Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: September 24, 2017
By: Laura Deni
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A ROYAL, CELEBRITIES (INCLUDING LAS VEGAS) AND HEROES AT 2017 INVICTUS GAMES

Prince Harry met Trevor Greene and wife Debbie during a visit to inspect the venue for prior to the Invictus Games opening in Toronto. Photo: Kensingston Palace.

Last Friday Prince Harry arrived in Toronto ahead to the Invictus Games which began yesterday.

Frenetic attention was on whether Prince Harry and his girlfriend Megan Markle would appear together. Numerous published reports stated that she was given a VIP pass to the Invictus Games.

She showed up - so all of the romantics out there can breathe a sigh of relief.

Following protocol, Prince Harry and his American girlfriend sat three rows apart in the stands. A beaming Merkle wore a plum-colored dress and matching leather jacket, and received the same type of security that Harry experiences, including one of her boyfriend's Scotland Yard protection officers.

On official royal duty, Harry sat with United States First Lady Melania Trump, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeat, Governor General of Canada David Johnston and his wife Sharon, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna, and other notables.

Prince Harry (center) sat next to FLOTUS Melania Trump during the Opening Ceremony. Photo: Kensingston Palace.

Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony. Photo: Invictus Games.

Merkle was escorted by Markus Anderson who introduced her to Prince Harry last year.

Living in a spotlight isn't new for the actress who first gained notority for her role on Suits.

While nothing beats a good romance, real attention should be focused on who will win the athletic games for wounded, injured and sick soldiers and veterans.

The red-headed Prince attended an early Friday morning symposium at the Scotia Plaza, hosted by the Canadian charity True Patriot Love. The symposium focused on the impact of injury on military families.

After the morning symposium, Harry watched the Invictus Games flag complete its cross-country tour. Hundreds of people gathered to see Harry and watch Olympic gold medalist Penny Oleksiak and parasport icon Rick Hansen wave the flag before it ascended the mast at Toronto City Hall under the watchful eyes of Mayor John Tory who thanked Harry and other organizers.

Later on Friday Harry spent time with athletes as they prepared for the games.

He showed his competitive spirit side when he got into a friendly bit of joking around with the Australian sportsmen and women, who gave him two small stuffed koalas bears to take home for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Australian team member Chris Clark showed the prince a boxing kangaroo cuddly toy kept at the side of the swimming pool, which Clark referred to his "little mascot" for his upcoming contests in wheelchair basketball, archery and the Jaguar Land Rover challenge. Prince Harry joked that he'd throw it in the water to get the competition going.

The Prince went on to meet the Georgian sitting volleyball team, the Romanian volleyball team and the Danish, Australian and Dutch wheelchair basketball players.

United States First Lady Melania Trump, looking smart in Dior, met with Prince Harry ahead of the start of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto. Photo: Kensington Palace.

FLOTUS Melania Trump met with the American team. Photo: Invictus Games.

On Saturday, Harry toured Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, participating in research round tables and discussing treatment for youth. Later he met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, American First Lady Melanie Trump who was meeting Prince Harry for the first time. She also spoke before the nearly 100 American athletes participating in the weeklong competition; and attended the opening ceremony.

In addition to Melanie Trump, the American delegation includes Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, as well as US Embassy Ottawa Chargé d'Affaires Elizabeth Moore Aubin, Gold Star mother Karen Kelly, professional golfer Nancy Lopez and Las Vegas based entertainer Wayne Newton.

They met with Team USA prior to attending the opening ceremony.

Bruce Springsteen will perform during the Closing Ceremonies. Photo: Invictus Games.

At least 550 competitors from 17 countries are slated to compete in 12 adaptive sports, including track and field, swimming and, in a first for the Invictus Games, golf.

The Opening Ceremony at the Air Canada Centre was a spectacular, live two-hour event featuring celebrities, world dignitaries, and music stars. Alessia Cara sang Scars To Your Beautiful, The Tenors performed Under One Sky. Other performances were by Sarah McLachlan, LaBottine Souriante and Laura Wright. Canadian actor Mike Myers spoke on the military family.

