages at Worldwide Plaza, the 20th annual Entertainment Law Initiative Event & Scholarship Presentation takes place. Considered the nation's preeminent gathering for entertainment attorneys, it provides a forum for the industry to honor its own practitioners, hear from legal thought leaders, and support promising law students interested in entertainment law.

Rebecca Pollack from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon is the winner of this year's Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Competition with her paper Innovation Or Exploitation: Is It Time To Update The DMCA Safe Harbors? and will be presented with a $10,000 scholarship. Megan Abner of the Benjamin N. Cardoza School of Law at Yeshiva University in York will receive the runner up prize of $2,500 for her paper Effects Of The FCC's 'Internet Freedom' On The Music Industry And Potential Collaborative Solutions.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will be a featured speaker.

In addition, at this Grammy Week event, Michael Reinert, a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, will be the recipient of the 2018 Entertainment Law Initiative Service Award. This honor is awarded to an attorney who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing and supporting the music community through service. Allen Grubman, a partner at Grubman, Shire, Meiselas & Sacks, P.C., will receive a Recording Academy President's Merit Award from Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow in recognition of his many years of work protecting the interests of creators.

On Friday evening Fleetwood Mac will become the first band to be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year. They'll be celebrated for their extraordinary creative accomplishments and significant charitable work. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute - now in its 28th year - provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical, and personal need.

Performers will include Imagine Dragons, Juanes, Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas, Little Big Town, and Zac Brown Band; Brandi Carlile and Miley Cyrus, HAIM, Lorde, OneRepublic, Harry Styles, and Keith Urban.

Fleetwood Mac will close the evening's performances and President Bill Clinton will present their award. Producer Don Was will be the evening's musical director.

Bernie Taupin at Tribeca Film Awards.

Attendees will include Neil Portnow, President/CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy Michael McDonald, Chair of MusiCares; Alexandra Patsavas, Chair Emeritus of MusiCares; and John Branca, Honorary Chair of MusiCares.

Past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees include: Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young.

I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute to Elton John takes place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 30, two days after the 60th annual Grammy Awards.

Elton and Bernie Taupin will be presented with the Recording Academy President's Merit Award. The tribute concert, featuring Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, Keith Urban and more will take the stage to perform a selection of hits from Elton's highly acclaimed discography, for which he himself has earned 5 Grammy Awards. Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute will be aired later in the year on CBS.

The Grammy Awards live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, and hosted by award-winning television personality and performer James Corden will air over CBS on Sunday, 28, 2018.





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ART AND ABOUT

THE ENCHANTED ROOM

Carrà’s The Metaphysical Muse of 1917. Photo: Estorick.

Modern Works from the Pinacoteca di Brera is on display January 24 - April 8 2018 at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art in London.

The Estorick Collection opens its 20th anniversary year with a major exhibition of works from one of the world’s most important collections of modern Italian art, housed at Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera.

Comprising paintings and sculptures donated to the museum by Emilio and Maria Jesi, it includes iconic images by Umberto Boccioni, Gino Severini and Mario Sironi, an extraordinary nucleus of Metaphysical paintings by Carlo Carrà, and important works by Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi and Filippo De Pisis.

Like Eric and Salome Estorick, Emilio and Maria Jesi were primarily drawn to figurative art and sculpture, although their collection does include a characteristic work of geometric abstraction by the maverick painter Osvaldo Licini. On donating their works to the Brera in 1976, they stated: “This collection of the art of our time, entrusted to the State, is dedicated to the artists and art lovers of yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Among the highlights of the exhibition will be Boccioni’s Divisionist Self Portrait of 1908, and Carrà’s The Metaphysical Muse of 1917, in which a looming, faceless mannequin generates the claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere typical of Pittura metafisica. Alongside these will feature Amedeo Modigliani’s famous Portrait of the Painter Moïse Kisling (1915), Severini’s equally renowned Le Nord-Sud – a dynamic Futurist tribute to the Paris Métro of 1912 – and Ardengo Soffici’s exuberant Cubo-Futurist collage Watermelon and Liqueurs (1914). Also included are a small number of Mario Sironi’s sombre cityscapes, and Massimo Campigli’s otherworldly depictions of women, as well as a stunning selection of still lifes by Giorgio Morandi.

