#birthday at the belasco

[omg-kellyclarkson]

Kelly Clarkson - Lighthouse (Live at the Belasco)

[myoverthemoonface]

I just wanna go back to last week and reexperience Kelly and Taylor over and over and over again. 😭😭😭

[synaspensprungvomdorf]

Schau dir "Kelly Clarkson - red flag collector (Live at The Belasco Theater)" auf YouTube an

When Jessi and Aaron swing their holding hands together. The Belasco videos are better as every music video they could have made

[afpwestcoast]

Belasco Theater, LA, 12/8/23

I’m often asked why I go to so many Dolls shows. It’s a big question with a complicated answer, but a major factor is the crowds. Most of my closest friends and almost every cool person I know I met at a Dresden Dolls show, and this one continued the trend.

I met Dolly, who had actually responded to a general call on the Facebook group and sent me a birthday card in October. She regaled us with tales of the decade she spent traveling around the country by hopping trains.

We also met Natalie and Julia, a dynamic sister duo. Natalie is a Dolls fan but Julia was tagging along out of solidarity - sisterhood is strong. They were delightful, but Natalie has been saddled with club thumbs, a genetic defect that was common amongst European royalty due to inbreeding. Drawing conclusions from that is left as an exercise to the reader. The venue was larger (~1500) and less intimate (a barrier kept the crowd back from the stage) than the recent run of shows, but the band was better rehearsed and well rested and provided the extra energy needed to overcome these issues. I generally prefer my Dresden Dolls shows with a soupçon of chaos, but watching the band flex their performance chops with virtuosity was inspiring. Annotated Set List:

Good Day

Sex Changes

Gravity

Backstabber

My Alcoholic Friends

Shores of California - Brian said this was the first show they had played within the city limits of LA since 2008, so of course they had to roll this one out.

Mrs. O

Delilah (featuring Veronica Swift)

Welcome to the Internet (Bo Burnham cover)

There was a break in the set as Amanda warned that they were about to launch into a bunch of new songs and gave a lengthy explanation of how the Dresden Dolls are fundamentally a live band and need to work things out on stage. “The thing about playing these new songs is like they’re not quite ready, so if they suck a little bit know that we are going to continue to rehearse them and make them suck less.”

Then Brian explained that Amanda was nervous about playing the new songs and was delaying the inevitable by talking, which shamed her into proceeding into the new material, which has, in fact, gotten tighter and better over the past year. The new album is going to be fire.

Mister God - Despite Boyfriend in a Coma being officially dubbed Tom’s New Favorite Song in Orlando, I think this one is actually my new favorite.

Houdini - This is a close second in the New Favorite Song sweepstakes, which is a bit surprising since I typically prefer the bangers to the slower songs, but this one has power.

Whakenewha

Amsterdam (Jacques Brel cover) - Amanda headed up to the balcony for this one, as is tradition.

Another Christmas (Brian on guitar, Amanda on jingle bells) - An original Christmas song that is exactly as sad and depressing as you would expect. At this point there was a medical emergency in the crowd and the house lights came up as they took someone out in a wheelchair. The response from the security team, the band, and the crowd was stellar all around.

Boyfriend in a Coma - This is a “new” song that was actually written 20 years ago and recently resurrected for the new album. It was written about an old boyfriend who almost died, and, coincidentally, Amanda reconnected with him and is dating him again. But she dusted the song off BEFORE reconnecting, in a cosmic coincidence.

The Runner - This is essentially a run-down of Amanda’s dating history in song form.

The Nail featuring the new third member of the Dresden Dolls: Amanda’s new Moog synthesizer.

Coin-Operated Boy - Amanda paused after the first few bars to comment on the harsh transition from The Nail, which is slow and contemplative, and Coin-Op, which is … not.

War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)

—

Half Jack - It’s traditional to do a long intro that starts minimalist and slowly builds to launch the song, but tonight Brian took it to the next level. After the show I told Amanda if they did a show that was just Half Jack with a 2hr intro I would be here for it. She said that they actually did that at one of the shows they opened for Panic at the Disco! because they were so fed up on that tour.

Girl Anachronism - The original set list had Sing as the closer but Amanda called an audible, which was a solid choice after the medical emergency had drained the energy from the room.

