Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: November 25, 2012
By: Laura Deni
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LAUGHING YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH

In 2011 the Edinburgh Fringe Festival served as a scientific laugh laboratory.

Tap Your Troubles Away is a song by Jerry Herman from the musical Mack and Mabel. While tap dancing is indeed a great exercise, simply substitute laugh for tap and you have a prescription for improved health.

Better than taking two aspirin for pain is seeing The Book of Mormon. You'll laugh until you feel better.

In other words, cue the comedies.

In various studies conducted over the lsdt ten years the consensus is that a good laugh can cure what ails ya.

The latest study is from Britain and was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Led by Robin Dunbar, PhD, and a professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford University, scientists ran a series of six different experiments in the lab and one in a real-world setting, during live stage performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

That's right, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was a scientific test lab.

Most of the tests were conducted with small groups because previous research concluded that laughter is 30 times more likely to occur in a social situation rather than when you're alone.

In some studies, half of the volunteers watched a comedy video - ranging from episodes of Friends, Mr. Bean, The Simpsons and South Park whose creators are also responsible for The Book of Mormon. Others in the study viewed a documentary on golf instruction, pet training, or a nature show.

South Park is an American animated adult sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network

Another experiment compared the pain thresholds of participants who had watched stand-up comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with those who sat through staged dramas.

While its doubtful that the IRS will let you deduct admission to a comedy club as a medical expense, the Edinburgh Fringe experiment confirmed that the pain tolerance effect of shared laughter is not just something confined to the laboratory, but occurs in real life too.

Each participant's individual ability to tolerate pain was tested before and after watching the videos or the stage presentations, using such pain-inducing techniques as an increasingly tighter blood pressure cuff around the upper arm or a frozen wine cooler sleeve placed on the forearm and held there until the person couldn't stand it a second longer. Pain tolerance is considered an excellent proxy measure of endorphin levels.

Endorphins, one of the complex neuropeptide chemicals produced in the brain, manage pain and promote feelings of well being.

Researchers also recorded the amount of time participants spent laughing. Polite titters didn't count. Only relaxed social laughter that stretched smile muscles in the face were relevant.

Pain tolerance was shown to be higher in men and women who watched funny videos or stand up comedy. Scientists were also able to determine that a person's ability to handle more pain was due to the laughter itself and not just because it put someone in a better mood.

According to the team’s research paper, watching just 15 minutes of comedy with others increased the pain threshold by an average of about ten per cent.

Laughter is definitely some of the best medicine for pain, says Dunbar. It seems that endorphins tune up the immune system, so triggering their release through laughter helps you recover from disease and allows the body to resist infection, he explained.

The relevance of laughter that involved the 'smile muscles' is important.

Forbidden Broadway is a non stop guffaw.

Only this type of laughter releases endorphins has probably evolved as a way of promoting socializing among humans, says the paper. It points out that many studies have already shown that laughter is 30 times more likely to occur if you are with others than when alone. The endorphin rush appears to be limited to a good belly laugh, shared with others.

The research paper makes an important distinction between relaxed, unforced laughter that creases the eyes, and polite laughter which does not reach the eyes. It concludes that when we laugh properly we produce a series of exhalations without drawing breath, an involuntary physical mechanism that is limited to humans and appears to trigger the release of endorphins.

The paper is based on more than ten years of research in which different experiments were staged to discover what determined our level of pain tolerance.

And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in laughing. It turned out that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.

Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally -- expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

Blood sugar levels are also affected. One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a boring lecture. The following day, the same group ate an identical meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the dull lecture.

The focus on the benefits of laughter is credited to Norman Cousin's memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

One of the funniest studies concerned jokes.

In a report issued in 2002, Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman created LaughLab – a year long project that aimed to discover the world’s funniest joke. The project was set-up in collaboration with The British Science Association, aimed to find answer important questions about the psychology of humor.

LaughLab was the largest scientific study ever into humor and involved people sending in their favorite jokes, and rating how funny they found the jokes submitted by others. The project attracted attention from the international media, resulting in the project receiving over 40,000 jokes.

The LaughLab project is described in Wiseman’s book, Quirkology, published by Random House.

The winning joke was submitted by Gurpal Gosall, a 31-year-old psychiatrist from Manchester in the UK:

"A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: “OK, now what?”

The second place joke submitted by Geoff Anandappa, from Blackpool in Britain was:

"Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." "I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson. "And what do you deduce from that?" Watson ponders for a minute. "Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe... What does it tell you, Holmes?" Holmes is silent for a moment. "Watson, you idiot!" he says. "Someone has stolen our tent!"

A top rated American joke was:

"A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says: “Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.” The man then replies: “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.”

Top joke in England:

"Two weasels are sitting on a bar stool. One starts to insult the other one. He screams, "I slept with your mother!" The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do. The first again yells, "I SLEPT WITH YOUR MOTHER!" The other says, "Go home dad you’re drunk."

Top joke in Scotland:

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming in terror like his passengers."

At the end of the LaughLab project, brain scans, using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging, were carried out on people listening to some of the best jokes. The results were termed "amazing." They showed that there is a very precise area of the brain involved in understanding why a joke is funny. As shown on the MRIs, this area is mainly located towards the back of the frontal lobes. Interestingly, this fits in with other research suggesting that people who have damaged this part of the brain often lose their sense of humor.

The part of the brain called the Prefrontal cortex plays a vital role in the type of flexible thinking needed to understand a joke, according to Wiseman's study.

How many words are there on one page of a typical paperback novel?

A) Under 500
B) 500-600
C) 600-700
D) 700-800
E) Over 800

George Wallace, on the list of Comedy Central's list of 100 Greatest Stand-Ups Of All Time, has been a Vegas mainstay for decades.

