Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: June 4, 2017
By: Laura Deni
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HAS KATHY GRIFFIN DEALT A DEATH BLOW TO HERSELF?

Kathy Griffin. Six days before the controversial photo was released photographer Tyler Shields took to Twitter to ask: "Can you go to jail for making an artistic statement??? Asking for a friend"... @kathygriffin 7:19 PM - 26 May 2017.

Kathy Griffin posting a photograph taken of her, by the controversial photographer Tyler Shields where she’s depicted holding a bloodied mask of President Donald Trump is revolting, dangerous, could incite violence from deranged individuals - insensitive towards those who have been beheaded by terrorists and their families and is not funny.

If Griffin and Shields hadn't suspected what they were doing was criminal then - a week before they released the photograph - they wouldn't have speculated on Twitter that they could do jail time.

Almost immediately after the photo release CNN fired Griffin from her long standing coverage on New Year's Eve. A spokesperson for the network called the photos “disgusting and offensive”. CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program. — CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017

Anderson Cooper, one of her best friends, criticized her.

"For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate." — Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 31, 2017

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. strongly condemns comedian Kathy Griffin’s incredibly revolting attack on the President of the United States,” wrote VFW National Commander Brian Duffy in a statement released last Wednesday.

“Her apology is not accepted," added Duffy. "What she did was not humorous nor should it be protected speech or expression. Playing to an audience with a severed head is what our enemies do. The USO should end its relationship with her.”

The USO also commented on their relationship with Griffin on Wednesday: Kathy Griffin had two USO experiences years ago. The USO has no relationship with Kathy Griffin. — USO (@the_USO) May 31, 2017

Utah based Squatty Potty a family run business which gained fame by being featured on Shark Tank on May 10 had announced a partnership with Griffin as their spokesperson. CEO Bobby Edwards issued a statement: “In response, Squatty Potty has suspended its ad campaign featuring Ms. Griffin. We have acted swiftly and decisively to demonstrate our commitment to a culture of decency, civility, and tolerance.”

Griffin, a Grammy and two time Emmy award winner who has over 2 million Twitter followers, posted a video apology: "I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong."

Photographer Tyler Shields is unapologetic and artistically defiant calling the photo shoot - art.

Most people aren't buying the mea culpa.

Both Griffin and Taylor were well aware that what they were doing was wrong - potentially dangerously wrong. Six days before the photo was released Taylor took to his Twitter account to post a question:

"Can you go to jail for making an artistic statement??? Asking for a friend"... @kathygriffin 7:19 PM - 26 May 2017.

According to the Mercury News the couple was concerned as to whether they were protected under the First Amendment and "joked about having to move to Mexico so they wouldn’t be put in jail."

Shields told the press that Griffin's first thought was 'Will you bail me out of jail?' He added that her feelings were ‘Well, I’m gonna do it and whatever happens, happens.’

Her 'sorry' sounds as though it was fueled by the realization of an income loss, rather than an epiphany that what she did wasn't "art" but evil, disgusting and sick.

People who think they can hurt others in some way, then flip out an apology and conclude everything is okay - are wrong.

If it really was a sincere apology then Griffin should have also done something to make amends, such as a sizeable donation in the name of Barron Trump for the specific purpose of making an anti-bullying training film for school children, in which Griffin even appears and explains that - even if you are famous, a comedian or an artist, you should consider what you are going to do in relationship to how it could hurt others.

In her apology Griffin said she had crossed a line that she had drawn. Wrong. The line not to cross is not drawn by the performer, but by the audience. The power lies with the audience to determine what they will and won't accept.

Comedians fall into categories. The Caustic Comic has been described as generally motivated by their own unresolved anger issues, and neither their brain nor their mouth utilizes a filter. They get their egos boosted by insulting others. Most caustic comics flame out. A few become bright stars.

The shock, quirkiness, ability to get away with what they are saying - words which the "civilian" person could never say to their boss, family, friends or strangers - can propel the caustic comedian into super-stardom.

Even so, there are laws and community standards.

Chelsea Clinton Twttted: "This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president." https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017

First lady Melania Trump complained, saying: "As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing. When you consider some of the atrocities happening in the world today, a photo opportunity like this is simply wrong and makes you wonder about the mental health of the person who did it."

The panelists on The View were unanimous in their condemnation.

Panelist Jedediah Bila also referred to the effect on Trump's children: "I thought it was bad, I thought it was awful. Like him or not -- and you can debate his policy -- he's the president. When I saw that, all I thought of is his kid, I thought of that child seeing that image. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. It bothered me. You can't do this stuff with a sitting president."

Griffin does have her defenders.

Alec Baldwin is one of Griffin's most vocal supporters. Last Friday he Tweeted: “Kathy...f--k them. F--k them all. No 1 believes u meant 2 threaten Trump. Trump is such a senile idiot, all he has is Twitter fights. Ignore him. Like the leaders of all the other countries in the world. Ignore him.”

