Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: November 19, 2017
By: Laura Deni
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THE BAND'S VISIT STOPS ON BROADWAY

Tony Shalhoub stars in The Band's Visit at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. Photo: Matthew Murphy

This band will flawlessly play your heartstrings.

Wonderful, heartwarming, uplifting, delightful and special. This is one of the rare productions where there aren't enough superlatives. This creation with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, a book by Itamar Moses and directed by David Cromer blends sensitivity and realism into a utterly charming musical.

Featuring: Katrina Lenk, Tony Shalhoub, John Cariani, Ari'el Stachel, George Abud, Andrew Polk, Bill Army, Etai Benson, Adam Kantor, Rachel Prather, Jonathan Raviv, Sharone Sayegh, Kristen Sieh and Alok Tewari.

I fell in love with this delicate delight when it was staged off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theatre Company. Most shows don't make the leap from off-Broadway to The Great White Way. For the few that do, there are no guarantees, especially where the production is one of emotional intimacy. The Band's Visit is a glorious success story.

For those who saw the Off-Broadway version, this mounting has a few slight script changes and updated musical arrangements.

"Once not long ago a group of musicians came to Israel from Egypt. You probably didn't hear about it. It wasn't very important." The brief introduction is projected on a scrim.

However, the emotions of The Band's Visit will stay with you long after the show is over.

I became a fan of Tony Shalhoub who stars as repressed bandleader Tewfiq when he starred in his Emmy Award winning title character role in Monk. His Broadway appearances have resulted in Tony Award nominations. His nuanced, tour de force performance in this show is exquisite as the emotionally uptight and outwardly reserved musical conductor.

The boys in sky blue arrive in the wrong city thanks to language translation glitch. Photo: Matthew Murphy

The story of The Band's Visit begins in 1996. The Egyptian Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, has been invited to perform at the opening of an Arab Cultural Center in the metropolitan city of Petah Tikvah (which is a real city founded in 1878, whose name means Opening of Hope in Hebrew and today is one of Israel's leading business and technology center).

The band's trumpet player Haled (Ari'el Stachel), is a Chet Baker fanatic who sees himself as a chick magnet. He attempts to impress the comely woman behind the ticket counter and becomes distracted by her charms. A language translation issue with the letter "P," or the lack of one, led to a mix-up on their tickets, resulting in the band arriving - not at their destination - but at an insignificant, passing through spot in the middle of the Negev desert, the (fictional) Bet Hatikva.

Stranded for the night the musicians take refuge in the local cafe owned by Dina (Katrina Lenk). Photo: Matthew Murphy

With no bus until morning and no hotel in which to bed down, local cafe owner Dina, (the sensational Katrina Lenk who deserves to be a household name) takes pity and arranged for locals to take in the musicians for the night. For that one night their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected - and perhaps everlasting - ways. The Band's Visit "celebrates the deeply human ways music, longing and laughter can connect us all."

Being misdirected to the wrong location seems almost anti-climatic for this group of musicians whose lifeline appears to have always been frayed. Likewise, the residents make due with a no-hope lifestyle. They have learned to relish - existing. Waiting, introduces the inhabitants to the musicians and the audience.

"Sometimes it feels like we're moving in a circle/ Around and around with the same scenery going by," one of them sings in a clever and effective combination of directing and scenic design with Scott Paske's central turntable set. Tyler Micoleau's delicate lighting cradles both repressed feelings as well as unrealistic hopes for a future which will never be better than their own realities.

The music, which could have been too ethnic and thus totally annoying, is exquisite and enjoyable. The lyrics are always smart and sometimes deadpan sarcastic or gently introspective.

Perhaps to kill time, perhaps to be courteous and polite, or perhaps she finds this Egyptian man in the baby blue suit intriguing, Dina convinces Tewfig to accompany her for dinner and an evening walk around town. Tewfig is always cautious and composed, while Dina displays a longing. You sense men passing through have promised Dina a better existence and then return her to her spot at the side of the road.

In one of the most moving scenes Tewfig explains what he feels when conducting. Katrina Lenk as Dina and Tony Shalhoub as Tewfiq. Photo: Matthew Murphy

Since childhood her dreams were of Egypt, so mysterious and romantic.

“Dark and thrilling, strange and sweet,” Dina sings about her perception of Egyptian culture. Wistful dreams help get her through the day. She sings of the jasmine wind in the ballad Omar Sharif. She longs for better but knows her existence will forever be what is currently under her feet.

