Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: October 25, 2015
By: Laura Deni
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AMERICAN LITERALLY "PLAYS" IMPORTANT ROLE IN BRITISH/CHINESE ROYAL VISIT

Four-time Emmy winner Laura Karpman conducted for Prince William, Duchess Kate, Chinese President of The People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan.

It may have been called a musical love match. The marriage between the President of The People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping to his second wife, Peng Liyuan, one of China's best-known folk singers, who starred in the nation's annual New Year's television extravaganza for several years. Married since 1987, the couple was introduced by friends. Xi was reported to have courted Peng by inquiring about singing techniques. As might be assumed, music has become an important part of their lives. It was no exception during their official visit last week to London.

An American played an important role.

Four-time Emmy winning composer Laura Karpman premiered an exclusive collaboration with Universal Music China’s multi-platinum artist Sa Dingding at London’s magnificent Lancaster House in the presence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Prince William and Kate - as they hosted the Mr Xi Jinping and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan at a British creative collaboration summit.

This is the event where Kate was drop dead gorgeous in that purple lace Dolce & Gabbana dress.

Madame Peng looked elegant in a tailored white dress suit.

The guys looked presentable, too. Red and gold colors are considered lucky in China, explaining why many of the ties the men wore were on the red color spectrum. William's purple tie was a perfect match for his wife's dress.

Upon their arrival to Lancaster House, as part of a cultural exchange, William and Kate as well as the President and Madame Peng watched a video highlighting the relationship between the UK and China after which they met with legendary Kung-Fu film actor, Jackie Chan, posing for photographs with the star.

Following the photo session, William and Kate and President Xi and Madame Peng were treated to a short performance from the hit musical, Matilda, in the lobby of Lancaster House. The entertainment didn’t stop there as after Matilda, the royal couple and presidential party enjoyed traditional Chinese singing and dancing and President Xi was presented with a specially commissioned BAFTA artwork from Prince William.

As for that unique East meets West musical performance, Karpman was ecstatic about the opportunity to have their new composition Joy, performed before such a distinguished audience.

Karpman and Chinese singer Sa Dingding married Chinese instruments and rhythms with Western choral music in a multi-cultural recital featuring Yunnan dancers. The performance is a selection of a larger musical that the two will write together produced by Gina Fegan with D-Media Productions.

Karpman had left for London on October 15 and on the 18th the event was still considered top secret. Afterwards she tweeted: "I just conducted a performance for a president and a future king. I can't believe my life."

The performance took place at the creative industries summit at Lancaster House on October 21, as part of the Chinese State visit. The President of The People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping and his delegation, met representatives of world-leading companies in film, TV, music, entertainment and low-carbon technology. The creative collaboration summit featured different industries throughout, with exhibits featuring: James Bond/EON Productions; Merlin Entertainments; BAFTA; ITV, BBC Worldwide, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Universal Music Group, Cameron Macintosh, Royal Shakespeare Company and others.

When she isn't playing for heads of state, Karpman is co-composing the upcoming WGN series Underground with Grammy award winner Raphael Saadiq, with John Legend as Executive Music Producer. Her critically-acclaimed concert production of Langston Hughes’ Ask Your Mama was released on CD earlier this summer. She is the co-founder and President of The Alliance for Women Film Composers.

Official photo of the white tie state banquet given by Queen Elizabeth and the Duck of Edinburgh for the President of The People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Center head table includes Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (in red) President Xi, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip. Prince William is hidden behind a flower arrangement. What, you're not in the picture?? Probably your invitation just got waylaid in the mail. Official photo: Getty/Clarence House.

Back across the pond, music was heard in abundance during the official white-tie state dinner, in which Kate made her first appearance at such an occasion. She didn't disappoint. The mother of two was resplendent in a red capped sleeve Jenny Packham gown with a gorgeous flowing skirt and a sequined top. Her chignon styled hair was adored with the famed Lotus Flower Tiara. Made of diamonds in fanned motifs crowned by floating diamond arches, the tiara was made from a deconstructed necklace King George VI gave to the Queen Mother on their wedding day. It was passed down to Princess Margaret

On her arms were two diamond bracelets. One was an extra special bracelet borrowed from the Queen. It is a platinum and diamond piece designed by Prince Philip and given to his bride on their wedding day in 1947. Crafted by Philip Antrobus, and known as The Wedding Gift Bracelet, it features stepped geometric motifs centered around three large diamonds. The other diamond bracelet Kate wore was an art deco design, considered a favorite of the Queen Mother and known as the Queen Mary Chain-Link Bracelet. Made by Garrard & Co. in 1932, the bracelet was originally a choker belonging to Mary of Teck, Queen Consort of George V until the Queen Mother had it made into a bracelet.

The banquet was part of a four-day state visit intended to cement economic ties between Britain and China.

Her Majesty always looks elegant. For the welcoming ceremony at the grand entrance of Buckingham Palace Queen Elizabeth wore a lilac gray Stewart Parvin tweed coat and Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat. For the white-tie banquet she selected a white tulle banquet dress embroidered with diamante sequins. Her Majesty wore her Sapphire Tiara, paired with the sapphire necklace and earrings given to her by her father. Madame Peng, known as a fashion trend setter, selected sophisticated midnight blue.

