Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: June 30, 2024
By: Laura Deni
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CHRISTMAS IN A HOT JULY - A CHRISTMAS TALE BY ROSS BURMAN

A Christmas Tale. Not that one. A new one by Ross Burman.

Reading all roles in an exceptional performance is Peter Kenny.

The festive, sweet tale is about Kevin, an Ogre who spends every day leading up to Christmas scaring little children. However, on The Night Before Christmas, Kevin gets a fright of his own.

Kevin is an ogre. Christmas is a strange time for ogres, when they take a break from hiding under beds and scaring children. Kevin particularly enjoys rummaging under beds and growling, but takes Christmas Eve off. This year, after trudging about in the snow, he is in for a surprise!

Kevin isn't a dangerous Orge. He scares but never harms - just rummaging around and making strange noises. When the child looks under the bed he'd open his bright green eyes and growl. He strictly adhered to the 1874 proclamation which prohibits the harm of any child during the scare procedure.

It was Christmas Eve - the one night when he never even scared a soul. It was snowing. He snooped around town, picking up some garbage which he placed in a pot to eat later.

Suddenly he heard a noise at his front door. The noise got louder and louder. Kevin reached out a hand and opened the door. There was a small child standing there. A child that informed Kevin that he knew Kevin was the Ogre who has been scaring him for the last year - and now had tracked him down.

To find out what happens to Kevin, you'll just have to listen to the production which was recorded in December, 2023.

This binaural production from the Wireless Theatre Company sounds particularly good through headphones.

Written and Produced by Ross Burman who has twenty years experience in audiobook production and editing, radio drama, sound design, check listening, script writing/reading/preparation, magazine/feature programs, game audio, music, podcasts and audio description.

He worked for BBC, Audible, RNIB, Strathmore Publishing, PRH, Pottermore, Orion, Quercus, Naxos, WF Howes and the Wireless Theatre Company among many others. He wrote the adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd for RNIB’s 80th anniversary of the Talking Book Service which won a Silver Radio Award at the New York International Festival.

Burman was the studio producer for an unabridged reading of the Diaries of Samuel Pepys, which at over 116 hours is one of the longest audiobooks available.

Peter Kenny, who does a beyond excellent vocal performance in reciting the script was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Co. and played numerous roles opposite some of the greatest names in British Film, Theatre and Television. Roles include: McConochie in Victory – Choices in Reaction by Howard Barker opposite Juliet Stephenson and Nicolas Le Prevost. Captain Stephens in The Guns of Navarone with Toby Stephens and Joss Ackland. Lunchtime of the Gods - a three hander with Prunella Scales and Peter Jeffrey. Over the past 20 years he has become a regular recorder of Audio Books, initially for charity with the RNIB and Listening Books, with whom he have recorded over fifty titles. More recently he has moved into commercial recordings for Hachette & Little, Brown, Orion/Gollancz, HarperCollins, Penguin, Hodder and Isis Publishing.

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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

NAOMI: IN FASHION EXHIBITION

'Roulé Comme Une Buick' ('Drive Like A Buick'), bustier, worn by Naomi Campbell, designed by Thierry Mugler, Autumn/Winter 1989. © Courtesy Mugler Archives. Photo: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Dress, worn by Naomi Campbell, designed by VERSACE, Spring/Summer 1991. © Courtesy VERSACE. Photo: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

explores the unequaled 40-year career of fashion model and cultural icon Naomi Campbell. After being scouted in Covent Garden aged just 15, Campbell quickly rose to prominence in the industry, and made history a few years later when, at 18, she became the first Black model to feature on the cover of Paris Vogue, in August 1988.

Produced in collaboration with Campbell and foregrounding her voice and perspective, NAOMI: In Fashion is the first exhibition to celebrate the skill and contribution of an individual model to the fashion industry. The exhibition draws upon Campbell's own extensive wardrobe of haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles from key moments in her career, along with loans from designer archives and objects from the V&A's collections. Woven throughout is Campbell's activism, having advocated for equity from an early age, joining the Black Girls Coalition in 1989 and fronting the 2007 'A Black Issue' of Vogue Italia, calling for diversity on the catwalk.

