Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: March 28, 2021
By: Laura Deni
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PARADISE BLUE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

It's 1949 in Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, and there's no better there It's 1949 in Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, and there is no better place to hear or play jazz than Paradise Club. Blue (Emmy Award winner, Grammy Award winner, and 2020 Tony Award nominee Blair Underwood), club owner and trumpeter, can wail like no other, but as forces outside the club conspire to irreparably change life inside and outside Paradise’s walls, he must decide whether to stay or sell. Beholden to his girlfriend (Grammy Award winner Kristolyn Lloyd) and fellow bandmates (Andre Holland and Keith Randolph Smith), Blue faces an uncertain future as he reckons with his troubled past. When Silver (Simone Missick), a smooth and mysterious newcomer from Louisiana, steps onto the scene, everyone in Paradise must choose how to survive and if they can thrive. Tony Award nominee and Obit winning Dominique Morisseau's drama, directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago - is masterful.

De'Adre Aziza as Silver - Andre Holland as P-Sam - Kristolyn Lloyd as Pumpkin - Keith Randolph Smith as Corn - Blair Underwood as Blue.

Racist language which is now acknowledged as being extremely offensive is used in what was standard for the time.

It's Detroit.

A raucous trumpet jazz intro segues into a mournful trumpet and then a bluesy segment.

The production opens with Pumpkin. She cooks, waits tables and serves as the housekeeper for the establishment which also rents rooms at $5.00 a week, which includes food and hot water. Pumpkin is also Blue's girl. He owns the place.

Possessing a gentle southern accent Pumpkin recites a poem - The Heart of a Woman who "goes forth with the dawn as a lone bird . . . has dreamed of the stars while it breaks, breaks, breaks ..."

Pumpkin says it's by Miss Georgia Douglas Johnson.

Georgia Blanche Douglas Camp Johnson, better known as Georgia Douglas Johnson, was an African-American poet, one of the earliest African-American female playwrights, and an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance.

Johnson wrote plays, a syndicated newspaper column, and four collections of poetry: The Heart of a Woman (1918), Bronze (1922), An Autumn Love Cycle (1928), and Share My World (1962).

Musicians gather at the Paradise Club which is both their home and performance space to eat breakfast. A sign is put up "Bassist Wanted, Ask for Blue."

A fight has resulted in the need a new bassist. Joe wanted more money and to be paid up front.

Blue who owns and runs Paradise Blue (which was so named before Blue took over) does things his way - for instance paying after the fact to make sure the musicians stick around to play.

P. Sam for Percussion Sam tends to support Joe. Corn the Piano Man is a company man, supporting Blue.

Blue's Black Bottom Quartet doesn't try to stop Joe from leaving after Joe also demanded solo time.

According to Blue, he's the only one who gets solo time. Blue says a guest band is being brought in until Joe is replaced. Band members say Blue has a tendency to turn a "little tiff" into the serious.

Blue announces that Pumpkin will be on stage singing during intermission. The band members aren't thrilled and feel Punkin is being showed favoritism.

Detroit's newly elected mayor has promised to get rid of the blight of the city and that means the surrounding buildings of the Paradise Club.

Pumpkin is distressed at the prospects of a changing neighborhood declaring "people in Black Bottom are like family."

A woman - with a walk - named Silver enters and rents a room for a month. She has a concealed gun and may have been responsible for her becoming a widow.

Silver says she came to Detroit "where colored folks are doing more than share croppin'" and Silver is lookin' for a new man. She recommends that Pumpkin, who has read poetry at the library and likes "soft words and takin' care of folks", get armed.

Haunting, vibrant trumpet solos by Blue are moving. When Pumpkin hears his trumpet she gets lost in the pain - and beauty. Pumpkin performs during intermission, establishing that she has a lovely, haunting voice.

Problems are more serious that just needing a new bassist. The neighborhood is undergoing serious changes. Blue gave his word and a handshake that he'd stay put, but now is selling out which goes into effort on Monday, "starting a train wreck".

Blue has put the club on the list to be sold for $10,000 and according to the musicians "selling everyone out."

Soft spoken Pumpkin, who is the workhorse keeping the club running, has her personal limits. In a powerful, surprise ending it is Pumpkin who makes the ultimate decision.

