Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: July 17, 2016
By: Laura Deni
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POWER UP VIDEO GAMES - GET YOUR GADGET OVERLOAD

The geek crowd has gone mainstream, thanks to Pokemon Go, Nintendo’s free Smartphone-based game app sensation which has captivated obsessed players - including the lucrative millennial market. Pokemon Go is the latest version of the original which was introduced in the early 2000's, when the Japanese import came to America first in the form of video games.

Taking a bold leap into the future by returning to the past, last week Nintendo announced that they hope to blend generations in a re-introduction of the NES Classic Edition with the intent of returning veteran gamers to the era of the 8-bit Nintendo, the beginning of Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda and Metroid.

The vintage/new release makes its debut on November 11 and will retail in America for $59.99.

The NES Classic Edition looks just like a NES, only in a miniature version, and it comes with 30 games built in. You can connect it to your TV via a HDMI cable, and will also connect to a Wii Remote, so that Virtual Console games can be played on a Wii or Wii U.

The list of games includes: Balloon Fight, Bubble Bobble, Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Double Dragon II;:The Revenge, Dr. Mario, Excitebike, Final Fantasy, Galaga, Ghosts'N Goblins, Gradius, Ice Climber, Kid Icarus, Kirby's Adventure, Mario Bros, Mega Man 2, Metroid, Ninja Gaiden, Pac-Man, Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream, StarTropics, Super C, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Tecmo Bowl, The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II and The Adventure of Link.

Spotlighting computer game playing is the Science Museum in London by giving current game aficionados a chance to play and reflect.

Get your video and computer game face on. It's Power Up - a two weeks hands on experience at the Science Museum, running July 22 - August 7, 2016.

An opportunity for kids and parents to bond over computer games.

The event features the very best video games, computers and consoles from the past 40 years - a social and technological history and a full-on player's bonanza of the greatest games ever made.

Running in partnership with leading gaming specialists European Gaming League (EGL), gamer girls and boys are in for a museum experience promising to be "like no other."

With over 160 systems and thousands of games that are all fully operable and available to play on - from Pong and Pacman to Lego and Halo - there is something to suit beginners and experts, competitive parents, multi-players, retro fans and everybody else in between.

The very latest Next Gen consoles such as PS4 and Xbox One will be in abundance alongside classic PC titles Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog and a host of Disney and Batman games. Parents and kids alike can each show off their skills to the other - or try to outwit and win.

Split into multiple zones, featuring the most loved and popular games linked by theme, content and brand - from Atari and SEGA to PlayStation and Nintendo, Power UP offers players of all ages the perfect opportunity to experience science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at its liveliest - up-close and hands-on.

Early programmable computers and classic 80s educational games will also be playable alongside the most current and contemporary of games - highlighting just how far and fast gaming culture has developed over the past 40 years.

The four times daily 90-minute sessions kick off on July 22. Adult only sessions for ages 18+ will also take place in the evenings on July 29-30 and August 5.

Alistair Otto serves as the Science Museum Group Commercial Experiences Manager. His thoughts expressed that the Science Museum's opinion is that this is the ideal summer solution both for kids and adults. Once here, not only does the younger crowd get a unique opportunity to experience all of the very best games from the past 40 years - games that their parents grew up with - but they get to see that museums can be cool and exciting places offering experiences that can be relevant, fun, interactive and interesting.

If you are a real video game geek and are in the neighborhood also visit this venue's sister site, the National Media Museum in Bradford, England which is the UNESCO city of film.

The Game & Watch series was Nintendo's first worldwide success in video game consoles. Photo: Nintendo.

They have a world class Games Lounge where you can play your way through classic games in their original arcade or console formats, learn about the history of videogaming, and discover the story behind a global phenomenon.

Make your way to the Games Lounge to trace the evolution of digital gaming, from its birth in 1952 through to modern day developments. On display at the top of the stairs, you will find a selection of games consoles including original models from Commodore, Atari, Nintendo and Sega. Recreate the 1980s arcade experience and compete against your friends and family on original arcade machines: Gauntlet, Street Fighter II, Galaxian and Space Invaders, for only 10-50 pence each - the same price as when they were first in use.

The Love Tester, one of Nintendo's experimental toys. Photo: Nintendo

Learn about and play your way through a selection of groundbreaking games on some of the most popular games consoles released since 1972 – the forerunners of today's multibillion dollar industry - including an Atari Super Pong console, Goldeneye 007 on the Nintendo 64 and Super Mario on the SNES. All of these games are free to play.

Among the terrace style seating in the center of the gallery, you will find more original games consoles, this time in the table format. Choose from Pac-Man, Frogger, Donkey Kong and Asteroids.

Discover more about the history of animation within video games through classic titles such as Prince of Persia and Actua Soccer. You can also experience the power of the Microsoft Kinect camera through their experimental digital interactive designed by Richard England.

