Terry Fator on David Letterman

He finally made it. Terry Fator, who less than a year ago was performing to an audience of one (a grade-school kid) in a fair in south Texas, realized a dream last night by taking his singing ventriloquist act to Late Show with David Letterman. Mr. Letterman also confirmed the day's earlier reports, that Mr. Fator has been signed to a 5-year, $100-million contract with The Mirage resort and casino in Las Vegas, where he will begin performing in February. (Sources close to the Fator camp say that, if a second five-year option is picked up by The Mirage, the contract soars to $210 million.)

Dallas Morning News staff photo

Continue reading "Terry Fator on David Letterman"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 4:49 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Latest on Jessica Simpson-Tony Romo Split

As the cement hardens on the Jessica Simpson/Tony Romo breakup, associates of the couple are loosening up and chatting.
On the eve of sister, Ashlee Simpson’s, wedding to Pete Wentz, a number of sources close to the couple are giving the anatomy of a breakup.
Apparently, Jessica and Tony have called it quits several times before and promptly gotten back together. But this time, don’t bet on it.
Running buddies of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback are saying they’ve seen this breakup coming for three to four weeks.
Both Jessica and Tony are easy to look at, but the word is that one side of the equation lacks a certain conversational gravitas (wink, wink).
Additionally, some unchivalrous adjectives have been tossed around to describe Jessica’s high neediness factors.
And lastly, the bloggers have got one thing right. Friends on both sides of the great divide have said that Papa Joe Simpson needs to chillax and stay out of his daughters’ personal lives. He’s not helping.
This weekend, Jessica is in L.A. with mom, Tina Simpson, preparing for Ashlee’s wedding. On Wednesday, E! Online reported that Tony would be her date to the ceremony. Said one friend of the couple on Friday, “I would be shocked.”

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 12:09 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Hannah Montana's pal Jake

Unlike that wild Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana regular Cody Linley was not showing off his back when he showed up in Dallas on Wednesday. The Lewisville-based 18-year-old actor appears on Hannah Montana as TV star Jake Ryan. He is a double-threat actor/musician.
He checked into the Stoneleigh to take some meetings.

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 8:54 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Ventriloquist Terry Fator signs big deal with Mirage in Vegas

Michael Granberry just got this from the dummy's mouthpiece himself ...

Dallas-area ventriloquist Terry Fator, the winner of last summer’s $1 million prize on the debut season of America’s Got Talent on NBC, has signed a five-year deal for a reported $100 million to perform at the Mirage resort in
Las Vegas.

Mr. Fator, 42, who recently bought a home in Trophy Club near D/FW Airport, was born in Dallas but grew up in Balch Springs, Richardson, Corsicana and Mesquite, where he lived until recently. The son of janitorial workers, he’s a man on a roll. Tonight, he realizes yet another dream by making his first appearance on Late Show with David Letterman.
“I’m thrilled,” he said moments before flying to New York for the Letterman show. “But Dallas will always be my home. My wife and I may get a place in Vegas, but we will definitely keep our new home in Trophy Club, which we love.”

Continue reading "Ventriloquist Terry Fator signs big deal with Mirage in Vegas"

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 1:53 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (2)

Another $8 million for Nasher center

Two paintings owned by the late Patsy and Raymond Nasher far exceeded their pre-sale estimates bringing nearly $8 million when they sold at Wednesday’s blockbuster contemporary art sale at Sotheby’s in New York. The Hans Hoffman oil and Jean Dubuffet acrylic were part of a group of 143 Nasher-owned items that Sotheby’s is selling in four different auctions to benefit the Nasher Foundation’s endowment, which supports Dallas’ Nasher Sculpture Center.
When it was first announced that some of the Nasher collection’s tangential pieces would be sold, the conservative view was that they would bring in $30 million.
The wildly optimistic view was that the items, many of which had been in storage, might bring $40 million.
In the last week, Nasher-owned items in three Sotheby’s auctions have brought in nearly $45 million. The sale of four more Nasher works at next week’s American Paintings sale is estimated to add another $2 million to the take.