Naomi Campbell's extraordinary career intersects with the best of high fashion. She is recognized worldwide as a supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and creative collaborator, making her one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture. We're delighted to be working with Naomi Campbell on this project and to celebrate her career with our audiences.
Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator of Fashion, V&A

The exhibition opens with high-impact clips of Campbell on the catwalk, illustrating her legendary 'walk'. The first section, 'Becoming Naomi', explores Campbell’s childhood and grounds her later success in her early dance training. Born in 1970 in south-London, she aspired to a career on stage and performed in 1980s music videos for artists including Bob Marley and Culture Club. Her life changed when, aged 15, she was approached by model agent Beth Boldt while out shopping with schoolfriends. Two years later she would be on the front cover of Vogue and walking for acclaimed designers in London, Paris, Milan and New York.

Campbell entered the field of fashion modelling when it was on the cusp of change. By the early 1990s, the term supermodel – or model turned international celebrity – was widely used in direct reference to Campbell and a small group of peers. Fashion had become mass entertainment and Campbell was at the center of this excitement, her talents being championed by leading designers such as John Galliano, Gianni Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood and Yves Saint Laurent. She became known for her superlative presence on the catwalk while her work with leading photographers created some of the era's most memorable images. Simultaneously she moved beyond the world of fashion, performing in music videos, launching her own perfume and becoming a champion of diversity.

The next section focuses on Campbell's close personal and professional relationship with late Tunisian-born, Paris-based designer Azzedine Alaïa – who she met during her first days in Paris and would come to call 'Papa'. Famed for his figure-hugging designs, Alaïa saw Campbell's sculptural physique as 'a perfect body', which inspired much of this work. Together, the pair created runway magic and editorial gold.

Campbell moved to New York aged 17, sharing an apartment with fellow model Christy Turlington before securing her own place on East 30th Street. Campbell threw herself into the city's buzzing fashion scene. Forging enduring friendships with designers and others in the industry from Marc Jacobs to Anna Sui, these relationships would stand the test of time.

Since the early 1990s, Campbell has been one of the most high-profile models in the world – and one of the most recognizable Black women – on our televisions and phones, in music videos and newspapers. ''The spotlight' section explores a highly publicized biographical moment when Campbell served a period of court-ordered community service. On display is the Dolce & Gabbana gown that Campbell wore on her final day of community service – a look she wore in response to the paparazzi capturing her arrival and departure every day throughout.

The next section looks at Naomi Campbell as an exemplar in the field, focusing on her early collaborations with fashion houses from Dolce & Gabbana and Vivienne Westwood to Jean Paul Gaultier. Formed when Campbell was a young woman, these connections evolved into decades-long collaborative friendships with designers valuing her ability to glamorize whatever she wears, and model the most difficult ensembles with apparent ease.

Curated by Edward Enninful OBE, a selection of photography in the exhibition showcases Campbell's unique alchemy with the camera. Featuring work from world-renowned photographers from Steven Meisel and Arthur Elgort to Patrick Demarchelier and David Bailey, Campbell has a deep respect for those she works with, recognizing their artistic talent and vision, and working to achieve the image they have in mind.

The final section recognizes Campbell's work advocating for friends and her active support of emerging designers. With over 40 years' of experience working with the leading names in fashion, Campbell is an archetype whose skill and reputation as an exceptional model is indisputable. See NAOMI: In Fashion on display now through April 6, 2025. Produced as part of NAOMI In Fashion at V&A South Kensington, London.

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SWEET CHARITY

ELTON JOHN'S WARDROBE selections are being sold on E-Bay to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Gucci jackets, Versace robes and customized Prada loafers are among the many high-end items now up for grabs on the online auction site. More affordable items include baseball caps and historic concert t-shirts.