On September 30, 2017, the Closing Ceremony will feature international headline music artists including Bryan Adams, Couer de Pirate, Bruce Springsteen, Bachman & Turner, and Kelly Clarkson.

The games run from September 23 to September 30 and Harry will be in Toronto the entire time. He's no stranger to the city. It's where Meghan Markle currently lives and works.

While Markle continues to tape her role in the television series Suits, Prince Harry is slated for a two day visit to Copenhagen, Denmark on October 25-26. It will be his first official visit to Denmark.










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ART AND ABOUT

FIRED UP: CONTEMPORARY GLASS BY WOMEN ARTISTS

Karen LaMonte (American, born 1967), Dress Impression with Train. Glass, cast, sandblasted, acid-polished, designed 2005; cast 2007. H. 58 ¼ in. Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, by exchange, 2008.148

is the first American art museum exhibition to focus on Glass Art by Women.

The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) has launched a celebration of the critical contributions made by generations of women glass artists. Drawn from the Toledo Museum of Art’s internationally renowned glass collection and with key loans from notable private collections, Fired Up: Contemporary Glass by Women Artists presents more than 50 stunning objects by women who now rank among the most innovative and celebrated glass artists in the world.

The works, which range from small scale to life-size in a variety of glass techniques, document nearly six decades of unwavering dedication, from the art that helped women forge a path in the Studio Glass Movement of the 1960s to the ingenuity of 21st-century innovations.

The discovery of glass as a serious artistic medium in the ‘60s - sparked during the Studio Glass Movement that originated at the Toledo Museum of Art - was important. Yet in its earliest decades, women faced an uphill battle in their demand for fair recognition of their significant impact, vision and work.

The exhibition is co-curated by former TMA Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Glass Jutta Page (now Executive Director of the Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University) and Mint Museum Senior Curator of Craft, Design and Fashion Annie Carlano.

“The illustrious achievement of women in glass can be more fully understood through this comprehensive and visually compelling exhibition,” said TMA Director Brian Kennedy. “These objects also bridge the fields of art, craft, design and sculpture in path breaking and exciting new ways.”

Fired Up: Contemporary Glass by Women Artists is now on view at TMA through March 18, 2018.

JASPER JOHNS: SOMETHING RESEMBLING TRUTH

Jasper Johns, Flag, 1958. Encaustic on canvas. 104.4 x 153.7 cm. Private collection © Jasper Johns / VAGA, New York / DACS, London 2017. Photo: Jamie Stukenberg © The Wildenstein Plattner Institute, 2017.

opened September 23, 2017 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and is on display to December 10, 2017.

“One hopes for something resembling truth, some sense of life, even of grace, to flicker, at least, in the work.” Jasper Johns, 2006.

Widely known for his iconic images of flags, targets, numbers, maps and light bulbs, Jasper Johns has occupied a central position in American art since his first solo exhibition in New York in 1958. His treatment of iconography and appropriation of objects, symbols and words makes the familiar unfamiliar, achieving this through the distinctive, complex textures of his works. Through his ground-breaking paintings and sculptures, Johns established a decisive new direction in an art world that had previously been dominated by Abstract Expressionism.

Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth is the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s work to be held in the UK in 40 years. Comprising over 150 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints, it reveals the continuities and changes that have occurred over the past six decades and the curiosity and experimentation that Johns continues to apply to his current practice.

The exhibition brings together artworks that rarely travel from international private and public collections and new works by the artist. Working in close collaboration with the artist, the exhibition is co-curated by Dr Roberta Bernstein and Edith Devaney. Exhibition organized by the Royal Academy of Arts, London in collaboration with The Broad, Los Angeles.

SWEET CHARITY

THE SONGBOOK HALL OF FAME stages their latest induction featuring Michael Feinstein as he pays tribute to 2017 inductees Ella Fitzgerald, Mitzi Gaynor, and Ray Gilbert on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana.

