Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: October 9, 2016
By: Laura Deni
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HURRICANE MATTHEW DISRUPTS ENTERTAINMENT

Hurricane Matthew swept in like a mean critic - closing some shows before they even opened and altering the schedules of others. Hurricane Matthew got its name above the title while those who invested in performing arts looked for shelter.

The spotlight stealing storm even caused President Obama to declare Florida a disaster area a day before the storm hit.

There is always an exception to every rule. Refusing to listen to Florida Governor Rick Scott's tune with lyrics calling Hurricane Matthew "a monster," and ordering people to evacuate, rapper Vanilla Ice decided to take responsibility for his own safety while acting as an eye witness Twitter reporter.

Vanilla Ice promised that he'd stay put at his home in West Palm and ride out Hurricane Matthew.

Rapper Vanilla Ice hunkered down and tweeted.

The 43-year-old posted a few tweets about the storm to his 277 thousand followers.

Some of his postings include:

#HurricaneMatthew is pounding Palm Beach right now. Flooding and debris flying everywhere. Vanilla Ice @vanillaice (early evening October 6)

Ten hours later he tweeted:

It looks like a mess with debris and some flooding here but overall Palm Beach handled it very well. #HurricaneMatthew

While Florida did dodge a bullet, the inconvenience is substantial.

Such major attractions as LegoLand, Sea World, and Universal Studios shut their doors to entertainment land happiness on Thursday in anticipation of real life consequences. Most reopened on Saturday. For only the second time in its history, Disneyland was also closed for those two days.

Garth Brooks concerts at the Amway Center in Orlando set for last Thursday and Friday instead took place on Saturday and today, Sunday, October 9. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale also closed their doors on Thursday and Friday.

ArtsGarage in Delray Beach, Florida canceled October 5-7 performances of The Mystery of Love and Sex. In addition, the venue's Open House event has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 13.

The Broadway in Daytona Beach presentation of Rent, initially scheduled for Thursday, October 6 at The Peabody in Daytona, was postponed. The venue indicating that they "are working with the producers to confirm a rescheduled date."

“The safety of our citizens and patrons are our number one concern,” said Peabody Director Helen Riger. “We want our residents to have the time to ensure their loved ones and properties are taken care of.”

Tickets for the initial performance will be honored at the rescheduled date.

Artists of Palm Beach County on the Park Gallery: The Lake Park art space will be closed through Monday and has postponed last Friday's opening reception for the Abstract exhibit until October 14. Also rescheduled for October 14 is Boca Raton Museum Art School's opening reception for the exhibit of paintings by Philip Glick.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale postponed Henry Rollis spoken word tour and the Taiko drum ensemble performance. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts canceled performances scheduled for Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny and Songs of Freedom.

Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami postponed the opening reception of the exhibit SYZYGY until October 13. West Palm Beach's Norton Museum of Art closed and patrons are requested to check the museum website for re-opening date and time.

The popular daytime television program The Chew canceled their taping at Epcot in Orlando. As an aside, The Chew is an entertaining program with numerous excellent suggestions, which not only make for good television watching, but are actually doable for most viewers. On last week's Pot Luck Party show Clinton Kelly's creation of an ice molded serving bowl is jaw dropping elegant and so easy to make. I can't wait to try it.

Bernadette Peters. Photo: Laura deni

Upcoming performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Bernadette Peters were also rescheduled at Gaillard Center in Charleston, S.C. Tony Award winner Peters is set to perform on October 15 at the Ikeda Theatre in Mesa, AZ.

The Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina always enjoys a bevy of entertainment, all of which took a hit.

The 26th Annual Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art canceled its events slated for last week-end. The event celebrates art, food, wine, music, dance, and more was slated to run September 24 - October 15. Performances affected will be rescheduled for a later date.

The Surfrider Grand Strand chapter rescheduled the 17th Annual Chilympics Chili Cookoff and Music Festival to Sunday, October 16, 2016, The Buck Wild Rodeo at Thompson Farm in Conway will now be held October 28 and 29. House of Blues closed The Deck from Wednesday through Saturday.

Loretta Lynn’s concert set for last Saturday at the Alabama Theatre, at Barefoot Landing, in North Myrtle Beach has been postponed to February 18.

The opening of Swamp Fox Players’ And the Winner Is, set for last Friday has been delayed, with performances now scheduled for October 13-16 and 21-23 at the Strand Theater.

Written by Mitch Albom and directed by Kathy Anderson, "this comedy tells the story of a self-obsessed movie star who is finally nominated for an Oscar, then dies the night before the awards. Outraged at his bad luck and determined to know if he wins (even though he's dead), he bargains with a heavenly gatekeeper to return to earth for the big night. Along the way, he drags his agent, his acting rival, his bombshell girlfriend and his ex-wife into the journey, in a wildly twisting tale of Hollywood, the afterlife, and how we are judged."

