Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: July 23, 2023
By: Laura Deni
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AS OTHER THEATRES PARE DOWN, WILL GEER THEATRICUM BOTANICUM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF GOING STRONG

As theatres across American are announcing staff layoffs and even closures, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, a venue created to spite injustice, celebrates 50 years and is going strong.

Actor Will Geer was caught up in the post World War 2 McCarthy frenzy involving the search for communists within, among others, the entertainment industry. Called to testify before a congressional committee, Will refused to cooperate, thinking the House Committee on Un-American Affairs was an intrusion into personal liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. He, himself, was “blacklisted” and deemed a “questionable” American.

See Broadway To Vegas column of June 24, 2007 See Broadway To Vegas Broadway To Vegas June 24, 2007

"Our lives were destroyed, emphasized his daughter Ellen Geer who runs the venue. "My father got jobs from his friends working at their gardener, moving their lawns." He also cultivated a large garden and, unable to find work in Hollywood, Will and his family earned a living by selling vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Herta Ware, Will’s ex-wife passed away in 2005. Geer met Ware when they appeared on Broadway in Let Freedom Ring. They had three children, Ellen is their only daughter. By another marriage Ware also had a daughter, actress Melora Marshall who is extremely active at Theatricum Botanicum. Ware remained Geer's life-long friend penning Fantastic Journey - My Life with Will Geer. In that tome she describes what it was like to be blacklisted. “First, you must realize that you’ll never know what hit you...The money that poured into his pocket from your labor is spent or stashed away. You are now expendable. Heartless - yes, and the net is so strong you cannot penetrate it - ever. It is catastrophic."

For anyone in show business a blacklisting involves more than being unemployable. Also destroyed are any feelings of self-worth.

Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum. Photo: WGTB

For the few who manage to redirect themselves, Ware wrote - "have the strength and luck, you may push through in spite of all -" there is the added insult of those who committed the wrongs trying to justify their own actions - in some cases malicious and premeditated and with others getting caught up in what amounts to mob violence. Those who want to back down don't, because they are concerned with saving their own face. Insulting trite bromides are tossed at the victim such as - We hope it makes you feel good to know that we won't do this again. We didn't mean to totally destroy your life, so you should find comfort that we won't do it to anybody else. Or, we're being extra nice to others to make up being mean to you. That doesn't help the wronged person at all.

“Actors have to act, you know, otherwise we dry up and blow away. Pop started a theatre for blacklisted artists in Topanga Canyon in 1951, said Ellen. "We went from a posh Santa Monica home with Pop co-starring in films with stars like Jimmy Stewart, Donald O’Connor etc., to no work and escaping to an inexpensive home in the mountains where Pop could make his living gardening and gathering with other blacklisted actors,."

The acting haven that developed for blacklisted actors was the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. There Will was able to combine his love of plants and acting. An amphitheater was formed in the gardens with the purpose of bringing great plays, particularly Shakespeare's plays, to everyday people, who might not normally be able to see such works in a theatre.

Workshops would be held there for young actors and Will would provide coaching and counsel. These would not be sessions just about the theater. Shakespeare would be read and discussions held on philosophy and psychology. On Sundays, under the eucalyptus and oak tress, there would be folk singing sessions.

Fifty years is a milestone. Ellen Geer was nice enough to answer some questions about those 50 years and bring us up to date.

Actors makimg their entrance from the hillside. Photo by Ian Flanders.

RELATING TO THE PRESENT, AS EVERYONE KNOWS THEATRES ARE LAYING OFF PEOPLE OR EVER JUST CLOSING. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SURVIVE? ANY POINTERS FOR OHER VENUES?
Theatre and education can happen anywhere. A backyard, a city street, a park. Sometimes large administrations and buildings take precedent over the people who do the art part of it all. We must always remember they need each other. This is a big important strike. The big guns have lost track of the artists, their needs, and how they need to survive. Arts and producers must be equal in their thinking about each others work. And care. That way, we give the best to our communities. Which is our job.

WHAT ARE SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN THEATRICUM;S HISTORY> A BAD MEMORY AND HOW YOU COPED.
Losing our parents. We kept to schedule and did the play, mourned and onward. It deepened our desire to continue.

A GOOD TIME MEMORY
Celebrating our parents that gave us the love of arts and the place to carry on educating the new thespians, a place to do rep theatre for actors, and passing on to the next generation how theatre and music serve and help any society... gives us more understanding of others.... which makes for a better way to live.

Ellen Geer. Photo: IMDB

50 YEARS. HOW HAVE THE PLAYS CHANGED THAT PATRONS WANT TO SEE?
Audiences will always love the humanity and elevated language of Shakespeare. We are a young country, and it helps us see the big picture. American classics such as Tennesse Williams, Eugene O'Neal, McNally, Langston Hughes, oh so many of past years in America are good companions...classics of America. Like classical music...our souls need it! New works will always pop up, we try and do the ones that stick...even over time.

