Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: October 17, 2021
By: Laura Deni
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CLEANING UP ON BROADWAY - MAINTAINING THE COSTUMES

Nothing reeks of the sweet smell of success like a gigantic pile of sweaty laundry.

The wardrobe departments of major Broadway shows are big budget, high stress and dangerous areas of the theatre.

Most Broadway shows budget a minimum of $50,000 for costumes. That skyrockets for elaborate Broadway musicals. Weekly maintenance $5K- $10K.

Generally, each star has his or her own dresser plus the productions employ one dresser for every two actors - providing, of course, that they are up and running.

The Costume Industry Coalition calculated that its 50-plus member businesses lost $26.6 million in gross revenue last year. That group includes the famed Bronx-based, Ernest Winzer Cleaners, the Broadway-connected cleaner that has been in operation since 1908 and has received a special Tony Award.

Keeping the thousands of Broadway costumes user friendly is a lot more involved that simply tossing a couple of pods into the washer.

Ernest Winzer is continuously trying to find the best ways to get costumes cleaned in a green environmentally conscious way.

The company has survived a lot. They managed to deliver costumes in the Christmas Blizzard of 2010 and the Hurricane of 2011, both of which shut down NYC but not Ernest Winzer Dry Cleaners. COVID-19 was a different story.

Bruce Barish and his wife Sarah are Owner/Operator of Ernest Winzer Dry Cleaner.

They normally dry clean 75-80% of the costumes for all Broadway productions, as well as Radio City, television, movies, concerts and mascots. Then that infection took over and everything shut down.

Not only did the cleaner lose the Broadway trade, but also the cleaning of wedding dresses, prom outfits, tuxedos worn at charity events and all other society functions as Covid kept everyone at home or limited attendance to numbers you could count on both hands.

Also, with people working from home, there wasn't the usual traffic of dress shirts and suits.

Now the cleaner is looking forward to dirty costumes. More laundry means that more productions are playing.

Six costume designer Gabriella Slade, 31, who studied theatre design at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, was nominated for an Olivier award for her amazing and ornate Tutor inspired designs in this - don't miss it - wonderful production, which will see her nominated for American accolades - and probably win.

One of the V&A Evening Events was an online talk with the exceptional Slade, who referred to the newer costumes as the "Broadway Edits" explaining that she was aware that the Broadway version needed to be more. More details on all of the costumes.

While this show is playing in several locations, there are two differences specifics to the Broadway costumes. The detailing on the boots is done in a lattice work pattern, and each queen has earrings with their roman numeral on it.

However, when the production - thanks to COVID - was shut down after previews - and hours before opening night - all of the costumes for Six stayed - for over a year - basically at where they were taken off. Later they were declared unuseable due to the lack of proper environmental storage during the pandemic. Thus, all costumes were remade. One of the changes concerned layers of PVC. Another change was removing all sequined material, replaced with spandex with holographic dots to mimic sequins. Studding was changed from individual mounting to manufactured studded trim.

In Diana: The Musical the star Jenna de Waal has 38 costumes, more than three times the usual number. The creator is Wlliam Ivey Long and the costumes are the only aspect of the show getting good reviews. This is his 76th Broadway show. He owns six Tony awards.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical boasts 200 costumes by seven-time Tony winner Catherine Zuber, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama. They range from colorful cancan skirts to gowns studded with 30,000 Swarovski crystals. It's no surprise that she just took home the Tony for this production.

None of these shows have costumes that can be simply thrown into a washing machine.

Hamilton costumes designed by Paul Tazewell, manufactured by Parsons-Meares.

Specializing in made-to-order costumes for stage, film, dance, and opera, Parsons-Meares Company has produced costumes for Broadway hits such as Hamilton, The Lion King, Aladdin, Wicked, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Starlight Express. Seventeen Tony award-winning costume designs have featured their creations.

Other productions include the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, Siegfried & Roy, Marvel Universe Live!, and multiple shows for Disney on Ice.

Dance and opera collaborators include the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theater, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Sally Ann Parsons and her husband James Meares founded Parsons-Meares in 1980. Since Jim’s death, Sally Ann has been the sole owner, often employing over 60 dressmakers, craftspeople and artists for work on a single project. In 2016, Sally Ann was the first costume maker to receive a Tony Honor.