Comedian Jim Carrey supported Griffin on Entertainment Tonight in a surreal statement: "I think it is the job of a comedian to cross the line at all times...because that line is not real."

Ken Jennings, a father of a son and daughter, who won 74 straight Jeopardy! games earning $3,196,300 defended Griffin by mocking Trump's 11-year-old son.

Broadway To Vegas spent one hour searching for Twitter sites commenting in some manner which could be perceived to be in Griffin's favor. Besides the above mentioned, there were legal opinion tweets on free speech - pointing out that Griffin didn't make a specific, direct threat against President Trump; and photographer Tyler who stated they were trying to deliver a political message - Broadway To Vegas did find two Twitter accounts which give the impression of standing by the comedian.

Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings, a father of two, mocked Barron Trump, 11, who it is reported to have screamed when he first caught a glimpse of the horribly realistic and gruesome photo.

Jennings, who isn't exhibiting the smarts I once thought he possessed, tweeted: "Barron Trump saw a very long necktie on a heap of expired deli meat in a dumpster. He thought it was his dad & his little heart is breaking."

Well educated theater journalist Gwen Orel is a member of several professional organizations, and is entitled to her opinion. What a scroll of her Twitter account disclosed is that she has frequently used her Twitter account to blast Trump and his family.

Her description of herself and her Twitter site says: "writer, Irish music lover, cat petter. will block at first ad hominem. will report and block if added to list. no racists no Pepe. Joined June 2009."

Samples of what she posted include a response to Donald Trump who on Twitter wrote: Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump "Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!"

Orel responded:
gwenorel@gwenorel1 May 31 "All your other children are ADULTS. Stop whining. One meme is nothing to the children you're harming with deportations and healthcare."

Regarding clothes which designers provided to First Ladies Michelle Obama ($12,000 gown) and Melania Trump ($51,000 Dolce & Gabana jacket) and the failure of Breitbart to criticize the cost of the jacket while questioning who paid for the gown - although neither were paid for by taxpayers and both women looked lovely.

Orel commented:
gwenorel@gwenorel1 May 30 "THIS. A $12000 Gown is couture. A $51000 jacket is fucking obscene."

In that one hour web search Broadway To Vegas could find a multitude of Twitter accounts which are seriously anti-Trump, but only the two above mentioned Twitter sites - Jennings and Orel - were at the time of our research - in any way appearing to come to Griffin's defense.

Full disclosure: I'm a lifelong registered Democrat. One of three women who started the League of Women Voters in Las Vegas. Later served an elected term as a member of the Clark County Democratic Central Committee.

Personal opinion: What Kathy Griffin and photographer Tyler Shields did was mean spirited, deliberate, totally unacceptable, and possessing the potential of inciting the unstable.

Griffin lawyered up with a civil rights attorney and last Friday staged a press conference which may have done her more harm than good. During the press event Griffin, who has made million with her spewing of vitriolic comments about others, claimed she is being bullied by the Trump family; that she was contacted by the U.S. Secret Service inquiring about her intentions and had to hire a criminal defense attorney - crying that she is the real victim.

Griffin is violating Rule #1 of Hole, advice first published in 1911: When you're in one, stop digging.










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ART AND ABOUT

ETERNAL OFFERINGS: CHINESE RITUAL BRONZES

Celestial horse, Han dynasty, 1st-2nd century CE, Bronze, Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton, 2002.45. Photo: Minneapolis Institute of Art

which showcases nearly 100 Chinese bronze objects from the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia). Mia’s Asian art collection is considered one of the most important in the United States, and this exhibition at The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida is the first time these significant objects will have toured.

“When The Ringling opened the Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art in May 2016, it was with the goal to continue to cultivate partnerships with individuals and institutions around the globe, creating a site for scholars and enthusiasts of Asian art and culture. Bringing this significant collection to our galleries from the Minneapolis Institute of Art reaffirms this commitment,” said Steven High, executive director.

Curated by Liu Yang, Ph.D, Mia the works showcases span millennia, revealing the evolution of bronzes in Chinese society. The exhibition highlights the many uses of these objects including their role in ancestral rites, as symbols of power and supremacy, as vessels for burial, and as luxury items and art objects. Eternal Offerings also looks at how inscriptions on bronzes can uncover information on the nature of rituals.

Like many societies, China’s social cohesion was formed around ritual. Most of the objects for these early rituals were made of bronze, and due to their important social function, we can extrapolate that the forms and ornamentation depicted on them relate to some of the primary concerns of their societies. Additionally, the possession of bronze objects signified elite status.

Works in the exhibition point to the various types of rituals found in early Chinese dynasties including ancestral, funereal and musical. Music was an integral element in communicating with spirits. Visitors to the show will be able to see several sets of bells that were important adjuncts in these ceremonies.