Continue reading "Another $8 million for Nasher center"

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 10:40 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo: It's Ain't Over 'Til It's Over

If Jessica Simpson were to call former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith, would he sing, "Turn out the lights, the party's over?"
With conflicting reports in the blogosphere, it's been hard getting at the truth of the Tony Romo-Jessica Simpson break-up rumors. And until we hear it from Tony and Jessica, anything can happen.
But after taking several oaths not to divulge my sources, two people close to Tony and Jess have told me that the glam couple is splitsville, kaput, over, put a fork in it.
But on Wednesday, Jessica's rep shot down those reports telling E! Online, "Not true, not true! I spoke to Jess yesterday and the day before. They are still together." E! also sites an anonymous source as saying that Tony will be her date this weekend to her sister, Ashlee's, wedding to Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz.
A Tuesday edition of TV's Extra said the rumors of a breakup were not true. On the show, Jessica said, "I want to be married and have kids. I have a future ahead."
On Wednesday, Tony told Dallas Morning News reporters, "I'm not talking about Jessica," when they approached him as he was playing golf with Jerry Jones Jr. at the Dallas Cowboys annual sponsors' tournament at Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine.
On Saturday, Tony was in Chicago with the boys and the word back from that scene is that he was saying, "Me and Jessica are done."
The new US Weekly is reporting that the same night, Jessica was throwing down cocktails at L.A.'s Mexicali Cocina with her pal, CaCee Cobb, and CaCee's boyfriend, Donald Faison. According to US, Jessica is having jealousy pangs that her ex John Mayer, 30, is now experiencing liplock with older Friend Jennifer Aniston, 39. In an interview for the June issue of Glamour, Jessica spoke of her pain from previous relationships, saying portentously, "The article could come out and Tony and I could be broken up, but he still deserves all the accolades for bringing me back to who I am."
And somewhere in the world Jerry Jones is shaking his Magic 8-Ball and asking, "Will this ever end?"

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 10:48 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (6)

TMZ.com: Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson have split

According to TMZ.com: "Jess and Romo Officially NoMo:"

TMZ has learned that the romance between Jessica Simpson and hotshot QB Tony Romo is as dead as the Cowboys' 2007 playoff run.

Their reps have been going on the record saying that they're not split, but our sources -- who know what's really going on -- say the two have cut the cord ... at least for now.

Read the news on TMZ.com.

Posted by Bridgette Williams  at 7:43 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Wickwire working out of state

Longtime Dallas actress Carolyn Wickwire writes:

I'

ve been cast as Lady Brockhurst in The Boy Friend this summer at East Carolina University/Loessin Summer Theatre. After going without doing a musical for almost my whole life, this will be the second non-singing role in a musical for me this year! Earlier this year, I played Mrs. Pearce in My Fair Lady at the Gaslight Dinner Theatre in Tennessee.

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 5:06 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Mr. Dallas: Rick's Cabaret snags another local club

Houston-based Rick's Cabaret has a great appetite for Dallas ecdysiast palaces. First it acquired the Executive Club on Stemmons Freeway for $10 million. Now it's getting Platinum Club II, off Northwest Highway, for $7.5 mill. PC II will be rebranded for the "urban gentleman." Unfair Park has the particulars.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 3:33 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Obit: Robert Rauschenberg and the DMA

The Dallas Museum of Art noted this about Robert Rauschenberg:

Regarding Rauschenberg work in our permanent collection, the most important is his painting Skyway, on view in the Hamon Atrium and is a signature piece of the Museum. The DMA owns more than 50 other Rauschenberg works, including the painting Night Hutch (Hoarfrost) which was a gift of the artist to the Museum in 1976.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 2:44 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Tony nominations: Double-dipping writers

One of the most fascinating things about this season's new musicals on Broadway is that In the Hights and Passing Stange both star their creators -- and, sure 'nuff, both Lin-Manuel Miranda and Stew were nominated as composers and as leading actors this morning, in addition to the show itself.

Irish playwright Conor McPherson also got nominated as director of his The Seafarer, a nominated new play that sadly has already closed.

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 2:21 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Mr. Dallas: Is Lift Lounge man-hungry?

Tim McEneny, the enterprising clubster (Obar, Lift) who nowadays is poking more fingers in more pies than he has fingers, is making an adjustment at Lift Lounge:

1) We are letting gentlemen into the club under 26, so the club is 21 & up. We just screen them well.
2) We have never charged a $20 cover for men, although it was talked about at the beginning. So never a cover.

