Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: November 27, 2022
By: Laura Deni
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BROADWAY STARS TAKE TO THE SMALL SCREEN IN HOLIDAY SPECIALS

It's that time of year, again. Holiday shows abound on television. Many feature stars who have a Broadway history.

All holiday television movies have a variation of the same theme. There will always be snow. Boy and girl at first don't really get along. Something is about to be sold, foreclosed on, hostile takeover, disbanded, the business is in trouble. Eventually the business is saved and boy and girl are happily in love. Recently same sex couples have been written into holiday scripts, but it's still the same plot. At the end, all is well. If you watch enough of these feel good specials they almost blend into one. The point is, they are feel good and you find yourself relaxed and smiling. Somewhere, even if it is in fantasy land, everything works out and everyone is happy.

Classic shows are annually repeated and new ones command attention.

Broadway stars who have voiced Christmas cartoons can remain famous long after their demise. Jimmy Durante, who died 1980, can not only be heard in Frosty the Snowman but one character was fashioned to look like him.

On Broadway Durante appeared in Keep Off the Grass; Stars in Your Eyes; Red, Hot and Blue; Jumbo; Strike Me Pink The New Yorkers; and Showgirl.

Burl Ives stars in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer a treasured annual offering.

Ives appeared on The Great White Way in Dr. Cook's Garden; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Show Boat; She Stoops To Conquer; Sing out, Sweet Land; This is the Army; Heavenly Express and The Boys From Syracuse.

Robbie the Reindeer - Robbie is the son of Ruldolph - is a 1996 CBS aimated television special featuring the voices of Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry who appeared on Broadway in Spamalot; My Favorite Year; Amadeus and Travesties.

Betty White made her Broadway debut in My Best Girl. She was in the chorus. Asner was on Broadway in Grace. Twenty-three years later he returned to the stage in Born Yesterday followed by Face of a Hero and Threepenny Opera.

Hoping to become an annual classic is Reindeer In Here. The heartwarming story of Blizzard (Blizz), a young reindeer living at the North Pole who has an unusual trait – one antler that is significantly smaller than the other – and his unique group of friends band together to save the future of Christmas. The new animated charmer stars Adam Devine, Henry Winkler, Candance Cameron Burr, Melissa Villasenorm Joy Koy, Donald Faison, Gabiel Bateman and Brooke Monroe Conaway.

Winkler made his Broadway debut in 42 Seconds to Broadway in 1973. His other Broadway credits include Neil Simon's The Dinner Party and The Performers.

Tonight, Sunday, November 27, The Radio City Rockettes are featured in Hallmark's A Holiday Spectacular. The film stars Derek Klena who was seen on Broadway in Anastasia, Ginna Claire Mason, who appeared on Broadway in Wicked and Eve Plumb who has performed in Las Vegas. In 2010, Plumb originated the title character in the New York production of Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage, inspired by a book and website of the same name. The role was her first New York stage role. She was next seen on the New York stage when she starred in Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's award-winning Love, Loss, and What I Wore, and she co-starred in Same Time, Next Year with Broadway's John Bolton at the Surflight Theater in Beach Haven, New Jersey. In July–October 2013, Plumb portrayed Aunt June in the off-Broadway play Unbroken Circle by James Wesley.

The film is set in 1958 when an heiress puts her wedding plans on hold in order to sneak up to New York City dance on stage in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.

Fit For Christmas airs December 4 on CBS. Co-written, executive produced, and starring Amanda Kloots, who spent two decades dancing on Broadway, follows a Christmas-obsessed fitness instructor teaching classes at her financially beleaguered community center in Mistletoe, Mont. She begins a holiday romance with a mysterious businessman, complicating his plans to turn the center into a more financially profitable resort.

A Christmas To Treasure on Lifetime

A Christmas To Treasure airs on Lifetime on December 18, 2022. After the passing of beloved Mrs. Marley, six estranged friends come together for one last holiday treasure hunt. Will sparks fly between Austin played by Taylor Frey and his childhood best friend Everett played by Kyle Dean Massey who was on Broadway in Next To Norma; and Company and now stars alongside his real-life husband Frey.

A Christmas To Treasure should not be confused with Hallmark's A Christmas Treasure which stars Grammy nominated Jordin Sparks and Michael Xavier.