Eternal Offerings also demonstrates the significant role of inscriptions on bronzes, especially in the later Western Zhou dynasty. The notations often identify the person who made the piece, the event to which the vessel was dedicated, and the ritual in which it was used. As the system of rites concerning ceremonies, military campaigns, feasts and meetings evolved, so too did the inscriptions found on these objects. “The amount of nuance and knowledge in these relatively small objects is astounding,” remarked Christopher Jones, associate curator of photography and exhibitions at The Ringling.

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art. On View June 9-September 10, 2017 at The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida.

BIJOUX PARISIENS

Lucien Falize (1829-1897), Neo-Renaissance Pendant, c. 1880, gold, diamonds, tourmaline, pearl, enamel, 7.7 x 4.8 cm, Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris © Petit Palais/Roger-Viollet

French Jewelry from the Petit Palais, Paris. Organized by the Petit Palais, Paris, in association with Joslyn Art Museum and Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, TN.

Bijoux Parisiens explores the intersection of French fashion, art, and history through nearly 70 works of jewelry and over 100 original design paintings, fashion prints, and photographs.

Elegant brooches, necklaces, and bracelets forged from precious materials reflect the same aesthetic, social, and political concerns that drove major artists from the seventeenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

Some of the works are by Lucien Falize of Paris, France. In the late 19th century, he developed the "Neo-Renaissance Style." He was known for vivid enameling and meticulous craftsmanship. Lucien took diverse inspiration from Moorish art, India and Mother Nature. He also worked with Fabergé.

Born in 1839 he was at the pinnacle of power and fame when he died unexpectedly in 1897.

June 4 - September 10, 2017 at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.

SWEET CHARITY

ARIANA GRANDE

Ariana Grande visiting terror attack victim Jaden Farrell-Mann, who is still hospitalized at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Photo: Ariana Grande Twitter

will headline a charity concert in Manchester, England today, Sunday, June 4, 2017 which will raise funds for victims of last week’s bombing which killed 22 people and injured 116 at the Manchester Arena.

The concert will take place at the Trafford cricket ground. Also expected to perform at the benefit concert are Miley Cyrus, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Little Mix, One Direction star Niall Horan, Pharrell Williams, Take That, The Black Eyed Peas, and Usher.

Twenty-four students from Parrs Wood High School's Harmony Choir have been chosen to sing with Grande conducted by teacher Daniel McDwyer.

The concert, which will air in America on ABC, sold out in six minutes.

According to Variety which first published the broadcast details, BBC Worldwide is coordinating the international effort and has placed the concert with broadcasters in at least 38 countries. The event will run live on ABC’s Freeform cable channel with a one-hour highlights show then going out on ABC stations after the NBA finals.

The event is expected to raise $2.6 million, which will go to an emergency fund set up by the city of Manchester and the British Red Cross.

Upon arriving back in Manchester last Friday, Grande visited children injured in the terrorist attack who were still patients at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

After the concert Grande will then resume her world tour which she had halted immediately after the bombing. She performs Monday, June 5, at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. Wednesday's show is at the Arror Hotels Arena in Paris, France. Friday the tour stops at the Halle Tony Garnier in Lyon, France. Next Sunday, June 11, she's on stage at the Meo Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE 2017 GALA PERFORMANCE Celebrating the Songs of Stephen Sondheim takes place Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at The Town Hall in New York City.

Evening Directed & Arranged by Charlotte Moore with Musical Direction by John Bell.

Angela Lansbury introduces this one-night-only musical revue, which includes as many hit songs as we can fit into 90 minutes. A galaxy of Broadway stars will perform selections from: Sweeney Todd, Follies, Into The Woods, Assassins, Gypsy, Passion, Merrily We Roll Along, A Little Night Music, Company, West Side Story and more. "There's "Something familiar, Something peculiar, Something for everyone, a celebration tonight!"

Honoring Carmine D. Boccuzzi, Jr., Partner at Cleary Gottlieb LLP, for his leadership and support as a founding Irish Rep board member.

Recognizing the extraordinary contributions of Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Anne Anderson, Consul General of Ireland in New York Barbara Jones, and Ambassador of Ireland to the United Nations David Donoghue.

THE SUMMER PARTY billed as "The chicest black-tie party of the summer."

Sip specialty cocktails, cut loose on the dance floor, and bid on fabulous artwork and experiences in our silent auction.

All proceeds provide crucial support for the Museum’s exhibitions, community programs, and conservation initiatives.

Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

THE DELTA SOUL is a fundraising event held in Greenville, Mississippi benefiting the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation (SASCF). This 3 day event, held June 8-10, 2017 is the main fundraiser for the SASCF. "Our mission is not only to raise money, but to create an extraordinary Delta experience for our participants, sponsors and celebrities, many who come in from different parts of the country to enjoy golf and festivities highlighting the Delta’s rich musical history, fantastic southern food and superb southern hospitality. This 3 day-3 night event which begins with a celebrity dinner at the legendary Doe’s Eat Place is a fun-filled music and golf extravaganza.