Photo Gallery:

Natalie is a goddamned delight. Despite her … nonstandard thumbs.

Delilah!

The creepy ghost of John Lennon welcomes you to the Internet.

Amsterdam

Dresden Dolls Gothic

What’s a Christmas song without jingle bells?

That’s a wrap!

[nezoid]

Happiest birthday Tatiana Maslany! 🥳🎂🎉♥️

Thanks for all these amazing experiences.

I hope you have the best day! ✨🎁✨

--"Pre-Existing Condition" - The Connelly Theatre (June 2024)

--"The George Lucas Talk Show" - Dynasty Typewriter (February 2024)

--"Grey House" - Lyceum Theatre (May 2023)

--She Hulk Premiere - El Capitan Theatre (September 2022)

--Women's March - Los Angeles (March 2020)

--"Network" - Belasco Theatre (May 2019)

--"Outside In" Q&A - Laemmle NoHo (April 2018)

--"Apart From Everything" - Outfest LA (July 2017)

--Wild Horses - UCB Theatre (July 2017)

--Orphan Black - Split Screens Fest (June 2017)

--This Show Is Not Funny - UCB Theatre (May 2017)

--Orphan Black - Paleyfest (March 2017)

[citizenscreen]

Remembering Leon Belasco on his birthday #botd

[abelladxnna]

some character info changes, both important and trivial:

+ Kita's birth name has been changed to "Katarina Belasco." The surname is derived from the Basque word "bela" which means "crow," which I thought fit Kita's father's motif.

+ Kita's previous codename during her assassin days has been changed from "Charlotte" to "Abella." She was originally named after Charlotte Corday, an assassin during the French Revolution era, to follow the trend of how Team Rocket characters in the anime's EN dub are named after real historical figures.

But I was compelled to change it to "Abella" after playing Fear & Hunger 2 because she is an absolute WIFE and I legitimately did not know that Abella was an actual name until then and so I figured this would be more fitting given the blog name and her new surname. Plus, Kita no longer has past connections to Team Rocket.

+ I recently came to realize that Jennifer Connelly has a very beautiful voice. It's got that very soothing, breathy quality that makes you feel at ease. But because I am partial to video game characters and voice actors, I wanted to pick one who sounded close to her and eventually settled on Courtnee Taylor as Kita's new voiceclaim (although I think she may have already been a scrapped one in the past. I can't remember since I've changed it so frequently). Also ironically, her character in Bioshock Infinite is a faceclaim for one of her and Sycamore's kids.

On a side note, her mother's voiceclaim has also been changed to Lisa Hannigan because I forgot until now that Blue Diamond's voice is so lovely and ethereal-sounding.

+ Kita's new birthday (well, new-ish unless you noticed the change like a month ago) is June 4 which is supposedly International Hug Your Cat Day. I mainly wanted to make her a Gemini.

+ Two things have been added to Kita's ability list: Spiritual Awareness & Telepathy. (Although these have been added for a while too actually).

Kita is able to sense the presence of ghost Pokemon (ghost-types and spirits of dead Pokemon) as well as hear their voices. Her ability to communicate with spirits of dead people is much weaker in comparison due to never having received proper training in mediumship. She is still able to sense "traces" of them and sometimes hear their whispers only if there is strong spiritual presence in certain areas. She will use this ability to find hidden treasures and other secrets.

[breesays]

I don’t know about you - but this is 2022

We moved. I studied Spanish. I got sober curious. I put color back in my hair (purple). I screamed IM NOT OKAY when I saw MCR @ The Forum and also when they did it for karaoke at my office end of year party. I did a lot of "hurry up" hikes in the morning - at Wildwood and Wisdom Tree. I kind of love that I can see Wisdom tree from my place. Sometimes on a cloudy day I show Desmond and say, "If mama was hiking right now, I'd hike right into a cloud!" Never underestimate your book club. Not only did my witches of echo park assemble like the gd avengers after I got asked for a divorce, I also have the promise of some new friendships in my 2nd book club. I really look forward to digging into a good book attached  the end of a day, and my favorite book of 2022 was Pet by Akwaeke Emezi. 