At the Palace Theatre, at Broadway at the Beach, Hot Jersey Nights shows for Wednesday-Saturday, and Ron White, for Saturday, were canceled.

Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, performances through Sunday were canceled, resuming October 13-23 at Atlantic Stage, in Myrtle Beach Mall. George Thorogood & the Destroyers concert Friday at House of Blues, in North Myrtle Beach was canceled. Legends in Concert, at Broadway at the Beach shows were canceled and resume on Monday, October 10.

Around Columbia, Georgia A Night to Imagine, featuring Abbey Road Live!, originally set for Saturday, October 8 at Music Farm, has been cancelled and The Art Along the Trail showcase which was also slated for October 8 at Riverfront Park has been postponed.

Atlanta Motor Speedway, which hosts NASCAR races, tweeted that evacuees were welcome in its campground. HURRICANE MATTHEW: We have opened our campgrounds to storm evacuees, free of charge — AtlantaMotorSpeedway (@amsupdates) October 6, 2016

Generally the last entertainment form to close are movie houses. Hurricane Matthew didn't waste time disrupting the larger than life experience.

AMC Theatres closed its West Palm Beach Indian River 24, its seven Miami venues and its two Jacksonville, Florida outlets through Saturday to allow for repairs, if necessary, due to the Hurricane.

Regal Cinemas, Cinemark and Cobb Theaters closed their southeast coast venues from Florida to South Carolina.

Regal issued the following statement:

"In an effort to ensure the safety of our employees and guests, Regal theatres located along the Eastern Coast that will be impacted by Hurricane Matthew, including those in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, will be closed and will reopen when the conditions permit."

In other words, when it comes to entertainment along the path of Hurricane Matthew, check before you go.










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ART AND ABOUT

PUSH COMES TO SHOVE: WOMEN AND POWER

Mary Hood, You Better Make It In The World On Your Own, 2013. Laser engraved woodcut on vellum with water color, laser cut vellum. 15 x 18 inches. Courtesy of the artist. © Mary Hood

a cross-disciplinary collaboration between SMoCA and ASU Intermedia Professor Muriel Magenta, Ph.D., Push Comes to Shove: Women and Power aims to use art as a critical catalyst in rethinking and transforming the advancement of women.

The exhibition features 19 artists whose works deal with the themes and issues of how women exercise and think about power. The exhibition is grounded by the experiences of five women who have held positions of great leadership: Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. congresswoman, 9th District, Ariz.; Rebecca White Berch, former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court; Barbara Barrett, international businesswoman, former U.S. ambassador to Finland and namesake of ASU’s Barrett Honors College; Diane Enos, former president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; and Gloria Feldt, activist, former CEO of Planned Parenthood and faculty member of the ASU School of Social Transformation.

Push Comes to Shove: Women and Power explores this vital subject during the historical juncture in the U.S. as a woman runs for president as the nominee of a major party. The artists’ works challenge women to think about power in their everyday lives and to find ways they can make a difference.

Participating artists include: Julie Anand, Malena Barnhart, Patricia Clark, Anne Coe, Grisha Coleman, Meredith Drum, Angela Ellsworth, Brooke Grucella, Hilary Harp and Suzie Silver, Mary Hood, Adriene Jenik, Siri Khandavilli, Muriel Magenta, Gabriela Muñoz, Mary Neubauer and Todd Ingalls, M. Jenea Sanchez, and Forrest Solis.

SMoCA will host a symposium to bring together the advocates and artists to deepen and further this conversation on Saturday, October 15 and will welcome Guerrilla Girls founding member Frida Kahlo to teach a workshop and give a public lecture.

Organized by Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Curated by Muriel Magenta, Ph.D., Professor of Intermedia, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University, and Sara Cochran, Ph.D., SMoCA Director and Chief Curator, with the assistance of Julie Ganas, SMoCA Curatorial Coordinator.

Through January 8, 2017 at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

GAPP ARTIST DOREEN GARNER

Work in glass by Doreen Garner inspired by her research on HeLa cells and Henrietta Lacks. Photo: Toledo Museum of Art.

born and raised in Philadelphia, is a Rhode Island-based sculptor and performance artist who surveys sexuality, gender and race in her beautifully grotesque works. In her lecture on October 14 in the GlasSalon of the Toledo Museum in Toledo, Ohio, Garner will discuss her work in glass inspired by her research on HeLa cells and Henrietta Lacks.

“HeLa cells were taken in the 1950s from a tumor inside the cervix of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman living in Baltimore,” Garner said. “They were used for medical advancement as the first and only immortal cell line without her knowledge.”