This is first time a major part of the Jesi collection has been shown outside of Italy. It will be displayed alongside a rehang of the Estorick’s own permanent collection, thereby providing an exceptional opportunity for the public take a glimpse inside the minds of these great collectors of Modern Italian art.

THE ART OF THE BRICK Internationally renowned, this popular exhibit showcases the power of Legos as an artistic medium. With more than 100 works on display, plus re-imagined artistic masterpieces constructed using Legos, The Art of the Brick is a Union Station experience that’s full of wonder.

January 25, 2018–May 28, 2018 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO.

SWEET CHARITY

GOLDEN GLOBE GOWNS 39 of the black gowns and tuxedos worn at the event are being auctioned on eBay will all proceeds benefiting the Time's up Legal Defense Fund which connects victims of sexual harassment with legal representation and public relations assistance.

Condé Nast partnered with Time’s Up and eBay for Charity to host the auction, which began last Friday, January 19, and runs through January 26.

Shoppers are able to bid on Reese Witherspoon’s Zac Posen gown, Tracee Ellis Ross’s Marc Jacobs dress and turban, Hugh Jackman’s Brioni tuxedo, Claire Foy’s Stella McCartney suit, and 35 more pieces donated by top designers.

The all back outfits and TIME'S UP pins represent solidarity and support of survivors of sexual harassment and support.

Three gowns will be sold via a “sweepstakes model,” in which eBay users can donate $25 or more to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for a chance to win a dress of their choice.

THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION has announced nearly $1.6 million in grants to 26 organizations addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in critical and innovative ways. This final grant cycle brings EJAF’s total investments for 2017 to almost $9.5 million.

SPREADING THE WORD

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE

In the gym Harry and Meghan heard about the UsGirls @StreetGames program that aims to get young women from all backgrounds involved in sport. Photo: Kensington Palace.

spent last Thursday visiting Wales. They went to Cardiff for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales.

Markle looked stylish as usual showcasing Welsh and British labels. She swore sleek, slim jeans by the Welsh designer Hiut Denim. She braved the winter weather in a tailored militaristic styled coat by Stella McCartney. Rounding out the ensemble were stylish Tabitha Simmons velvet boots and a DeMellier top-handle bag - both of which are British labels. McCartney, of course, is the daughter of Sir Paul McCartney.

While in Wales the couple enjoyed a dance performance by Kayleigh and her street dance class in the StarHub dance studio. They were also presented with a traditional Celtic love spoon by local children, aptly named Harry and Megan.

THE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT EXPO think porn stars - gather in Las Vegas for the always popular adult trade show, which showcases all things pertinent to the work of adult entertainment - including the presentation awards for acting, directing, etc.

The Adult Entertainment Expo takes place January 24 - 27, 2018 - at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.

The trade show is billed as bringing "together the latest & greatest items from a wide range of cutting end companies. Toys, lingerie, lotions & potions, supplements, gifts, games, sex furniture, cosmetics, condoms, aphrodisiacs, accessories, and so much more will be on display."

That also includes Stormy Daniels who is expected to attend.

WOOLLY MAMMOTH in Washington, DC is proud to participate in International Women’s Voices Day, led by the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival, which invites theater-makers around the globe to present readings of unproduced works by women playwrights in pursuit of global gender parity in theatre.

In partnership with Roundabout Theatre in new York City, Woolly will livestream Women in Theatre: Resetting the Stage, a panel addressing inequities in the theatre industry and inclusive pathways to creative leadership roles for next-generation artists. Moderated by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the panel will feature some of New York's finest directors and brightest talents, including Margot Bordelon, Kathleen Marshall, Leigh Silverman, Rebecca Taichman, and Whitney White. Light refreshments will be provided.
,br> 5-6pm, in the Woolly Rehearsal Hall January 22, 2018.

CELEBRITY READING OF ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN Starring Bradley Whitford as Bob Woodward, Joshua Malina as Carl Bernstein, Richard Schiff as Washington Post local news editor Harry Rosenfeld and Ed Begley, Jr. as Post managing editor Howard Simons in a special, one-night only reading of William Goldman's screenplay for All The President’s Men.

Written by William Goldman. Directed by Stephen Sachs. Composer/Sound Designer Peter Bayne.