Research suggests that people who are good at this type of question (the correct answer is under 500) tend to have good frontal lobe activation, while people who make incorrect estimates do not. Interestingly, the study reported that "people who tended to answer this question correctly tended to prefer relatively complex jokes, such as… A scientist and a philosopher were being chased by a hungry lion. The scientist made some quick calculations, he said "its no good trying to outrun it, its catching up". The philosopher kept a little ahead and replied " I am not trying to outrun the lion, I am trying to out run you"!

Whereas people who answered incorrectly, tended to like more straightforward jokes, such as… Which day of the week do fish hate?....... Fry-Day.

This sort of data gave the Wiseman study important insights into the way in which our brains affect our sense of humor.

In April 2010 a Loma Linda University report, presented at the 2010 Experimental Biology conference, indicated that "repetitive laughter could have the same effects on the body as exercise, according to a study from Loma Linda University's Schools of Allied Health (SAHP) and Medicine.

Results of the study showed that laughing not only enhances a positive mood, but lowers stress hormones, increases immune activity, and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, similar to moderate exercise.

Volunteers for the study were shown a series of both humorous and upsetting videos. Immediately before and after each video, the participants gave blood samples and had their blood pressure measured.

Testing showed that the humorous videos changed blood pressure, hormone levels, and endorphins in the same way moderate exercise does.

Brad Garrett has his own comedy club in Las Vegas

Dr. Lee S. Berk, a preventive care specialist and psychoneuroimmunology researcher at Loma Linda University, has been working on studies related to laughter for almost three decades.

"We are finally starting to realize that our everyday behaviors and emotions are modulating our bodies in many ways,” Berk said.

So, get thee to a comedy.

Some of the current laugh-a-lot offerings on Broadway and off-Broadway are Elf, with Seinfeld alum Wayne Knight as Santa playing through January 6 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Avenue Q is at New World Stages, while Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking is getting laughs at the 47th Street Theatre, and The Book of Mormon is doing the same at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

Comedy clubs abound in The Big Apple. However, laughs aren't confined to New York.

Most major cities have a comedy club.

In Las Vegas, the talented Brad Garrett has his own comedy club at the MGM-Grand. Garrett has even been known to greet patrons at the door. For six years in a row the Riviera Hotel has won awards for having the best comedy club in town. Don't forget the legendary George Wallace. The master comedian will make you forget your troubles when you see his long running show at the Flamingo. One of the best comedians to ever plant a sense of humor on stage is Rita Rudner who has two upcoming Las Vegas shows - December 1st and 24th at the Venetian. In 2013 she heads off on a European tour.



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ART AND ABOUT

ANNIE LENNOX

Annie Lennox standing by her collage exhibit. Photo: commecaart

has opened an exhibition of 19 collages entitled Glorious Manford Salchester. This, her first ever visual art exhibition of photographic collages, is an under the radar exhibition of work snapped in Manchester and Salford, England on her mobile phone.

The spunky singer would proffer a strong argument to anybody who would dare suggested that pictures taken on a phone aren't art.

From her trips to Manchester and Salford earlier this year Lennox became inspired to engage with and capture the vividly contrasting imagery she saw around her. As she struggled to accurately describe what she saw, Annie realized that a particular boundary tension existed between both places. As she was drawn to freely create whatever lay between the form of those two boundaries, her idea for a collage was conceived.

She is particularly drawn towards the Victorian era, a sustained period of unprecedented industrial expansion, development and growth, bleakly contrasted by pervasive poverty, exploitation and human suffering.

The exhibit explores the parallels and comparisons that lie between past and present time and space, through a series of constantly evolving visual landscapes.

In this work she captures an almost mystical environment that is both literal and imaginary at the same time.

The title of the exhibition is therefore a genially ambiguous fusion of two demarcated places and identities. Both existent and non existent.

Lennox is drawn intuitively towards the things she sees, with no premeditated plan or design. In this way she feels she can capture an essence of the infinite details, both visually and metaphorically.

"I want people to feel connected and transported by familiar things that might otherwise be unseen or overlooked" she says.

"In my view, everything is contradictory, mysterious, inaccessible, insignificant, and yet thoroughly meaningful and profound at the same time. Beauty lies in strange places..like diamonds in mud. More than often we absolutely don't see it.

A college from the Annie Lennox exhibit. Photo: commecaart

"Poignancy is also everywhere… It suffuses the harshness of urban wasteland, 70's concrete architecture, ubiquitous graffiti, streets that lead to nowhere, civic parks, feral weeds randomly overtaking railway bridges, and bursting with profusion through the cracks of crumbling brick buildings that were once the solid bastions of industry.

"I'm fascinated by all this. What's been before. How it dissolves, and what's replaced it."

The exhibit was created as an homage to the vibrant poignancy of subjects past and present. The results are imbued with a curious metaphysical fusion of what occurs between our perceived boundaries of time and space.

The resultant kaleidoscopic imagery includes everything from relics of past Victorian grandeur to the edgy profusion of overgrown nature, contrasted by the urban wilderness of spray paint graffiti, accompanied by the persistent beauty and gloom of what might be described as the ever changing "British sky".

This exhibition has been described as "compellingly and synonymously poignant, gorgeous, jarring, memorable, and ultimately…thought provoking."

Two of the prints even show Lennox's reflection. A collage of daisies coupled with Manchester's worker bee symbols, also show the top of Lennox's head and arm with a mobile phone reflected in a glass window. Another collage of brown buildings and graffiti art features a man and a cow, as Annie's dark outline is barely visible as she takes the photo.

The five week long exhibit was not discovered until it is about to close on November 27, at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, England. However, the prints are on sale at commecaart.com until the end of 2013.

Limited editions of 100 hand-signed prints are priced from approximately $318 to $637.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND

CABARET the original London cast album re-released by Masterworks Broadway. What will startle fans is that the musical starred Judi Dench who sang her way into great reviews - starring as Sally Bowles.

