Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: September 11, 2022
By: Laura Deni
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WE CAN ALL DREAM CAN'T WE BY FIZ MARCUS IS TOUCHING

A jazzy, 1920s version of We Can Make Believe opens the performance of We Can All Dream, Can't We by Fiz Marcus who also performs the monologue.

Mary declares that just because she's over 70 doesn't mean she doesn't recognize a cobweb. She isn't thrilled with the housekeeping at her senior care facility, which has an abundance of activities from bingo to art and stretch classes. There is roast on Sunday, Shepard's pie on Monday - it could be worse.

Seldom are there visitors at the assistant care facilities. Children and friends have their own busy lives.

Mary likes cards and her daughter, Rebecca, always sends a Mother's Day card. Rebecca's son is nearly twelve.

Son Andrew and his wife live in Canada. He sends a weekly letter with pictures. Their children are 7, 9 and 13. She's seen photos of their lovely house.

On the surface her retired life seems as ideal as possible.

Mary's husband, John, always said that she had too much imagination Well, it doesn't do any harm - or does it?

She muses on her life.

She was married for 43 years to hard working John. She wasn't madly in love with him, but her parents liked him and he had a steady job. You've got to settle for what you've got, explains Mary. They married in 1955, two years after they met. Almost immediately she knew she had made a mistake. His mother had died when he was born and he never liked to talk about feelings. They held hands and cuddled, but even on their honeymoon he wasn't interested in sex. She laid there counting the roses on the curtains. She made excuses for him. They lived a lie, but other than that, it wasn't a bad marriage. She's always wanted children; a boy and a girl. When it became obvious that John wasn't going to give her those children, she knew she'd have to find another way.

If you don't have anyone to talk to, you begin to talk to yourself. Her dreams were more real than real and they kept her going. After John died she begin to tell others about Andrew and Rebecca. That's when she was placed into where she now lives; only she insists she isn't crazy like the others.

It's Sunday and a bell signals lunchtime. She wonders about the entree.

Poignant, touching, tugs at your heart strings. Fiz Marcus is excellent.

Crisp sound.

Marcus' plays are published by Samuel French. She has also written three monologues for women I’m Waiting For Father Christmas; We Can All Dream Can’t We? and Silver Wedding all of which she has recorded for The Wireless Theatre Company. For the Broadway To Vegas review of Silver Wedding

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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

THE HARVARD ART MUSEUM has announced that Aysin Yoltar-Yildirim will join the Harvard Art Museums as their new Norma Jean Calderwood Curator of Islamic and Later Indian Art, effective October 3, 2022.

Aysin returns to the Harvard Art Museums after having served as the Assistant Curator for Islamic and Later Indian Art from 2013 to 2017, and prior to that, the 2011–13 Norma Jean Calderwood Curatorial Fellow.

Aysin attended Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, for her bachelor’s degree in art history and archaeology, and the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University for her master’s degree and doctorate in art history. Currently the Hagop Kevorkian Associate Curator of Islamic Art at the Brooklyn Museum, in New York, she has worked since August 2017 to organize the extensive reinstallation of the Brooklyn Museum’s Arts of the Islamic World galleries, which are slated to reopen on September 30, 2022.

RADICAL EMPATHY A collaboration between award-winning writer, Yomi sode, and artist and photographer, Akytom, this display questions where we place empathy. If we see a Black man lying in the road, what is being asked of us? What is our instinctive response? sode’s words and Akytom’s images are a call for radical empathy.

Radical empathy, a concept developed by Terri Givens, Professor of Political Science at McGill University, is more active than sympathy. It involves working to understand not just the experiences and views of others, but the origins of our own biases, in order to turn understanding into practical action for change to promote social and racial justice.

"For me, radical empathy challenges the behaviour of people. It asks the individual to look beyond themselves and care in ways that sit outside of their comfort zones. Whether that is the one person in a group of friends, or the colleague in workplace. Empathy shouldn’t be handed out in doses. A universal approach to empathy first, requires reframing." Yomi sode

Yomi sode is an award-winning Nigerian British writer. He is a recipient of the 2019 Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowship and was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize 2021.

Akytom is a visual artist best known for capturing the creative side of human nature. His work shows how a deep connection with his subject together with sophisticated lighting can bring out the real beauty of a person in front of the camera.

Opens September 13, 2022 at the Foundling Museum in London.

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SWEET CHARITY

BETSY WOLFE HEADLINES THE NEW YORK POPS UNDERGROUND at 54 Below in New York City on Monday, September 19.

Hosted by Steven Reineke, with opening act The PopsEd Alumni Ensemble.

Event chairs: Andrea and David Reiser.

A champagne reception and seated dinner in the elegant setting of a 1920s Manhattan supper club. Betsy's performance will include selections from Waitress; The Last Five Years, and her new Broadway show & Juliet.