Hard to believe, in contrast to just about every other nightspot, Lift has tended to be overly blessed with female customers. The last time Mr. Dallas was there, there were half a dozen bachelorette parties going on, with an apparent 70-30 woman-to-man ratio.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 2:15 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Tony nominations: the complete list

Here are the Tony noms in full:

Play (and playwrights): August: Osage County (Tracy Letts), Rock ’n’ Roll (Tom Stoppard), The Seafarer (Conor McPherson), The 39 Steps (Patrick Barlow).
Musical: Cry-Baby, In the Heights, Passing Strange, Xanadu.

Book-Musical: Cry-Baby (Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan), In the Heights (Quiara Alegria Hudes), Passing Strange (Stew), Xanadu (Douglas Carter Beane).
Original score (music and/or lyrics): Cry-Baby (music & lyrics: David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger), In the Heights (music & lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda), The Little Mermaid (music: Alan Menken, lyrics: Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater), Passing Strange (music: Stew and Heidi Rodewald, lyrics: Stew).
Revival-Play: Boeing-Boeing, The Homecoming, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Macbeth.
Revival-Musical: Grease, Gypsy, South Pacific, Sunday in the Park With George.
Actor-Play: Ben Daniels, Les Liaisons Dangereuses; Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood; Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing; Rufus Sewell, Rock ’n’ Roll; Patrick Stewart, Macbeth.
Actress-Play: Eve Best, The Homecoming; Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County; Kate Fleetwood, Macbeth; S. Epatha Merkerson, Come Back, Little Sheba; Amy Morton, August: Osage County.
Actor-Musical: Daniel Evans, Sunday in the Park With George; Lin-Manuel Miranda (pictured above), In the Heights; Stew, Passing Strange; Paulo Szot, South Pacific; Tom Wopat, A Catered Affair.
Actress-Musical: Kerry Butler, Xanadu; Patti LuPone, Gypsy; Kelli O’Hara, South Pacific; Faith Prince, A Catered Affair; Jenna Russell, Sunday in the Park With George.

Continue reading "Tony nominations: the complete list"

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 12:56 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

'Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical' extended

You've got more chances to hear songs like "A Trip to the Doctor" and "Classical Menopause"--Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical has been extended through June 8 at Theatre Three.

Posted by Ann Pinson  at 12:06 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Tony nominations: Egregiously overlooked

The biggest surprises of the bad news variety this morning came for actors. I'll bet Kevin Kline expected one for playing Cyrano de Bergerac and Laura Linney for Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Sierra Boggess of The Little Mermaid might feel a little let down, since she had had a couple of mentions in the preliminary awards. Fort Worth's Harriet Harris and former Dallas actor Christopher J. Hanke might suffer disappointment in not getting supporting noms for Cry-Baby ... but since the show itself did unexpectedly well, they may just be relieved that it's going to run a bit longer than it might have otherwise. Awards are good, having a job better.

On the whole, I'd say this is a very fair list. For me, the surprises were mostly on the positive side (i.e., the shows I liked did better than shows I didn't but were expected to carry some weight).

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 11:56 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Obit: artist Robert Rauschenberg, local connections

Columnist Alan Peppard provides these local notes:

In 1999, Mr. Rauschenberg attended Dallas’s first Two by Two for AIDS
and Art gala (shown here with Sharon Stone) at the home of art collector Howard Rachofsky, then returned in 2000 to be the event’s honorary chairman.
“He was one of the seminal figures of post-war art,” said Mr. Rachofsky. “You could name them on one hand and he would always on on that list. Pollock, de Kooning, then Rauschenberg. Jasper Johns after that and that’s post-war art.”
In 1989, Mr. Rauschenberg came to a party at the downtown Neiman Marcus to present a limited edition serigraph which he donated to the Dallas Cares AIDS benefit chaired by Caroline Rose Hunt and Fran McNulty.
In Nov. 1989, he made a four-day visit to SMU to receive the 1989 Algur H. Meadows Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 11:48 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Artist Robert Rauschenberg dies, first obituary

Here's the early AP. Freelancer Kriston Capps will be writing ours later.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 10:58 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Tony nominations: First impressions and surprises

Everyone expected In the Heights to do well in this morning's Tony nomination list. The big surprise is that the fun, bouncy Cry-Baby got much more attention than the slight, serious A Catered Affair. Also, Young Frankenstein got almost completely overlooked.