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design’s Glass MFA program, Doreen Garner’s performance and sculptural work juxtaposes beautiful and grotesque imagery to complicate the viewer’s visual experience. Her use of repulsive imagery - fatty flesh, incisions made to the chest of a corpse, crawling maggots, bloody organs - projects as a site of investigation, Garner maps new meaning that complicates the iconography and consumption of Black women’s bodies within the American imagination.

Garner’s GAPP residency will take place October 12-19. The Guest Artist Pavilion Project, or GAPP brings in both glass artists and contemporary artists who are willing to explore the use of glass in their work, to be inspired, without restriction, by the TMA collection, studio facilities, and staff. The program features established and emerging artists residencies, public artist’s talks and offers intensive workshops with artists who can share specialized techniques with our community.

SLAVERY & SATIRE Revealing Black History at the Jewish Museum in London on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

5pm Join us for the museum's first ever Black History Tour, revealing objects relating to Black History and Black Jewish History in the collection.

Led by Black Heritage Tour Guide and Jewish Museum Learning Officer, Lauren Johnson, you will get the opportunity to see previously unseen objects from the museum’s vaults.

From servants in the Sukkah to campaigning together for Civil Rights, the event will explore the shared history and faith of the Black and Jewish Communities across time and geography.

KENSINGTON PALACE SENIOR CURATOR

Deirdre Murphy. Photo: Historic Royal Palaces.

Deirdre Murphy will be traveling to Philadelphia, Chicago and New York to present her lecture Gilded Butterflies: Fashion at the English Court.

This illustrative lecture will explore how royal and court dress was used as a powerful communication tool, and how opulent materials and custom made garments distinguished the court over the centuries, using several examples of courtiers and individuals from the 18th century onward - such as George II, Queen Victoria, the Duke of Windsor and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kensington Palace is proud to partner once again with The Union League of Philadelphia, The Textiles Society of Chicago, The General Mechanics Library and The Royal Oak Foundation.

The lectures take place: Monday, October 10, in Philadelphia at The Union League. Tuesday and Wednesday in Chicago at The Chicago Institute of Art in collaboration with The Textiles Society. Thursday, October 13,in New York at The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen.

SWEET CHARITY

WORLD TEAM TENNIS (WTT) Smash Hits at Caesars Palace, a charity night of tennis co-hosted by longtime friends Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King on Monday, October 10, 2016.

On the court will be Maria Sharapova, Mardy Fish, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Mark Philippoussis, Andy Roddick and former world No. 1 doubles standout Liezel Huber.

Elton, Billie Jean, and all players will participate in the pre-match live auction, which will include an Elton John signed piano bench and King’s Wimbledon tickets among other items.

Last year's event in Las Vegas raised more than $1 million, bringing the historic total to more than $14 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993.

THE ACTING COMPANY will honor legendary theatrical director Mark Lamos and distinguished patron of the arts J. Barclay Collins at its annual gala Monday, October 17, at New York’s Metropolitan Club. The event features cocktails, silent auction, dinner, entertainment and award ceremony.

Liz Callaway, the Emmy Award-winning actress, singer and recording artist is set to perform as part of the evening’s entertainment.

An industry-filled audience of producers, directors, entertainers and other notables is expected to attend, including Dana Ivey, former NJ Gov. Thomas Kean, Edgar Lansbury, and Richard Thomas. The Acting Company Alumnus, Stephen DeRosa, will host the event.

The Acting Company is America’s most honored touring repertory theatre, having reached four million people in the U.S. and abroad with 140 classic and new works. Proceeds from the gala support the Company’s repertory of theatrical productions and arts education for underserved audiences.

Lamos will be presented with The Acting Company’s John Houseman Award by Richard Thomas. The award honors Lamos’ profound commitment to the development of actors and arts education in America. He has helped to shape the careers of some of the finest classical actors in recent generations, with numerous alumni of The Acting Company among them. Collins will receive The Acting Company’s Joan M. Warburg Humanitarian Award for his deep and longstanding dedication to giving back to the community, from supporting the arts and education, to helping raise funds for innovations in health care and new protections for the environment. The Award will be presented by former NJ Governor Thomas Kean.

Event chairs are Tim Saunders, Christopher Shyer, Angela Pierce and Dana Ivey. Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks will provide music.

Founded in 1972 by Oscar winner John Houseman and producer Margot Harley, The Acting Company brings live classical theatre to those who might otherwise never get a chance to enjoy and learn from it. Its education programs reach students who have limited access to arts, education and live theatre.

Since its inception, The Acting Company has developed the talents and skills of more than 400 actors, including the young Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Rainn Wilson, Harriet Harris, Frances Conroy, Jesse L. Martin, Jeffrey Wright, David Ogden Stiers, David Schramm, Keith David, Stephen DeRosa and Hamish Linklater, all of whom began their careers with it.