The evening promises an exciting performance by this year's special guest artist, Kristin Chenoweth, along with a create-your-own travel adventure at the Katz, Sapper & Miller After-Party, with drinks, desserts, and dancing throughout the Palladium in settings evoking the glitz of Hollywood, Miami, and New York City.

Attendees are "welcome to join other guests dressed in '60s “Mad Men-chic” attire."

The mission of the Center for the Performing Arts is to welcome, engage, inspire, and transform through compelling performing arts experiences in a world-class environment. The Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All proceeds from this evening will benefit the artistic and educational programs of the Center.

SUNSET CENTER'S FIFTH ANNUAL GALA takes place Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The Gala will star Neil Sedaka.

The glamorous evening includes: VIP "up front and personal" seating for the Neil Sedaka performance - Red carpet arrival - Signature "Sunset" cocktails and champagne on arrival - Gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Kurt Grasing paired with exclusive Hahn SLH and Lucienne Family wines - Sumptuous dessert, coffee, and "Sunset" Cappuccino - After performance meet and greet with Neil Sedaka - live auction packages - and professional commemorative photographs.

Black tie attire encouraged.

THEATER DISTRICT HOUSTON will stage a benefit honoring community heroes that emerged in the storm Harvey and celebrating the resilience of Houston. The event will feature performances by: Alley Theatre - Da Camera - Houston Ballet - Houston Grand Opera - Houston Symphony Society for the Performing Arts - Theatre Under The Stars.

Although the event is completely free, donations to Mayor Sylvester Turner's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund will be accepted on-site during the event.

Wednesday, September 27, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston, Texas.

ENTERTAINMENT IN PUERTO RICO - INCLUDING RUM - SUFFER A HURRICANE MARIA HANGOVER

Casa Bacardi's Puerto Rican rum is known the world over.

Years ago I remember visiting the Casa Bacardi Distillery in San Juan Puerto Rico which offered a visitor's center, Pavilion, aging room, gift shop, beautiful courtyard, museum, distillery room, historical, rum tasting and mixology tours.

The Bacardi visit was one of the most popular day trips for those on a cruise. The area was beautiful and the staff gracious.

Bacardi rum has long reveled in a worldwide reputation.

Now closed, they promise: "We will reopen as soon as we can after Hurricane Maria. Stay Safe!"

Maria was the strongest hurricane - 155 mph sustained winds - to make a direct strike on Puerto Rico since 1928.

The area was a major tourist stop for cruise ships. The economy counted on tourist dollars.

Cruise ships noted for their never ending food service and a place where entertainers can enjoy a steady paycheck while seeing the world

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Windstar, Cunard, Disney, and others noted for their Caribbean cruises are rerouting itineraries. It could be months - or longer - before cruise ships return to their original routes.

Although the logistical challenge can be daunting, the cruise ship industry is fortunate in that they have the capabilities of changing course. Not so fortunate are those whose livelihood depended upon on-shore, day tours from cruise ship customers.

Without power, most of the performance venues can't access their own websites to offer updates.

With a weak infrastructural it's going to takes months for the area to begin to get back to normal. While everyone in Puerto Rico suffered devastation, some will have an easier time rebuilding. At the short end of the stick are mom and pop businesses which catered to the tourist trade; gift shops, small food stalls specializing in native foods - and entertainers.

That means an end to many businesses and entertainment careers.

The Coliseo de Puerto Ricothis is an 18,500-capacity arena which books musical superstars, from Metallica to Justin Bieber. Beginning September 22, Noche de Estrellas 2017 was set to take place with a variety of acts.

Wolves Can Riot was set to perform on September 23 at the 4-star La Concha Resort which is located right in the heart of the entertainment capital – the Condado district. A Marriott property, on September 21, La Concha Resort posted on Facebook:"Now that Maria has come and gone, we are focusing on our property and fixing any damage our public areas may have experienced. In the meantime we have decided to temporarily close our reservations systems for certain dates, so that we may get La Concha 100% ready to welcome you once again. To our community, a huge THANK YOU for all the support, and we can't wait to see you very soon."