Excellent acting in a powerful, beautiful and mournful commentary on society and circumstances.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson Director: Darron West Sound Designer: Kenny Rampton Co-Compose:r Bill Sims, Jr. Co-Composer; Lloyd Davis, Jr. Stage Manager. Audio edited by Clean Cuts.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

ART AND ABOUT

THE ROARING TWENTIES AND THE SWINGING SIXTIES The revolutionary spirit of the 1920s and the 1960s influenced women's fashion in remarkably similar ways.

During the "Roaring Twenties," Western women's fashion underwent a major transition. The silhouette simplified, hemlines were shortened, and waistlines dropped to hip level. Fashion designers used this tubular silhouette as a canvas for modern art movements such as Cubism and the Art Deco style.

Fast-paced jazz music also characterized this decade, and dance crazes helped to change women’s fashion. Eveningwear often incorporated dazzling embellishments, like glass beads and sequins that caught the light while dancing.

During the "Swinging Sixties," the fashionability of the A-line shift dress and the youthful mini skirt evoked the silhouette of the 1920s. Like the earlier styles, these simple shapes were an ideal canvas for new modern art movements like Pop and Op Art, as well as the futuristic Space Age trend. However, 1960s fashion was also fueled by nostalgia for the past. Styles of the 1920s were revived through vintage markets and by designers like Norman Norell and Yves Saint Laurent.

Both eras experienced tumultuous cultural changes, resulting in revolutionary shifts in fashion. Similarly to the twenties and sixties, movements for social justice and racial and gender equality characterized 2020. The Roaring Twenties and The Swinging Sixties invites you to consider the effects of contemporary social movements, protests against oppression, and civil unrest on current fashions, and how today's style changes might compare to those that occurred during the 1920s and 1960s.

Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

CARL REINER ARCHIVES will be donated to the National Comedy Center which they will name its ongoing preservation work in his honor: The Carl Reiner Department of Archives and Preservation.

Reiner's career archives include thousands of pages of creative papers; unpublished comedy material rare photographs and footage; and industry awards. The comprehensive collection includes annotated drafts of scripts written by Reiner throughout his career - including Your Show of Shows sketches, all 158 Dick Van Dyke Show scripts, and his film screenplays. The Carl Reiner Department of Archives and Preservation collects and preserves materials that illuminate the history of comedy, and supports exhibit development, academic research, and educational outreach.

Since opening in 2018, the Center has collaborated with artists and estates to preserve materials that represent comedy’s great contributions to our culture: from Charlie Chaplin's cane, Lucille Ball's polka-dotted dress, and Lenny Bruce's court transcripts to Johnny Carson's Tonight Show monologues, scripts from the Saturday Night Live writer's room, and George Carlin's 27,000-piece archive of creative papers.

The museum incorporates audiovisual media, archival collections, and interactive technologies to educate visitors about comedy's innovators and artists, from Jerry Lewis and Carol Burnett to Andy Kaufman and Richard Pryor, from Eddie Murphy and Harold Ramis to Phyllis Diller and Tina Fey.

The National Comedy Center is located in Jamestown, NY.

SACRED DREAMS BY MIRA LEHR has been donated by New York based collector Dr. Robert B. Feldman to the Jewish Mueum of Florida.

Sacred Dreams features 183 aerial sculptures - formed from dyed Japanese paper, acrylic, ink and resin - descending from the ceiling of the museum with an estimated value of $300,000.

The installation is currently on view at the museum as a temporary loan from Dr. Feldman, and will become part of the museum's permanent collection in September.

The museum is centrally located in South Beach, in the heart of Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach. Dr. Feldman previously lived in Florida, and was known for having "one of the most important collections of contemporary art in Florida."

The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of more than 250 years of Florida Jewish history, art and culture with a growing collection of more than 100,000 items.

Nationally renowned as an eco-feminist artist, Lehr is celebrated for working with imagery from the natural world, creating layered abstract compositions with unconventional materials. The 60 Minutes television correspondent Morley Safer referred to her as "the mistress of light."

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SWEET CHARITY

THE 11th ANNUAL BROADWAY BELTS FOR PFF! hosted by Broadway actress and comedienne Julie Halstonshowcased 35 Broadway stars in a virtual benefit for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). The event, which broadcasted live on March 12, raised over $346,000 to fight pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a life-threatening disease affecting more than 200K Americans.

