Copyright: November 6, 2011
By: Laura Deni
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MANCHESTER GETS IT FIRST - WANTS TO BE THE TESTING GROUND FOR THE WEST END AND BROADWAY

Watch out Broadway and the West End, when it comes to launching popular stage works. Manchester has given notice that it intends to "get it first." Manchester is calling itself a theatrical testing ground "powerhouse".

Manchester?

Manchester. It's a major city in England - the site of the world's first railway station, hosted the first meeting of the Trades Union Congress and is where scientists first split the atom and developed the first programmable computer. The city is notable for its music scene and its sporting connections.

It's a place that has a can do, rather than a fun-to-tear-it down approach to theatre.

Ghost The Musical, based on the Hollywood film, was premiered in Manchester in March, selling 100,000 tickets, before moving to the West End with a New York production set to open on Broadway on April 23, 2012 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, with previews beginning in March.

Now comes the announcement that Monkee Business will have its world premiere at Manchester Opera House It will open at the Manchester Opera House from March 29 - April 14, 2012, before moving to other UK cities.

A spokeswoman for the Manchester Opera House said it would be a new story "in the spirit of" the original 1960s TV show in which The Monkees shot to fame.

The production will feature hits including I'm A Believer, Hey, Hey We're The Monkees and Daydream Believer.

The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG), owners of the Palace Theatre and Opera House, has launched Manchester Gets it First – the company’s commitment to bringing the biggest new musicals to Manchester before London and other major cities.

The plan to launch more shows at ATG’s Manchester theatres chimes with the City Council’s Cultural Ambition as a global city – and as such has won the backing of council Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein. Manchester City Council has warmly welcomed the collaboration with ATG on the project.

The key to any Manchester success had a great deal to do with attitude - a positive communal mindset of wanting the theatrical projects to succeed. Naysayers not welcome.

Howard Panter, along with his wife Rosemary Squire, is Joint Chief Executive of ATG. He says: “I wanted Manchester to get it first because I know it as a city with a great foundation in music and theatre. I’ve been talking to producers in North America and Australia and saying that Manchester is a great place to launch musicals and they get it, they understand it, because of Manchester’s heritage. New musicals need to have a place where the team can work with a knowledgeable, sophisticated audience. If you can make it work in Manchester it will work anywhere.”

Councilor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: “These are exciting times and this collaboration with ATG reinforces how Manchester has become an artistic powerhouse, which brings tremendous cultural and economic benefits to the area. Just look at the success of the Manchester International Festival (MIF), where a world-class event is hosted in the city and draws massive audiences. Events such as MIF and major musicals like Ghost also boost the production capacity of Manchester, using our expert creative skills and creating further jobs in the industry.”

Colin Ingram, producer and general manger of Ghost The Musical, had sincere accolades for his experience in Manchester: “We have found Manchester a terrific city to open a new musical. With a large catchment area, and two wonderful musical theatres - we’ve been able to have two months to fit up and rehearse a very complex show which could not have been done anywhere else outside London. Manchester and the surrounding area has a long tradition of theatre going and are extremely warm and open to new work. The audience has greeted Ghost with open arms instead of closed arms. The media have been extremely supportive and professional and ATG lead by Howard Panter and all the staff at the Opera House and Palace Theatre have worked diligently and professionally to help us bring Ghost to the market place. We transfer into London’s West End in a good place with strong word of mouth, powerful marketing tools such as an EPK, photography and a knowledge base of what our audience want from our show”

The latest to ride the Manchester springboard, Monkee Business, from the producer s of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Spamalot, will feature a 20-strong cast acting out a "madcap Austin Powers-style plot", producers said.

It's being billed as: "Monkee Business follows four normal young lads who with the help of a few sexy Russian spies, nonsensical nuns and the odd tambourine, unwittingly get caught up in a memorably madcap adventure!"

"With a hilarious mix of groovy adventure, dreamy romance and zany comedy, Monkee Business is the ultimate feel-good family musical which will have audiences of all ages twisting and monkeeing in the aisles."

Panter commented: "Manchester is the ideal place for the original creative process necessary for developing large-scale new musicals like Monkee Business. It is a city with a great foundation in music with knowledgeable and sophisticated audiences who love and understand fantastic musical theatre.

Monkee Business will then play at the Glasgow Kings Theatre from April 17 - April 21, 2012 and the Sunderland Empire from April 24-28, 2012, with Broadway in the farsighted looking glass.



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ART AND ABOUT

JEFFERSON'S BIBLE: THE LIFE AND MORALS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH this display focuses on a remarkable document from the early 19th century.

At age 77, after his retirement from the presidency, Thomas Jefferson completed assembling his The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, compiled from the four Gospels of the New Testament and constructed like a scrapbook, with passages glued to the pages.

