Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: November 23, 2003
By: Laura Deni
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BOOKING # 621785 AKA MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson police mugshot

Michael Jackson age 11

I first interviewed Michael Jackson when he was a member of the Jackson 5. He was a cute, talented child with an Afro, a nose which matched his face and a skin color that spoke proudly of his heritage.

Over the years I've spoken with him in four states; Nevada, California, New York and New Jersey.

I spent years covering Las Vegas for a California radio station whose owner was a Jehovah Witness attending the same Hall as the Jackson Family. Frequently the owner and Michael would participate in religious events together, including going door to door. That proselytization may have been the first time Michael took to wearing disguises in public. When I questioned why he donned the get-ups I was told he didn't want strangers answering the door to view him as Michael the star, but rather as a Jehovah Witness who wanted to discuss that faith.

Long removed from that faith as well as from any vestiges of normalcy Jackson, who was in Las Vegas when the arrest warrant was issued, was at one time one of the most creative music geniuses to ever moonwalk across the stage.

The Jackson 5, actually 6 in this 1974 engagement at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael (lead singer with hand raised) and at right 11-year-old Randy.

The courts will eventually sort out a situation in which Jackson is innocent until proven guility.

The blame lies not only on the Jackson called Wacko but on those who guide him - opting to enable, permitting money to cloud vision. If Michael wants to hang by his toe from a chandelier and strum tunes on his private parts that's his business. Involvement of children make it the business of society. Yet, we live in a society where moral standards are altered by money and celebrity. If Michael Jackson wasn't rich and famous - based solely upon his appearance and statements he uttered admitting to sleeping in the same bed with children - would you hire him as your babysitter?

Just as it isn't proper for priests to sexually abuse children, compounded by others enabling and covering up, it isn't proper for celebrities to abuse children with friends and associates turning a blind eye. The victims are the children. If you think money will correct the physical and/or emotional hurt these children received - you are mistaken. If you think time will make them forget - you are mistaken. If you think it's kinda okay because eventually they'll have sex and be able to sort things out - you are mistaken.

Many segments of society have a convoluted standard - that's it's okay to do almost anything. It's not okay to get caught. Thus, we love to blame the victim. Why did you permit this? How could you have gotten yourself in this situation? What did you do to cause this? There very well may be legitimate questions as to how or why a child was permitted to be in such a situation. If your reaction is - My child would never have been permitted - that is commendable, but it does not mean it was permissible for somebody else's child to be molested. The easiest to manipulate are the low income, distraught or disfunctional.

Siegfried, Michael Jackson and Roy with tiger cubs in Las Vegas

Michael Jackson helping to feed Apollo is flanked by Roy and Siegfried in Las Vegas

Jackson, who asserts his white skin color is the result of vitiligo, a disorder marked by pigment loss, is accused of molesting a boy, identified as a 12-year-old kidney cancer patient, at his sprawling Neverland Ranch.

According to The Los Angeles Times the singer allegedly plied the boy - whose last wish was to meet the entertainer - with wine and sleeping pills.

Jackson - who admits he takes children into his bed but denies having sexual contact with them - has faced kiddie-sex allegations before. In 1993, a 13-year-old accused him of abuse, but the case never made it to a courtroom because Jackson paid off the youngster and his family - to the bank drop of between $15-$20 million.

Michael Jackson has long been disconnected from reality. He constantly creates the appearance of impropriety. The persona that he is projecting since his arrest sends a message that he doesn't truly comprehend the gravity of the situation. The arrest warrant against the singer alleges multiple violations of a law prohibiting lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. Such a crime is punishable by three to eight years in prison. Jackson fled back to Nevada, a state where if the charges had been filed there, would have been 10-20 years to life not three to eight.