Bryan Adams is still set to play Puerto Rico on October 12, 2017. Before then he'll play during the closing ceremony for the Invictus Games in Toronto.

A few of the other entertainers losing gigs this past week-end and this week were: Leonardo Osuna Sosa, Lila Espiral, Richard Peña Music, Ivelisse, aLmaS BAND, Thoughtexperimentmusik, Dirtyphonics, Johanis Reinosa, Ricky Laureano, Jazz Bandana, Pato Banton, D-Unity, Insomnium, POP 1, René Gonzáles, Nimsy Lopez, Adão Music, Tantrum Desire, Supernova (IT), Tiëstolive, andy montanez, La Respuesta, and hailing from London, Delta Heavy, an electronic duo consisting of Ben Hall and Simon James. They've released a number of popular remixes from the likes of Rita Ora, Avicii, DJ Fresh and Tinie Tempah. Tiësto had a gig at the Vivo beach club.

Operating under the Hope Springs Eternal theory, as of Friday, September 21, 2017 tickets were still on sale for Bryan Adams' October 12, 2017 show at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. The event was still being promoted on his website.

One of the many reasons performers are anxious to get back on stage is that e tickets have already been bought and paid. Refunding ducats and rescheduling is a pain.

Venues needing to repair and reopen include city landmark, the Teatro Tapia on the southern side of Plaza Colón. The intimate neoclassical theater is designed in the Italian style with three-tiered boxes and an elegantly decorated lobby. Dating from 1832. El Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A Ferré, considered the more important performing arts venue in the Puerto Rican capital, it was build in 1981. It features more than 1900 seats in the festival hall, about 750 in the drama hall and 200 in the experimental theater. The building features three main concert and theater halls for plays, ballet, operas and concerts. It was renamed in 1994 after the late Puerto Rican politician and philanthropist Luis A. Ferré.

The Center prides itself on presenting the highest level of commercial theater in Puerto Rico along with ballets and operas, and also hosting artists such as Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Justino Díaz, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Alicia de Larrocha.

The Center is home the annual Casals Festival and the Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra, which began in 1956 when Pablo Casals accepted the invitation of the government to establish himself in Puerto Rico. The musical ensemble is sponsored by the Government of Puerto Rico. It has 80 regular musicians from around the world performing a 52-week season which includes symphonic concerts, operas, ballets, pops.

Local hot spots devastated included Nuyorican Café, noted for its sizzling salsa music and La Respuesta a venue noted for a wide range of live music shows - from R&B to heavy metal.

Jennifer Lopez waving the Puerto Rican flag in 2009.

Then there are American based performers with relatives in Puerto Rico. One worried relative is soprano Ana Quintana who was born in Puerto Rico but now lives in New York. She's been awarded two Master’s Degrees in Music; one by Manhattan School of Music and the other from Teacher’s College of Columbia University in Music Education. She teachers the National Children's Chorus This past summer she was selected to take part in NYU's Kodaly Summer Institute On her twitter account she wrote: "I'm just praying for my family and the whole of Puerto Rico #PrayForPuertoRico — Ana Quintana (@anitasoprano) September 20, 2017.

Jennifer Lopez, currently starring in Las Vegas, made a backstage video expressing her anguish. "What’s on my mind is what’s going on in Puerto Rico. The devastation is beyond belief. Me and my cousin still haven’t been able to hear from our families over there.

“What’s foremost on my mind and many others is trying to figure out the best way to help,” Lopez continued. “Today, Puerto Rico needs our help. I urge you to support and donate to the efforts of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Areizaga. Together we can rebuild our island, and the Caribbean.” San Juan, Puerto Rico born Ricky Martin also made a video: “Hello everyone, this is Ricky Martin and I need your help. Puerto Rico needs you at the moment. Just go to youcaring.com/rickymartin and help us. Donate whatever you can; just one dollar would make a difference. If everyone would give me a dollar, my goodness. Puerto Rico is in a precarious position at the moment. We can’t do it alone. We need you.”