AS EVERYONE KNOWS, HINDSIGHT IS SO PERFECT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY OVER THE AST 50 YEARS?
Dwelling would take away time from the wonderful things that are being worked on and what artists bring to the surface for a community or individual to think about!!!!

ANY MEMORIES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE PERFORMED ON THAT STAGE OR UNKOWNS WHO LATER BECAME STARS.
To us, everyone in our company is a star. Stars that have supported us over the years at fundraising events are Della Reese, Billy Preston, George C Reilly, Jackson Brown, Richard Dysart, Wendy Malick, Pamela Adlon, Joe Mantegna, Cloris Leachman, Jean Smart, Beau Bridges......and on and on. Film artists give their names to help theatres keep going at events. It is deeply appreciated by every theatre company in Los Angeles.

HOW DO YOU ENTICE ACTORS TO PERFORM THERE? ANY PARTICULAR PERKS?
We pay our union actors, crew and some non union. Our artists know if they get a big pay job, they must go make the money. And it gives their understudy a chance to shine. Actors who want to embrace the great classics don't need enticing. Just the courage to embrace it.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Our company will continue serving. Family wise, we are 4th generation on the boards and even the youngest has decided they want to carry it on! We always are training up for the next to drive the car in all our programs. Takes guts and energy and a wave away of criticism. No ones knows, but the ones doing it how hard and rewarding it is.

First Generation:
Will Geer and his wife Herta Ware

Second Generation:
Ellen Geer (artistic director of WGTB, directs most productions, this summer she directs Macbeth and Queen Margaret's Version of Shakespeare's War of the Roses)' appears in some productions (currently as Katharine in A Perfect Ganesh)
Melora Marshall (Ellen's sister, - acts in 2-3 productions every summer, currently in the title Queen Margaret's Version of Shakespeare's War of the Roses and as Margaret in A Perfect Garnesh alongside Ellen, directs or co-directs A Midsummer's Night's Dream every summer)
Thad Geer (their brother) - has performed in many Theatricum shows, although not this summer.

Third Generation:
Willow Geer (Ellen's daughter - associate artistic director, acts in 2-3 productions every summer, currently playing Lady M in Macbeth & double cast as Duchess Eleanor / Lady Elizabeth Grey in Queen Margaret's Version of Shakespeare's War of the Roses)
Ian Flanders (Ellen's son - graphic designer, photographer, videographer, facilities manager)
Marshall McDaniel (Melora's son - musician, composes original music for the productions, co-curater for the Under the Oaks salon series)
Kellen McDaniel (Melora's son - musician, currently assistant director for A Midsummer Night's Dream, co-curater for the Under the Oaks salon series).

Fourth Generation:
Quinnlyn Scheppner (Ellen's granddaughter) - age 14
Julius Geer-Polin (Willow's son, Ellen's grandson) - age 8
Both have been acting on the Theatricum stage since they were toddlers, starting out as the "changeling child" in A Midsummer Night's Dream before graduating to other child parts. This summer, Quinnlyn plays "Young Elizabeth" and Julius plays "Young York" in Queen Margaret's Version of Shakespeare's War of the Roses.

An equal and important part of this venue is the Botanicum.

Will Geer Shakespeare Garden. Photo WGTB

The Botanicum portion of Theatricum Botanicum includes a Shakespeare Garden which is a themed garden that cultivates plants mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare. The best known reference in Shakespeare of plants used for symbolic purposes, aside from passing mention, as in Romeo and Juliet - "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - is Ophelia's speech from Hamlet in which she mentions rosemary, pansies, fennel, columbines, rue, daisy and violets.

Will Geer's ashes are buried in a corner of the garden. After his death, on April 22, 1978, his family continued the theatre and today it flourishes under the watchful care of Ellen Geer.

WITH DROUGHTS, FLOODS, EXTREME HEAT, HOW DO YOU KEEP THE GARDENS ALIVE - OR HAVE THEY SURVIVED?
First, you save the trees. the pretty little delicate things one lets go like caviar. We are working on composting for rich soil, training our students about disposal, and irrigation systems to lessen water usage. We have some solar. Again, be an example of change.

ANYTHING ELSE THAT COMES TO MIND? As we celebrate our 50th by giving our yearly Humanitarian Award to Debbie Allen, we are proud to continue our service to the LA Community. We thank the Foundations, donors who understand our culture and the parents who allow us to work with their children. It is a responsibility that all our actor/educators cherish and give full attention to.

