Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: June 20, 2021
By: Laura Deni
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IT'S ONLY A PLAY IS SO MUCH MORE

Terrence McNally was an American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. Described as "the bard of American theater" and "one of the greatest contemporary playwrights the theater world has yet produced," McNally was the recipient of five Tony Awards. He received the 2019 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1996, and he also received the Dramatists Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the highest recognition of artistic merit in the United States. His other accolades included an Emmy Award, two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Grant. He died March 24, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida at age 81 from COVID-19 complications.

It’s Only A Play, smartly directed by Kevin Cahoon is a hilarious farce by McNally. Professionally filmed onstage at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Tony Award winner McNally’s hit comedy comes to life for this new streaming production available through July 4, 2021.

Starring Greg Cuellar (Frank Finger) - Andy Grotelueschen (Peter Austin) - Julie Halston (Virginia Noyes) - Doug Harris (Gus P. Head) - Christine Toy Johnson (Julia Budder) - Triney Sandoval (Ira Drew) - Zach Shaffer (James Wicker).

It is opening night on Broadway, and an unforgettable cast of characters, from the self-possessed leading lady to the starry-eyed coat check boy, is eagerly awaiting “rave” reviews. Equal parts uproarious and heartfelt.

"We’d like to honor old friend Terrence McNally, whom we lost this past year by presenting his comic valentine to the theatre. It’s Only A Play reminds us all of the glorious world of a Broadway Opening! There’s nothing like it, and we all look forward to returning for the celebration," said George Street Playhouse Artistic Director, David Saint.

McNally knew Broadway and all of the creatures who inhabit it.

Virginia Noyes, Zach Shaffer and Doug Harris. Photo: George Street Playhouse

Brilliantly constructed, deftly hidden among the laughs are important aspects of what theatre is about and why Broadway is important. A flawless, polished blow dart.

The ego-maniacal, self destructive, desperate, self absorbed and shallow. Two faced, back stabbing, fawning actors, directors, writers, and critics.

Snide, and on target, it doesn't matter if McNally was "getting even" or simply "reporting," It's Only A Play carves 'em up with a sharp edge scalpel. Yet, even though all of the self important tentacles are grasping, McNally manages to provide each character with a soul.

In a lavish New York Penthouse of the producer of The Golden Egg an opening night party is underway, the cast and creatives are waiting for the reviews - and food.

Specifically, the review of then NY Times critic Ben Brantley. Former Broadway investor turned producer Julia Budder (Christine Toy Johnson) who is so important she has a special ring tone which gives herThe Times review 30 minutes before it is released. A somewhat naive Budder is the closest to being a "normal" person. Married to a wealthy man, financing Broadway shows is her hobby.

An on probation, ankle bracelet wearing, has been actress Julie Halston (played to perfection by Virginia Noyes,) who "couldn't book an AA meeting in LA" has returned to Broadway. She's sorry her ankle bracelet went off during the performance. She can't remember ever being on a natural high, but comforts herself: "Even when I wasn't good at least I was pretty."

A now famous actor, James Wicker (Zack Shaffer), who never turned anything down: "I did Dancing with the Stars" has ended up starring on a hit TV show, yet remains insecure and bitter. He turned down the play supposedly because of his TV series, but in reality because he thought the play was "a turkey." Best friend of the playwright, Wicker has flown in from the West Coast for the opening. During one of his numerous cell phone conversations he learns that his TV show has been canceled.

Greeting everyone who arrives is coat check boy Gus P. Head (Doug Harris). He's new to New York. He knows he has talent. He just needs an opportunity. His audition number is Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Ira Drew, (Triney Sandoval) a bitter theatre reviewer noted for viciousness, crashes the party - frustrated that he isn't as important as Brantley. He also has a play Blue Stockings which he is pushing.

An affected director, Sir Frank Finger, (Greg Cuellar) inspires suggestions that Queen Elizabeth must have been having a bad day when she knighted him.

One of the most sensitive and important guests is the black cape clad writer Peter Austin (a sensitive performance by Andy Grotelueschen) who bursts in looking like a character from the 19th century. Looks can be deceiving. He's only superficially an odd ball. He movingly anguishes over how Broadway has changed.