Last Friday, September 22, EGOT Rita Moreno was honored during Chicago's National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC) 4th Annual Gala; RAICES: A Celebration of Our Roots.

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), a non-for-profit organization, was inaugurated on July 1, 2000, as a legacy for the Puerto Rican people. It is the only national museum focused on Puerto Rican arts and culture, connecting with Puerto Rican diasporic arts, culture, and history.

Each year as part of their gala, NMPRAC selects two major artists to receive the prestigious Ceiba Award, the only national award granted to Puerto Ricans for their artistic and cultural accomplishments. In addition to Moreno the National Puerto Rican Ceiba Award was presented to Quiara Alegria Hudes.

It was announced that proceeds from the gala's live auction will go to help those impacted by Maria.

THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND

ABANDONED HEART Michael Mott, released on Broadway Records is Mott's second release on this label. See Broadway To Vegas column of July 6, 2014.

This is a pleasant CD which makes it ideal for enjoying while you're multi-tasking.

Singers are: Michael Mott on three numbers, Brian Justin Crum, Jenna Ushkowitz, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Kacey Velazqez, Eric Lajuan Summers, Loren Allred, Natalie Weiss, Shayna Steele, Hannah Zazzaro, Jennifer Damiano and Andy Mientus and Crystal Monee Hall.

The opening number Love in Stereo is an intriguing composition which is a quirky and catchy Mott tribute to himself, encouraging the listener to turn up the stereo and listen to his new composition. It's has the type of beat which has people at concerts standing and waving flashlights - smooth, but repetitious and drum beat driven.

One of the standout numbers is the gospel inspired More Than Me performed by Shayna Steele. That is followed by the more hard rock Breathless sung by Hannah Zazzaro. Both performers are impressive.

Many of the songs have a repetitious format and sound. While many hit songs have easy, simple language choruses, it would be nice to have Mott demonstrate more of an expansion of his abilities.

There are composers who specialize in a certain style. Overly simplistic can work if each song is then orchestrated and arranged for the specific singer or the production, and a variety of instruments add distinction.

In this CD, repetitious is - well - repetitious.

The first number has lines which read: "Get down to the drum machine," and "Let the beat go boom" I can't say I wasn't clued in.

Throughout the CD the beat frequently mimics pseudo-Caribbean. While Tract 7 Single City is slower, with lyrics about the loneliness of living in New York City, especially for somebody who apparently needs guidance: "Tell Me How to Live/Tell Me How To Care," more of a variety in tempo and song structure would add more depth to the recording.

The beginning of The Wild Ones is effective and interesting, then that repetitious drum beat takes over and hampers the appreciation of Crystal Monee Hall's voice.

The introduction to the Tract 8 title song Abandoned Heart kept making me think of a song from Wicked. Then the beat picks up and the song becomes dramatic, yet along the same beat as the others. It isn't that the CD sounds like one long song, it's just a case of needing more variety in musical structure; there are too many repetitious lyrics in each song and similar arrangements.

There is no doubt that Mott is exceptionally talented, but I'd like to see more dimensions and depth from him. He's capable of elevating himself from pleasant to a statement making style and stand out compositions.

The accompanying booklet is darkly moody and elegant with the deepest brown you can find before reaching black. An exquisite layout with art direction and design by Maurice Principe'. The cover color photography and album booklet studio photography by Michael Kusher is rich. The song lyrics are included. However, the font is so small that you need to strain and use a magnifying glass - and my eye sight is just fine, thanks.

If the product is aimed for only family and friends then there isn't a problem. However, if you're trying to build a fan base, introduce yourself and your work to others, don't make it so difficult. Granted, larger font means more pages and that equals more production money. It might be money well spent. When a relatively unknown artist records new material, the listener can need a cheat sheet to fully appreciate the compositions.