The company will continue to dress the casts of returning Broadway shows including The Lion King; Hadestown and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, as well as productions of Hamilton across the country which requires 178 pairs of pants, 120 vests and 125 dickies.

The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes opens November 5, 2021 high kicking it at NYC's Radio City Music Hall through January 2, 2022.

The Rockettes in their Wooden Soldiers routine.

The Rockettes have paraded as wooden soldiers since The Radio City Christmas Spectacular's debut in 1933. Modeled after a porcelain doll, the costume was originally made of lined duvetine jackets and cotton duct pants, which were stiffened in cold starch at the laundry near the Music Hall. Constructed like a box without front and back pleats, the pants needed perfect hems because they couldn't be altered after the starching process. The soldiers still look the same today, but now a cotton twill fabric is used, which is still bleached and starched to within an inch of its life. Matching hats are made of buckram, which looks like cheese cloth that was covered first in oil skin and then later in patent leather. Specially crafted for each Rockette, a wooden soldier costume takes about twelve hours to make.

The invention of Danskin lycra-spandex was revolutionary for the costume industry. Allowing the dancers to breathe and move more easily, this stretch fabric created thicker, more durable tights. The dancers wear eighty pairs of sparkle tights per year just in the Santa's Gonna Rock and Roll segment. Each pair is custom-made and hand-painted to create the shimmer.

Bob Mackie designed the legendary costume for Dancing in Diamonds, which is made of black spandex and silver lame, contains tons of beads and rhinestones, and has a feathered headpiece. This outfit includes a curved capelike piece called a swag, which stretches from the dancer's finger to her opposite shoulder increasing the appearance of motion on stage. In general, costumes are fitted for each dancer three times, and continual alterations are required. At the Christmas Spectacular, each of the Rockettes must change costumes eight times during the show, and they have as little as eighty seconds in which to make one change.

That speed change occurs between the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "New York at Christmas," where there are just 78 seconds to change outfits. That means taking off socks, shoes, pants, jackets, gloves, cheeks and hats, and then putting on dresses, shoes, jackets, earnings, gloves and new hats - and cheeks. The Rockettes wear red cloth cheeks for Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and Rag Dolls for rosy complexions.

The show produces 350 laundry loads weekly. Costumes are cleaned after every 3-6 performances.

There have been mishaps. Once a Rockette's shoe came off during a high kick and went sailing - luckily away from the audience. She kept going. Santa picked up the shoe like nothing happened.

Not every venue has a costume department. For instance, Broadway to Vegas was told that the State Theatre of New Jersey is "a presentation house so we don't house any costumes."

However, most venues contend with costumes. Keeping costumes clean isn't an isolated Big Apple Problem. Productions tour and the nation is full of regional theaters.

Since 1926 Parkway Cleaners, which cares for historical and priceless artifacts, has cleaned everything from White House drapes to decades-old sports uniforms. The pride themselves on using "a very gentle odorless organic solution that is especially effective on beads, sequins, lace, trims and vintage fabric."

Parkway, now located in North Bethesda, Maryland, has cleaned a quilt sewn by a former first lady and the flag adorning the booth at Ford’s Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

"We have cleaned restored centuries-old tapestries for several embassies, priceless one-of-a-kind articles for the Smithsonian Institution, the White House, the Kennedy Center, and numerous textile museums throughout the United States."

Their clients include: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Boss, Burberry and Saks Fifth Avenue.

As for the theatre community today, they're just thrilled they are back on the boards and have costumes which need to be cleaned.

According to Actor's Equity, any costume piece that touches an actor's skin must be washed every day. This includes items like tights, T-shirts and socks, and each actor usually is provided with multiple sets.

Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT is an award-winning musical theatre at the historic Goodspeed Opera House - home of the American musical! Their costume are as first rate as their production and they take pride in what their actors wear.

Dan McMahon Director of Marketing for Goodspeed told Broadway To Vegas that "costumes are cleaned by a combination of dry cleaning, regular machine wash, hand washing, ironing and steaming. Depending on the garment and care instructions. We have a devoted staff wardrobe crew that is in charge of the maintenance and repair of all costumes throughout the run of the production. We use a combination of local dry cleaners since our theatre location is more remote.