Proceeds from The New York Pops Underground cabaret fundraiser support PopsEd programs, which provide music education, arts access, and performance opportunities.

BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE GALA in New Hope, PA takes place September 17, 2022 at Spring Creek Farm in Solebury, PA. Cocktail attire; lawn appropriate shoes suggested.

The annual gala for the Playhouse returns to one of Bucks County’s premiere country estates with cocktails and dinner under the stars and a concert in a tent.

Celebrate the past ten years of the Playhouse as they raise funds to propel the Playhouse into the next generation. "We will gather under an dramatic tent on the rolling pastures of Spring Creek Farm on Meetinghouse Road. Committed to sustainability, Spring Creek Farm is owned by Brent Alderfer and serves the community with a model that restores farmland."

Gala Co-Chairs:
Virginia Smith and Manning J. Smith III
Amy Sargent and Peter Sargent
Nicole Maio and Cam Maio

Being honored: Jeanne & Frank Cretella of Landmark Hospitality for developing new opportunities in New Hope, and Lynn & Jim Dever, Bank of America Market President, for Bank of America’s unwavering support as our Season Sponsors for the last five years.

Sponsors will enjoy a special cocktail hour to begin the evening. The Gala will begin at 6:30 pm with a farm-to-table inspired feast catered by Fancy Fig Catering. New this year, guests will visit dinner stations before going to their tables to enjoy their meals as the Gala festivities begin. Taking a look at hit performances from the Playhouse past, the festivities will also include a live auction and a featured performance by John Lloyd Young, the original Frankie Valli in Broadway’s Jersey Boys.

SPREADING THE WORD

ART by Yasmina Reza won the 1998 Tony for Best Play. The play starred Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina. A dark comedy about art and friendship. One of Marc's (Alan Alda) best friends, Serge (Victor Garber), has just bought an all white painting. Marc is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes "art". Yvan (Alfred Molina), caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify both of them.

Molina was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance. Art went on to a 600-performance run.

The multi-faceted Alda currently has a podcast called Clear & Vivid. In the podcast which went up September 6, 2022 the three Art performers are reunited. Fascinating and informative.

All Clear & Vivid podcasts are always available. You can listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

JAMES CORDEN OBE on his September 8, 2022 The Late Night With James Corden show scrapped his usual intro for a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth. After a commercial break guest Kris Jenner was given a lie detector test. One of the questions Corden asked her was whether she had any assets hidden in overseas accounts. She said "No" and the lie detector operator indicated she was telling the truth.

Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel also paid tribute to the beloved monarch on their respective shows with Fallon disclosing that Queen Elizabeth would have been his dream guest. Speaking of Fallon, recently both Chelsea and Hillary Clinton were guests. Hillary confessed that when her husband, Bill, was president they took Chelsea with them on a trip to Russia which included tours of famous landmarks. Eventually, they noticed that Chelsea was nowhere to be found. Backtracking, they discovered they had forgotten her and left her in the Kremlin.

HARTFORD STAGE OPEN HOUSE takes place Saturday, September 17 in Hartford, CT.

Free event. All are welcome. Join Hartford Stage officials to get a behind-the-scenes look at" who we are, what we make and create, and how we do it!" Stop by for an afternoon filled with backstage tours, theater magic, food, drink, connections, and good cheer - and of course, get a preview of our 2022/2023 Season with Artistic Director Melia Bensussen.

CABARET CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROLYN MONTGOMERY a multi MAC, Bistro and Nightlife award winning singer/songwriter, who has performed in major venues across 36 states, Montreal and London. In 2017, she co-founded the American Songbook Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization that promotes and preserves classic American musical legacies (Jazz, Musical Theatre and the American Songbook, old and new) through education programs, senior enrichment, live events, and Cabaret Scenes magazine. As the Executive Director as well as the Director of Education and Outreach, Carolyn creates programs that reach thousands of public school students annually, across all five boroughs of New York City. She employs some of New York’s finest entertainers as instructors. She partners with some of New York’s most underserved communities, nurturing their students with music. Carolyn lives on the West Side of Manhattan with her son Eli and a Jack Russell terrier named George.

Monday, September 19, 2022.

The 92nd Street Y, New York School of Music presents Cabaret Conversations, now in its third year. Led by award-winning cabaret historian and performer Michael Kirk Lane, the series was recently the recipient of the 2022 Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award for Best Virtual Presentation. Each edition of Cabaret Conversations focuses on the guest’s achievements, contributions to and work in the art form of Cabaret in New York City. This online offering is perfect for both practitioners and fans of the art form of cabaret, whether in NYC or elsewhere. Recordings of all previous editions, which include sit-downs with Chita Rivera, Lillias White, and Joe Iconis, are also available for purchase.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

FOX TELEVISOON NETWORK has announced that 95% of its ad inventory for next year's Super Bowl is sold out, with some national 30-second spots fetching a price tag of more than $7 million. Advertisers have spent an average of around $6.5 million for a 30-second ad, and the game will have 28 new advertisers.