On Saturday, August 5, 2023 Wendie Malick and Pamela Adlon are set to host Echoes in the Forest, a gala fundraising event for Will GeerTheatricum Botanicum in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary summer season. The event will feature food and drink on Theatricum’s outdoor stage in the Topanga woods; a silent auction; performances by Beau Bridges, members of the Theatricum company and surprise guests; and the presentation of the Will Geer Humanitarian Award to theater, dance, film and television legend Debbie Allen in honor of her tireless advocacy for social justice, community empowerment and the development of young artists. All proceeds benefit the artistic and educational programming at Theatricum, honoring founder Will Geer’s legacy to the arts and the next generation.

Part of the cultural heritage of Los Angeles, Theatricum Botanicum is an outdoor repertory theater presenting Shakespeare, classics, and contemporary plays. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located in Topanga, CA.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

ART AND ABOUT

THE WORLD'S ONLY SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER MUSEUM well, okay there is a sister museum in Spain. Anyway, the American version is located in Gatlinburg, TN, Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Salt and Pepper shakers which mimic the look of real cntainers. Photo: Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum

Visitors can view over 20,000 sets of Salt and Pepper Shakers from around the world, and a huge Pepper Mill collection.

One of the main purposes of the museum is to show the changes in a society that can be found represented in shakers. As you walk through the museum you can see the changes from ancient times to the 1500's, 1800's, 1920's, 40's, 60's all the way to present time.

Another purpose of the museum is to show the variety and the creativity that can be found in salt and pepper shakers. Who where the people and the artist creative enough to come up with all these amazing different shapes?

The third purpose of the museum is to bring people together. We are all connected to salt & pepper shaker collectors, a grandparent (or other family members), a friend, a co-worker, or a neighbor. And everyone has a memory about a salt & pepper shaker, either from their childhood or later in life.

As you explore the collection you will see the salt & pepper shakers displayed by themes and colors. Each theme is separated by pepper mills - over 1500 pepper mills from all over the world.

The #1 question asked: Which Shaker has the most (or least) amount of holes - Salt or Pepper?

And the definitive answer is …

It depends!

Braille Salt and Better Shakers. The Braille dots are on the side. Photo: Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum.

The number of holes in salt and pepper shakers varies by culture, health and taste.

Here in the US excessive salt is considered bad for you, so the salt shaker is the one with the fewer holes, but in parts of Europe it’s the other way around.

It also has to do with availability – in some places salt was rare and prized, whereas in Europe it was difficult to get your hands on Pepper since it’s a spice from the Orient (very exotic) which was used to spice up meat that was past its prime.

Another factor is the size of the grains – some salts are quite coarse while others are very fine - and pepper can be ground or it can be cracked, which many cooks prefer. So, what will pour better?

Exceptions abound - you can have 1, 2, 3 or more holes in a shaker, and they go from tiny holes to huge ones.

According to the Museum: "In the end, everybody wins! The next time you shop for a salt and pepper shaker set, just buy according to your taste - practical or whimsical - and fill them as you wish. Enjoy!"

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SWEET CHARITY

BERNIE WILLIAMS DAY Famed New York Yankees Centerfielder and Latin Grammy nominee, Bernie Williams, is back for the 7th Annual Bernie Williams Day! This longstanding Ridgefield Playhouse tradition features a star-studded day with celebrities from the worlds of sports and music, all to benefit the Ridgefield Playhouse’s 20th Arts in Education Season.

The day begins with a celebrity softball game at Cuccioli field on the Playhouse campus with Bernie and his bandmates, along with several special guests including:

Legendary New York Yankees closer, MLB Hall of Famer and All-Time Saves Leader Mariano Rivera
Stand-up comedian Chris Distefano
Legendary Yankees Player and Coach Willie Randolph
Met’s All-Time Great Mookie Wilson
4x World Series Champ Jeff Nelson
Cy Young Award Winning Pitcher, 2x World Champion and Musician Jake Peavy

Mike Bennett of Mike & Kacey in the Morning on 100.7FM WHUD is returning to handle the Play-by-play announcements.

After you wrap up lunch head indoors for a fantastic concert with Bernie Williams and His Band of Friends.

Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT.

SPREADING THE WORD

DERRY GIRLS

BAFTA winner Siobhán McSweeney in her vinyl gown. Photo: BAFTA

star Siobhán McSweeney who won the Bafta for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Program for her part playing Sister Michael in the comedy series intends to auction off the vivid red patent vinyl gown - size 20, which she wore to the Bafta Awards show.

The gown was made by the American label Fashion Brand Company.

Established in 2018 by Los Angeles artist Penelope Gazin, the label describes itself as offering "100% woman-owned, independent, direct-to-consumer slow fashion" with sizes from XS to 5XL.

According to their website the dress is: "Fire engine red vinyl that's incredibly structured and lined with soft red satin. It has a corset-like effect on the waist- dress that "snatches" you, in.

The American Fashion Brand Company's website continues: "Made from red PU fabric - -sculptural puff sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulders -2 hidden side pockets, - metal back zipper - Clean in the shower??? Lol I honestly am not sure the best way to clean these." Then tongue in cheek they adds: "Perfect for a quiet night in."

