Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: June 9, 2024
By: Laura Deni
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JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER WITH WEDDINGS AND JOHNNY CARSON'S UNUSUAL ONE

Las Vegas has been coined the marriage capital of the world, and it's become one of the premier destinations to host a wedding for many reasons. In fact, around 120,000 weddings are performed in Las Vegas every year.

Religious rites and the clothing associated with weddings have always been important, with white used to express high religious commitment and purity. In 2018, about 83% of brides in the United States wore white dresses at their wedding, according to a survey by Brides Magazine.

I don't remember what brought up the discussion, but decades ago I was informed that Johnny Carson's first wife, Jody Wolcott, was married in a blue bridal gown. John's brother Dick had served as best man. An interesting explanation ensued. John and Jody were married October 1, 1949 in a formal Episcopalian church ceremony in Nebraska.

Hailing from a highly successful, prominent, respected family, Jody had originally intended to wear a white gown. Her sisters Margaret and Jeanne would attend her dressed - in a shade of pink.

When John and Jody went to a required meeting with the Episcopalian priest - they disclosed that they thought Jody might be pregnant. Back then there was no such thing as a dip stick instant decision. You had a wait a couple of months, then get a rabbit, inject it with urine, kill it and operate to inspect its ovaries. The entire process took time. You didn't know the sex of the baby until birth.

The priest informed the bridal couple that no matter the outcome, since they had confessed that she wasn't a virgin, he would refuse to marry them if she wore white.

Back then, that was the typical response from a clergyman conducting a formal church wedding ceremony.

Interestingly, Jody's sister Margaret would eventually marry an Episcopal priest and remain extremely active in the Parishes her husband had served.

The decision handed down by the parish priest regarding the Carson nuptials led to a couple of changes. The bride wore a light, baby blue formal gown. Seventy-five years ago formal baby blue wedding gowns weren't easy to locate. They still aren't. I don't know whether she purchased a different dress, had one custom made or had one dyed ice blue. She also wore a formal, ice blue veil. Best man Dick said the outfit was gorgeous and he "told her she looked beautiful and I meant it." I've never seen any of the wedding photographs but apparently the icy blue wedding dress and veil photographed as white in black and white pictures.

As for the wedding attendants, their pinkish dresses stayed the same. What changed were the hats. Originally, they were to wear the then popular crown less, wide brimmed hats. That was changed to their wearing pink "baby bonnets," as Dick classified them. Correctly referred to as Juliet caps, they have been wore by female babies and toddlers for hundreds of years.

I voiced that it sounded more like a baby shower party than a wedding.

Dick grinned. "They confided to the minister and he used it against them. That was John's way of getting even."

(For people obsessed with all things Johnny Carson, the former Jody Wolcott eventually moved to Santa Barbara, CA where she was a regular financial contributor to the Santa Barbara Zoo.)

Iris van Herpen's 3D printed gown. PhotoL Facebook.

For those with unlimited wealth and a creative edge, you might consider a 3D printed creation.

Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, known for fusing technology with traditional haute couture craftsmanship, used a 3D printer to craft lawyer Mariana Pavani's new-age wedding dress — the first of its kind. It took a month to make.

“This was really a dream project for me, because 3D-printed fashions are in museums and on runways, but having it worn by someone on the most special day of her life, I think it’s really something else,” van Herpen told Women’s Wear Daily.

Van Herpen opened her own label Iris van Herpen in 2007. Born June 5, 1984 in Wamel, Netherlands she was educated at the ArtEZ University of the Arts. The creations of the fashion and costume designer are on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Or, how about wedding retro - the 1920s look - fashions which hid a lot of figure flaws and looked good on most body types.

Evan Hirsch's first bridal collection. Photo: Evan Hirsch.

Designer Evan Hirsch, best known for his eye popping convertible fashions wore by such stars as Tamron Hall, made his New York Bridal Week debut showcasing 1920s inspired wedding creations.

"The wedding gown is a major part of a wedding day, but what I’ve quickly learned is that it’s the combined elements: Venue, music, shoes, and atmosphere that make the day all the more special," says Hirsch. The dresses Hirsch featured "successfully struck a deft balance between historic reference and wholly modern bridal ease, which, according to the designer, is precisely what today's bride seeks."