Other royals in attendance included Anne, the Princess Royal, with her husband Timothy Laurence. Princess Anne was wearing the Festoon Tiara.

Also enjoying the dinner of roasted loin of Balmoral venison in a Madeira and truffle sauce and fillet of West Coast turbot with lobster mousse were Princes Edward and Andrew, the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester in the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara with its diamond setting, and Princess Alexandra of Kent, in the pearl Ogilvy Tiara.

They washed dinner down with; Ridgeview Grosvenor 2009 Brut - Meursault 1er Cru Santenots 2007 - (Domaine Marquis d'Angerville) - Chateau Haut-Brion 1989, Graves - Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2008 - and Warre's Vintage Port 1977.

If you want to pick up a bottle or two, some of those selections will set you back $1500.00 a bottle.

The musical program, played by the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra, included a number of Chinese folk songs - considered to be favorites of Madame Peng.

Prince Charles, Camilla, and President Xi watch as China's First Lady Peng Liyuan (Second right) shakes hands with Royal harpist Anne Denholm (right) during their visit to Clarence House. Photo: Getty/Clarence House

Among the pieces was a medley entitled Chinese Folk Fantasy and a folk song called Xiao He Tang Shui. Other ensembles include the Beatles track Eleanor Rigby and Nobody Does It Better - the theme music from the 1977 Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.

The Pipe program included the Sound of Sleat and the Caledonian Canal and was led by Pipe Major Martin MacDonald and performed by the 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.

The previous day the Queen exchanged presents with the Chinese president, gifting him with a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets in a specially commissioned leather and gilt box, made by the Windsor Castle bindery, before receiving two of his wife's musical albums in return.

Also the day before the banquet, President Xi and his wife met with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge. They also had tea with the Prince of Wales and Camilla at Clarence House. During the tea at Clarence House guests were serenaded by Royal harpist Anne Denholm.

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan admire a collection of Chinese art works. Photo: Getty/Clarence House

The Chinese leader praised Prince Charles for his efforts preserving Chinese culture.

Other events that day included the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Mr Xi and Madame Peng viewing an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection in the Picture Gallery. Also present was the Earl of Wessex and the Duke of Gloucester.

The Queen was shown a replica terracotta statue of a kneeling archer, based on excavations she saw during her tour to China in 1986. As the Queen spotted a photo of herself taken on the trip, she remarked: 'That's me'.

The Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, also joined the large collection of guests in the Gallery.

Later a group which included Prince Charles, Camilla and Madame Peng who is President of the People's Liberation Army Academy of Art, toured a exhibition of work by students from the Prince's School of Traditional Arts.

The arts institution previously reached an agreement with the Dunhuang Culture Promotion Foundation to work together on a three-year traditional art research and education program in Dunhuang, China, one of the world's most famous heritage sites along the Silk Road.

Students, based in the UK, from the institution have traveled to China to study and a number of Chinese are undertaking postgraduate studies at the school.










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ART AND ABOUT

GREATER NEW YORK MoMA PS1 presents the fourth edition of its landmark exhibition series, begun as a collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art in 2000. Recurring every five years, Greater New York arrives in a city and art community that has changed significantly since the first edition. Against this backdrop, the exhibition departs from the show's traditional focus on youth, instead examining the collision of nostalgia and our desire for the new.

Bringing together emerging and more established artists, the exhibition occupies MoMA PS1's entire building with over 400 works by 158 artists, including film programs and performances.

Greater New York is co-organized by Peter Eleey, Curator and Associate Director of Exhibitions and Programs, MoMA PS1; Douglas Crimp, Fanny Knapp Allen Professor of Art History at the University of Rochester; Thomas J. Lax, Associate Curator of Media and Performance Art, The Museum of Modern Art; and Mia Locks, Assistant Curator, MoMA PS1.

Through March 7, 2016, MoMA PS1, New York City.

WEST WING GALA OPENING of the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida takes place Thursday, October 29, 2015 with a cocktail attire reception and dinner.

The West Wing is home to the Cuban Foundation Museum, the Prehistory of Florida Gallery, the Gillespy Gallery featuring a large collection of African artifacts, the Marzullo Gallery, showcasing weaponry from around the world, and the Karshan Center of Graphic Art, currently exhibiting a collection of paintings donated to the Museum by local renowned photographer, Jack Mitchell, and his partner, Robert Pavlick.

SWEET CHARITY

SMASH HITS the tennis tournament, hosted by Elton John and Billie Jean King at the iconic Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on October 12th, raised $1 million to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Aid for AIDS of Nevada.

EJAF founding board members Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss started the World TeamTennis (WTT) Smash Hits benefit event 23 years ago. It's been a critical source of funding for EJAF and for local AIDS-related organizations ever since. The day began with a celebrity doubles set, in which Elton teamed with longtime friend Martina Navratilova for an upset victory over Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf.

Later on, tennis all-stars Andre Agassi, Tracy Austin, James Blake, Lindsay Davenport, Mardy Fish, Stefanie Graf, Martina Navratilova, and Andy Roddick split up into Team Elton and Team Billie and treated the sold-out crowd to a phenomenal tennis match.