Yes, that Judi Dench. The real life Dame who has starred in more dramatic plays than you can shake a stick at. She's also starred in the BBC series As Time Goes By, which currently airs on America's PBS. Dench has created a wide following as M in the James Bond films from Golden Eye in 1995, through the current Skyfall. She received several notable film awards for her role as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown (1997), and has since been acclaimed for her work in such films as Shakespeare in Love (1998), Chocolat (2000), Iris (2001), Mrs Henderson Presents (2005) and Notes on a Scandal (2006), and the television production The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2001).

That Judi Dench, who celebrates her 78th birthday on December 9th.

Cabaret wasn't the only time Dench hit solo notes on stage. In July 2010, Dench performed Send in the Clowns at a special celebratory promenade concert from the Royal Albert Hall as part of the proms season, in honor of composer Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.

Dame Judi Dench, one and the same.

In 1968, she was offered the role of Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret. As Sheridan Morley later reported: "At first she thought they were joking. She had never done a musical and she has an unusual croaky voice which sounds as if she has a permanent cold. So frightened was she of singing in public that she auditioned from the wings, leaving the pianists alone on stage". When Cabaret opened at the Palace Theatre on February 28, 1968, Dench impressed the critics.

In describing Sally Bowles, author Christopher Isherwood characterized her singing as poor but surprisingly effective "because of her startling appearance and her air of not caring a curse what people thought of her."

Dench is not a singer - not by any stretch of the imagination. What she is is a brilliant, all encompassing performer. Her ability to own a wide variety of roles is legendary. As Sally Bowles the non-singer, who is cast in this major singing part, has the ability to emerge into Bowles, delivering a convincing and effective performance, which is precisely what Iserwood had in mind.

Besides Dench there were other firsts in the show:

This was the first musical for Lila Kedrova, who had gained the 1967 Evening Standard Best Actress Award for her performance in The Cherry Orchard, as Fräulein Schneider, and the British debut of American Barry Dennen as the Master of Ceremonies. The stellar cast included Peter Sallis as Herr Schultz and Kevin Colson as Cliff Bradshaw, the young American writer on a visit to pre-World War II Germany.

If one reason to own this CD is for the performance by Judi Dench, another good reason to possess this Masterworks Broadway release is because it is Cabaret and it is good. This would make a wonderful Christmas stocking stuffer. The musical has music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Book by Joe Masteroff. The production was directed by Harold Prince with musical direction by Gareth Davies.

The casting is top drawer perfect. Barry Dennen is dynamic and dramatic as the Master of Ceremonies. Dench brings zest to the role of Sally Bowles. Her 'gravely voice' only adds dimension to the part. Lila Kedrova is accent and pitch perfect as the world worn Fräulein Schneider, Cliff Bradshaw's elderly landlord, who gets engaged to a Jewish greengrocer, Herr Schultz.

The musicians bring the score to life in precisely the way Kander and Ebb envisioned it.

Master of Ceremonies: Barry Dennen
Clifford Bradshaw: Kevin Colson
Ernst Ludwig: Richard Owens
Fräulein Schneider: Lila Kedrova
Herr Schultz: Peter Sallis
Fräulein Kost: Pamela Strong
Sally Bowles: Judi Dench
Two Ladies: Venetia Fernandez, Maggie Goodwin
Felix: David Wheldon Williams

JERRY LEWIS TO RETURN TO A FAMILIAR SURROUNDING

Las Vegas based hyphenate (actor-comedian-writer-director-inventor) Jerry Lewis is bringing his stage musical The Nutty Professor to Broadway with previews beginning February 25, 2013 at the Marquee Theatre in Times Square.

Currently home to Evita, the Marquis has 1,611 seats and is one of The Nederlander Organization's nine Broadway theatres. The final performance for Evita is January 26, 2013.

Lewis has previous ties to the Marquis Theatre. That's the venue where on March 12, 1995 Lewis made his Broadway debut - appearing as The Devil in a man named Applegate, in the musical Damn Yankees. This time around Lewis, 86, isn't on stage. He's directing. The return visit gives Lewis a leg up directing in that he is already familiar with the stage.

The Nutty Professor is based on his classic 1963 movie of the same name. The production features the impressive writing talent in the form of composer Marvin Hamlisch and book writer and lyricist Rupert Holmes.

The musical has about 20 songs written by Hamlisch and Holmes. Hamlisch had worked with Lewis on the musical for close to six years and was present during rehearsals in New York.

The Broadway transfer also puts the Nashville based Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on the radar of theatres which launch a Broadway production.

The Nutty Professor had its world premiere at the TPAC in a limited run July 31, 2012 through August 19, 2012.

The Wednesday before opening, a media day for The Nutty Professor took place. Marvin Hamlisch was at home in Los Angeles, but was well enough to participate in press interviews by telephone. He expressed his intent of traveling to Nashville to see the show. On August 6, 2012 Marvin Hamlisch died. He was 68.

That resulted in shaky speculation that the production would also pass away.

Nobody should ever underestimate the tenacity of Lewis.

MOUSETRAP CELEBRATES 60th ANNIVERSARY

The world's longest running play has added another notch to its belt.

Mousetrap, the Agatha Christie play which opened in the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre in 1952 and played there for 21 years before moving to St Martin's Theatre next door in 1973 without missing a show.

When it originally opened Agatha Christie speculated that the production would fold after eight months.

For the staging of the gala performance which took place November 18, Phyllida Lloyd, who directed the film Mamma Mia and The Iron Lady, as well as several West End productions, gathered together a host of famous faces.

Performed as a staged reading, the eight actors had less than 24 hours to learn the play and memorize stage directions.