"The vintage flare combined with the piano accompaniment and shoes provided by Claudia Lisotta made the entire event a cohesive success," mused Hirsch. The designer goes on to share, "My collection, reflective of convertibility through transforming rosette capes, satin circle skirts, and raised texture beaded tulle, was the perfect way to kick off my venture into the bridal world."

In Las Vegas, many wedding chapels rent gowns - mostly in white or ivory shades - sell flowers, photos and rings.

According to The Knot the average wedding cost rose to $35,000 in 2023, marking a significant increase over the previous two years. Wedding expenses vary dramatically by state, with New Jersey and Rhode Island being the priciest.

The latest data from The Knot and Zola, two of the largest wedding planning platforms, as well as Wedding Forward and Brides.com, reception venues and engagement rings top the list of wedding expenses, consuming a major portion of the budget.

With couples spending enough money on a one-day event to buy a car or put a down payment on a home - and with 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce - couples are beginning to have second thoughts and creative alternatives to stay grounded and within a budget.

First to have their cost viewed under the microscope - rings - engagement and wedding.

Gone are the days when the options are diamond or CZ.

Now there are man made diamonds and moissanite - both created in labs, as well as white sapphires and Swarovski.

According to Helzberg Diamonds, a Berkshire Hathaway company:
"Because lab grown diamonds and moissanites are created in dedicated facilities, they are both appealing, affordable options for people seeking stones that require no mining. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and structurally the same as natural diamonds, except they are man-made using highly specialized technology, equipment and responsibly sourced raw materials.

"Made from the silicon carbide, moissanite is often used as a diamond alternative due to its durability, sparkle and affordability.

"Created from a natural diamond seed, lab grown diamonds are structurally, chemically and visually identical to natural diamonds. The only difference is that they are created in dedicated facilities using complex processes, such as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).

"In the earth, moissanite is formed from the mineral silicon carbide. To create the brilliant gemstone in a lab, the naturally occurring process is duplicated through a combination of heat and pressure. Only experts can tell the difference."

White sapphires are real sapphires which come in many colors, including white. Those in the know, insist that white sapphires are a favorite of the Hollywood crowd, passing them off as real diamonds.

Anyone who thinks Swarovski is merely costume jewelry should go stand in the corner and act ashamed.

Swarovski is a name that denotes high quality, and has for decades.

Masters of Light Since 1895, founder Daniel Swarovski’s passion for innovation and design, and mastery of crystal cutting has defined Swarovski as the leading jewelry and accessories brand.

Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry mark a new chapter in their legacy of innovation. "Harnessing cutting-edge technology to grow beautiful diamonds in a laboratory, and styling them in innovative formations, the result is stunning jewelry designed to last a lifetime."

"Exquisitely set in precious metals, our Swarovski Created Diamond collections marry tradition and trends with distinctive designs. Swarovski’s heritage of creative savoir-faire, and limitless imagination in designing joyfully extravagant and elegant jewelry is beautifully expressed in this Swarovski Created Diamonds collections. The laboratory grown diamonds in the Swarovski Created Diamond Collections are very fine quality: G+ in color and VS+ in clarity."

Couples who have cost-cutted on the wedding and assorted trapping might think they have saved enough to have a child.

Think twice.

According to a US Department of Agriculture report, the average middle-income family spends between $12,000 and $14,000 on child-related expenses each year. Milestones extra.

Those milestones add up:

According to The Bash A Bat or Bar Mitsvah: "This milestone celebration typically costs anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000, although lots of people spend less or if you’re planning a bar/bat mitzvah party in NYC or LA you could spend upwards of $100,000. The main decisions that drive the budget are the number of guests, location, and whether you have Kiddush luncheon, a party, or both."

"On average, quince parties cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, but can run upwards of $50,000 depending on factors such as the number of guests and the location. If you will be planning a quince in the future, having an idea of the various costs involved can help you start formulating a budget."