Mixed by Rich Matthew Mixing Consultant and Mastering by Jack Miele. Arrangements by Rich Matthew.

Piano: Michael Mott. Keyboards: Michael Mott and Rich Matthew. Electric and Acoustic Guitar: Rich Matthew and Andrew Zinsmeister who also has guitar solos on Love in Stereo and Get Up on My Feet Electronic Bass: Rich Matthews and Daniel Bailen. Violin: Ally Jenkins. Cello: Jacob Yates. Drums: Adam Wolfe. Drum Programming: Rich Matthew.

Piano and Drums recorded at Braund Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Piano and drums engineered by Shane O'Connell.

SPREADING THE WORD

THE NEW GARRY MARSHALL THEATRE'S official marquee was up and glowing for the first time on Thursday, September 21 when the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, CA was renamed after Garry Marshall, the beloved and respected actor, director, producer, and writer who founded the Falcon in 1994. Marshall died in 2016 at the age of 81.

Laurie Metcalf, Joe Mantegna, Hector Elizondo, Christine Lakin, Joey McIntyre, Rory O’Malley, Nadine Ellis, Gil Cates, Jr., Jack McGee, Sean O’Bryan, Jason Gedrick, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, Paul Vogt, Donna Pescow, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, John Debney, Honorary Mayor of Toluca Lake Fritz Coleman, radio personality Mark Wallengren, and Burbank City Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, as well as the Marshall Family and the Garry Marshall Theatre team and all gathered “flip the switch” on the custom neon marquee.

The marquee design is inspired by Garry’s actual signature.

CAN LYRICS BE LITERATURE? ‘Songwriters are not poets’ so said Simon Armitage.

Did Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize in Literature win redefine the boundaries of literature? Or do we, by calling it poetry, deny music a place as its own unique art form? A group of poets, musicians and performance artists discuss the relationship between lyrics and poetry.

This talk takes place September 28, 2017 in The Old Vic Rehearsal Room of The Old Vic in London.

ALAN ALDA offering information about Getting Beyond a Blind Date with Science on Thursday, October 3, 2017 at the Peppermill Resort Casino in Reno, NV.

GABRIEL ABAROA JR. PRESIDENT/CEO THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY last Tuesday announced that "as an outgrowth of the terrible and tragic recent natural disasters affecting Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Houston, and Florida, the homes to many Hispanic communities, The Latin Recording Academy is postponing the announcement for the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards nominations announcement to a later date.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these catastrophic events and ones that may come.

The nominations has originally be scheduled to be announced on September 20 in advance of the November 16 show from Las Vegas, Nevada.

92Y PRESENTS STREET FEST 2017 on Sunday, October 1, 2017 in New York City.

Highlights include: Performances at the main stage including the casts from the Broadway productions of: A Bronx Tale, Beautiful –The Carole King Musical, Cats, Kinky Boots, Miss Saigon, Once On This Island and School of Rock -- The Musical. Big Apple Circus also performs. Guest hosts from The Play That Goes Wrong introduce the performances.

Music and dance performances at the main stage, including: the Chris Bergson Trio (blues), the Jamie Reynolds Trio (jazz), the Sarah Tolar Band (pop), the Matt Check Bluegrass Band, Community Dance Project and more.

Sonia Rincon of 1010 WINS serves as co-master of ceremonies at the 92Y Street Fest’s main stage.

THE JOFFREY BALLET has been named resident dance company at Lyric Opera House in Chicago beginning at the start of the 2020-2021 season. The alliance will mark the end of the Joffrey’s long-time relationship with the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University which became it's home in 1995 when the Joffrey moved to Chicago from New York.

The new arrangement will mark only the third time in America that there has been a collaboration between a ballet company and an opera house. The other two are the San Francisco Ballet and the Houston Ballet.