"We let Broadway stop mattering, handing it over to the Brits, another Disney movie made live, movie musical franchises. . . There is more to Broadway than special effects . . . greedy becoming a business where people make a million when it should be a place to talk to one another . . . failed playwrights and actors who become critics out of desperation . . . pretend that nothing happens and suck up to the same people. . . Broadway has become The Statue of Liberty for movie actors. Give us your tired, your poor, your washed-up, you're strung out. "

First performed in 1982, over the decades this farce has been updated to include current shows on Broadway and their stars - making this play ageless. The personalities remain. Only the names change.

It's also a play which can be enjoyed many times over.

There is humor in truth. It's Only Play is hilarious.

Great lighting, set design and costumes.

Seem numerous times on stage by Broadway To Vegas, this is the first streamed production, and it perfectly captures the stage show.

The design and production team includes: David Arsenault (Scenic Design), Mike Boylan (Cinematographer), Alan Edwards (Lighting Design), Samantha Flint (Production Stage Manager), Charles G. LaPoint (Wig Design), Dorothy Peterson (Makeup Design), Ryan Rumery (Sound Design, Music and Sound Editor) and Alejo Vietti (Costume Design). Casting by Pat McCorkle, McCorkle Casting, Ltd.

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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

HORN MAN: THE LIFE AND MUSICAL LEGACY OF CHARLES NEVILLE

Charles Neville at the Dew Drop In, New Orleans 1957-58. Photograph by John “Nunu” Zomot

opening yesterday June 19, 2021 and on display through November 28, 2021 at the Wood Museum of Springfield History in Springfield, MA.

Known onstage as “Charlie the horn man,” R&B and jazz musician Charles Neville was born in 1938 in New Orleans. Immersed in New Orleans’s musical influences early on, Charles and his siblings formed the Neville Brothers, later best-known for songs which combined social consciousness with an upbeat spirit. Rhythm and blues, gospel, doo-wop, soul, rock, jazz, funk, and Mardi Gras rhythms were all genres embraced by—and sometimes co-mingled in—the Nevilles’ creative work. “Healing Chant” from their best-selling album Yellow Moon, earned The Neville Brothers a Grammy in 1989 for best top instrumental performance.

In the 1990s Charles moved to Massachusetts with his wife Kristin Neville and children. He continued to perform with a wide variety of musicians and members of his family, including his children, and he recorded albums with groups such as Diversity and the Songcatchers. His interest in Eastern spirituality was reflected in his 2008 album Buddha’s Palm. Charles continued to travel to New Orleans, especially to perform with his daughter, jazz and funk singer Charmaine Neville. Before a musical celebration of the Neville Brothers slated for November 2017, Charles was hospitalized with pancreatic cancer, which he died of April 26, 2018.

The Wood Museum is working with Kristin Neville to celebrate Charles Neville’s life and musical legacy through an exhibition of personal mementos, musical instruments, photographs, and, of course, his music. The Blues to Green Jazz and Roots Festival in Springfield, started by Kristin in 2013 with support from her husband, will celebrate its 8th season in August 2021, and Charles’s legacy will carry forward with the Charles Neville Legacy Project, a program which will bring acclaimed musicians of color into the Springfield public schools to teach history and literature while centering Black people and social justice.

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SWEET CHARITY

I'M STILL HERE is a one-time unprecedented event benefiting The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Billy Rose Theatre Division. The evening will be a celebration of the division's 90th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of its beloved Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, and will honor Harold Prince and George C. Wolfe.

June 23, 2021 8 PM EST & 8 PM PST.

The program will feature never-before-seen archival clips of original Broadway productions from the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive; interviews with emerging creatives to Broadway legends; and reconceived performances of musical theatre songs, including A Trip to the Library; Wheels of a Dream; Another Hundred People; Love Will Find a Way; I’m Still Here; and more.

Featuring archival performances by Craig Bierko, Christian Borle, Andrea Burns, Glenn Close, Robin de Jesús, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, Savion Glover, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Lansbury, Rebecca Luker, Bette Midler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Karen Olivo, Meryl Streep, Paulo Szot, and more.