Jefferson arranged the text to tell a chronological and edited story of Jesus’ life and moral philosophy and had the volume professionally bound in rich Morocco leather with gold tooling.

He had no intention of sharing this work with the public, and the book stayed in his family until the Smithsonian’s librarian purchased it from Carolina Randolph, his great-granddaughter, in 1895.

By an act of Congress in 1904, lithographic reproductions of the volume were created for distribution to members of Congress. On view are the newly conserved Jefferson bible, along with two of the source books he used and an original copy of the 1904 printing.

November 11, 2011 – May 28, 2012 at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

HALLOWEEN FIRE STRIKES FAMED MAGIC CASTLE

It was a "trick" rather than a "treat" - that fire at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood - which broke out on Halloween.

Thankfully, it was contained to the attic, but unfortunately there was extensive water damage.

An LAFD spokesman described it as a "greater-alarm fire". No injuries were reported.

The fire forced the world famous private club for magic enthusiasts and home to The Academy of Magical Arts, to be closed since Halloween.

On its Twitter account, Magic Castle sent a message to followers thanking them "for all for your concern, support & understanding. This community is a tight-knit one & we can feel the love from around the world."

They also sent a shout out to the Los Angeles Fire Department thanking over 120 firefighters who responded so quickly.

On Thursday it was announced that following approvals "by several city authorities," a members only soft opening would take place Friday, November 4.

However, although the Irma and Houdini Rooms were untouched by the fire, several sections of the famed Victorian house will remain closed.

"Only the Glover Annex portion will be available, including the Palace of Mystery theater, the Parlour of Prestidigitation, the Inner Circle area and, thankfully, our world-famous William Larsen Sr. Library," officials stated.

It is not yet estimated when the famed facility will be able to fully re-open.

The fire and water damage shut down the offices. "We do not have access to anything in our office at this time. I am working remotely for the time being," Trish Alaskey of Membership Services responded to an E-mail from Broadway To Vegas.

The Magic Castle began its life as a private home built in 1909 by banker and real estate magnate Rollin B. Lane, who owned much of what is now Hollywood, dreaming of turning his land into orange groves, farms and ranches.

But a severe drought brought an end to his dreams and orange blossoms never filled the valley.

After the Lane family moved away in the 1940s, the mansion was divided into a multi-family home, then became a home for the elderly, and was finally transformed into a maze of small apartments. By 1960, the fate of the Mansion was uncertain. Then Milt Larsen met the owner, Thomas O. Glover.

Milt was a writer on the NBC TV show Truth or Consequences. His office was on the ninth floor of a Hollywood office building that overlooked the Lane mansion. Milt's late father, William W. Larsen, Sr., was a renowned magician and had long dreamed of building an elegant private club for magicians.

The Lane mansion would become that club. The Magic Castle opened its doors at 5 p.m. on January 2, 1963. Today almost five decades later, the Castle has become the world-famous "home" to the Academy of Magical Arts, and has become a training ground for professional and amateur magicians. It houses relics of the genre as well as the memorabilia of famous magicians.

The Magic Castle has started an Inferno Fund where members can donate to help with miscellaneous costs associated with the restoration.

CELEBRITIES ADORN THEIR CHILDREN

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, photographed October 25, 2011 at the Not For Sale benefit at The Music Box in Hollywood, wearing the bracelet where the side towards the camera says Eugenie. Photo: Getty images North America.

Sarah Ferguson at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children at the Wynn Resort Las Vegas, October 11, 2008, wearing the bracelet with Beatrice's name in camera range. Photo by: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America.

While it might not be wearing their heart on their sleeve, celebrities are wearing their children's names on assorted parts of their bodies.

Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of the Princesses Beatrice and Eugene, has a gold and diamond bracelet, which many confuse as being two bracelets. It's one with two names. On one side, spelled out in diamonds is the name of her first born, Beatrice, and on the other side is the name of Beatrice's sister, Eugenie.

Can you imagine the problems if a mother had a bracelet for each daughter and had to keep track of when each bracelet was worn, so as not to favor one girl over the other?

The Duchess of York was first spotted wearing the arm bauble in Las Vegas when she attended the 2008 Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children. She also was photographed wearing the adornment at Beatrice's college graduation and just last week she wore the bracelet to the Not For Sale benefit at The Music Box in Hollywood.

That charity launch was part of a new international effort to fight human trafficking and end modern day slavery. AllSaints Spitalfields launched an innovative partnership "with the international anti-human trafficking group, which represented the unprecedented entrance of a global retailer into a movement that aims to put an end to forced labour. AllSaints and Not For Sale together aim to model what it looks like to care about the dignity of people."