Billed as a limited edition with only 15 made, the gown is no longer in production. It was originally priced at $345.00

Free worldwide shipping on orders over $300.00.

At the Bafta event McSweeney explained to the press that she had "lots of offers of amazing designers who wanted to dress me, but I refused to wear anything by a designer who would not design for my body if it wasn’t BAFTA-nominated".

She added: "It’s the same fantastic and pretty average body whether it’s BAFTA nominated or not. I’d prefer to support people who dress for people like me – the very average woman – all the time."

The actor, who recently starred in Dancing at Lughnasa at the National Theatre, consulted her social media followers and concluded that a dress raffle was the way to go.

Her fans responded in their droves, with more than 1,000 people voting, and nearly 70 per cent opting for the raffle to take place.

McSweeney confirmed to the press that she would go ahead with her raffle.

LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL presented by the National Comedy Center is a celebration of the comedic arts and boasts over 50 live events and attracts over 15,000 attendees annually from nearly every state in the country who come together to share laughter while honoring the craft and contributors on stage at dozens of venues throughout Jamestown, New York.

Ring in Lucy Fest ’23 with an early birthday celebration for the Queen of Comedy on Wednesday, August 2. Enjoy a free screening of classic I Love Lucy episodes on the National Comedy Center’s two 350-square-foot outdoor video screens, as well as a special appearance by "Lucy and Ethel," and unique birthday-themed refreshments available for purchase. Friday is a jammed packed day with a Lucy-Desi Super Fan Trivia contest which covers the incredible lives and careers of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz—starting with easier questions and amping up in difficulty as you compete with your peers to win a grand prize. Also on August 4 will be The Lucy & Ethel Show. Visitors can join Lucy and Ethel (played by actors Diane Vincent and Rhonda Medina) as they return to Jamestown, NY during the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival for this laugh-out-loud event that can only be seen in Lucy’s hometown. Have your photo professionally taken on the re-created I Love Lucy set with the professional Lucy and Ethel impersonators.

A popular event is the guided bus tour of Lucy’s hometown, the "Lucy Town Tours", with a friendly and knowledgeable step-on guide, will take attendees to places of significance to Lucille Ball in Jamestown, NY and nearby Celoron. You will see the house that she was born in, the house where she grew up, and much more.

COMIC CON IN SAN DIEGO opened last Thursday and continues through today. The Fleet Science Center got in on the action at the pop culture, science fiction and fantasy event of the year.

Two thought-provoking Fleet panels dug into relevant societal topics.

Ms. Marvel and the Power of Representation explored how the television series, whose protagonist is a Muslim-American girl, makes strides toward changing worldviews. Panelists will discuss what it means for Muslim-American girls to see this representation, tapping into ideas of inclusion and intersectionality. In addition, panelists will delve into the specific realm of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

Dr. Evil, or Scientists as Villains in Pop Culture investigated why we find scientists portrayed as villains in popular culture. Panelists shattered some stereotypes of the evil scientist and explain why this trope actually is much less likely in reality than in fiction. The expert panelists discussed ethics, motivations, and what scientists really want us to understand about them and their work.

In addition, the Fleet is proud to be in collaboration with the STEAMpop Network, which also includes Cosplay for Science and StarWarsologies, for four other panels exploring the intersections of science and pop culture. Some of the other events include:

Indiana Jones: Archaeology, History & Punching Fascists

Star Wars Andor—Making a Rebel, Making a Rebellion

The Science of Superpowers

The San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general public’s awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions, exhibits, museums and other public outreach activities which celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.

THE ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL (ASF) is developing a New Southern Canon a multi-year commitment to developing 22 new plays about transformative moments in the South.

The first four commissioned playwrights are: Pulitzer and Tony winner Robert Schenkkan, Brooklyn-based playwright-actor Donnetta Lavinia Grays, the prolific and much-producd Lauren Gunderson, and Afrofuturist writer Mansa Ra.

"The vision of the Southern Writers Festival is to grow the Southern theatre canon with stories steeped in specificity and reflective of the diversity of the region yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” said Rick Dildine, artistic director of ASF, in a statement. “By telling the stories of our people and dramatizing our shared histories and unique narratives, we give voice to the communities of people who have called the South home for hundreds of years."

ASF’s Southern Writers Project originated in 1991. Dildine expanded the scope and today it includes nearly 100 works imcorporated into a fully realized festival of new works and the largest and most ambitious commissioning program in the South.

The newly commissioned work by the four playwrights will be featured in the ASF programming beginning in summer 2025. Additional playwrights will be selected in the ensuing years. All of the commissioned work will celebrate the important and lasting changes affecting the South’s people, culture and land.