Jermaine Jackson source al-Mujallah

Jermaine Jackson, the most vocal of the Jackson clan, pulled the race card when he appeared last Friday on 20/20. To expound a racist theory may not be the smartest tactic this family could proffer. Michael has never been an outspoken, militant exponent of controversial black issues. Some members of this family, if they cry racist, will be doing so through faces so surgically altered that - even if by accident - characteristics common among the black race have been eliminated. For a black man who looks a lot like a white woman to grasp a racist straw gives comedy monologue writers a wealth of material.

There may be legitimate questions the family might pose regarding the high energy law enforcement press conference. But, Jermaine did little to help Michael when he told Barbara Walters; "They're a bunch of racist rednecks out there who don't care about people."

Jermaine's name calling also seems to be in opposition to his new religion. According to official Islam religious organizations, Jermaine Jackson converted to the Islam faith which is stated to be "a religion, which transcends all petty prejudices of color, race and territorial boundaries." Jackson took the religion name of Muhammad Abdul-Aziz and is proudly held out to others as a convert.

It is both understandable and expected that Michael's family is irate and supportive. However, when Jermaine called CNN to spew forth a profanity laced tirade berating the media coverage he only added gloss to his brother's arrest by saying Michael is "not eccentric" and "we had an incredible, wonderful childhood."

It would have been a far stronger statement to say - Michael is definitely eccentric, but that doesn't make him a child molester. We had a terrible childhood, but that doesn't make Michael a child molester. To try to put forth the premise that Michael is ordinary is absurd.

Lobby of the Green Valley Ranch Hotel and Spa

When he arrived back in Las Vegas he was only five miles away from the Green Valley Ranch hotel and spa where he had spent the night before flying to Santa Barbara for the arrest processing.

Jackson, traveling in a caravan of three vehicles, reportedly had requested a police escort from the airport to the Green Valley Ranch Hotel and was informed he'd have to follow the rules and pay for off duty police officers. Instead of ponying up a few dollars Jackson may have taken the I'll show them approach and deliberately went on a bizarre three hour joy ride that tied up traffic and put people's life in jeopardy. Star struck fans acted like they were part of a tail gate party. They followed, jumped out of their vehicles at every red light and traffic snarl, racing to Jackson's van to shake his hand as the self proclaimed King of Pop stuck his digits out the opaque window.

Eventually the traffic tie ups were so horrific that on duty police became involved. With lights flashing the cops broke up the motorcade, which involved over 100 vehicles, and assisted Jackson's van into the hotel - at the expense of the taxpayer.

Jackson and the media have long had a symbiotic relationship. Some reported and some pandered - as in describing people jumping out of cars, crossing in front of traffic as - wonderful that fans were coming out to show support for Jackson and his children.

Granted, Jackson has many supporters. Some are sincere fans. Others have a vested interest in keeping him proped up. Gatherings being hyped as vigils have taken place this week-end.

We haven't heard of any vigils for the boy whose court involvement will be traumatic or for sexual abuse victims in general.

As for the circus that took place on some of the busiest streets in Las Vegas, people who should know better offered up a variety of excuses including; the van had California license plates (a check indicated it was registered to Neverland) and thus maybe the driver didn't know Las Vegas roads and where he was going.

Michael Jackson knows the Las Vegas area better than I do and I've lived here since 1963.

Another report indicated that Jackson was first going to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel but in mid route changed his mind, deciding to return to Green Valley Ranch Station.

Reporters who got close enough to attempt to look inside the van say they saw several adults "crammed in the back seat" and what appeared to be blankets thrown over what could have been several children.

If that is correct then the father of three kept those little children inside - not a deluxe motor home with running water and a bathroom, but in an ordinary Lincoln Navigator, or in the following automobile for over three hours, causing traffic tie-ups and hordes of strangers pushing at that van, which again contained three small children. Most parents who have ever had even one child in a car for three hours in city traffic do not list it as recommended activity.

Another flim flam excuse was - maybe the hotel wasn't ready for him and told him to drive around until they had security in place.

Oh, please.