Heidi Klum's right arm boasts an artistic script interpretation of her husband's name as well as a star for each of their children. Photo: Getty

In addition to the arm billboard, the devoted mother arrived at LAX airport, carrying a $360 Anya Hindmarch handbag customized with a black and white photograph of both Beatrice and Eugenie.

Other high profile moms who publicly pay tribute to their offspring are Dennis Quaid's wife Kimberly who wears the Swank Birthstone Loop Necklace (starting at $100) with their twins T. Boone and Zoe Grace's names, and Scott Baio's wife Renee wears the Swank Mini Dog Tag Necklace with daughter Bailey's name, while Milla Jovovich wears the Birthstone Tall Tag Necklace (starting at $80) with her daughter Ever's name and birthstone.

Making a display permanent are celebrity parents who opt for the tattoo.

Angelina Jolie has the longitude and latitude coordinates for all of her children Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne, marked on her upper left arm. Brad Pitt is rumored to have a prayer for his adopted son Maddox inscribed on his body.

Heidi Klum got inked in artistic script on her forearm for her husband, Seal, while stars represent their four children Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou Solola.

Klum spent Halloween week-end in Las Vegas for her 12th annual party.

David Beckham has Harper, the name of his daughter, tattooed by his neck. Photo: Getty

She arrived at the Saturday night shindig at Tao in The Venetian on a gurney with her gorgeous bode gowned only in a spooky "dead body autopsy" skin-tight bodysuit which was painted with muscles and tendons. Her face was airbrushed on by artist Bill Corso - using an easy to wash off type of body paint.

Pamela Anderson has "Mommy" inscribed on her ring finger.

That Beckham couple - Victoria "Posh Spice" and soccer great David wear permanent reminders that they are parents.

Heartthrob David has the names of their three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, scrolled across his back, and three cherubs on the inside of his biceps in their honor.

After their daughter Harper Seven was born last July he had her name inked in script just below his neck on his left clavicle.

Happy wife Victoria tweeted a picture.

She, too, has gone under the needle to honor her brood. Stars adorn her back - one each for her and her husband, and the other for the kids.

And it's not surprising that the iconic pirate of the silver screen, Johnny Depp, went under the needle for his children, Lily-Rose and Jack.

Julia Roberts inked her lower back with the names of her three children. Twins Phinnaeus and Hazel's names are side by side rounding her backside, while just above them is younger brother Henry's moniker.

SPREADING THE WORD

GIVE A MAN A MASK a developmental lab for this new musical is being presented by the York Theatre Company. This new musical by Richard Isen is inspired by quotations from the writings of Oscar Wilde.

The cast will feature Joe Grandy, famed impersonator Randy Roberts, and Richard White. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Kalfin with music direction by Ed Alstrom.

On a foggy night in San Francisco, Gregory, a gay, semi-retired psychology consultant with a life-long passion for the glamorous leading ladies of Hollywood’s Golden Age, has a near-death experience and is visited by a mysterious figure, “The Lady.” She pushes Gregory out of his safe, solitary reality and he soon finds himself in a turbulent dangerous relationship with a young escort - which unexpectedly leads him to a deeper understanding of what it means to love.

November 10-12 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in NYC. The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City - and one of very few in the world - dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past.

MADAME VESTRIS' LEGS Before photography, theatre was used to promote new fashions and roles gave actresses opportunities to wear outfits too scandalous for everyday life. Clare Rose explores theatre and fashion in the early nineteenth century.

The seminar takes place Thursday, November 10, at The Portrait Gallery in London.

SEATTLE REP has selected five Northwest writers to take part in the theatre’s inaugural Writers Group.

"Emily Conbere, Vincent Delaney, Al Frank, Elizabeth Heffron, and Stephanie Timm will form the first cohort for this two-year initiative, one of many projects of the theatre’s New Play Program," the theatre announced.

The Writers Group is a forum for playwrights to challenge, encourage, and motivate each other through an extended conversation about their work.

Participants in the group receive a modest stipend from the theatre, attend biweekly meetings, utilize Seattle Rep resources, receive complimentary tickets and access to Seattle Rep productions, and present up to one staged reading of a full-length play each year of the program.

IN THE SAME WEEK news broke that Kim Kardasian's soon to be ex, Kris Humphries, canceled a scheduled appearance to host a party last Saturday at ChateauLV, and that Mariah Yeater, 20, the maybe Baby Mom to Justin Berber's baby (which he strongly denies) is a Vegas gal who attended seventh to tenth grade in Sin City. She also has a pending Las Vegas court date, having been accused of slapping her 18-year-old ex-boyfriend on Dec. 21, 2010. She's scheduled to be in Las Vegas for a bench trial Dec. 12 on the misdemeanor battery charge. A conviction could carry six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

TRANSLATING SHOWS A LOT LIKE CHINGLISH

One of this season's Broadway bright stars, Chinglish, shows how improper translations can jeopardize both business and pleasure.