The free event will be hosted by Los Angeles City Council member Mitch O’Farrell and will take place in the John Ferraro Council Chamber of Los Angeles City Hall. Based on the book by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the 1976 film All The President’s Men tells the story of their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of the Watergate scandal, which brought down the presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

Saturday, January 27, at John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340, Los Angeles, City Hall.

L.A. THEATRE WORKS records The Goodbye Girl with SAG Award nominee Amy Pietz in the title role Paula McFadden in the Neil Simon screenplay.

Known as “The Goodbye Girl” because of all the live-in boyfriends who have left her, Paula McFadden and her young daughter, Lucy (Raini Rodriguez), must make room in their cramped quarters for a new roommate. But can they make room in their hearts for another man who may just walk out that door again?

Directed by Rosalind Ayres the event features Matthew Floyd Miller as Elliot with Ellis Greer, Anna Mathias, André Sogliuzzo, Inger Tudor, Matthew Wolf and Adam Wylie in multiple roles.

Each of the five performances at UCLA’s state-of-the-art James Bridges Theater will be recorded live in front of an audience for future radio broadcast, distribution on CD, digital download and online streaming. L.A. Theatre Works' syndicated radio theater series broadcasts weekly on public radio stations across the U.S.

January 25-28 at the James Bridges Theater, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Los Angeles.

TRU VOICES NEW MUSICALS READING SERIES presents Ugly Christmas Sweater, The Musical on January 29, 2017 at The Actors Temple Theatre in New York City.

Book, music and lyrics by Mark William Butler; directed by Richard P. Butler; music director Will Buck;

Holly thinks Christmas is ugly until she wears "the sweater" - and goes on a high-flying storybook sleigh ride with a wacky cast of North Pole characters - including an ugly Christmas sweater that comes alive and helps her navigate her journey from naughty to nice in this fresh, grown-up holiday yarn.

The reading will be followed by a Dollars and Sense panel discussion with prominent New York producers, general managers and artistic directors focusing on potential venues, marketing and budgeting of the works presented.

LESLIE ODOM, JR the Tony award winning actor for his role portraying Aaron Burr in Hamilton will perform America the Beautiful on the NBC broadcast of the Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. He'll sing the number before the kickoff.

He will be joined during the February 4 telecast by national anthem singer P!nk, halftime headliner Justin Timberlake and sign language interpreter Alexandria Wailes.

BLACK IS THE NEW WHITE by Nakkiah Lui, directed by Paige Rattray has a free play briefing on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

Two politically powerful families at war. A son and daughter helplessly in love, defying their parents. You’ve heard this story before - but what if Romeo was white, Juliet was black and the war mainly fought on Twitter?

Performances which "contains coarse language, use of herbal cigarettes and brief nudity" are February 1-17, 2018.

JANUARY 21 is National Granola Bar Day and National New England Clam Chowder Day. Monday, January 22 is National Blonde Brownie Day and National Southern Food Day. Tuesday, January 23 is National Pie Day (general, your choice) and National Rhubarb Pie Day as well as National Handwriting Day, so if you are writing out your order for pie, make sure it can be read. January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day and Lobster Thermidor Day, as well as and Compliment Day, so before you kill the lobster tell it that you think it's special. January 25 is National Irish Coffee Day. January 26 is National Spouses Day, so celebrate yours, not somebody elses. Next Sunday, January 28 is National Chocolate Cake day and Fun at Work Day, so take a chocolate cake to work.

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSICIANS thanks to an initiative of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the New York-based music organization Bang on a Can's Found Sound Nation, OneBeat is a collaborative music program that brings together innovative and socially-engaged musicians (ages 19-35) from around the world to the U.S. for a residency and a tour. For accepted fellows all costs, including travel, accommodations, and food, are covered by the program.

Application deadline is February 9th, 2018. Applicants will be notified by the end of May, 2018. OneBeat will take place September 12 – October 14, 2018.

Applicants must be:

Innovative musicians either stylistically, lyrically, or technologically within their musical worlds;
Willing to cross cultural and musical divides in creating original music, or re-interpreting traditional music;
Active in their communities or greater societies. This could include, but is not limited to, starting a music school, promoting peace and democracy through music, or reviving musical traditions;
Able to converse in basic English;
Citizen and resident of one of the 40 eligible countries and territories, and have not traveled extensively to the U.S. or have rarely performed in the U.S.;
Able to be active in online communities and participate in website-based activities.