As the home of human ingenuity, London's Science Museum’s world-class collection forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. Welcoming over 3 million visitors a year, the Museum aims to make sense of the science that shapes our lives, inspiring visitors with iconic objects, award-winning exhibitions and incredible stories of scientific achievement.

The National Media Museum is home to over 3.5 million items of historical significance. The facility looks after the National Photography, National Cinematography and National Television Collections. The Museum houses Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli cinemas which host an impressive film program, from cult classics to contemporary art house cinema. Pictureville cinema boasts the only permanent, regularly programmed Cinerama installation in Europe, a magnet for enthusiasts worldwide.










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ART AND ABOUT

DANCE! AMERICAN ART 1830-1960 captures dance in all its forms-from carefree to choreographed performance-with art that celebrates our need to move to the music. See 90 works from famed American artists including John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Harlem Renaissance stars and artists who shaped the aesthetics of modern dance including Isamu Noguchi, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol.

The exhibition includes 19th-century paintings that portray dances from America’s diverse communities, from the sacred dances of indigenous North Americans to Irish jigs and Spanish flamencos; paintings that show class distinctions, from the refined quadrille to a sidewalk tarantella; pastoral fantasies of expressive dances performed outdoors; paintings from the turn of the 20th century featuring international female superstars; works by Harlem Renaissance artists who challenged negative stereotypes and sought to create and sustain a vibrant cultural identity; and modern objects that demonstrate a fluid dialogue between visual artists, dancers and choreographers.

Video will also be presented in the galleries to give the full scope of the performing arts including both historic footage and contemporary dancers who will perform dances that inspired these great artworks including demonstrations of American ballet and tap traditions.

This exhibition has been organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Dance! American Art 1830–1960 is staged at the Denver Art Museum through October 2, 2016.

SWEET CHARITY

THE ANNUAL PLAYWRIGHTS FOR A CAUSE benefit will be Sunday, July 24th beginning at the Linda Gross Theater in New York City.

The special performance will include six original plays: Security by Israel Horovitz; Jezelle the Gazelle by Dominique Morisseau; ROOM 206 by Antoinette Nwandu; Doublecross by John Patrick Shanley; and Biting the Bullet by Regina Taylor.

The cast for the plays includes: Soraya Broukhim, J. Bernard Callaway, Lynn Cohen, David Deblinger, Craig ‘muMs’ Grant, Ed Jewett, Felix Monge, Postell Pringle, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Peter Collier and Dominique Fishback. Understudies include: James Edward Becton, Narada Campbell, Azariah Gunn, Peter Jensen, James B. Kennedy, James O’Brien, Misti Tindiglia and Kara Young.

Yoko Ono Chairs the Honorary Committee of: Kim Brizzolara, Marco Calvani, Lucy DeVito. Erik Ehn, Angelina Fiordellisi, Halley Feiffer, Catherine Filloux, Neil LaBute, Kelly McAndrew, Shaun Peknic, Michael Puzzo, Donna Vivino and Mia Yoo.

The creative team for this year includes these Directors: Steve Broadnax (Jazelle the Gazelle); Glory Kadigan (Biting the Bullet, Security, Doublecross) and Lori Kee (Before).

The Designers are: James Dardenne (Scenic); Benjamin Ehrenreich (Lighting); Cheryl McCaarron (Costume); and Jacob Subotnick (Sound). The Production Team includes: Jazmyn Arroyo (Assistant Producer); Collin James Bradley (Asst. Producer); Robin Carus(Casting Director); Brock H. Hill (Associate Producer) and Tyler Winthrop (Production Stage Manager).

Playwrights for a Cause is the annual benefit hosted by Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. This year the event will benefit New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. There will be a reception following the performance.

ST LOUIS CABARET CONFERENCE PARDNERS WITH UNIVERSITY

The nation's longest running training program in the art of song performance the St. Louis Cabaret Conference currently taking place through July 24. Participating are Ann Hampton Callaway, Karen Mason, Marilyn Maye, Peisha McPhee, Faith Prince, Tedd Firth, Christopher Denny, Jeff Harnar, Michael Orland, Alex Rybeck, Lee Lessack, Tim Schall, and Billy Stritch.

The Conference also has a new home through a new partnership with the respected St. Louis University.

All master classes and housing are taking place on the campus of St. Louis U which is within walking distance to all of the St. Louis Cabaret Festival performances. The Conference offers in-depth training to adult singers at all stages through the 5-day Traditional Track, 7-day Next Step Track and 8-day Professional Track. The newly launched 4-day High School Sessions give the next generation of singers their own program of high level mentoring with Karen Mason, American Idol’s Peisha McPhee and St. Louis Cabaret Conference’s Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt.