According to the official description of Chinglish: "An American businessman arrives in a bustling Chinese province looking to score a lucrative contact for his family’s sign-making firm. He soon discovers that the complexities of such a venture far outstrip the expected differences in language, customs and manners - and call into question even the most basic assumptions of human conduct."

Chinglish is performed in both English and Mandarin, with English subtitles, and can be enjoyed at the Longacre Theatre in NYC.

Mandarin isn't the only problem for translators.

For instance, Broadway productions and movies which play in foreign countries. Their English titles can morph into an interesting skew.

The Sound of Music in foreign countries translate to English as Smiles and Tears (Spain), The Melody of Happiness (France), The Rebellious Novice (Argentina and Brazil). In Croatia the movie is known under the same title as in Austria and Germany - My Song - My Dream ("Moje pjesme, moji snovi), according to the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization.

In France Face-Off becomes Volte-Face (About Face) and She’s All That becomes Elle est trop bien (literally, She Is Too Good).

The movie Dance With Me became Passion Dance, and Cruel Intentions turned into Sex Intentions.

Never Been Kissed was renamed in French, Middle School Attitude), and Varsity Blues became American Boys.The movie Wild Things, was rechristened Sex Crimes.

The Matrix translated to Les jeunes gens qui traversent les dimensions en portant des lunettes à soleil which means The Young People Who Traverse Dimensions While Wearing Sunglasses, according to Fun Trivia.

In Israel Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was billboarded as Cloudy with a Chance of Falafel.

In Italy If You Leave Me translated into This Spring, Clear Your Mind.

Animal House translated into German as Ich glaub’ mich tritt ein Pferd (“I think a horse kicked me”)," according to Accredited Language Services. "In Germany the title Catch Me If You Can maintained the original English title but then added “Mein Leben auf der Flucht” – My life on the run".

Accredited Language Services explained that "the television show Jersey Shore was brought to Japanese audiences last year, for instance, but since the Jersey Shore as a location - and all the implications it carries - would be lost on a Japanese audience, the show's title was translated into the Japanese to a phrase roughly meaning “Macaroni Rascals,” a reference to the cast members’ supposed Italian identities."

The Oscar winning Fargo was translated in China as Mysterious Murder in Snowy Cream. The Wedding Funeral in France was Corpse Bride. In Germany The Parent Trap was released as A Twin Seldom Comes Alone. The Terminator was billed in many foreign countries as Deadly Assignment and Grease got advertised as Vaseline.

Star Wars was known in Spain as The War of the Galaxies. In Japan Miss Congeniality was known as Dangerous Beauty and Miss Undercover in Denmark.

SWEET CHARITY

ANDRE AGASSI'S annual Grand Slam for Children event, held at the Wynn Las Vegas last Saturday was a rousing success collecting a record breaking $26.1 million, thanks to an $18 million donation from Kirk Kerkorian.

Star power in attendance included Michael Buble, Jimmy Kimmel, Martina McBride, Smokey Robinson and Train, with surprise appearances by Gladys Knight, Signature Group and comedian Jeff Ross.

Funds raised from Grand Slam events benefit the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (Agassi Prep), a tuition free public K-12 charter school serving students in the historical poverty area of West Las Vegas.

THE NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY CELEBRATES JERRY HERMAN

Jerry Herman pictured in front of his Tony Awards

The New York Sheet Music Society was established in 1980. It began with a small but dedicated group of collectors, who, through the courtesy of the late Sammy Cahn, president of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, met at One Times Square to exchange sheet music and stories about songwriters, singers, and songs. Now a thriving non-profit corporation, the Society has over 400 members spread across the nation.

The organization meets the second Saturday of each month from October through June at Local 802 - Musicians’ Hall, in Manhattan.

On November 12, following the regular meeting, the group will Celebrate The Legacy of Jerry Herman - in this his 80th birthday year. The famed composed turned that magic number on July 10th.

Richard Skipper hosts along with Klea Blackhurst, Ken Bloom, Marge Champion, Amber Edwards who created Words and Music, the award winning documentary on Jerry Herman, Sondra Lee who was Hello Dolly!'s original Minnie Faye, Miles Phillips, Donald Pippin, Lee Roy Reams with John Fischer on piano.

Sheet music has always had a base of collectors. Some rare or signed copies can bring outrageous sums. If you find some sheet music stuck in grandma's piano bench, don't toss it before finding out it's value.

