Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: October 25, 2020
By: Laura Deni
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THEATERS RESPOND TO COVID HALLOWEEN IN SPOOKY AND DELIGHTFUL WAYS

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU a bewitchingly cinematic extravaganza awaits when I Put a Spell on You, the annual sold-out Halloween concert-meets-party, moves online Thursday, October 29, in a fully produced spectacle streaming at 8 pm Eastern. The virtual Halloween blowout, presented by Con Limón Productions and Jay Armstrong Johnson, will benefit Broadway Cares.

I Put a Spell on You was created by and stars Johnson. The annual show is a spoof of and tribute to the beloved cult classic movie Hocus Pocus. This year’s COVID-safe digital film is not your average stream: it’s complete with larger-than-life performances and choreography, over-the-top costumes and makeup, unmatched production value and a healthy dose of Broadway magic.

This year, the beloved Hocus Pocus-inspired Sanderson Sisters break the internet and recruit some of pop culture’s most iconic villains (think Cruella de Vil, Gaston, The Joker, Maleficent and more) to fulfill their delightfully devious plot. Johnson returns as Winifred Sanderson with Allison Robinson and Amanda Williams Ware as sisters Sarah and Mary. Broadway stars joining their adventure are Nick Rashad Burroughs, Drew Gehling, J. Harrison Ghee, Todrick Hall, Robyn Hurder, Eva Noblezada, Ahmad Simmons and Will Swenson.

Special guests also include drag favorites Bob The Drag Queen, Kizha Carr, Marti Gould Cummings, Peachez and Alexis Michelle.

Rounding out the stellar cast are Skizzo Arnedillo Arteaga, Brittany Bohn, Hayden Clifton, Tyler Eisenreich, Taurean Everett, Allison Griffith, Gabriel Hyman, Karma Jenkins, Erin Kei, Sarah Kleist, Kourtni Lind-Watson, Danny Marin, Ilda Mason, Julia Mattison, Jennifer Reed, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, Heath Saunders, Cassy Surianello and Michael Sylvester.

The stream of I Put a Spell on You is free and donations will be accepted for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Every dollar donated will help those across the country affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses receive healthy meals, lifesaving medication, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more. The donations also support and champion organizations focused on social justice and anti-racism.

I Put a Spell on You was rehearsed at Open Jar Studios and filmed last month in New York City and at The Mansion Inn and Home Made Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY, under strict COVID-19 production protocols.

The digital film is directed by Johnson and Simmons with choreography by Simmons. Jamie Kiliany and Simmons serve as associate producers. The music director is Emily Marshall with music production by Will Van Dyke. The creative team also includes costume design by DW with additional costumes by Brian Hemesath, wigs and hair by Bobbie Cliffton Zlotnik, lighting design by Rocky Noel, makeup led by Alcone Company’s Kyle Krueger, line production by Kampfire Films’ Katie Rosin, props by Alec Addalia and dancer casting by Jason Styres, CSA. Ling Mai, Juan Roque and Roberto Araujo serve as directors of photography. Animation and editing of “Evil Queen” provided by Nathan Love Productions. Catering provided by Chef Rick Bieber, Grady Keefe, La Palapa, Promobile Kitchen and Melissa Tung.

SIRIUSXM AND PANDORA announced that they will feature a wide variety of exclusive Halloween-themed programming on both platforms. SiriusXM and Pandora plan to help families and listeners find creative and safe ways to keep the Halloween spirit alive with an extraordinary special event: Jenny McCarthy will host a virtual Halloween special Jenny McCarthy's Halloween Hollywood Seance with Psychic Medium Matt Fraser airing on Friday, October 30 at 10:00 am ET on SiriusXM Stars channel 109.

The special will feature Jenny McCarthy and her BFF's with special guest psychic medium Matt Fraser in front of a live virtual audience. It's a spin of the spirit world wheel to see what dearly departed Hollywood stars, friends and family want to connect with Jenny McCarthy and her BFF's.

Everyone will be wearing Halloween costumes and psychic medium Matt Fraser will be connecting Jenny with some of her celebrity friends who have gone to Heaven - or somewhere.

BARINGTON STAGE COMPANY (BSC) the award-winning theatre in Pittsfield, MA., under the leadership of Founder/Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, will present a virtual reading of Typhoid Mary, a play by BSC Associate Artist Mark St. Germain and starring two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey as Mary Mallon aka ‘Typhoid Mary,’ T.R. Knight as Father Michael McKuen, Kate MacCluggage as Dr. Ann Saltzer, Emmy Award winner Joe Morton as Dr. William Mills and Frances Evans as Sarah. Typhoid Mary is directed by Matthew Penn.

BSC originally staged Typhoid Mary in 2018 to critical acclaim at the St. Germain Stage, in a production also directed by Penn.