I spent a good chunk of time (while driving?) digging to identity but some of it made me angry and some of it made me sad so I refocused on meditation and philosophy a bit. I've felt ambivalent about my body - recognizing I've been a jerk to it for many years despite its strength, despite all it did for me. I am not in the best shape of my life but I've been working on getting my mind in fighting form as a priority. It actually has a heavier workload than my body. I'm also hyperaware that I'm a 24/7 role model. My attitude toward food, toward movement, toward myself is perpetually radiating outward onto Desmond's malleable mind.

I saw Paramore at the Belasco and just wanted to BE Hayley Williams. I screamed "Brick by Boring Brick" at the top of my lungs. I put in my ticket request for their 2023 tour. Remember when I saw them at the (now dead) Knitting Factory? And also at some random phone store? I also crowdsurfed out of one of their pits with like thousands of dollars of camera equipment in my backpack. Good times.

I realized Lorde may have quietly outranked so many other artists, personally. I interviewed her in 2013 and saw her live and loved her then, but I felt a few of her songs very deeply this year, and wish I would've seen her on tour. Fortunately, she's not a legacy artist (yet) and her touring future is bright.  

I think. It felt really good to be a part of a few group chats. Thank you to my bestie for inviting me. It's a small thing but it made me laugh a bunch and made me think and it felt so much better than throwing thoughts and questions into the abyss that has become Twitter and FB. Am I unintentionally promoting Mastodon here? IDK.

I haven't had any themed birthday parties in years, and I do miss it. The opportunity to dress up (even weirdly) the curation of the theme and its photobooth and party favors.... but most of all, the warranted request that all my favorite people gather in one place. In my 2022 state of mind, the level of connection I could have with each friend in a 4-hour window while probably drinking... with the COVID precautions, not entirely worth it. But  I would love to hike with you, talk books with you, get coffee with you, watch Wednesday with you, go to Emo Nite with you, make fancy popcorn with you, spill our guts, find our flow, laugh cry, write and talk about it, share a meal, throw some axes, share some space.

HMU

[stargazerlillian]

My OCs + Confirmed Birthdays by Month

January

Ivey Kincade and Zachariah Belasco - January 1st

Arnold Deacon - January 16th

March

Finn Fishburne - March 9th

Sally Jones - March 10th

Bibiana Dobrovolny - March 14th

May

Herman Carol - May 18th

Baxter Deacon - May 25th

June

Jasper Avalon - June 2nd

Rosie Gold - June 15th

August

Elizabeth Lacey - August 14th

Bill Hawkins - August 17th

September

Elora Angert - September 17th

December

Remy Osowski - December 3rd

[kelly-clarksons]

kellyclarkson: Tickets for my birthday at the belasco are on sale now! First come, first serve. Get yours before they're all gone! Link in bio.

[omg-kellyclarkson]

Kelly Clarkson - i hate love (Live at The Belasco Theatre)

[kurt-wagner-official]

Post #42: Magik: Storm and Illyana issues 1-4

A lot of reading orders put this miniseries right after the first Limbo story, but it was published around this point, and I prefer it here as a flashback once we know Illyana better. It’s a great exploration of Illyana's history, with art by John Buscema and Tom Palmer. We open with Illyana watching the sunrise on her fifteenth birthday, flashing back to the moment she was separated from her brother. Belasco pulls her back into his domain and casts a spell to remove part of her soul and transform it into the first stone for her Bloodstone Pendant. For his plan, he must take a purely innocent soul and set it on the path of corruption. When the pendant is full, the Elder Gods of Limbo will be released onto Earth. Ororo is about to be killed by Belasco when the future Kitty makes her first appearance, now a sword wielding ninja called Cat. She and Ororo rescue Illyana and reflect on how they've changed time. In their reality, Illyana was freed while the X-Men stayed to be destroyed, but here, the opposite has happened, and they may have doomed Earth. Illyana, still a child, doesn't understand. She loves Ororo and Kitty, but she also loves Belasco, who from her perspective has been kind and taken care of her. Ororo tries to sever Belasco's link to her, but there's already an evil in Illyana's soul, taken the form of her older, more powerful self. Ororo has a new plan- train her in good magic so she can save herself. Cat, who we now learn has been transformed into a cat-like creature by Belasco, says it could corrupt Illyana the way Belasco wants, and that she'll kill them both before Ororo takes that risk. Cat flees and Ororo takes Illyana on a tour of her little paradise in the middle of hell. It's a garden, similar to her attic at the mansion. She shows Illyana the power of healing magic and tells her that humans possess both the potential for life and death, good and evil. Belasco seeks to bring out the evil in her and make her his slave, but Ororo believes they can avoid that. Late in the night, Cat returns to sneak Illyana out, saying Ororo is corrupted by Belasco in ways she doesn't yet realize, and she can get Illyana home to Peter.