JAMIE deROY AND FRIENDS CABARET SHOW to benefit The Actors Fund takes place at Birdland on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Performers include Brandon Victor Dixon, Grammy award winner Julie Gold, Julie Halston, Steven Scott and 88-year-old cabaret icon Marilyn Maye accompanied by Grammy-winning musical conductor Billy Stritch on the piano.

Proceeds from the concert, produced by Ms. deRoy, will benefit The Actors Fund: Jamie deRoy & friends Cabaret Initiative - an endeavor that assists those in the cabaret industry who have medical needs and concerns. The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs honored her with a MAC award for her many long-running shows that benefit this, her signature initiative.

Composer, book writer and lyricist Barry Kleinbort directs three time Tony Award recipient deRoy’s October 16 event with musical direction by Ron Abel, the award-winning arranger, orchestrator and conductor. Tom Hubbard will be on bass and Ray Marchica on drums.

SHELDON HARNICK will be honored by The Workshop Theater Company with their Jewel Box Award at their 3rd annual unGala on Monday, October 17, 2016 at The Lindeman in New York City.

Harnick will be celebrated with The Sheldon Show, with performances by, Robert Cuccioli, Tovah Feldshuh, Sally Mayes and Michael McCormick which will include the honorees' most memorable and entertaining songs. Peter Filichia will ‘interview’ Harnick, so that the audience can enjoy some of his great memories and stories.

Among the other VIPs expected to attend are actress, Judy Blazer, Scott Ellis, Brad Oscar, Zach Grenier and writer, David Thompson.

Live music will be provided by the Greg Bufford Jazz Quartet.

The 24-year-old Workshop Theater is devoted to the rigorous development and production of new American plays and musicals that transport, challenge and surprise both artists and audiences. Now helmed by Artistic Director Thomas Coté, the company maintains a full schedule of writers' nights, readings series and two-week productions of plays-in-progress. It will present three subsequent main stage productions this season: The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit book by Allan Knee, and music and lyrics by Andre Catrini Through the Darkness by Alan Breindel and Composure by Scott C. Sickles.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND

THE WILD & WHIMSICAL WORLDS OF DAVID MALLAMUD released by Broadway Recording is fascinating. An aurally beautiful representation of the eclectic composer David Mallamud.

This captivating CD is one of the most unusual groups of musical compositions ever captured in a recording. Yet, in an out of the world sense of things, it all becomes perfectly clear. To comprehend, you need to listen to it. Then, you'll probably listen to it again and again. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a cosmic curve and you're in a different, yet totally enjoyable, musical universe.

The CD begins with a Paris Music Hall segment dubbed Parlour Songs, which includes nine songs. The first cut Please, Froggy, Be True features the beautiful voice of Christiane Noll. Frump on Your Lapel is a vehicle for two time Grammy nominee, tenor Amick Byram. My Only Love spotlights Sierra Bogess' showstopping voice. Itsy Bitsy Baby is clever, alternating between ragtime and melodrama and is performed by Bryam.

Immram has an a cappella opening featuring the exquisite voice of Cathie Ryan. Later the voice of Dan Webb joins in with background voices by Morgan James; with Sergei Nirenburg on accordion and Rik Rigler playing pipes in a powerful Celtic inspired arrangement. The composer invites each listener to develop their own interpretation of the song's meaning.

El Dilema De Chucho is a vibrant Spanish themed number - the first part utilizing the type of changing beats you'd expect finalists in Dancing with The Stars attempting to conquer. The middle section slows and then the ending is again a mambo seguing into the overly dramatic. The composer states in the booklet that this number is a miniature opera based on an imaginary Latin American soap opera.

Even if you don't understand Spanish it's a fun listen. Janet Dacal playing the role of Aracelli and Brian Charles Rooney as Rocio give it their all.

You can visualize Bob Fosse choreography when you listen to Chrome-Plated-Gut-Waddin; Mondorifico The composer explains: "The title is based on the 60s slang but is essentially meaningless in everything other than sonic effect." There are three related songs: Morgan James is featured on Cool and Hully Gully while Janel Decal is featured on Tijuana. It's camp done with a straight face - and it works.

Last Call at the Folies Bergere is can-can infused. Sung in French, the selections are an "homage to the carefree spirit of the Folies Bergere is twentieth-century Paris." There is a story line. Ghosts of famous stars return to stage a one night revue which tells the story of the love affair between Mistinguett and Chevalier, two of the Folies biggest stars. You don't need to understand French to get the idea that their love affair wasn't always smooth running. In an homage to Paul Derval the outstanding vocals are provided by Amick Byram, Morgan James, Christiane Noll, and Brian Charles Rooney.

Outro is a tribute to Emile Vacher and features the accordion of Sergei Nirenburg.

The CD suddenly shifts to a different dimension with Lizardman an excerpt from a glam metal opera featuring vibrant orchestrations. It's broken down into Fallen Angel (Part I) and Fallen Angel (Part II) with dramatic and powerful lead vocals provided by Constantine Maroulis. Morgan James and Clarke Thorell are background vocalists. Joel Hockstra is featured on guitar.