MOJO JUJU a new rock band hailing from Las Vegas, NV, is touring with Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) this fall. The band plays old-school rock with a modern twist, covering sounds from rock, pop, punk, and soul. They will be touring bases across Japan from September 29–October 7, performing in six shows.

Mojo Juju’s lead vocalist, Lea Cappelli, has a vocal style influenced by rock, pop, funk, and dance. Her voice can be heard in over 150 TV shows, including The Voice; Riverdale; Selling Sunset; 365 Days and more.

Nazim Chambi, guitarist for the band, spent years touring with Jody Watley. Cappelli and Chambi met and formed the band in 2021 when they portrayed Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix in the musical revue, 27 - A Musical Adventure, at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

Joining the band on tour are Greg Garman on drums and Denny Hechavarria, an AFE alumnus, on bass.

PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER has announced the full cast and creative team of its upcoming world premiere musical Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For, starring Broadway and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel regular Darius de Haas as legendary jazz composer Billy Strayhorn, along with J.D. Mollison of Broadway's Les Miserables as the incomparable Duke Ellington.

Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For kicks off Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2023/2024 season on September 19 at the O'Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh and will run through October 8. This new jazz musical, written by Rob Zellers with Kent Gash and directed by Kent Gash, features music and lyrics by Billy Strayhorn and a nine-piece jazz band led by Yamaha-sponsored artist and jazz phenom Matthew Whitaker.

Set in modern Tennessee with a gender-swapped twist, the musical explores Strayhorn's struggles as a Black, queer man in middle America. The musical features music and lyrics by Sam Wright.

The title of the musical is taken from a 1939 jazz composition by Billy Strayhorn. It was the first collaboration between Strayhorn and Duke Ellington and was based on a poem Strayhorn had written as a teenager.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

OFF BROADWAY'S PUBLIC THEATER has succumbed to an economic pinch, laying off 19% of its staff or about 50 people, as first reported in The New York Times..

POLITICAL SPENDING for presidential primaries and the 2024 election has now reached $480.2 million -- 99.6% more than what was spent through the same point (July 7), in 2019, on the 2020 race, AdImpact reports. Former President Donald Trump has spent the most so far at $20.2 million, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at $14.8 million.

THE FILM AND TV CHARITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM has started a financial advice section which applies to everyone in the industry no matter where they live.

1. Creating a budget and sticking to it is an essential step to help you manage your finances. It can help you understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back. A reasonable budget should include your income and expenses, including fixed costs like rent or mortgage payments, utility bills and insurance, and variable ones such as travel costs, food, and socializing. Once you have a clear picture of your finances, you can start to identify patterns and adjust your finances as needed. There are plenty of tools to help with this such as the cash flow planner, or these freelancer budgeting apps and tools.

2. Building an emergency fund is also essential to help you deal with unexpected expenses such as equipment repairs or dry periods during winter. It’s recommended to have at least 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses saved in case of unexpected situations. We know this might seem difficult for many at the moment, but even saving a small amount each month can help to provide a safety net and ease financial stress in an emergency.

3. If you are working as a freelancer, it's essential to plan for taxes. This means setting aside money throughout the year to pay your taxes when they are due.

4. Invest in a pension program. Investing in a pension program can provide significant tax benefits for income taxpayers.

5. It's also important to consider insurance options to protect yourself and your equipment. Health, life, and equipment insurance are all essential to consider.

6. Remember thatseeking professional help if you need it. That is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The Film and TV Charity thanks Mark Woodruff FPFS FIA - Chartered Financial Planner and Qualified Actuary - "who supported the creation of this email series."

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO . . .

QUEEN CAMILLA celebrated her birthday last Monday, July 15, 2023. While the birthday girl celebrated in private, there were public congratulation messages by senior members of the royal family and the posting of a pink birthday cake emoji. Westminster Abbey rung those bells, celebratory gun salutes were fired in Edinburgh, York, Hillsborough, Cardiff and London and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace took place to the tune of Happy Birthday.

This marks her first birthday since installed as Her Royal Majesty.

PRINCE GEORGE eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales - that would be Will and Kate to us across the pond, celebrated his 10th birthday on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

First to post Happy Birthday greetings were King Charles and Queen Camilla who included a birthday cake emoji.

In keeping with tradition, it is expected that George's mother baked his birthday cake.

In 2019 Kate appeared on Dame Mary Berry’s BBC holiday special A Berry Royal Christmas alongside her husband, Prince William. As first reported by Hello! Kate told Dame Mary, former Great British Bake-Off judge, that: "I love making the cake. It's become a bit of a tradition that I stay up 'til midnight, with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing, and I make far too much. But I love it."



EVITA Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic.

Directed by Olivier Award winner Bill Dearmer.

Musical direction by Simon Lee.

Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Disney's Moana and star of The Little Mermaid Live, makes her West End debut in the title role of Evita, alongside West End leading man Matt Rawle who returns to the role of Che.