Featuring new performances and appearances by Annaleigh Ashford, Alexander Bello, Laura Benanti, Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings, Susan Birkenhead, Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block, Alex Brightman, Matthew Broderick, Jason Robert Brown, Krystal Joy Brown, David Burtka, Sammi Cannold, Ayodele Casel, Antonio Cipriano, Victoria Clark, Max Clayton, Calvin L. Cooper, DeMarius Copes, Taeler Elyse Cyrus, Trip Cullman, Quentin Earl Darrington, André De Shields, Frank DiLella, Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein, Leslie Donna Flesner, Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey, Ryan J. Haddad, Sheldon Harnick, James Harkness, Marcy Harriell, Neil Patrick Harris, Mark Harris, David Henry Hwang, Arica Jackson, Michael R. Jackson, Cassondra James, Marcus Paul James, Taylor Iman Jones, Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy, Hilary Knight, Leslie Kritzer, Michael John LaChiusa, Norman Lear, Baayork Lee, L Morgan Lee, Sondra Lee, Telly Leung, Priscilla López, Ashley Loren, Allen René Louis, Brittney Mack, Taylor Mac, Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus, Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer, Annie McGreevey, Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin, Ruthie Ann Miles, Bonnie Milligan, Rita Moreno, Leilani Patao, Nova Payton, Joel Perez, Bernadette Peters, Tonya Pinkins, Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad, Jelani Remy, George Salazar, Marilyn Saunders, Marcus Scott, Rashidra Scott, Rona Siddiqui, Ahmad Simmons, Susan Stroman, Rebecca Taichman, Jeanine Tesori, Bobby Conte Thornton, Sergio Trujillo, Kei Tsuruharatani, Ben Vereen, Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel, Nik Walker, Shannon Fiona Weir, Christopher Wheeldon, Helen Marla White, Natasha Yvette Williams and Ricardo Zayas.

FROM A PRISON TO AN ART COLONY

Outdoor stalls in the court yard of the former prison - now an art colony. Photo from Go Vilnius.

Not too long ago prisoners were behind bars. Now a variety of artists are behind their creations.

Vilius the capital of Lithuania, has reopened its most famous prison, globally best known as Netflix’s Stranger Things shooting location— Lukiškes Prison. Redeveloped as a center for culture and now capable of accommodating 250 artists, the project Lukiškes Prison 2.0 has officially begun the summer season full of unique tours, concerts, festivals, musical events, and other activities.

Closed as a prison since 2019, in 2007 it housed 1,000 prisoners - 80 servicing life terms - and employed 250 prison guards.

Notable prisoners included: Belarusian dramatist Francisak Alachnovic, future Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin, French singer Bertrand Cantat, Belarusian ballet dancer Janka Chovrast, Belarusian writers Maksim Haretski, Mcha Masara, Uladzislau Pauliukouski, Maksim Tank, Leopold Tyrmand. Polish poet Tomasz Zan and Belarusian musician and composer Ryhor Syrma.

Now the facility offers a cultural program organized by 8 Days a Week, a Lithuanian music agency, which is implementing the project Lukiškes Prison 2.0. The opening concert by the band Solo Ansamblis involved dark dancing, synthesizers, and poetry, and was held on a custom-made state-of-the-art stage with over 1000 spectators. The upcoming events will include festivals, an open architecture event, movie sessions, active leisure time events, and nationally-recognized shows.

"We believe culture has the power to reinforce and transform Vilnius, so we have to make some kind of a jolt to create new emotional ties with the former Prison. There is a lot Lukiškes has to offer to the city and vice versa, therefore, from now on we will work to create the best version of the Prison instead of looking back to its past," said Martynas Butkevicius, 8 Days a Week Partner.

According to Mr Butkevicius, "Lukiškes Prison 2.0 will become the facilitator of music, modern art, design, and culture."

"Hundreds of artists have responded to the open invitation and have established their artist residences, studios, and workshops in Lukiškes to mutually create, co-operate, and instill life into the former Prison. Since all of us are tired from the pandemic and its consequences, now is the best time for this conversion, added Butkevicius.