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THE CLIVE & VALERIE BARNES FOUNDATION under the leadership of Holly Jones and Lloyd Mayor, will stage the 12th Annual Clive Barnes Awards on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Westbeth Studio in Grenwich Village, New York City. Hosted by New York 1's Frank DiLella, the presentation of the awards recognizes excellence in theater and dance.

The finalists for this year's Theater Artist Award are Justin Cooley—Kimberly Akimbo; Jasai Chase-Owens—Sanctuary City; Erin Wilhelmi—To Kill a Mockingbird; and Samantha Williams—Caroline, or Change.

This year's Dance Artist Award finalists are Zimmi Coker—American Ballet Theatre; Erica Lall—American Ballet Theatre; Mira Nadon—New York City Ballet; and Jake Tribus—Gibney Dance Company.

The winners will be announced during the ceremony on Sunday, September 18, 2022.

All finalists receive a cash prize of $500, while the winners will each receive an award of $5000.

Previous finalists in theater include Annaleigh Ashford, MJ Rodriquez, Derek Klena, Rob McClure, Alex Sharp, and Timothée Chalamet.

Previous finalists in dance include Isaabella Boylston, Lauren Lovette, Lloyd Mayor, Calvin Royal III, Zoey Anderson, Gemma Bond, and Indiana Woodward.

Throughout his professional life, Clive Barnes was caring and generous to his colleagues and friends; always ready to advise and listen. After his death, many condolence letters spoke of his generosity and practical help, especially to young people. In this spirit, The Clive & Valerie Barnes Foundation was formed in 2009 to create Annual Awards giving recognition, encouragement and financial support to two talented young professionals and, thus, honoring the memory of the many years of critical work and the warm personal generosity of Clive Barnes.

The Foundation gives an Annual Award to two talented young professions in the artistic fields of dance and theater.

THE 1/52 PROJECT the new financial grant program founded by Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, has selected the first seven early-career designer recipients who will benefit from $100,000 in grants.

Applicants were chosen based on talent, creativity, innovation, and potential for future excellence in the professional theatrical field, and each of the inaugural recipients will receive grants up to $15,000.

The 2022 recipients are: Brittany Bland: projection designer; Everett Elton Bradman: sound designer; Stefania Bulbarella: projection designer; Jessica Alexandra Cancino: set designer; Frank Cazares: costume designer; Jordan McCree: sound designer; and Jingyi Johanna Pan: costume designer.

The recipients will be honored at a reception on Wednesday, October 5 at the West Bank Café-Beechman Theatre, sponsored by Hudson Scenic Studio.

The 1/52 Project, launched in January, 2022 is primarily funded by designers with shows running on Broadway who are encouraged to donate one week every year of their weekly royalties to this fund, thus the 1/52 Project. The project hopes to encourage early career designers from historically excluded groups with the aim of diversifying and strengthening the Broadway design community.

The 1/52 Project Steering Committee are BIPOC working designers volunteering their time. They have developed the criteria for the grant and adjudicated the awards. They are: Tony Award nominated costume designer Dede Ayite; projection designer David Bengali; set designer Wilson Chin; lighting designer Alan C. Edwards; Tony Award-winning sound designer Kai Harada; set designer Kimie Nishikawa; Tony Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell; costume designer Alejo Vietti: and costume designer Anita Yavich.

1/52 Project Volunteer Staff: Beowulf Boritt, Set Designer, Founder & Manager - Simon Harding, Projection Designer, Website Supervisor - Jeff Croiter, Lighting Designer, Associate - Elaine J. McCarthy, Projection Designer, Associate - Nevin Steinberg, Sound Designer, Associate - Jeff Sugg, Projection Designer, Associate - Candi Adams, Press Representative.

The current donor list features John Lee Beatty, Wendy Goldberg, Tony Meola, Nevin Steinberg, Kenneth Posner, Tony Meola, Lindsay Jones, Gregg Barnes, David Zinn, Takeshi Kata, Jennifer Tipton, Peter Nigrini, Jeff Croiter, David Rockwell, Paul Tazewell, Paloma Young, Kumiko Yoshii, Scott Pinkney, Jim Bay, JJ Janas, Philip Rosenberg, Bradley King, Michael Wolk, Susan L. Schulman, Alex Volckhausen, Michael Krass, Jason Cina, Brian Ronan, Roger Gindi and Gregory Victor, Christopher Akerlind, Derek McLane, Marcia Goldberg, Abbie Strassler, Rachel Hauck, Kimberly Powers, Jeff Sugg, Susan Hilferty, Kimie Nishikawa, Eugene Lee, Jessica Paz, David Korins, Elaine J McCarthy, Ken Posner, Ken Billington, Paul Smithyman, Scott Pask, Scott Lehrer, Christine Jones, Jane Cox, Beowulf Boritt, Toni-Leslie James, Donald Holder, Kai Harada, Drew Levy, Jenny and Jon Steingart, Brian MacDevitt, Tom Schumacher, and Natasha Katz.