This is the true and turbulent story of Mary Mallon, known better as Typhoid Mary. As one of the most infamous women in America, her career as a cook left deaths in her wake. A carrier of typhoid, Mary refused to believe she was responsible, citing God’s will and the lies of science instead. Imprisoned on North Brother Island, the conflicts between her and the doctors were as impassioned then as they are today.

“As the pandemic continues into its eighth month in the US and an administration rails against the fact-based findings of doctors and medical advisors, it felt like an appropriate time to revisit Mark St. Germain’s play, where arguments between God and science take center stage,” commented Julianne Boyd. “We are thrilled to present this play in a virtual reading with such an extraordinary cast.”

Typhoid Mary will be filmed in advance with the cast performing remotely. The actors will be receiving salary, health insurance and pension benefits for rehearsals and the filming. It will be available to stream on October 30 & 31 at 7:30 pm ET.

24th STREET THEATRE'S ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS celebration goes virtual on November 2.

Celebrate the joyous tradition of Mexico’s most famous holiday from the comfort of your home. Hosted by Gabriel Romero, the virtual festival will feature special guests including master conguero, bandleader and vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran and his ensemble; Xochi Flores and Cesar Castro and their Son Jarocho-Chicano Cambalache; Aztec dance troupe Huitzilopochtli; ballet folklórico Sol de Fuego; and Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Edward James Olmos.

The event will also include the presentation of Las Instrucciones, a tender, beautifully realized short film about a man who builds an altar to connect, celebrate and remember; virtual workshops such as How to build a small Day of the Dead altar in your home and Face Painting for Day of the Dead; a “man on the street” check-in with celebrations in Mexico City; and appearances by Los Angeles City Council members Gil Cedillo (District 1) and Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8), who have partnered with 24th Street Theatre in Los Angeles to make this event possible.

BENEFIT BROADCAST OF ORSON WELLES' LEGENDARY WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells, Adapted by Howard Koch has been announced by Keen Company. The benefit live stream airs Friday, October 30 at 8pm EST.

Cast to be led by Jason Tam, who will be joined by Arnie Burton, Morgan Siobhan Green, and Khiry Walker.

War of the Worlds will have original music by Paul Brill.

“Since the early days of the pandemic, I became increasingly obsessed with old time radio and the ways these early pioneers provoked their audience to use their imagination in new ways. One of the greatest of these programs is Orson Welles's War of the Worlds, which skillfully used ‘fake news’ to create real life panic on October 30, 1938. 82 years later, I am thrilled to be collaborating with a wonderful group of talented and generous Keen friends to create an all new audio version of this famous broadcast. I look forward to sharing this one of a kind revival, which will not only entertain, but also bring to light some eerily similar themes between its original broadcast and today,” said Keen Company's Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein.

This one-night only benefit performance of Howard Koch’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel was made infamous during its original broadcast, sounding so realistic it incited mass hysteria across America and elevated “fake news” to an art form. Listen as a news station reports sinister machines and mysterious creatures making their way towards New York City, during Keen’s starry live performance of one of the most famous radio plays in history on the night before Halloween. Orson Welles’s legendary production originally aired on October 30, 1938 as part of The Mercury Theater on the Air and was similarly the product of NYC theater company learning to diversify.

COUNT DRACULA FLIES AGAIN as a Radio Play on Zoom. In one form or another, Dracula has fascinated audiences for generations, as a novel, a play, and too many movies about the Count to count. With so many holiday traditions interrupted this year, The Theater Project is offering some comfort food on the Zoom platform: Dracula, the Radio Play, as it might have been performed in the Lux Radio Theater in 1932. Eight actors and one extremely overworked sound technician – all that thunder and wolf howling! -- prepare for the big radio broadcast of the classic vampire story around the time of the original film’s depression era premiere. Audiences enjoy the thrills and chills of the vampire legend in the safety of their own homes, minus all the bloody visual effects of some of the recent film adaptations.

“It’s a tongue in cheek treatment,” says Mark Spina, the show’s director. “We wanted to play with the styles of old-time movies, radio, and horror films, which were scary but not too scary to bring the kids. They often included a lot of humor, which we’ve done here.” The show will be performed live on Zoom October 29 Thursday and Friday October 30 and streamed twice on Saturday October 31 for Halloween.

Dracula will be played by Kevin Sebastian. The cast includes Will Budnikov, Gary Glor, Barbara Guidi, Kevin Sebastian and Anna Marie Sell, Scott Cagney, Jim Clancy, and Matt McCarthy.

The Theater Project, an award-winning company with a 26-year track record, had relocated to Union Township, New Jersey just before theaters were shuttered due to Covid-19. The company has since shifted virtually all its programs to virtual platforms, and has several online events planned for the holiday season.