The 10-day auction kicked off last Thursday.

"Giving new life to the cherished items from my wardrobe has always been special to me. For decades I've donated my closet's treasures to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation," said Elton John in a press release.

All items auctioned on eBay will be offered at a starting bid of $26.60 – a nod to the Peachtree Road address of Elton’s previous Atlanta home.

BROADWAY BARKS will host their 26th Annual animal adoption event on Saturday, August 3, 2024 in Broadway's iconic Shubert Alley. As in the past the program features celebrity presentations of adoptable pets. This star-studded dog and cat adoption celebration will benefit New York City area animal rescue groups. Multiple Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters - Barks co-founder - and Sutton Foster will co-host the festivities. The event is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

SPREADING THE WORD

JIMINY GLICK my all time favorite talk show host, has been filling in this week for Jimmy Kimmel who is on summer vacation. When Glick wasn't available, his alter ego, Martin Short, stepped in as guest host.

It was a return to a really funny late night hour.

JULY FOURTH FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR WITH HARY CONNICK, JR The Grammy and Emmy winner—not to mention Hollywood Bowl Hall of Famer—and his band lead three thrilling nights of songs, fireworks, and fun, featuring Thomas Wilkins and the LA Phil. July 2-4, 2024 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK 2024 program will bring the best of Broadway backr for free performances beginning July 11. New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple alike are invited to join 106.7 LITE FM starting at 11 a.m. EST, with performances running from 12:30–1:30 p.m. EST on the stage at Bryant Park.

The July 11 program includes: Back to the Future; Hell’s Kitchen; The Who’s TOMMY; The Wiz; Water for Elephants.

On July 18 enjoy Disney on Broadway; Aladdin; Frozen; The Lion King.

The July 25 offering are: Chicago; Moulin Rouge! The Musical; The Book of Mormon; The Great Gatsby; The Notebook.

The final performance on August 1, 2024 will offer; & Juliet; A Wonderful World; SIX The Musical; The Great Gatsby; The Outsiders;Wicked.

The Bryant Park stage is located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. Lawn seating is first-come, first-serve.

WHY WAS JOE BIDEN SLURRING his words and acting incoherent in the now infamous debate of last week? Reports began surfacing about his slurring in January 2024 when he gave a speech in Virginia. In researching from a number of angles no reports pop up of his slurring and incoherent speech before January 2024. There is a 2020 report which includes a comment about Biden occasionally having a small stutter. No mention of freezing or acting incoherent. That begs the question - what is the matter with Joe Biden? Something is and over the last six months it's gotten a lot worse.

Speculation was openly mouthed about the possibility of his being pumped full of uppers right before the debate. Consider the opposite. What if he is normally heavily medicated and suddenly taken off all medication the day before the debate, so that he and his reps could honestly say he "hadn't been red bulled" for the debate. Then, right after the debate, he was put back on his meds, hence his totally different performance and attitude the next day. Saying Biden had a cold on the debate day and hadn't slept well is an insult to anyone who watched the debate. That would also make it the faster cold cure ever recorded.

Biden's demeanor is far beyond joke fodder for comedians. It is serious and American has the right to know his problem.

92NY LAUNCHES THE HUMANITIES AUDIO COLLECTION

With public funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, The 92nd Street Y, New York has launched the 92NY Humanities Audio Collection, over 400 archival audio recordings of a wide range of programs dating back to 1950. The recordings are now available to the public on 92NY's website.

The Collection features lectures, conversations, debates and panel discussions across the fields of language arts, fine arts, performing arts, cinema, philosophy, history, and Jewish studies, as well as jurisprudence, anthropology, sociology, psychology, media studies, gender studies, and cultural studies. Over time, the Collection will feature many additional recordings; the NEH grant made possible the digitization and preservation of over 800 in total.