Past celebrity attendees have included: Country Music duo Brother Trouble; Hootie and the Blowfish Grammy award winning bassist Dean Felber, and lead guitarist Mark Bryan; Ira Dean, the hit songwriter and former bassist for award winning country trio Trick Pony; Roger Fisher & Michael Fisher, founding members of Heart; songwriter and producer Dez Dickerson who was the original guitarist for Prince & the Revolution.

Grammy nominated singer James House; Country Music legend Johnny Lee; Branford Marsalis the World-renowned saxophonist; 14 time Grammy winning musician Dan Tyminski and Preston Pohl, contestant on Season 5 The Voice.

Actors: Academy Award Winning Actor/ Director Morgan Freeman, Debbe Dunning, Jackie Flynn, Grant Show, Jimmy Shubert, Paula Trickey, Gary Valentine, Frankie Muniz, Drew Murray, Joel Murray. Richard Burgi, Chris Rich, Richard Karn and supermodel Kim Alexis.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND . . . .

INTERNATIONAL TREASURE JULIE ANDREWS IS CHARMING IN JULIE'S GREENROOM

Julie's Greenroom the original Netflix Series Soundtrack has been released by Varèse Sarabande. Founded in 1978, Varèse Sarabande is the most prolific producer of film music in the world and is distributed by Universal Music Group.

The Julie's Greenroom show itself was created by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and Judy Rothman Rofe.

This totally delightful CD is produced by the Jim Henson Company. This Netflix series stars Ms. Julie as the headmistress of a performing arts school. The students are a cast of original puppets known as The Greenies. who learn all about dance, singing, performing and , painting from Ms. Julie, her assistant Gus (Giullian Yao Gioiello), and like Sesame Street and The Muppets (other Henson creations), guest stars such as Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Ellie Kemper and David Hyde Pierce perform original songs and engage with the puppets in a specific area of performing arts. Co-stars Guilian Yao Gioiello. The score is composed by Ryan Shore.

A totally charming, utterly delightful recording. Entertaining for both children and adults.

The selections are short. The inspiring When You Act with Andrews and Baldwin was composed by Shaina Taub. Fizz Breaks Joshua's Violin is an instrumental. while Yes And, is an upbeat - an anthem composed by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler which inspires listeners to 'be amazing'.

Circus Day is written and orchestrated to guide your imagination to visualize the circus acts.

Photographs from the CD booklet.

You Gotta Bring the Wow composed by Mike Himelstein, is a razzle-dazzle declaration of positivism - perfect for any age. More circus music sections follow with a variety of musical tempos.

There is the dramatic Mash Up-The Musical an instrumental which permits the musicians to strut their stuff. It's a glorious, fully orchestrated composition which would fit into a major Broadway musical. Anything Can Happen in the Theatre, Part 2 by Goldrich and Heisler contains a sassy inside joke: "My check will be in the mail - tomorrow." The number offers a second shot of energy concluding with a Mash Up Reprise.

Julie's Greenroom is festive.

This recording is an infectious, upbeat, musical loom which spins out happiness.

If you never thought you'd purchase a kid's record - buy this one. Try to act like a grown up You don't need to hide this in a plain brown wrapper, or pretend that you're buying it for some child. Go ahead Take a Leap (performed by David Hyde Pierce) and enjoy one of the most inspirational and entertaining recordings ever recorded for your pleasure. You may even wear it out from all of the repeat playing - so buy two.

TRACKLIST
1. Mash-Up (Theme Song) - Performed by Giullian Yao Gioiello
2. Anything Can Happen In the Theater - Performed by Julie Andrews & Giullian Yao Gioiello
3. Hugo
4. Shakespeare Shakes - Performed by Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies & Tyler Bunch
5. Spike's Despair
6. Let Your Voice Be Heard - Performed by Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies
7. Cheering Performed
8. When You Act Performed - Performed by Julie Andrews & Alec Baldwin
9. Fizz Breaks Joshua's Violin
10. Julie & Gus
11. Yes And - Performed by Ellie Kemper, Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies
12. Circus Day
13. You Gotta Bring the Wow - Performed by Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies & Tyler Bunch
14. Sticky Handshake
15. Juggling & Handstands
16. Cirque du Soleil
17. Snap It - Performed by Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies
18. Runaway Cart
19. Costume Workshop
20. Someone Else's Shoes - Performed by Tituss Burgess, Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo & Dorien Davies
21. A Scarftacular Day
22. Wheelchair Steed
23. Circle Up Greenies
24. Take A Leap - Performed by David Hyde Pierce, Julie Andrews, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo & Dorien Davies
25. Mash-Up The Musical
26. Anything Can Happen in the Theater (Part 2) - Performed by Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Giullian Yao Gioiello, John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies & Tyler Bunch
27. Mash-Up (Reprise Finale) - Performed by John Tartaglia, Jennifer Barnhart, Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dorien Davies & Tyler Bunch

Mastered and mixed for CD by Charles Ferry and Daren Chadwick. Assistant mastering engineer Richard Karst. Art direction for Varèse Sarabande. is Bill Pitzonka. The booklet contains vibrantly cheerful photographs.