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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

MUSEUM OF BAD ART (MOBA)

Peter the Kitty. Mrs. Jackson. oil on artboard, 10.5” x 7” Acquired from Salvation Army Thrift Store, Hyde Park, MA. The artist has evoked both hopelessness and glee with his irrational use of negative space. One of the earliest pieces in the MOBA collection, this was a favorite of MOBA staff and audience. "This is the condition in which it came to us and was included in the first MOBA book in 1996. It has deteriorated further and is now deemed beyond restoration. It is a fitting work to contemplate as we celebrate MOBA’s longevity."

celebrates 30 Years of Art Too Bad to Be Ignored on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the Dorchester Brewing Co, Boston.

MOBA’s first public exhibition, in the basement of a small house in West Roxbury, opened in 1994. Thirty years later their amazing gallery is in Dorchester with the milestone being celebrated. Festivities include:

Walls jammed with over 70 works of art. As always, each piece is shown with a MOBA interpretation.

Formal unveiling of an exciting new acquisition.

Rejection Collection Sale: each piece accompanied by a MOBA Certificate of Rejection. (Priced by the square foot!)

Brief slideshow to recapture highlights of MOBA’s last 30 years.

Presentation of a Lucy Award to an outstanding MOBA supporter.

Announcement of an important international undertaking.

Book signing by the authors of The Museum Of Bad Art: Masterworks.

There will be cake!

THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM HONORS JASON STUART with actor Guillermo Diaz, D.J. and Reality Star Paris Hilton among other Stars on Thursday June 13th at the historic Mac Factor Building for his contributions to entertainment Industry. Jason will be featured in an exhibit to showcase his career as an actor, comedian, filmmaker and LGBTQ Activist.

This is the 11th year annual celebration and has become a milestone event in showcasing the contributions of the LGBTQ community and its’ Allies have made in the entertainment Industry. The exhibit kicks off in honor of Gay Pride Month, curated by Bob Pranga.

The red carpet event includes a tour of the exhibits, photo opportunities with celebrities and a VIP party and award ceremony will follow on the June 13th opening. Donelle Dadigan President and Founder of the museum will preside. Jason will be performing Stand Up Comedy live and in person on June 15th for the Comedy Chateau Festival and again on July 20th at the Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood.

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SWEET CHARITY

AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY 3rd Annual Gala Benefit takes place Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Cutting Room in New York City.

The special show featuring Marilyn Maye will honor the award winning Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire with a Lifetime Achievement Award .Michael Lavine is the Director/Music Director/Host for this special event.

The All-Star Cast includes: Loni Ackerman, Danny Bacher, Barbara Blieier, Stephen Brinberg, Margery Cohen, Gretchen Cryer, Sean Harkness, Daniel Jenkins, Judy Kaye, Charlotte & Emily Maltby, Sally Mayes, Christiane Noll, Benjamin Pajak, Austin Pendleton, Steve Ross, Thom Sesma, Elena Shaddow, Jenny Lee Stern, Mark William, Walter Willison, Plus other surprises. The Band: Michael Lavine on piano, Steve Doyle on Bass, Daniel Glass on Drums, and Sean Harness on Guitar.

Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire both were sons of bandleaders; and attended Yale, where they first collaborated in 1958. Shire later went to L.A., where he started scoring for television and movies. In 1977, Shire reteamed with Maltby for the Off-Broadway revue Starting Here, Starting Now. Maltby had a solo success writing the book and some lyrics for the Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehaving. That same year, Shire’s adapted score to Saturday Night Fever winning a Grammy Award for Best Album.

A year later, Shire competed against himself for the best song at the Oscars, winning for "It Goes Like It Goes" from Norma Rae. In 1983, their first Broadway collaboration, was Baby. Maltby also directed and wrote lyrics for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance and adapted the libretto and lyrics for Miss Saigon into English. In 1989, Maltby and Shire collaborated another Off-Broadway revue, Closer Than Ever. Maltby was back on Broadway again as the lyricist for the musical Nick and Nora. In 1996, he and Shire wrote a musical version of the film Big, for which they were nominated for a best score Tony Award. In 1998, Shire was nominated for an Emmy for his score to the made-for-TV remake of Rear Window.