The 1/52 Project is deeply grateful to all of its contributors but would like to acknowledge especially generous donations from Paul Tazewell and the Tony Award-winning costume designer of Hamilton Nevin Steinberg.



42ND STREET Music by Harry Warren. Lyrics by Al Dubin. Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble. Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the motion picture 42nd Street owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed by Warner Bros.

Directed and Choreographed by Randy Skinner. Music Supervisor Rob Berman.

Music Director Adam Souza.

42nd Street – the big, bright tap dancing extravaganza – has come to Goodspeed in a fresh, newly imagined production. This love letter to Broadway is the ultimate show biz fairy tale of the chorus kid who becomes an overnight star. A 1930s backstage musical packed with plenty of pizzazz, it will set your heart pounding with its rhythmically tapping feet and a hit parade of songs, including Lullaby of Broadway,; We’re In The Money; Shuffle Off To Buffalo, and of course, 42nd Street. It’s tap dance heaven!

Featuring: Max von Essen (Julian Marsh) - Kate Baldwin (Dorothy Brock) - Blake Stadnik (Billy Lawlor) - Carina-Kay Louchiey (Peggy Sawyer) - David Jennings (Abner Dillon) - Patrick Oliver Jones (Pat Denning) - E. Clayton Cornelious (Bert Barry) - Lisa Howard (Maggie Jones) - Eloise Kropp (Annie Reilly) - Lamont Brown (Andy Lee).

Ensemble: Willie Clyde Beaton II, Sarah Dearstyne, Berklea Going, Candice Hatakeyama, Danielle Jackman, Edward Juvier, Taylor Lane, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Brady Miller, Christian Probst, and Christopher Shin.

Swings: Kirsty Fuller, Derek Luscutoff.

The creatives are: Scenic Designer: Michael Carnahan - Costume Designer: Kara Harmon - Lighting Designer: Cory Pattak - Projection Designer: Shawn Duan - Sound Designer: Jay Hilton - Hair, Wig & Make-up Designer: J. Jared Janas - Production Stage Manager: Bradley G. Spachman - Casting: Peter Van Dam /Tara Rubin Casting - Kevin Metzger-Timson/Tara Rubin Casting.

September 16 – November 6, 2022 at Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO by two-time Emmy nominee and WGA award-winner Mark Wilding.

Directed by Charlie Mount.

A comic spy thriller inspired by the true story of a spectacularly botched U.S. attempt to overthrow Chile’s democratically elected leader, Salvador Allende, in 1970, Wilding’s political farce centers on an inexperienced agent enlisted by the CIA to execute a last-ditch, poorly conceived and wildly dangerous effort to hasten the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.

Presciliana Esparolini, Nick McDow Musleh and George Tovar will reprise the roles they created in the world premiere production at L.A.’s Theatre West, with Steve Nevil and Michael Van Duzer returning as Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger.

Previews for Our Man in Santiago will begin September 13, with performances running September 16 through October 28, 2022 at the AMT Theater, New York City.

CHALKFACE by Angela Betzien.

Directed by STC Resident Director Jessica Arthur.

What happens in the staff room, stays in the staff room.

"Played by the fantastic Catherine McClements, Pat is a jaded, stalwart primary school teacher who isn’t afraid to voice her opinions: all kids are terrors, the school’s a zoo and her colleagues are nitwits. Enter Anna, played by Stephanie Somerville in her STC mainstage debut, who is bright-eyed, idealistic and just out of university. Anna’s going to change the world, one gold star at a time."

As you might suspect, these two don’t quite see eye to eye.

"In a hilarious new black comedy audiences will get a sneak peek into one of society’s biggest mysteries: the teachers’ staff room."

Jessica Arthur leads the cast, also featuring Ezra Juanta, Michelle Ny, Nathan O’Keefe, Catherine McClements, Susan Prior and Stephanie Somerville.

Chalkface is the rowdy tale of two teachers who must put their differences aside to stand up for what’s right – even if it means throwing out the rule book altogether.

The creatives include: Designer Ailsa Paterson - Lighting Designer Mark Shelton - Composer & Sound Designer Jessica Dunn.

Performances September 15 - October 29, 2022 at the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

LUCIA Composed by Gaetano Donizetti.