Team Elton won, giving him a 12-11 edge in the all-time series. Event organizers are already "looking forward to seeing if Billie can tie up the series again at Smash Hits 2016."

SPEAKING OF ELTON JOHN - HIS 14th ANNUAL AN ENDURING VISION BENEFIT GALA presented by the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) takes place Monday, November 2, 2015 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will host ther event for an eighth year. KC and the Sunshine Band will perform, and Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, is the guest speaker. Elton and David will present EJAF’s Enduring Vision Awards to Founding Board Member and Treasurer M. Michele Burns, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Executive Chairman Robert J. Coury, and internationally renowned artist Tracey Emin.

A BENEFIT FOR THE ART ROOM presented by 100 Women in Hedge Funds' Philanthropic Initiatives takes place at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on October 27. Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, who is Patron, will attend the dinner.

The Art Room is a charity aimed at 5 - 16 year olds who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. There are currently eight Art Rooms in schools in Oxfordshire, London and Edinburgh offering art as therapy to increase children's self-esteem, self-confidence and independence.

100 Women in Hedge Funds is a global association of more than 13,000 professional women who make a difference through philanthropy.

Their Philanthropic initiatives range from annual galas in New York, London, Hong Kong, Geneva, Milan and Cayman Islands to fundraisers in other locations to walk/run fundraising activities across the globe. Over the past 13 years, 100 Women in Hedge Funds has globally raised over $36 million gross for select charities and greatly impacted the lives of approximately 371,000 children and families.

PRINCE HARRY arrives in the United States this week to join first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden in Virginia to promote next year's Invictus Games.

Harry spearheaded the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for injured armed service personnel. The first games were held in London last September, and the event in Orlando, Florida, is planned for May 2016.

The prince's visit on October 28 intends to highlight the mental health and well being of service personnel. Officials say he plans to visit Fort Belvoir military base with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, to meet wounded servicemen and women. Harry will also attend a reception at the British ambassador's house in Washington.

Prince Harry's aunt, Anne, the Princess Royal, will also be in America. See item below.

ANNE THE PRINCESS ROYAL Patron, National Museum of The Royal Navy, will attend a Dinner at the Residence of the British Consul General in New York City on October 28. The next day she will attend a Trafalgar Luncheon on board Queen Mary 2 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal followed by a United States National Maritime Historical Society Dinner at the New York Yacht Club.

As Patron, Opportunity International United Kingdom, she will attend a Panel Discussion followed by a Reception at Goldman Sachs, New York City headquarters. Her busy schedule also includes her presence at the Benenden School Trust Reunion Reception at the Colony Club. Also, as Patron, Gordonstoun Plus Campaign, she will attend a Gordonstoun American Foundation Reception at the Racquet and Tennis Club in New York City. The energetic grandmother of three is involved in over 200 charities and organizations.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA - ORIGINAL LONDON CAST first released in 1968 by Sony Music has been re-released by Masterworks Broadway.

Clever and delightfully entertaining. The speech is blimey British, but each performer has exquisite enunciation. That is significant since dialogue is an important part of this recorded presentation.

The cast is exceptional - pros with long running, respected careers. Many have faces which you know you recognize from somewhere.

Richard Pillbrow and Harold Prince’s production of The Beggar’s Opera opened September 1968 at the Apollo Theatre in London. Starring Peter Gilmore who died in 2013 and was best known for his portrayal of Captain James Onedin in 91 episodes of the BBC television period drama The Onedin Line; James Cossins who died at the age of 63 in 1997 appeared in more than 40 films. He became widely recognized as the abrupt, bewildered Mr Walt in the Fawlty Towers episode The Hotel Inspectors; and Jan Waters who was particularly active in the London theatre scene during the 1960s and 1970s, notably appearing in the original West End productions of Jule Styne's Do Re Mi and Noël Coward's High Spirits, and was last seen appearing in The Mousetrap.

The story of Macheath and his band of beggars and thieves (and the basis for Kurt Weill’s more frequently performed The Three Penny Opera), John Gay’s classic eighteenth century ballad opera still delights audiences centuries later.

In addition to Peter Gilmore who plays the amorous highwayman Captain Macheath, James Cossins as Mr. Peachum who is both a notorious fence and a thief taker, Jan Waters as daughter Polly Peachum, the cast features: Richard Durden as The Beggar, Hy Hazell as Mrs. Peachum, and Peter Kenton as Filch the servant.

Durden, known for From Paris With Love appeared last December as Mr Boggle in the television series Agatha Raisin. Hazell, born Hyacinth Hazel O'Higgins, was a famous comedic star of theatre, musicals and revues as well as a singer and film actress. She was playing Golde in Fiddler on the Roof in London's West End, and following a performance, she died accidentally, choking to death while eating a steak, on May 10, 1970. She was 50.

Members of His Gang are David Caulder, Tony Robinson, Gordon Reid, Adam Deane, Peter Forest, Kenneth Shanley. The Ladies of the Town are: Angela Richards, Carol Gillies, Marjorie Keys, Jessie Barclay, Margaret Blay, Pamela Miles, Suzanne Heath, Vivian Brooks. Others in the cast include: Guy Pierce, Alan Tennock, John Cater, and Frances Cuka.