BEHIND THE BOARD a new series on Gibson TV offers an in-depth look at the world of studio recording in music, film and TV.

In this episode, Gibson TV goes deep with film composer Charles Bernstein to discuss the writing, performing, recording and production of some of the most unforgettable and terrifying compositions in horror film history. Bernstein describes the making of his bone-chilling original score for Wes Craven’s A Nightmare On Elm Street one of the greatest horror films of all time.

In 1984, Charles Bernstein wrote, performed, and recorded all instruments on the score to A Nightmare On Elm Street including bass, synths, guitar and percussion. Recently, Charles Bernstein worked with Quentin Tarantino who has included Bernstein's music from White Lightning and The Entity in the soundtracks of his films Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Inglourious Basterds.

BROADWAY FRIGHT NIGHT at the Virginia G. Piper Theater in Scottsdale, Arizona or via livestream on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 6 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Broadway Fright Night, a celebration of songs from Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals with supernatural, horror, and sci-fi themes.

Created and hosted by Stephen DeAngelis, a New York City casting director, the show will feature four of Broadways’s finest vocalists paying homage to the theatre world’s most original, intriguing, and terrifying characters in an all-new concert. In addition to recreating some of their most memorable musical moments, the cast will share backstage behind-the-scenes anecdotes and participate in an enlightening and entertaining question and answer session with our audience.

The concert will be formatted in a unique fashion taking place in two different performance editions; showcasing different songs and shows.

The 6 p.m. performance will feature songs from The Phantom of the Opera; Wicked; Young Frankenstein; Sweeney Todd; The Hunchback of Notre Dame; The Rocky Horror Show; Into the Woods; Bat Out of Hell; Dracula the Musical; The Addams Family; Bat Boy and It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman.

The 9 p.m. performance will feature songs from Wicked; Jekyll and Hyde; Sweeney Todd; Little Shop of Horrors; Carrie; Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Beetlejuice; Bat Out of Hell; Dance of the Vampires; The Rocky Horror Show, The Phantom of the Opera, and Shrek the Musical.

You can also enjoy these performances by virtual livestream.

REDBOX: HALLOWEEN INSIGHT this year’s Halloween customer panel question: “What is your favorite movie to watch during the Halloween season?”

Asked of 845 engaged Redbox customers between 9/15/2020 and 9/27/2020.

1. Hocus Pocus
2. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
3. Halloween (1978)
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
5. Ghostbusters (1984)

According to the Redbox Movie Experts…

Top 10 Horror Movies for Halloween:
1 Halloween (1978)
2 The Exorcist
3 It (2017)
4 The Conjuring
5 The Shining
6 Scream
7 Get Out
8 Psycho
9 The Blair Witch Project
10 28 Days Later

Top 10 Family Movies For Halloween
1 Hocus Pocus
2 Beetlejuice
3 The Nightmare Before Christmas
4 Coco
5 The Addams Family (1991)
6 It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
7 Ghostbusters (1984)
8 Coraline
9 Casper
10 Hotel Transylvania.

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Thank you for your interest.

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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

SPRING AHEAD, FALL BEHIND Clocks were turned back this week-end, although the horological conservator in London may still be at it. As Windsor Castle has 450 clocks, changing them all is a marathon task for their horological conservator. It usually takes around 17 hour.s.

Mechanical timekeeping has long been of interest to the monarchy. Clocks and watches have been collected by monarchs across the centuries, whether as a means to ensure the carefully structured ceremony and routine at court, out of an interest in scientific innovation, or for the enjoyment of aesthetic brilliance. Items in the Royal Collection range from some of the earliest examples of a barometrical clocks to timepieces with elaborate porcelain decoration or musical components.

Automated timepieces have been used in Britain since around 1300, but until the mid-seventeenth century clock- and watch-making in this country was incredibly rare. It was only under the Stuart kings that the domestic craft truly developed. Charles I (1600–1649) created the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1631, while his son, Charles II (1630–1685) went on to establish the Royal Observatory in 1675. These institutions proved fundamental to scientific development in the field and reflected the horological interests of their patrons. Charles I is said to have kept two watches – one of gold and one of silver – beside his bed, which he wound each night before retiring. His son was also a collector and in 1675 purchased a watch made by the eminent scientist Robert Hooke and a Bedfordshire-born craftsman named Thomas Tompion (c.1639–1713).

Today, Tompion is considered one of the greatest English clockmakers of all time. During his life, some 650 clocks and 5,000 numbered watches were produced by his workshop, which operated at the sign of 'The Dial and the Three Crowns' – an image perhaps intended to indicate his patronage by three successive sovereigns. The most enthusiastic of these was William III (1650–1702), for who he made several longcase clocks, as well as four early barometers, which measure changes in atmospheric pressure on a clock-like dial. Several exquisite examples remain in the Royal Collection today.