Actually, this is really how it should be. Cry-Baby is entertaining, A Catered Affair is not. Xanadu is giddy fun; Young Frankenstein just giddy.

The musical revivals, I have a feeling, are going to get more attention on awards night than these new musicals. Note that for best director, the three outstanding revivals got nods. Only one new musical did -- In the Heights.

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 10:20 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Tony nominations: "In the Heights" leads with 13

Here's the early word.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 9:43 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Artist Robert Rauschenberg dies

From The New York Times News Service: Robert Rauschenberg, the irrepressibly prolific American artist who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, died Monday night.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 9:41 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Broadway awards announced

Two of the important preliminary New York theater awards were announced today -- heating up anticipation for the unveiling of the Tony nominations tomorrow.

The Drama Critics' Circle Awards are the most spartan -- only two or three shows usually singled out. August: Osage County won best new play, Passing Strange best new musical.

The Outer Critics Circle (not a very good Tony prognosticator in recent season) picked August (no surprise!) and a tie between Young Frankenstein and Xanadu. The musical category is complicated, though, because the commonly accepted frontrunner, In the Heights, won for best off-Broadway musical last year and wasn't reconsidered this time around. So all four of these shows still seem very much in contention. Will that be tomorrow's list of four? Or will the oversubtle A Catered Affair or the unsubtle Cry-Baby break through? The overall leader for number of nomination for the Outer Circle was the Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific -- and I wouldn't be surprised to find that true of the Tony nominations tomorrow, as well.

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 7:10 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: First lady talks about the big day

First lady Laura Bush addressed her daughter Jenna's wedding today in Washington at the Senate Spouses' Luncheon in the State Dining Room. The transcript of her remarks, as provided by the White House, appear below (if you wish to keep reading). So much for the White House saying on Saturday that Friday night's storm created no problems or damage. It sounds as though the first lady has a different take. She even calls it a "tornado."

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: First lady talks about the big day"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 12:37 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Dallas Uptown Youth Orchestra on TV

Catch the Dallas Uptown Youth Orchestra, which Nancy Churnin wrote about back in December, on Good Morning Texas on Tuesday on WFAA-TV (Channel 8). According to artistic director Richmond Punch, they'll be on at 9 a.m.

Posted by Ann Pinson  at 10:49 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush Wedding: Barbara is no old maid

I seem to have sparked a certain degree of outrage with my Monday column on Jenna Bush's wedding where I jokingly referred to her twin sister, Barbara, as an old maid. Let's put aside for a moment that I would never, ever refer to someone seriously as on old maid, neither in print, nor in conversation. The fact that Barbara is an attractive, 26-year-old Yale grad (not to mention that she is the exact same age as Jenna, and is the daughter of a president and the granddaughter of a president) would seemingly make it apparent that it was a joke. Or maybe not, because a number of people did not get it.

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 10:22 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (1)

Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 6

Whew! Nine shows in six days. It isn't a record. In fact, a few years back I saw three different shows on a Sunday in New York -- the four hours of Long Day's Journey into Night sandwiched between a 1 p.m. family show and a 7 p.m. gay musical. But it is still a LOT of theater. Between blogging and writing reviews and answering email -- and of course seeing the shows -- I only had time for a couple of the famous New York franks for lunch. One with mustard and sauerkraut, the other with mustard and those onions in the runny red sauce. Yum.

Celebrity spottings included Debra Monk (Curtains) on the street and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) a few rows in front of us at the theater tonight -- neither a big surprise since they're both in shows at the moment.

To replace the suddenly closed Glory Days this evening, I used the TKTS booth for the first time in a long while. Critics generally don't have to buy tickets, so we don't look for discounts. But I didn't find out about the closing in time to contact a publicity office, so I was on my own. The TKTS booth used to be in the middle of Times Square. It's under reconstruction now, so the lines snake out onto 46th St. out of a corner of the Marriott Hotel. Scoreboards tell you what shows are available for the performances due to start soon. If I had been looking for a matinee, I could have gotten half off for most of the shows on Broadway. Sunday evenings, however, most shows don't have performances. The most interesting -- and handiest, only a block away -- was the Manhattan Theatre Club revival of Caryl Churchill's Top Girls. So Top Girls it was.

For some reflections on the show, read on below.