Sparks made her Broadway debut with In The Heights and returned to the boards in Waitress, assuming the role of Jenna.

Two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael Xavier was on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard and Prince of Broadway.

In A Christmas Treasure, after opening a 100-year-old time capsule and finding her grandfather’s old journal, Lou (Sparks) questions whether she should move to New York after Christmas to further her writing career or stay in Pine Grove to carry on her family’s local newspaper. Charming chef, Kyle (Xavier), is also at a crossroads, visiting Pine Grove for the holidays. When Lou and Kyle meet, they both have doubts about their future, but the magic of the holiday season and the connection they have, helps each of their journeys.

Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas

Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas airing Thursday, December 1 on NBC is a movie musical about the making of a network TV special. Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is the frenetic backstage story and delightful on-camera results of Dolly's desire to uplift an exhausted world's spirits by sharing the unique "mountain magic" she has always found in and around Dollywood at Christmas.

The movie musical stars Parton, Ana Gasteyer, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, and Bryan Batt.

Other cast members include Tom Everett Scott, Angel Parker, along with Mary Lane Haskell, Bryan Batt, Brendan Bradley, John Newberg, Rachel Parton George, Cassie Parton Griffith, Rhoda Griffis, Liam Rauhoff, and Steve Summers.

Parton opened her musical 9 to 5 at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles before transferring it to Broadway.

Staying home on New Year's Eve? Curl up with some Hanukkah On Rye. New couple Molly played by Yael Grobglas and Jacob played by Jeremy Jordanwho appeared on Broadway in Newsies find out that they are rival deli owners. Can their relationship take the heat and make a true Hanukkah miracle? Find out.

In addition to animations and made for television holiday movies those at home can enjoy concerts. One celebrates the music of Paul Simon and another features Mariah Carey in a brand-new holiday special, singing her epic holiday hits.

If you prefer your music coming from your own player, this year has several options. Renée Fleming, currently starring in The Hours at the New York Met and Decca Classics announced a new album, Renée Fleming - Greatest Moments at the Met. The remastered collection compiles highlights chosen by Renée captured live on stage at this pinnacle opera house.

The Million Dollar Quartet also has a new album out - Christmas Cast Album featuring a variety of holiday songs, ranging from Run Rudolph Run to I'll Be home For Christmas.

Victoria Clark who made her Broadway debut thirty-eight years ago in Sunday In the Park With George and won a Tony in 2003 for The Light in the Piazza has unveiled December Songs, her recording of composer Maury Yeston's classic-crossover song cycle, which was commissioned by New York's Carnegie Hall. You can find it on the PS Classics label.

Harry Connick, Jr. who wrote the beautiful When My Heart Finds Christmas continues his holiday tour with a Tuesday, November 29 performance in Pittsburgh, PA at the Benedum Center. On Wednesday he can bee enjoyed in East Lansing, MI at the Wharton Center. December 1st finds him in Milwaukee, WI at the Riverside Theater. On December 3rd he entertains in Peoria, IL at the Civic Center Theater and the next night he's in St. Louis, MO at the Stifel Theatre. He also has a new album, Make It Merry featuring a new, original title track. It was released yesterday.

Connick received a Tony nomination for the musical Thou Shalt Now, and as the lead in the Tony-Award winning revival of Pajama Game. He also has adapted The Happy Elf for children's theater, and starred in the Broadway revival of On a Clear Day.

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ART AND ABOUT

PALM SPRINGS FALL EXHIBITIONS OPENING PARTY takes place Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

Join the museum in celebrating the openings of the Phillip K. Smith III and Petra Cortright exhibitions in the main galleries as well as the second iteration of Outburst Projects.

In recognition of Phillip's explorations of light and Petra's complex image layering, the theme of the evening is "Color & Shadow." Attendees are encouraged to show off their best hues by dressing from head-to-toe in a single color—or, to expose their dark side by wearing all black.

The Fall Exhibitions Opening Party will feature DJs Rowlow, Gracy D & TKeys, and Alf Alpha, as well as LED performers and a 360 photo booth.

Food will be provided by 849 and Taquizas El Chicali, and there will be a Color & Shadow Lounge in the garden with a cash bar and glow-in-the-dark cotton candy!

ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH said to be North America's most comprehensive international contemporary art fair, celebrates its 20th anniversary December 1 - 3, 2022 (the invitation-only preview is November 29 – 30, 2022) with its largest show to date showcasing artists and galleries from around the world.

Insider’s Track for Miami Art Week in Wynwood During Art Basel Miami Beach's 20th Anniversary has The Center for Visual Communication Launching “The Miami Creative Movement” with New Book and Major Group Exhibition Free and Open to the Public: Meet the Artists During Open House Afternoons November 30 - December 2, 2022. This exhibition features a stellar line-up of artists: Carlos Betancourt, Edouard Duval-Carrie, Mira Lehr, Robert Thiele, John Bailly, Jacqueline Gopie, Karen Rifas, David Marsh, Paola Gracey, Asser Saint-Val, Robert McKnight, Kathleen Staples, Gustavo Oviedo, Regina Jestrow, and Pablo Contriciani.

Presented by UBS; Miami Beach. December 1-3, 2022; Hong Kong. March 23 -25, 2023; Basel. June 15-18, 2023; Paris+ par Art Basel. October 18-22, 2023.

THE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF THE TAIPEI FINE ARTS MUSEUM has worked with Professor Jun-Jieh Wang and Professor Chien-Hung Huang from the Taipei National University of the Arts on the 1980s Taiwan Transdisciplinary and Experimental Art Research Project. In 2022, to tie in with the exhibition The Wild Eighties: Dawn of a Transdisciplinary Taiwan presented by TFAM, hey will host an international forum from December 3 to 4, inviting scholars, curators, artists and writers from Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, China and Hong Kong exploring transdisciplinary art, film, theatre, humanistic ideas and the social environment to exchange ideas and engage in in-depth dialogue.

The forum will focus on five main themes: I. Methodology and the Times; II. The Specialization and Transdisciplinarity of Modernity; III. Art Collective and Communal Becoming; IV. Trans-cultural Chimera & Avant-gardism Rotting; V. Art Responding to Era and Context. It will include five keynote speeches and four panel discussions.

Simultaneous Interpretation in Mandarin and English Provided December 3-4, 2022 at the auditorium, Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

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SWEET CHARITY

QUEEN CAMILLA HOSTS A PADDINGTON BEAR PARTY

Queen Camilla surrounded by Paddington bears. Photo: Chris Jackson/ Buckingham Palace.

in what many might feel is the party of the year. Last Thursday, Queen Camilla donated more than 1,000 teddy bears to the Barnardos's childrens charity. Treated as royalty, the bears have been staying at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

Also in attendance were Hugh Bonneville who came to be known as Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey who later starred as Mr. Brown in the Paddington movies; Madeleine Harris who starred in the 2014 movie Paddington beating out more than 100 competitors for the role. Harris played Judy Brown, the daughter of the family with whom Paddington lives, and later reprised the role in the sequel Paddington 2, and Paddington author Michael Bond's daughter Karen Jankel for whom the original series was written.

Paddington Bear sliding down the banister of Buckingham Palace’s Grand Staircase. Photo: Buckingham Palace

"We've had a lovely stay at Clarence House and Buckingham Palace (doing our best to keep out of mischief) looking forward to arriving at our new homes next week", the bears posted.

- At Bow Nursery Queen Camilla enjoyed marmalade sandwiches. Then she personally handed out the stuffed animals to kindergartners. The toys were left by mourners as tributes To Queen Elizabeth at Royal Residences and royal parks.

Paddington Bear pouring tea for Queen Elizabeth. Photo: Buckingham Palace.

The Paddingtons were collected and cleaned prior to bring delivered to Barnardo's childrens services.

Lynn Perry MBE, chief executive of the charity, said: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Barnardo’s Patron for over 30 years, and we are honoured to be able to give homes to the teddies that people left in her memory. We promise to look after these bears who will be well-loved and bring joy to the children we support.

"We are incredibly grateful to Her Majesty The Queen Consort for her support in helping us to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable children and young people in the U.K. so that we can continue to support them through our vital services."

Camilla took over as patron of the charity from Queen Elizabeth in 2016.