If Jackson didn't know where he wanted to plant his 120 pound body, until he made up his mind he should have remained in the posh plane, which cost him $25,000 to rent. That flying bucket of bolts had everything from a fully stocked wet bar, restrooms, plush chairs to a flat screen TV. He also plunked down another $25,000 to rent a decoy plane just to fool the press.

One helicopter reporter, executing an excellent job of both reporting and thinking, got it right when referring to Jackson's long route to the hotel kept insisting - I don't know what he's doing. I think he's playing with us.

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - WOULDN'T BE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT IT

Macy's is the world's second largest consumer of helium. The United States government is the first - and it's not even an election year.

For 77 years the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has proclaimed the official opening of the holiday season year. More than 2.5 million people line the streets and another 44 million tune into NBC to watch the larger than life balloons parade down the two-and-a-half mile march.

It takes more than 4 thousand volunteers to make it all possible. In 76 years, 300,000 Macy's employees have participated in the parade.

Since the very first parade in 1924 more than 50,000 clowns have delighted millions of fans along the parade route. The clown units have been considered the heart and soul of the parade. Made up almost solely of Macy's employees the would be clowns are sent to Macy's Clown Camp where they are taught to master the art of clown tools such as the all important confetti tossing.

They also get lessons in clown make up and costuming. One of the clown courses teaches them how to "stay perky for the two hours plus that they are performing."

Three new giant balloons will fly in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, although only one character - Sesame Workshop's Grover - is actually making his debut in the event. The other two newcomers are brand-new versions of characters that have appeared in previous parades. They are an all-new Garfield and a Strike Up The Band Barney.

Snoopy float

The cuddly blue monster Super Grover will wear a silver helmet and a long pink cape. According to Macy's, the Super Grover balloon is 66 feet long, 39.8 feet wide and 38.8 feet tall. He will be filled with 13,400 cubic feet of helium and will be guided down the parade route by 66 handlers.

Garfield, the fat, cynical cat of cartoon fame is not new to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy's said the old Garfield balloon -- in which the character was sitting -- appeared 15 times between 1984 and 1999. The new Garfield balloon, sponsored by Paws Inc., has the cat standing, flashing a thumbs up with one arm and his favorite Teddy, Pooky, tucked under his other. The new Garfield is 49.5 feet long, 34.5 feet wide and 48.5 feet tall. It will be filled with 13,900 cubic feet of helium.

The first parade in 1924 was called the Macy's Christmas Day Parade although it took place on Thanksgiving Day.

Uncle Sam in the 1941 parade

Live animals including camels, goats, elephants, and donkeys, were a part of the parade that inaugural year. The floats were pulled by horses. In the first parade a white steed that was to aid in the Ben-Hur float disappeared at the last minute before the start of the parade.

In 1925 and 1926, bears, lions, and tigers were added to the live animals used, but the use of these animals had to be discontinued because they scared children.

In 1927, Macy's introduces the world famous giant helium balloons. The first balloons included Felix the Cat and Toy Soldier.

Santa has been in every parade

1928 saw the first release of the giant balloons into the air at the end of the line of march. The balloons promptly exploded after reaching a certain altitude. The balloons were redesigned and again released. Equipped with a return address label, Macy's offered a prize for their return. In 1932, Clarence Chamberlain, an aviator flying above New York City, catches the Pig Balloon in mid air in order to claim the prize money.

Santa Claus has ended the parade every year except 1933, the only year in which he led the parade. The parade was cancelled in 1942, 1943, and 1944 due to World War II. Due to a helium shortage in 1958, the balloons were brought down Broadway on cranes.

A ROYAL CHRISTMAS

Christopher Plummer

Angela Lansbury

A Royal Christmas the delightful holiday spectacular, which began last year with an all too short tour, starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

This year the production rings out in - an all too short tour - starring Angela Lansburg, Christopher Plummer, Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York, and Linda Ronstadt.

