Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: July 13, 2025
By: Laura Deni
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THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS - HIS AGENT

Many are the stories of the wanna be star who got their start working in the mail room of the William Morris Agency. More prominent are the stars who got their start working in the mail room of the US Post Office.

While the US Post Office honors celebrities and the uber accomplished with a stamp in their honor, a curtain is being pulled back on the countless numbers of "gonna be a star someday" postal workers.

Up and down the Broadway district restaurants post signs saying "we'll work your schedule around your auditions" promoting the theory that restaurant work is what you do between show biz gigs. In actuality, working for the US Post Office appears to be the money maker for those trying to keep the bills paid while waiting for lightening to hit their bottle.

The United States Postal Service is celebrating its 250th anniversary this month and are featuring celebrities throughout history who have worked with the USPS or have family connections to the organization.

Several celebrities have worked for the U.S. Postal Service, including Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Rock Hudson, and Charles Lindbergh.

Some were better than others.

In Littleton, Massachusetts in 1985, a young Steve Carell served the USPS as a rural letter carrier. Before his major successes in shows like "The Office."

His seven month employment could politely be referred to as a disaster.

As Carell had pointed out in the past there was no internet. "There were these big, heavy catalogs, and the mailman had to deliver them."

Using his own Toyoto Carolla, "driving with his left hand and left foot on the throttle and brakes," he used his right hand to find the mail out of the passenger side widown hoping at least some of it landed on the yawn and near the mail box.

"That was the hardest job I ever had."

Others doing better included:

Bing Crosby: The legendary singer and actor worked as a postal clerk in Spokane, Washington, in 1921.
Walt Disney: The animation pioneer worked as a substitute delivery worker early in his career.
Charles Lindbergh:The aviator worked as an airmail pilot, delivering mail between Chicago and St. Louis in 1926 and 1927.
Sherman Hemsley: Known for his role in "The Jeffersons", Hemsley worked as a postal clerk in Philadelphia and New York City during the 1960s.
Brittany Howard:The singer of the Alabama Shakes worked as a rural carrier assistant in Athens, Alabama.
John Prine:The singer-songwriter worked as a letter carrier in Maywood, Illinois.
Conrad Hilton:The hotel magnate served as postmaster in San Antonio, New Mexico, before building his hotel empire.
William Faulkner: Novelist.

Decades ago one of the ways television shows measured their popularity was by how much fan mail they received. Stars would intone: "Keep those cards and letters coming in."

There was always a postman to deliver.

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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.

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SWEET CHARITY

GIBSON GUITARS RALLIED to support the legendary rock group Black Sabbath and their long-awaited, final show and one-night-only all-star concert, Back to the Beginning which marked the first performance in over 20 years of the original lineup: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.

"It was a great honor to pay tribute to Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath during their final Back to the Beginning show this past weekend in Birmingham, UK, where it all started," says Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson. "It was beautiful to witness how the star-studded artist community came together to celebrate and pay respect to Black Sabbath. It was an honor for all of us at Gibson to have had the opportunity to be there to host the artist community at the Gibson lounge backstage and raise a significant amount of funds for great local causes. I will never forget that day, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Gibson donated two Gibson SG Standard guitars--the world-famous guitar model beloved by Tony Iommi--which were hand-signed by the artists backstage at Back to the Beginning. Music fans worldwide bid on these one-of-a-kind signed guitars during the charity auction. A unique opportunity to celebrate a defining moment in rock and roll history while supporting three life-changing charities, all proceeds from the auction will be shared equally between three causes close to the Osbourne family’s heart: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Gibson was also present backstage in the artist lounge with a selection of guitars, as well as an interactive experiences and a photo booth with Indian Motorcycles as part of the unforgettable backstage environment available for the performers, VIP guests, and industry legends.

Back to the Beginning marked the historic return of the original Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – performed together for the first time in 20 years. The all-star celebration of heavy metal’s founding fathers saw Ozzy take to the stage for a short solo set before reuniting with Black Sabbath for their final ever performance, making this one of the most significant live music events of the decade.

Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling over 75 million albums and defining a genre. Music Director Tom Morello described Back to the Beginning as "the greatest heavy metal show ever."

The event also featured performances from Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and more. A supergroup of legendary musicians also performed including Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, Duff McKagan, Slash, Frank Bello, Fred Durst, Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis, David Draiman, KK Downing, Lzzy Hale, Mike Bordin, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian, Sleep Token ii, Papa V Perpetua, Tom Morello, and Zakk Wylde.

27TH ANUAL BROADWAY BARKS! The Star-Studded Dog and Cat Adoption Event hosted by Bernadette Peters and Beth Leavel in Shubert Alley was a tail wagging success yesterday, July12, 2025.