Lukiškes Prison 2.0 is open from noon till midnight every day and also offers two unique tours. The daytime tour introduces the visitors to the Prison’s history, architecture, and the daily life of prisoners, while the nighttime tour, illuminated with flashlights, has been created to give an adrenaline boost for the most courageous visitors.

Participation in all large-scale events in Lukiškes Prison 2.0 requires providing immunity passports. The territory also has its own testing point where visitors can undergo rapid antigen testing.

Go Vilnius is the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. The agency provides visitors, investors, relocating talent, entrepreneurs and businesses with all the essential information they need to know about the Lithuanian capital. Go Vilnius offers information on everything from real estate to leisure activities in Vilnius, simplifying the process of traveling, relocating to, or investing in Vilnius.

SPREADING THE WORD

RESORTS WORLD one of the largest resorts ever built, with 1,774 full-service guest rooms and suites ranging from 400 to 3,300 square feet with "smart, elevated amenities in a comfortable and refined setting," at a cost of $4.3 billion, officially opens on June 24, 2021 in Las Vegas. Artists inked to star in various "residencies" include Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.

THE LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS return to Las Vegas airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Thursday, November 18 in a three-hour show on Univision.

Nominations to be announced Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

The previously announced gala tribute for the 2021 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoring Rubén Blades will take place Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

I HEART RADIO has announced that Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Lil Baby, and Weezer are among the artists set for the all-star 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival, scheduled for September 17th and 18th at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena with Ryan Seacrest hosting.

Cheap Trick, Journey, Khalid, Nelly, and Sam Hunt are also on the main stage lineup during the two-day event.

The Daytime Stage will feature additional performances from DaBaby, Olivia Rodrigo, The Kid LAROI, Saweetie, All Time Low, 24kGoldn, Russell Dickerson, Yungblud, Gabby Barrett, Tate McRae, Conan Gray and Addison Rae on September 18. The Daytime Stage will also include fan zones and interactive experiences sponsored by iHeartRadio's brand partners.

The CW Network will exclusively livestream both nights via the CW app and CWTV.com, while iHeartMedia radio stations will also broadcast the festival live across more than 150 markets. The CW will also broadcast the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival as a two-part television special on October 2-3 from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.

2021 COUNTRY JAM GRAND JUNCTION which takes place June 24-26 in Grand Junction, Colorado will star Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith and Luke Combs.

Other performers confirmed for the main stage include Ingrid Andress, Ashland Craft, Travis Denning, Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Craig Morgan, Drew Parker, Stephanie Quayle, Tanya Tucker and Lainey Wilson.

Now in its 29th year, Country Jam Grand Junction is produced by Live Nation and bills itself as the largest country music festival in Colorado.

WILL GEER'S THEATRICUM BOTANICUM located in Topanga midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley is back on stage with Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream beginning July 10, 2021.

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s thriller about power, politics and the elusive nature of truth, will be shown through a slightly different lens, with the iconic tale told from the vantage point of the Soothsayer (played by longtime company member Gerald C. Rivers). The production, performed in 80 minutes without intermission, is headed up by Theatricum favorites Mark Lewis as Julius Caesar, Michael McFall as Marc Antony, Christopher W. Jones as Brutus, Melora Marshall as Cassius, Willow Geer as Portia, Cynthia Kania as Calpurnia, Max Lawrence as Marcellus and Franc Ross as Casca. Also in the cast are Gabrielle Beauvais, Joseph Bricker, Matthew Domenico, Steven C. Fisher, Eric Flores, Tim Frangos, Steven Gordon, Frank Gress, Colin Guthrie, Grace Hawthorn, Leesa Kim, Joey Major, Jacob Salazar, Lawrence Sonderling and Sky Wahl. The creative team includes lighting designer Zach Moore, sound designer Grant Escandón, costume designer Tracy Wahl and prop master Alex Sheldon. Kim Cameron is the production stage manager.

The opening of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will follow one day later. This summer, Theatricum offers a new take on its signature production, infusing the Bard’s beautiful language with song to heighten the pleasure. Select sections of Shakespeare’s text will be sung to original music by Ellen Geer, with instrumentation and additional music by Marshall McDaniel. Like Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed in 80 minutes without intermission.