Continue reading "Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 6"

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 10:10 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Frankenstein feedback

Here's an interesting email I received from OTTer Rob Wills of Toronto, Canada, about my review of Young Frankenstein on Broadway:

Thanks for saying you had at least some fun at Young Frankenstein. Now please tell me you liked Little Mermaid a bit as well. I am sad to read that the likely nominees for Best Musical at this year's Tonys are going to be In The Heights, Xanadu, Passing Strange, and A Catered Affair. In fact [New York Post columnist] Michael Riedel has prematurely and rudely told us those are the nominees. I swear I had more fun at both Young Frankenstein and Little Mermaid than any of those shows. I didn't really dislike any of those nominated musicals, if the report is correct. I just don't think any of them are truly great, classic musicals that will last forever and be revivable for future generations. I'm not saying Young Frankenstein and Little Mermaid are classics either, but I sure got a lot more enjoyment out of them as entertainment packages. I felt I got my money's worth.

For the rest of Mr. Wills' email, continue below.

Continue reading "Frankenstein feedback"

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 9:56 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush Wedding: President 41, the Silenced Partner

There’s a report that former President George H.W. Bush spoke at Saturday’s wedding. But as a former head of the CIA he was very quick to neither confirm nor deny this.
On Sunday, he was aboard Air Force One with the president and wandered to the back of the plane to say hello to the press.
When asked whether he had spoken at the ceremony, the former president said, “It was supposed to be 40 minutes, but they cut me back to 20.” He quickly added, “kidding,” and noted that he had been told not to talk about the wedding.

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 8:22 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush Wedding: Jenna's Nom de Par-Tay

Last September, the Silver Spur Theater in Salado was booked for the wedding party for a “Lindsey Lineweaver.” Silver Spur co-founder John Grainger Esch says that he had no idea Lindsey was actually Jenna Bush’s wedding coordinator until 3:30 Friday afternoon when he overheard a local policeman mention the name Jenna.
“When the Secret Service agents showed up minutes later with an explosives-sniffing German shepherd and they began barricading Royal Street, I had no doubt that Jenna Bush and Henry Hager’s highly private wedding was about to spill over from Crawford to our village on the banks of Salado Creek,” John says.
Soon, the president and first lady’s long-time friend from their Midland days, Susie Evans, wife of former Bush Commerce Secretary Don Evans, showed up to help with the decorations.
Other that the President and Mrs. Bush and Karl “Turd Blossom” Rove, most of the Silver Spur guests were attractive 20-somethings.

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 7:59 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: W says goodbye from Waco

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush departed Waco this morning for Washington, and the office of the press secretary released a statement at 11:52 a.m. Sunday from Texas State Technical College, where the president made his remarks before leaving. He wished mothers a happy Mother's Day and then addressed Saturday night's wedding ceremony that united his daughter Jenna with Henry Hager at the president's ranch in Crawford. Read on to say what he said verbatim:

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: W says goodbye from Waco"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 2:43 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush Wedding: W Hits the Road

Anytime the President George W. Bush travels farther than from the White House to Blair House, one presumes he climbs aboard Marine One and flies. But on Friday, he and the Secret Service were just like other Texans as they cranked up the air conditioners on their Suburbans for the 50-mile drive from Crawford to Salado for the pre-wedding festivities.
The rehearsal dinner at the Old Salado Springs Celebration Center was hosted by Henry’s parents, Margaret “Maggie” Chase Hager and former Virginia Lt. Gov. John H. Hager.
Later, all 200 wedding guests were invited to a “Texas-Sized Celebration” at Salado’s Silver Spur Theater.
Despite being a Wakeforest alum and a UVA grad student, Henry Hager was a good sport during the singing of the UT fight song (“Texas fight, Texas fight and it’s goodbye to A&M! Texas fight, Texas fight and we’ll put over one more win!”) around 9 p.m.
It must have been a wild night for the president who is famous for his early bedtime. His motorcade didn’t leave Salado for the ranch until 9:38 p.m.

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 1:49 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush Wedding: The Morning After

The young woman we once called Jenna and Tonic is now Mrs. Henry Hager and a few details from the weekend wedding festivities of Jenna and Henry have leaked out. The word is that the groom’s former boss Karl Rove was among the guests who were present to see the couple exchange vows as the sun set over the lake at the president’s Prairie Chapel Ranch. Former Dallas TV news reporter and Bush White House insider Karen Hughes was also present.
“This Mother's Day weekend was awfully special for Laura and me,” the president said in a statement on Sunday. “Our little girl, Jenna, married a really good guy, Henry Hager. The wedding was spectacular. It's just—it's all we could have hoped for.”