Members of his ceremonial police orchestra are on stage playing incidental music. Andrea Grody, Conductor/keyboards - Alexandra Eckhardt, electric and acoustic bass - Ossama Farouk playing the Darbouka and Riq - Philip Mayer, drums and Arabic percussion - Jeff Theiss Associate conductor/keyboards - Sam Sadigursky on the clarinet, saxophones and flute - Harvey Valdes playing the Oud and guitars - Gara Yellin on cello.

They don't distract. The music Soraya and Haj-Butrus and the musicians' appearance on stage isn't part of the scenery; rather, important to the story.

In one of the high points of the show, Dina asks Tewfig to explain the feelings he experiences when creating music with his orchestra, and to sing for her in Arabic.

His stiff demeanor is protective support for his emotional baggage. If for only a few moments, it is pierced.

Listening to Tewfiq sing in Arabic, Dina ponders, “Is he singing about wishing?” She wonders: “I don’t know what I feel, and I don’t know what I know/All I know is I feel something different.”

Their singing Something Different is lovely.

For a hopeful heartbeat their magnetism is electric and engulfing. Then aching reality, like a musical crescendo, brings them back to lives of piercing disappointment. The chemistry between these two characters and and the actors who bring them to life is spellbinding.

Rachel Prather as Julia, Etai Benson as Papi and Ari'el Stachel as Haled. Photo: Matthew Murphy

So is the entire musical.

The is profound attention to detail. An unlit cigarette constantly dangles from the mouth of a violinist (George Abud) helps describe the generation and the area's atmosphere.

During the evening the band members look over the residents and the town, whose main attraction is a roller rink.

Egyptians and a group of Israelis. Refreshingly and virtually void of politics, religion or war.

Emotionally they connect. Linguistically, they don't. To communicate they speak in broken English. In one scene the charming pick up artist Haled goes along with introverted town resident Papi (Etai Benson) on a double date at the roller rink to wordlessly teach him how to pick up girls as roller skating music blares: Boney M's Sunny.

Clarinetist Simon (Alok Tewari) and violinist Camal (George Abud) spend the night in the home of unemployed, brow beaten Itzik (John Cariani) and his disillusioned and miserable wife Iris (Kristen Sieh) who views her husband with disdain. They sit down to the dinner table and are joined by Iris' widowed father Avrum (Andrew Polk).

A family dinner displays their true emotions. Kristen Sieh as Iris, John Cariani as Itzik, Alok Tewari as Simon, Andrew Polk as Avrum and George Abud as Camal. Photo: Matthew Murphy

In a marriage propelled by tension, a soft spot is Itzik's Lullaby which he sings to their child. Ayrum also remembers once being a young man in love with the invigorating Beat of Your Heart.

All members of this ensemble piece are skilled at portraying the layered depth of their characters.

The show ends with - waiting - hoping. An Israeli boy (Adam Kantor as The Telephone Guy) emotionally desperate to hear from his girlfriend, spends the night standing by the town's public payphone, anxious for the right voice to transmit through the telephone cord life saving relief. Jarring lighting diabolize and deranges his angst.

Perhaps a metaphor for life in general. The waiting, longing, desperation; always settling for less than what is desired - even a voice over a phone.

Telephone Boy sings the passionate and yearning Answer Me. He's joined by the entire cast delivering a moving and sincere expression of desire and determination.

You'll leave the theater happy. This is an uplifting show which demonstrates why one should make the most out of just one night - or maybe even simply a moment.

Tickets to The Band's Visit would make a lovely holiday present for anyone you like - and that should include yourself.

Costume designer: Sarah Laux. Sound designer: Kai Harada. Projection designer: Maya Ciarrocchi. Orchestrations: Jamshied Sharifi. Music supervisors: Andrea Grody, Dean Sharenow. Music director & additional arrangements: Andrea Grody. Choreographer: Patrick McCollum.










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ART AND ABOUT

NORMAN ROCKWELL'S CHRISTMAS

Christmas Surprise, an illustration by Norman Rockwell for Hallmark Cards. Hallmark Cards

a display of more than 50 pieces related to famed illustrator Norman Rockwell, (1894-1978) who was commissioned by the Kansas City greeting card company to produce original work.

Rockwell produced art for more than 150 companies throughout his lifetime, including magazine covers for The Saturday Evening Post and annual calendars for the Boy Scouts of America. However, among his most enduring images are his Christmas paintings for Hallmark Cards. Reproduced often and in many contexts, they helped define the spirit and traditions of the holiday season for many Americans. The heartwarming and humorous images have also come to exemplify Rockwell’s unique brand of pictorial storytelling.