Established in 1980, as the New York Sheet Music Society, the American Popular Song Society (name changed in 2015) is a New York based, not-for-profit social organization, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the American Song Book, by providing a forum for discussion, education, performance, the encouragement of current songwriters to create new songs which extend the tradition, and the collection of classic sheet music and recordings.

THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY announces "Revelry," an exclusive fundraising soirée and gala concert set to take place on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Mead Hall and The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew Universit in Madison, New Jersey. The evening festivities will include cocktails and gourmet grazing, a fabulous silent auction, and an intimate concert performance by Tony Award-winner Matt Doyle, performing some favorites from Broadway and beyond.

"Broadway talent is nothing new on The Shakespeare Theatre stage, and we are thrilled to welcome Matt as the headliner of this new fundraising event. With just 308 seats, the intimate nature of the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is ideal. Experiencing Matt’s unique laid-back charm, humor, and celebrated vocal stylings in a space where no seat is more than 32 feet from the stage will be a truly unique up close and personal event,” says Artistic Director Brian Crowe. “A crucial part of our season, funds raised as part of the Revelry event all go to support The Shakespeare Theatre’s artistic and education initiatives."

Sponsors and VIP ticket holders will have the unique opportunity to meet Matt Doyle at an exclusive post-performance dessert reception. Proceeds from the event will directly and significantly benefit The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s artistic and education programming and help sustain its mission of bringing new, relevant life to the world's classics for our diverse community.

SPREADING THE WORD

TRIBECA FESTIVAL the annual spool off created by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, will screen short film generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This is a first with a "if you can't beat them - join them" attitude. The use of AI was a major sticking point in last summer’s Writer’s Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Tribeca opening their arms to the concept is either radical or visionary. Many feel the use of AI will increase jobs.

The Tribeca Festival runs through June 16.

STOMP the international percussion sensation, has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

June 14-16 at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO.

WILL GEER THEATRICUM BOTANICUM presents Holly Near in Concert. After 50 years of bold work, singer-songwriter-activist Holly Near remains a consistent voice for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought provoking and rooted in the global community. An outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly will be joined by Tammy Hall on piano; Jan Martinelli on bass; and Pat Humphries and Sandy O on vocals. One performance June 13 at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga CA.

COWS LIKE MUSIC preferring Beethoven to the Beatles. A soothing beat relaxes then according to psychologists at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Exposing a bovine to slow music increases milk yields.

Music researchers Dr. Adrian North and Liam MacKenzie tested the effects of music on 1000 Holstein cattle at two dairies. They piped in either fast (more than 120 beats per minute), slow (less than 100 beats per minute), or no music from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for 9 weeks.

The result? Cows that heard music such as Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" or Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" gave 3% more milk than the ones that heard no music. Fast, screechy music such as Bananarama's "Venus" seemed to cause a small decrease in production. According to their report in science.org; "Country, classical, reggae and lullaby music resulted in most cows appearing relaxed and one cow even fell asleep to the lullaby sounds.

THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER who is president of the Royal Academy of Music, attended a performance of theirs in London, while the Duke of Edinburgh who is patron of the National Youth Theatre attended their regularly scheduled meeting. Prince Edward has been the Patron of the National Youth Theatre since 1987 and has been involved with the theatre for much of his life.

FIRST EVER KETCHUP INSURANCE

Heinz Arabia has launched the world's first-ever ketchup insurance policy. The first of its kind insurance policy, vouched as one of 2024's "coolest marketing campaigns" by Google AI, received positive feedback from passionate Heinz fans, and increased sales of the iconic condiment by 18 per cent in the UAE," according to Arabian Business.

The insurance policy is a work of creative genius.

According to the company:
Incidents involving Heinz ketchup qualify. Other condiments, are simply not our jam.
Accidents only. Intentional ketchup catastrophes are not covered and considered Heinz Ketchup Insurance fraud, and you may be found guilty by the jury of the Heinz Ketchup Tribunal.
Claims must be submitted within 57 hours of the incident – just because.
All your details will be handled in secrecy – just like our 57’ secret recipe.
We trust the above information clears up any queries you may have regarding our service, and we hope it assists you as you satisfy your ketchup cravings moving forward.