The Conference also continues its unique partnership with the St. Louis Cabaret Festival, a 6-day public performance series held from Tuesday, July 19th through Sunday, July 24th, that showcases the faculty and participants of the Conference in three state of the art venues in St. Louis' Grand Center arts district.

Faith Prince and Jason Graae perform The Prince and The Showboy backed by Alex Rybeck on piano, Wednesday July 20. Marilyn Maye and Her Piano Men: Tedd Firth & Billy Stritch on pianos with special guest Ann Hampton Callaway with bassist Gerald Spaits, and drummer Jim Eklof performing Thursday July 21. Tony DeSare, named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, presents his From Sinatra to Prince cabaret act on Friday, July 22. All three shows are at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

SPREADING THE WORD

BREAD AND ROSES a new musical with book and lyrics by Jill Abramovitz and music by Brad Alexander, inspired by true events and based on the film by Paul Laverty and Ken Loach will stage a free developmental reading July 22nd at Playwrights Horizons Rehearsal Studios in New York City.

What would you sacrifice for your American dream? Must the American dream come at the cost of human dignity? These are the questions at the center of The New York Musical Festival's Developmental Reading of Bread And Roses. Maya is a 25-year old Mexican woman who illegally crosses the U.S. border to work with her sister Rosa cleaning Office Building 646 in downtown LA. Witnessing firsthand the corruption and abusive working conditions, Maya joins Sam from Justice for Janitors in an attempt to unionize the workers. Alliances are formed, backs are stabbed, and the sisters' relationship is brought to the brink.

The cast features Genny Lis Padilla, Nick Blaemire, Jessica Vosk, Mandy Gonzalez, Ta'Rea Campbell, Wally Dunn, Diomargy Nuaez and Jon Rua.

JULIE TAYMOR interviewed by bob Balaban following a screening of Taymor's A Midsummer Night's Dream Tuesday, July 19, at Guild Hall, East Hamptons, NY.

JULY 20 is National Lollipop Day, Ice Cream Soda Day and National Fortune Cookie Day.






THE BEATLES Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell, Ringo Starr and John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono last Thursday, July 14, attended a 10th anniversary celebration of Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage in Las Vegas. While the show has recently been updated, The Beatles LOVE has always been Broadway To Vegas' favorite Cirque show. See Broadway To Vegas column of June 18,2006

Other attending the 10th anniversary party included Ron Howard, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino; actor and comedian Kevin Nealon; host of ABC’s The Bachelor Chris Harrison; Arlene Phillips, English choreographer, theater director and judge on So You Think You Can Dance; Daniel Platzman and Ben McKee of the band Imagine Dragons; Mark Foster of indie pop band Foster the People; musician Chris Holmes, Josh Hutcherson, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joe Walsh, youngster Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who plays “Lily” on ABC’s Modern Family; and numerous other celebrities and creatives of the Cirque production.

All Beatles fans should take note that the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years, directed by Howard, will be in limited release beginning September 17. In the documentary Howard utilizes rare, silent Super 8 footage for much of the film and working closely with surviving member McCartney and Starr as well as the widows of deceased members John Lennon and George Harrison, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison.

AUSTRALIAN WRITER MICHELE LEE has been announced as winner of the Queensland Premier's Drama Award 2016-2017 for her play Rice.

Rice is the story of two women - Nisha, the right-hand woman to the CEO of Australian rice company, Golden Fields, who is poised to seal a contract for rice distribution to the Indian government; and Yvette, the company’s cleaner who, late at night, clears the take-away dinner scraps from Nisha’s office.

Rice will receive its world premiere in 2017 as part of Artistic Director, Sam Strong’s highly anticipated debut season at Queensland Theatre Company.

From over 50 entries for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2016-2017 (QPDA), Lee’s work was selected ahead of fellow finalists Kathryn Marquet for Furious Creatures and Suzie Miller for I Looked Up And There You Were. Delivered through Queensland Theatre Company (QTC), the QPDA is a prestigious and important award for Australian theatre - it guarantees a professional production by QTC of the winning entry in the year following the announcement.

GUILD HALL IN EAST HAMPTON NEW YORK has announced that Andrea Grover has been selected to be the new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2016.

Andrea has been Curator of Special Projects at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, NY since 2011. In 1998 Andrea founded Aurora Picture Show in Houston, Texas. She directed this center for film, video and new media performance for 10 years.

Since that time, she has served as a special advisor for arts foundations like Creative Capital, Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Prior to coming to the East End, she was a Warhol Curatorial Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, and in 2013 she was awarded a Center for Curatorial Leadership Fellowship with a residency at Walker Art Center.

RUTHLESS! which is being staged at St. Luke’s Theatre, New York City celebrated its one-year anniversary on June 13, 2016.

The cast celebrated in the best way possible - with the day off. The show’s diva, Sylvia St. Croix (as played by Paul Pecorino), "has a full schedule mapped out for the big day including appointments for a pedicure and a colon cleanse (not necessarily in that order)," according to the official release.