Mallamud may live in his own universe and should not be encourage to move. Anyone who suggests that this man should plant both feet on earth is probably just jealous of Mallamud's talent.

It would be tough to find a better set of musicians that the group which has the odd name of Dogs of Desire. Sounds like a name a middle school group of boys might pick. Actually, it's The Albany Symphony's Dogs of Desire, conducted by David Alan Miller.

Grammy award winner Miller founded this contemporary music ensemble from members of the Albany Symphony Orchestra in 1994, two years after his appointment as the orchestra's musical director.

Excellent musicians.

Flute: Torin Olsen.
Oboe: Karen Hosmer.
Clarinet: Weixiong Wang.
Bassoon: Stephen Walt.
Alto/Soprano Saxophone: Chad Smith.
Baritone/Tenor Saxophone: Nathaniel Fossner.
Horn: William Hughes.
Trumpet: Eric Berlin.
Trombone: Greg Spiridopoulos.
Piano/Keyboard: Jon Werking.
Drums/Percussion: Adam Wolfe.
Violin I: Jill Levy.
Violin II: Elizabeth Silver.
Viola: Daniel Byre.
Cello: Susan Libby.
Double Bass/Electric Bass: Chris Lightcap.

Special guests: Joel Hoekstra, guitars. Sergei Nirenburg, Accordion. Eric Rigler, Pipes Clarke Thorell, additional vocals.

Dogs of Desire recorded January 23, 2016, Zankel Hall, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York by Joel Moss. Edited and mixed by Joel Moss, Woods End Studio, Saratoga Springs, New York. All vocalists recorded and edited by Jeremy Roberts, Studio 276, New York City, except Janet Decal. and Amick Bryam recorded by Terry Sampson Radio Free Bessemer, Los Angeles, CA.

Mastered by Joel Moss and Charlie Eble, Woods End Studio. All music composed, arranged and orchestrated by David Mallamud. All lyrics by David Mallamud except Lizardman with lyrics by Michael Cooper. Keyboard programming by Hiro Iida.

Interesting, informative booklet which is well written and laid out; easy to read. Beautiful color combinations with quirky, unique and fun graphics. Package design by Robbie Rozello. Illustrations by Christina Ellis.

Buy and enjoy.

SPREADING THE WORD

THE CORRECT WAY TO PRONOUNCE NEVADA is a subject that comes up for discussion every so often. Like now.

I've lived in Nevada since 1963 - that's 53 years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national median age was 36.8 years in 2009. That means I've lived in Nevada almost one-and-a-half times longer than the median person has been alive.

In 1963 there was a great divide over whether Nevada was pronounced Nev-AH-da or Nev-AD-a. As it was explained to me back in 1963 the two pronunciations had to do with serious rivalries between the northern and southern sections of The Silver State. Folks living in the southern part - such as Las Vegas - pronounced the state Nev-AH-da, which is more towards the original Spanish pronunciation. Those who lived in the northern part - such as Reno, Carson City and the ranching land areas called their state Nev-AD-a.

Although there are still rivalries between the two sections, the rivalries aren't as serious that they were a half century ago. However, different pronunciations of the state's name have remained.

So, the correct answer as to which pronunciation is correct should be - they are both correct.

19TH ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT LAW INITIATIVE WRITING COMPETITION co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries and the Grammy Foundation invites law students to write a 3,000-word paper on a compelling legal topic facing the music industry today.

A cash scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the author of the winning paper, and $1,500 will be awarded to each of the four runners-up. Additionally, each winner will receive airfare, hotel accommodations, and a ticket to the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held at Staples Center on Sunday, February 12, 2017. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network.

Contest is open to all law students.

Submissions must be received by January 4, 2017 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT). Winners will be chosen on January 27, 2017.

BETTE MIDLER the Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress who will star in the upcoming Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, will appear at the 92Y in New York City on October 17 in a special conversation with Oscar and Grammy winner Carole Bayer Sager.

Sager, who co-wrote such songs as Nobody Does It Better, Don’t Cry Out Loud and the Broadway musical They’re Playing Our Song, has recently completed her memoir, also titled They’re Playing Our Song, which will be released October 18.

The 92Y event also promises to look back at Sager’s life and career. Midler will star as Dolly Levi in the Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!, which will begin Broadway previews March 15 at the Shubert Theatre.

MASTER SERIES READING: POET PAUL DURCAN A celebrated voice in contemporary Irish literature; poet Paul Durcan presents an illustrated dramatic reading of work from his new book, Wild, Wild Erie. The collection of fifty poems is inspired by works he selected from the Toledo Museum of Art’s world-class collection, and marks his first collaboration with an American museum.