Paddington Bear was linked to Queen Elizabeth after she appeared in a surprise television sketch during her Platinum Jubilee, in which she enjoyed marmalade sandwiches with the beloved children’s character.

THE NEW YORK POPS staged their Broadway Blockbusters concert last week. Before the concert, the famed musical group partnered with CaringKind to host a reception for individuals living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Attending with their caregivers, guests were treated to refreshments while interacting with Steven Reineke and members of the orchestra, who performed short instrument demonstrations. Afterwards, guests attended the rehearsal for Broadway Blockbusters.

This program of beloved Broadway songs honored some of the legends of theater who we recently lost, including Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim. The orchestra was joined by Nikki Renée Daniels, Jordan Donica, Matt Doyle, Melissa Errico, and Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA.

ELTON JOHN AND SAKS FIFTH AVE have teamed up. This holiday season, Elton John and Saks are joining forces to offer a specially curated holiday collection of giftable products and exclusive online events in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s mission to end the AIDS epidemic for everyone, everywhere.

The iconic Saks holiday window unveiling and light show took place on Tuesday, November 22.

Through this partnership, Saks is generously donating $1 million to the Foundation, which includes $500,000 of proceeds from this curated collection regardless of sales, to help the Foundation reach marginalized communities living with or most vulnerable to HIV.

Tune in to Saks Live on Tuesday, December 6 at noon ET as Elton John sits down with Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele for an intimate conversation about friendship, collaboration and commitments to philanthropy. “Gucci is the exclusive costume designer for my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour and has become my trademark,” says Elton—so it’s only fitting the pair kick off the holidays together.

SPREADING THE WORD

SIEGFRIED AND ROY'S SECRET GARDEN AND DOLPHIN HABITAT at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas will not reopen and is permanently closed. Three dolphins have recently died at the Habitat. The other dolphins are being relocated.

The habitat closed following the death of bottle-nose dolphin K2 on September 25. It was the third death this year.

The habitat closed so that experts could invesitage and determine why the dolphins were dying. The Secret Garden opened in 1990.

Incoming property owners the Hark Rock Hotel indicated The Mirage will be turned into The Guitar Hotel.

LIVING SCREENING AND CONVERSATION WITH BILL NIGHY AND OLIVER HERMANUS takes place December 6, 2022 at 92Y in New York City.

The screening of Living, will be followed by a conversation with actor Bill Nighy and director Oliver Hermanus.

Bill Nighy is perhaps best known as the aging rock star in Love Actually - for which he received a BAFTA Award as Best Supporting Actor - and has displayed an amazing versatility on stage and screen for the past 50 years. Among his films are The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; Pride; Notes on a Scandal; and Valkyrie. He played vampire leader Viktor in three Underworld films, and did the performance capture and voice for Davy Jones in two Pirates of the Caribbean titles. He also won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries for Gideon’s Daughter. His theater successes include David Hare’s Pravda, Skylight (with Carey Mulligan), and A Map of The World. On Broadway, he starred in the 2006 premiere of Hare’s The Vertical Hour, directed by Sam Mendes.

Oliver Hermanus received acclaim for Moffie, a 2019 war drama about gay recruits in the homophobic South African military of the 1980s. His other credits as writer-director include Shirley Adams; Beauty and The Endless River, which premiered at the 72nd Venice Film Festival as the first South African movie invited to the main competition.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S ESTATE is holding a three-day auction with "affordable items" that "show off her fun side"

What exactly is "affordable?"

In previous auctions of her outfits, records were set. In 2011 Taylor's gowns sold for record-breaking $2.6million with Christian Dior dress reaching 70 times its estimate.

An enormous collection of designer dresses worn by Elizabeth Taylor are about to be put up for auction expected to sell for almost £100,000. The beautiful garments were originally gifted to a family friend decades ago. They were forgotten about before being rediscovered in an old suitcase.

The outfits include a dress designed by Christian Dior which Taylor wore at the 1961 Oscars. That same night she won Best Actress for the 1960 film Butterfield 8. She later called the dress her "lucky charm". The gown is now expected to sell for approximately £60,000.

This collection is expected to be gaveled down for the staggering sum of £96,000.