Ruthless! has a book and lyrics by Joel Paley with music by Marvin Laird. Paley is also directing this production with Laird on board as music supervisor.



MAMMA MIA! a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA, composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Directed by Dan Knechtges.

Choreography by Jessica Hartman.

Michael Horsley serves as Music Director.

Starring Julia Murney (Donna), Ann Harada (Rosie) and Jenny Powers (Tanya).

After 14 years and nearly 6,000 performances on Broadway, the phenomenal worldwide megahit Mamma Mia! arrives at The Muny like a breath of fresh island air. Prepare to be swept into the contagious excitement of 22 memorable ABBA hits, including Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me and The Winner Takes It All.

Muny Premiere takes place July 21-18 at The Muny in St. Louis, MO.

NOEL COWARD AND FRIENDS LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

Written by David Robinson.

Musical arrangements by Clive Dunstall. Starring David Robinson (Noël Coward), Mandy Watsham Dunstall (Gertrude Lawrence), Colin Hearn (Ivor Novello), Clive Dunstall (Norman Viney, pianist).

Noël Coward, Gertrude Lawrence and Ivor Novello together for one last time at The Desert Inn, Las Vegas. Coward was loved by American audiences but despite that, his dressing room is a lonely place - hence he is in a reflective mood.

Through his friends and his music he looks back at happier times. Noël's greatest hits and wit, together with Ivor Novello's beautiful melodies create a nostalgic evening of laughter, love and eternal friendship. A real talent to amuse wrapped up in an unmissable revue that premiered at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe to rave reviews. Songs include: I’ll See You Again, Someday I’ll Find You, Parisian Pierrot, London Pride, Mrs Worthington and A Room with a View by Noël Coward. We’ll Gather Lilacs, And Her Mother Came Too, Fold Your Wings, Keep the Home Fires Burning and I Can Give You the Starlight by Ivor Novello.

NOTE: Noël Coward performed two shows nightly for four weeks at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas in 1955, even recording a live album recorded in June,1955. See Broadway To Vegas column of March 30, 2003

Performances July 24 and July 31 at Kings Head Theatre in London.

ROMANCE NOVELS FOR DUMMIES By Boo Killebrew.

Directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel.

With Justin Long, Connie Ray, Andrew Weems.

Sisters Liz and Bernie couldn’t be more different: Liz is a good, Southern stay-at-home mom; Bernie is a flailing actress smoking and swearing her way through New York City. But when Liz is suddenly widowed, she and her young daughter move in with Bernie to start again. While Bernie challenges all of Liz’s assumptions about life, love and raising a child, Liz goes out on a series of internet dates which eclipse the grief, fear and gentility she’s known for so long. Can Liz compel her own story to end like a romance novel?

Tim Mackabee - Scenic Designer: Tilly Grimes - Costume Designer: Justin Townsend - Lighting Designer: Palmer Hefferan - Sound Designer.

World Premiere July 20 - July 31 on the Main Stage of the Williamstown Festival in Williamstown, MA.

WHO'S WHERE

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND entertain Wednesday, July 20, at the CASA Arena in Horsens, Denmark. On Saturday the show is at the Ullevi Stadium in Goteborg, Sweden.

ALABAMA SHAKES appears Tuesday, July 19, in Chicago, IL at the Civic Opera House. On Wednesday they remain in The Windy City for a show at the Aragon Ballroom.

DURAN DURAN on stage July 24, 2016 at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO.

PAUL ANKA entertains Friday, July 22, in the Cape Code Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA. On Saturday he'll be singing his hits at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA. Next Sunday, July 24, his tour stops at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

JIM QUICK AND THE COASTLINE nine time winner of Carolina Music Awards' Entertain of the Year performs Thursday, July 21, at the Historic North Theatre in Danville, VA.

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC Gustavo Dudamel, conductor. Los Angeles Master Chorale Grant Gershon, artistic director, Los Angeles Master Chorale David Saint, book director present West Side Story. Starring LSolea Pfeiffer, Maria - Jeremy Jordan, Tony - Karen Olivo, Anita - George Akram, Bernardo - Matthew James Thomas, Riff - Drew Foster, Action - Kyle Selig, Baby John -Anthony Chatmon II, A-rab - Mike Schwitter, Big Deal - Jennifer Sanchez, Rosalia - Brit West, Francisca - Erica Dorfler, Consuela - Julia Bullock, A Girl - Jeff Smith, Diesel - Jeff Smith, Diesel - Jose Moreno Brooks, Chino - Kevin Chamberlin, Schrank / Doc / Krupke. Part of Classical Tuesdays with a performance on Tuesday, July 19, at the Hollywood Bowl, CA.

Next Column: July 24, 2016
Copyright: July 17, 2016 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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