Unsparingly satirical, Durcan’s strikingly visual poetry often tackles social and political hypocrisies, but also can be intensely personal, mining his own relationships and everyday experiences to paint vivid, unorthodox, even surreal - but always deeply humanist - scenes.

As passionate about art as he is about writing, Durcan has previously composed poetry inspired by the collections of the National Gallery of Ireland (Crazy About Women, 1991) and the National Gallery, London (Give Me Your Hand, 1994). A book signing follows the presentation in Libbey Court.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio.

WORKS & PROCESS Carnegie Hall: Steve Reich 80th Birthday and Three Tales by Beryl Korot & Steve Reich takes place today, Sunday, October 9. Ensemble Signal conducted by Brad Lubman performs an excerpt from Steve Reich’s new work Pulse prior to its world premiere on November 1, as well as Quartet, a piece scored for two pianos and vibraphones. The program culminates with video excerpts from Three Tales, a groundbreaking video opera by Reich and Beryl Korot. Reich and Korot join Stuart Comer, MoMA Chief Curator of Media and Performance Art, for a conversation about their practice.

Pulse is co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall.

A BUSY FOOD WEEK October 10 is National Angel Food Cake Day. Tuesday is National Sausage Pizza Day. Wednesday is National Gumbo Day. On October 13 celebrate National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Don't forget October 14. That's National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day - really.






JEFFREY FINN a four time Tony nominated theatrical producer has been selected to run the theater program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Finn, 46, is President of Jeffrey Finn Productions and Hot On Broadway.

He has produced 14 Broadway shows and more than 25 national tours and regional productions. Collectively, Finn's shows have grossed more than $200 million worldwide. Hot On Broadway, a corporate entertainment agency, has produced customized musical entertainment across the globe for several Fortune 500 companies.

Jeffrey Finn Productions will continue to develop and produce live theatrical entertainment including the upcoming Broadway production of The Honeymooners, a new musical comedy based on the CBS television series.

He assumed the newly created title on Friday, October 7, as vice president of theater producing and programming, according to the center’s president, Deborah F. Rutter. Finn's primary responsibilities include commissioning, curating, producing, and presenting work that puts artists and artistic endeavor at the center of theatrical and interdisciplinary programming and fully reflects the diverse cultural life of the United States. He will also oversee all aspects of the theater program's curatorial, planning, and presenting activities, with particular emphasis on building upon and maintaining the Kennedy Center's operational capabilities and its relationships with artists, theaters, and nonprofit and commercial producing partners. Vice President of Theater Producing and Programming is a position created to meet the growing mission of the Kennedy Center.

“His added expertise will help us broaden and diversify our theater offerings, produce and present work that engages audiences with pressing topics of our time and best serve our mission,” Rutter said in a statement. Finn will report to Robert van Leer, the center’s senior vice president for artistic planning.

A Boston native, Finn got his start as a producer shortly after graduating from Connecticut College in New London, Conn. He began an association with the Kennedy Center at the age of 24, when he produced a summer cabaret series in the Eisenhower Theater featuring the songbooks of classic Broadway composers.

Finn’s new job expands the role of the recently retired, longtime Kennedy Center executive Max Woodward, who held the title of Kennedy Center’s producer. As a center vice president, Finn will divide his time between Washington and New York, where his commercial production company is based.

JAMES SEABRIGHT the Olivier Award winning Producer has been named Chairman of The King's Head Theatre Board of Trustees in London.

Seabright has produced and/or general managed over 200 shows since 2001, with an emphasis on touring shows around the UK and internationally, as well as productions in various venues both on and off West End in London. He is a board member of the League of Independent Producers, a member of the Society of London Theatre, and an associate of Wilton’s Music Hall.





HU XUE YAN, MY DEAR by Paul Poon. Winner of the Hong Kong Drama Awards for Best Script.

Directed by Roy Szeto.

A vicious and dark Qing court battle under the radar.

The time is late Qing dynasty. Hu Xueyan, one of the country’s wealthiest merchants, is actively acquiring weapons and military supplies, in full support of General Zuo Zongtang against the threat of foreign invasion and internal uprising. Li Hongzhang, who has been at odds with Zuo over the years, is closing in on Hu in an act to eliminate those who get in his way. This vicious and dark battle is perhaps, as the Chinese saying goes, a battle where people are killed yet no blood is drawn.

Featuring: Poon Chan Leung, Chris Sun, Mercy Wong, Ko Hon Man, Lau Shau Ching, Lui Si Lan and Sun LiMin.

Scenography Concept and Production Design Hoyingfung. Associate Set and Costume Designer Wong Kin Wai. Lighting Designer Leo Cheung. Composer & Sound Designer Chan Wai Fat. T'ai Chi Movement Coach Paul Poon. Shadow Puppet Designer & Coach Chen Ying Ching.