Jeremy Secomb is in the role of Perón, and Nathan Amzi as Magaldi. Playing Mistress is Emily Lane.

Completing the ensemble are Lloyd Davies, Robin Kent, Emily Langham, Jasmin Leung, Amonik Maleco, Joseph Poulton, Agnes Pure and Sophie Sass.

Backed by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Ben Ferguson, and features the hit songs Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Buenos Aires and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me.

The creatives are: sound design by Adam Fisher, lighting design by Tim Deiling, and casting by Sarah-Jane Price.

Evita runs at the iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on July 31 with two performances on August 1, 2023.

HERE YOU COME AGAIN written by Emmy-Award winner Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio featuring songs written or recorded by Dolly Parton (And Others).

Directed and choreographed by Gabriel Barre.

This rollicking and touching new musical tells the story of a diehard fan whose imaginary version of Dolly Parton gets him through a trying time. With her wit, humor and trademark charm, she teaches him a whole lot about life, love and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps… even if your bootstraps don’t have rhinestones! Packed with hits like Jolene; 9 to 5; Islands in the Stream and more.

Dolly Parton will be played by Tricia Paoluccio. Kevin will be played by Matthew Risch.

The creatives are: Music Director/Orchestrator: Eugene Gwozdz. Scenic Designer: Anna Louizos. Costume Designer: Bobby Pearce. Lighting Designer: Alyssandra Docherty. Sound Designer: Mark Valenzuela. Hair, Wig & Make-up Designer: Brian Strumwasser. Magic Consultant: Michael Misko. Production Supervisor: Chris Zaccardi.

Presented July 26-August 27, 2023 by Goodspeed Musicals at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, A COMEDY written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg.

Dostoevsky’s turn-of-the-century masterpiece is reimagined as a 90-minute romp of a morality tale, performed by five ridiculously talented actors who play over 50 zany characters, riffing on the famous novel—and all of Russian literature. This classic story follows Raskolnikov, an impoverished student who becomes a murderer in order to save his family. Based on the book you didn’t actually read in high school, this is literature retold like you’ve never seen it before.

The cast includes Vincent Randazzo as Actor 1, Juliet Brett as Actor 2, Stephanie Gibson as Actor 3, Orville Mendoza as Actor 4 (performing to August 6), and Nik Walker as Actor 5. Andrew Polec will replace Mendoza as Actor 4 from August 8 to August 20.

The cast also includes understudies Cody Ingram as Actor 5, Jasmine January as Actor 2 and Actor 3, and Zakk Mannella as Actor 1 and Actor 4.

The creatives include Wilson Chin (Scenic Design), Alejo Vietti (Costume Design), Amanda Zieve (Lighting Design), Lindsay Jones (Sound Design), Calleri Jensen Davis (Casting), and Marie Jahelka (Production Stage Manager).

Runs through August 20, 2023 on the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at The Old Globe in San Diego’s Balboa Park, CA.

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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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In 1999 Broadway To Vegas ran a favorable review and commentary regarding the dramatic musical Parade. See Broadway To Vegas column of December 28, 1998. Week after week, month after month, year after year, that column could easily be called up on Google and other search engines. This Spring that column suddenly, without warning, disappeared. It is impossible to find it on Google and thus other search engines who traffic off of Google. "Parade" concerns an event involving a Jewish man.

Normally, Broadway To Vegas columns appear on Google search engines anywhere from minutes to a few hours after launch and then remain on the Google search engine.

Since June 4th, through the month of June Broadway To Vegas columns go up as usual on Google are easily located for approximately 40 hours and then suddenly disappear, not to be found on a search engine, no matter how they are searched.

All columns can be located through the Broadway To Vegas website.

In those columns the subject matter concerned: 1) favorable reporting on a world renowned artist who happens to be black, (2) positive reporting on an event involving nationally known individuals participating in a major Juneteenth celebration in Las Vegas. Juneteenth concerns celebrating black people no longer enslaved, and (3) positive reporting on The Lost Story of Emmett Till.

Columns favorably regarding Jewish people and/or Blacks suddenly disappear. That begs the question if deleting those Broadway To Vegas columns is part of somebody committing a hate crime.

Google has the ability to deliberately hide columns. Google can't remove content from a person's website, but they can hide content so that nobody can find it. That is suppose to take place based upon proof of a wrongful act - such as a judge granting a removal order based upon copyright infringement or the webpage encouraging illegal activity.

Google's website indicates that this is manually done. A person goes into the site, reads it and determines if the page has violated any Google rules and can, at their discretion, block the page.

Broadway To Vegas has been on the web since 1998 and, until now, there has never been a problem with Google.

Broadway To Vegas is NOT implying that Google is involved in a hate crime or that Google has instructed any of their employees to help in sabotaging any website. Respectfully, we point out that Google has thousands of employees, some of whom are part time and also involved in the public relations business. PR firms, especially those based in NYC, represent entertainment websites, individuals and causes and an isolated few have made it known that they will commit illegal acts to boost their own clients, harming other sites, and will continue to do so until legally stopped.