Jerry Herman with orchestrator Don Pippin, 1966

In the 19th century the music industry was dominated by sheet music publishers. In the United States, the sheet music industry rose in tandem with blackface minstrelsy, and the group of New York City-based publishers and composers dominating the industry was known as Tin Pan Alley. The late 19th century saw a massive explosion of parlour music, with a piano becoming de rigueur for the middle class home, but in the early 20th century the phonograph and recorded music grew greatly in importance. This, joined by the growth in popularity of radio from the 1920s on, lessened the importance of the sheet music publishers. The record industry eventually replaced the sheet music publishers as the music industry's largest force.

Comprehending sheet music requires a special form of literacy: the ability to read music notation. Nevertheless, an ability to read or write music is not a requirement to compose music. Many composers have been capable of producing music in printed form without the capacity themselves to read or write in musical notation—as long as an amanuensis of some sort is available. Examples include the blind 18th-century composer John Stanley and the 20th-century composers and lyricists Lionel Bart, Irving Berlin and Paul McCartney.

In the late 20th and into the 21st century, significant interest has developed in representing sheet music in a computer-readable format, as well as downloadable files.

In 1999, Harry Connick, Jr. invented a system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra. Connick's invention is a device with a screen which is used to show the sheet music for the musicians in an orchestra instead of the more commonly used paper. Harry Connick Jr. uses this system for example when he's touring with his big band.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK is being sued. In court papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on November 4, 2011, Patricia Lambrecht - one of many investors in the musical - asserts that the producers of the musical owe her over $600,000. Lambrecht states that in 2009 she agreed to provide $2.5 million in collateral to fulfill a theater license agreement in which the production was obligated to restore the West 42nd Street theater in which it’s housed when the production is over.

In return, the suit says, Spider-Man would pay her a $368,750 facility fee.

“Because of production delays, Spider-Man requested that plaintiff extend the pledge of the collateral,” the suit says. Lambrecht agreed and her agreement was modified to increased her facility fee to $985,000.

The musical and another company, 8 Legged, have paid her over $360,000 of that figure, but have yet to pay the other $625,000, the suit says.

The action seeks to force Spider-Man to pay, with interest going back to March.

The show is the most expensive in Broadway history, having cost an estimated $75 million.

Records indicate that this is Lambrecht's first venture into investing in Broadway. Her bio in the Spider-Man Playbill states: "PATRICIA LAMBRECHT is a partner in Hello Entertainment. She supports documentary filmmakers as well as independent films. Patricia is director and chair of TJ Lambrecht Construction Co. and director of First Financial Holding Co. in Illinois. She is the mother of three children, Melissa, Jack and Matthew."

Hello Entertainment is listed as: HELLO ENTERTAINMENT/DAVID GARFINKLE/TONY ADAMS, the founding producer of Spider-Man, is a theatrical production company created by David Garfinkle (CEO) and the late Tony Adams. Upcoming productions: Ghost the Musical (West End June 2011, Mathew Warchus (director), Dave Stewart/Glen Ballard (music/lyrics), Bruce Joel Rubin (book/lyrics)); Anne and Emmett. Off-Broadway: The Immigrant (Drama Desk nominations, Best Book and Orchestrations). Other productions: Garfinkle: Hinton Battle: Largely Live; Adams: Victor/Victoria (Julie Andrews, Tony nomination). Garfinkle heads Entertainment and Intellectual Property Group.

DIDN'T GET THE MEMO the City Center Group which includes the Ahmanson in Los Angeles sent out a "secure your seats to the pre-Broadway engagement of Funny Girl", which was set to play the Ahmanson January 15 - February 26, 2012 just as the producers announced they were scrapping the production. Seems four investors backed out of the planned $12 million revival of the hit 1964 musical. Lauren Ambrose was cast as Fanny Brice and the Tony nominee Bobby Cannavale was slated to play Nicky Arnstein, Brice’s love interest. People on both coasts are in shock.

MOVING ON

JIM PETOSA the acclaimed artistic director who has served Olney Theatre in that capacity since 1993 will step down at the end of 2012, the company has announced.

"Everyone at Olney Theatre Center appreciates Mr. Petosa’s unprecedented commitment and artistic leadership and I have been so honored to be his partner and to work with him for the last four years," said Olney Managing Director Amy Marshall. Petosa also serves as the Director of Boston University’s School of Theatre.

Olney announced that it "has begun to conduct a national search for a new artistic director who has favorable characteristics, strong leadership skills, and a deep commitment to artistic excellence."

Next production is The Sound of Music with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, directed by Mark Waldrop, which runs November 16, 2011 – January 1, 2012. at the Olney which is located just north of Washington, D.C. in arts-rich Montgomery County, Maryland.

GET WELL SOON TO . . . .

JAN MAXWELL a four-time Tony Award nominee, who plays Phyllis Stone in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies, at the Marquis Theatre, was hit by traffic while crossing 45th Street following the Saturday, October 20 matinee. During the 11 days she was out of the show her part was played by Colleen Fitzpatrick.