The materials cover the period 1948-57 and include oils, watercolors and pencil drawings as well as photographs, vintage Hallmark cards and correspondence with Hallmark founder J.C. Hall. The images are from the Hallmark Art Collection and were created for use on Hallmark Christmas cards and other products.

In addition to the holiday-themed material, the exhibit includes Rockwell’s original 1951 oil painting The Kansas City Spirit.

The exhibit runs through January 27, 2018 at the Hallmark Visitors Center in Kansas City, MO.

SWEET CHARITY

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION has announced more than $6.1 million in grants to 77 organizations addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in critical and innovative ways. This is the first of two grant cycles for 2017 and builds on the Foundation’s ongoing support for organizations throughout the Americas and Caribbean.

DUCHESS CAMILLA TO ATTEND CEREMONY HONORING JOURNALISTS KILLED

Duchess Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles, will attend a commemoration ceremony at St. Bride’s Church in the heart of London to honor journalists who were killed while "bringing us the truth."

Saint Bridgit, Saint Brigid of Kildare, or Brigid of Ireland is known in Scotland and England as Saint Bride and is the Patron Saint of Journalists.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is a patron of the Guild of St Bride.

The church, on Fleet Street, regards itself as a spiritual home for journalists throughout the world.

The November 21, 2017 event held at the Fleet Street church will also honor those members who work behind the scenes killed such as camera crew and other support staff.

"ur ministry to journalists and to those working in every area of the media industry, remains one of the most important and distinctive aspects of our life at St Bride's" stresses the church. "This is never more apparent than at our annual Journalists' Commemorative Service, which is attended by leading figures in the world of the press, television, radio, and digital media. During the service we light candles for journalists and their support staff who have died or who have been killed on the front-line this year; we remember also those who are missing, imprisoned, or held hostage; and we also hold in prayer those who are out in the field, covering stories at great personal risk to themselves."

A St. Bride’s church spokesperson said the event would help: “remind us that there are many journalists who are missing or held captive, and many more who continue to report at great risk”.

Sky News foreign affairs editor Sam Kiley will deliver this year’s address. James Irving.

St Bride’s head of operations said: “We demand a great deal of our journalists, foreign correspondents, camera-crew and support staff, expecting them to keep us informed about difficult and dangerous situations in the trouble spots of the world.

“We will be honoring those who have paid the ultimate price in bringing us the truth as they see it, as well as celebrating the profession of journalism, and the priceless value of free speech”

St. Bride’s churchyard served as site for London’s first printing press with movable type in 1501. Wynkyn de Worde, apprentice to inventor of the press William Caxton, brought the press to the churchyard, thus linking St. Bride’s with the growing world of printing and journalism. Worde is buried inside the church.

Other notable people include English naval administrator and Member of Parliament Samuel Pepys, who was baptized at St. Bride’s, writers John Milton, John Dryden, and John Evelyn, who were members, poet Richard Lovelace, who is buried there, and Governor of Plymouth Edward Winslow (1595-1655), whose parents were married there and who served as an apprentice in the area surrounding St. Bride’s.

Important events include the re-dedication of the church in 1957 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as a service in 1967 to celebrate 100 years of the Press Association and midnight vigils during the Middle Eastern hostage crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

An alter sits in the church’s North East corner to honor reporters who are missing or have lost their lives in conflicts, as well as a memorial to the staff of Associated Newspapers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

SPREADING THE WORD

PREMIERE STAGES the professional theatre in residence at Kean University, has announced its second play-writing residency for senior citizens, funded by the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement. The seven-week residency, which began in early October at Canterbury Village in West Orange, will culminate in a public presentation on November 28. John J. Wooten, producing artistic director of Premiere Stages, leads the residency.

Seniors selected to participate are: Bob Abbott, Rita Ambio, Josephine Dunmore, James Flynn, Terry Hrenko, Evelyn MacMoyle, Joseph Malone, Huldah McEldowney, Mary Moran, Katie McField, Tim Morrison, Jackie Rund, and Aniela Wolny.

Based in West Orange, the Wallerstein Foundation’s primary mission is to support qualifying not-for-profit organizations that assist elderly individuals to remain healthy, active and engaged and generally improve their quality of life.

BATTLE OF THE GUITARISTS to celebrate what would have been Jimi Hendrix’s 75th Birthday the Handel & Hendrix in London will be holding a competition for any budding guitar heroes out there.