A sampling of the 57 claims categories include:

#4 The Fountain: The claimant unwittingly sits on a sachet of Heinz ketchup, causing it to explode beneath them.

#10 Bed Red: The Claimant disperses ketchup droplets over self and surrounding perimeter. in a miscalculated squeeze attempt.

#11 The Whodunnit. The claimant discovers the spilt ketchup bot not the person who spilt it.

#35 Sorry Boss. The claimant causes a massive ketchup spill where they work, forcing them to apologize to their superior.

#36 Rose Colored Glasses: The claimant gets ketchup on their glasses and/or sunglasses, bringing an unwanted shade of red to their vision

#42 Insurance Spa Day: The claimant unknowingly applies ketchup to their facial area, in a similar style to a spa treatment

#50 The Bloody Mary. The claimant somehow squirts the ketchup into a nearby beverage, immediately affecting its flavor in either a good or bad way.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

PHILADELPHIA'S UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS has ceased operations. In a statement from Board Chair Judson Aaron and President Kerry Walk, cited financial troubles for the sudden closure of the institution which was founded in 1870. The loss of accreditation was due to University of the Arts' failure to provide the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (the governing body that adjudicated UA's accreditation) with a teach-out plan, essentially a path forward for the school's current students to continue their education at different institutions, per a release from MSCHE.

This last bit is a strange and likely not yet fully explained move on UA's part. The school's statement on its closure indicates some plans are in place for students. "We will support our continuing students in their progress to degree by developing seamless transfer pathways to our partners: Temple University, Drexel University, and Moore College of Art and Design, among others," the statement reads. Temple, for its part, has already revealed its own statement welcoming UA's students, as has New Jersey's Mason Gross School of the Arts.

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BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil.

Directed by Casey Hushion.

Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing.

Music Direction by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett.

Choreographed by Jennifer Werner.

Inspiring true story of love, heartbreak, and empowerment, featuring over two dozen hits, including "One Fine Day," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," and "Natural Woman."

Featuring Kyra Kennedy, Marrick Smith, Samantha Massell, Jacob Ben-Shmuel, Bryan Fenkart and Suzanne Grodner.

The creatives are: Scenic Coordination & Additional Design by Kelly James Tighe - Costume Design by Jen Caprio - Lighting Design by Jess Creager - Sound Design by Sun Hee Kil - Wig, Hair & Makeup Design by Roxanne De Luna - Casting by JZ Casting - Production Stage Management by Andrea Cibelli.

Performances through July 3, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.

THE BUTTER AND EGG MAN George S. Kaufman.

Directed by David Edwards.

The Butter and Egg Man is the only play George S. Kaufman wrote without a collaborator.

George S. Kaufman’s uproarious comedy takes a sidesplitting look behind the scenes of the theater world. According to Wictionary, in 1920s slang a "butter and egg man" was a "prosperous dairy farmer (or other wealthy rural citizen) … coming into the big city and ostentatiously living it up." In this play, he is a novice from Ohio, armed with nothing but a hefty inheritance and a dream of making it big on Broadway. But navigating the cutthroat world of theater isn’t easy, especially when you’re as green as grass and twice as naive. From shady producers with dollar signs in their eyes to temperamental divas with egos the size of Manhattan, the intrepid protagonist encounters a cast of characters as colorful as a Broadway marquee.

"With Kaufman’s signature wit and razor-sharp humor, The Butter and Egg Man gleefully skewers the absurdities of the entertainment industry. Every scene crackles with energy as our hero bumbles his way through rehearsals and opening nights, finding love and financial gain in the most unexpected places. But beneath the belly laughs lies a poignant commentary on the fleeting nature of success and the importance of staying true to oneself in a world where everyone is out for a buck and a place in the spotlight."

Featuring Susan Case, Kelly Gilmore, Beth Griffith, Dan Haft, Elizabeth Hayden, Tony Javed, Andrew Kaplan, Terry Rakov, Joe Symon, Carrie Wilder, and Dennis Wit.