Developments in mechanical timekeeping continued into the nineteenth century and royal collecting in this period was particularly prolific. As a patron of science, George III (1738–1820) encouraged some of the most important developments in the field and added the latest cutting-edge clocks and watches to the Collection. Among them are works by the leading craftsmen Christopher Pinchbeck (c.1670–1732), Thomas Mudge (1715–1794) and Alexander Cumming (c.1732–1814). George IV (1762–1830) was an indulgent admirer of French works of art and his acquisitions included a number of fabulously ornate clocks from the continent, many of which were restored or supplemented by his clockmaker, Benjamin Vulliamy (1747–1811).

Today, many of the spectacular clocks furnishing royal residences stem from this rich period of craftsmanship and collecting.

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SWEET CHARITY

QUEEN'S BRIAN MAY RAISING MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Supporting Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation May has produced a recording performed by sensational singers WOMAN and accompanied by May’s guitar. The WOMAN supergroup features four of rock musical theatre’s most powerful female voices and ‘We Will Rock You’ alumni - Mazz Murray, Kerry Ellis, Gina Murray and Anna-Jane Casey.

Together May and WOMAN have created a storming blues rock version of famed songwriter duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s classic 1962 I’m A Woman’, originally made famous by Peggy Lee. This special 2020 cover on which May performs as well as producing, is released in Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support the work of two leading women’s cancer charities – Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation, the latter being the family run cancer charity in memory of the much loved TV personality that was established by her mother Gloria Hunniford, and Caron's two brothers.

The recording became available last Friday. All proceeds from the recording will go to Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation.

A VERY BRADY MUSICAL A Virtual Benefit Reading takes place Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 Eastern time.

Marrying classic “Brady Bunch” style with modern live-streamed performance in tribute to the TV Show’s Title Sequence with proceeds to benefit Ogunquit Playhouse.

This benefit reading cleverly employs the virtual performance format in its most apt iteration yet: the iconic “Brady Bunch” squares, a cultural touchstone since the show’s premiere in 1969. Following the reading, viewers can extend the nostalgic magic with an opportunity to celebrate live on Zoom with special guests original “Brady Bunch” cast members Barry Williams (Greg) and Christopher Knight (Peter), as well as the musical’s authors.

A Very Brady Musical will feature Broadway stars and Tony Award nominees Gavin Lee, as Mike and Kerry Butler as Carol, as well as Klea Blackhurst as Alice, Trista Dollison as Cindy, Celia Hottenstein as Marcia, Diana Huey as Jan, Troy Iwata as Peter, Mason Reeves as Greg and Anthony Zambito as Bobby. The ensemble cast will feature Tracy Bidleman, Jason Matthews, Melinda Portages and Chuck Ragsdale.

Directed by Richard Israel, A Very Brady Musical features a Book by Lloyd J. Schwartz and Hope Juber, with Music & Lyrics by Hope Juber and Grammy Award-winner Laurence Juber. Ted Arthur serves as the Music Direcor. Off the Leash Prodctions' Jeremy Handelman serves as the Technical Director and Video Designer. Casting by Chad Eric Murnane, CSA/Binder Casting. Rachel A. Zucker is the Stage Manager.

In a cheeky modern spin on the wholesome throw-back, this new musical follows the Brady kids’ misadventures when they come to the mistaken conclusion that their parents are heading for certain doom: divorce. After consulting with trusty Alice, the kids decide to raise money to pay for marriage counseling. Before everything can turn out okay in the end and the kids can learn a valuable lesson, they’ll find each well-intentioned idea lands them in outrageous trouble… all in a sensible 90 minutes.ew generation to America’s most beloved, if somewhat out-of-touch, blended family.

Tickets for this virtual benefit reading will be available for a suggested donation of $20 or more. Donations of $100 or more will grant you VIP Access to both the reading and the live post-show celebration with original cast members of The Brady Bunch. All proceeds benefit Ogunquit Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater in Ogunquit, ME.

THE NEW YORK POPS virtual benefit concert premieres Tuesday, October 27.

Kelli O'Hara is a New York Pops Board Member and a co-chair for the PopsEd Ambassadors, a group of performers brought together in an effort to raise awareness of the incredible programs PopsEd offers to the community.

Since its inception, PopsEd has impacted over 75,000 NYC community members with access to arts education and live music experiences. All proceeds will help keep the music playing online until we are able to return to the concert hall and the classroom.

Ticketholders will have access to the video stream beginning at 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, October 27. The concert may be watched any time prior to 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, November 3.