Billed as one of the "largest holiday extravaganzas ever produced," A Royal Christmas will also include London's Royal Festival Orchestra; the Westminster Concert Choir; the Westminster Bell Choir; principal and solo dancers from London's Royal Ballet, Winnipeg's Royal Ballet, Ukraine's Kyiv Ballet and the Shumka Dancers.

Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York

Linda Ronstadt

Lansburg and Plummer will serve as Mistress and Master of Ceremonies. Plummer will also bring Dickens' Scrooge to life. Sarah Ferguson will read Twas The Night Before Christmas and other Christmas stories, while Ronstadt sings everyone's favorite Christmas songs.

The performance schedule includes; Dec. 2 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. Wed. Dec 3 at John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. Dec. 4. Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Dec. 5 Corel Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. They cross the border and delight Americans beginning Dec. 6 at the Dunkin Donuts Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Dec. 9 Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York. Dec. 10 Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, CT. Dec. 12 Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Dec. 13 Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA.



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Thank you for your interest. Laura Deni P.O. Box 60538 Las Vegas, NV 89160

CHARLIE CHAPLIN FESTIVAL FEATURES LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Charlie Chaplin

A silver screen classics Charlie Chaplin Festival taking place Friday through Sunday in London will spotlight the music composed to accompany Chaplin films,

No less than the London Philharmonic Orchestra will play a program of Chaplin film scores prior to each night's movie screenings.

On Friday the films are The Cure and City Lights. Saturday the orchestra will deliver a program of music composed to accompany screenings of Chaplin's films The Adventurer and The Circus. The event ends Sunday with the London Philly tuning up to deliver the music backing The Immigrant and The Kid with those flicks unspooled immediately after the concert. The action takes place November 28 - November 30 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

OH, TANNENBAUM

A couple of high profile trees have gotten the ax - all in the name of that Oh, Tannenbaum tradition.

The Christmas tree for Rockefeller Center is a Norway spruce from Manchester, Connecticut. It was shipped to New York City by barge.

The tree is three inches taller than last year’s, standing 79 feet tall, with a diameter of 41 feet and weighing in at nine tons. The tree got its start over 50 years ago when it was planted as a sapling.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a city tradition since 1933. 25 engineers will decorate the tree with over 30,000 lights. The switch will be officially thrown December 3.

A beautiful Fraser fir tree from Wisconsin will be the Official White House Christmas Tree this season. The Blue Room Christmas Tree will be officially presented to Laura Bush on December 1 by Jim and Diane Chapman, owners of Silent Night Evergreens in Endeavor, WI.

The Chapmans earned this honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association's (NCTA) national Christmas Tree contest and becoming Grand Champions. This will be the second time that the Chapmans will have a tree in the White House. In the 37-year history of the contest, the Chapmans are only the sixth growers to repeat as winners of the national contest.

It's something that has gotten become a tradition with the Chapman family. Not only have Jim and Diane won NCTA's Christmas Tree contest twice, but Diane's parents, Irv and Alyce Daggett, were also Grand Champion Christmas Tree farmers. They had the honor of presenting a Christmas Tree to Nancy Reagan in 1988.

The national contest won by the Chapmans was held in Grand Rapids, Mich. To win the national contest, contestants first have to win their state association competition. That qualifies the tree to participate in the national contest.

The Blue Room Christmas Tree was hand picked by White House Chief Usher Gary Walters, Superintendent of Grounds Irv Williams, and Grounds Foreman Mike Lawn on October 9. The tree is slated to be cut late this week and sent to Washington, D.C.

"We were hoping they would pick the Fraser fir that they did," said Diane. "It was a tree that Jim has closely monitored for several years as a possible White House tree." In the end, it was the tree that stood out to the scrutiny and examination of the White House staff responsible for selecting the tree that serves as the centerpiece to the White House holiday decorations.

The tree will be presented to First Lady Laura Bush on December 1st, which marks the start of the Christmas season in Washington, D.C.

The tree will be set up in the Blue Room later that day, where it will be decorated by the White House Floral Department staff and volunteers.