JOSH GAG the Tony nominated star, who - it was first reported by The New York Times - had been injured during the Thursday, October 27 performance of The Book of Mormon and was replaced during the show by his understudy Jared Gertner At the end of the show, his co-star, Andrew Rannells, told the crowd that Gad had been injured. Gertner also played the part of Elder Cunningham in the October 28-30 performances.



RADIANCE: THE PASSION OF MARIE CURIE

The multi-talented Alan Alda makes his debut as a playwright

a world premiere play by Alan Alda.

Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan directs.

Starring Anna Gunn in the title role about the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize.

The cast also includes Natacha Roi, John de Lancie, Ovation Award winner Hugo Armstrong, Don Donohue, Leonard Kelly-Young and Sarah Zimmerman.

Billed as: "Timed perfectly with the 100th anniversary of Madame Curie's second Nobel Prize as well as the first International Year of Chemistry, Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie delves into the life and romance of one of the most brilliant female scientists in history. Famous for her groundbreaking research in radioactivity, Curie was the only person ever to win two Nobel Prizes in multiple sciences, but not without a struggle. For all the answers that come to her in the lab, Curie's life is peppered with questions of how to realize the passion she has for both knowledge and love. Celebrated but then rejected by the popular press as both a woman and scientist, Curie is left to define her place in society - and history - on her own terms."

The creative team includes set designer Tom Lynch, costume designer Rita Ryack, lighting designer Daniel Ionazzi, sound designer Jon Gottlieb and production stage manager Young Ji.

Officially opens November 9 and runs through December 10 at Geffen's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater in Los Angeles.

HUGH JACKMAN BACK ON BROADWAY the Tony Award winning star of stage and screen performs a personal selection of his favorite musical numbers that reflect on his life and career.

Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle.

Jackman is joined on stage by Robin Campbell, Kearran Giovanni, Anne Otto, Lara Seibert, Hilary Michael Thompson and Emily Tyra.

Audiences will be entertained with tunes by Marcel Eugene Ageron, Peter W. Allen, Richard Alleyne, Adrienne Anderson, Harold Arlen, Georges Abel Louis Auric, Burt Bacharach, G. Becand, Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant, Shawn C. Carter, Eddie J. Cooley, Christopher C. Cross, John Davenport, Mac Davis, John Albert Denicola, William Engvick, Sammy Fain, Dorothy Fields, Milt Gabler, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Oscar Hammerstein, Otto A. Harbach, Yip Harburg, Thaddis Laphonia Harrell, Jerry Herman, Herman Hupfeld, Elton John, The Jonas Brothers, Bert Kaempfert, Irving Kahal, Jerome Kern, Manny Kurtz, Albert Abraham Lasry, Jack Lawrence, Leiber & Stoller, John Lennon, Frank Loesser, Donald Jay Markowitz, Richard Marx, Paul McCartney, Jimmy McHugh, Albert Phillip McKay, Johnny Mercer, Freddy Mercury, Terius Youngdell Nash, Randy Newman, Dean Pitchford, Cole Porter, Franke Jon Previte, Tim Rice, Richard Rodgers, Carole Sager, Christopher A. Stewart, Billy Strange, Linda Thompson, Louis Trenet, Maurice White and Allee Willis.

The songs have been arranged and orchestrated by August Eriksmoen, Michael Gibson, Larry Hochman, Mark Hummel, Michael John La Chiusa, Jim Laev, Richard Mann, Richard Marx, JJ McGeehan, Danny Troob, Patrick Vaccariello, Don Walker and Harold Wheeler.

The creative team also includes Patrick Vaccariello (musical direction), John Lee Beatty (scenic designer), Ken Billington (lighting design), William Ivey Long (costume designer), John Shivers (sound design) and Alexander V. Nichols (projection and video design).

The Broadway engagement, which features an 18-piece orchestra, follows limited runs in Toronto and San Francisco. Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway officially opens on November 10 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Performances continue through January 1, 2012.

THE SUGAR HOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS by Carla Ching. Directed by Daniella Topol.

When their father dies suddenly and their mother goes on a grief pilgrimage, Chinese adoptees Greta and Han are sent to live with their ex-rockstar uncle and his young girlfriend. Wrestling with the wilds of New York and their grief, Greta gets in trouble with the law and put in a court mandated reform program and Han runs away to play music on the street. On the edge of the wilderness, Greta and Han must ask themselves: If I can't go home, where do I go?

A play with music and a live twitter feed about kids growing up fast, children raising children, and shifting notions of home.

Presented by the Drama Desk & Obie Award-winning, Ma-Yi Theater Company November 8 - December 4, 2011 at The Connelly Theater, NYC.

REASONS TO BE PRETTY by Neil Labute. Directed by Michael Attenborough who is the Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre.