The production is produced by Halina Malinowski, with scenic design by Harlan Penn, costume design by Katherine Roberson, and lighting design by Stephen Cornelius. Harrison H. Harper, is the stage manager. This production will use the original 1925 public domain version of the script.

Presented by Out of the Box Theatre Company , this Actors’ Equity Association–approved showcase production has performances June 18, 20–23, 2024 at the Bernie Wohl Center, New York City.

THE SUGAR WIFE written by Elizabeth Kuti.

Directed by Annabelle Comyn.

The Sugar Wife asks what happens when the delicate balance between marriage, morality and money is upset by the arrival of two visitors? "He has strong morals. As you will see in the show he doesn't always stand by what he says. He's a shapeshifter. He's like smoke."

Starring Siobhán Cullen, Chris Walley, Peter Gaynor, and Síofra Ní Éilí and Tierra Porter.

Never more relevant, The Sugar Wife runs on the Abbey stage in Dublin, Ireland from June 13th and must end on July 20th.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman. Music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith.

Directed and choreographed by Keenon Hooks.

Musical director Michael Wilkins.

Mushnik’s flower shop on Skid Row is about to go under, until Seymour, a tragically shy assistant, stumbles upon a new breed of plant with an unusual appetite - for blood. Little Shop of Horrors is a hilarious, musical hit and sci-fi homage to B-movies, that continues to devour the hearts of theater goers for over 30 years.

Featuring Billy Beard as Mr. Mushnik, Molly Dobbs as Audrey, Alexander Pimentel as Seymour Krelborn, Diva LaMarr as voice of the plant and George Walker as Orin Scrivello and others.

The creatives are: costume designer Caroline Rein; lighting designer Cody Soper; scenic designer Joe C. Klug.

On stage at the 700 seat, outdoor Solvang Festival Theatre June 13 - July 7, 2024 in Solvang, CA.

E-Book

Soft back Book

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.

FINAL OVATION

RICHARD MALOOF best known as the bass & tuba player from The Lawrence Welk Show died May 1, 2024. He was 84.

He also worked with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Maureen McGovern, Mel Torme, & Henry Mancini. At 20 he toured with Carmen Cavallaro. While in the U.S. Army he was stationed in Colorado with the prestigious NORAD Commanders Band. After his discharge he was hired to join the Lawrence Welk TV show, still seen today on PBS.

He is survived by Mary Lou, his wife of 50 years; brother, Terry, his sister Carolynn and their families. He was pre-deceased by his sister Darlene.

JANICE PAIGE who originated the role of Babe in the musical The Pajama Game died June 2, 2024. She was 101.

Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, Paige got her start singing at the Hollywood Canteen, a club in Los Angeles that was set up by the film studios to entertain military personnel during World War II. Soon, she caught the attention of movie executives. In 1944, Paige made her screen debut in Bathing Beauty, starring Esther Williams. She moved to New York City in 1950.

She made her Broadway debut in the 1951 comedy mystery Remains to Be Seen, achieving stage stardom in 1954 when she originated the role of Babe in the musical The Pajama Game. She had a string of successful Hollywood movies before returning to the Broadway stage in l963 to star in Here's Love (now known as Miracle on 34th Street The Musical), but in 1968, she fully focused her energies on musical theatre. When Angela Lansbury left the original Broadway production of Mame to take the show on tour, Paige was chosen to be the first Broadway replacement in the title role. Her presence re-established, Paige then appeared in touring productions of Annie Get Your Gun; Applause; Sweet Charity; Ballrooml Gypsy. and Guys and Dolls.

In 1984, she returned to Broadway in the play Alone Together.

She also enjoyed enormous success on television and in soap operas. In 2020, she published her memoir, Reading Between the Lines.

Paige was married three times, to restaurateur Frank Martinelli Jr., television producer Arthur Stander, and Oscar winning film composer Ray Gilbert. She outlived them all, and had no immediate survivors.

Next Column: June 16, 2024
Copyright: June 9, 2024 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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