Uniting for the special performance were Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville playing Giles Ralston, the owner of the snowed-in guesthouse where the action takes place, with Tamsin Greig as his wife Mollie. Sir Patrick Stewart took the part of Mr Paravicini, a mysterious guest at the hotel. Julie Walters played Mrs Boyle and Miranda Hart was Miss Casewell, as two of the hotel guests who get caught up in the murder. The cast also included Iain Glen, Harry Lloyd. and Chariots of Fire star Nicholas Farrell.

When the play first opened Lord Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim were cast in the leads. The Mousetrap holds the world record for the longest continuous run of any show in the world. 403 actors and 235 understudies have appeared in the play which has been performed in 50 languages.

To mark the success of the production, a permanent memorial to Christie was unveiled at nearby St Martin's Cross before Sunday night’s show.

Christie's grandson Mathew Prichard, was on hand for the unveiling and introduced the 25,000th performance.

In what had to be one of the most generous birthday presents ever received, Prichard was given the play's royalties for his ninth birthday by his grandmother.

The sold out Gala performance benefits the Mousetrap Theatre Projects, which aims to open theatre up to disadvantaged young people and those with special needs. During its 60th year, tickets for The Mousetrap will levy an additional 60p (95 cents) fee which will go towards supporting the charity.

Christie's grandson will now also donate much of the royalties from the play to arts charities.

The performance on Monday, November 26, marks the "first performance at the age of 60."

Patrons with special Dress Circle tickets will enjoy a glass of champagne at intermission and a goody bag including souvenir brochure, 60th coaster, pin badge and poster.

THE RECORDING ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2013 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Recording Academy has announces the newest additions to its legendary Grammy Hall Of Fame collection. This latest round of inducted recordings includes an original Broadway cast recording.

Representing a great variety of tracks and albums, the 2013 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from AC/DC's Back In Black album to Frank Sinatra's recording of Theme from 'New York, New York.' Also added to the highly regarded list are Billy Joel's Piano Man, Paul McCartney & Wings' album Band On The Run, Ray Charles' Hit The Road Jack, the Drifters' "On Broadway, Charles Mingus' album Mingus Ah Um, and self-titled albums from Elton John and Whitney Houston. Other inductees include the Broadway cast recording of Lost In The Stars, and recordings by James Brown, Bob Dylan, Carlos Gardel, Buck Owens, Richard Pryor, and Little Richard, among others.

2013 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductees

Act Naturally by Buck Owens. (Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison). Capitol (1963). Country (Single)

Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens by Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five. (Joan Whitney, Alex Kramer). Decca (1946). R&B (Single).

Allons A Lafayette (Lafayette) by Joe Falcon. Columbia (1928). Folk (Single)

Back in Black by AC/DC. Albert/Atlantic (1980). Rock (Album)

Ban on the Run by Paul McCartney & Wings. Apple (1973). Rock (Album)

Bonapart's Retreat by W.H. Stepp. (Traditional arr. Stepp). Library of Congress (1937). Country (Single)

Crosscurrents by Lennie Tristano Sextet. Capitol (1949). Jazz (Album)

El Dia Que Me Quieras by Carols Gardel. (Carlos Gardel, Alfredo Le Pera). Paramount (1935). Latin (Single)

Elton John by Elton John. Uni Records (1970). Pop (Album)

Foggy Mountain Banjo by Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs And The Foggy Mountain Boys. Columbia (1961). Country (Album)

Here's Little Richard by Little Richard Specialty (1957). Rock (Album)

Hit The Road Jack by Ray Charles. (Percy Mayfield). ABC-Paramount (1961). R&B (Single)

Hound Dog by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. (Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller). Peacock (1953). Blues (Single)

I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown. (James Brown). King (1965). R&B (Single)

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman by John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman. Impulse! (1963). Jazz (Album)

Lost in the Stars by Original Broadway Cast. Decca (1949). Musical Show (Album)

Mingus Ahum by Charles Mingus. Columbia (1959). Jazz (Album).

My Black Mama (Parts 1&2) by Son House. .(Son House). Paramount (1930). Blues (Single)

Near You by Francis Craig And His Orchestra. (Francis Craig & Kermit Goell). Bullet (1947). Pop (Single)

On Broadway by The Drifters. (Jerry Leiber, Barry Mann, Mike Stoller, Cynthia Weil). Atlantic (1963). R&B (Single)

Piano Man by Billy Joel. (Billy Joel). Columbia (1973). Pop (Single)

Stealin' Stealing by Memphis Jug Band. (Will Shade). Victor (1928). Blues (Single)

That Nigger's Crazy by Richard Pryor. Partee/Stax (1974). Comedy (Album)

Theme From 'New York New York' by Frank Sinatra. (Fred Ebb & John Kander). Reprise (1980) Traditional Pop (Single)

The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan. (Bob Dylan). Columbia (1964) Folk (Track)

The Titanic by Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman. (Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman). Okeh (1924). Country (Single)

Whitney Houston by Whitney Houston. Arista (1985). Pop (Album)

The latest Hall of Fame inductees helps celebrate 40 years of highlighting diversity and recording excellence, and acknowledges both singles and album recordings of all genres at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance.

With 27 new titles, the list currently totals 933 and is on display at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PRINCE PHILIP AT BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE CAUSES A FLURRY OF TWITTER COMMENTS

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh sit in the Royal Box during a visit to Bristol Old Vic Theatre. © Press Association

What can cause a group of seasoned actors to hyperventilate and act like giddy teen-agers? Having Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip sit in on one of the final tech rehearsals.

That would be enough to give the heebee jeebees to anyone.

The play in the royal spotlight was Peter Pan directed by Sally Cookson, which opens November 26 and runs through January 19, 2013 at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

Designed by the Bristol architect James Saunderson, the venerable theatre was the first in Britain to do away with the traditional rectangular auditorium shape and adopt the ‘horseshoe' shape now seen across the world.