"Actors that use their own personal garments for a production loan those garments to the company for the period of the production. They are cleaned and maintained by the wardrobe crew for the duration of the run, but then returned to the cast member upon final performance.

Known for their creativity, Goodspeed's costume designers utilize the ingenuity Goodspeed possesses. "Each creative team has their own vision for the production and sometimes that includes even untraditional fabrics/textiles. Sometimes we are limited if an actor has a certain allergy to a material. We are sure to request allergy information from the cast prior to laundering. Traditional soap used is fragrance and dye free."

However, sometimes it takes a little dexterity to get the costumes from the costume department to the stage.

"Costumes not only have to be designed for actors wearing the items onstage, but also how the actor has to move backstage. The dressing room level at Goodspeed is one level down. The access to stage right is a slightly narrow staircase with a 90 degree bend, a size larger costumes cannot manage well through so certain pieces are left on stage level for the actor to complete the change in the wings prior to entrancing."

Currently on stage through November 28, 2021 is A Grand Night For Singing - costume design by Alejo Vietti - which celebrates over 30 hit songs from all their musical treasures like Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Cinderella and more. You’ll be tapping your toes and humming along in a joyful evening filled with fresh takes on the music you love.

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B plays at KC Rep February 1-20, 2022. Written by Kate Hamill. Directed by José Zayas. Adapted from the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "A fast-paced, laugh-a-minute, World Premiere, feminist farce."

Jenny Green Costume Shop Manager of Kansas City Rep told Broadway To Vegas that "general maintenance throughout the run of a show includes spraying the insides of the costumes with alcohol between each performance. We dry clean if needed for a particular item during the run. We have a wash schedule throughout the week for things that can be machine or handwashed. This spreads out the workload so that there isn't one big laundry day. At the end of the run of a show all items are either dry cleaned or machine washed and then put back into storage. "So far, we have not had to clean anything just for the sake of it being stored for a while," she said referring to the COVID shutdown. "We store our A Christmas Carol stock in dry cleaning bags so they stay clean and don't get dusty. As far as the rest of our stock, our storage area is very large and things are often in there for a long time. We will wash items if they seem like they need it before they go into a show. Most dry clean items will go into the dryer with some dryer sheets to freshen them up."

As do all venues special attention is paid to items worn next to the skin.

"All clothing items that we refer to as "skins" are the underclothes an actor wears during a performance," Green continued. "This could be tights, t-shirts, socks, underwear, bras, etc. They are washed between every performance. We provide 2 of each of these items so that one can be worn while the other is being washed. When possible we also provide 2 of their outer shirts as well (i.e. dress shirts, graphic t-shirts, etc.) We have a Wardrobe Supervisor and dressers for every show that do the laundry and repairs needed during a show. If a major repair is needed, that item will come up to the costume shop so our stitchers can mend it.

"We try in every production to not use an actor's personal items, but it does happen on occasion and they are paid a rental fee for the item," she explained. "It is laundered and cared for just like the rest of the items in the show. In the time of COVID, we will make extra effort to make sure that we do not use personal items.

"We only buy soaps without dyes or perfumes," she stressed. "We also ask actors if they have any allergies to specific soaps, fabrics or other products."

What you might not wear on a Zoom meeting fearing it will make you look trashy may be perfect for the stage.

"Nothing is off the table as long as it serves the purpose and vision of the show that the designers and directors have put together," elaborated Green. "Some are less fun to maintain and glitter sheds everywhere but our shop does our best to support the design. Sometimes the fabric needs to look cheap if it is appropriate to the character.

It's always sad when a costume has to be retired, but everything has it's final hurrah.

"We have a few items in A Christmas Carol that have been around since the first production in 1981 (i.e. Scrooge's cape coat)," she said referring to Kansas City Rep's 40-year beloved tradition. "Many items get passed down to the other characters if they become to worn or sad looking. They'll get distressed and reused for the rougher looking characters in the show. It is always a sad day when a costume piece has to be completely retired altogether because the integrity of the garment just won't hold up to 10 shows a week anymore. There is a lot of history in each piece of the show both for the actors and the costume shop staff who build and alter the items from year to year."