SPREADING THE WORD

BLACKISH the hit ABC series starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross kicked off its latest season last Wednesday in a program which was refreshingly neither angry nor bitter. While the show was originally a groundbreaking one in which the family could present their feelings and issues about being black in a white man's world, the show evolved into bitter, resentful tirades.

Andre 'Dre' Johnson (Anthony Anderson) is a highly successful advertising executive - an occupation which has long been dominated by white men. His wife Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross) is an anesthesiologist - one of the highest paid of the medical professions. They live in a dream home not obtainable by most people of any race. Yet, as the series went on, Andre 'Dre' Johnson exhibited resentment, bitterness, and hostility to the point of appearing not being able to enjoy his and his wife's accomplishments. It got to the point of being a show for black people to watch and white folk could tune in at their own risk - as the show wasn't entertaining as much as it was an in-your-face series of lectures.

Last Wednesday's show returned to it's original brilliance. The subject matter was how they and their working colleagues and friends were coping with the pandemic. The show was pertinent, professional and neither pandered to nor turned off any race or religion.

KUDOS TO POPE FRANCIS who has endorsed same-sex civil unions saying; "'Homosexuals are children of God and have the right to be in a family" in major break from traditional Catholic teaching and encouraging the establishment of civil marriage laws. Church leaders hope Pope Francis' statement will also encourage families who have previously rejected their children because of their sexuality will be encourage to reunite.

BARUCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND OPERA OMAHA present the virtual, directed-for-video premiere of dwb (driving while black) through October 29, 2020 at 9:00pm ET. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. There will also be a post-screening live talk.

Roberta Gumbel, librettist/soprano
Susan Kander, composer
Chip Miller, director
New Morse Code - Hannah Collins, cello and Michael Compitello, percussion.
Videography: Four/Ten Media
Audio: Ryan Streber, Oktaven Studios.

"This March was to have been the New York premiere of dwb (driving while black) at Baruch Performing Arts Center," said Ted Altschuler, Director, Baruch Performing Arts Center. "A concise, taut 50-minute sung monodrama, it is a musical provocation to engage with the essential conversation of our day: racial justice. Live performances are paused for the moment, but the need for learning and dialogue is not. Given the brevity of the piece and the uncertainty of live performances, our organizations are collaborating to help create a high-quality version of dwb directed explicitly for streaming presentation. Not everyone has the capacity to create content in this moment, but the conversation this piece provokes is urgent. As an arts center located on one of the most diverse public university campuses in the U.S., we exist to promote inquiry and discourse, something we will encourage via post-performance events."

"Singers are storytellers," says soprano/librettist Roberta Gumbel "but rarely do we get the opportunity to help create the stories we are telling." Collaborating with composer Susan Kander and the cutting-edge duo New Morse Code, Gumbel created this brief, powerful music-drama that documents the all-too-familiar story of an African-American parent whose "beautiful brown boy" approaches driving age as, what should be a celebration of independence and maturity, is fraught with the anxiety of driving while black.

Opera Omaha, the only professional opera company in Nebraska, began in 1958 as the Omaha Civic Opera Society, a volunteer association,becoming fully professional by 1970. Opera Omaha produces a season of original mainstage productions, presented at the historic Orpheum Theater. Internationally known for its productions of eight world premieres and four American premieres of classical masterpiece.

LAS VEGAS IS GINGERLY REOPENING SOME ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Illusionist David Copperfield and comedian Carrot Top are two of the performers who will return to stages among COVID-19 guides.

Las Vegas entertainment conglomerate MGM Resorts announced that seven shows are set to reopen in Sin City on November 6, including performanceship-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, the Fantasy show at Luxor hotel, and the Australian Bee Gees and Thunder From Down Under.

The performers will move to larger rooms to better enable social distancing. Safety guidelines at the shows include the enforcement of face masks, limiting audiences to 250 people and ensuring the crowd is at least 25 feet away from performers.

EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE, BARTER THEATRE COLLABORATE to present virtual theatre series to help theatre artists break through the limitations of a pandemic and into a world of innovative theatre production. The Emory & Henry Theatre Department in Emory, VA joins professionals from Barter to present eight new short works that will be introduced on Facebook and later on other online and social media formats. The virtual, digital series, called “Outbreak: Appalachia in the Time of Covid-19,” are being directed, designed and choreographed by E&H faculty and Barter professionals and performed by E&H students.

The performances are being rehearsed and recorded using a variety of safe practices, including internet technology as well as a large green screen from which to project scenery. The new approach to theatre-making is intended to give students the opportunity to create art at a time when coming together on a traditional stage is impossible.

“It allows students to maximize this semester of their education to gain new skill sets specifically relevant to the contemporary theatre while remaining nimble and creating great theatre in the current situation,” said Dr. Kelly Bremner, chair of the E&H Theatre Department.