Posted by Alan Peppard  at 1:43 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 5

One of my most frequent theater companions on New York trips that my wife is too busy to go along on is the wife of one of my closest college friends. Joan is an expert at picking excellent restaurants only a few steps away from the particular theater we'll be going to. Tonight she, her husband and I converged on Bond 45, one of the most dependable dining places in the theater district. Bond 45 is basically northern Italian, though not very ethnic. The cold antipasti you pass as you enter include some jewels -- I had the broccoli rabe, the lentil salad and the eggplant caponata this evening.

This was right across Times Square from the Marriott Marquis Theatre, where we were going to see the new musical Cry-Baby. Read on for an account of the rest of my evening.

Continue reading "Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 5"

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 12:11 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: A song for you

More details released late tonight. As for songs, President Bush and his newlywed daughter Jenna -- no word yet on what last name she will use -- picked “You Are So Beautiful” for their father-daughter dance, according to band leader Tyrone Smith of Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Smith and his 10-piece party band was asked to do “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes” by Taj Mahal for the first dance between Jenna and her new husband, Henry Hager. Mr. Smith, who promised the couple a “get down” party, talked to The Associated Press earlier in the week on condition that the information not be released before the wedding.

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 11:49 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Jenna and Henry say "I do"

For those who wondered if Jenna or Henry might run into the woods, choosing not to get married, well, it didn't happen. White House spokesman Peter A. Seat released a confirmation statement at 8:30 p.m. Saturday that said simply, "Jenna and Henry have said, 'I do.' "

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 10:25 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: tonight's story from Crawford

Here's Michael Granberry's full story.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 9:33 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: A most interesting Rev. Caldwell

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, who officiated at Jenna's wedding, was an interesting choice. The Rev. Caldwell has been, to say the least, controversial. For one, he endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president back in January. Wonder how the likely Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, will feel about him officiating at the Bush wedding? CNN reported not long ago that, when Rev. Caldwell, President Bush's so-called spiritual adviser -- the pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a 14,000-member megachurch in Houston -- proclaimed his support for Sen. Obama, critics raised questions about his opposition to homosexuality, forcing the Obama campaign to say he would in no way be campaigning on behalf of the candidate. (As you know, Mr. Obama hasn't exactly fared well with controversial ministers.) Please read on!

Photo: President Bush with the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: A most interesting Rev. Caldwell"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 9:06 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: The engagement ring

In mid-July, the White House announced Saturday, Jane Sternheimer, the president of Charles Schwarzschild, Inc., Jeweler, met with groom Henry Hager and his mother, Margaret Chase Hager, to "discuss an engagement ring for Miss Jenna Bush that would feature his great-grandmother's diamond. Henry had well-considered ideas regarding the type of ring he wished to present, classic and conservative. He wanted the center stone flanked with sapphires and the ring to be made in platinum. The ring had to be in Henry's possession by Aug. 9." (Read on!)

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: The engagement ring"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 6:32 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Lela Rose gets an assist

For Jenna's House Party, consisting of 14 women, Lela Rose was asked to design "silk crinkle chiffon cocktail length dresses, all adorned with handmade chiffon rosettes. The range of colors used, in shades of blue and purple, complement the native Texas wildflowers." For twin sister and maid of honor Barbara, Ms. Rose designed "a special moonstone blue silk shimmer soft long gown with a fluttered open back. The gown is accented with a silver sash to complement those used for the House Party's dresses." Ms. Rose: "I feel privileged to dress and be surrounded by the women that mean so much to Jenna and that are such an integral part to her and her family."

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 6:28 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Jenna's jewelry

The White House announced Saturday that Jenna Bush will wear during her wedding "one-of-a-kind Anthony Nak earrings." Set in 18-carat white gold and platinum, each earring includes "chain-framed minted iced quartz teardrops with diamond detail," the press release said. The earrings were custom-made by Anthony Camargo and Nak Armstrong specifically for Jenna's wedding. The designers are, said the release, longtime friends and jewelers for the Bush daughters and created the jewelry that Jenna and her twin sister Barbara wore during the 2001 Inaugural Ball.