Melora Marshall directs and also stars as Titania, queen of the fairies, alongside Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company’s Lisa Wolpe as Oberon and Terrence Wayne Jr. as Puck. The four lovers are played by Ethan Haslam (Demetrius), Julia Lisa (Hermia), Joey Major (Lysander) and Sara Mountjoy-Pepka (Helena). The hilarious Mechanicals are led by Thad Geer as Bottom and Earnestine Phillips as Quince, with Ted Elrick as Starveling, Jacob Salazar as Snug, Sky Wahl as Snout and Elias Wygodny as Flute. Tim Halligan takes on the role of Egeus, with Jose Donado portraying Theseus, Oyemen Ehikhamhen as Hippolyta, Patrick Olsen as Philostrate and Ava Collins as an Amazon. Grace Hawthorn, Nastasia Kulish and Alexandra Kunin round out the cast as fairies, with Aarush Mehta as the changeling child. The creative team includes lighting designer Zach Moore, sound designer Grant Escandón, costume designer Beth Eslick and prop master Sydney Russell. Karen Osborne is the production stage manager.

In addition to Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a third production — the world premiere of The Last, Best Small Town by John Guerra — will join the repertory on July 31. Unlike most theaters in the L.A. area that stage continuous runs of a single play, Theatricum, using a company of actors, will perform each of the plays in repertory, making it possible to see all three plays in a single summer weekend.

Julius Caesar opens on Saturday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. and continues through October 30. A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens on Sunday, July 11 at 4 p.m. and continues through November. 7.

The 2021 summer repertory season, sponsored by the S. Mark Taper Foundation.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S KING LEAR will be staged which will be staged at four public parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn from June 24-August 8.

NY Classical’s staging, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Stephen Burdman, will feature the “happy ending” of Nahum Tate’s 1681 adaptation, which was popular in England for over 150 years until Shakespeare’s original tragic text was restored in 1838. In addition to the ending, several additional scenes from Tate’s version have been incorporated for NY Classical’s production. The Tate version of King Lear has not been performed in New York City in over 30 years.

King Lear will feature a cast of 14, including Michael Stewart Allen as Cornwall, Amar Atkins as Edmund, Connie Castanzo as Cordelia/Fool, Grant Chapman as Oswald, Jasminn Johnson as Goneril, Cedric Lamar as Kent, John Michalski as Lear, Nick Salamone as Gloucester, Aryana Sedarati as Regan, Clay Storseth as Albany, Linden Tailor as Edgar, and also featuring Ollie Corchado, Evan Moore-Coll, and Saleemah Sharpe.

Production designer is Jelena Antanasijevic. Casting director is Stephanie Klapper. Casting Liaison is marcus d. harvey. Voice and Speech Coach is Nora Leonhardt. Fight Director is Sean Michael Chin. Production Stage Manager is Yetti Steinman. Assistant Stage Manager is Madison Lane. Wardrobe Supervisor is Ashley Trutanich. Production Assistants are Rosemarie Manzo and Nina Schatell.

THE SLIM MAN BAND Slim Man on vocals with Giorgio Hazelrigg on piano, Kevin Levi on sax, John E Coale on drums, Rick O’Rick on synth, and Hit Man Howie Z on bongos perform in concert on Friday, June 25th, at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland.

Folks have to maintain social distancing. And masks must be worn to and from the table and when not consuming food or beverages.

THE LIFE OF GALILEO by Bertolt Brecht, translated by David Hare.

Starring Michael Hurst, The Life of Galileo promises a night of bold ideas, brilliant theatricality, and speaking truth to power.

Presented by the Auckland Theatre Company in New Zealand June 22 - July 10, 2021.

ONE GOOD TURN by Una McKevitt.

'Brenda wants Frank to do his exercises, Aoife wants to go to a wedding of all things, Fiona doesn’t know what she wants and Frank is looking for the gun.

One Good Turn brings us a family on the brink who are keeping the show on the road any which way they can.