Having recently undergone a massive refurbishing on Thursday, November 22, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip took a tour and watched part of a tech rehearsal. The Queen also officially opened the theatre's Royal Box.

Flustered, seasoned actors took to Twitter.

Issac Stanmore, the actor who plays John in Peter Pan posted on Twitter: "In one of the most surreal but amazing mornings, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh watched some our Peter Pan tech. Met the Queen. Casual. Made my day!"

Actor Mark McDonald posted: "She came for a tour and then opened the Royal Box. I was picked to be in the line up to meet her!"

Before the royal entourage arrived at Bristol Old Vic, a 'rehearsal' took place with Ellen Miriam Havard posting: "I was the queen in a rehearsal for the building before Her Royal Highness graced the stage."

As usual, the Queen was scheduled to receive a bouquet of flowers which caused a flutter of postings. Flower Stokes Croft, lists its description on Twitter as: "I am a florist, taxidermist and dreamer. I have a tiny flower shop in Bristol where I sell seasonal local flowers and make beautiful things."

One of those 'beautiful things' was the royal bouquet which caused FSC to post: " OMG. I have just been asked to do some flowers for The Queen when she visits Bristol Old Vic next Thursday. My Nan is so proud ". Then a copy of the actual order was posted, with the comment: "My order for a V.I.P guest to Bristol Old Vic next week... The Queen!" Then came: "Starting to put together my flowers for The Queens posy on Thursday at the Old Vic." The next royal posy post was: "Ok. First practice bouquet for mission HRH." Butterfly nerves were reflected in: "Cant wait to do the flowers for The Queen tomorrow. I am so excited and a little bit scared." Then the announcement: "It's done. My arrangement for HRH tomorrow. Yippy!" That was followed up with: "Not long now! Just met the little girl who is presenting my flowers. Very excited." Then the post: "They (flowers) are in place. Now just waiting now for HRH."

Bristol Old Vic Theatre was the first in Britain to do away with the traditional rectangular auditorium shape and adopt the ‘horseshoe' shape now seen across the world. Photo: Bristol Old Vic.

The cast for Peter Pan includes Saikat Ahamed, Howard Coggins, Gergo Danka, Stuart McLoughlin, Theone Rashleigh, Emily May Smith, Isaac Stanmore, Tristan Sturrock and Madeleine Worrall.

The refurbished theatre, which the head royals came to inspect, announced that they have:

"Raised the stalls and gallery to dramatically improve sightlines throughout the Georgian auditorium.

Developed a new, flexible thrust stage - not only placing the actors and audience closer together, but giving us the flexibility to program work (like concerts) with five rows of standing room directly at the front of the stage, much like the spaces occupied by the groundlings at London's famous Shakespeare's Globe theatre.

Converted our Paintshop and Sidestage into new, fully functioning performance spaces, so that we can program even more work.

Built new rehearsal spaces as our current facilities were in desperate need of renovation.

Installed a lift backstage to make the whole building accessible.

Installed improved air-flow, mechanics and insulation, making the building a safer, greener space.

And, most importantly, almost 40 years after it was originally scheduled to happen, we have replaced the seating."

A LIFE IN THE DAY OF PRINCE WILLIAM

William has been based on Anglesey since starting his training in January 2009, and graduated as a fully operational search and rescue pilot in September 2010

The public has been fascinated by Prince William since the day he was born. Then we became besotted with William when he married Kate. The world - and oddly enough, most of all, Americans - are totally captivated by their lives.

Clarence House, the official London residence of Prince Charles, has issued a release appropriately enough called A Day in the Life of Prince William, complete with photographs.

It's not only interesting, but gives an insight as to the similar life led by American military Search and Rescue pilots.

"The Duke of Cambridge – who is known in his Royal Air Force working life as Flight Lieutenant Wales – is a Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot flying Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters from their base at RAF Valley on Anglesey, north Wales.

"Flt Lt Wales’s shifts are the same as any other pilot. The accompanying pictures show a typical ‘day in the life’ of Flt Lt Wales when he and his crew are providing SAR cover for their 24 hour shift.

Prince William at his desk. Computer updates for pilots are crucial. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"Each morning will begin with a briefing from the off-going duty SAR crew from the previous shift.

"Typically, this will include an engineering brief about the state of their aircraft, an update on specific air and ground activities in the area and the local and national weather forecasts for the next 5 days.

"From the moment the crew starts its shift, they are at “Readiness State 15” between 8am and 10pm, which means they aim to be airborne within 15 minutes of receiving a search and rescue call.

"As the crew operate on a 24 hour duty, they adopt “Readiness State 45” at night, which allows extra time to plan and prepare for night-time operations.

Prince William - or Flight Lieutenant Wales - is part of a four man team who receive daily briefing session. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"Naturally, the crew cannot predict when, or if, they will be scrambled, nor indeed, to what type of incident.

"To hone and maintain their skills, the men and women of the crew spend much of their time planning and taking part in search and rescue training exercises, often with other local emergency services, such as the RNLI, Mountain Rescue Teams and local Fire and Rescue Services.

"SAR aircrews expect to fly into conditions, from which others are fleeing, meaning they often find themselves flying in gales or through clouds, driving rain and poor visibility.

"This is why the aircrew are constantly training, to enable them to reach those in peril on land, at sea, in the mountains or in flooded towns day and night.

Prince William and his team receive vital orders and updates. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"The RAF Search and Rescue Force flies two versions of the Sea King helicopter.

"Flt Lt Wales flies the Sea King Mark 3.

He is part of a four person crew, which includes two pilots (an aircraft captain and a co-pilot), a winchman, most of whom are fully-trained paramedics, and a radar/winch operator.