Eligible countries: Albania, Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

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THE RECORDING ACADEMY has announced the newest inductions to its distinctive Grammy Hall Of Fame. "The latest additions recognize a diverse range of both singles and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 45th year, currently totals 1,063 recordings and is on display at Grammy Museum L.A. Live."

2017 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

BAND OF GYPSYS Jimi Hendrix - Capitol (1970) - Album

BRING IT ON HOME TO ME Sam Cooke - RCA Victor (1962) - Single

THE CHRONIC Dr. Dre - Death Row (1992) - Album

DREAM ON Aerosmith - Columbia (1973) - Single

FIGHT THE POWER Public Enemy - Motown (1989) - Single

FLASH LIGHT Parliament - Casablanca (1978) - Single

GRAZING IN THE GRASS Hugh Masekela - UNI (1968) - Single

HEART LIKE A WHEEL Linda Ronstadt - Capitol (1974) - Album

I CAN'T HELP MYSELF Four Tops - Motown (1965) -Single

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Gladys Knight & The Pips - Soul/Motown (1967) - Single

(I LOVE YOU) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS The King Cole Trio - Capitol (1946) - Single

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU Whitney Houston - Arista (1992) - Single

JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON Johnny Cash - Columbia (1968) - Album

MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB Thomas Alva Edison - N/A (1878) - Single

ME AND MRS. JONES Billy Paul - Philadelphia International (1972) - Single

MOON RIVER Andy Williams - Columbia (1962) - Track from Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes

MY MAN Billie Holiday - Brunswick (1937) - Single

NEVERMIND Nirvana - DGC (1991) - Album

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA Queen - Elektra (1975) - Album

PAINT IT, BLACK The Rolling Stones - London (1966) - Single

SAVOY BLUES Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five - Okeh (1927) - Single

A SONG FOR YOU Leon Russell - Shelter (1970) - Single

SPACE ODDITY David Bowie - Mercury (1969) - Track from Space Oddity

THAT'S ALL RIGHT Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup - RCA Victor (1949) - Single

TUBULAR BELLS Mike Oldfield - Virgin (1973) - Album

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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






THE GREAT SOCIETY

Brandon Potter stars as LBJ. Photo: Alley.

by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan.

Directed by Kevin Moriarty.

The Great Society continues the story of Lyndon B. Johnson’s turbulent presidency in the second part of Robert Schenkkan’s epic theatrical event. While the president fights a “war on poverty” at home, his war in Viet Nam begins to spiral out of control. Besieged by political enemies, Johnson desperately fights to pass civil rights legislation and some of the most important social programs in American history, even as the country turns against him and descends into chaos. Filled with a cast of legendary characters - from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bobby Kennedy and Richard Nixon - The Great Society is an exhilarating examination of power, morality and change.

Contains profane language, mature themes, racial slurs, violent projections, and violent language. Recommended for people High School and up.

Brandon Potter stars as LBJ with Shawn Hamilton portraying the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Alley Resident Company Members include Elizabeth Bunch as Muriel Humphrey and Pat Nixon with Chris Hutchison in the role of Robert McNamara. David Rainey takes on the role of Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Jay Sullivan plays Sen. Robert Kennedy, and Todd Waite is Sen. Everett Dirksen.

The cast of artists from Dallas Theater Center’s Brierley Resident Acting Company includes Ace Anderson as Stokely Carmichael and John Lewis and Tiana Kaye Johnson as Sally Childress and Coretta Scott King.

The cast also includes Alley visiting artist David Matranga as Gen. William Westmoreland and actors Brandon Morgan as Bob Moses and Santry Rush as Deke DeLoach.

Dallas actors include Tyrees Allen as James Bevel, David Coffee as J.Edgar Hoover, Chris Hury as Gov. George Wallace, Dean Nolen as Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Leah Spillman as Lady Bird Johnson.

The Great Society creative team includes Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Beowulf Boritt, Costume Designer Jennifer Caprio, Lighting Designer Clifton Taylor, Original Music & Sound Design by Broken Chord, and Projection Design by Caite Hevner.

Begins performances January 26, opens January 31, and runs through February 18, 2018 in the Alley’s Hubbard Theatre, Houston, Texas.

ROTHSCHILD & SONS music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Book by Sherman Yellen. This re-imagined musical was inspired by the book The Rothschilds by Frederic Morton.