Directed by Emma Jordan, Best Director winner at the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2018, "One Good Turn is a wry and life-affirming exploration into the ups and downs of family bonds."

Featuring: Helen: Pom Boyd. Brenda: Catherine Byrne. Fiona: Liz FitzGibbon. Frank: Bosco Hogan. Aoife: Aoibhéann McCann. Ciaran: Shane O'Reilly.

Set Design: Colin Richmond. Costume Design: Enda Kenny. Lighting Design: Sarah-Jane Shiels. Sound Design: Carl Kennedy. Voice Director: Andrea Ainsworth. Dramaturg: Louise Stephens. Video Director: Shane Hogan (Areaman).

Commissioned by the Abbey Theatre, One Good Turn will be performed live on the Abbey Stage on June 25th and 26th, and streaming to your homes. It will be available on-demand until July 10th.

THE BOOK OF MORMON has announced a return to Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Friday, November 5, 2021. Mormon will resume performances at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End on November 15 and resume touring the UK on October 12 at the Donald Gordon Theatre in Cardiff, Wales.

There is a possibility that the totally delightful musical will undergo some re-writes to appease those who think the show is racially insensitive.

UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OPENS

The Utah Shakespere Festival headquartered in Cedar City, Utah presents its 2021 season June 21 - October 9, 2021 featuring Eight Plays in Three Theatres, Plus All the Extra Festival Experience Traditions. A Tony Award Recipient for America’s Outstanding Regional Theatre, their 2021 season prouctions include:

Richard III a murderous and dark play will include nearly twenty actors, but those playing the roles of Richard and the four major women are of particular interest: Aidan O’Reilly as Richard (the murderous duke, then king); Desirée Mee Jung as Queen Elizabeth, Melinda Pfundstein as Margaret, and Sarah Shippobotham as the Duchess of York (three noble women who strongly condemn Richard); and Sarah Suzuki as Lady Anne (whom Richard makes a widow then woos her to be his bride). The play will take the stage June 22.

Other actors in Richard III are:· Ezekiel Andrew as Sir Robert Brakenbury and Sir James Blunt - Finley Caciola as Prince of York - Cordell Cole as Marquess of Dorset, Earl of Richmond - Danforth Comins as Sir James Tyrrel - Jovan Davis as Sir William Catesby - Todd Denning as Lord Hastings - Aaron-Galligan-Stierle as Duke of Clarence and Bishop of Ely - Mauricio Miranda as Cardinal Bourchier and Sir Richard Ratcliffe - Chris Mixon as Lord Stanley - Perry Ojeda as King Edward IV and Lord Mayor of London - Jeffrey Scott Salsbury as Officer, Messenger, and Priest - Jessica Sannar as Prince Edward - René Thornton Jr. as Duke of Buckingham - Marco Antonio Vega as Officer, Citizen, Murderer, and Messenger.

The Comedy of Errors Four actors will lead the celebration in this season’s 1970s Greek island-themed version of The Comedy of Errors which takes the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre stage beginning June 23.

Michael Doherty will be playing Dromio of Syracuse, one fourth of two sets of zany twins. Andrew Plinio will play his twin brother, Dromio of Ephesus; and Mauricio Miranda and Marco Vega will play the other set of twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus.

Fourteen other actors will join these four to inhabit a madcap Greek island paradise. They are:

Finley Caciola as Citizen, Servant, Guard, and Pinch Acolyte - Lena Conatser as Luce and Messenger - Trent Dahlin as Balthazar and Merchant - Jovan Davis as Jailer, Office, and Executioner - Kristina C. Harding as Courtesan - Michael A. Harding as Egeon - Alex Keiper as Luciana - Howard Leder as Duke Solinus - Desirée Mee Jung as Adriana - Nathan Myers as Citizen, Servant, Guard, and Pinch Acolyte - Aidan O’Reilly as Angelo - Sarah Shippobotham as Abbess and Emilia- · Jeremy Thompson as Dr. Pinch and Merchant.