Even for Barter professionals, most of the techniques applied to a virtual theatre world represent new experiences, according to Nick Piper, associate artistic director at Barter. “This has been new for all of us. And it all comes down to figuring out what is the best way to tell these stories,” he said. “Everyone is getting to learn a new skill; we’re creating a new kind of theatre.”

Among the plays to be presented are Pandemic Party, by Stacey Isom Campbell, which will be the first production to be released from the series. Other pieces include plays written by Emory & Henry alumnus Pearl Moore, Derek Davidson, Silas House and Bianca X as well as a musical written by John Haggarty and Catherine Bush, and dance pieces by Emory & Henry Assistant Professor Annalee Tull and Barter resident choreographer Ashley Oliver-Campos.

THE MOST WATCHED STREAMS on Starzplay, the Dubai, UAE streaming service are The Big Bang Theory; The Office and Friends.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

THE SMITH CENTER in Las Vegas, a performing arts venue, will receive $1.8M in COVID relief money from the City of Las Vegas.

Before unanimously approving the funds the city council heard from Myron Martin, president and CEO of the Smith Center that the facility, which hosts Broadway and other large scale productions, in addition to having a cabaret, has been closed since the virus outbreak. Despite cost saving measures. including staff taking furloughs and pay cuts, the Smith Center still has more than $600,000 per month in operating expenses.

The Las Vegas City Council approving $1.8 million in assistance money, means the venue will be able to stay operational.

$900,000 will be immediately dispersed from a special revenue fund derived from excess car rental fees, and the other half later, if necessary.

SCARY MOVIES: PERSONAL SAVINGS BASED ON YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN MOVIES The new Troutwood Time Portal app is one of a series of educational tools for young people and new investors.

Imagine you were to save $1 per day from the time your favorite Halloween movie was released until 2019. How much money would you have saved?

Let’s take an example. If you were to save $1 per day and invest it accordingly, starting in 1978 when the original Halloween movie was released, by 2019, you would have built $313,690 in savings. That’s according to fintech firm Troutwood’s new investment education tool called the Troutwood Time Portal app, which is available for free for Apple and Android devices.

For instance:

If you started when Scream was released in 1996, by 2019, you’d have built $30,429.00 in savings.
If you started when Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas were released in 1993, by 2019, you’d have built $43,424.00 in savings.
If you started when Beetlejuice was released in 1988, by 2019, you’d have built $79,201.00 in savings.
If you started when Ghostbusters was released in 1984, by 2019, you’d have built $134,332.00 in savings.
If you started when E.T. The Extra Terrestrial was released in 1982, by 2019, you’d have built $180,290.00 in savings.
If you started when The Exorcist was released in 1973, by 2019, you’d have built $546,261.00 in savings.
If you started when Night of the Living Dead was released in 1968, by 2019, you’d have built $811,805.00 in savings.
If you started when It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (TV special) was released in 1965, by 2019, you’d have built $1,017,523.00 in savings.
If you started when Psycho was released in 1960, by 2019, you’d have built $1,533,709.00 in savings.

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LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

These Halloween inspired jokes come from Wayne Allen, magician and owner of the The Historic North Theatre Performing Arts Center in Danville, VA.

Did you hear about the guy who tried to shoot a ghost? He mist!

When the psychic did not pay the exorcist for his work on Halloween, he simply got re-possessed.

What do you call an author who continues to work in the afterlife? A ghostwriter!

Dividing a pumpkin's circumference by the diameter on Halloween will give you pumpkin pi.

Which blues singer do ghosts like best? Bonnie Wraith!

Witches do not ride their brooms when angry because they are afraid they could fly off the handle.

If you want to want to tell a secret to anyone at a party it should be the mummy because he keeps things under wraps.

Why don't mummies take time off? They're afraid to unwind.

An invisible man married an invisible woman on Halloween. Their kids were nothing to look at.

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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.






THE RECORDING ACADEMY newly launched Black Music Collective (BMC) has announced members of the leadership council which is dedicated to progressing the Recording Academy's mission to achieve equitable representation across its membership and the music industry.

The collective will serve as a space for members to speak openly about new and emerging opportunities in Black music alongside an inspiring group of groundbreaking Black music creators and business leaders. The following list of music professionals will join Honorary Chairs Jeffrey Harleston, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones, Debra Lee, John Legend, and Sylvia Rhone, and work hand in hand to elevate the mission of the collective. Recording Academy Trustee Riggs Morales serves as the BMC Chair and Washington, D.C. Chapter Executive Director Jeriel Johnson is the Executive Sponsor.