Most facilities have a favorite clean and Kansas City Rep - the only LORT Regional theatre in town - is no exception.

"We always send our costumes to the same dry cleaner. They have pick-up and delivery and know us well. Ross Miller has been a great company to work with over the years," she declared.

In business for 93 years, Ross Miller Cleaners is a 4 generation, family owned business - the oldest and most experienced dry cleaners in the Kansas City Area.

Growing up in the dry cleaning business and keeping it operating has not been as easy as it looks. besides the hot summers in the dry cleaning plant, the Millers struggled through the depression and World War II by expanding their alteration and tailoring departments. in 1970 when polyester was in fashion, times looked bleak for dry cleaners. Work had to be subsidized with more out-of-the-ordinary cleaning, like the shows at the Music hall or stone washing jeans for different manufacturers.

Ross Miller Cleaners "proudly continues to clean the costumes for the Kansas City Repertory Theater and UMKC Theater, as well as the uniforms of the Blue Springs Police Department, Oak Grove Police Department, Central Jackson County Fire Protection, Blue Springs and Lee's summit schools."

In Las Vegas, since its beginning 50 years ago, Tiffany Couture Cleaners in Las Vegas has been "the trusted cleaning partner for some of the famed Strip’s most well-known celebrities and productions."

The Germano brothers built Tiffany Couture Cleaner’s reputation for excellence in the 1970’s and 1980’s while caring for the costume of entertainers like Liberace and Barry Manilow. Today, the Del Rossis owned cleaners continue to care for the wardrobes of the biggest shows and stars in Las Vegas, including Cirque Du Soleil productions, the Nevada Ballet Theater, The Smith Center and even the occasional movie that films in Las Vegas. Examples include The Hangover Part III and HBO’s movie special, Behind the Candelabra.

Upcoming at The Smith Center: An Officer and a Gentleman October 26 - October 31, followed by A Christmas Carol November 23 - November 28 and My Fair Lady January 25, 2022 - January 30, 2022; The Band's Visit February 15- 20, 2022; Tootsie May 24 - 29; and The Play That Goes Wrong Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, June 26, 2022.

And, if somebody smells like vodka, don't jump to the conclusion that they are a drunk. They may be an actor whose costumer used vodka to remove odor. Vodka is a natural fabric deodorant. Put some in a spray bottle, and spray on anything that needs to be refreshed such as the armpits of a garment. Let the clothing dry before you let someone wear it again - otherwise they'll smell like booze.

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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.

ART AND ABOUT

TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART HOSTS MULTI-PLATINUM JOHN LEGEND for intimate gallery concert on October 22, 2021 Event inaugurates Museum’s new concert series presented with community partners.

The EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) recipient and Ohio native John Legend's intimate concert "will create an unforgettable experience for guests, contribute to the sense of belonging our outreach efforts seek to cultivate, and reframe the artworks in our Museum collection and spaces in exciting ways,” said Rhonda Sewell, director of belonging and community engagement at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Collaborating with TMA’s curators and Toledo Symphony musicians, Legend will perform in the Baroque painting gallery, pairing songs from his catalog with geographically and chronologically diverse works of art from the Museum’s celebrated collection. These artworks will be installed in the Great Gallery for the concert, allowing thematic or formal connections to be visible to the attendees, who will fully surround the stage.

PATRICK KELLY: OPENING DAY CELEBRATION Saturday, October 23, 9:30 am–9 pm de Young in San Francisco.

Join us as we honor the life and legacy of Black fashion designer Patrick Kelly with an all-day celebration at the de Young museum in San Francisco, CA . Enjoy free admission to Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love and Judy Chicago: A Retrospective. Opening day festivities include live music, food trucks, prizes, a photo booth, and more.

Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love is organized by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in collaboration with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

NEW ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT spotlights 2021 Inductees. The exhibit debuts on Celebration Day October 24th.

The exhibit highlights this year’s class and their impact on music history by showcasing many iconic items that span the careers of these legends. Within the Hall of Fame Gallery at the Museum, located in Cleveland, Ohio fans can enjoy the newest Inductee class exhibit, each Inductee’s signature (with a special dedication on October 29th), career-defining video and song playlists, as well as the Power of Rock Experience.