For the first time, Broadway Belts for PFF! was presented in a virtual format and was live streamed on the PFF’s YouTube and Facebook channels. The event joined forces with Halston's popular You Tube series, Virtual Halston, and featured co-host, Jim Caruso and Ruby Locknar.

The evening featured a dazzling lineup of stars belting out their favorite tunes to support those living with PF. Robert Creighton, Christine Ebersole, Darlene Love, Andrew Rannells, and Max Von Essen inspired viewers with their performances.

Special appearances included: Annaleigh Ashford Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harvey Fierstein, Montego Glover, Ann Harada, James Monroe Iglehart, and Mary Testa.

The third annual Ralph Howard Legacy Award was presented to PF advocate and PFF Board Member, Laurie Chandler. After a diagnosis of PF in her 50s, Chandler received a lung transplant. She has volunteered tirelessly for the PF community and has been at the forefront of supporting the PFF's efforts to accelerate research and improve patient care. The award is named after Ralph Howard, Julie Halston’s late husband, who received a life-extending lung transplant and had a miraculous eight extra years of life before succumbing to complications of PF in 2018. He was a strong advocate for local community involvement and mentorship.

To culminate the evening, the Broadway Belts Chorus delighted viewers with a glorious rendition of the Wicked hit, For Good produced by Jonathan Hawkins & To the Muse. Members of the Broadway Belts Chorus included Colleen Ballinger, Christina Bianco, Charl Brown, Diana DeGarmo, Natalie Douglas, Aisha de Haas, Jessica Hendy, Nicolas King, Telly Leung, Ruby Locknar, Sally Mayes, Jane Monheit, Susie Mosher, T. Oliver Reid, Justin "Squigs" Robertson, Marissa Rosen, Victoria Shaw, Billy Stritch, Gene Taylor, Melanie Taylor, Marty Thomas, Rachel Ulanet, and Ace Young.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high-quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. The PFF has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau and National Health Council accredited charity.

THE WELLSONGS PROJECT SENSITIVE AND EMPOWERING

The Wellsongs Project a collection of 14 new songs plus two bonus tracts performed by a Broadway cast, has been released by Broadway Records. All proceeds from the album go towards providing performing arts opportunities for children with special needs.

The all-star cast features Kate Baldwin, Christine Andreas, Lisa Howard, Ethan Slater, Jason Gotay, Margo Seibert, Allie Trimm, Lisa Brescia, Bradley Gibson, Halle Hunt, Marissa McGowan, Michael Mendez, Will Reynolds, and Vishal Vaidya.

A massive undertaking, The Wellsongs Project is the brainchild of Dr. Michael A. Pizzi, Associate Professor, Dominican College, Department of Occupational Therapy and Wellness Coordinator, St. Dominic's Convent.

The Occupational Therapist, who is also a member of Equity, is Founder/Executive Director of Touching Humanity, Inc.

As an actor, he's appeared in 1776 at Goodspeed Opera House, and regional productions of Sweeney Todd; Into the Woods; Jesus Christ Superstar; Anything Goes; Man of LaMancha; Bye Bye Birdie; Shadow Box; A Christmas Carol; and another 1776 at the DAR in Washington, DC with members of Congress.

Pizzi's accomplished work with special needs children and their families inspired him to look for a way to give them a voice with which they could empower more fully. "Those children and families are the heroes among us," said Pizzi. "I brought composers with me to interview these children and their families, then each composer would write a song for and about each child. The project eventually took on a life of it's own as The Wellsongs Project, creating awareness that disability does not mean inability."

The project is designed to give voice to those who are marginalized, and those deserving to have a voice in the world. A special concert was presented at The York theatre in NYC as a unique event sharing the amazing compositions of all the original songs, sung by Broadway artists.

This CD is accompanied by a lush booklet complete with photos and background information about each song. The booklet has photos by Michael A. Pizzi and package design by Robbie Rozelle. The Wellsongs Project is produced by Michael A. Pizzi with music direction and orchestrations by Brian Cavanagh-Strong.

This is a recording with dual considerations.

As a charity release it is exceptional.