The Pirates of Penzance will feature five actors taking on the major roles when it hits the stage June 25 at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. They will sing and dance their way into our hearts as the largely unsuccessful but kind-hearted pirate king, his duty-bound apprentice and his nursery maid, and a befuddled major-general and his lovely and high-spirited ward. They (and a chorus of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, and giggling maidens) will bring to colorful life this family-friendly comedic operetta by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

Rhett Guter will appear as the Pirate King. Richard R. Henry is in the role of Major-General Stanley, a character famous for his full-speed rendition of “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.” Cecilia Iole will play the role of Mabel, the Major-General’s youngest ward and Frederic’s love-interest. Jalon Matthews will be appearing as Frederic, the duty-bound apprentice pirate. Marlene Montes will be playing the role of Ruth, Frederic’s confused nursery maid and the pirates’ maid.

Fifteen other actors will join these five to complete this charmingly silly operetta. They are:

Ian Allred as Sergeant of Police - Bailey Blaise as Sister - Landon Tate Boyle as Pirate - Lena Conatser as Edith - Trent Dahlin as Samuel - Tafadzwa Diener as Sister - Sophia Guerrero as Sister - Peter Reid Lambert as Pirate/Police - Nathan Myers as Pirate - Connor Padilla as Pirate - Andrew Plinio as Pirate/Police - Trey Plutnicki as Pirate/Police - Daria Pilar Redus as Kate - André Spathelf-Sanders as Pirate/Police - Amara Webb as Sister.

Pericles is a tale of adventure, intrigue, and miracles, William Shakespeare’s Pericles, which takes the stage June 21 at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Actors who will be playing the four main characters in the play are : Danforth Comins as Pericles, Desirée Mee Jung as Thaisa, Sarah Suzuki as Marina, and René Thornton Jr. as Gower.

Other actors in Pericles are:

Cordell Cole as Thaliard, Lysimachus, and other roles - Trent Dahlin as Servant, Pirate, and Ensemble - Jovan Davis as Pirate, Lord, and Ensemble - Todd Denning as Antiochus, Bolt, and Marshall - Kristina C. Harding as Dionyza and Diana - Michael A. Harding as Cleon and Ensemble - Mauricio Miranda as Soldier, Lord, Knight, and Ensemble - Chris Mixon as Simonides, Pander, and Philemon - Perry Ojeda as Helicanus, Poor Man, and Ensemble - Aidan O’Reilly as Cerimon and Fisherman - Connor Padilla as Lord, Servant, and Ensemble - Sarah Shippobotham as Lychordia, Bawd, Priestess, and Ensemble - Marco Antonio Vega as Leonine, Lord, and Ensemble.

Intimate Apparel "a heart-rending, gentle play which weaves an intricate tapestry of our human need for intimacy, and at the same time explores our social divisions. Starring Jasmine Bracey playing Mrs. Dickson, the widowed owner of a boarding house which acts as the geographical center of the story; Afua Busia playing Esther, an African-American seamstress in 1905 lower Manhattan who makes her living sewing intimate apparel for ladies at all levels of society; Yao Dogbe is playing George, who becomes Esther’s love interest; Josh Innerst, who is playing Mr. Marks, a Jewish fabric seller and friend to Esther; Tiffany Scott is playing Mrs. Van Buren, a wealthy white woman who orders fancy corsets from Esther; Constance V Swain as Mayme, a prostitute who has become friends with Esther through her orders of lingerie.

Cymbeline has been called a fairy tale, a classic story book, full of wonderment and charm. The eight actors in Cymbeline are: Jasmine Bracey playing Belarius. Afua Busia playing Pisanio, British Soldier, Musician, and other roles. Yao Dogbe is playing the roles of Posthumus and Cloten. Josh Innerst is playing Iachimo. Howard Leder is appearing in the roles of Philario and Ghostly Father. Tiffany Scott is playing Queen and Arviragus. Constance V Swain as Imogen. Jeremy Thompson as Caius Lucius and Frenchman.