Performances October 12-30, 2016 at Hong Kong Rep in Hong Kong.

THE SECRET COMEDY OF WOMEN: GIRLS ONLY a comedic variety show is a two-woman act by Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein inspired by the sweetly and silly writings they found in their own childhood diaries. It blends sketch comedy, improv, audience participation, musical numbers and video - all bundled up to deliver good-natured humor and fun.

This show contains feminine subject matter including teenage diaries, breast feeding, tampons, shadow puppets, pantyhose, menstrual cycles, slumber parties, menopause and maxi pads.

Directed by Luanne Nunes De Char.

Production Manager & Director Claudia Carson is in charge of managing all aspects of touring Girls Only productions.

In celebration of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Starlight Theatre has set aside 20 tickets per performance to help support a very worthy cause. When guests use promo code KOMENKC to buy their tickets, Starlight will donate 15 percent of the purchase price to Susan G. Komen of Greater Kansas City to fund awareness and research for a cure for breast cancer.

Opens the 2016-17 Starlight Indoors series and runs for 16 performances October 11-23, including four weekend matinees at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO.

HYDROGEN JUKEBOX composed by Philip Glass. Libretto by Allen Ginsberg.

Music Direction by Allison Voth and Matthew Larson.

Stage Direction by Emily Ranii.

Created as a portrait of America from the 1950s through the 1980s, Hydrogen Jukebox was composed after a chance meeting between composer, Philip Glass, and Beat poet, Allen Ginsberg. Its name is taken from a phrase coined by Ginsberg, from his poem Howl. Through Glass' minimalist style, and Ginsberg's poetry on topics reflecting on social issues: the anti-war movement, the sexual revolution, drugs, eastern philosophy, environmental issues. The six vocal parts were thought to represent six archetypal American characters- a waitress, a policeman, a businessman, a cheerleader, a priest, and a mechanic.

The work premiered May 26, 1990 at the Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, SC. The workshop staged version had premiered one month earlier at the American Music Theater Festival Philadelphia, PA on April 29.

Sung in English.

Produced by the College of Fine Arts School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. Part of the 20th annual Fall Fringe Festival. Performances October 14-16 at the Boston University Lane-Comley Theatre, Studio 210 in Boston.

MEN OF TORTUGA a dark comedy by Jason Wells.

Directed by Randolyn Zinn.

With Michael Broadhurst, Curzon Dobell, Ken Forman, Benim Foster, & Allen McCullough.

Four men conspire to defeat a despised opponent by firing a missile into a high security crowded conference room on the day of an important meeting. Maxwell, a hero of the old guard, volunteers to sacrifice himself for the plan. Then Maxwell meets Fletcher, an idealist with a "Compromise Proposal" designed to resolve all conflicts. Maxwell regards the Compromise as hopeless, but he develops a liking for Fletcher - a distressing fact when Maxwell learns that, if the conspiracy proceeds, young Fletcher will be among the dead.

As the scheme spins wildly into complication, the plotters descend into suspicion, bloodlust, and raucous infighting; while Fletcher is drawn, inexorably, into the lions' den.

Men of Tortuga is billed as "the perfect vehicle through which to reflect on our current political dilemma."

Established in 2012, Living Room Theatre’s NYC-based team decamps to Vermont each summer to present new and classic plays. Living Room Theatre now dives headfirst into mounting Men of Tortuga, its most successful and acclaimed production, at TADA! for the company’s first New York City engagement. Through October 23, 2016 at the Living Room Theatre in New York City.

WHO'S WHERE

ADELE has two, two nighters this week. On Monday she opens at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. On Saturday, October 15, she begins her two night stand at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.

JUSTIN BIEBER opens a split four nighter Tuesday, October 11, at The 02 in London. Other shows are on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

RICHARD MALAVET a New York jazz-pop stylist brings his brand new show Midnight Moods into the Metropolitan Room in New York City for one night only on Friday, October 14. Award winning jazz pianist Jon Weber will serve as musical director/arranger with Ed Howard on Bass. The show will include an eclectic mix of exceptional songs from the Great American Songbook, as well as from the canon of Broadway, pop and Latin-American greats.

KELLI O'HARA the Tony Award winner has a solo concert at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, CA on October 14.

THE TEXAS TENORS are back home in Branson, Mo performing through November 18 at The Starlite Theatre.

GAVIN DeGRAW in the spotlight Monday, October 10, at the Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI. Tuesday's stop is at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY. Thursday's gig is at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. On Saturday he stars at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston.

ELVIS COSTELLO entertains Monday, October 10, at the Chevy Bricktown Events Center in Oklahoma City. Tuesday finds him at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. On Thursday he's in Austin Texas on stage at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater. Friday's gig is at the Revention Music Center in Houston. On Saturday he can be enjoyed at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA.