A vintage crocodile dressing cane, worth £1,200, as well as another Dior couture blue silk dress that Taylor wore to a wedding is expected to bring in £15,000. The items are being sold at Kerry Taylor Auctions in Bermondsey, London, on December 6. The auction house specializes in vintage fashion and costumes.

HOW DOES YOUR TIARA COMPARE?

President Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles and Queen Camilla. Photo: Buckingham Palace release

You do have one, don't you? A family tiara. Let's go over the rules. The bride will wear her family's tiara on her wedding day and from then on wear the tiara of her husband's family.

Of course, if you are fortunate enough to be part of the senior royals of that family across the pond, you might have several to choose from.

Last week a respectable showing took place.

Nothing says tiara time more than a white tie dinner at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Camilla wearing a sapphire set which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: Buckingham Palace release

This was the first such event since the pandemic and the first since King Charles ascended the throne. The royal family welcomed South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace. His wife, First Lady Tshepo Motsepe, was unable to make the trip to the UK due to eye surgery.

The King hosted the banquet, saying 'welcome' to President Ramaphosa in the six languages spoken in South Africa.

The women in King Charles' life - his wife Queen Camilla, daughter-in-law Catherine, the Princess and Wales, and sister-in law Sophie, the Countess of Wessex looked fashionably gorgeous - as did all of the women who attended.

Queen Camilla wore a diamond and sapphire tiara that belonged to Queen Elizabeth. The tiara and coordinating necklace, bracelet plus earrings is known as the King George VI Victorian Suite. King George gave his daughter than Princess Elizabeth the tiara necklace and earrings as a wedding gift in 1957. The jewels are believed to date back to the mid 1800s with the bracelet added in the 1960s. Queen Camilla wore the necklace and bracelet but opted to wear her own sapphire earrings.

The wife of King Charles was stunning in a royal blue lace evening dress by Bruce Oldfield, which she had previously worn on a trip to Rwanda.

Catherine The Princess of Wales. Photo: Buckingham Palace handout.

The Princess of Wales selected a Jenny Packham gown she had previously worn. You can't go wrong with the regal cape dress. The sophisticated and exquisitely styled gown can be worn by a woman of any figure type. You can wear it, too. It's actually a wedding dress from Jennny Packham's 2021 bridal collection called "Elspeth". The gorgeous creation featured a fitted bodice, a flared skirt, cape sleeves and sparkling floral embellishments on both shoulders. Price $5,075.

On her feet were Gianvito Rossi mesh, crystal embellished rania pumps. She carried and carried a pearly white satin butterfly box clutch from Alexander McQueen. On her well coifed head was the Lover's Knot tiara, marking the 12th time she's ever worn a tiara.

Princess of Wales wearing the Lover's Knot tiara. Photo: Buckingham Palace release.

Princess Kate paired the tiara with a pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen, as well as Diana, Princess of Wales' earrings.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, looked elegant in an aquamarine wrap gown by Suzannah of London. Called the Phoenix Gown Jade Silk Crepe and you can order it online for £3,190. The dress description reads: "A stunning floor length, mid-weight pure silk crepe gown, softly tailored in a beautiful rich Jade green Italian pure silk Cady.

"Made in our London Atelier, the bodice is cut with a flattering knot detail which draws and drapes the beautiful cloth at an elegant V neck. The sleeves are floaty to tie in with the fluid nature of the skirt.

"The dress is made from our signature high quality traceable Italian silk crepe. The dress falls beautifully and is fully lined in silk and has a centre back zip for step-in ease.

Glittering LK Bennett Glitter Sledge Pumps shoes covered her tootsies and she carried her Jimmy Choo Clutch. On her head was the modern, Wessex Aquamarine Necklace Tiara, which she first wore in 2005, and is said to be worth £500,000. The piece is interesting as it’s really a two-in-one item. Custom made, the tiara can also be worn as a necklace which the Countess of Wessex has done on many occasions. The tiara features "diamond set wave motifs, with a large oval cut blue-green aquamarine in the center".