The archival recordings provide a truly distinguished record of public discourse on the questions and issues that helped define the second half of the twentieth century and first decade of the twenty-first century in America, and feature some of the period’s most influential figures, including: Gore Vidal, William F. Buckley, Jessye Norman, Frank Gehry, Gloria Steinem, Anthony Lewis, Maya Lin, Alex Katz, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Jeff Koons, Pauline Kael, Edward O. Wilson, Marian Wright Edelman, Neil Simon, William Wegman, Paul Taylor, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, Stanley Crouch, Eugene Borowitz, Camille Paglia and Vincent Canby, among many others.

Topics include: The Nature of Human Consciousness; Film Criticism; Individual Liberty and Civil Order; Transcending the War Between the Sexes, Israel and the Middle East; Young People: How To Understand and Relate to Them; Origins and Character of Yiddish, The Justification of Values; Sex, Art and American Culture; The Story Behind “America The Beautiful"; The Human Mind and History; Shape of the City; The Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and The Origin and Development of Religion, among many others.

The value of the Collection is further enhanced by its capture of speakers’ spontaneous remarks afforded by informal commentary, personal reminiscences, and interaction with audience members. The question-and-answer sessions that follow nearly every event featured in this collection, in which speakers directly engage with audience members and respond to comments and questions, help bring the concerns and issues of the periods into focus, and the spontaneity afforded by these interactions offers rare glimpses into some of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. The collection also highlights 92NY’s role in convening these events and its duty to preserve these historic moments as it looks to the future.

Central to 92NY’s Humanities Audio Collection are recordings from one of America’s longest-running public lecture series – 92NY's Lectures series, established in 1930, and now known as 92NY Talks. For decades, it has been a major platform in 92NY's efforts to stimulate social awareness, create a civic forum for the open consideration of issues both timely and timeless, and provide a platform for major intellectuals and artists in all genres to discuss their work.

"Throughout its 150-year history, 92NY has been a home for the intellectually curious, providing a platform for many of the great artists, scholars and thought leaders of the past century-and-a-half," says 92NY CEO Seth Pinsky. "Thanks to this generous funding from the NEH, we can now share our latest archival treasure trove with the public for the first time – and there’s no shortage of topics to explore. We hope that the Collection will be an invaluable contribution to humanities research and scholarship, foster public appreciation and create greater understanding of the humanities. We look forward to sharing many more recordings in the future."

A caveat: any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this article or in the Collection do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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WHOEVER PUT THE CURSE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY - TAKE IT OFF!

It's gotten beyond ridiculous. The British royal family dropping like flies - so to speak.

The word 'cancer' puts a chill down anyone. Any form can kill. Thankfully, many are successfully treatable with victims living years if not decades. Sarah, the Duchess of York was the first on somebody's hit list to come down with not one, but two forms of cancer; breast and then skin. After competent medical care and devoted attention from her two daughters, she is apparently doing well. May that always be the case.

Next up, King Charles and Princess Kate - neither of whom look like they have ever experienced even a head cold. Their conditions started out as extremely serious, which they have both had to content with under public spotlight scrutiny. Would you want people gossiping about your inner workings? Neither do they.

It's one thing when disclosure can help save the lives of others- Duchess Sarah imploring women to get mammogram and for everyone to check their skin moles on a regular basis. King Charles disclosing prostate issues saved lives.

Sir Tim Laurence, who serves as Chairman of English Heritage Trust, visited his wife Princess Anne in the hospital bringing her "treats from home."

Then there is that concussion - a horse showing Anne, the Princess Royal, that the four footer is really the boss. Nobody wants to get their noggin' hit. Nothing funny about a concussion. Death, stroke, memory loss are all on the table. It's why sports players wear helmets. Fortunately, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip was able to return home on Friday after spending five nights in the hospital. It has been announced that she will receive "rehabilitation support" at home. She will resume her schedule when her physicians give her the okay.

Between 2002 and 2022, Anne, long the hardest working of the royal carried out more than 11,000 duties, undertaking 457 engagements. Her brother is no slouch, either. He tallied up 425. These two are peas in a pod and have been since they were children. Her engagement diary has not yet been altered. On display are no less than three engagements for her taking place on July 3 and another two on July 5th. it is speculated that those will be postponed.