Orchestrations by Benjamin Peace-Higgins. The Beggar's Opera is considered one of the watershed plays in Augustan drama and is termed the only example of the once thriving genre of satirical ballad opera to remain popular today.

The lyrics are set to popular broadsheet ballads, opera arias, church hymns and folk tunes of the time - meaning that the audience could hum along with the music and identify with the characters.

The Beggar's Opera story satirizes politics, poverty and injustice, focusing on the theme of corruption at all levels of society.

Neil Rhoden was the musical director and also played the piano. The 'orchestra' consisted of six musicians including Rhoden. The other five are. Julian Farrell - clarinet; George Woodcock - horn; David Knight - bassoon; Tony McVey - percussion and Barry Young - double bass.

The script was adapted for records by Norman Newell. That adaptation makes it possible to understand the plot-line as well as enjoy the music.

The Beggar's Opera is a perfect send up of both opera and society.

The opening Through All the Employments of Life, has the lowbrows sing the truthful lines - "we lie, and we lie and we lie."

Fill Every Glass is exuberant with an interesting a cappella harmony section. Let Us Take the Road is boisterous.

The numbers are short, with 8 of the 37 numbers lasting less than one minute. 19 others are less than two minutes.

This is a fast paced production dependent upon on stage talent, rather than elaborate musical arrangements which can camouflage mediocre singing.

When You Censure The Age is downright hilarious. Why Now Madame Flirt is a saucy ditty from the characters of Polly (Jan Waters) and Lucy (Frances Cuka) and the raucous comedic songs sung by Lucy, such as No Power on Earth Can 'Ere Divide, permits Cuka to show off her exquisite soprano voice. My Love for All Madness and Folly is bouncy followed by Lockit, who is the jailor of Newgate prison, singing Gamesters United in Friendship Are Found.

In the Days Of My Youth is one of the few long numbers, clocking in at 3:32. It's a music hall tempo number featuring bawd Mrs. Diana Trapres (Hy Hazell). Backed by the piano Come Sweet Lass has Lucy and Polly both singing and speaking. This is a delightful, upbeat bit of amusing entertainment even in the drudge tempo, drum for effect, Oh, Cruel, Cruel, Cruel Cost in when Macheath is sentenced to death. The show ends with The Rich of Today May Be Beggars of Tomorrow.

There is nothing heavy or boring about The Beggar's Opera. A delightfully clever gem; it's just as entertaining as it was when on the London stage.

LET'S DO THE TIME WARP - FROM ROCKY HORROR TO OKLAHOMA!

Original Broadway poster.

Everything old is new again is a trite but true phrase. A live broadcast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is in the works with transgender actress Laverne Cox starring as Dr. Frank-N-Furt, the role played by Tim Curry in both the stage and screen versions. There are also anniversary releases of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Oklahoma! which also have special showings.

Emmy nominated Cox will be directed by Emmy Award winner Kenny Ortega who will also choreograph and executive produce Fox's 2016 live broadcast.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Original producer Lou Adler and Kenny Ortega prepared a new anniversary film with "outtakes from the original and lots of surprises," according to their press release. The film stars Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Tim Curry and Meat Loaf.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 British-American musical comedy horror film directed by Jim Sharman. The screenplay was written by Sharman and Richard O'Brien based on the 1973 musical stage production, The Rocky Horror Show, music, book and lyrics by O'Brien. The production is a satirical tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the late 1930s through early 1970s.

Although largely panned upon release, it soon gained notoriety when audiences began talking back to the screen. at the Waverly Theater in New York City in 1976. Then they began dressing as the characters, spawning similar performance groups across the United States. Still in limited release nearly four decades after its premiere, it has the longest-running theatrical release in film history. Today, the film has a large international cult following and is one of the most well-known and financially successful midnight movies of all time. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2005.

This cinematic cult classic follows sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) as they are stuck with a flat tire during a storm and discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a sweet alien transvestite scientist who is hosting a party to introduce his latest creation.

The couple is seduced separately by the mad scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky," - a man-made Adonis that will give absolute pleasure.

This Halloween venues large and small have special Rocky Horror events - from movie screenings to live presentations.

Last week Salt Lake City's Pioneer Theatre Company staged a concert version of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, starring Tony Award nominee Will Swenson as Frank-N-Furter. The production also stared Utah State Senator Jim Dabakis as The Narrator. Company Artistic Director Karen Azenberg directed.

Put your hands on your hips and grab a seat in the most unique theater, the Neag Planetarium, to participate in the viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, October 30 during one of two evening showtimes. The Neag Planetarium is located in the Reading Public Museum in Reading, PA.

Time Wrap groupies are advised: "No water, lighters, wet food, or animals will be allowed in The Planetarium, in order to keep the projector safe."