SPREADING THE WORD

REPORTERS AREN'T ALL SLOBS

Then known as Jacequeline Bouvier, the young lady who would be beloved as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy worked as a photo-journalist - covering the coronation of another beloved woman - Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: JFK Library

June 2, 2017 marked the 64th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

Among the journalists working the coronation as a reporter was Jacqueline Bouvier.

The future US First Lady was hired by the Washington Times-Herald as the Inquiring Camera Girl for $42.50 per week.

Among her many assignments was covering Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration and traveling to London to cover Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

Jackie filed copy about voyage to London, what the mood was like in the city, and of course the coronation. When she returned to Washington, DC after the royal festivities John F. Kennedy proposed.

She accepted.

The following day Jackie resigned her newspaper job.

JAMES CORDEN OBE returns to his native land for three television shows June 6-8 at the1,500 seat Westminster Cathedral Hall, London. The Late Late Show airs in England.

THE DC JAZZ FESTIVAL returns to the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall on June 12, 2017, for An Evening with 20-time Grammy Award winner Pat Metheny, featuring Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh, and Gwilym Simcock.

Joining guitar legend Metheny will be his long-time drummer Antonio Sanchez, composer of the much-noted film score for the award-winning Birdman; bassist Linda Oh, and British pianist Gwilym Cockscomb, one of the most exciting new pianists to emerge from the UK in many years.

On the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage will be Bass-ically Yours, a series that focuses on DC's incredible wealth of bass-playing bandleaders including the James King Band: Tommy Cecil/Billy Hart/Emmet Cohen; Herman Burney's Ministerial Alliance; Kris Funn's CornerStore; Amy Shook and the SR5tet; and Trio Vera w/Victor Dvoskin.

NEW YORK CLASSICAL THEATRE New York City’s only all-free Off-Broadway theatre will open its 2017 Season with Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 comedy The Rivals, directed by New York Classical Theatre’s Founder & Artistic Director Stephen Burdman.

The first work of playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals is a comedy of manners full of false identities, gossip and high society scandals that turns the power of class and courtship on its head.

The cast includes Juan Arturo, Kristen Calgaro, Connie Castanzo, David Friedlander, Michael Sweeney Hammond, John Michalski, Kevin Orton, Nick Salamone, Sarah Corbyn Woolf, and Barbara Kingsley as Mrs. Malaprop.

With its 18th Century English setting, The Rivals transforms the park into the gardens surrounding the majestic estates of Bath, England.

This immersive production of The Rivals will begin performances in Central Park from Tuesday, June 6 through Sunday, July 2, 2017.

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL takes place June 8-11, 2017 at the Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, England.

The line-up includes Arcade Fire, David Guetta, Run DMC, Rod Stewart, Kaiser Chiefs, Bastille.

The original Isle of Wight Festivals were landmark moments for their time - they sit alongside Glastonbury and Woodstock in festival history.

The first Isle of Wight festival took place August 31-September 1, 1968 and featured the likes of T- Rex and Fairport Convention. The 1970 Isle of Wight festival was a five day marathon featuring The Doors, Hawkwind and Joan Baez. Jimi Hendrix also played at the festival in 1970 just weeks before his untimely death.

At the height of the flower-power era, hundreds of thousands of music fans came from all over the world to chill out in the fields of the Isle of Wight. They packed onto the Isle of Wight ferry from the mainland for up to five days (although some stayed considerably longer) of live rock, communal living, free love and mind-bending substances.

Besides all the peace, love and latrines, there was the music - non-stop performances from some of the greatest pop musicians of any era.

These days the Isle of Wight festival remains and Iconic event hosting some of the biggest names across the music industry.

ALAN ALDA has a busy week promoting his latest book If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? On Monday, June 5 the bestselling author will be at the Westport Public Library in Westport, CT where he will receive the Library Award, discuss his book and participate in a book signing reception. On Wednesday he and Neil deGrasse Tyson will take part in a discussion about Alda' latest book at the 92St Y in New York City. On Thursday, June 8 Alda can be found at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. He then flies to Los Angeles to continue his book tour there next week.

MAGIC MOMENTS: AN EVENING REMEMBERING HAL DAVID Hal’s devoted wife, Eunice David, leads a very special evening of musical tributes and memories as Dionne Warwick, Liz Callaway and Karen Mason perform David's great songs and share stories of his music, his career, his family and his life. Television and radio host A. J. Hammer moderates.