Take an intimate look at gear, clothes, lyrics, posters, and programs from this year’s Inductees, which include: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren, along with Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott-Heron for Early Influence, LL Cool J, Billy Preston and Randy Rhoads for Musical Excellence, and Clarence Avant for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Highlights from the 2021 Inductee exhibit include:

Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters’ Dan Armstrong Ampeg guitar, which was used as his main guitar during the One By One era and “Wasting Light” tour. Calling it one of his favorite guitars, Grohl owns four Ampegs that are all tuned differently for various Foo Fighters songs and are featured in three of the band’s most popular videos: “All My Life,” “The One” and “Times Like These.”

Tina Turner’s red lace dress worn in the music video for “Private Dancer,” the title track from her best-selling album, a culturally significant work of art by one of the most iconic voices of the late 20th century music, and reasserted and redefined the queen of rock & roll’s career.

Carole King’s Acrosonic piano with bench, which she used to belt out hits for consecutive years as one of America’s most prolific musicians, loved for songs such as “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”

Randy Rhoads’ personally designed white asymmetrically V-shaped Jackson Concorde guitar, one of the most iconic guitars ever made by one of the most influential rock guitar players in history.

Todd Rundgren’s embroidered purple suit worn during 1978 shows and while recording his live album Back to the Bars, which included a weeklong stint in Cleveland at The Agora. Billy Preston’s Casio Voice Arranger VA-10 keyboard. A keyboard prodigy who played with Mahalia Jackson and Andrae Crouch at ten years old, nobody could rock licks better than Preston, who achieved worldwide acclaim playing with the Beatles, and with his own solo records.

The Go-Go’s are remarkable for being the most successful all-female band to play their own instruments and write their own songs. Costumes and/or instruments on display from each band member show their bold style was as fun as their music, from feminine to New Wave edgy.

Gil Scott-Heron’s signature brown hat, a statement piece for the revolutionary poet and musician, best known for his 1970 work “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”

Plus, view many other one-of-a-kind items such as a portrait of JAY-Z: Tree of Life by visual artist Jerin Beasley, LL Cool J’s teddy bear jacket from “6 Minutes of Pleasure,” and rarely seen photos of Clarence Avant and Charley Patton, and experience iconic music videos by Kraftwerk, innovators, and pioneers of electric music.

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SWEET CHARITY

BUG THERAPY an all star cast joins forces to bring mental health and wellness to the Global Community with "a Spoonful of Hilarity, Creativity and Infectiously Entertaining Storytelling." The film buzzes into Austin, Texas for its World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival on Sunday October 24th with an encore screening Monday October 25th followed by Q&A with cast and crew.

Bug Therapy called "a new captivating, edgy and lighthearted comedy," featuresg a highly talented, award-winning, A-List cast and crew. The all-star cast includes Dr. Phil McGraw, Meghan Trainor, Jay Leno, Sterling K. Brown, Tom Green, Emily Goglia, and Jason Reisig.

Bug Therapy is directed by Jason Reisig and written by Emmy-nominated former Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon writer Michael Jann, and Michele Jourdan, of Citronella Stories. The film speaks to people of all ages, from all places, to shed light on mental health struggles and how vital it is to have a support system, especially now, whatever that may look like.

In Bug Therapy, Citronella (Trainor), a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood, tries to muster the courage to attend group therapy, led by Dr. Pill (Dr. Phil McGraw), to overcome her phobia. She learns that everyone faces mental health struggles – Stick Bug (Brown) battles depression over never feeling seen, Fly (Leno) is OCD/germaphobe and can’t stop washing his hands, Grasshopper (Green) suffers from addiction to coffee, Praying Mantis (Goglia) is narcissistic/delusional and believes she’s God, Dragonfly couple (film writers Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan) are co-dependent, and Spider (Reisig) tries to overcome his phobia of spiders.

"I play a Fly with OCD, who can't stop washing his hands. And it's based on an actual fly. So, it's a true story!" Said Jay Leno.