Over the years, Cat has turned into something resembling Wolverine. She's a predator, killing demons and monsters and always on the move. Whereas Ororo wants to train Illyana in magic, Cat thinks that'll turn her into what Belasco wants, and decides to either get Illyana home or kill them both trying. She and Illyana make their way across the wastelands of Limbo, and Cat does her best to harden Illyana into a fighter like her, threatening to leave her behind or kill her if she falters. Illyana grows to fear both Cat and Ororo as much as Belasco, as the wonky time in Limbo begins to age her. It's been the equivalent of three years for her, one in Ororo's garden, and now two in the desert with Cat. They finally make it to Belasco's citadel, where they're confronted by the demonic Kurt. Taking Cat's lessons to heart, Illyana fights to kill, distracting him long enough for Cat to phase him into the floor and stab him through the heart. They almost make it to the portal, which Cat can phase them through, but Belasco stops them. He removes the last traces of Cat's humanity, making her his new slave to replace Nightcrawler, and invites Illyana to join him. She knows he's evil, but she's drawn to him, the corrupt part of her soul drawn to the power he could provide. He gives her a knife, and she cuts herself, filling the second bloodstone.

Under Belasco's tutelage, the now 11 year old Illyana masters a spell to shape souls. She tests it on a gentle demon called Squidge, her pet that she's raised from birth, transforming it into an evil beast. It attacks her, giving her a cut on her cheek, and Cat eats it. Illyana and Squidge are a reflection of Belasco and Illyana. Belasco is corrupting her by giving her a semblance of the power he has over her, but she and Squidge are both his pawns in the end. Cat is drawn to Illyana's open wound, and wants to eat her too. At the last second, she regains a little control of herself, and says Illyana's name, the first human word she's spoken in two years. But in fear of and grief for her friend, Illyana lashes out, blasting Cat through the door and out of her life. Along with the guilt from this act, Illyana is scared of the new revelation that power now lies within her. Belasco thinks her a tool, but his Elder Gods have "blessed" Illyana as well. She's now being pulled between the two parties, both of whom think they're the mastermind using the other. Illyana decides she won't be a pawn, and draws a spell circle. She's been taught by two instructors- Belasco, who's spells circles are red, and signify destruction, and Ororo, who initially learned from Belasco, but broke away and began drawing silver circles, the color of creation. Illyana's circles are still silver, and she casts the hardest spell she's ever attempted- the creation of an acorn. It's a symbol of hope for herself, but it's shortlived as it explodes into blood. She's discouraged until an astral projection of Ororo appears to comfort her. Illyana says she has a plan to sneak to the library and learn a spell of destruction to use on Belasco, but Ororo forbids it, fearing it'll complete her corruption. She leaves Illyana alone, and the young girl feels like all hope is lost again until her mutant power activates- she can control the stepping disks that bring people through time and space in Limbo. It's never really been explored whether being in Limbo influenced her powers, or if it was part of the reason Belasco chose her, or if it's just a crazy coincidence. Personally, I'd love to see a story where it's revealed that a future Illyana is the one who put the discs into Limbo in the first place so her younger self could use them. Anyway, she teleports through Limbo and briefly runs into the New Mutants, who are having their own stepping disk adventure in the future. When Illyana makes it to Belasco's library, she's gone back in time far enough to witness the downfall of Ororo. She was once Belasco's apprentice as well, and had the same plan Illyana did, but her destruction spell failed and corrupted her into Belasco's image. This is the first of many times in her life that Illyana is forced to confront her own hubris; if she tried to kill Belasco, she would meet the same fate as her mentor. She's pulled into the present, where Ororo is battling Belasco until Cat cuts her from behind. Illyana goes after Cat not with magic, but with the predatory hand to hand fighting that she taught her. Cat, who tormented her for years, was also in Illyana's words her best friend. But Illyana snaps her neck anyway. Ororo says it was what Cat would have wanted, and this is what she wants too- to join her family in whatever afterlife awaits. But Belasco has one final punishment for the only slave who ever broke from his control. He will use Ororo's death to conjure Illyana's third bloodstone before sacrificing Ororo's soul to the Elder Gods.