It is a felony to attempt to enter, hijack, block, destroy, any website or contents thereof owned by anyone other than yourself. Preventing a website column to be seen is a crime unless there is a substantial reason, generally backed up by court order. You can't have a search engine block a web page simply because you don't like it. That's restraint of trade and censorship.

In case you've missed them: See Broadway To Vegas column of June 4, 2023. Broadway Cast Recording of & Juliet: See Broadway To Vegas column of June 11, 2023. ART IMITATES LIFE IN OPERATION MINCEMEAT: See Broadway To Vegas column of June 18, 2023. LAS VEGAS HAS BECOME A SPORTING TOWN AND SPORTS HAVE LONG PLAYED ON BROADWAY: See Broadway To Vegas column of July 9, 2023. NATO SUMMIT COULD LEARN FROM APRIL FOOLS DAY JOKE:

It is appreciated that during the past week some of those columns have been reinstated.

Also, hijacking (stealing) a column, posting it on a website that deliberately misleads the reader to think they have clicked into Broadway To Vegas when it is a different website with no Broadway To Vegas affiliation is a crime.

In searching Google for Parade on Broadway To Vegas, a website comes up that misleads the reader into thinking it is Broadway To Vegas. When clicking on the link the ENTIRE column is seen, not just the "Parade" review and there is no link to Broadway To Vegas. It is a "fake" website which has stolen a Broadway To Vegas column which can only be located on this strange site; headlined with an incorrect spelling of Broadway To Vegas. In the real Broadway To Vegas the "T" is capitalized and I have never called myself "theatre chick".

Who Is reports that theatre_chick.tripod.com ownership is hidden and was first indexed by Google more than 10 years ago.

When looking up theatre_chick.tripod.com Google brings up a website headlined Broadway to Vegas - The Theatre Chick's Life, deliberating misleading people.

Information is sought regarding any attempt to interfere with Broadway To Vegas from anyone, anywhere in any capacity. Confidentiality will be provided to the extent to which the law permits.

Broadway To Vegas thanks those who have provided information. Based upon information received, further information is sought regarding two California based men who have worked as techs in a ISP Broadway To Vegas once used and info regarding a West coast and Midwest based female who reportedly has made comments that she has friends in New York City and can cause her (Laura Deni) trouble.

It is chillingly disturbing to learn the extent of interference, and that there is a direct connection between individuals in Connecticut and California.

Venues and people in the entertainment world are threatened - that they are forbidden to "use" me. That they funding will be cut if they even "acknowledge you" and "we are not permitted to even thank you." The lies are unbelievable and the threats and intimidation to those in the business, makes one wonder how many people still behave as in Middle School. By the way, you are breaking serious felony laws.

The Google press office was provided a copy of this in case they wished to comment. They have not replied.

FINAL OVATION

TONY BENNETT the timeless and ageless singing icon, whose career spanned over 6 decades, died July 21, 2023 in New York City. He was 96.

The beloved singe's career imcluded 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree and founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York. He sold more than 50 million records worldwide and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On August 19, 2016, shortly after his 90th birthday, Bennett was honored by the unveiling of an 8-foot tall statue in his likeness in front of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. With Senator Dianne Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and several San Francisco mayors in attendance, Bennett was serenaded by a young-adult choir singing I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

Bennett began singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II as a U.S. Army infantryman in the European Theater. Then known as Tony Benedetto, he and his company saw bitter fighting in cold winter conditions, often hunkering down in foxholes as German 88 mm guns fired on them.[28] At the end of March, they crossed the Rhine and entered Germany, engaging in dangerous house-to-house, town-after-town fighting to clean out German soldiers; during the first week of April, they crossed the Kocher River, and by the end of the month reached the Danube. During his time in combat, Benedetto narrowly escaped death several times. The experience made him a pacifist; he would later write, "Anybody who thinks that war is romantic obviously hasn't gone through one,"] and later say, "It was a nightmare that's permanent. I just said, 'This is not life. This is not life.'" At the war's conclusion he was involved in the liberation of the Kaufering concentration camp, a subcamp of Dachau, near Landsberg, where some American prisoners of war from the 63rd Division had also been held.] He later wrote in his autobiography that "I saw things no human being should ever have to see." After the war, he studied at the American Theatre Wing on the GI Bill. He was taught the bel canto singing discipline, which would keep his voice in good shape for his entire career. He continued to perform wherever he could, including while waiting tables. Based upon a suggestion from a teacher at the American Theatre Wing, he developed an unusual approach that involved imitating, as he sang, the style and phrasing of other musicians—such as that of Stan Getz's saxophone and Art Tatum's piano—helping him to improvise as he interpreted a song. He signed with Columbia Records and had his first number-one popular song with Because of You in 1951.