"The Sea King helicopter can carry a maximum of 17 passengers and with a full fuel load can fly for up to six hours with a maximum range of 250 nautical miles.

Prince William doing an aircraft check while working as a helicopter search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"Before a sortie, each member of the crew is responsible for checking his or her own kit.

"As a pilot, Flt Lt Wales checks things like the airframe, fuel, hydraulic and navigation systems.

"During the shift, the crew is constantly on-call. Even while airborne on a training flight, they can be called to perform a rescue.

"Like the civilian emergency services, the type of incident varies tremendously.

Prince William chats with colleagues. Teams need to work well together, trust each other and become almost a second family. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"It could be anything from rescuing a group of lost hill walkers in Snowdonia to a large-scale operation rescuing people from a sinking vessel out in the Irish Sea.

"The Sea King helicopter has an impressive list of rescue aids, including a hydraulic winch with 75 metres of steel cable.

"This is capable of delivering the winchman to most casualty locations and lifting up to three people simultaneously.

"The Search and Rescue Force is a busy unit within the RAF.

"Over the past ten years, the average number of annual callouts for all the SAR crews around the UK is over 1,950.

"RAF Valley typically responds to a high number of callouts, as it covers the north Wales area, which is a very popular area for walkers and climbers.

Prince William eating with his crew members. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

"Downtime is also an important part of the job.

"When the crew is not conducting a search and rescue mission or preparing for a training exercise, they can usually be found re-charging their batteries in the crew-room or eating a meal in the nearby dining room.

"Computer games – especially the likes of ‘Call of Duty’ and other military-themed games – are a favorite for the crew if they have a spare moment in the evenings.

"However, they must remain in constant contact and can never be more than 60 seconds away from their aircraft in case an emergency call comes in.

"As the end of their 24 hour shift draws to a close, the crew will prepare a comprehensive brief for the next day’s on-coming crew and then brief them on what lies ahead, before hanging up their flying kit and heading home.

"The outgoing crew may also test fly aircraft which have been recently repaired at the end of their shift.

Once the outgoing crew has clocked off, they remain on “2nd standby” for the majority of the next day, standing by to support more complex search and rescue operations if the call for help is made."

Prince William is treated like everyone else. If he wants tea or coffee, he has to get it himself. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

When on a 24 hour shift, Lt. Wales can try for cat naps, but must make his own bed. Photograph: SAC Faye Storer/MoD/PA

The working conditions that Prince William is experience are on par with those of American military Search and Rescue pilots.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s primary roles are homeland security, law enforcement and search and rescue.

Coast Guard helicopter pilots fly three types of helicopters. The HH-65 Dauphin is a short-range rescue helicopter. The HH-60 Jay Hawk is a medium/long range rescue helicopter and the MH-68 Stingray is an armed interdiction aircraft.

American's Search and Rescue specialists, who are members of the Army, in addition to their role of rescuing stranded soldiers or downed pilots, they're often called upon to assist in humanitarian emergencies to rescue stranded civilians in isolated or difficult to access areas, as part of the U.S. Government's 'whole-of-government' personnel recovery policy.

SPREADING THE WORD

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S CHRISTMAS presented by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company in West Cape May, New Jersey will have an American Sign Language interpretation on Sunday, December 2.

The theatrical ASL interpreters are Kathy Filippo and Gina Lanza, who have performed many times for ELTC. The process involves them seeing the production at least once, plus going over the script several times to figure out who will interpret which roles, and in many cases, come up with signage for unusual names and words.

007'S DANIEL CRAIG made a surprise visit to 800 soldiers, sailors and airmen at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan last Sunday as they were gathering to watch his latest film, Skyfall.

The British actor, who was driven around the camp in a Foxhound vehicle by Warrant Officer Class 1 Rob Ingham, even took tested some of the machine guns used by UK forces. The actor was also shown how to use detectors to search for buried devices used in training for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The star also met staff and patients at the Bastion Role 3 Hospital.

THE BOOK OF MORMON which begins previews December 11 at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago has announced the engagement has been extended by nearly three months.

Officially opening on December 17, the musical will run through June 2, 2013. The show was previously scheduled to run through March 3, 2013.



FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

First Lady Michelle Obama, the honorary chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, hosts the PCAH National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 19, 2012. Mariachi Desoro is on stage behind Mrs. Obama. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

honored 12 of the nation's most outstanding arts and humanities programs for young people during a ceremony in the White House.

These exemplary after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities program are recipients of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. Their work fosters the creative and intellectual development of America’s youth through education and practical experience in the arts.

National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award recipients include:

African Culture & History through traditional dance and music (Omaha, NE) African Cultural Connection (ACC) provides youth throughout the state of Nebraska with year-round residencies and workshops that focus on traditional African art forms.

Arts Education Program for Youth (Seattle, WA) Arts Corps was founded in 2000 as a strategy to bring out-of-school arts and creative engagement to low-income communities. Professional teaching artists are placed at partner sites to lead classes in dance, digital media, music, spoken word, theatre, and visual arts.

AS220 Youth Studio (Providence, RI) AS220 Youth is a free arts education program serving young people ages 14-21, with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state.

ICA Out-of-School Teen Programs (Boston, MA) Out-of-school programs for teens at the ICA provide young people with the opportunity to engage with art, artists, and the creative process, while also developing confidence and transferable skills.

Mariachi Master Apprentice Program (San Fernando, CA) Mariachi Master Apprentice Program (MMAP) brings together Grammy award-winning mariachi music masters Mariachi Los Camperos, led by Natividad Cano, with primarily Mexican middle and high-school students in intensive instructional experiences that preserve the genre of mariachi music.

Myth and the Hero (Copley, OH) Myth and the Hero is a humanities-based program that supports the development of African-American adolescent males through the telling, discussion, and interpretation of mythology and fairy tales told to the beat of an African drum.