Decorations throughout the White House will be put up in time for the Kennedy Center Honors, which is set for the first Sunday in December.

SWEET CHARITY

LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WINTER GALA benefiting the American Songbook series and Lincoln Center's more than 400 performances. The gala fundraiser will salute the best of the American Songbook series with a tribute to Leonard Bernstein's "New York". The Lincoln Center Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Honoree Richard L. Fisher. Michael Feinstein, Kristin Chenoweth, Christine Ebersole and other guests will perform. Gala Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Cooke, Jennie DeScherer, Anne Ehrenkranz, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Wendy Stein. Alice Tully Hall on Monday, December 1.

CHILDREN OF EDEN a concert version of Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden featuring performances by Darius de Haas, Kate Shindle, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Anthony Rapp, Max von Essen and a 100-member chorus filled with Broadway cast members from Hairspray, Avenue Q, Nine, The Boy from Oz and several other musicals. The evening will benefit the National AIDS Fund and The York Theatre Company, and is the first professional performance of Children of Eden in New York. December 1 at the Riverside Church.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

NEIL DIAMOND joins the QVC crowd on December 3. He'll be talking about Stages and playing selections from the DVD.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

More Broadway shows are gaining entry into that Record Book of Flops.

OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL starring the talented Ellen Burstyn. The production lasted for just one performance. The one-woman show, written by Martin Tahse, was adapted from Allan Gurganis's best-selling 1989 novel. It closed with an estimated loss of some $1.25 million.

The engagement had 19 previews, 1 regular performance, making its engagement the shortest on Broadway since The Apple Doesn't Fall, a terrible show we suffered through in 1996.

SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS by Richard Alfieri starring Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill closes today, November 23, having played 26 previews and 30 regular performances. According to a release, “Polly Bergen, who missed several performance because of a previous leg injury is unable to return to the show on a regular basis, therefore the show is closing."

The latest casualty of the new Broadway season is Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, which will close this weekend at the Belasco Theatre.

JACKIE MASON'S LAUGHING ROOM ONLY written by comedian-songwriter Dennis Blair based on a concept by writer Digby Wolfe with music by Doug Katsaros, starring Jackie Mason, cuts short it's Broadway stay, closing on Nov. 30 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The production will have played 31 previews and 14 performances.

BOUNCE Stephen Sondheim's first new musical in nine years, which achieved poor reviews in Chicago (See Broadway To Vegas column of June 29, 2003) and not much better from the Washington, D.C. critics, won't bounce onto a Broadway stage. Bounce, based on the lives of the Mizner Brothers, starred Richard Kind and Howard McGillan. Kind did receive a well deserved Joseph Jefferson Award for the Chicago performance at the Goodman theatre. Kind who was performing in the Washington, D.C. production when the Jeff Awards were presented even flew back to the Windy City on his night off, to accept his award at the ceremony held on a Monday night at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. He won in the category of actor, principal role, musical.



WONDERFUL TOWN the eagerly anticipated revival curtains up tonight, November 23, at the fresh Al Hirschfeld Theatre. A black-tie gala takes place after at the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Columbus Circle.

With a dazzling score by Leonard Bernstein and witty lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Wonderful Town set in the 1930s, is the story of Eileen and Ruth, two sisters who are fresh off the bus from Ohio and are bursting with dreams of making it big, falling in love and living happily ever after in New York City. Starring two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in what is certain to put her in contention for another Tony.

The show, based on the play My Sister Eileen, won the Tony Award for best musical in 1953, with Rosalind Russell. This current revival marks two-time Tony-winner Donna Murphy's first Broadway show since 1996's The King and I. Choreographer Kathleen Marshall is making her Broadway debut as a director. With a cast of 26, Wonderful Town cost $5 million and has a weekly running expense of $400,000.

The score—famous for being written in only a month—includes such songs as Conga!, Ohio, Christopher Street, My Darlin' Eileen, A Quiet Girl, What a Waste and Wrong Note Rag. Rosalind Russell starred as big sister Ruth in both the original and in a TV version.