This project is a major undertaking that most individuals would find too daunting to even attempt. The stories of these children put into song are not maudlin, pity me, sob story downers. Rather, they are sensitive, enlightening, and hopeful. Beautiful, thoughtful compositions about the special needs of each child. The lyrics address not just those issues, but emotions that are experienced, at one time or another, by everyone.

From a musical release standpoint, with an intent to appeal to the masses, a smidgen of tweaking needs to occur. Frequently, the piano is equal to or overpowers not just the singer, but even the other instruments.

The importance of backup musicians staying appropriately in the background is because they are part of an ensemble, not a solo segment; if the music is in competition with the singer, then it becomes difficult to understand the lyrics and the composition isn't appreciated or enjoyable as it could be.

A sampling:

Although Tract 1 Sunshine starts out with a pleasant sounding piano backing Marisa McGowan's soft voice, the repetitive piano bars become tiresome followed by somebody turning up the sound on the instruments.

Tract 2 My Perfect Day sung by Lisa Brescia also has too many repetitive piano bars and the 88er is loud.

Tract 3 One One Direction is an uptempo, perky selection delivered by Vishal Vaida - again with a too dominate piano. It's as though the other musicians wasted bus fare.

On Tract 4 My Very Own Dog performed by Margo Seibert the listener can sometimes hear the drummer, but the music is too loud.

Tract 5 Gretta sung by Will Reynolds - about a young lady confined to a wheel chair and a breathing ventilator - is softer and more introspective.

Ethan Slater performs Tract 6 Nothing Like Being on a Train in which the drummer does plays a key role keeping the beat of train wheels, but the energy pick up also means an uptick in sound, which isn't necessary.

Para Ti (Tract 11) sung by Michael Mendez is one of the most powerful tracts and, for the most part, has well balanced sound.

Tract 12 The Mother's Touch featuring the beautiful soprano voice of Liza Howard is also well balanced.

Tract 13 Gordon showcasing the gorgeous voice of Kate Baldwin who takes control of the composition and isn't drowned out by the musicians - although that piano builds to the excessive level before becoming appropriately soft.

15. Bonus Tract 15 I Love You sung by Michael Pizzi who possesses an excellent voice and delivers a sensational rendition. Likewise Bonus Tract 16 Para Ti sung by Juan is exceptional, although the backup music can be too intense.

Musicians:
Piano/keyboard: Brian Cavanagh-Strong. Acoustic/Electric Guitars: Jahn Sood. Electric bass: Amanda Ruzza. Acostic Bass (Tract 6) Michael Preeen. Drums: Emma Ford. Drums (Tract 6) Jeremy Yaddaw. Violin: Leah Asher. Cello: Sam Quiggins.

Recording engineer James Yost. Mixing engineer Jahn Sood. Mastering Patrick Derivaz.

Recorded at Reserves Studios and Mirrorhand Studios. Mastered at Pad Productions.

1. Sunshine (Marissa McGowan) Music and lyrics by Brett Boles
2. My Perfect Day (Lisa Brescia) Music and lyrics by Nicky Phillips
3. One One Direction (Vishal Vaidya) Music by Rick Bassett, lyrics by Jessica Fleitman
4. My Very Own Dog (Margo Seibert) Music by Jeff Saver, lyrics by Amanda Yesnowitz
5. Greta (Will Reynolds) Music and lyrics by Grace Goodrich
6. Nothing Like Being on a Train (Ethan Slater) Music by Jeff Saver, lyrics by Amanda Yesnowitz
7. Cheer Girl (Allie Trimm) Music and lyrics by Nicky Phillips
8. Erin (Bradley Gibson) Music and lyrics by Jenna Pasqua
9. Spaceship (Jason Gotay) Music and lyrics by Jahn Sood
10. I Love You (Halle Hunt) Music and lyrics by Brett Boles
11. Para Ti (Michael Mendez) Music and lyrics by Breet Boles
12. The Mother's Touch (Lisa Howard) Music and lyrics by Ben Bonnema
13. Gordon (Kate Baldwin) Music and lyrics by Brett Boles
14. Something Beautiful (Christine Andreas) Music by Ben Boecker, lyrics by Ben Boecker and Michael Pizzi
15. Bonus Tract: I Love You sung by Michaek Pizzi
16. Bonus Tract: Para Ti sung by Juan.