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 6:23 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: It's all about the dress

The White House released various details on Saturday about the ceremony. Jenna Bush will wear a gown designed by Oscar de la Renta. It's described as a white silk organza embroidered gown that was made especially for her. "I was deeply touched and honored when I was asked to design Jenna's wedding gown," Mr. de la Renta said in a statement. "Jenna is such a natural, spirited girl, who will make a truly beautiful bride." The announcement goes on to say that the Oscar de la Renta bridal collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and various bridal boutiques. Prices range from $4,500 to $18,000, though the cost of Jenna's dress was not disclosed.

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 6:04 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Dinner and dancing under a tent!

The reception will follow the ceremony, with dinner and dancing under a tent. The décor, said Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush's press secretary, as designed by the first lady, “is very natural. In her words, she’s using colors that are already in the landscape. The blues of the lake, the greens of the grasses, the different colors of the wildflowers, which are predominantly lavenders and blues and yellows in May.” The entertainment is the Nashville-based Super T Band, which she described as playing "classic rock, funky, rhythm and blues and soul. He performed at the White House in December 2003." (Read on!)

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: Dinner and dancing under a tent!"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 5:54 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: What you've been waiting for!

Ah, yes, the wedding. Unlike Friday night, the weather looks good, said Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush’s press secretary. The ceremony will take place outdoors, followed by a reception in an outdoor tent. It was the president’s idea, she said, to have constructed a giant cross made of Texas limestone – the same material used to construct the Bushes’ Crawford home. The limestone, she said, is from a local quarry. The wedding altar, she said, is in front of the cross. The wedding will be officiated by a Bush family friend, the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, the senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a 14,000-member megachurch in Houston. He has been described as one of President Bush’s spiritual advisers.

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: What you've been waiting for!"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 5:40 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: More from lovely Salado

Before describing details about the wedding, such as who designed the jewelry and dresses and who will play the music – and will the president wear a suit or a tuxedo? – Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush’s press secretary, elaborated on a few more details about Friday night’s activities in Salado, about an hour away on Interstate 35. (Read on!)

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: More from lovely Salado"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 5:29 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: First lady's press secretary shares much

Sally McDonough, press secretary to first lady Laura Bush, appeared before the press at 3 p.m. Saturday at Crawford Middle School and offered up details about Saturday night’s wedding, which begins about two hours from now. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, Ms. McDonough said the president called it “a joyous occasion for the family and a special time for Mrs. Bush, the day before Mother’s Day.” The first lady and her daughter have recently been on tour together for the book they co-wrote – they came to the Borders at Preston and Royal to promote Read All About It! – so the book tour and wedding have been “a wonderful planning phase for them,” said Ms. McDonough. (Read further to check out details about the ceremony!)

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: First lady's press secretary shares much"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 5:22 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: No storm damage at the ranch, the White House says

Deputy Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe appeared before the traveling White House Press Corps shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday at Crawford Middle School, where the press is headquartered. He answered questions about the growing crisis in Burma, and the Sudan, and Lebanon, before "finally" addressing questions about the Friday night storm that tore through Crawford, near the president's ranch, where Jenna Bush's wedding will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: No storm damage at the ranch, the White House says"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 3:34 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Check out these juicy, Jenna-related details!

Well, Dave and Katie Hermann certainly had themselves an exciting Friday night. The Hermanns own The Range Restaurant at the Barton House, a fine-dining eatery in Salado, about an hour’s drive from Crawford along Interstate 35. The Range is housed in a local historic home built in 1866. It specializes in new American food with a French and Mediterranean influence. Mr. Hermann and his wife have owned it for 11 years. Months ago, a woman approached the couple about having her son’s wedding rehearsal dinner at nearby Old Salado Springs Celebration Center, where the Range Restaurant would be the caterer of choice. But get this: She used an alias, says Mr. Hermann. The woman turned out to be the mother of Jenna Bush’s future husband, Henry Hager. (Keep reading!)

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: Check out these juicy, Jenna-related details!"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 1:27 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Even the BBC is eyeing Jenna, but ...

So, I get a call from the BBC in London Friday night. They wanted to put me on the air live, at 1:30 a.m. London time, to talk about Jenna's wedding. Just before we went live, I could hear them interviewing the guest who immediately preceded me. They were doing this ghastly story out of Houston about the kids who dug up a body buried in the 1920s and then used its skull as a bong to smoke marijuana. I heard the BBC reporter say to the reporter from Houston, "Only in America." Egads, I thought, that's my set-up.