Directed by Jeffrey B. Moss.

An uplifting and universal tale is the story of Mayer Rothschild and his wife and sons, who despite being trapped behind ghetto walls, dream of a day when they are no longer locked in or anyone like them locked out. The remarkable story of how a father, mother and their sons changed the world. and includes several never-before-heard songs in its UK premiere.

The stellar cast of Broadway and West End actors is led by Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli as Mayer and Glory Crampton as Gutele, roles they created to great acclaim in the New York premiere of Rothschild & Sons, and Gary Trainor as Nathan Rothschild.

January 24 – February 17, 2018 at the Park Theatre, London.

BRODSKY/BARYSHNIKOV based on the poems the late Nobel Laureate Joseph Brod is conceived and directed by Latvian-born Alvis Hermaris.

This one man show is performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov who was a close friend of Brod.

The renowned dancer and actor will perform the show in Russian with English supertitles. The production is billed as “an emotional journey deep into the poet’s visceral and complex compositions,” with Baryshnikov’s “subtle physicality transporting the audience into Hermanis’ reverent imagining of Brodsky’s internal world.”

Wednesday, January 24 - Friday, January 26 at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto. The 90-minute work will be performed February 2-4 at the Harris Theatre in Chicago.

PARTY FACE written by Isobel Mahon.

Directed by Amanda Bearse.

You're invited to a party that’s full of surprises. Careful plans are upended when a mother brings her own food to her daughter's party - and also the “right” person to be her daughter's new best friend. They put on their "party faces" and hope for the best - but when facades crack, secrets spill…and laughter roars as their revelry leads to revelations.

Starring Academy Award-winning actress Hayley Mills. Joining Mills are Klea Blackhurst, Gina Costigan, Brenda Meaney, and Allison Jean White.

Officially opens on Monday, January 22, 2018 at City Center Stage 2 in New York City for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 8, 2018.

JIMMY TITANIC written by Bernard McMullan.

Directed by Carmel O'Reilly.

A one man show starring actor Colin Hamell.

Originally conceived to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the great ship's sinking, the Irish comedy Jimmy Titanic stars Colin Hamell moving seamlessly between more than twenty different roles, He plays a Belfast shipyard worker named Jimmy Boylan, as well as more than 20 other characters whose lives were connected to the doomed ocean liner. From his new home in a humorously rendered heaven, Boylan remembers and relives events surrounding the voyage every day, consumed by its legacy. "This one-man show presents an amalgam of historical drama and wry humor."

Performances begin on January 24, 2018 at Irish Rep Theatre in New York City, with an opening night set for January 30, 2018, and will run through February 18, 2018.

WHO'S WHERE

KID ROCK performs January 25-27 in Durant, Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino Resort.

MAVIS STAPLES performs Wednesday, January 24, at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont.

THE TEXAS TENORS perform January 25 at the Miller Theatre in Augusta, Georgia. Saturday's stop is at the Center for the Arts in Chandler, Arizona. Next Sunday, January 28 they are on stage at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona.

KATHERINE BRYAN & SCOTT MITCHELL considered one of the world’s most outstanding young flautists, Katherine Bryan performs alongside pianist Scott Mitchell in a program including music by Massenet, Debussy, Dvorak, Poulenc. January 24, 2018 at Dubai Opera in Dubai, UAE.

ANTHONY RAPP one of Broadway’s most celebrated rock and rollers, Rapp brings his Unplugged evening of stories and songs to Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City on January 28, 2018.

THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA performs the music of Prince in a sold out concert on Friday, January 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

FINAL OVATION

JOHN BARTON British director who co-founder of the U.K.'s Royal Shakespeare Company, died January 18, 2018. He was 89.

Barton co-founded RSC in 1960 with Sir Peter Hall and continued to work with the company for the remainder of his life. Heralded as “the Shakespeare swami” by the likes of Peter O'Toole, Ian McKellan, and Judy Dench, the director was renowned for his ability to interpret the words of the Bard with passion and clarity.

At the Westminster Theatre in July 1953 he directed his first London production, Henry V for the Elizabethan Theatre Company. He created a 12-part series for BBC Radio on the medieval Mysteries, inspired by the York Mystery Plays.