The Black Music Collective's Distinguished Leadership Committee includes:

Yolanda Adams, Artist
Brianna Agyemang, Executive
Derek "MixedByAli" Ali, Engineer
Tunde Balogun, Executive
Tuma Basa, Executive
Aloe Blacc, Artist
Boi-1da, Producer
Catherine Brewton, Executive
Terri Lyne Carrington, Musician
D-Nice, Artist
Phylicia Fant, Executive
H.E.R., Artist
Om’Mas Keith, Producer
Rico Love, Songwriter
Heather Lowery, Executive
Riggs Morales, Executive and BMC Chair
Steve Pamon, Executive
Tayla Parx, Songwriter
Ryan Press, Executive
Rashid Shabazz, Executive
Jamila Thomas, Executive
Dion "No-I.D." Wilson, Producer

THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM (IPHF) will honor its 2020 class of Photography Hall of Fame inductees and awardees at its first-ever live in-person/virtual Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 30 a 7 p.m. CST. The awards program will be available free of charge to a global audience via a live Zoom stream. St. Louis broadcast journalist Art Holliday will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The ceremony coincides with IPHF’s 55th Anniversary Celebration.

The IPHF annually awards and inducts notable photographers or photography industry visionaries for their artistry, innovation, and significant contributions to the art and science of photography. 2020 Honorees to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include:

Robert Adams, Photographer
Lynsey Addario, Photojournalist
The late Alfred Eisenstaedt, Photojournalist
Hiro, Fashion/Art/Portrait photographer
Jay Maisel, Fine Art/Portrait/Commercial photographer
Duane Michals, Photographic Innovator
Carrie Mae Weems, Fine Art/Conceptual Photographer

In addition, legendary rock music photographer Henry Diltz will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Diltz is a music photographer who has shot more than 250 album covers and thousands of publicity shots in the ‘60s and ‘70s, including the iconic Morrison Hotel cover for The Doors. Other artists, whose fly-on-the-wall style portraits he’s known for, include musical legends such as The Eagles, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, America, Steppenwolf, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, The Monkees and David Cassidy. He was the official photographer at the Woodstock festival in August 1969. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LIFE, People, Rolling Stone, High Times and Billboard. Diltz is a co-founder/co-owner of the iconic Morrison Hotel Gallery in Los Angeles, New York and Maui.

Photographic agency Magnum Photos will receive the Leadership Award. Magnum Photos represents some of the world’s most renowned artists and photographers, maintaining its founding ideals and idiosyncratic mix of journalist, artist and storyteller. For over 70 years Magnum Photos has provided the highest quality photography to an international client base of media, charities, publishers, brands and cultural institutions.

Richard Miles, Chairman of the Board of IPHF and his wife Pat Whitaker serve as general event co-chairs. Susan Sherman and Dr. Donald Suggs co-chair the Honorary Event Committee comprised of community and civic leaders.

A nominating committee of IPHF representatives and notable photographic leaders with a passion for preserving and honoring the art of photography selected the inductees. To be eligible for induction, nominees were considered based on the noteworthy contributions they made to the art or science of photography that had a significant impact on the photography industry and/or history of photography. The inductees, though widely differing in style and practice, are individually seen as significant innovators in their respective fields. They are all risk takers who introduced the world to new means of artistic representation and expression.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, for 55 Years, the IPHF has been the only Hall of Fame worldwide that honors significant contributors to the artistic craft and science of photography. In addition to its commitment to the Photography Hall of Fame, the IPHF strives to educate the public about photographic history and to collect, exhibit, and preserve historical items and images. IPHF’s impressive permanent collection contains works from more than 500 artists, over 2,000 historical cameras, and more than 30,000 photographs.

GRAMMY WINNING SONGWRITER and 53 year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely is a recipient of the 2020 Legacy Award by The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum. The purpose of the Legacy Award is to honor individuals who possess leadership qualities in the areas of integrity, mentorship, and their life’s work has touched the lives of others in a significant way. Jeannie Seely has been a mentor and a trailblazer for countless young women through the years who dreamed of a career in country music. She has been a powerful role model and used her voice to support young artists, especially women, and has used her success to help others succeed.

The noted Tennessee State Historical Site, celebrated the 100th Birthday Celebration of former Governor Frank G. Clement with a virtual fundraiser during a Fourth Annual Legacy event on October 25, 2020. Additional 2020 Legacy Award honorees included U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and Craig Morgan in recognition of their contributions to the State of Tennessee and worldwide.

Special appearances were made by Governor Bill Lee, Congressman Jim Cooper, Representative Michael Curcio, Dr. Joe Johnson, former President of the University of Tennessee, Dr. Roy Nicks, Commissioner and Bobby Cain the first African American student integrated in the South, a Clinton High School in Tennessee in 1956.

HANG IN THERE . . .

JEFF BRIDGES who has announced that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer which affects the lymph system.