Conducted by Lina González-Granados.

Directed by Simon Stone.

A spellbinding tale of marriage, madness and murder.

Lucia is trapped in an impossible situation. Her abusive brother hates the man she loves. Worse, he's forcing her to marry someone else in a last-ditch effort to shore up the family's failing finances. Her only way out seems to be murder... Donizetti's gorgeously moody score masterfully conveys Lucia's isolation and instability as she slips into a terrifying world of madness. Two extraordinary sopranos—who launched their careers at LA Opera—will take on the iconic title role: Amanda Woodbury, who's now a star at the Metropolitan Opera, and Liv Redpath, who'll sing Lucia at the Deutsche Oper Berlin this year. Tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz returns as Lucia's beloved Edgardo, with Alexander Birch Elliott as Enrico and bass Eric Owens as Raimondo with Anthony Claramitaro as Arturo.

The creatives are: Scenery by Lizzie Clachan. Costumes by Blanca Añón, Lighting by James Farncombe. Projections by Luke Halls.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

This production is new to Los Angeles. Presented by The Los Angeles Opera September 17-October 9, 2022. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, part of the Los Angeles Music Center. The Los Angeles Opera is the fourth-largest opera company in the United States.

THOU SHALT NOT A Site-Specific Stage Play About the Hall-Mills Double Homicide written by J. M. Meyer, Karen Alvardo and Tommi Byrne.

Directed by Karen Alvarado and J. M. Meyer.

In 1922, near the banks of the Raritan River, a small-city priest and a choir singer were slaughtered in the most infamous unsolved double homicide of the 20th century. Incompetent cops, political operatives, and the poorest and most powerful families in New Jersey were all swallowed in the circus that followed. Thinkery & Verse, working with the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, now present Thou Shalt Not, a nightmare narrative seen through the perspective Charlotte Mills, a young woman desperate to find her mother's murderer.

Thou Shalt Not is a theatrical exploration of real events. As a guest of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, the audience will meet Reverend Edward Hall, Mrs. Frances Hall, Eleanor Mills, and all the main players of New Brunswick in 1922. The audience will be guided through a dark and surreal journey of the events leading to and following the vicious murders of "the minister and the choir singer," and the "circus" that surrounded it. Thou Shalt not is a re-assessment of history, the complicity of a community, and the sharp exploration of the female voices long since hushed. The staging of this play will be site-specific, peripatetic, and immersive.

For years, the male-dominated vestry did not allow the Church of Saint John the Evangelist to discuss the murders. Now the vestry is mostly women, and so they do not just talk about it, they sponsored this play - Women do not cover up violence against women. Martha Godfrey, who is a member of the vestry at Saint John’s reflects on the tragedy, "The Hall-Mills case is something that we’ve had hanging over our heads for a long time. It used to be, people would get mad at you for talking about it. I think, as a congregation, we need to get out in front of it. The play is a way of doing that."

The organist, Dr. Susan Huslage agrees, adding, "Why wouldn’t we be allowed to talk about it? It’s how the community views us, though it was a long time ago - certainly before any of us were around. But growing up here, we knew the people involved. It’s not a good thing to have in your past."

The production stars a cast that draws from the Rutgers Mason Gross conservatory. Andrew Banbridge as Willie Stevens, Erin Bogert as Pearl Bahmer, Celine Dirkes slides into the role of Jane Gibson, Gio Guanill as Ralph Gorsline/The Judge/Detective 2, Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson as Eleanor Mills, Johnny Kavanagh as the abusive Raymond Schneider, Madhu Murali as Charlotte Mills, Rebecca Servon as church gossip Minnie Clark, and Lazarus Simmons joins the cast as the doomed Reverend Edward Hall.

The production features music direction and sound design by Sean Ulmer, scenic and costume design by Ashley Basile, and lighting design by Sarah Woods. Jackie Mercer is the Production Manager. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.

Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the crime. Performances are September 15 - October 8, 2022 in the Assembly Hall at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, in New Brunswick, NJ, the home of the religious community that enabled, concealed, and covered up the crime.

JOYCE'S WOMEN by Edna O'Brien.

Directed by Conall Morrison.

One of Ireland’s greatest contemporary writers turns her attention to the life of one of the country’s greatest novelists, in this powerful new play, Joyce’s Women. Written for the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ulysses, this world premiere from Edna O’Brien gives voice to the women who were central to the life of James Joyce.