“Right now, more people than ever are struggling with mental-health. We just wanted to make people laugh, and say: Everyone struggles with something, and there’s no shame in asking for help. We’re blown away by the amazing stars who instantly jumped on board to make this film as funny and entertaining as it is. Their hilarious performances show, “it’s okay to not be okay!” said Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan.

Bug Therapy is the recipient of an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games. First launched in 2019, Epic MegaGrants is a $100-million program designed to support creators doing outstanding work with Epic’s Unreal Engine, the advanced real-time 3D tool used to deliver cutting-edge content, interactive experiences, and immersive virtual worlds.

“Bug Therapy is literally our mission statement! To fight the stigma, and to change the conversation about mental health. This could help SO many people," commented Jessica Cruz NAMI-CA CEO (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The movie is produced by 88 Pictures and Citronella Stories. Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan of Citronella Stories are executive producers, along with Jason Reisig, 88 Pictures’ Milind D. Shinde and Randy Mills. Eric Bergman co-produces.

SPREADING THE WORD

WILLIAM SHATNER GOES WHERE NO 90 YEAR OLD HAS GONE BEFORE

William Shatner in his space suit.

Captain Kirk finally made it into space - not fake Hollywood space from Stage 27, but the real weightless stuff.

Last Wednesday the world watched as William Shatner, 90, was boldly shot into space where he experienced weightlessness, was transformed and landed in Van Horn, Texas with a euphoric attitude of a 30-year old and sore muscles reminding him of his actual age.

William Shatner became the oldest person ever to travel into space when he and three others blasted off inside Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. The Star Trek icon teared up after his return and said “everybody in the world” needs to see Earth from space. He labeled it a "most profound experience."

"I hope I never recover from this," he said. "I hope that I can maintain what I feel now. I don’t want to lose it. It’s so much larger than me and life."

Shatner, who writes music, said he was going to compose a musical number inspired by his trip to space.

The newly minted Space Cadet offered a sensitive, diplomatic and informative reply to Prince William who criticized such space flights.

Shanter explained that flights such as his lay the groundwork for constructing power stations; relocating polluting industries to space stations which could house such things as polution producing electricity, thus helping to clean the planet.

Shatner, Michael Rooker, Matthew Lewis, James Marsters, Dean Cain and Katie Cassidy are among the celebrities scheduled to attend the 23rd annual Wizard World Chicago, which took place October 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

With his feet back on terra firms Shatner only appears today, Sunday, October 17th; while Rooker, Lewis and Cassidy l attended Saturday and Sunday; Cain appeared on Friday and Saturday; Marsters was on hand all three days.

Wizard World Chicago also featured non-stop live entertainment, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, movie screenings hosted by stars and directors and more. Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Chicago was also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – l roamed the convention floor and participated in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

Wizard World Chicago 2021 also marked the final event under the Wizard World brand name. As previously announced, beginning in 2022, former Wizard World events held in Chicago as well as New Orleans, Portland, Cleveland, St. Louis and Philadelphia will be produced under the FAN EXPO name.

GAVIN CREEL: WALK ON THROUGH Tony and Olivier Award-winner Gavin Creel was a museum novice for most of his 20 years living in New York City. Invited to create a program for MetLiveArts, he spent countless hours over the past year exploring the Museum's galleries, finding inspiration, and falling in love with The Met. Experience Creel's newfound passion and sense of wonder for The Met in his newly composed songs that make the art sing.

Monday, October 25, 2021, 6 and 8:30 pm at the The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, NYC. Part of MetLiveArts Performances.

UNDER THE STREETLAMP as seen of PBS. Broadway stars bring a unique blend of tight harmonies, slick dance moves, and a powerhouse band of world-class musicians. The guys deliver a thrilling concert, interspersed with behind-the-scenes tales. Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT.

THE NEW YORK GILBERT AND SULLIVAN PLAYERS (NYGASP) America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company stages their Season Reopening Celebration Sunday, October 24, 2021 at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Join the fun as the NYGASP repertory Company and Orchestra engage in a romp through favorites from the G&S canon – including the first rate opportunity to indulge in audience requests performed impromptu after intermission. Old friends, fresh new faces, and our loyal orchestra members can’t wait to share the glee of the G&S repertoire with our cherished friends and fans who “plough the sea”.

Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 2000 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.K. captivating audiences of all ages. NYGASP’s productions are charged with engaging contemporary entertainment values while retaining respect for the famous duo’s comedic and musical genius.

ROB BECKETT will be telling cheeky jokes October 25 at Dubai Opera in Dubai, UAE.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

SPIEGELWORD AND CAESARS PALACE have inked a $75 partnership deal to create three brand-new, permanent shows in tree major tourist spots - Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New Orleans. First up, Disco Show, coming to The LINQ Hotel and Experience in Las Vegas in late 2022, according to the press release.

Caesars Atlantic City is also getting a new theater and resident show in the first quarter of 2023. The project will incorporate the facade of the former Warner Theatre from 1929, which is currently part of the casino’s exterior facing the Boardwalk.

It is part of $400 million in renovations Caesars has pledged to make at its three Atlantic City casinos.

And a new theater and show is planned for Caesars Palace New Orleans as part of that casino’s $325 million renovation, to be open in 2024.

In addition to Absinthe, Spiegelworld also produces OPIUM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the Atomic Saloon Show at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Las Vegas, and the live entertainment party Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

NYC WOMEN'S FUND FOR MEDIA, MUSIC AND THEATRE a program in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has opened applications for the third round of grants.

Qualified applicants can apply for finishing grants through November 1, 2021. The NYC Women’s Fund was created to address the under representation of female-identified creatives in the entertainment industries. Since the program’s launch in 2018, MOME has awarded $3.5 million to 157 film, theatre, and music projects. Information about the program, including a schedule of informational sessions, is available on the NYC Women’s Fund website.

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ANYTHING GOES has welcomed Broadway star Rachel York on board October 12 to reprise her role of Reno Sweeney from, and star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne who will play Evangeline Harcourt from October 19. The production at the Barbican Centre in London must close November 6, 2021.

ESSENCE from actor and director Allen Lewis Rickman who invites people to "see what happens when you sin with a shiksa, come jam to Soviet Yiddish Rock, and hear Einstein's theory debated by imbeciles." Featuring Rickman and fellow actor Yelena Shmulenson who are better known as the shtetl couple from the Coen brothers' Oscar-nominated A Serious Man, and they are joined on the stage by Broadway veteran Steve Sterner, who also serves as the show’s Musical Director.

Making its official Off-Broadway bow, with the official opening set for Sunday, October 17th at the WP Theater, NYC.

EAST LYNNE THEATER COMPANY an Equity theater company in Cape May, New Jersey presents Nosferatu and Poe in time for Halloween.

Nosferatu, the 1922 silent classic horror film, accompanied by Wayne Zimmerman on the organ on Friday, October 22 and Poe by Candlelight on Saturday, October 23.

Nosferatu is based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, in spite of the film's director, F. W. Murnau, changing the characters' names, and a bit of the plot. The full title of the film, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, lives up to its name. Max Schreck, who portrays the count, behaves more like an animal than a human, with ears like bats, claw-like nails, and fangs that are in the middle of his mouth like a rodent's. Special effects add to the uneasy atmosphere: the disappearance of a coach, the count materializing out of thin air, and photographic negatives used to give the appearance of white trees against a black sky.

Providing his own original musical accompaniment on the organ, is Wayne Zimmerman, who has been playing for ELTC's silent film series since 2011.

Started in 2015, ELTC's Poe by Candlelight continues to be one of the company’s most popular events. This year, stories by the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, include Bernice; The Oval Portrait, and The Tell-Tale Heart, read by Amanda Brinlee, Morgan J. Nichols, and Gayle Stahlhuth. Due to the pandemic, we’ll not be serving refreshments in the lounge before the hour-long performance, but we will have tasty treats "to go."

TREVOR: THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, based on the Academy Award-winning short film Trevor directed by Peggy Rajski, produced by Randy Stone and written by Celeste Lecesne.

Directed by Marc Bruni.

Choreography is by Josh Prince.