In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco. His career and personal life experienced an extended downturn, including the use of drugs, during the height of the rock music era. Thanks to his business minded sons Danny and Dae, Bennett staged a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s, putting out gold record albums again and expanding his reach to the MTV generation while keeping his musical style intact. Throughout his lifetime, he sang several duets and organized concerts with many acclaimed American and foreign singers, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Vicente Fernández, Elena Zagorskaya, and Amy Winehouse.

Bennett continued to create popular and critically praised work into the 21st century. He attracted renewed acclaim late in his career for his collaboration with Lady Gaga, which began with the album Cheek to Cheek; the two performers toured together to promote the album throughout 2014 and 2015. With the release of the duo's second album, Love for Sale (2021), Bennett broke the individual record for the longest run of a top-10 album on the Billboard 200 chart for any living artist.

Danny Bennett continued to be Tony's manager while Dae Bennett is a recording engineer who worked on a number of Tony's projects and who opened Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey in 2001, now shuttered due to the downturn of major label budgets combined with skyrocketing overhead. Tony's younger daughter Antonia is an aspiring jazz singer who opened shows for her father.

Bennett frequently donated his time to charitable causes, to the extent that he was sometimes nicknamed "Tony Benefit".

His second career - as a painter - was enormously successful. Under the name Anthony Benedetto, or just Benedetto he sketched or painted every day, often of views out of hotel windows when he was on tour. He exhibited his work in numerous galleries around the world. He was chosen as the official artist for the 2001 Kentucky Derby, and was commissioned by the United Nations to do two paintings, including one for its fiftieth anniversary. His painting Homage to Hockney (for his friend David Hockney, painted after Hockney drew him) is on permanent display at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. His Boy on Sailboat, Sydney Bay is in the permanent collection at the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park in New York City, as is his Central Park at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. His paintings and drawings have sold for as much as $80,000 a piece.

In February 2021, Bennett revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. Due to the slow progression of his illness, he continued to record, tour, and perform until his retirement from concerts due to physical challenges, which was announced after his final performances on August 3 and 5, 2021, at Radio City Music Hall.

On February 12, 1952, Bennett married Ohio art student and jazz fan Patricia Beech, whom he had met the previous year after a nightclub performance in Cleveland. Two thousand female fans dressed in black gathered outside the ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York, in mock mourning. The couple had two sons, D'Andrea (Danny, born 1954) and Daegal (Dae, born 1955). Bennett and Patricia separated in 1965, their divorce became final in 1971.

Bennett quietly lived with aspiring actress Sandra Grant while filming The Oscar in 1965. On December 29, 1971, they quietly married in New York.They had two daughters, Joanna (born 1970) and Antonia (born 1974). The two were married until 1983.

In the late 1980s, Bennett entered into a long-term romantic relationship with Susan Crow, a former New York City schoolteacher. Bennett and Crow founded Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization dedicated to creating, promoting, and supporting arts education. At the same time, they founded (and named after Bennett's friend) the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, a public high school dedicated to teaching the performing arts. The school opened in 2001 and has a very high graduation rate. On June 21, 2007, Bennett married Crow in a private civil ceremony in New York that was witnessed by Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York.

Bennett is survived by his third wife, Susan, and his children Danny, Dae, Joanna and Antonia.

CIARAN KEATING the older brother of Boyzone singer Ronan Keating died in a two- car collision on Saturday, July 15, 2023 in Co. Mayo, Ireland. He was n his 50s.

Reports state that the Keatings had been traveling to watch their son Ruairi Keating, who turned 28 on Sunday, play football for Cork City in their evening League of Ireland game at Sligo Rovers.

A man who was driving the second car was taken to Mayo University Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries. A female passenger in Keating's car, believed to be his wife Ann Marie, and a male passenger in the second car were treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Ciaran was the eldest and Ronan the youngest of five children born to Gerry and Marie Keating. Between them was a sister, Linda, and two other brothers, Gerard and Gary. Following Marie Keating's death from cancer in February 1998, the five siblings and their father set up the Marie Keating Foundation in her memory. The charity continues to provide advice and support for those diagnosed with cancer, as well we raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to help detect and prevent the disease. Ciaran originally emigrated to New York but later returned to Ireland and eventually relocated from Dublin to Mayo with his family. His and Ann Marie had three children. Their oldest son, Conall, is an actor who has appeared in Fair City and Rebellion. Upon learning of his brother's death Ronan immediately returned to Ireland.

Next Column: July 30, 2023
Copyright: July 23, 2023 All Rights Reserved. Reviews, Interviews, Commentary, Photographs or Graphics from any Broadway To Vegas (TM) columns may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, utilized as leads, or used in any manner without permission, compensation and/or credit.
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Laura Deni

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