The Jorrey Ballet's current season 2017-2018 at the Auditorium Theatre features: Giselle – October 18 – 29, 2017. The Nutcracker – December 1 – 30, 2017. Modern Masters – February 7 – 18, 2018. Midsummer Night’s Dream – April 25 – May 6, 2018.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 is National Key Lime Pie Day. Wednesday is National Chocolate Milk Day and Thursday is National Strawberry Cream Pie Day and National Drink a Beer Day. September 29 is National Coffee Day.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER has received two grants totaling $1 million: a $750,000 gift by former Board President Vince Martin and his wife Jan, and a $250,000 gift from the Stackner Family Foundation. The money will be used to renovate the 30-year-old Stackner Cabaret, which is used as a venue for its smaller-scale productions. The renovations, which will increase seating capacity by over 35 percent, will also address infrastructure issues at the venue, a completely new kitchen, and maximizing space and opportunity within the venue and the lobby.

HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY THEATRE in Cottonwood Shores, Texas has received $10,000 from Martin Foundation trustees Charlie Keiser, Robert Klaeger, and Larson Lloyd. One of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in Texas, the Hill Country Community Theatre’s mission is to present and promote quality theatre activities and programs that entertain, educate and encourage community participation in the support of performance and related cultural arts.

The Martin Foundation was established in 1992 in honor of David and Patsy Martin to support civic endeavors, and was overseen by their son, Sam Martin, until his death in January 2017. Sam was an amateur Magician and was involved in the creation of HCCT, as well as being one of its early supporters.



AFTER THE REHEARSAL/PERSONA based on the film by Ingmar Bergman.

Directed by Tony and Olivier winner Ivo van Hove.

Translation for After the Rehearsal by Karst Woudstra.

Translation for Persona by Peter Van Kraaij.

Dramaturgy by Peter van Kraaij.

Featuring the Toneelgroep Amsterdam residency performers Marieke Heebink, Gaite Jansen, Lineke Rijxman and Gijs Scholten van Aschat.

Two Bergman screenplays are reimagined for the stage in a double bill about the chaotic lives of theatre people, exposing the fine line between art and reality, illness and normality.

After the Rehearsal: For Hendrik Vogler, a director obsessed by his work, rehearsals are like notes in his diary, performances his autobiography. Everything is subject to his control yet it soon becomes apparent that life cannot be kept at bay when ex lover Rachel and Anna, her daughter and his current star, breach his sanctum.

Persona: Celebrated actress Elisabeth Vogler falls mute and retreats into silence. It’s as though a short circuit has occurred, calling into question the roles she must play. She is cared for in hospital by nurse Alma who then accompanies her to an island summerhouse in an attempt to coax her into speaking again. Tension between the two builds.

Set design and lighting by Jan Versweyveld. Sound by Roeland Fernhout. Costumes by An D’Huys.

Co-produced by Théâtre de la Place (Liège), Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg and Maison des arts de Créteil.

Realized in collaboration with Auteursbureau ALMO bvba commissioned by Josef Weinberger Ltd, London, and the Ingmar Bergman Foundation. After the Rehearsal/Persona is supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Performed in Dutch with English surtitles September 27-30, 2017 at the Barbican in London.

THE WHO & THE WHAT by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar.

Directed by May Adrales.

Muslin-American. just your average American family.

Billed as "a thrillingly fierce and funny new play about identity, religion, and the contradictions that make us who we are. Growing up Muslim with her close-knit family in Atlanta, Zarina is writing about women and Islam when she meets Eli, a young convert who bridges the gap between her modern life and traditional heritage. When her conservative father and sister discover her controversial manuscript, they all must confront the beliefs that define them."

Starring Brian Abraham as Afzal, Soraya Broukhim as Zarina, Ben Kahre as Eli and Nikita Tewani as Mahwish.