That brings us to the care givers - those emotionally stressed out loved ones who have mastered the art of conveying a "coolness" and "everything is under control" public persona.

It's a known fact that cancer patients do better if they are kept busy. However, too much of a good thing can acerbate. Queen Camilla has admitted that it is difficult to get her husband to mind and that same opinion of Anne by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence will soon be in his head, if it isn't already.

Prince William has maintained a balanace between attending to his royal duties and caring for his family. Photo: Princess of Wales.

Prince William, who has always been a hands on father, keeps a cool facade and is a steady influence on his offspring.

The elephant in the room for any mother of young children being treated for cancer is: will I live to see my children grow up and, if not, will they remember me?

For those who know people who are either patients or caregivers - be considerate. Their fight for life isn't about you assuming control. Don't make their struggles an opportunity to gossip; butt in so you can feel important or take advantage. If you know of a caregiver and can properly assist, then offer help - perhaps a ride or an offer to run an errand. If the person they are caring for needs physical help, don't volunteer to take over so the caregiver can go to a movie, shopping, or even for a walk. You may mean well, but if you aren't qualified to physically assist somebody, you can cause harm. Offer support in ways that don't endanger anybody.

Careful about jokes. What one person thinks is funny, another can interpret as cruel. The only person who should be permitted to joke about the patient's condition is the patient. Unless you are somebody's religious counselor and have been asked for spiritual support keep your dime a dozen 'feel good bromides' to yourself.

It doesn't matter the wealth, educational level, occupation or social standing of a caregiver. They are all juggling too many balls. While the patients receive the vast majority of the attention and concern - as they should - don't forget the people who are doing the "caring."



LLOYD RICHARDS the first Black director to helm a drama on Broadway had a street named after him on Saturday, June 29, 2024 - which would have also been his birthday. Following the New York City Council's approval last December, West 47th St. between Broadway and 8th Ave. is now co-named “Lloyd Richards Way.”

Richards who died in 2006 was a Canadian-American theatre director, actor, and dean of the Yale School of Drama from 1979 to 1991, and Yale University professor emeritus. A Tony award winner for direction of a play; in 1991 his Yale Rep Theatre won the regional Tony award. He also was a National Medal of Arts 1993 Lifetime Achievement recipient.

CASEY YORK has been appointed managing director of Off-Broadway's Playwrights Horizons.

The appointment means that York is returning to the Off-Broadway company after a tenure as managing director of Ars Nova.

She succeeds Leslie Marcus, who announced the end of her 30-year tenure with the company late last year.

York began her theatrical career at Playwrights in 2010 as a marketing resident, rising to serve as associate general manager from 2011 to 2014. In her new role, York will oversee the company's business, administrative, and operational management.

York is also the president of the Off-Broadway League, a role she's held since 2020. Tom O'Connor Consulting Group led the nationwide search for the position, prioritizing candidates with a commitment to writers and theatre artists, and an understanding of how institutions can support them in difficult periods.

THE WASHINGTON POST has announced the appointment of Naveen Kumar as their new theater critic. Journalist and culture critic Kumar, has also reviewed theater for The New York Times and Variety.

IAMA THEATRE COMPANY has selected ensemble member Brian Otaño as the 2024 recipient of the company’s Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission, sponsored by award-winning writer and producer Shonda Rhimes.

Now in its seventh year, the annual Rhimes commission was created to help grow and nourish budding playwrights and artists with an emphasis on cultural inclusion, and to showcase fresh, creative, thought-provoking work. The commission helps foster long-lasting relationships with the diverse voices that IAMA is committed to developing; by incorporating the talent and inspiration of IAMA’s acting ensemble into the development of writers and their work, IAMA continues to create a dynamic family of artists.