New York City Urban Debate League (Bronx, NY) The New York City Urban Debate League (NYCUDL) program is dedicated to giving all students the opportunity to become highly-skilled debaters.

Out of School Programs (Bronx, NY) DreamYard’s Out of School Programs (OSP) offer South Bronx teens after-school, Saturdays and summer opportunities.

Paso Nuevo/Next Step (Washington, DC) Paso Nuevo is a year-round after-school performance workshop for Latino and multicultural youth, ages 12- 18. Paso Nuevo uses theatre arts as a vehicle for enhancing self-esteem, developing language and communication skills, strengthening cultural identity, and promoting literacy in both English and Spanish.

RISE! (Rhythm in Setting Expectations) (Norfolk, VA) RISE! (Rhythm in Setting Expectations) is a multidisciplinary program that provides underserved youth, ages 7-17, with year-round arts-based workshops. The program is housed in the historic Attucks Theatre, a 30,000 square foot facility, which is the oldest theatre in the country that was constructed, owned, and operated by African Americans and considered to be a national landmark.

Student Historians High-School Internship Program (New York NY) The New-York Historical Society’s (N-YHS) Student Historian Internship Program offers high school students access to over four centuries of art, documents, and artifacts in New York’s oldest museum.

Youth Radio (Oakland, CA) Youth Radio is a Peabody Award-winning youth media organization that provides free, intensive training in media arts and journalism to underserved youth, ages 14-18.

CURTAIN DOWN

THE PERFORMERS the David West Read comedy that officially opened November 14, shuttered early, playing its final performance November 18 at the Longacre Theatre.

Set at the Adult Film Awards in Las Vegas, the production marked the return of Henry Winkler to Broadway. He played Chuck Wood, an aging adult film star. The cast also featured Cheyenne Jackson, Tony nominee Daniel Breaker Ari Graynor, Jenni Barber and Alicia Silverstone.

At the time of closing, the production played 23 previews (two previews were canceled due to Hurricane Sandy) and seven regular performances.



THE SORCERER a rarely staged Gilbert & Sullivan classic will open the 38th season of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players.

Under the artistic and music direction of Albert Bergeret.

Stephen O’Brien as the Sorcerer and featuring Kimilee Bryant, Daniel Greenwood, Sarah Caldwell Smith , Richard Alan Holmes, Quinto Ott, and Keith Jurosko.

Set in a quaint English village, The Sorcerer is the story of Alexis, a young military officer who purchases a love-at-first-sight potion from a respectable and old-established Family Sorcerer. Of course, this potion is compounded on the strictest of moral principles so as to have no effect on married persons. The power of love is tested when, after drinking tea spiked with the potion, the whole village finds itself engaged in hilarious mismatches – including the sorcerer himself! Even the well meaning, but misguided, Alexis is unhappy with this situation, so the sorcerer agrees to make a personal sacrifice in order to set things back the way they were - disappearing magically to the delight of all.

Combining Gilbert's favorite theme of class distinction with magical and theatrical illusions, the production features Sullivan's lilting melodies, glorious harmonies, and just the right touch of pastoral sentiment to convey the essence of Gilbert's light-hearted satire.

Performances December 1st & 2nd at John Jay College in New York City.

PHIL COULTER IN THE SONGS I LOVE SO WELL Phil Coulter is an internationally acclaimed Musician/ Songwriter and iconic Derryman. The Songs I Love So Well is his current solo production, focusing on his childhood, his experiences and the musical influences in his hometown that led him on such a fantastic journey. He blends music and song with stories of how his early years in Derry propelled him to London in the 60's.

November 29 - December 30 on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage at The Irsh Rep in NYC.

NOTHING TO HIDE Created by Derek DelGaudio & Helder Guimarães. Written by Derek DelGaudio. Directed by Neil Patrick Harris.

An unlikely series of events has led two of the world’s most gifted sleight-of-hand artists, Derek DelGaudio (2011 Close-Up Magician of the Year) and Helder Guimarães (2011 Parlour Magician of the Year), to share a stage.

Fresh from sold-out performances at the Magic Castle, DelGaudio and Guimarães have joined forces with director Neil Patrick Harris to present Nothing to Hide, a unique and unprecedented theatrical event. Abandoning the antiquated notions of a traditional magic show, Nothing to Hide promises to take the audience on an imaginary journey through a series of diverse and engaging vignettes brought to life solely from the words and hands of the two masterful magicians.

Artistic Director Glenn Kaino. Lighting Designer Adam Blumenthal. Production Designer Dave Spafford. Music by Pedro Marques. Production Stage Manager Young Ji.

Nothing to Hide, will have special late-night performances on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the run.

The show launches the Geffen Playhouse's new Spotlight Series, which will provide offer exclusive "events including cabarets, readings, magic acts and concerts," according to Geffen. "Unlike our regular season, Spotlight events will vary in length, format and lead-time, but similar to our traditional season, they will always bring something entertaining, noteworthy and world-class to our audiences."

OLD MONEY by Sarah Wooley and directed by Olivier and Tony award winner Terry Johnson.

Starring Maureen Lipman and Tracy-Ann Oberman and Maureen Lipman who played the Mother in the Academy Awarding winning film The Pianist. With Eve Pearce, Timothy Watson, Nadia Clifford and Geoffrey Freshwater.

Forty years of respectable marriage should have prepared Joyce for respectable widowhood. She, however, has other ideas – and a secret life of champagne, strippers, and chance encounters unfolds in this tender comedy.

Set Designer - Tim Shortall; Lighting Designer - Rick Fisher; Sound Designer - John Leonard; Casting by Gabrielle Dawes.

Performances November 29, 2012 through January 12, 2013 at the Hamstead Theatre in London.