Ragtime is supported by twenty-nine actors playing over sixty roles: Ezekiel Andrew will be taking on the role of Coalhouse Walker Jr., - Aaron Galligan-Stierle will play Tateh, a poor Jewish immigrant who comes to America to make a better life for himself and his daughter - Perry Ojeda, will be playing Father, a wealthy businessman and head of a household which seems to have achieved the American dream - Melinda Pfundstein is appearing as Mother, the heart of her and Father’s family - Daria Pilar Redus is performing the role of Sarah, a young, beautiful, and innocent woman who falls in love with Coalhouse.

Other members are: Todd Denning as Henry Ford and Willie Conklin Tafadzwa Diener as Sarah’s Friend. Bailey Blaise as Evelyn Nesbit. Devin Galligan-Stierle as Young Boy. Zoe Galligan-Stierle as Young Girl. Rhett Guter as Houdini. Richard R. Henry as J. P. Morgan and Admiral Peary. Luke Sidney Johnson as Younger Brother. Chris Mixon as Grandfather. Marlene Montes as Emma Goldman and Baron’s Assistant. René Thornton Jr. as Booker T. Washington.

The Ensemble: Ian Allred - Landon Tate Boyle - Cordell Cole - Raven Flynn - Shannon Galligan-Stierle - Cecilia Iole - Peter Reid Lambert - Kat Lee - Jalon Mathews - Trey Plutnicki - Olivia Sham - André Spathelf-Sanders - Amara Webb.

The Comedy of Terrors starring husband and wife Michael Doherty and Alex Keiper who will be taking over the Randall L. Jones Theatre stage in the Festival’s last play of the 2021 season. The spooky and frenetic farce (featuring the two actors playing five roles) will open July 29 and run through October 9.

"The plot of this frantic play begins with hyper, over-the-top shenanigans and heats up from there: Jo Smith arrives at her local theatre for an audition with the director Vyvian Jones, but it turns out that she has actually been invited there by Beverley, Vyvian’s twin brother, who wants her to impersonate her own twin sister Fiona in order to squelch the rumor that Beverley has slept with Fiona. And that’s just the first act. Whew!" Michael Doherty, will be playing the three Joneses, and playing the two Smiths is Alex Keiper.

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SIR ELTON JOHN STANDS UP FOR MUSICIANS

Sir Elton John has warned British officials that the UK music industry could lose "a generation of talent" because of post-Brexit restrictions on touring the EU. Themega-star accused ministers of being unwilling to fix a "gaping hole" in the current Brexit deal which means artists need costly visas to play in the bloc.

Sir Elton termed the situation a "looming catastrophe".

"I want to be clear that the issues of visa-free and permit-free touring aren't about the impact on me, and artists who tour arenas and stadiums," he said. "This gravest of situations is about the damage to the next generation of musicians and emerging artists, whose careers will stall before they've even started due to this infuriating blame game. "If I had faced the financial and logistical obstacles facing young musicians now when I started out, I'd never have had the opportunity to build the foundations of my career and I very much doubt I would be where I am today."

The star's statement was read to MPs attending a hearing by the Digital, Culture, Media (DCMS) and Sport Committee on EU visa requirements for those in the creative industries. Sir Elton later posted the letter in full on Instagram.

The committee also heard from Craig Stanley, promoter, agent, and tour producer for Marshall Arts Ltd based in London and Los Angeles. A recipient of the 2015 International Promoter of the Year Award during the 26th Annual PollStar Awards, he cautioned that the UK's live music industry "is facing annihilation".

He explained that the majority of European tours by pop and rock bands originate in the UK - meaning they employ stage crew, drivers, caterers, sound engineers, lighting technicians and backing musicians to work across the 27 EU member states.

"American acts when they come over, the vast majority of the time, take on British staff and use British equipment 85 to 90% of the time," he told MPs. "They will start to move to Schiphol, to Frankfurt, to warehouses in the middle of Germany, and take on the gear there, and all of that will be lost."

He charged that there was a "real danger" British orchestras may have to stop touring internationally.

They not only face visa requirements, but new limits on road haulage - meaning trucks transporting instruments from the UK must return home after visiting two EU member states.

"They can't just put their very, very expensive and delicate instruments into any truck," Stanley explained.

"If they can't drive it [themselves], they can't tour. So you're going to stop the Royal Philharmonic from touring. It's as bold as that."

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Laura Deni

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