Brigette, The Duchess of Gloucester also selected blue as her evening's color choice. Accompanied by her husband Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, she wore Princess Marie Louises' Indian Tiara, which was created in 1923 by Cartier. it originally included an aquamarines but they were replaced with diamonds sometime after 1937. The tiara contains diamonds, sapphires and pearls. The Duke of Gloucester is a cousin to Queen Elizabeth. Prince Richard was the only one of the Queen's cousins who walked in the procession behind her coffin to Queen Elizabeth's state funeral. He walked next to Sir Timothy Lawrence, the husband of the Princess Royal.

Sophie, Coutess of Wessex wearing the Wessex Aquamarine Necklace Tiara. In the background are the backs of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Photo: Buckingham Palace release.

Although she wasn't wearing a tiara, South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor was elegant in a two piece peach satin dress with white lace appliques and a scalloped hemline. She chose flat black pumps for the red carpet walk with Queen Camilla.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer were in attendance. Victoria opted for a pink, V-neckline dress with the neckline trimmed in a contrasting color. A short white jacket completed the look.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susannah Cleverly were also guests. She wore a 'you can't go wrong' sleeveless black gown.

The guys got all gussied up, too.

King Charles, who is always on a best dressed list - reportedly favoring suits by Gieves & Hawkes and Anderson & Sheppard - topped the men with his impeccable ability to combine snazzy with sophisicated, wearing emerald studs on his shirt and patent leather slip on shoes with black grosgrain flat bows, presumably crafted by respected shoemaker Crockett & Jones.

Horseshoe table for White Tie banquet. Set for 163 quests required over 1,000 pieces of exquisite stemwear. Photo: The Royal Family.

Buckingham Palace notes it takes around five days to build the horseshoe shaped table for the state banquet. Each guest is given 18 inches for their place setting and six glasses as well as a champagne glass for the toast King Charles and Camilla personally inspected the table ahead of the evening even.

The table was set with grand service china, commissioned by King George VI and includes more than 4000 pieces. Among the 163 guests was star Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe who is originally from South Africa, joining broadcaster Zeinab Badawi, interior designer Kelly Hoppen and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh.

Floral arrangements in pink, red and purple were constructed from wildflowers grown on the royal estates including rosehips, hydrangea and chrysanthemums.

Other glitterati in attendance were the Duke of Kent first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Susan Hussey, and Queen Elizabeth's former lady-in-waiting, The Honourable Annabel Whitehead.

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MICHAEL J. FOX has been awarded an honorary Oscar for his work with Parkinson's Disease. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was presented to the actor during the 13th annual Governor's Award ceremony on Saturday, November 19, 2022 in Los Angeles.

He was presented the award by Woody Harrelson who delivered an emotional speech lauding his friend.

Fox founded the non-profit Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, which focuses on finding a cure for the disease which Fox has suffered from since. 1991, although he kept the condition secret until 1998.

In the audience was Fox's wife of 34 years, Tracy Pollen, and their four children. When he was ready to leave the stage he told the crowd: "I cannot walk and carry this thing (statue). But I ask Tracy to once again carry the weight," he said praising his wife's love and devotion. Pollen then joined her husband on stage.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT PRIZE FOR GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT established in 2018 by the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights (ABA CHR) to recognize persons and organizations having a positive, enduring, and global impact in advancing the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 2022, ABA CHR will honor EarthRights International and Human Rights Watch.

The event takes place Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, New York City.

EarthRights is a growing global team of community activists, campaigners, and legal strategists who challenge powerful institutions that violate peoples’ rights and destroy our planet for profit.

Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in 90 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and ringing perpetrators to justice.



IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Adapted by Joe Landry. Based on the story he Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling.

Originally co-directed by Melia Bensussen and Rachel Alderman. Directed by Zoë Golub-Sass.

Five actors and one sound effects artist have assembled on Christmas Eve to guide audiences through the world of George Bailey and Bedford Falls, live from the studio at WBFR. The spirit of imagination takes hold as we’re launched on a transformational journey on stage. Join us this winter to experience a magical adaptation of a beloved story.

It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a young man who dreams of one day leaving his hometown of Bedford Falls to adventure around the world. When circumstances keep George from pursuing his fortunes elsewhere, he finds himself increasingly frustrated with small-town life and his responsibilities. On Christmas Eve, through the intervention of an affable angel who is angling to get his wings, George is given the rare opportunity to see how the world would be a very different place had he never been born.