Past recipients include Brooklyn-based playwright and activist Geraldine Inoa; Iranian-American playwright Sanaz Toosi, who went on to receive a Pulitzer Prize; Obie-winning performer/playwright Ryan J. Haddad; Emmy-nominated writer, director and producer Larry Powell; celebrated actor, director and playwright Jule Carryl; and Chinese-Canadian playwright, TV writer, screenwriter Chloé Hung. Otaño is the first IAMA ensemble member to be honored with the award.

"We’re so lucky to be able to extend this opportunity to a writer from our ensemble for the first time," says IAMA artistic director Stefanie Black. "We’ve been invested in Brian’s work for years, helping early on to develop his ambitious Dooley Street Trilogy. We can't wait to see what he’s been dreaming up next that we can build from the ground up together.”

IAMA has been dedicated to developing new plays and musicals by emerging and established playwrights since 2007. Rhimes, a frequent IAMA audience member, came on board in March 2017 as the company’s first-ever “Patron of the Arts,” committing funds for the commission as well as tangible support for IAMA’s mission and operations through her Rhimes Foundation. The Rhimes Foundation was established in 2016 to support arts, education and activism with a focus on promoting cultural inclusion and fighting inequality.

Shonda Lynn Rhimes, CBE is an American television producer and screenwriter, and founder of the production company Shondaland.

Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Rhimes became known as the showrunner—creator, head writer, and executive producer—of the medical drama Grey's Anatomy (2005–present), its spin-off Private Practice (2007–2013) and the political thriller Scandal (2012–2018), becoming the first woman to create three television dramas that have achieved the 100 episode milestone.

She has served as the executive producer of the ABC thriller series How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020), the Netflix period series Bridgerton (2020–present) and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023), and drama Inventing Anna (2022). She has been nominated five times for a Primetime Emmy Award, won a Golden Globe Award, and received special honors at the British Academy Television Awards and International Emmy Awards.

THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION has announced the four winners of its Latin Music Research and Preservation Grant program receiving a total of $20,000 among their projects. This program provides grants to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists, and researchers around the world who are enhancing and preserving Latin music heritage. The four grants, with a maximum value of $5,000 each, support diverse initiatives. The Research Grants support projects that emphasize historical and anthropological research, in addition to documenting traditions and Latin folklore, while Preservation Grants fund the archiving and preservation of Latin music and its unique customs.

“Research and Preservation Grants play an important role in ensuring the legacy of Latin music and future creators, we are grateful to our donors for their generosity and commitment to advancing Latin music and its heritage,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Together, we are able to increase our impact and support additionally deserving projects in fulfillment of our mission.” Awarded Research Grants:

Daniel Bustos-Echeverry, Colombia – Cantos de la amazonía no-visible (Songs of the invisible Amazon) is a musical, ethnographic, and archival research project that seeks to highlight the value of the ceremonial songs, melodies, and verses of Siona women. The Siona are an indigenous Amazon community of fewer than 4,000 inhabitants that are at risk of physical and cultural disappearance. The research focuses on the analysis of the Siona’s ceremonial songs, verses, and melodies of Siona women, who have been displaced from leadership in yagé ceremonies. The results will be integrated and distributed in a macro-project within a Fulbright Amazonia research project that will promote the establishment of a path toward preservation of this knowledge.

Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz, Venezuela – Through the songs and narratives of Latin America’s diverse peoples, the project Nutrir el Futuro de la Música y Narraciones Latinoamericanas (Nourishing the Future of Latin American Music and Narratives) seeks to provide a future of social and emotional well-being, in which love, and a consciousness of cultural identity contribute to subjectivity and interaction. Through research, dynamic performances, recordings, and distributing a curated collection of songs for children and youth up to age 12, it seeks to nurture harmonious psychosocial development, and engage with communities through workshops, concerts, and digital platforms, to reach a broad audience. Rapid technological development has brought about radical changes in all aspects of human life. In an era of rapid technological advancement, Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz see a concerning trend toward social isolation and disconnection from one’s cultural heritage. However, they view this as an opportunity to unveil a symbolic legacy that can enrich every individual's expressive and creative potential. Therefore, this project proposes to increase the visibility of artistic heritage, because it contains a cultural wealth that is not widely known among current generations. The exploration and synthesis of the musical and the literary contribute to the reconstruction of broken bonds in families, schools, and communities. Through the creation of alternatives, it is possible to promote increased closeness among people, emotional connectedness, and a unique identity. Awarded Preservation Grants:

The Celia Cruz Foundation, United States of America – Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, made a profound mark on music. Her legacy resides not only in her iconic recordings and captivating performances but also in a vast archive of more than 200 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from her early collaborations with the Fania All-Stars and other notable figures. From the 1970s to the 2000s, these recordings offer a unique glimpse into her artistic journey and the vibrant musical scene of the time. With the project titled, “Digitization of Celia Cruz Recordings, 1970s – Early 2000s”, its mission is to digitize this valuable collection, preserving it for future generations and making it accessible worldwide to fans, historians, and researchers. The project will digitize and preserve approximately 150 – 200 hours of unedited footage of Celia Cruz, comprised of 200 VHS tapes from the early 1970s to the 2000s. The preservation transfers will be digitized at the highest resolution possible for archival rate, therefore honoring the legacy of Celia Cruz and preserving her impact on music history.

Javier Soriano, Cuba-France – José Mauri Esteve’s compositions hold immense significance not only for Cuba but also for the broader socio-musical history of Hispanic American societies during the 19th and 20th centuries. Over time, the musical heritage of José Mauri Esteve has faced challenges, resulting in its significant deterioration, and hindering study and performance. In response, the restoration project named José Mauri Esteve: Rescate y Restauración de un Patrimonio Musical Hispanoamericano (Jose Mauri Esteve: Rescue and Restoration of a Hispanic American Musical Heritage) has been created to revive and preserve his invaluable contributions to music. This restoration journey includes various steps, including critical editions of Esteve's works, the careful reconstruction of lost or damaged musical material, and in-depth analysis of his best-preserved compositions. Through this restoration journey, it plans to honor the legacy of José Mauri Esteve but also reaffirm the significance of his musical contributions to Cuba and the broader Hispanic American musical history. Through preservation and dissemination, it aspires to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of his rich cultural heritage among audiences worldwide. A committee of experts from Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the United States selected the recipients among numerous qualified candidates. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $195,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received a Latin Grammy and Grammy Award.



THE BAKER'S WIFE by Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg.

The arrival of a new Baker and his younger wife turns a provincial French village upside down in this cult classic musical.

Lucie Jones stars as Genevieve - the Baker’s Wife. Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe stars as Aimable - the Baker. Mark Extance plays the Teacher. Josefina Gabrielle plays Denise. Michael Matus plays Marquis. David Seadon-Young plays Antoine, Matthew Seadon-Young plays the Priest. Joaquin Pedro Valdes plays Dominique. They will be joined by Bobbie Chambers, Jack Gardner, Hana Ichijo, and Robyn Rose.

Choreography by Olivier award winner Matt Cole and designs by Paul Farnworth.

July 6 - September 14, 2024 at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.

COSI FAN TUTTE The La Scuola degli Amanti – The School for Lovers – was always the subtitle of Mozart’s and librettist Lorenzo da Ponte’s third collaboration together.

Directed by Gisela Cardenas.

Conductor Ryan McAdams.

Featuring Maximilliam Janson, Anna Kelly, Michael J. Hawk, Juli Stuart, Grammy nominated Aubrey Allicock.br>
More appropriately for Opera Saratoga’s thematic season, we could call Così The School for Gambles, as all of the main characters wage bets against one another in one form or another, assuming the worst of human nature and testing the limits of friendships and relationships in this famous comic opera.