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: Even the BBC is eyeing Jenna, but ..."

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 12:55 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: In the wake of the storm

Peggy Mattlage, 59, spent Friday night at her brother Mark's house, and Mark lives less than two miles from the presidential family's ranch, near Prairie Chapel Road. So, Peggy, how bad was the storm Friday that ripped through Crawford shortly before 10? It was bad, she says. "It came through real strong. There was hail about a quarter size in diameter and real strong wind [which a Waco TV station estimated at 60 mph]. I know of no damage here ... it went through real fast. We had three-quarters of an inch of rain." She says the storm headed past the Bushes straight for the nearby town of China Spring. The storm did extensive damage in nearby Gatesville, where it knocked down trees and power lines and triggered a power outage. Like a lot of people, Peggy was wondering if the storm may have knocked down the outdoor tent where Jenna and Henry Hager will be married Saturday night. The White House had not yet issued a statement by 12:30 p.m. Saturday, saying it would address the storm later Saturday.

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 12:29 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Mr. Dallas: driven to distraction at Aston Martin party

Here's a brief word on Thursday's Aston Martin party at Stanley Korshak.

Posted by Mr. Dallas  at 12:16 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Hail hits Crawford on eve of Jenna Bush wedding

A small but powerful storm hit Crawford Friday night, reports the Waco Tribune Herald. In fact, at one point it appeared to be centered over the Bush ranch. Fortunately for the family, the rehearsal dinner was at the Old Salado Springs Celebration Center 50 miles away.

Posted by Jennifer Okamoto  at 11:44 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Mid-Life! extended

Theatre Three is extending the downstairs run of Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical through June 8. You can read my rave about the show here.

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 11:03 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 4

New York publicists are sometimes a hassle to deal with for out-of-town critics. The bosses in these companies generally know who we are and are willing to accommodate, but the turnover in the account managers and their assistants tends to be high. You're often having to deal with people who have never heard of you -- and occasionally with people with that famous Manhattan attitude that civilization does not extend beyond the Hudson River.

For me, the big exception to that rule has always been Richard Kornberg and Associates -- who I began dealing with on my first trips to New York as the Morning News theater critic in 1996. The firm represented (and still represents) the Broadway phenomenon of that season, if not the decade, Rent. Richard, his associate Don Summa and other members of the firm were really helpful in getting me interviews with the people associated with the show. Ever since, Richard himself usually comes to the phone and deals with me personally whenever I'm about to make a trip. He's been in Dallas several times, and I always try to get together with him and hear about what's happening nationally. Sometimes the haze of trying to put these Broadway trips together is daunting, but I always know there's at least one place in the Big Apple that knows my name.

I had lunch with Richard at one of the famous Kosher delis today and got the scoop on the New York theater scene. Sadly, lots of the juicy stuff was off the record -- it always is, isn't it? But see below for all the news that's fit to print -- or at least blog.

Continue reading "Broadway Diary Spring 2008 - 4"

Posted by Lawson Taitte  at 10:39 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: And a hard rain is gonna fall

This is amazing, but at the very moment I'm sending this -- 9:37 p.m. on Friday -- Waco television is reporting that a savage thunderstorm is ripping through the area, with the worst of it expected to hit ... you guessed it, Crawford, the site of Jenna Bush's weding. Poor Jenna. The storm knocked down trees and power lines in nearby Gatesville and caused power outages. Hail was reported to range in size from quarter-size to half-dollar-size. Not exactly the best weather for a rural wedding. One Waco station is reporting "blinding rain and lightning," and, of course, all that hail.

Continue reading "Bush wedding blitz: And a hard rain is gonna fall"

Posted by Michael Granberry  at 9:37 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Bush wedding blitz: Slideshow: Jenna Bush grows up

Jenna Bush is getting married, but she wasn't always such a big girl. In these exclusive photos taken by David Woo of The Dallas Morning News , Jenna Bush and her father George W. Bush can be seen growing up and growing older — respectively — together. Mr. Woo took most of them between 1989 and 1999, from when Jenna was 8 years old to when she was 18, while chronicling her dad’s rise from Texas governor to U.S. president.

Watch the slideshow

Posted by Holly Warren  at 6:03 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)