Hal David’s classics - like Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, What the World Needs Now Is Love, Alfie, and I’ll Never Fall in Love Again - are songs that defined an era and were recorded and performed by some of the most beloved artists of the 20th century. The original production of his hit Broadway show Promises, Promises ran for four years and was nominated for a Tony Award, garnering Tonys for Jerry Orbach and Marian Mercer. Two songs written for the show: Promises, Promises and I'll Never Fall in Love Again, became instant hits. Katie Finneran won a Tony for the 2010 revival. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning lyricist served as President of ASCAP’s Board of Directors, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the coveted Gershwin Prize Award conferred at the White House by President Obama.

Eunice’s recent book, Hal David: His Magic Moments: There Is Always Something There to Remind Me, will be available for purchase after the program.

Monday, June 12, 2017 at the 92Y in New York City.

NATIONAL CHEESE DAY is today, Sunday, June 4. Monday is National Ketchup / Catsup Day - your choice of spellings. Tuesday is Yuei National Gingerbread Day. Wednesday is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Thursday is National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day and Friday is National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day.






THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY has confirmed the election of Javier Aguirre, Eduardo Bergallo, Eva Cebrián, and Rafa Sardina to serve on The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees for the next three years.

Javier Aguirre is currently the executive vice president and chief financial officer for Cisneros Corporation, one of the largest privately held media, entertainment, telecommunications, and consumer products organizations in the world. Latin Grammy award winning engineer Eduardo Bergallo has worked on more than 2,800 albums from a wide range of artists.

Eva Cebrián is a multifaceted executive who currently holds the role of director at PRISA radio Spain, the world's largest Spanish-language franchise radio group. Los Angeles based and nine-time Latin Grammy and three-time Grammy winning producer, mixer and engineer Rafa Sardina has built an eclectic and impressive client list, including Beyoncé, Beto Cuevas, Calle 13, Plácido Domingo, Alejandro Fernández, Juan Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Juanes, Natalia Lafourcade, Rodrigo y Gabriela, among others.

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish-and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers.

THE OBAMA FOUNDATION has named Louise Bernard as director for the Obama Presidential Center museum. Her exhibition experience includes work on the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. She holds a Ph.D. in African-American studies and American studies from Yale as well as a master’s in theater history and English literature from Indiana University.

At present, Bernard is the director of exhibitions at the The New York Public Library, a position she has held since January 2017. She starts her new position on July 1, 2017. The Obama Center, to be constructed in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, will include a museum, library, forum and office space for the foundation.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

AUCTION OF EDWARD ALBEE FIRST EDITIONS OF HIS PLAYS INSCRIBED TO HIS MOTHER and her copy of the script of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf will be hammered down at Sotheby's on June 13, 2017.

Much has been written about Edward Albee's relationship with his adoptive parents Reed and Frances Cotter Albee. The playwright himself never hesitated to air his feeling about his parents, once telling an interviewer, "I never felt comfortable with the adoptive parents. I don't think they knew how to be parents. I probably didn't know how to be a son, either." He later described the family home in Larchmont as a "stultifying, suffocating environment." Mrs. Albee died in 1989. A few years later, Albee would draw inspiration from his mother's character and life for his celebrated late drama Three Tall Women, which will be revived on Broadway in a production starring Glenda Jackson.

The inscriptions in these volumes tell a different story, with Albee even referring to his mother as "someone who understands". The books (all published Atheneum, New York) include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1962. "For Mother, with love, Edward. December, 1962. N. Y. C." - Tiny Alice. 1965. "For my Mother — in celebration of the first of our many opening nights together. Love, Edward. NYC 3·12·65" — A Delicate Balance. 1966. "For Mother, Once more, with love, to someone who understands. Edward" - Seascape. 1975. "Dear Mother: One play for one picture - fair exchange! Love, Edward" - The Lady from Dubuque. 1980. "With love from the author! 1980".

While Mrs. Albee's copy of the Virginia Woolf script is not inscribed, it does have a few small autograph corrections. At the end of the last act, the stage direction "(George nods slowly)" has been added in ink. The multigraphed title-page helps date this as an early draft of the play. Underneath the playwrights's name the address "Theater 1962, 26 West 8th Street, New York 11, New York" is printed. This 8th Street address was actually the apartment of Albee's friend and associate Richard Barr. In late winter 1962, the first reading of the play was staged in Barr's living room. To say the least, it was an unusual reading, with Albee reading the part of George and Barr reading Martha and the roles of Nick and Honey read by two other male friends.

GET WELL SOON TO . . . .

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN 68, has announced that the back pain that initially caused her to postpone the first half of her concert tour has been determined to be breast cancer that has spread to her sacrum.

The diagnosis has resulted in her postponing June U.S. and Canadian concert tour dates in order to battle the disease. She was first diagnosis with breast cancer in 1992 and underwent a partial mastectomy and chemo therapy as well as a variety of wellness therapies to battle the disease.

This time, in addition to “natural wellness therapies,” the singer/actress will also complete a short course of photon radiation therapy.

In 2012, the Grease star launched the Olivia Newton-John Wellness and Research Centre in Australia.