"James Joyce had been my ultimate hero for sixty years, but to paint the canvas of his life was daunting. Therefore I decided to depict him as seen by the key figures in his life- Mother, Wife, Mistress of a fleeting moment, his patron Harriet Weaver and his beloved Daughter Lucia, of whom he said her mind was but a transparent leaf away from his." - Edna O’Brien

Featuring: Deirdre Donnelly (May Joyce) - Genevieve Hulme Beaman (Lucia Joyce) - Bríd Ní Neachtain (Nora Barnacle) - Hilda Fay (Brigitte Zimmerman) - Patrick Moy (Stanislaus Joyce) - Caitríona Ní Mhurchú (Martha Fleischmann) - Stephen Hogan (James Joyce) - Bill Murphy (Zozimus) - Ali White (Harriet Shaw Weaver).

The creatives are: Set Design: Sabine Dargent. Costume Design: Joan O'Clery. Lighting Design: Ben Ormerod. Composer: Conor Linehan. Sound Design: Ivan Birthistle. Movement Director: Justine Doswell. Producer: Craig Flaherty. Casting Director: Sarah Jones. Voice Director: Andrea Ainsworth.

September 17- October 15, 2022 on the Abbey stage in Dublin, Ireland.

SANCTUARY CITY by Martyna Majok.

Directed by Zi Alikhan.

The production stars Ana Nicolle Chavez as "G," and Miles Fowler as "B."

Sanctuary City is the provocative, unforgettable story of two life-long friends, their tenuous grip on living in America, and persevering through whatever comes their way with wit and grit. Profoundly human and undeniably universal, it begs the question: how much do we owe to one another?

The creatives are: scenic design by Chika Shimizu and lighting design by Solomon Weisbard.

September 14 – October 9, 2022 at the The Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California.

BABE a dark comedy by Jessica Goldberg.

Directed by Chris Fields.

Starring Julie Dretzin plays Abby; Sal Viscuso takes on the role of Gus; and Wylie Quinn Anderson is up-and-comer Kaitlin.

Abby has been discovering new talent since the ’90s, when she became the right hand to A&R (Artists & Repertoire) legend Gus. Together, they signed big bands, loved, fought and lived hard. It was the best kind of work marriage - at least that's how Abby sees it. That is until Gen Z Kaitlin shows up, hell bent on showing these old rockers it's 2022, and there’s a new generation hell-bent on changing the world. Evolve or die. Who goes down?

"This play is about a new generation of women who are re-framing what used to be accepted social constructs," says Goldberg. "I’m from the generation that was complicit, who went along and laughed at the joke. I’ve spent a lot of time in my life being called 'Babe.’ The play takes place in the world of the music business, but it could just as well be Hollywood or Big Tech. With the overturning of Roe, we need to remain vigilant."

The creative team includes scenic designer Amanda Knehans; lighting designer Hayden Kirschbaum; sound designer Alysha Grace Bermudez; and costume designer Elena Flores. The assistant director is Elana Luo, the associate producer is Elliot Davis, and the production stage manager is Danielle Jaramillo. Chris Fields and Kelly Beech produce for the Echot Theater Company.

September 17 through October 24 at the Echo’s home at Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

FOUR SAINTS IN THREE ACTS text by Gertrude Stein.

Directed by Ken Rus Schmoll.

Starring David Greenspan interpreting 66 unique roles.

Four Saints in Three Acts is noted for its non-linear structure that speaks to the internal and external lives of artists embodied by the play’s "saints." In this work, the saints occupy and inhabit every word and syllable, toying with the playfulness of language and creating unconventional expressions and depictions of the human experience. With no discernable plot, the work exemplifies Stein’s love of "emotion and time" rather than "story and action" and allows audiences to enjoy a lyrical journey that doesn’t end at a finite destination.

Greenspan's interpretation is of a radical libretto by famed modernist writer and art collector Gertrude Stein. Originally set to music by Virgil Thomson, Greenspan will perform the script only, allowing a lyrical interpretation to set the tone for an evening where sound and words delight the senses.

The creatives include: Dramaturg: Jay Stull. Scenic and lighting design by Yuki Nakase. Production Stage Manager: Michal V. Mendelson. Production Manager: William Adams.

Preview: Thursday, September 15 – Sunday, September 18. Opening Night: Monday, September 19, 2022. Closing Night: Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City.

THE GREAT JHERI CURL DEBATE by Inda Craig-Galván.

Directed by Scarlett Kim.

Veralynn Jackson knows hair, her neighborhood, and that the invention of the Jheri Curl marks the end of the world. When she takes a job in Mr. Kim’s Korean-owned Black beauty supply store and the posters start talking to her, Veralynn might finally come to know her true calling. South Side Chicago meets South Korea in this heartfelt play where a business partnership and a touch of magical realism bring these two unlikely friends closer to understanding themselves and each other. The cast of The Great Jheri Curl Debate comprises Julanne Chidi Hill as Veralynn Jackson, Ryun Yu as Mr. Kim, Ray Baker as Jheri Redding, Mildred Marie Langford as Lorraine, and Bruce A. Lemon Jr. as Marvin.