Andrew Boyce: Scenic Designer - Izumi Inaba: Costume Designer - Noele Stollmack: Lighting Designer - Andre Pluess: Sound Designer - Dale Brown Casting - Frank Honts: Casting Director - Eva Breneman: Dialect Coach - Richelle Harrington Calin: Stage Manager - Kyle Winkelmann: Stage Management Fellow - Sophiyaa Nayar: Assistant Director - Nabra Nelson: Dramaturg.

September 27 – November 5, 2017 in the Stiemke Studio of The Milwaukee Rep in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

THE PORTUGUESE KID written and directed by Tony, Pulitzer Prize, and Academy Award winner John Patrick Shanley.

The cast stars Tony Award winner and 6 time Emmy nominee Jason Alexander, Pico Alexander, Aimee Carrero, three-time Tony Award nominee Sherie Rene Scott, and Drama Desk Award winner Mary Testa.

"In Providence, Rhode Island, habitually widowed Atalanta (Sherie Rene Scott) pays a visit to her second-rate lawyer Barry Dragonetti (Jason Alexander). Intending to settle her latest husband's affairs, this larger-than-life Greek tightwad quickly becomes a nightmare for her cheesy, self-aggrandizing attorney. Add Barry's impossible Croatian mother (Mary Testa), a dash of current politics and a couple of opportunistic young lovers, and you have in hand a recipe for comic combustion."

The creative team features John Lee Beatty (scenic design), William Ivey Long (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), and Obadiah Eaves (original music and sound design).

Currently in previews, the official opening takes place on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at . Manhattan Theatre Club’s City Center – Stage I in New York City. The Portuguese Kid marks MTC’s 12th collaboration with Shanley, a partnership that spans over three decades.

MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally.

Directed By Dimitri Toscas.

Starring Emmy-winner Carolyn Hennesy as Maria Callas, with Roy Abramsohn, Jeff Campanella, Maegan McConnell, Landon Shaw II, and Aubrey Trujillo-Scarr.

"Inspired by world-renowned Opera diva Maria Callas’ magnificent JuiIliard master class series, Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning play spotlights the tour-de-force artist and vulnerable woman known as La Divina. Join Callas as she relentlessly coaxes, prods, and edifies her young students, motivating them to give the performances of their lives, while revealing her humor, her demons and her genius."

Performances through October 22, 2017 at the Gary Marshall Theatre in Burbank, CA.

WHO'S WHERE

CASINO ROYALE IN CONCERT will take place Saturday, September 30, at Royal Albert Hall in London. Casino Royale will be screened for the first time with the score performed live by a full symphony orchestra and a pre-concert Q&A with composer David Arnold.

PAUL McCARTNEY will perform at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, NY on September 26, 2017. Next Sunday, October 1, 2017 he;s in Detroit, MI headlining Little Caesars Arena.

DIANA KRALL the world-renowned jazz singer and pianist plays songs from her forthcoming studio album Turn Up the Quiet September 27-28 at Royal Albert Hall in London.

SIBELIUS' FIRST SYMPHONY the symphony that Inspired a Nation. As the Russian Empire tightened its colonial grip on Finland, Jean Sibelius wrote the music that expressed his people's desire for freedom. Touring Europe to rave reviews in 1900, Sibelius’ First Symphony brought worldwide attention to the composer - and to the cause of Finnish independence. Hear the symphony that inspired a nation in the opening concert of the NAC Ideas of North festival. as Finland which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary of independence. Conducted by Alexander Shelley. Violinists Jonathan Crow and Yosuke Kawasaki. Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at the NAC in Ottawa, Canada.

Post-Concert Parties during Ideas of North Festival October 3 - 14, 2017 take place in the City Room of the NAC. Live music sets the mood to party to the backdrop of the city lights in the NAC’s spectacular new glass Atrium. With the bustle of Elgin Street and the grandeur of the Parliament buildings in the background, it's hoped that patrons will want to linger long into the night. Free party admission and a cash bar featuring Nordic spirits.

Next Column: October 8, 2017
Copyright: September 24, 2017 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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