Bring your guitar to 23 Brook Street at any point throughout the day and play us your best Hendrix riff to be in with the chance of winning a private party in the Hendrix Flat. Food and drink will be served all day and there will be special guitars available to play.

Saturday, November 25, at the Handel & Hendrix in London.

JOHN LEGEND AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD are set to co-host "Grammy's Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special, an all-encompassing retrospective packed with epic moments from the past 59 years of Grammy history, including new anecdotes directly from the artists on how their Grammy performances came to be.

Special appearances by multi-Grammy winners and nominees Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Dave Grohl, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Chris Martin, Ricky Martin, Paul McCartney, Pink, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Justin Timberlake, U2, Underwood, and Keith Urban.

The special will be broadcast on Friday, November 24, on the CBS Television Network.

A MUSICAL WEEK FOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY The Duchess of Glouchester President, Royal Academy of Music, will attend a performance of Don Giovanni at the Round Chapel in London on November 22, 2017.

On that same date Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, who is Patron, Northern Ballet, will hold a reception.

On November 28 both the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend a Reception to mark the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, Scotland followed by a Performance of La Traviata. The Duchess is Patron of the Scottish Opera.

PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY are reported to have cameo parts as storm-troopers in the upcoming film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Recently, William reported that his son, George, was jealous when he learned that his father had once driven a digger. This movie cameo should be enough to either make little George really jealous, or think that his father is cool.

NOVEMBER 19 is National Macchiato Day. Monday is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day and Tuesday is National Cranberry Day and National Gingerbread Cookie Day. November 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day and National Cashew Day. November 23 is National Espresso Day and November 24 is National Sardines Day (don't gag). November 25 is National Parfait Day and National “Eat with a Friend” Day.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

KEVIN SPACEY has been dropped as Global Ambassador by the Best Buddies Charity, according to the Miami Herald, in 2015 the charity made a onetime payment of $200,000 to Spacey's personal charity, in order to secure Spacey's support of Best Buddies. That Spacey had been paid by the charity was first reported by the Boston Globe.

Broadway To Vegas sent an E-mail to Best Buddies asking if the organization would attempt to recover funds they transferred to Spacey's charity, since the organization would not longer be using Spacey's services, but a reply wasn't answered by deadline.

Charities are permitted to donate to other charities in order to gain high profile support. Their celebrity names and participation are credited with bringing in donations far exceeding payments made to them.

Anthony K. Shriver, a nephew of President John F. Kennedy, founded Best Buddies in 1989 to advance a cause that was dear to the heart of his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the slain president’s sister.

Best Buddies bills itself as: "the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)."

The organization "has grown from one original chapter at Georgetown University to more than 2,300 chapters worldwide, positively impacting the lives of over 1.1 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in over 50 countries around the world."

Based in Miami, Florida many sought after individuals have supported Best Buddies among them current “celebrity ambassadors’’ who include paid supporter Tom Brady and non paid "ambassadors" Sugar Ray Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Carl Lewis, Ron Howard, Rob Lowe, Emmitt Smith, and Cindy Crawford.

21ST Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala at Ice Palace Studios in Wynwood took place last Friday, November 17. The Miami Gala celebrated the organization’s expansion into India.



DARIO D'AMBROSI founder and president of the Pathological Theater Association received the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia Award at a gala ceremony attended by dignitaries at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, presented the award.

D'Ambrosi was recognized for his work in founding The Integrated Theatre of the Emotions, an accredited college program in theater for students with mental and physical disabilities, which he developed in collaboration with the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" and MIUR (the Italian Ministry of University and Research).

The Robert F. Kennedy for Human Rights is committed to the defense of human rights and its meeting in Florence presented the foundation's 50th Anniversary initiatives, to be undertaken in 2018. Kerry Kennedy, a human rights activist and lawyer, is President of the organization.

The other awardees at this ceremony were Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence, and Staffan De Mistura, United Nations special envoy for the Syria crisis.

Mr. D'Ambrosi, one of Italy's most distinguished theater artists, has made a career of plays and films that are with and about people with psychiatric disabilities, creating productions that portray their unique perspective on life. He has written, "In many countries these people are still confined to cage beds or straightjackets. We offer them a university course, The Integrated Theatre of the Emotions. We are already the Future."

At the ceremony, D'Ambrosi said: "When a person with a disability feels well, thousands other people are well too: parents, relatives, neighbors, the town, the entire country. That is why I can say with certainty that in Italy, in Rome, we have initiated a true revolution in the field of disabilities."