At the Aldwych Theatre in London in 1980, Barton directed The Greeks, his adaptations (with playwright Kenneth Cavander) from Homer, Euripides, Aeschylus and Sophocles, ten plays centering on the Oresteia legend, presented in the terse style of the original verse.

In 1982, while working with 21 RSC members, including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Michael Pennington, David Suchet, Sinéad Cusack, Ben Kingsley, Roger Rees, Jane Lapotaire and Peggy Ashcroft, Barton recorded nine workshop sessions for London Weekend Television. These programs, together entitled Playing Shakespeare, became the source material for Barton's best-selling book of the same name.

He also conceived, staged, and performed in the anthology revue The Hollow Crown, which was first presented in London in 1961. A 1963 mounting in New York marked his only Broadway production.

Barton was featured in the 2002 documentary The Shakespeare Sessions, in which he traveled to America with Hall to work with American actors on Shakespeare. In the film, broadcast on PBS, the two directors worked with Kevin Kline, Dustin Hoffman, David Hyde Pierce, Cynthia Nixon, Liev Schreiber, and Charles S. Dutton, among others. Barton is survived by his sister Jennifer. His wife Anne passed away aged 80 in November 2013.

JOSEPH PAUL BEAULIEU, JR father of Priscilla Presley died January 4, 2018. He was 92. According to his official obit, "Paul entered the United States Air Force In 1949 continuing his long military career that began as a United States Marine in WW2. From the Korean War flying B-29s to the Cold War in Germany flying daily missions to Berlin during the time the Russians were building the Wall. During this tumultuous time, he also keeps close eyes on Elvis Presley who had in interest in his daughter Priscilla."

He is survived by his wife of f 69 years, Ann Iversen Beaulieu. Children: Priscilla Presley, Don Beaulieu, Michelle Beaulieu, Jeff Beaulieu, Tim Beaulieu Pre-deceased: Tom Beaulieu Grandchildren: 18 Great Grandchildren: 8.

ELLIOTT DeGENERES father of talk show host Ellen DeGeneres passed away recently. He was 92.

Ellen announced the news on her talk show saying: "He lived a good long life. It wasn't unexpected. I was able to say goodbye."

In addition to Ellen he is survived by his son Vance DeGeneres.

BRADFORD DILLMAN who created the role of younger brother Edmund Tyrone in the original Broadway production of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, died January 16, 2018 from complications from pneumonia. He was 87.

In 1957, Katharine Cornell cast him in a Hallmark Hall of Fame television production of Robert E. Sherwood's Pulitzer Prizewinning 1940 play, There Shall Be No Night. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 1963 for the episode “The Voice of Charlie Pont” from the Fred Astaire-hosted Alcoa Premiere.

Dillman enjoyed both a successful television and movie career.

From 1956-62, Dillman was married to Frieda Harding, and had two children (Jeffrey and Pamela) with her. He met actress and model Suzy Parker during the filming of A Circle of Deception (1960). They were married on April 20, 1963, and had three children, Dinah, Charles, and Christopher. The marriage lasted until Parker's death on May 3, 2003. He is survived by his children Jeffrey, Pamela, Charlie, Christopher, Dinah, and stepdaughter Georgia.

DOMINIC CARMEN FRONTIERE 86, Emmy and Golden Globe winning film and television composer, former head of music at Paramount Pictures, has passed away in Tesuque, New Mexico on December 21, 2017.

He is survived by his wife Robin and their children Emily, Joseph, Nicholas and Sofia, as well as daughter Victoria.

ROBERT BRUCE GRAY who began his acting career on stage, died December 13, 2017 in Los Angeles. He was 81.

He originated roles in several new plays as a member of The Circle Rep in NYC during the late '70s and has been a multiple award-winning resident director of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, 90210 since the '80s. The high point of his long theatrical career came in 1989 when he toured the USA and USSR in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

His successful movie and television career included playing the hapless father of the groom in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. On television he was contracted to Somerset, High Hopes and the Edge of Night in the '70s. A move to Hollywood in the '80s led to guest star roles on hundreds of TV shows, recurring on Murder She Wrote, Medium, Tour of Duty, Falling Skies and How I Met Your Mother. Bruce gained notoriety in the gay community as "Shickle The Pickle" on Queer as Folk, then for football fans by playing a team owner on Playmakers for ESPN.