SPREADING THE WORD

THE CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRE in Minnesotra made international headlines when it announced it was cancelling its production of Cinderella because the cast was 98% white. The astounded reaction was because Chanhassen, a suburb of Minneapolis, is 92 percent White, 3 percent Hispanic and 1 percent Black, according to recent Census data.

"It was 98 percent White," the theatre's director, Michael Brindisi, said of Cinderella. "That doesn't work with what we are saying we're going to do."

The production company has hired a diversity consultant and says it plans to focus on becoming "a more intentionally anti-racist theater" with "identity-conscious casting," it said in a statement.

"After careful consideration and with our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we have made the decision to cancel our upcoming production," it states.

"In addition to changing future programming, we are establishing new pre-production protocols. We will be inviting and paying [Black, Indigenous, People of Color] artists to analyze the production with our creative teams through a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens."

GOODSPEED MUSICALS Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton and Managing Director David B. Byrd have announced programming changes for the Tony Award-winning theater's 2021 season. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to get back into the theatre in June as we had originally planned. Based on what we know now about the state of Connecticut reopening guidelines, the need for continued social distancing and the safety protocols required by the unions representing our artists, we will not be able to fully reopen indoors this summer.” Mr. Byrd stated. "We are focused on ways to ensure that when we reopen, it will be as safe as possible for our audience, staff and performers," he added.

As a result, the much-anticipated production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific will be delayed and is projected to open in September. Anne of Green Gables will be moved to Goodspeed's 2022 season.

VIRGIN HOTELS IN LAS VEGAS has opened boasting no resort fees, no parking fees and free wi-fi.

Now operated by Mohegan Sun Gaming, it previously operated as the Hard Rock Hotel from 1995 to 2020, before closing for a $200M renovation to be rebranded as Virgin Hotels.

Features include a casino, pools, bars, lounges, restaurants, & nightlife venues.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 65th anniversary of the movie's release takes place today, Sunday, March 28, 2021 with screenings in selected movie theatres as well as performance venues such as the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT where they stress they are "following Connecticut Safety Guidelines in order to continually serve and protect our patrons and community. We ask that you observe the following: Purchase concession via our mobile site. Available up to two hours prior to the start of the movie- you can pick up your concessions on your way in! The app will be open throughout the film as well. Ushers will seat you. All tickets are General Admission. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the lobby and bathrooms. And remember:facemasks are required at all times! Please maintain a 6 foot distance from others."

DeMille's film dramatizes the life of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who becomes the deliverer of his real brethren, the enslaved Hebrews and thereafter leads the Exodus to Mount Sinai, where he receives the Ten Commandments from God. Running close to four hours (with an intermission), The Ten Commandments stars Charlton Heston in the title role, with its massive supporting cast including Yul Brynner as Rameses, Anne Baxter as Nefretiri, Edward G. Robinson as Dathan, Yvonne De Carlo as Sephora, Martha Scott as Yochabel, Judith Anderson as Memnet, and Vincent Price as Baka.

Filmed on location in Egypt, Mount Sinai, and the Sinai Peninsula, the film, which took two years to complete, was DeMille's last and most successful work. It is a partial remake of his 1923 silent film of the same title, and features one of the largest sets ever created for a film; at the time of its release, it was the most expensive film ever made. In 1957, The Ten Commandments was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

The scene of the parting of the Red Sea was achieved by using large dunk tanks flooded with Jello. The film was then shown in reverse to achieve the illusion of the sea being 'parted'. Gelatin was added to the tanks to give the water a sea-like consistency.

Did you know that: Once Yul Brenner learned that he would be playing a role shirtless for the better part of the film (and also playing the role opposite Charlton Heston as Moses) he began a very rigorous weight training program to bulk up. He didn’t want to be physically overshadowed by or compared to Heston.

Director DeMille picked Charlton Heston for the role because he resembled Michelangelo's statue of Moses in Rome, Italy.

Charlton Heston, who played the role of the adult Moses, actually had a son who played the infant Moses shown at the beginning of the film. His newborn son Fraser was about three months old at the time and DeMille purposely planned out the timing of the scene so Fraser would be taken out of the basket at the same age that the real-life baby Moses was.