Through December 24, 2022 at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT.

AIN'T NO MO' by playwright Jordan E. Cooper.

The production is directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, in his Broadway debut.

Ain't No Mo' dares to ask the incendiary question, "What if the U.S. government offered Black Americans one-way plane tickets to Africa?"

The answer is the high-octane comedy about being Black in today’s America from the mischievous mind of the youngest American playwright in Broadway history. Seamlessly blending sketch comedy, satire and avant garde theater, Ain’t No Mo’ "will leave you crying with laughter—and thinking through the tears."

The cast includes Jordan E. Cooper, Fedna Jacquet, Marchánt Davis, Shannon Matesky, Ebony Marshall-Oliver and Crystal Lucas-Perry. Understudies are Nik Alexander, Jasminn Johnson, Michael Rishawn, Kedren Spencer, Brennie Tellu and Emma Van Lare.

The design team for Ain’t No Mo’ includes three-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask (scenic design), two-time Tony Award nominee Emilio Sosa (costume design), Adam Honoré (lighting design), Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams (co-sound design), and Mia M. Neal (wig design).

Officially opens at the Belasco Theatre in New York City on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

HARRY'S CHRISTMAS by Steven Berkoff. Directed by Scott LeCrass.

Starring Steven Smith as Harry.

Soundtrack by Julian Starr.It's December, & Harry sits alone in his London flat, counting his cards, waiting for anyone to call him; perhaps for an old friend to knock on the door, or for an old lover to appear or just for someone to have a drink with. Waiting for anyone, really. Anyone.

A searingly dark comedy, originally performed at The Donmar Warehouse in 1985, yet the ideas explored through the life of one man in this complex and microscopic examination of society’s hypocrisy are as relevant today as they were then, if not more so & they affect millions of people.

December 6-December 24, 2022 at King's Head Theatre in London.

This production is in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a uniquely faithful adaptation of Dickens' novel by Geoff Elliott.

Co-directed by fJulia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott.

Featuring innovative staging, whimsical costumes and original music composed by Robert Oriol with Rod Bagheriserving as the music director.

In addition to adapting and co-directing, Elliott takes on the role of mean, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, whose ultimate redemption is at the heart of the story. The rest of the ensemble includes Jeremy Rabb as Marly, Bert Emmett as Bob Cratchit, Emily Kosloski as Mrs. Cratchit, Rafael Goldstein as Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, Sydney A. Mason as Fred’s wife, Stanley Andrew Jackson III as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Deborah Strang as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Frederick Stuart as the narrator. Also in the cast are Clifton Adams, Stella Bullock, José Donado, Cynthia San Luis, Amalia Anne Morris, Kwayi Ndjamen, Roshni Shukla and Andrea Somera.

The production features a scenic design conceived by Jeanine A. Ringer, an original costume design by Angela Balogh Calin, lighting design by Ken Booth and sound design by Oriol. Wigs and make up are by Tony Valdés, and the dialect coach is Andrea Odinov. The production stage manager is Taylor Anne Cullen.

Opening Saturday, December 3 and running through December 23 at A Noise Within in Pasadena, CA.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

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

FINAL OVATION

IRENE CARA died November 26, 2022 in her Florida home. She was 63.

Cara sang and co-wrote the song Flashdance... What a Feeling, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and two Grammys, for best female pop vocal performance and original score for a motion picture

Cara married stuntman and film director Conrad Palmisano in Los Angeles in April 1986. They divorced in 1991.

LOUISE TOBIN the big-band singer who helped discover Frank Sinatra died November 26, 2022 at her granddaughter's home in Carrollton, Texas. She was 104.

Tobin encouraged her bandleader-husband, Harry James, to hire Sinatra, then an unknown young singing waiter, after hearing him on the radio.

She was the "girl singer" with Benny Goodman, Will Bradley and Bobby Hackett. She recorded hits with Goodman but left show business to raise the two sons she had with James.

After her marriage to James ended she married jazz clarinetist Michael "Peanuts" Hucko in 1967 and performed with him for three decades.

Survivors include two sons, Harry James,Jr. and Jerin Timothyray "Tim" James and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Next Column: December 4, 2022
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Laura Deni

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