He is survived by his sister Judy, nephew Randy, niece Wendy and the rest of his family, friends, and Mike.

EDWIN HAWKINS died Monday, January 15, 2018 in Pleasanton, California,of pancreatic cancer. He was 74.

The American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger, he was one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of the Recording Academy issued the following statement: Four-time Grammy winner Edwin Hawkins was a celebrated recording artist recognized as a founder of modern gospel music. He earned 19 Grammy nominations between 1969–1996, winning his first award for Best Soul Gospel Performance for Oh Happy Day, the crossover hit that solidified his status as a leading force in gospel music. He earned three more Grammy Awards during his career in the Best Soul Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Album By A Choir Or Chorus categories. Edwin's contributions to the contemporary Christian genre and commitment to music celebrating religious faith will continue to inspire both artists and audiences for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Edwin's family and collaborators during this difficult time."

JOHN HUNSAKER died January 3, 2018 in Los Angeles at the age of 94.

He spent decades working at Desilu Studios and then Paramount Pictures, where he was Director, Music - Network Programming at the time of his retirement in 1989.

His life partner of over 60 years Robert Brock, died in 2010.

STEVE NISBETT drummer for the reggae group Steel Pulse, from 1977 to 2001 died suddenly on January 18, 2018. He was 69.

He lived in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England, and owned his own record company, Grizzly Records.

The news of Nisbett’s death comes as Steel Pulse was taking to the stage for their scheduled Jam Cruise performance. The band explains it in a post on their Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart that we must pass the sad news that today, our brother, our friend, our time keeper for so many years, original founding member of Steel Pulse, Steve “Grizzly” Nisbett has passed away suddenly and unexpected.

"As we the Steel Pulse family far and wide have lost someone so close to us, we will still take the stage in a few hours on the Jam Cruise, knowing that the joy that Grizz had bringing the Steel Pulse music and message to our beloved fans around the world, will continue on today, and his spirit, love, and love for you all will ring out across the seas, touching your heart and ours. Bless Grizzly, Rest In Power!”

Neil Portnow President/CEO of the Recording Academy issued the following statement: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of esteemed reggae artist and Grammy winner Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett. A founding member of Steel Pulse, Nisbett and the group used their music to speak out against racism and social injustices. Nisbett was nominated for three Grammys during his career and earned the Best Reggae Recording Grammy for 1986 with Steel Pulse for Babylon The Bandit. His passion for spreading love and justice through his music will be cherished by our creative community and his devoted fans for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Steve's family and friends during this difficult time."

DOLORES O'RIORDAN of the Irish band The Cranberries, died Monday, January 15, 2018 in London. She was 46.

Formed in Limerick, Ireland, The Cranberries became international stars in the 1990s with hits including Zombie and Linger that fused the alternative rock edge with poppy tunefulness.

The band split up in 2003 but reunited several years later. The Cranberries released the acoustic album "Something Else" in 2017 and had been due to tour Europe and North America. The tour was cut short because O'Riordan was suffering from back problems. She had been in London recording.

She had been open about suffering from depression.

From 1994-2014 she was married to Don Burton, the former tour manager of Duran Duran. She is survived by their three children Taylor Baxter, Molly Leigh and Dakota Rain.

HUGH WILSON who created the television sitcom WKRP In Cincinnati died Sunday, January 14, 2018 at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was 74.

He also co-wrote and directed the film Police Story which grossed over 140 million dollars worldwide and spawned six spin-off movies.

Wilson created three other TV series. Frank’s Place, starring WKRP’s Tim Reid; The Famous Teddy Z with Jon Cryer and Easy Street, starring Loni Anderson.

In the movies, he directed First Wives Club, starring Goldie Hawn and Guarding Tess, starring Shirley MacLaine.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Charters Smith Wilson; children Cannon, Price, Margaret, Hugh and Caroline; and four grandchildren.

PETER WYNGARDE longtime British television and stage star, best known for his role as the detective Jason King in the 1970s, and inspiring Austin Powers, died Monday, January 15, 2018 in Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London after an illness that lasted several months. He was 90.

His first success came in the theatre in a production of Noël Coward's Present Laughter which opened on August 7, 1947 at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. A revival in October 1973 of The King and I, featuring Wyngarde in the male lead role, and initially with Sally Ann Howes as Anna, ran for 260 performances at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

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