PINK MARTINI on stage Tuesday, October 11, at the Kaufleuten in Zurich, Switzerland. Wednesday's show is at the Theatre de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland. On Thursday they'll be delighting the crowds at L'arsenal - Studio Du Gouverneur in Metz, France. On Saturday the tour stops at the Theatre De Chartres in Chartres, France. Next Sunday, October 16, they star at the Le Vinci - Auditorium François 1er in Tours, France.

FINAL OVATION

GORDON DAVIDSON stage and film director who was the founder of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles died Sunday, October 2, 2016, suddenly collapsing at dinner. He was 83.

Plays he directed include The Trial of the Catonsville Nine and Murderous Angels in 1971, Children of a Lesser God in 1982, which had premiered at the Taper in 1979 and ran on Broadway for two years, and Stuff Happens in 2005. In 1977 Davidson won best director honors for his staging of The Shadow Box, Michael Cristofer's play about hospice patients, and the Taper won for outstanding regional theater.

Until 2005, he worked as artistic director for the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles where he directed more than 40 plays and produced more than 300 works.

He is credited with bringing "coveted plays and star actors to both the 745-seat Taper and the 2,100-seat Ahmanson Theatre. Davidson realized a long-deferred dream in 2004 with the opening of the 315-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City as a home for new and experimental plays."

He is survived by his wife Judi, their children director Adam Davidson, daughter Rachel; and five granddaughters.

SIR NEVILLE MARRINER conductor and violinist and former conductor of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra died Sunday, October 2, 2016 in London. He was 92.

Considered "one of the world's greatest conductors," he founded the London Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and his partnership with them is the most recorded of any orchestra and conductor.

He also played the violin in two London orchestras: the Philharmonia Orchestra in the early 1950s, and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) as principal second violin (1954–69).

Marriner was the founder and first music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, from 1969 to 1978. From 1979 to 1986, he was music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. He was principal conductor of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1986 to 1989. He remained the musical director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields until 2011, when he was succeeded by Joshua Bell, continuing to hold the title of Life President until his death. He also conducted many other orchestras, including the New York Chamber Orchestra, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic. He continued to conduct into his nineties, becoming the oldest conductor of a Proms concert in 2014, aged 90.

In 2014 Decca issued a 28-disc box of all his recordings from 1961 to 1982 for L’Oiseau-Lyre, Argo and ASV.

His first wife was the cellist (and later, antiquarian bookseller) Diana Carbutt, whom he married in 1949. They had two children, Susie, a writer, and Andrew, a clarinetist who often worked with his father and who is now principal clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra. The marriage ended in divorce. His second wife was Elizabeth Mary Sims, known as Molly. Her hard work in the struggling early years of the Academy is credited with playing a major role in its success. Marriner is survived by Molly, Andrew, Susie, three grandsons, Douglas, Matthew and Milo, and a great-grandson, Frederick.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of The Recording Academy issued the following statement: "During his nearly 70-year career, Sir Neville Marriner made difficult, prodigious work look effortless and he became one of the most important and vibrant conductors of our time. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Neville led some of the most important orchestras, and founded the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, one of the world’s most acclaimed chamber orchestras. Beloved by classical fans for many generations, Neville’s mainstream popularity was boosted by his work on the 1984 film Amadeus, for which he served as music supervisor and conducted the soundtrack. Our thoughts go out to Neville’s family, friends, and the many musicians with whom he collaborated. He will be greatly missed."

ROD TEMPERTON famed Oscar nominated and Grammy winning British songwriter died the last week of September, 2016 in London. His death from cancer was announced on October 5, 2016 by Jon Platt of Warner/Chappell music publishing.. He was 69. A private funeral was held before his death was announced.

In a statement Warner/Chappell's Platt said: "His family is devastated and request total privacy at this, the saddest of sad times."

Temperton was best known for writing Michael Jackson's Rock With You and Thriller, but he also created hits for artists like Patti Austin, George Benson, Michael McDonald and Donna Summer.His biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit, as a songwriter, is Baby, Come to Me, by Patti Austin with James Ingram.

Neil Portnow President/CEO of The Recording Academy issued the following statement: "Rod Temperton’s prolific songwriting talent made him one of music’s most sought-after collaborators. Possessing a golden ear for pop, funk, and jazz, he worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Donna Summer, among many others. Having played a large part in the success of what would eventually become the best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson’s Grammy-winning Thriller, Rod penned not only the iconic title track, but also Baby Be Mine and The Lady In My Life. We have lost a cherished member of the music community and our sincerest condolences go out to Rod’s family, friends, and collaborators."

Next Column: October 16, 2016
Copyright: October 9, 2016 All Rights Reserved. Reviews, Interviews, Commentary, Photographs or Graphics from any Broadway To Vegas (TM) columns may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, utilized as leads, or used in any manner without permission, compensation and/or credit.
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Laura Deni

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