Tony Award-nominated Reasons to be Pretty, which received its world premiere at MCC’s Lucille Lortel Theater, examines our perception of beauty and asks whether it is as much of a curse to be conventionally attractive as it is to be considered ugly.

The UK premiere stars Kieran Bew, Siân Brooke, Tom Burke and Billie Piper.

Greg (Tom Burke), is overheard admitting that his girlfriend Steph (Siân Brooke) is no beauty, but that he wouldn’t change her for the world. She is devastated; he can’t quite see what he’s done wrong. Meanwhile, Greg’s best friend Kent (Kieran Bew) alternates between boasting about how gorgeous his wife Carly (Billie Piper) is, and chasing after a hot new colleague.

Designs are by Soutra Gilmour with lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Fergus O’Hare.

Reasons To Be Pretty will run at the Almeida Theatre in London from November 10, 2011 – January 14, 2012.

ANYTHING GOES has welcomed Stephanie J. Block for a limited engagement in the role of Reno Sweeney opposite Joel Grey as Moonface Martin, while Sutton Foster, who won a Tony Award for her performance, films a television pilot. Block will perform through November 22.

HELLO! MY BABY conceived and written by Cheri Steinkeller, a four-time Emmy Award winner and a Tony and Olivier Award nominee. She also wrote new lyrics for the show. Her background includes writing and producing the hit television series Cheers and Disney’s acclaimed animated series/feature film Teacher’s Pet. Her other television writing credits include The Jeffersons, Who’s the Boss, The Facts of Life, and Family Ties. Ms. Steinkellner wrote the book for the current Broadway and West End hit Sister Act.

Directed by Ray Roderick. New music and arrangements are by Georgia Stitt. Choreography is by Kelli Barclay.

Goodspeed Musicals re-imagines all your favorite Tin Pan Alley tunes with this new-fashioned musical comedy.

"Get your hit tunes right here, right now, folks! This riotous new-fashioned musical reboots the greatest hits of Berlin, Gershwin, Kern and more. When Tin Pan Alley’s teen King of the Song-Pluggers falls for a factory girls who’s a musical demon, it’s a recipe for comic romance as they sing and dance their way through class struggles, street gangs, debutante balls and a whole lot of ukuleles. Say “Hello!” to a brand new, all-American musical valentine for all ages."

Hello! My Baby features dozens of songs including I’m Always Chasing Rainbows, Alice Blue Gown, Ain’t We Got Fun, A Good Man Is Hard To Find, You Made Me Love You, My Buddy, Stairway To Paradise, and Hello! My Baby.

Starring Catherine Blades (Alice Tierney) and Justin Bowen (Mickey McKee). Principal cast members also includes Kelly McCormick as Frances Gold; Carrington Vilmont as Junior Tierney; Dick Decareau as Stanford J. Tierney; Beth McVey as Ethel Coots; Frank Root as Bert Coots; Alex Viola as Violet Gold, plus an ensemble of Jessica Azenberg; Matthew Bauman as Albie Coots; Catherine Blades as Alice; Zak Edwards; Michael Mendez as Kid Vicious; Clinton Roane as Noble T. Jones; Allie Schauer as Marie; Jeremy Sevelovitz as Johnny; Ashley Wallace and Michael Warrell as Dickie the Duck.

Set Designer: Michael Schweikardt - Costume Designer: Robin L. McGee - Lighting Designer: John Lasiter - Sound Designer: Jay Hilton - Music Director: Steve Saari.

This audience favorite from Goodspeed’s 2011 Festival of New Artists will run as a development work through November 27, 2011 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed’s home for developing new works.

Talkbacks where audience members can join in a post-show discussion with the creative team take place after the Thursday evening performances on November 10 and 17.

WHO'S WHERE

ROD STEWART entertaining crowds at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas through November 20.

STING opens a two nighter Tuesday, November 8, at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. On Thursday the show is at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Saturday finds him beginning a two night stand at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, FL.

THE JACKSON GARRETT BAND featuring special guest Gary Bias (saxophonist for Earth, Wind and Fire, and Grammy-winner for composing the Anita Baker hit Sweet Love) along with Chris Gore (keys, vocals), Jeff Stover (bass), John Pagels (guitar), Dave Hitchings (drums), Diva Denise Carter (vocals), Stan Watkins (trumpet), Steve Alaniz (sax) and John Leys (trombone). Material from the Jackson Garrett Songbook will be performed, with compositions by Chris Gore and horn arrangements by Marty Steele, along with many covers of standards and pop songs, and Gary Bias's hit Sweet Love. November 13 at Three Sixth North Lounge in Palm Springs, CA.

K.D. LANG is Down Under with shows Monday, November 11, at the A/S Arena in Canberra, Australia. On Wednesday she opens a two nighter at the State Theatre in Sydney, Saturday's show is at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.