P.A.R.K. Productions is an exciting, new, alternative performance company with a priority commitment to help develop original theater artists from many areas around the country -- particularly those whose work may have difficulty being done without the help of an outside producer and/or challenging in content. The Rocky Horror Show - A Concert takes place Saturday, October 31, at the Cabaret at Theater Square in Pittsburgh. Original members of P.A.R.K Productions' critically acclaimed The Rocky Horror Show and some new special guests are teaming up this Halloween to "revive our exciting, fresh, and successful take on Richard O'Brien's horror classic. Starring Pittsburgh's Sharon Brady as the Narrator."

P.A.R.K. Productions is called "an exciting, new, alternative performance company with a priority commitment to help develop original theater artists from many areas around the country - particularly those whose work may have difficulty being done without the help of an outside producer and/or challenging in content."

The Pentangle Arts Council in Woodstock, Vermont stages a live Rock Horror, directed by local actress/director Lanni Luce West, and features a cast and crew who represent some of the Upper Valley’s finest talent. October 30 and 31st at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre.

Rules include: Stay in your seat all times (except during The Time Warp) - Remember! Do not throw things at the stage or people around you. Toss Up. - All purses, bags, jackets and pockets may be searched before entering the theatre. - The Theatre reserves the right to confiscate any props. Not allowed: Water Guns, Rice, Toast, Hot Dogs and Prunes."

Kits are sold before each performance. They include: Commemorative Tote Bag, Newspaper, Glow Stick, Rubber Glove, Noisemaker, Bubbles, Toilet Paper, Party Hat, Bell, Sponge, Cards, Audience Participation Guide, Time Warp Flier - and instruction on when to use them. For instance "Rubber Glove" When to use: During and after the creation speech, Frank snaps his rubber gloves three times. Do the same in synch each time for an awesome sound effect."

The Music Box Theatre in Chicago also does the Time Warp again October 29-31. The film is screened with a cast of actors provided by Midnight Madness who ensure that what’s happening in the audience is just as entertaining as what is on screen.

The Midnight Madness Virgin Kit (or “prop bag”) contains "all you need for a Rocky Horror showing. Midnight Madness sells participation kits at The Music Box. The performers do not get paid for performing at any venue, and 100% of the proceeds from kit sales go back to cast costumes, props, promotions, etc."

The Gaslight Theatre in Enid, Oklahoma present the sweet transvestite and his motley crew in a special Halloween showing October 29-31. Complete with sass from the audience this deliberately kitschy, sci-fi Gothic classic is directed by Janet Jones.

At the flip side of the X-rated Rocky Horror Show is the G rated Oklahoma!.

Beginning on November 1st Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! will return to movie theaters in wide release for the first time since 1955. The event being shown in over 1,300 screenings nationwide will include the Todd A-O version of the film digitally restored, preceded by a concert starring Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth.

The theatrical re-release marks the first time theater goers will see the fully restored film on cinema screens. More than 50 professionals spent more than 3,500 hours restoring the film's 275,678 frames. The nine-month process was completed early in 2014 by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

The multi-hyphenate performer filmed the featurette while performing several songs from the film at New York City's famed Broadway supper club Feinstein's/54 Below for an audience of theater students from the American Theatre Wing Intern Network and SpringboardNYC programs. Chenoweth is a passionate advocate of providing young people from all backgrounds with access to theater and is a supporter of The Kristin Chenoweth Theater at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center - in Oklahoma.

"Oklahoma!" was released October 11, 1955, but its origins date back a dozen years earlier when legendary musical writing team Rodgers & Hammerstein staged their first Broadway production Oklahoma!. The stage production inspired the classic movie, which was the first feature film shot in the Todd-AO 70 mm process. Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger and Eddie Albert starred in the Academy Award-winning film, which was inducted into the prestigious National Film Registry in 2007. Memorable songs from the film include Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', People Will Say We're in Love, I Cain't Say No and the iconic title song Oklahoma!.

SPREADING THE WORD

FILM NIGHT FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY Former Bond girl Queen Elizabeth II along with her husband and grandsons Harry, William, and his wife Kate, will attend the royal world premiere of the James Bond movie Spectre on October 26 at Royal Albert Hall.

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment last Wednesday announced that the 24th James Bond adventure has been selected for The CTBF’s Royal Film Performance 2015.

"The entire cast, including Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, David Bautista, Monica Bellucci, and Ralph Fiennes, will be in attendance at The Royal Albert Hall for the screening," reads the official statement.

The CTBF Royal Film Performance is annually held in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), the charity for the Britain film, cinema and commercial television industries, dedicated to providing support for those working behind-the-scenes in times of hardship.

The cast will also be joined on the red carpet by director Sam Mendes, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, vice patrons of the CTBF. Spectre will open on the same night at cinemas across Britain and Ireland. The film will release in India on November 20.

IN CONVERSATION WITH PHILIP GLASS the composer sits down for a conversation moderated by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. Monday, November 2, at the Theater Lab, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC.

THE ACTORS STUDIO is presenting a series of plays and discussions, regarding The Theatre and Social Justice.

The series will comprise four productions over the next few months touching on the themes of social justice. Each performance will be followed by a discussion with an expert in the topic.

The series kicked off last Friday with Rhapsody on Black written and performed by Leland Gantt, and developed at the Actors Studio. The post show discussion featured Princeton University social psychologist Stacey Sinclair on the subject of transmission of racial bias.