It’s 1981 in America, and Trevor Nelson is busy navigating adolescence in suburbia while dreaming of a life in show business. When an embarrassing incident at school suddenly puts him in the wrong spotlight, Trevor must summon the courage to forge his own path. "A deeply moving and funny story of self-discovery and the power of acceptance, Trevor the Musical is about living your best life with a ton of passion… and a touch of pizzazz."

Featuring Holden William Hagelberger as Trevor, along with Mark Aguirre, Aaron Alcaraz, Ava Briglia, Sammy Dell, Tyler Joseph Gay, Ellie Kim, Colin Konstanty, Brigg Liberman, Diego Lucano, Alyssa Emily Marvin, Isabel A. Medina, Echo Deva Picone, Dan Rosales, Aryan Simhadri, Yasmeen Sulieman, Sally Wilfert, and Jarrod Zimmerman.

The creative team includes scenic designer Donyale Werle, costume designer Mara Blumenfeld, lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski, sound designers Brian Ronan and Cody Spencer, music director Matt Deitchman, orchestrator Greg Pliska, and casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

The Trevor Project, founded by Peggy Rajski, Randy Stone and Celeste Lecesne, was also created as a result of the Trevor film and is not affiliated with the musical. It is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people.

The show begins performances Monday, October 25, and opens Wednesday, November 10 at Stage 42 in New York City.

MORNING SUN written by Tony Award winner Simon Stephens.

Directed by Drama Desk Award winner Lila Neugebauer.

Starring Tony Award winner Blair Brown, four-time Emmy Award winner Edie Falco, and Tony Award nominee Marin Ireland. "In Greenwich Village a generation or so ago, the city is alive. Joni Mitchell sings, friends and lovers come and go, and the regulars change at the White Horse Tavern. As 50 years pass, one woman's life is revealed in all its complexity, mystery and possibility in this enthralling world premiere about mothers and daughters, beginnings and endings in New York City."

The creative team includes dots (scenic design), Kaye Voyce (costume design), Lap Chi Chu (lighting design), Lee Kinney and Daniel Kluger (sound design), Daniel Kluger (music) and Tom Watson (wig & hair design). Laura Smith is the Production Stage Manager.

Morning Sun began performances Tuesday, October 12 and will open Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Manhattan Theatre Club’s at New York City Center – Stage I.

72 MILES TO GO By Hilary Bettis.

Directed by José Zayas.

Starring Orlando Arriaga as Billy. Juan Sebastian Cruz as Aaron. Melissa Molano as Eva. Briana J. Resa as Anita.Christopher Salazar as Christian.

Gripping Family Drama. 72 miles. It’s the distance between Tucson, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico—and the distance between a recently deported mother and her American-born husband and children. 72 miles to go… follows one family over a decade as they grow up, fall in love, fight in wars, and fight for each other. This play by Hilary Bettis returns to the Alley following development in the 2019 Alley All New Festival and its world premiere Off-Broadway.

The creative team includes: Kevin Rigdon Scenic & Lighting Design. Haydee Zelideth Costume Design. Megumi Katayama Sound Design. Rebecca R. D. Hamlin Stage Manager. Rachel Dooley-Harris. Assistant Stage Manager. Debs Ramser. Assistant Stage Manager.

On stage through November 14, 2021 at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas.

'NIGHT MOTHER Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Directed by Roxana Silbert.

Starring Stockard Channing & Rebecca Night.

Stockard Channing stars as Thelma Cates, who shares the old family home out in the sticks with daughter Jessie (Rebecca Night). This particularly quiet evening seems no different to any other. But enough is enough for Jessie - as this may prove to be the last evening they share, it seems they have much to talk about...

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Marsha Norman’s astonishing ‘night, Mother received its UK Premiere at Hampstead Theatre in 1985 following a smash-hit Broadway debut.

Playing on the Main Stage October 22- December 4 at the Hamstead Theatre in London.

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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

TOM HAWLEY Las Vegas' first television traffic reporter died of Pancreatic cancer on October 15, 2021. He was 60.

Hawley spent over 30 years as a traffic reporter for the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas. He specialized reporting from a helicopter giving him the nickname "Chopper Tom."

He had compiled an extensive Las Vegas video historical collection, Video Vault, which reportedly will be donated to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Next Column: October 24, 2021
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Laura Deni

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