Over 65 Celebrities participated.

THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY was delighted to report that the Pay What You Can Canned Food Drive resulted in 198 canned goods donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry.

ROYALS PROVE WHITE IS RIGHT

Those royal women got it right.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macros, Brigitte Macron. Photo: Kensington Palace.

The women donned white gowns with Princess Kate in red and Brigitte in blue - colors of the French and British flags.

If four women were in the same room at an event all wearing a dress with similar characteristics, the lightly outcome is a snicking cat fight in the making with promises of next day gossip column snide and snarky quips. Then there are the steel bones members of the HRH sorority who pulled off a master coup at last week at the diamonds and tiaras dinner staged at Windsors Castle in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Queen Camilla, Princess Kate, The Princess Royal, Duchess Sophie and The Duchess of Gloucester made an elegant, sophisticated statement which will long be remembered.

The conspiracy, intrigue and keep your mouth shut modus operandi were executed to a fault.

The couture dressmakers also had to be informed so they could employ the delicate art of blending in without over stating. The combination of whitish dresses was a masterpiece of both design and sensitivity as all four of the women would be wearing similar fabric weights and complimentary styles.

The elegant Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, wore a bespoke gown from Suzannah London, based on their 'Delphine' dress, which was cut from statement making white sequin cloth.

Duchess Sophie's piece featured a beautiful silhouette with a fitted bodice that had a round neckline with a subtle V, short flowing sleeves that ended just before her elbow, and a particularly flattering tulip-shaped wrap skirt that began at and accentuated her waist, falling just above her ankles.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Photo. Press pool

Tulip hem skirt. Photo. Press pool

To accessorize, Sophie wore matching white heeled pumps from Emmy London, and a pair of diamond hoop earrings, but it was her tiara that had people talking. She selected her personal head topper, the Wessex aquamarine necklace tiara, her signature convertible jewellery piece that features a wavy diamond pattern and a statement central aquamarine.

The gorgeous piece was reportedly made by Collins & Sons for Sophie, as part of her personal collection, according to The Court Jeweller, which means no other person will wear it, except her daughter Lady Louise on her wedding day.

State banquets often bring out a parade of gowns and tiaras. Queen Camilla in the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, Princess Anne in the Festoon Tiara, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh in her personal Aquamarine Tiara, and the Princess of Wales in the Lover’s Knot Tiara.

Other celebrities in attendance included Sir Elton John and his husband and Sir Mick Jagger with his fiancée Melanie Hamrick, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and footballer Mary Earps.

The Princess of Wales chose a Sarah Burton for Givenchy. The dress was described as "a dark red silk creponne gathered evening gown, with caped back detailing. Silk creponne is defined as “a type of lightweight, diaphanous silk featured by lengthwise wrinkles."

The Princess’s evening bag, a hard-sided clutch with a Lily of the Valley motif, was also by Givenchy.

The Princess wore her favorite tiara, the Lover’s Knot, created in 1913 by Garrard for Queen Mary, with its elegant arches and drop-shaped pearls suspended as pendants. Kate also wore the Greville Diamond Chandelier Earrings this evening, created by Cartier.

The Telegraph reported: After dinner, port and cognac from the years of the King and president’s respective births were served to guests, including Dame Kristen Scott Thomas." Guests moved from St. George’s Hall to the Music Room after dinner for a concert by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Royal women traditionally wear full-length ball gowns to state banquets, often featuring a fitted bodice and full skirt. The dress code is the most formal level of dress, requiring such gowns along with tiaras and, in some cases, long gloves, though these are less common at modern events.

The Princess Royal displayed a new hair style and looked sensational in a two piece evening outfit. Photo: Jackson/Chown/Tang/Walton

Queen Camilla wore an embroidered white ivory silk and crepe full sleeve evening gown by Fiona Clare, accompanied by the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, a sapphire bracelet, and a sapphire necklace given to Queen Elizabeth by her father, King George VI. The glittering gems are part of Queen Elizabeth II’s sapphire suite. The Court Jeweller reports that the sapphire earrings are from the Queen’s personal collection.

Princess Anne wore a new hairdo topped with the Festoon Tiara, a gift from the World Wide Shipping Group. She also wore diamond jewelry that was an 18th birthday gift from her parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Not noted for being a clothes horse, the Princess Royal was smashing. Her two piece evening gown got everything right. The short jacket - a type frequently used in dressing women of a certain age to hide their underarms more often than not, isn't cut right. The bust area is too short and the sleeves skimpy, giving the impression that the woman is trying to appear age twelve. In this case, the cut was show off flawless. The sophisticated outfit was youthful. The bust-line full and the sleeves draped beautifully.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Photo: Jackson/Chown/Tang/Walton

There were men present; a lot of them - King Charles, Prince William, Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Timothy Lawrence, Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester all stately in white tie each wearing enough metals to keep them tethered to earth.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are an amazing couple. The next day they hosted a lavish Guildhall banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron, and his wife Brigitte. The banquet was attended by Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King and Lady Mayoress of the City of London Florence King.