Mud by Maria Irene Fornes, will play November 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14. The discussion, with Ian Solomon (11/7), former United States Executive Director of the World Bank, (appointed by Obama) currently VP for global engagements at the University of Chicago, and Nick Kotz (11/6), author of Let Them Eat Promises: The Politics of Hunger in America, and Judgment Days about Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson, will be on how the effects of poverty and illiteracy affect all of us.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, will play on January 7, 8, 9 and 14, 15, 16, followed by a discussion with the playwright of The Christians, Lucas Hnath (now playing at Playwrights Horizon), and Stephen Adly Guirgis. The post show discussion will be about the difficulties in writing, performing and getting produced plays about religion and why it is such a big, unwieldy subject and how it is involved in the other issues in the series: racism, poverty and illiteracy. The ultimate question is: What is the role of theater in the world today.

Wrapping up the series in May (5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14) 2016, will be Community and Trust, four one-act plays reflecting how the idea of community has changed in the last two or three decades.

These plays were specially written for the Series by Sarah Shaefer, Jessica Dickey, Marco Calvani and Saviana Stanescu directed by Dan Talbott and Kirsten Kelly. Former NY Times critic and author of Negroland, Margo Jefferson is expected to head the discussion.

The Theatre and Social Justice Series at The Actors Studio in New York City, is free to the public.



INCIDENT AT VICHY by Arthur Miller.

Directed by Michael Wilson.

Celebrating the Centennial of Arthur Miller’s birth, Incident at Vichy returns the work of the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright to Signature for the first time since his 1997-98 Residency. In Vichy, France at the height of World War II, nine men and a boy are rounded up under suspicious circumstances. As ominous reports of far-off camps and cattle cars packed with prisoners begin to circulate, the men battle over politics, philosophy and how to escape. A "haunting examination of the cold, bureaucratic efficiency of evil - and the shared humanity that might overcome it."

The cast includes David Abeles, Curtis Billings, James Carpinello, AJ Cedeño, Quinlan Corbett, Brian Cross, Demosthenes Chrysan , Jonathan Gordon, Tony Award nominee Jonathan Hadary , Alex Morf, Tony Award nominee Jonny Orsini, Darren Pettie, John Procaccino, Alec Shaw , Derek Smith, Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas and Evan Zes.

The design team includes Jeff Cowie (Scenic Design), David C. Woolard (Costume Design), David Lander (Lighting Design), John Gromada (Sound Design), Rocco DiSanti (Projection Design), Deborah Hecht (Dialect Coach) and Mark Olsen (Fight Direction). Robert Bennett is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

The production is in previews and runs through December 6, 2015, with a November 15 opening night, in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.

NIGHT IS A ROOM written by Residency One playwright Naomi Wallace.

Directed by Bill Rauch.

The cast includes Dagmara Dominczyk, Ann Dowd, and Bill Heck.

Liana (Dagmara Dominczyk) and Marcus (Bill Heck) have a marriage others envy. Doré (Ann Dowd) has grown accustomed to an isolated existence in her modest flat. After a surprise reunion on Marcus’s 40th birthday, their worlds are shattered by an unexpected turn of events. Night is a Room is "a searing exploration of love’s power to both ruin and remake our lives."

The design team includes Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Clint Ramos (Costume Design), Jen Schriever (Lighting Design), Leah Gelpe (Sound Design) and Charlotte Fleck (Dialect Coach). Cole P. Bonenberger is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

Presented by Signature Theatre the production runs November 3, 2015 through December 13, 2015 with a November 22 opening night in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.

FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE a historical fantasia in four parts by Tony nominee Michael John LaChiusa who imagines the inner lives and dreams of America's best-known daughters "with a funny and moving follow-up to his 1993 Public musical First Lady Suite.

Directed by Kirsten Sanderson.

"First Daughter Suite follows Patricia Nixon and daughters Tricia and Julie, Rosalynn and Amy Carter, Betty and Susan Ford, Patti Davis and mom Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush and daughter-in-law Laura as they strive to live meaningful lives in the public eye, while dealing with the complex private relationships all of us face with our parents and children."

The complete cast of features Alison Fraser (Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford); Rachel Bay Jones (Laura Bush, Rosalynn Carter); Caissie Levy (Patti Davis, Julie Nixon); Theresa McCarthy (Robin Bush, Hannah Nixon); Betsy Morgan (Tricia Nixon, Susan Ford); Isabel Santiago (Anita Castelo); Carly Tamer (Amy Carter); Mary Testa (Barbara Bush); and Barbara Walsh (Pat Nixon).

Continues performances through Sunday, November 15, at the Anspacher Theater of The Public in New York City.

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO by Mozart.

Directed by Janet Suzman who is making her opera directing debut.

Conducted by Jane Glover who is considered a world authority on Mozart's life and work.

Choreographed by Victoria Newlyn and designed by Fotini Dimou.

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro was shatteringly contemporary when it was premiered in 1786. It portrayed recognizable human beings in recognizable predicaments, and engaged the audience in a completely new way. Miraculously combining comedy and tragedy, tension and pathos, swiftly developing drama and the most glorious music, Figaro has ever since remained essential to all music lovers.