VOLPONE OR THE FOX by Ben Jonson. Directed by Jesse Berger.

Meet Volpone, the rich old magnifico, whose ingenious schemes and scams dupe his wealthy neighbors into showering him with gold. This Jacobean juggler robs the rich to feed the richer, himself! Considered one of the greatest comedies ever written for the stage, Jonson's merciless satire of greed and lust is a vicious delight as it skewers the hypocrisies of humanity with irreverent comic relish. A feast of extraordinary language and outrageous characters will greet you in this timeless and timely classic from the pen of Shakespeare's greatest peer.

This is the first major New York revival of this masterpiece in 50 years.

Starring Sean Patrick Doyle, Jen Eden, Alvin Epstein, Tovah Feldshuh, Cameron Folmar, Michael Mastro, Christina Pumariega, Pearl Rhein, Rocco Sisto, Alexander Sovronsky, Teale Sperling, Stephen Spinella, Raphael Nash Thompson and Gregory Wooddell.

Presented by Red Bull Theater Company at the Lucille Lortel Theatre November 27 - December 23.

An opening night benefit takes place Sunday, December 2 with special guests Michael Emerson, Emily Bergl, Kathryn Meisle, Estelle Parsons, Matthew Rauch, Marc Vietor, the Cast of Volpone, and more . There is a VIP Pre-show toast and opening night party.

WHO'S WHERE

BERNADETTE PETERS with Marvin Laird, Music Director performing ARTrageous. An artist with amazing versatility, she also has become known as one of the foremost interpreters of the songs of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim. Peters has been nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning twice for Song and Dance and Annie Get Your Gun. Saturday, December 1 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona.

TONY LINDSEY has 11 Grammy awards on his mantel after spending 20 years as Santana's front man. He has recorded on seven Santana releases since 1992. Tony has recorded with (and written songs for) many major artists, including Narada Michael Walden, Tevin Campbell, The O'Jays, Al Jarreau, Curtis Mayfield, Smash Mouth, The Whispers, Shanice Wilson, Steve Winwood, Johnny Gill, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls. He'll be performing Wednesday, November 28, at the Lobby Lounge, Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA.

LEONARD COHEN stars at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Monday, November 26. On Wednesday he opens a two nighter at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC.

PAUL ANKA entertains Thursday, November 29, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. Saturday's show is at the NYCB Theatre in Westbury, NY.

STEVE TYRELL performs two nightly shows November 27-December 31 (only one show on Dec. 24) at the Cafe Carlyle in NYC.

THE IRISH TENORS will be blending the notes Tuesday, November 27, at The Smith Center in Las Vegas. On Thursday the performance is at the Joint at the Hard Rock in Catoosa, OK. On Saturday they can be enjoyed at the Hard Rock in Biloxi, MS.

LADY GAGA entertains Friday, November 30, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ANDREA BOCELLI AND KATHERINE JENKINS star at the Toyota Centre in Houston on November 28. On November 30 they will be performing at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN on stage Monday, November 26 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. Wednesday's performance is at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR. On Friday he'll be rockin' the house at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA.

FINAL OVATION

DEBORAH RAFFIN a film and television actress who founded a successful audio book publishing company died November 21, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. She was 59. The cause of death was leukemia.

Raffin and her then husband, music producer Michael Viner, launched the audio-book company Dove Books-on-Tape in the mid-'80s, publishing a profitable catalogue that included Sidney Sheldon's The Naked Face and Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. Jason Robards, William Conrad, Burt Reynolds, Elliott Gould, Roger Moore and Ruby Dee were among those who performed on the audiobooks for Dove.

Viner and Raffin, who had one child together, divorced in 2005. Viner died of cancer in 2009.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of The Recording Academy issued the following statement: "Grammy Award winner Deborah Raffin was a great talent and a gifted spirit. The Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter was proud to have Raffin as a Board member to work with our membership and ensure musicians' interests were always met. She had a successful career with her audio book company bringing books to life through spoken word. We have suffered a dear loss and our condolences go out to her friends, family and fans.

Raffin is survived by her daughter Taylor Rose, her sister Judy and brother William.

LARRY HAGMAN died the afternoon of November 23, 2012, at the Medical City Dallas Hospital in Texas from complications from throat cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends including his Dallas co-star Linda Gray. His official website says his passing was "peaceful." He was 81.

The son of the legendary Mary Martin, Hagman began his career in Dallas, working as a production assistant and acting in small roles in Margo Jones' Theater in 1950 during a break from his one year at Bard College. He appeared in The Taming of the Shrew in New York City, followed by numerous tent show musicals with St. John Terrell's Music Circus in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Lambertville, New Jersey. In 1951, Hagman appeared in the London production of South Pacific with his mother, and stayed in the show for nearly a year.

After discharge from the Air Force in 1956, Hagman appeared in the Off-Broadway play Once Around the Block, by William Saroyan. That was followed by nearly a year in another Off-Broadway play, James Lee's Career. His Broadway debut occurred in 1958 in Comes a Day. Hagman appeared in four other Broadway plays, God and Kate Murphy, The Nervous Set, The Warm Peninsula and The Beauty Part.

Hagman gained major name recognition when he was cast as Barbara Eden's television "master" and eventual love interest, Air Force Captain (later Major) Anthony Nelson in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie which ran on NBC for five seasons from 1965.

He became a superstar when he was cast as the conniving elder son and businessman J. R. Ewing, a man whom everybody loved to hate, in the blockbuster series Dallas.

A recovered alcohol, he underwent a liver transplant in August, 1995. In June 2011 Hagman announced that he had stage 2 throat cancer.

He is survived by his wife Maj Axelsson whom he married in 1954 and their two children, Heidi Kristina and Preston and granddaughters.

Next Column: December 2, 2012
Copyright: November 25, 2012. 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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