Bridges posted:
"Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good," Bridges tweeted. "I'm starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery." I'm profoundly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. And, while I have you, please remember to go vote. Because we are all in this together. https://t.co/6sAU4MYixl Love, Jeff

In a six decades career Bridges has starred in over 70 films. Bridges is currently in production on the drama series The Old Man, which he stars in and is executive producer. The series, is scheduled to debut exclusively on FX on Hulu in 2021.

During the 2019 Golden Globes he received the lifetime-achievement award, known as the Cecil B. DeMille Award, which is given annually to someone who has made a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

FINAL OVATION

JAMES REDFORD a filmmaker known for documentaries including The Kindness of Strangers, who was the son of actor and director Robert Redford died October 6, 2020 from bile duct cancer at his home in Marin County, California. He was 58.

He had previously undergone two liver transplants.

James Redford graduated with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and film from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a master's degree in literature from Northwestern University.

He and his father co-founded The Redford Center in 2005 which according to its site "uses impact-driven film and media to accelerate environmental and climate justice, solutions and repair."

He wrote, directed and produced more than a dozen films, including the award-winning documentaries Watershed, Toxic Hot Seat and Mann v. Ford.

He is survived by Kyle, his wife of 32 years, and their two children, Dylan and Lena as well as his parents Robert Redford and his former wife, historian Lola Van Wagenen and three siblings.

THE AMAZING (JAMES) RANDI was a Canadian-American stage magician and scientific skeptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, died October 20, 2020 in Plantation, Florida. He was 92.

The MacArthur grant-winning magician performed amazing escape acts and magic tricks to disprove the paranormal and was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation.

He inspired many younger magicians including Penn & Teller.

MARGE CHAMPION dancer, choreographer and inspiration for the image of Snow White died October 21, 2020 at her son's home in Los Angeles. She was 101.

At 14, she was hired as a dance model for Walt Disney Studios animated films. Later, she performed as an actress and dancer in film musicals, and in 1957 with her then husband and dance partner Gower Champion had a television show based on song and dance.

Champion appeared in several stage musicals and plays on Broadway as a performer. She made her New York debut in What's Up (1943). She also performed in the Dark of the Moon (1945) as the Fair Witch, and Beggar's Holiday (1946) having multiple roles. In 1955 she was on Broadway 3 for Tonight. She also worked as a choreographer or Assistant, including Lend an Ear in 1948 as assistant to the Choreographer; Make a Wish in 1951, as assistant to Gower Champion; Hello, Dolly! in 1964 as special assistant; and Stepping Out (1987) as choreographic associate. She appeared as Emily Whitman in the 2001 Broadway stage revival of Follies, whoch Broadway To Vegas reviewed. She stated how "as a dancer, by the time you're 40 you're done. If I ever come back, I want to be an actress – it lasts long. But I was 81 when I was in Follies.

Champion married Art Babbitt, an animator at Disney and creator of Goofy, in 1937. They divorced three years later. She went on to marry dancer Gower Champion in 1947. Together, they had two sons (Blake and Gregg). They divorced in January 1973. Marge had met Gower when she was 12 years old in the ninth grade at Bancroft Junior High, and that was when their romance started.

Champion married director Boris Sagal in 1977. He was killed four years later on May 22, 1981 in a helicopter accident during the production of the miniseries World War III. She became stepmother to Boris' five children including Katey, Jean, Liz, and Joey. Her son Blake died at the age of 25 in a car accident in 1987.

JERRY JEFF WALKER an American country music singer and songwriter, pioneer of the “cosmic cowboy” sound that would evolve into outlaw country, best known for writing the 1968 song Mr. Bojangles died October 23, 2020 Walker was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017 and passed away from cancer-related complications. At died at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas. “He was at home until an hour before his passing,” his widow told the press. “He went very peacefully, which we were extremely grateful for.” He was 78.

Former President Bill Clinton posted: "I was saddened to hear about the passing of Jerry Jeff Walker. I'll never forget seeing him at the Armadillo music hall in Austin in 1972, or his performance for my 1992 campaign the night before Election Day. He was a true original, and his music will live on."

In 2018, Walker donated a lifetime of artifacts to the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Walker’s last appearance onstage in Austin was Feb. 22, 2020, to accept a Hall of Fame award from the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association. A star-studded cast — including Rodney Crowell, Michael Martin Murphey, Emmylou Harris, Joe Ely and the Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna — performed Walker’s songs in his honor. Walker appeared at the end, with help from his wife and others to get on and offstage.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years Susan who also served as his manager. In addition to Susan, survivors include the couple’s two children, daughter Jessie Jane and son Django Walker.

Next Column: November 1, 2020
Copyright: October 25, 2020 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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