STACY KEACH 76, whose opening night performance May 30 as Ernest Hemingway in Jim McGrath's one-man show, Pamplona, at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago was canceled mid way through after the actor fell ill.

Hoping the actor would improve, the Goodman had been canceling the shows on a day-to-day basis but on Friday, June 2, 2017 - Keach's birthday - the Goodman cancelled the entire run, which began previews on May 19, and was slated to be mounted through June 25, 2017.

According to a statement issued by the Goodman Theatre: “The decision comes after Keach underwent medical testing following his opening night performance, which was halted by (director Robert) Falls midway through when it became clear that Keach was struggling.

“According to Keach’s family, the doctors treating the stage and screen star have advised a period of rest and recuperation. As such, the Goodman has made the decision to cancel the remainder of the run. Out of respect for Keach and his family’s wishes we ask for privacy. There are no additional comments at this time.”



ANNIE new West End revival of the 1977 hit Broadway musical with a book by Thomas Meehan adapted from the comic strip Little Orphan Annie with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

Directed by Nikolai Foster.

Choreography by Nick Winston.

Starring Miranda Hart in her West End debut as Miss Hannigan, Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster, and Djalenga Scott as Lily.

The title role of Annie will be shared by 13-year-old Madeleine Haynes, 12-year-old Lola Moxom; and 12-year-old Ruby Stokes.

They will be joined by three teams of young performers who will play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Amber, a four-year-old Labradoodle, will play Annie’s dog Sandy.

Completing the company will be ensemble members Keisha Atwell, Sophie Ayers, Bobby Delaney, Nic Gibney, Patrick Harper, Ben Harrold, George Ioannides, Megan Louch, Benjamin Mundy, Ben Oliver, Heather Scott-Martin, Anne Smith, Kate Somerset How, Katie Warsop, and Russell Wilcox.

Set design by Colin Richmond, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Richard Brooker.

Annie officially opens June 5 at the Piccadilly Theatre in London.

NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn.

Directed by Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director Sam Strong.

Featuring Adam Booth, Penny Everingham, Emma Jackson, Jason Klarwein, Toni Scanlan, Adam Sollis, Kaye Stevenson and Steve Turner.

What’s more fun than a comically flawless story about tragically flawed people? Nothing.

A clumsy brunette bombshell; an addled actress as the dotty housekeeper; an alcoholic septuagenarian in the role of a burglar. It was never going to be easy staging a bedroom farce with a mediocre cast, but pompous director Lloyd Dallas is having a crack.

You’ll cry with laughter and cringe with delight as you witness this company fray and fall apart. Onstage, it’s a whirl of slamming doors, missed cues, dropped lines and dropped trousers; backstage, it’s an even more confused and chaotic maelstrom of love triangles and trampled egos, and there’s no one without an axe to grind (or swing).

Designed by Stephen Curtis. Composer/Sound Designer Ash Gibson Greig. LX Designer Matt Scott.

Playwright Michael Frayn’s classic meta-farce has been running all over the world since its 1982 premiere. Opened last night, June 3 at the Queensland Theatre in Brisbane, Australia with performances through June 25, 2017.

BAT OUT OF HELL byJim Steinman.

Directed by Jay Scheib.

Choreography by Emma Portner.

Billed as a "a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland."

Featuring songs from the Meat Loaf albums Bat Out of Hell, and features songs such as I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, and the title track.

Starring Polec as Strat and Bennington as Raven.

The production premiered at Manchester Opera House on February 17 before opening on June 5 at the London Coliseum with performances to July 22, 2017.

THE KITE RUNNER based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, adapted for the stage by Matthew Spangler.

Directed by Giles Kroft.

“There is a way to be good again.”

"This powerful story has been adapted into a stunning new stage production. A haunting tale of friendship which spans cultures and continents, it follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.

"Afghanistan is a divided country on the verge of war and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kabul and the skies are full of the excitement and joy of a kite flying tournament. But neither Hassan or Amir can foresee the terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever."

Original casting at Wyndham’s Theatre included Ben Turner as Amir,Andrei Costin as Hassan, Emilio Doorgasingh as Baba, Nicholas Khan as Rahim Khan, Lisa Zahra as Soraya, David Ahmad as Kamal, Ezra Khan as Ali and Nicholas Karimi as Asseff, alongside Antony Bunsee, Hanif Khan, Bhavin Bhatt, Johndeep More and Natasha Karp.

Transferring beginning June 8 at the Playhouse Theatre in London. Performances through July 29.

THE TRAVELING LADY by Horton Foote.

Directed by Austin Pendleton.

Featuring: Tony Award Winner Karen Ziemba, Larry Bull, Lynn Cohen, Angelina Fiordellisi, Jean Lichty, George Morfogen, Ron Piretti, PJ Sosko, and Jill Tanner.