Additionally, DeMille won the Foreign Language Press Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director, while Heston was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama).

DeMille's legendary epic is also one of the most financially successful films ever made. Produced for a cost of $13.5 million (nearly $120 million today), the biblical drama was, at the time, the most expensive movie ever made, and its initial release took in $122.7 million worldwide ($1.2 billion today). at the box office during its initial release, and was the most successful film of 1956 and second-highest-grossing movie of the decade. According to Guinness World Records, in terms of theatrical exhibition, it is the eighth-most-successful film of all-time when the box office gross is adjusted for inflation.

In 1999, The Ten Commandments was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." In June of 2008, the American Film Institute revealed its 10 Top Ten, the best 10 films in 10 American genres, and DeMille's work was listed as the 10th best film in the genre of "epic." Network television has also aired the 1956 movie in primetime during the Passover/Easter season every year since 1973.






SEN. MITT ROMNEY of Utah has been named the recipient of The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, created in 1989 by members of President Kennedy's family to honor President John F. Kennedy and to recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most. The award recognizes a public official (or officials) at the federal, state or local level whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage, President Kennedy's 1957 Pulitzer prize-winning book, which recounts the stories of eight U.S. Senators who risked their careers by embracing unpopular positions for the greater good.

Romney was honored for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial "and his consistent and courageous defense of democracy."

"He was willing to risk his career and his popularity within his own party to do what's right for our country and to follow his conscience and Constitution and his impeachment votes," former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy told NBC News chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander on Friday in an exclusive interview on the Today show.

Romney is the first senator in U.S. history to vote to convict a president in his own party. Trump was acquitted of allegations that he had solicited foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election.

Caroline Kennedy's son, Jack Schlossberg, 28, said that Romney's actions proved "that courage and faith and integrity are not outdated, and that politics can still be a noble profession."

The award is represented by a sterling silver lantern, modeled after the lantern on the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. The lantern was designed by Edwin Schlossberg and crafted by Tiffany & Co.

In his design summary for the presentation piece, Schlossberg wrote:

"We chose a ship's lantern as the most appropriate design solution for this award. The design of the presentation piece must be strong enough to enable it to become a clearly identifiable public symbol of the Profile in Courage Award. The physical presence of this piece should reflect the meaning and significance of the award. It must also be a handsome and elegant object; one which is distinctive, unique, yet easily recognizable. We believe a ship’s lantern best meets these goals. The sterling silver Profile in Courage lantern is a timeless symbol of humanity and a very special tribute to the man who inspires this award."

The Profile in Courage Award is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. A distinguished bipartisan committee named by the Foundation reviews all nominations, and selects the recipient or recipients of the award.

The award is presented each May at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in connection with the observance of President Kennedy's birthday on May 29.

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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.

FINAL OVATION

GEORGE SEGAL Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner died March 23, 2021 from complications from bypass surgery in Santa Rosa, California. He was 87.

Segal got his start on the stage. Segal studied at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen and got a job as an understudy in the 1956 off-Broadway production of The Iceman Cometh starring Jason Robards. He appeared in Antony and Cleopatra for Joseph Papp and joined an improvisational group called The Premise, which performed at a Bleecker Street coffeehouse. Segal continued to perform on Broadway with roles in Gideon (1961-62) by Paddy Chayefsky, which ran for 236 performances, as well as Rattle of a Simple Man (1963), an adaptation of a British hit, with Tammy Grimes and Edward Woodward.

He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and won two Golden Globe Awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in A Touch of Class.

On television, he is best known for his roles as Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me! (1997-2003) and as Albert "Pops" Solomon on The Goldbergs (2013-2021). Segal was also an accomplished banjo player. He released three albums and performed with the instrument in several of his acting roles and on late-night television. Segal was married three times. He married film editor Marion Segal Freed in 1956, who would go on to work as an associate producer or editor on three of his films. They had two daughters and would divorce. From 1983 until her death in 1996, he was married to Linda Rogoff, a one-time manager of The Pointer Sisters whom he met at Carnegie Hall when he played the banjo with his band the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band. He married his former George School boarding school classmate Sonia Schultz Greenbaum in 1996.

Next Column: April 4, 2021
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Laura Deni

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