From November 30 to December 9, 2017 New York's La MaMa Theater, will present Follies in Titus, devised and directed by D'Ambrosi. In this new work, Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus is re-told by patients of a psychiatric hospital. The piece will be performed by actors from The Integrated Theatre of the Emotions.



THE WOMAN IN WHITE a romantic musical adapted by Charlotte Jones from Wilkie Collins’ haunting Victorian thriller of the same name, with a revised score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by David Zippel. Directed by Thom Southerland.

Walter Hartright’s life is changed forever after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman, dressed in white, desperate to reveal a chilling secret. When he takes up his position as drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie and her half sister, Marian, he sees in Laura’s face an eerie reflection of the forlorn woman in white. Walter and Laura’s feelings for each other are thwarted by her engagement to the sinister Sir Percival Glyde. What is the connection between, Laura, Sir Percival, and the woman in white? Can true love prevail?

The principal cast features Anthony Cable as Mr Fairlie, Greg Castiglioni as Count Fosco, Carolyn Maitland as Marian Halcombe, Anna O’Byrne as Laura Fairlie, Chris Peluso as Sir Percival Glyde, Sophie Reeves as Anne Catherick, and Ashley Stillburn as Walter Hartright. The ensemble includes Christopher Blades, Olivia Brereton, Janet Mooney and Dan Walter.

Choreographer Cressida Carré - Music Supervisor Stephen Brooker - Musical Director Simon Holt - Set Designer Morgan Lage - Costume Designer Jonathan Lipman - Lightning Designer Rick Fisher - Sound Designer Andy Johnson - Orchestrations David Cullen - Casting David Grindrod Associates.

The Woman in White premiered in the West End in 2004. Now, in its first major revival, Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Zippel have revisited their original work to refresh the storytelling for a new generation of theatregoers.

Performances November 20, 2017 - February 10, 2018 at Charing Cross Theatre in London.

BARNUM Music by Cy Coleman. Lyrics by Michael Stewart. Book by Mark Bramble.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg.

"Barnum tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, who combines razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell “humbug” to cheering crowds. A joyful and moving musical portrait of the nineteenth century’s greatest show-biz legend, Barnum is a colorful, dynamic spectacle full of circus, side-show legends, toe-tapping songs and immense heart."

The creatives include: Choreography: Rebecca Howell - Set & Costume Design: Paul Farnsworth - Sound Design: Gregory Clarke - Musical Direction: Alex Parker - Orchestrations: Chris Walker - Circus Consultant: Scott Maidment.

Performances November 25, 2017 - March 3, 2018 at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.

THE CHILDREN by Olivier Award winner Lucy Kirkwood.

Directed by James Macdonald.

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, a couple of retired nuclear engineers are living a very quiet life. Outside, the world is in utter chaos following a devastating series of events. When an old friend turns up at their door, they’re shocked to discover the real reason for her visit.

The Children stars acclaimed London cast members BAFTA Award winner Francesca Annis, Olivier Award nominee Ron Cook, and Olivier Award winner Deborah Findlay.

The design team includes Miriam Buether (scenic and costume design), Peter Mumford (lighting design), and Max Pappenheim (sound design).

Recently receiving a nomination for Best Play for the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, the production begins previews on Tuesday, November 28 and opens on Tuesday, December 12 at The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City.

HOT MESS a romantic comedy by Dan Rothenberg and Colleen Crabtree.

Directed by Jonathan Silverstein.

Angst ridden Max and mildly unstable Elanor are soul mates. They have revealed every crazy and embarrassing quirk to each other, which has only brought them closer. However, there is one issue that Max is holding onto. Elanor has discussed her ex-boyfriends with Max. Max hasn't quite mentioned his. Hot Mess proves that sometimes in order to find yourself, you have to get lost.

The cast includes Max Crumm as Max, Lucy DeVito as Elanor, and Paul Molnar as Lewis/Steve/Jason/Therapist/Tow Truck Guy.

Scenic design by Tobin Ost, costume design by Bobby Frederick Tilley, lighting design by Matthew Richards and sound design by Bart Fasbender; casting is by David Caparelliotis, C.S.A.

Currently playing at The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center, New York City.

MOTHER CHRISTMAS by David Lewis.

Direced by Donnacadh O'Briain.

A darkly festive comedy which puts an unfamiliar spin on the familiar tale of powder keg family Christmases and explores how the most wonderful time of the year can also be the worst.

Diana Quick stars alongside Ritu Arya, Jamie Ballard, Alexandra Galbreath and Joseph Mydell.