The show had to be written quickly because Russell, its original star, was only available for a limited amount of time. A month before the show was slated to open out of town, its director, George Abbott, fired the composer and lyricist. Abbott who has directed On the Town asked Comden and Green if they could convince their old friend Bernstein to join them in bringing in this effort in, under the tight deadline. They did.

In this revival Murphy plays Ruth Sherwood to Jennifer Westfeldt's sister Eileen. Gregg Edelman is jaded editor Robert Baker. Also in the cast are Nancy Anderson, Randy Danson, Peter Benson, Michael McGrath, David Margulies, Raymond Jaramillo McLeod, Stanley Wayne Mathis and Timothy Shew.

In the ensemble are Ken Barnett, Joyce Chittick, Susan Derry, Randy Donaldson, David Eggers, Rick Faugno, Stephanie Fredricks, Lorin Latarro, Lisa Mayer, Linda Mugleston, Tina Ou, Vince Pesce, Mark Price, Devin Richards, Angela Robinson, Matthew Shepherd, Megan Sikora, JD Webster and Ray Wills.

This should be a bright star in this Broadway season.

THE PERMANENT WAY by David Hare. The unusual show is based on first-hand research by Hare, the actors and the director, Max Stafford-Clark regarding the British railway system being taken private and its consequences - the remarkable story of a dream gone sour retells first-hand accounts of those most intimately involved in the privatization of the railways. People interviews included: civil servants, investment bankers, rail engineers, transport policemen and, most movingly, survivors of four successive crashes and relatives of those who died. What emerges has been termed "a dazzling oral mosaic about the failure of a system."

Starring Flaminia Cinque, Nigel Cooke, Matthew Dunster, Souad Faress, Sam Graham, Lloyd Hutchinson, Kika Markham, Bella Merlin and Ian Redford.

In 1991, before an election they did not expect to win, the Conservative government made a fateful decision to privatize the railways. Now, 12 years later, the industry is subsidized more lavishly than ever before.

Produced by Out of Joint and the National Theatre the production was presented November 13-15 at the York Theatre Royal in England where it received rave reviews.

Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, lighting by Johanna Town, set design by William Dudley, which includes a stage dominated by a metallic frame, and what has been described as a "shattering piece of video footage in which a high-speed train racing towards us tilts and buckles as it goes off the rails."

The production now moves to the Cottesloe Theatre in London. Previews begin January 4, officially opening January 13 with performances through March 4.

HENRY IV PARTS 1 & 2 starring Richard Easton as Henry, Ethan Hawke as Hotspur, Michael Hayden as Prince Hal, Dana Ivey stars as both Mistress Quickly and Lady Northumberland, Anastasia Barzee as Lady Mortimer, Audra McDonald is Lady Percy and Kevin Kline who deserves a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Falstaff.

William Shakespeare's Henry IV, originally two parts, has been condensed into a single evening by dramaturg/adapter Dakin Matthews and is directed by Jack O'Brien. Speaking of his interest in directing "the Henrys" (as they are familiarly called), O'Brien has said, "They are, first and foremost, among the greatest works of the stage. Indeed, they are English historical plays; however, they contain so much drama, so many staggeringly vivid and important roles that, as sheer storytelling alone, they nearly outweigh every other comparable play imaginable."

The cast of 33 includes; Steve Rankin, David Manis, Ty Jones, Stephen DeRosa, Genevieve Elam, Tom Bloom, Jeff Weiss, Tyrees Allen, Anastasia Barzee, Christine Marie Brown, Stevie Ray Dallimore, Albert Jones, Aaron Krohn, Jed Orlemann, Lorenzo Pisoni, Steve Rankin, Lucas Caleb Rooney, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Corey Stoll, Baylen Thomas, Nance Williamson and Richard Ziman.