Brigitte who never looks anything less than elegant and sophisticated was resplendent in pieces of Queen Mary's jewelry set with diamond and pink topazes.

One of the hardest working of the royals Brigitte's efforts to bolster Britain are legendary. Interesting is that she was neither born royal nor British, coming into this world in Denmark as Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen on June 20, 1946.

To push their schedule to overflowing - The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on July 8th.

SPREADING THE WORD

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO PARBOIL Sir Thomas More's head could be exhumed 500 years after it was parboiled and put on a spike on London Bridge.

St Dunstan's, an Anglican church in Canterbury, Kent, where the remains of Henry VIII's lord chancellor lie, has requested permission to have them unearthed and placed in a shrine.

A statement read: 'What the [parochial church council] PCC has agreed, subject to all the right permissions being granted, is to exhume and conserve what remains of the relic, which will take several years to dry out and stabilize. St Dunstan's is seeking to exhume More's remains in time for the 500th anniversary of his death in 2035.

More was beheaded at Tower Hill in 1535 after he refused to acknowledge the monarch as head of the church following Henry's break from Rome.

His body was buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London, but his head was taken from the scaffold and put on a spike on London Bridge.

Amid fears More's head would be thrown in the Thames, his daughter Margaret Roper rescued it and reportedly kept it in spices for the rest of her life.

It was then buried with her and transferred to the Roper family grave at St Dunstan’s in 1578, where it has been kept in a vault behind metal bars ever since.

More was declared a martyr by the Vatican in 1935 - meaning his remains are now considered a holy relic in the Catholic Church.

Famous plays about him include A Man for All Seasons.

AMDA COLLEGE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS is proud to return as a presenting sponsor of iHeartMedia New York's 106.7 LITE FM's Broadway in Bryant Park, the city's premier lunchtime theatre series. Now in its 25th anniversary year, the beloved event celebrates a quarter-century of bringing the magic of Broadway to Bryant Park with free live performances every Thursday through July 31st, 2025.

Held in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Broadway in Bryant Park offers audiences a unique opportunity to enjoy performances from Broadway's most celebrated productions—completely free and open to the public. As part of its continued sponsorship, AMDA will once again feature standout performances by current students and graduates, as well as Ultimate Talent Contest winners, during exclusive pre-show segments on the following dates: July 17th – Featuring AMDA graduate Andres Quintero (Broadway's "Moulin Rouge") with current students and recent graduates Abigail Adu, Maya Bregman, Adianna Cruz, Ana Daniela Perez Davis, Katelee Guzzi, and Yaneilee Velez.

July 24th – Featuring AMDA graduate Samantha Gershman (Broadway's "Water for Elephants and "A Beautiful Noise") with current students and recent graduates Sara Elder, Victor Fajer, Tommy Ferolano, and Maryana Crawley.

With campuses in New York City and Los Angeles, AMDA has spent over 60 years training artists for careers in the entertainment industry. The college's ongoing partnership with Broadway in Bryant Park reflects its deep commitment to showcasing emerging talent and celebrating the power of live performance.

Notable graduates include Madeline Brewer ("The Handmaid's Tale, You, West End's Cabaret"), Jesse Tyler Ferguson ("Modern Family", Broadway's "Take Me Out"), Ray Fisher ("Rebel Moon, Justice League", Broadway's "The Piano Lesson"), Christopher Jackson ("Bull, And Just Like That," Broadway's "Hell's Kitchen"), Caissie Levy (Broadway's "Frozen", West End's "Next to Normal"), and Anthony Ramos ("Ironheart, In the Heights", Broadway's "Hamilton").

ROYAL MAKE UP? according to "People" which broke the story, Prince Harry and King Charles’ aides are meeting to see if a way is possible to mend fences.

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LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott.

Misti Wills, Director.
Ellie Mooney, Choreographer.
Paige Rammelkamp, Music Director.
Jeremy Scott Blaustein, Producing Artistic Director.
Elizabeth Albert, Managing Director.

Join the March sisters as they navigate the challenges of love and loss in this beautiful and timeless coming-of-age tale. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering it for the first time, this production promises to be a memorable theatrical experience; a must-see for the whole family.