The story is about two young couples, Ferrando (Maximillian Jansen) and Dorabella (Anna Kelly), and Guglielmo (Michael J. Hawk) and Fiordiligi (Julia Stuart), whose relationships are put to the test by their older friend Don Alfonso (Grammy-nominated Aubrey Allicock). Don Alfonso, a cynical philosopher, bets the men that their fiancées will cheat on them if they follow his instructions for a day. He tells the women that the men have gone to war and sends two disguised versions of the men to try to win the women over. Eventually, the lovers come clean about the entire bet and the foursome have to choose whether to forgive and how to move on. The opera explores themes of love, loyalty, and friendship, and how vulnerable love can be.

Even if Così sometimes speeds along as a lighthearted comic opera (or buffo), in conductor Ryan McAdams’ view, it should more properly be considered a dramma giocoso, which he described in a recent interview as "a very serious drama with jokes." As he put it "Mozart wanted us to take these feelings and emotions very seriously. And I still come away with unanswered questions - about how human beings desire each other, and reconsider who they are and who they can be in the context of those desires." For him, these reconsiderations become "almost existential" by the opera’s finale.

Opera Saratoga performances June 30, July 3 and 6th, 2024.

DUEL REALITY a production by Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts de la Main, or The 7 Fingers. Originally produced and created with Virgin Voyages.

Directed by Shana Carroll.

"Love, honor, and betrayal come to life through a blend of acrobatics, theatre, and music in this one-act romp perfect for all ages. Two feuding families engage in a battle of skill, each competition more daring than the last. While the two groups face off, cheered on by their side of the audience, a pair of star-crossed lovers struggles to escape the showdown. The exhilaration and danger of competition provide the thrilling backdrop to The 7 Fingers’s one-of-a-kind daredevil theatrical extravaganza."

The cast of artists for Duel Reality include Daniela Corradi, Andreas De Ryck, Aerial Emery, Soen Geirnaert, Gerardo Gutiérrez, Michelle Hernandez, Marco Ingaramo, Kalani June, Einar Kling-Odencrants, Santiago Rivera Laugerud, Arata Urawa, and Danny Vrijsen.

In addition to Shana Carroll, the creative team includes Colin Gagné (Musical Director and Composer), Alexander Nichols (Lighting Designer), Camille Thibault-Bédard (Costume Designer), Maude St-Pierre (Production Director), Simon Carrière (Technical Director), Audrey Belzile (Technical Coordinator), Anna Kichtchenko (Assistant to the Artistic Director), Francisco Cruz (Acrobatic Coach), Christelle Vitupier (Tour Manager), Delphine Quenneville (Technical Director/Video), Francis Olivier Métras (Sound Technician), Pascal Lacas (Rigger), and Alejandro Esteban and Ahumada Urzúa (LX Operators).

“We are so thrilled to welcome Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts de la Main, or The 7 Fingers, back to the Globe," said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. " . . .This show is fierce and passionate, and the brilliant circus work and daredevil acrobatics help tell a story that Globe audiences will recognize: two star-crossed lovers manage to connect even though the groups they belong to are sworn enemies. Yes, there’s a hint of Romeo and Juliet in Duel Reality, but it’s presented here in a way you’ve never seen before. Great for families and thrilling for lovers of visceral, physical entertainment, this show is a joy to have on our stage."

Duel Reality had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2023. In February 2024, ArtsEmerson in Boston presented the U.S. premiere of the production.

Performances for the five-week limited engagement run July 6 – August 4, 2024, with the official press opening on Thursday, July 11. Duel Reality will play on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park, California.

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FINAL OVATION

ROBERT WINDELER retired theater critic, died on June 10, 2024 at his home in Manhattan. He was 84. Robert's career spanned more than fifty years, during which time he worked for multiple outlets, including as a West Coast correspondent for The New York Times and Time magazine where he covered movies, television and music. He was an arts and entertainment critic for National Public Radio.

For many years he was active in the Drama Desk and Bistro Awards. An alumnus of Duke University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Robert also authored sixteen books, including the authorized biographies of Julie Andrews, Burt Lancaster, Shirley Temple, and Mary Pickford.

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Laura Deni

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