Illyana's corruption is still incomplete. In her narration (from the perspective of her older self) she goes from wishing she'd killed Belasco in one sentence to seeking his praise in the next. But she finally breaks free by killing Ororo before Belasco can steal her soul again, before teleporting herself to Ororo's garden sanctuary. But just like in the real world, the oasis represents Ororo's soul, only this time literally. It collapses around Illyana as Belasco takes back control and sends Illyana horrible hallucinations- first of Ororo condemning her, then of Peter saying it's her fault he died, and finally of her parents rejecting her for not being their little girl. Belasco himself arrives with the reanimated corpses of the X-Men and casts a spell over Illyana, creating the third bloodstone out of her pain. He then turns off her mutant power and casts her into the wilderness, placing another spell on her to ensure her survival in the most painful way possible. She makes it to the first tree Ororo ever created, and spends months on end drawing power from it, attempting to recreate Ororo's spell of creation. But there's too much Belasco in her, and in the end the tree dies and Illyana has accomplished nothing. But then she has an epiphany- the creation of an acorn was Ororo's master spell, because pure life was what was most important to her. But Illyana's deepest desire is for vengeance. She casts the creation spell again, but this time with that in mind, and conjures a sword- the same one she attacked Kitty with in Uncanny 171. Her circle is still silver, but her aura is tinged red. She cuts through Belasco's enchantments and summons a stepping circle that takes her to Belasco. She strikes down S'ym in vengeance for Peter and then begins her assault on her slaver. As she begins winning, the Elder Gods' favor shifts to her, and she begins to take on demonic aspects as Belasco reverts to his original human form. She beats him, but when she realizes what's happened, she rejects her place as the Elder Gods' champion and sets him free, reverting to human form. She looks at her pendant, now with three of the five stones filled. The Belasco part of her power now outweighs the Ororo part, but hope isn't lost. In the present, she turns away from the horizon to look at the New Mutants having a snowball fight, and walks towards them and her new life.

Illyana is another of my favorite characters, and this series is where her arc and decades of Limbo stories begin. She begins the series as the young, innocent Illyana, and Belasco hopes to corrupt her into Darkchylde. But by the end of this series, she’s somewhere in between as Magik. She chose creation magic over destruction, but her creation was a weapon used to destroy. She could be pulled in either direction, and soon will be pulled in both. A lot of the contents of this book won’t pay off until years from now in Inferno, and it’s crazy how far in advance they were foreshadowing years of New Mutants stories. Illyana’s story is about the question of whether she’ll be a pawn of evil, a pawn of good, or her own person for good or evil. This miniseries did a great job setting up those questions, and when she joins the cast of New Mutants we’ll start looking for answers.

[don-lichterman]

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade lead stars at the Broadway opening of Ain't No Mo'

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade lead stars at the Broadway opening of Ain’t No Mo’

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade made a stylish pair at the Broadway opening of Ain’t No Mo at Belasco Theatre on Thursday. The actress – who recently celebrated her 50th birthday – dazzled in a shimmery black gown, which she paired with pointed-toe heels and sparkling silver earrings. Meanwhile her husband, 40, looked dapper in a tweed brown jacket over a grey turtleneck and burgundy…

[old-mr-b]

BAND‐MAID – Omajinai Time - MISA's Birthday – at The Belasco, Los Angele...

[only-johnny-deppp]

9 years ago, on this day (October 25), Johnny attended the David Furnish birthday party, at the Belasco Theatre, in Los Angeles, California.