The creative team includes direction by Scarlett Kim, dramaturgy by Alice Tuan, costume design by Mylette Nora, hair & wig design by Shelia Dorn, props design by Rye Mandel, scenic design by Carlo Maghirang, projections design by Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh, lighting design by Wesley Charles Siu Muen Chew, sound design by John Zalewski, and stage management by Amber R. Dettmers.

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running Asian American theater and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works presents The Great Jheri Curl Debate September 15 through October 9 at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts in Los Angeles.

LEND ME A SOPRANO by Ken Ludwig.

Directed by Eleanor Holdridge.

Tony Award Winning playwright Ken Ludwig has created a whole new play based on his early hit Lend Me A Tenor. The roles are reversed, and the ladies take the lead in this madcap screwball comedy" guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter."

September 16 – October 9 at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas.

SING STREET Book by Enda Walsh. Music and lyrics by Gary Clark and John Carney. Based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney.

Directed by Rebecca Taichman.

Choreography by Sonya Tayeh.

It’s Dublin, 1982. Sixteen-year-old Conor tries to impress a mysterious girl, Raphina, by asking her to star in a music video for his band. If only he had a band. Teaming up with a group of schoolmates, Conor and Raphina use music to bring them together, escape their troubles at home, and carve out a place in their struggling community. With a score that embraces the new wave sounds of the '80s,"Sing Street is an ode to the thrill of young love and a celebration of the power of music to lift us up."

Featuring: Adam Bregman as Conor - Billy Carter as Robert - Courtnee Carter as Raphina - Jack DiFalco as Barry - Donal Finn as Brendan - Anthony Genovesi as Declan - Michael Lepore as Gary - Diego Lucano as Darren - Elijah Lyons as Larry - Alexa Xioufaridou Moster as Anne - Anne L. Nathan as Sandra - Gian Perez as Kevin - Dee Roscioli as Penny - Armand Schultz as Brother Baxter - Ben Wang as Eamon.

The understudies are: Leigh Barrett, Gable Kinsman, Nael Nacer, Matthew Pantanella, Ale Philippides and Virginia Vogel.

The creatives are: Set Design Bob Crowley, Lisa Zinni Costume Designer, Natasha Katz Lighting Design, Peter Hylenski Sound Design, Luke Halls Co-Video Design, Brad Peterson Video Design, Tommy Kurzman Wig/Hair & Makeup Design, Peter Gordeno Music Supervisor, Kris Kukul Music Supervision, Fred Lassen Music Director, Tara Rubin Casting, Karyn Meek Production Stage Manager, Amanda Spooner Stage Manager, Mark A. Stys Stage Manager.

Content advisory: Please note this production contains strobe lights, haze and the smoking of cocoa shell cigarettes. Sing Street contains depictions of predatory relationships, substance abuse, bullying and homophobia (including slurs). It includes a description of child sexual abuse.

Performances through October 2, 2022 at the Huntington Calderwood Pavilionat the BCA in Boaton, MA.

THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner.

Speak of the devil and he appears.
A witch hunt is beginning in Salem.
Raised to be seen and not heard, a group of young women suddenly find their words have a terrible power.
As a climate of fear spreads through the community, private vendettas fuel public accusations and soon the truth itself is on trial.?

Arthur Miller’s gripping parable of power and its abuse returns in an urgent new staging by director Lyndsey Turner.

Cast includes: David Ahmad as Hopkins / Understudy John Proctor - Fisayo Akinade as Reverend Hale - Zoë Aldrich as Ann Putnam / Sarah Good / Understudy Elizabeth Proctor - Nathan Amzi as Ezekiel Cheever / Understudy Hale - Stephanie Beattie as Martha Corey/ Understudy Rebecca Nurse/ Sarah Good/ Ann Putnam - Halle Brown as Ensemble / Understudy Tituba - Sophia Brown as Tituba - Raphael Bushay as Marshal Herrick / Understudy Parris/Putnam/Cheever - Anushka Chakravarti as Mercy Lewis - Grace Cooper as Ensemble + Understudy Mary Warren - Brendan Cowell as John Proctor - Rachelle Diedericks as Mary Warren - Erin Doherty as Abigail Williams - Hero Douglas as Ensemble / Understudy Susanna - Henry Everett as Judge Hathorne / Understudy Danforth - Nick Fletcher as Reverend Parris - Colin Haigh as Francis Nurse - Karl Johnson as Giles Corey - Martin Johnston as Ensemble / Understudy Herrick/Hathorne/Hopkins/Giles Corey/Francis Nurse -Matthew Marsh as Deputy Governor Danforth - Gracie McGonigal as Susanna Walcott / Understudy Abigail Williams - Alastair Parker as Thomas Putman - Joy Tan as as Ensemble - Ami Tredrea as Ensemble / Understudy Mercy Lewis - Tilly Tremayne as Rebecca Nurse - Eileen Walsh as Elizabeth Proctor.