Ralph Funicello sets. Lighting by Brian MacDevitt. Marcus Bennett's music and sound. Costumes by Jess Goldstein. Officially opened on Thursday at the Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center Theater, NYC. Performances through January 11.

TEN LITTLE INDIANS by Agatha Christie. Directed by Susan Gregg.

Whodunit fun for the holidays! Agatha Christie, the grande dame of mystery, weaves this tale of ten seemingly unconnected people summoned to a remote island. As they uneasily await the arrival of their mysterious host, they're done in one by one. Amid poisoning, stabbing and strangulation, can you figure out who's the killer and who's the next to go? December 3 through January 2 at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the largest not-for-profit theatre in Missouri.

FRAME 312 by Keith Reddin. Karen Kohlhaas directs a cast that includes; Larry Bryggman, Maggie Kiley, Mary Beth Peil, Ana Reeder, Mandy Siegfried and Greg Stuhr.

Following John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, a young Time-Life editorial secretary was asked to keep a very important secret. Decades later, she decides it is time to come clean with her family about her relationship to history, and how hiding from her past has taken a personal toll.

Frame 312 reveals how ordinary people can keep extraordinary secrets.

Walt Spangler scenic design, Mimi O'Donnell costume design, Robert Perry lighting design and Scott Myers sound design. Previews begin November 26, officially opens December 11 running through January 11 at the Atlantic Theatre Company, NYC.

EMBEDDED written and directed by Tim Robbins, billed as a raucous commentary about the journalists, politicians and media frenzy surrounding a modern day war. Fringed with the jaded sarcasm of front line journalists, the outrageous schemes of government officials and the biting humor of a show-tune singing colonel. At the center of the madness, the play focuses on the brave women and men fighting on the front lines. Performances through December 21 at the Actors' Gang Theatre in Hollywood, California.

SAVE THE DATE opera star Bryn Terfel will lead a glittering line-up of stars at the opening of the Wales Millennium Centre a year from now on November 26, 2004.

Jose Carreras, Charlotte Church, Michael Crawford and Ioan Gruffydd will perform at the opening week-end gala launching the venue, which will become a home for Welsh arts - a center which is being promoted as "one of the great cultural edifices of the world."

Other stars who will appear at the cultural extravaganza include Max Boyce, Elaine Paige, Griff Rhys Jones, Matthew Rhys and Aled Jones.

The Welsh National Opera (WNO) and the National Orchestra of Wales, who will move into the center, will also perform, alongside guests including the Royal Ballet.

The arts center will stage international musicals, operas, ballet and dance.

WHO'S WHERE

PAUL ANKA the Thanksgiving entertaining offering at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas Thursday, November 27 through December 3rd.

THE IRISH TENORS that would be Anthony Kearns, Finbar Wright and Ronan Tynan perform next Sunday, November 30, at the Raymond F. Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

SAME KIRI TE KANAWA accompanied by Julian Reynolds on piano in a program of songs by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Strauss, Berlioz, Poulenc and Duparc. Monday, November 24 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

THANKSGIVING WITH CAROL CHANNING STARRING RICHARD SKIPPER musical Director - John Bowen. Gourmet dinner and show - matinee and dinner performance. Angel Cabaret Theatre in New Port Richey, Florida on November 27.

CHARLEY BROWN AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS starring Al Jarreau, David Benoit and Melissa Manchester on stage tonight at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. On Tuesday they can be enjoyed at the Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. On Wednesday the performance is at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago. Friday finds them at the Kavi Theatre Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, Calif and they close out the week, Saturday in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER getting everyone into the holiday spirit tonight at the Rushmore Plaza in Rapid City, South Dakota. On Tuesday the show is at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyoming and on Saturday the group performs at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

JIM BRINKMAN performs Friday, November 28, at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. On Saturday he is center stage at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago.

CHRIS ROCK performs Friday, November 26 at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City.

B.B. KING on stage November 28-30 at the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas.

Next Column: November 30, 2003
Copyright: November 23, 2003. 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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