Opens December 8, 2107 at Downstairs at the Hampstead Theatre in London with performances through January 13, 2018. The first week is already sold out.

SHADOWLANDS written by William Nicholson.

Directed by Christa Scott-Reed.

In its first New York revival since the 1990 premiere, William Nicholson’s award-winning play Shadowlands "follows the unlikely and true love story of renowned Oxford scholar and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis and the much younger Joy Davidman, a Jewish-American writer, former Communist and Christian convert. The smart, brash Davidman bursts into Lewis’ sedate, middle-aged life and upends it. Lewis is as shocked as anyone to discover that he and Davidman have fallen deeply in love - and then almost immediately he must contend with the equally deep pain of losing her when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Full of great humor and keen insight, the play is a moving portrait of love and loss, faith and doubt, as inspired by Lewis’ own A Grief Observed."

The cast of includes Daniel Gerroll as C.S. Lewis; Robin Abramson as Joy Davidman; John C. Vennema as Lewis’ brother, Warnie; Sean Gormley as Christopher Riley; Dan Kremer as Harry Harrington; Jack McCarthy and Jacob Morrell alternating as Joy’s young son Douglas; Jacob H. Knoll as Alan Gregg and Doctor; Daryll Heysham as Dr. Oakley, Waiter, Clerk and Priest; Stephanie Cozart as Registrar and Nurse; and John Little and Amy Bizjak as understudies.

Scenic design by Kelly James Tighe, costume design by Michael Bevins, lighting design by Aaron Spivey, and original music and sound design by John Gromada. The stage manager is Kelly Burns. Casting is by Carol Hanzel and casting consulting by Judy Henderson, C.S.A.

In a limited run through Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the The Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row. New York City.

WHO'S WHERE

STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN celebrate Thanksgiving week with the legendary Ben Vereen who has shows November 21-25 at Feinstein's/54 Below in New York City.

LEE ANN WOMACK performs Friday, November 24, at the Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER which has two touring companies performs Monday, November 20 at the Peace Center Concert Hall in Greenville, SC . On Tuesday, November 21 the shows are at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, WA and at the Wilson Center in Wilmington, NC. On Friday the tours stop at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, OR and at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, IN. On Saturday holiday happiness will be on stage at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA and at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, MO. Next Sunday, November 26 they can be enjoyed at the Hult Center For Performing Arts in Eugene, OR and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI.

MATTHEW AND GUNNA NELSON in their Ricky Nelson Remembered show opens a three night sand on November 20 at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, WI. on November 25 the boys perform at the Franklin Theater in Franklin, TN.

THE CAPITOL STEPS Sharing songs and skits from their new album, the irreverent D.C.- based political comedy troupe pokes fun at all sides of the issues - from left to right - with fresh, up-to-the-minute material inspired by the latest headlines, scandals, presidential tweets and more. November 24-25 at Scottsdale Arts in Scottsdale, AZ.

ED SHEERAN the Grammy winner is brings his Divide World Tour to the stage of the Dubai Opera in Dubai, UAE on November 23.

FINAL OVATION

JOEY SCINTA a member of The Scintas, died Friday, November 17, 2017 at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas. A few weeks earlier he had suffered a series of strokes. He was 69.

The Buffalo native had been a Las Vegas performer in the family act for 20 years. The act which includes family members and others is currently performing in Las Vegas at The Plaza. On Friday night the show - in the time honored show business tradition - went on as scheduled

Brothers Joey and Frankie Scinta started performing together decades ago before moving to Las Vegas where the act performs music, comedy and impressions. The group which also includes Peter O'Donnel and Janien Valentine, are booked at the Turning Stone Casino on November 30th.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Lisa, brother Frankie and sister Chrissi.

MALCOLM YOUNG was an Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a co-founder, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC, died November 18, 2017. He was 643.

Except for a brief absence in 1988, he was with the band from its November 1973 beginning until retiring in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia. He was admitted to a nursing home for full time care.

Young and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Cara, son Ross and brother Angus.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of the Recording Academy issued the following statement: "Malcolm Young was one of the most important rhythm guitarists in the history of hard rock. As the co-founder and imaginative force behind AC/DC, Young created some of the most striking riffs that served as the backbone of the group's array of hit songs such as Highway To Hell, You Shook Me All Night Long, and Back In Black. Young earned seven Grammy nominations throughout his career, and was awarded the Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy for AC/DC's War Machine for 2009. Young will be dearly missed, but remembered for his passion, pride, and unwavering dedication to his musical craft. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Next Column: November 26, 2017
Copyright: November 19, 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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