SSMT was established to give Shenandoah Conservatory theatre students an opportunity to have professional experience before going out to start their own careers in that field. By bringing in students from SU and other universities, as well as industry professionals and experienced creative teams, SSMT fosters a professional company with an educational mission. All positions are paid, allowing every member of the company to learn on the job whether they are working their first contract or they are regional and Broadway veterans.

The seasonal company of actors, technical and costume artists, instrumentalists, front-of-house staff, high school apprentices, designers, directors, and more averages 120 people.

July 18-27 at the Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre at The Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA.

IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY with Music and Lyrics by Drew Gasparini. Book by Alex Brightman.

Directed by Sarna Lapine.

Produced with Special Arrangement by Lisa Dozier Shacket.

After nearly stepping off the Brooklyn Bridge, 17-year-old Craig Gilner makes a life-changing decision: he checks himself into Six North, the adult psychiatric ward at a city hospital. Inside, he’s stripped of his phone, his expectations, and the pressure to be perfect—and finds himself surrounded by a cast of fellow patients whose quirks, wisdom, and wounds challenge everything he thought he knew about strength, sanity, and what it means to be “okay.”

Based on Ned Vizzini’s celebrated novel (also adapted into a Universal Pictures film), "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" is called a raw, heartfelt, and unexpectedly hilarious new musical about mental health, identity, and human connection, asking the question, "Is it alright not to be all right?"

Blending pop-rock and musical theater with raw emotional honesty, this powerful and poignant production features an all-star cast including Jackson Chase as Craig with Isabella Esler, Abe Goldfarb, Julia Murney, James Monroe Iglehart, Jim Poulos, Mike Nappi, Jayae Riley Jr., Happy McPartlin.

This presentation is cast by Jenny Ravitz. This developmental production is being presented with special arrangement by Lisa Dozier Shacket. It marks a significant milestone for the creative team as they bring the show one step closer to a full production. Special Presentation at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theaterat the Martel Theater at Vassar College July 18-19, 2025.

SULFUR BOTTOM by Rishi Varma.

Directed by Megumi Nakamura.

Bold, surreal, and emotionally raw, "Sulfur Bottom" is a new eco-gothic drama that explores the quiet devastation of environmental collapse through the eyes of one family over 40 years. Set within a decaying home on the edge of industrial sprawl, the play transforms the slow violence of pollution into something both intimate and unsettling. It reveals the profound impact of environmental neglect on personal relationships and the struggle to hold onto love and memory in a changing world.

The cast brings together a talented group of young actors, including Kendyl Davis, who portrays the central character, searching for a way out of the toxic landscape, Kevin Richard Best, the fumbling patriarch trying to cement his legacy, and Joyah Dominique, the no-filter tornado of energy who struggles to find her own footing. Feyisola Soetan, Eric Easter, and Isaiah Joseph complete the cast, delivering a compelling portrait of family and environmental struggle in this evocative new work.

Sulfur Bottom will premiere at The Jerry Orbach Theater, located at The Theater Center, NYC in previews Wednesday, August 13th and Sunday, August 16th, leading up to the official opening night on August 20th.

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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.

FINAL OVATION

FRANK BARRIE Theatre star and former EastEnders actor died at home June 30, 2025. He was 88.

Barrie attended Archbishop Holgate's School in York, before going to the University of Hull where he met his wife. Barrie spent four years acting in weekly and fortnightly repertory. He made his acting debut at York Theatre Royal in 1959, in a production of "Henry IV Part 2" before joining the internationally prestigious Bristol Old Vic company in 1965, where he quickly became established as the leading man – the youngest in the company's history. Among his many roles he played Oedipus Rex; Richard Il; Long John Silver; Alfie; Malvolio; and Lucio in Tyrone Guthrie's production of "Measure for Measure. " In 1967 Barrie toured the United States and Europe with the Company, repeating his Mercutio and Lucio on Broadway, New York, and many other major cities.

In 1969 he was invited by Laurence Olivier to join the National Theatre. in 1983 Frank Barrie played Eglamour in the BBC TV adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen Of Verona."

The actor went on to star in "The Woman In Black" and "Lunch With Marlene", and his one-man show "Macready!" played in 65 countries.

Barrie also made more than 150 screen appearances, including in shows such as "Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant's Shoulders" and "Queen Of Swords."

Barrie, who grew up in York, played Dot Cotton's love interest Edward Bishop in "EastEnders" from 2010 to 2011.

He also found success as a director on productions of "Shylock, JM Barrie" and "The Life And Loves Of Edith Wharton", all of which toured internationally.

He is survived by his wife Mary and daughter Julia.

Next Column: July 20, 2025
Copyright: July 13, 2025 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