The creatives include: Set Designer Es Devlin. Costume Designer Catherine Fay. Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin. Sound Designer (Content Design)Tingying Dong. Sound Designer (System Design) Paul Arditti. Composer and Arrranger Caroline Shaw. Music Director and Arranger Osnat Schmool. Fight Director Bret Yount. Staff Director Blythe Stewart. Dialect Coach Danièle Lydon and Hazel Holder.

Audio-described performances on Thursday October13 at 7.30pm with a Touch Tour at 6pm. Saturday October 22 at 2pm with a Touch Tour at 12.30pm.

BSL interpreted performance on Monday, October 24, at 7.30pm. The signer for this performance will be Janet Guest (Theatresign).

Chilled performance on Saturday October 29 at 2pm.

Presented by The National Theatre in London on the stage of the Olivier Theatre from September 14 to November 5, 2022.

E-Book

Soft back Book

This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

FINAL OVATION

QUEEN ELIZABETH II wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auto and jeep mechanic, military veteran, Bond girl, Barbie doll, horse and dog lover, fashion style trendsetter who enjoyed having tea with Pattington Bear, monarch to the UK and beloved Queen to the entire world, died way too soon on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96.

Thirty-six hours before her death she was actively at work installing Liz Truss as the new Prime Minister.

She leaves behind a legacy which will stand the test of time as to how a woman can lead, inspire, persevere, overcome, tolerate, love and forgive.

Shortly after her death a double rainbow miraculously appeared over Buckingham Palace welcoming the Queen into heaven.

JEFF GERMAN respected Las Vegas investigative reporter was brutally stabbed to death outside his home on September 3, 2022. He was 69.

The Clark County coroner ruled that German died of "multiple sharp force injuries" and ruled the case a homicide. German suffered seven stab wounds to this throat and torso.

German who spent a two decades with the Las Vegas Sun as a columnist/reporter who covered courts, politics, labor, government and organized crime before joining the Las Vegas Review Journal in 2010 as an investigative reporter. He is survived by a sister and her husband.

Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, 45, was arrested Wednesday, September 7, 2022 on an open murder charge in the stabbing death. Telles, who earned a law degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, practiced probate and estate law, won his elected position in 2018, replacing a three-term public administrator. He lost his June party primary to Assistant Public Administrator Rita Reid. Telles’ term expires December 31, 2022.

German had written a series of articles exposing serious problems with Telles and his office. Telles blamed German for his primary election defeat in his bid for re-election.

German's articles pointed out complaints of administrative bullying, favoritism and Telles’ inappropriate relationship with a female subordinate staffer in the county office that handles property of people who die without a will or family contacts.

Telles was taken into custody at his home by a police SWAT unit hours after investigators served a search warrant and confiscated two vehicles in the criminal probe of the killing of German.

Telles is married with children.

9/11 REMEMBERED

St. Paul's Chapel was turned into one of the 9/11 command stations. Photo: Laura Deni

The names of every person who perished in the terror attacks are honored in bronze around the twin Memorial pools. Photo: Laura Deni

21 years ago - On September 11, 2001 - four coordinated, terrorist attacks were carried out by the militant Islamic extremist network al-Quaeda against the United States. 1,996 were killed in New York City, Arlington, Virginia and Stonycreek Township.

Nearly two decades after his capture in Pakistan, the self described mastermind of the terror attacks is still awaiting trial.

A tribute of remembrance and honor.

Occupying eight of the 16 acres at the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza - a supremely contemplative sanctuary, is composed of a grove of nearly 400 white oak trees, and the largest manmade waterfalls in the United States. Set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, each pool is approximately 1-acre in size. The names of every person who perished in the terror attacks are honored in bronze around the twin Memorial pools.

The National 9/11 Memorial Museum is located within the archaeological heart of the original WTC site. The Museum serves as the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring the historic implications of that tragic date, through state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits, archives and monumental artifacts. Paying reverent homage to the victims of the attacks, the museum also recognizes the thousands who survived, and all who showed extraordinary courage & compassion in the catastrophe’s aftermath.

The 9/11 Memorial is free and open to the public seven days a week.

St Paul's is a small chapel by the Twin Towers. When George Washington was inaugurated President he walked to St. Paul's to pray. When 9/11 occurred St. Paul's was turned into one of the command centers. During St Paul's nine month 9/11 ministry, podiatrists adapted Washington's pew into a station for healing workers' tired, injured feet. Because many of Washington's troops fought at Valley Forge without boots, placing the podiatry station in this pew was considered a fitting tribute.

Next Column: September 18, 2022
Copyright: September 11, 2022 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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