The production is called "the unforgettable tale of an intrepid woman who journeys to a small town in 1950’s Texas to reunite with her husband upon his release from prison. A poignant story of loss and redemption."

The production’s design team includes Harry Feiner (Scenic & Lighting Design), Theresa Squire (Costume Design), Ryan Rumery (Sound Design & Original Compositions), Paul Huntley (Wig Design), Amy Stoller (Dialect Design & Dramaturg).

Performances begin on June 7; Opening Night is Set for June 22, 2017 at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City.

THE IMAGINARY INVALID written by Molière and reinvented by the theatre group Fiasco Theater.

Directed by Fiasco Co-Artistic Directors Jessie Austrian and Noah Brody.

In the outrageously funny masterpiece The Imaginary Invalid, the hypochondriac Argan wants his daughter to marry a doctor so he can save on his medical bills. But she’s in love with someone else. Soon the whole household joins in her madcap scheme to save true love and give Argan’s doctors a dose of their own medicine.

The cast includes Fiasco company members Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody, Paul L. Coffey, Andy Grotelueschen and Emily Young, as well as Kevin Hafso-Koppman and Jane Pfitsch.

The creative team also includes Takeshi Kata (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Russell H. Champa (Lighting Design), Melanie Chen (Sound Design), Fiasco Theater Co-Artistic Director Ben Steinfeld (Original Music and Music Director), Stephen Buescher (Movement), Jess Slocum (Production Stage Manager), and Pamela Salling (Stage Manager). The Tony award winning Old Globe-commissioned world premiere adaptation runs through July 2, 2017 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at the Old Globe in San Diego, CA.

WHO'S WHERE

BRUNO MARS on stage Monday June 5, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris. On Thursday he stars at the Halle Tony Garnier in Lyon, France.

NEIL DIAMOND performs Wednesday, June 7, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. On Friday he stars at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD. Next Sunday, he's in the spotlight at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

COLDPLAY performs Tuesday, June 6 in Munich, Germany at the Olympic Stadium. Thursday's show is in Decines-Charpieu, France at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Next Sunday, June 11, they can be found in Vienna, Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadion.

THE WEEKND two-time Grammy winner opens a two nighter on Tuesday, June 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. On Friday he performs at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH. Next Sunday, June 11, he appears at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN.

TIM McGRAW AND FAITH HILL are on stage Wednesday, June 7, at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB. On Friday the show is at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Saturday's stop is at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.

ED SHEERAN stars at the Parque Viva in Guácima, Costa Rica on Tuesday, June 6. Saturday's stop is in Mexico City, Mexico at the Palacio De Los Deportes.

GUY DAVIS performs June 8 at the International Children's Festival in Winnipeg, Canada. On June 11 he's on stage at The Forks in Manitoba, Canada.

FINAL OVATION

JIRI BELOHLAVEK chief conductor and music director of the Czech Philharmonic orchestra, died May 31, 2017 in Prague. He had suffered from a long term illness and was 71.

Belohlavek was in charge of several Czech orchestras, including Brno Philharmonic, Prague Symphony Orchestra and Prague Philharmonia. Abroad, he was involved with several musical ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, New York Philharmonic and others.

From 2006-2012, he was chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the honor of Commander of the British Empire.

His last performance was conducting Dvorak's Requiem in an appearance with the BBC SO on April 13, 2017.

His survived by his wife and two daughters.

ELLIOT MARTIN considered one of the pre-eminent producers of the American theater, died May 21, 2017 at his home in Norwalk, Conn. He was 93.

After a brief acting and singing career he was the production stage manager in 1956 of the original Broadway production of O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, one of a dozen Broadway shows he stage-managed.

Martin moved on the producing, mounting several acclaimed versions of Eugene O’Neill including A Moon for the Misbegotten in 1974, starring Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst and directed by José Quintero; August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come And Gone and David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross. Nominated nine times for the Tony Award, he was awarded a special Tony in 1974.

He produced other revivals, Off Broadway shows, national tours and summer stock; cultivated new playwrights; and served as the first director of the Center Theater Group of the Los Angeles Music Center.

Among his productions included four plays starring Rex Harrison; an Off Broadway organized-crime comedy called Breaking Legs that featured Philip Bosco, Larry Storch and Vincent Gardenia; and revivals of Mamet’s American Buffalo (1983), with Al Pacino;Arsenic and Old Lace (1986), with Jean Stapleton and Tony Roberts; and I’m Not Rappaport (2002), with Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen. The lights on Broadway theater marquees were dimmed in his memory for one minute on Friday night, June 2, 2017, before curtain time. He met the woman he would marry when he was cast in the original London production of Oklahoma, where he met and later married the singer Marjorie Cuesta Austin, who also became his casting director. She died in 2014. He is survived by their daughter Linda Martin Giannini, son, Richard; a sister, Lois Dunbar; three grandsons, and a great-granddaughter.

Next Column: June 11, 2017
Copyright: June 4, 2017 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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