Ah, it’s lunchtime… time for the first news chum of the year. This installment has an entertainment theme:
- From the “Economy and Entertainment” Department: We’re all aware of how the economy is closing lots of Broadway shows. But there are other impacts as well, closer to home here in California. For example, the Los Angeles City Council has changed the hours on parking meters to extend to midnight vs. the previous 6pm. This is creating a problem in places such as NoHo, where meters are the primary theatre parking. The problem is the limits on the spaces are insufficient for a show, meaning one has to leave a production to move a car and feed the meter. Bad idea. I also seem to recall that the Governator’s budget proposal raises the sales tax 1.5% and applies it to entertainment (i.e., tickets), but I can’t find that article.
- From the “I See Stars” Department: A number of “name” folks are going to be in some upcoming productions we’re seeing. According to Playbill, the next Cabrillo production will feature Julie Dixon Jackson (for whom shutterbug93 does the official site)… BTW, as the article doesn’t mention it… youarebonfante, are you stage managing?). Playbill is also noting the cast for “Stormy Weather” at the Pasadena Playhouse, including Dee Hoty (who I have enjoyed in “Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public” and “Will Rogers Follies”), Yvette Cason (who I remember from “Sisterella”, as well as other Playhouse productions), and Cleavant Derricks (who I also recall from Playhouse productions).
- From the “It Reminds Me Of Shakey’s” Department: (ok, who gets that reference): Slashdot is reporting that QRS Music Technologies has ceased production of player piano rolls. Yes, it is old technology. But I have fond memories of player pianos.
- From the “But It’s Legal in (Parts of) Nevada” Department: Our last form of entertainment doesn’t take place on a stage (usually). It appears that San Francisco is having trouble cracking down on illegal brothels. It appears they have only one inspector, who has the tough job of visiting all the massage parlors in the city once a year, and only between 830a and 630p. So as much as the mayor wants to crack down on the illicit business, the cities doesn’t have the means.