The double cast includes: Charlotte Schoeters, Bozidar Smiljanic, Timothy Murphy, Claire Barnett-Jones, Katherine Aitken, Henry Neill, John Porter, Emily Garland, Alex Otterburn, Lorena Paz Nieto, Mikhail Shepelenko, Nika Goric, Richard Walshe, Robert Garland, Helen Brackenbury, Laura Zigmantaite, Haobin Wang, William Blake, Eve Daniell, Dominic Bowe, Alys Roberts, and Josh Baxter.

Performed in Italian with surtitles.

The Duchess of Gloucester President, Royal Academy of Music, will attend the opening night performance of Le nozze di Figaro by the Royal Academy Opera at the Hackney Empire, London on October 30. The performance runs through November 2, 2015.

A FURTHER EDUCATION by Will Mortimer.

Directed by Caitlin McLeod.

Josh and Lydia are captivated by the arrival of fellow student Charlotte. Not only is she exceptionally smart, gaining top marks in all her essays and offering fresh insight during seminars, she’s also significantly older and curiously private. Where’s she from and what’s her history? Why has she enrolled at university now? As the relationship between the undergraduates deepens so does the mystery surrounding Charlotte. Billed as "a warm and witty comedy that explores unlikely friendships, second chances, and how the thrill of learning is not just for the young."

October 30 - November 28, Downstairs at the Hampstead Theatre in London.

BEERTOWN by dog & pony cd.

dog & pony dc is a Washington, DC based ensemble of artists who "devise innovative performances that incorporate new ways for audiences to experience theatre."

Directed by Rachel Grossman.

Original Music by: Wyckham Avery, J. Argyl Plath, Mitch Mattson & Jon Reynolds.

Part civic ceremony, part theatrical pageant, dog & pony dc’s Beertown "explores the dynamic and tenuous relationship between individuals and their community. Beertown casts the audience as citizens of the eponymous imaginary town during its Quinquennial Time Capsule Day Celebration. Beertown creates an imaginative, neutral space for audience members to engage in values-based conversations about what is important in our community. Audience members form a community, articulate that community’s identity and values, and defend the values they deem most important. Patrons are encouraged to bring a dessert to share."

"With each stop of the tour featuring a newly customized Beertown. dog & pony dc ensemble members and local artists form a creative team to rehearse and perform the show, shaping it to reflect local concerns, hot-button issues, and history. During performance, the audience is then empowered to generate dialogue specific to their values and experiences, mirroring the pulse of each particular."

Original Devising Ensemble: Wyckham Avery, Colin K. Bills, Joshua Drew, Cory Ryan Frank, Max Freedman, Jess Holman, Colin Hovde, Rachel Grossman, Kate Langsdorf, Jessica Lefkow, Mitch Mattson, Elaine Yuko Qualter, J. Argyl Plath, Lorraine Ressegger, Jon Reynolds, Ivania Stack, Elizabeth Stone, Matthew R. Wilson.

This tour began at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha, Nebraska with performances through November 15. The tour continues to November of 2016. Following the Nebraska engagement the tour stops at the Know Theatre (Cincinnati, Ohio), Raleigh Little Theatre (Raleigh, North Carolina), and Z Space (San Francisco, California).

WHO'S WHERE

ALAN CUMMING the Tony Award winner is beloved around the world for his range of iconic performances on stage and screen, from his roles as the Emcee in Cabaret on Broadway to the CBS drama The Good Wife, to PBS' Masterpiece Theatre. Cumming brings his adults-only one-man show to Scottsdale for a night of irreverent humor, showbiz stories and songs. November 7, 2015 at Scottsdale Performing Arts Center in Scottsdale, AZ.

MADONNA in the spotlight Thursday, October 29, at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA.

U2 continues their gig at the 02 in London with shows Monday, Thursday and Friday.

IMAGINE DRAGONS set for a busy week. On Monday they perform at the Halle Tony Garnier in Lyon, France. Tuesday's gig is at the Zenith Arena in Lille, France. Wednesday's show is at the Zenith in Strasbourg, France. On Friday they are appearing at Madrid Live at the Barclaycard Center in Madrid, Spain. On Saturday they entertain at Bime Live in Bibao, Spain.

ONE DIRECTION continue their show at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK with shows Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday they open at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, UK with shows Thursday through Saturday.

FINAL OVATION

BARBARA MEEK a member of the Trinity Repertory Company since 1968 died unexpectedly in Providence, Rhode Island on October 3, 2015. She was 81.

She appeared in more than 100 Trinity Rep stage productions. For three seasons she played the maid Ellen Canby on Archie Bunker's Place.

Meek also performed at Hilberry Repertory Theatre, the Dallas Theater Center, the Cleveland Play House, The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, the Hampton Playhouse, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Brandeis University Theatre.

She received an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from the University of Rhode Island, and the 2004 Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts. She also received the Foundation for Repertory Theatre Award, the Wayne State University Arts Achievement Award in Theatre, and the Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence. In 2006, she was awarded the Edward Bannister and Christiana Bannister History Makers Award from the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.

In 1928 she married Martin Molson who died in 1980. She is survived by her daughter Leslie Matuko Molson.