WYONNA on stage Wednesday, November 9, at the Tachi Palace Hotel in Lemoore, CA. On Friday she stars at the Silver Legacy Resort in Reno, NV. Saturday finds her at the Community Theatre in Turlock, CA.

ELVIS COSTELLO has a show Tuesday, November 8, at the De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands. On Thursday he's in the spotlight at the Rabozaal in Amsterdam. Saturday he headlines the Sentrum Scene in Oslo, Norway.

AUDRA McDONALD brings her beautiful voice to the Phillips Center, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL on November 8. On Thursday she's on stage at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, Charleston, SC. Friday show is at the Peace Center, Greenville, SC and on Saturday she can be enjoyed at Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA.

FINAL OVATION

GEORGE ROUNDTREE, JR who spent more than 30 years as the musical leader for the Four Tops, died October 30, 2011 at a Las Vegas hospital. He was 61.

He is survived by his wife Beverly Paris Roundtree and his son, George Roundtree III, of Columbus, Ohio.

GIL CATES famed producer and director of films, television programs and stage productions died at UCLA Medical Center on October 31, 2011 after collapsing in the UCLA parking lot. He had undergone heart surgery last month. He was 77.

The longtime producer of the Oscars television show, he also founded the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA and was its dean for eight years. He remained there as a professor.

He directed plays both on and off Broadway and was the founder and producing director of the not-for-profit Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, CA. That venue has provided a theatrical home for Hollywood talent, including Annette Bening and Jason Alexander, and a nurturing environment for leading contemporary playwrights such as Donald Margulies and Neil Labute.

Cates twice served as president of the Directors Guild of America and was on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He is survived by his wife Dr. Judith Reichman, four children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren. He is the uncle of actor Phoebe Cates.

SID MELTON a character actor whose career spanned 60 years, died November 2, 2011 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA of pneumonia. He was 94.

Perhaps best known for his roles in the hit television shows Green Acres and The Danny Thomas Show, Melton appeared in about 140 television and film projects.

On the stage, Melton debuted in 1939 in a touring production of See My Lawyer and appeared in 1947 on Broadway in The Magic Touch.

Born as Sidney Meltzer in Brooklyn, he was the younger brother of screenwriter Louis Meltzer who adapted Golden Boy and Man With the Golden Arm.

LEONARD STONE a Tony nominated actor who appeared as Violet Beauregard's father in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died November 2, 2011, a day before his 88th birthday, at his home in San Diego after a battle with cancer.

Stone started his career as a young actor studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He performed in the West End, on Broadway, and toured around the world. He traveled for eight years in Australia and New Zealand touring in the musical South Pacific. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1959 for Best Supporting Actor in Redhead, a Bob Fosse musical which starred Richard Kiley and Gwen Verdon. He also was in the Tony Award-nominated cast of Look Homeward, Angel in 1957, which premiered at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York. It won a Pulitzer Prize.

After moving to San Diego 28 years ago to be closer to his grandchildren, he became an active member of the San Diego Repertory Theater.

He is survived by his wife, Carole, son Michael and daughters Robin, Jan and Debbie, plus eight grandchildren: Justin, Lindsey, Erin, Frankie, Jourdan, Sarah, Mac and Smokey.

ANDY ROONEY died November 4, 2011 from complication of surgery. He was 92.

The radio and television writer and commentator was best known for his weekly broadcast A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney, a part of 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011. His sign off appearance on 60 Minutes aired October 2, 2011.

He was preceded in death by Marguerite, his wife of 62 years. He is survived by their children Brian, Emily, Martha and Ellen.

IN CELEBRATION OF TONY STEVENS a tribute to his life will be held next Tuesday, November 8th, at the New York Society For Ethical Culture, NYC. Some of the speakers and performers will include: Chita Rivera, Jack Lee, Sam Harris, Debbie Gravitte, Michon Peacock, Laura Kenyon, Harvey Evans, Bob Cuccioli, Nathan Sampson, Andy Bew, Carol Schuberg, Dante Puleio, Gerry McIntyre and members of his Dreamgirls cast, and others including some of his dancers and students. The public is invited to this celebration of Tony Stevens – who epitomized the life of a Broadway "gyspy".

Tony Stevens, choreographer, director, teacher, and dancer of extraordinary talent, passed away on July 12th of Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The veteran of Broadway and television directed and/or choreographed for Chita Rivera, Bernadette Peters, Dolly Parton, Debbie Shapiro, Betty Buckley, Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Bette Midler, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell. He was honored to have choreographed for Gene Kelly. He staged numbers for Martin Short and Nathan Lane on Late Night with David Letterman.

Next Column: November 13, 2011
Copyright: November 6, 2011. 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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