CORY WELLS a founding member of the popular 1970s band Three Dog Night and lead singer on such hits as Never Been to Spain and Mama Told Me (Not to Come), died suddenly in his sleep on October 20, 2015 in Dunkirk, New York. He was 74.

According from an official release from the musical group, Wells had been "with Three Dog Night from the beginning and continued performing with the band up until September of this year when he developed a problem with severe back pain."

Three Dog Night had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits. The band recorded the music of the best (and mostly undiscovered) songwriters of their time including Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, Elton John, Laura Nyro, Paul Williams and Hoyt Axton among many others. The group’s eclectic taste, combined with their ability to recognize and record hits in a unique, distinctive and appealing style, resulted in Three Dog Night dominating the charts for years.

Though he devoted most of his life to music and Three Dog Night. Wells did balance out his professional life with family and leisure pursuits. An avid fisherman, Wells appeared on national TV, filming several episodes on The American Sportman in New Zealand and the Amazon. He also participated in charity fishing tournaments around the country and took time whenever he could to teach his grandchildren to fish and enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Lakes and Western New York.

Wells is survived by Mary, his wife of 50 years; daughters Coryann Wells and Dawn Marie Cussins (William), and 5 grandchildren.

MARTY INGLES actor, talent agent and husband of Shirley Jones, died Wednesday, October 21, 2105 at Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, CA. He was 79. He had suffered a massive stroke.

He got his break as an actor with the Pasadena Playhouse. In television he had reoccurring roles on numerous television series. By the 1970s, Ingels turned to working behind the scenes doing voice-over work on hundreds of commercials and cartoon series. He was the voice of AutoCat on AutoCat and Motormouse and Beegle Beagle on The Great Grape Ape Show. He later lent his distinctive vocal style to the 1980s videogame-inspired toon Pac-Man.

Ingels and Jones met in 1974 at a party at the home of Little House on the Prairie star Michael Landon. They married in 1977. Ingels remarked of their odd-couple relationship: “I was a Jewish kid from Brooklyn and she was Miss America. A lot of people never got that.” The pair published the autobiography Shirley & Marty: An Unlikely Love Story in 1990.

In addition to Jones, Ingels’ survivors include three stepsons, Shaun, Patrick and Ryan Cassidy, Jones’ sons from her marriage to actor Jack Cassidy; a niece, Lauren Ingerman; and 12 grandchildren.

ARNOLD KLEIN famed Hollywood dermatologist died October 22, 2015 at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, CA. He was 70.

His clients included Dolly Parton, Goldie Hawn, Cher, Carrie Fisher, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson. He was the boss of nurse Debbie Rowe who gave birth to two of Michael Jackson's children. Rumors persisted that Klein was the biological father, which he denied.

MAUREEN O'HARA Irish-American film actress and singer. died in her sleep at her home in Boise, Idaho on October 24, 2015. She was 95.

From the ages of 6 to 17 she trained in drama, music and dance, and at the age of 10 joined the Rathmines Theatre Company and worked in amateur theatre in the evenings, after school. She began performing in plays at the age of 13 and a year later joined Ireland’s famed Abbey Theatre, where she swept floors and painted sets before moving on to speaking roles.

In 1960, she starred on Broadway in the musical Christine which ran for 12 performances.

An icon of Hollywood's Golden Age, at the height of her career, O'Hara was considered one of the world's most beautiful women. She is often remembered for her onscreen chemistry with John Wayne. They made five films together between 1948 and 1972: Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake.

O'Hara made a public appearance at the May 24-25, 2013 John Wayne Birthday Tribute to Maureen O'Hara celebration in Winterset, Iowa. The occasion was the ground breaking for the new John Wayne Birthplace Museum; the festivities included an official proclamation from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declaring May 25, 2013, as Maureen O'Hara Day in Iowa. About Wayne, O'Hara said; "As a man and a human being, I adored him."

In 2014, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected O'Hara to receive the Academy's Honorary Oscar, to be presented at the annual Governor's Awards in November. O'Hara becomes only the second actress, after Myrna Loy in 1991, to receive an Honorary Oscar without having previously been nominated for an Oscar in a competitive category.

O’Hara’s first marriage, as a teenager, was annulled in 1941. A daughter, Bronwyn, was born in 1944 from a second marriage to American film director William Houston Price, which ended in divorce in 1952. From 1953 until 1967 O'Hara had a relationship with Enrique Parra (b. February 1, 1926 - June 4, 2015), a married Mexican politician and banker. She wrote in her autobiography; "Enrique saved me from the darkness of an abusive marriage and brought me back into the warm light of life again. Leaving him was one of the most painful things I have ever had to do." In 1968, she married Charles F. Blair Jr., a former reserve Air Force general and Pan American World Airways pilot. Blair retired to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and then ran Antilles Air Boats, a commuter airline. After her husband died in a 1978 plane crash, O’Hara headed the airline briefly before selling the business to Resorts International.

In 1946, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States and held dual citizenship with the US and her native Ireland.

She is survived by her daughter Bronwyn and one grandson, Conor Beau FitzSimons with whom O'Hara lived.

Next Column: November 1, 2015
Copyright: October 25, 2015 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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