On that day, the Canadian filmmaker, David Furnish, known for being Sir Elton John’s husband, was celebrating his 50th birthday. He worked with Johnny in 2017/2018 during the producing of “Sherlock Gnomes”

[outoftowninac]

IT’S A WISE CHILD

1929 / 1930

It’s a Wise Child is a play by Laurence E. Johnson. It was originally produced and directed by David Belasco featuring Sidney Toler and Humphrey Bogart. 

The play takes place in the living room of the Stanton home. 

Joyce Stanton, the attractive daughter of a suburban family, discovers that her engagement to a stuffy old capitalist is distasteful, for she has fallen In love with a young bank clerk. In order to avoid her imminent marriage, she makes up a wild story that she Is about to become a mother. She gets Inspiration from an incident in the life of Annie the maid. Joyce's announcement causes a disturbance in the Stanton home because Joyce refuses to name the baby’s father. Her betrothal is broken off, but there are consequences to her imaginary indiscretion. Her mother is on the edge of collapse, her suitor (employed by her former betrothed) finds himself jobless, her younger brother is wildly indignant, and the whole house Is in an uproar. Only the family lawyer keeps his cool. He tries to straighten out Joyce’s  problems, but complications come too fast for him to handle. He must also unravel the mess that Annie the maid has gotten. He must also admit that he is in love with Joyce Stanton.

In mid-June 1929, the play was still untitled. Rehearsals started on June 24th. The title It’s A Wild Child was finally announced on July 10, 1929. 

The play had its world premiere at Nixon’s Apollo Theatre in Atlantic City on July 22, 1929. During the Atlantic City try-out, Belasco celebrated his 75th birthday. 

Between AC and Broadway, the play was seen at Werba’s Jamaica in Brooklyn. 

Sidney Toler (1874-1947) is probably best remembered as the actor who played Charlie Chan on screen in 22 films between 1938 and 1946. In 1930, he was married to Vivian Marston. A month after her death in 1943, he married divorcee Viva (nee Vera) Tattersall, a British-born actress. Toler had been seen in Atlantic City in February 1930 in Ritzy, a play he also co-wrote. 

“Then there was Sidney Toler who played Cool Kelly the iceman. He had some of the best lines in the play and he was immensely funny.” ~ ROWLAND FIELD

Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) is probably best known for his film work in Casablanca (1942), The African Queen (1951) for which he won an Oscar, and The Caine Mutiny (1954). This play was his 10th Broadway production. His last  was in 1935. 

“Humphrey Bogart... as Baldwin, the bank clerk, was especially good.” ~ TIMES UNION

The play opened on Broadway at (unsurprisingly) the Belasco Theatre on August 6, 1929.

“Laurence E. Johnson is the author of the play, but it may be suspected that he wrote it to Mr. Belasco's order and that it is designed by that producer to repeat the success enjoyed the last two seasons by ‘The Bachelor Father’.” ~ DEMING SEYMOUR

“Humphrey Bogart, now playing in Belasco's ‘It's A Wise Child'... has been signed by Fox pictures for the lead In 'The Man Who Came Back’." ~ PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Bogart was dismayed to find out that the role in the 1931 film went to Charles Farrell instead. At the end of April 1930, newspapers reported that Bogart would leave Broadway to film Broadminded. This, too, never came to pass. Mervyn LeRoy took over direction of the film, and hired his own cast. Instead, Bogart was cast in the film A Devil With Women (aka On the Make) and left the play before it closed. 

It’s A Wild Child played an impressive 378 performances, closing on July 2, 1930.

Immediately after closing on Broadway, the play returned to Atlantic City’s Nixon’s Apollo Theatre on July 7, 1930. Humphrey Bogart was no longer in the cast. 

In 1931 MGM released a screen version of the play starring Marion Davies. James Gleason took the role originated on stage by Sidney Toler. Lester Vail took the role originated by Humphrey Bogart. Clara Blandick, who would later play Auntie Em in MGM’s The Wizard of Oz, was also in the cast. Although the film made over a million dollars, it has never been shown on television due to copyright issues. Due to the theme of pregnancy outside of marriage, the film was banned in Ireland. 

The film opened in Atlantic City at the Stanley Theatre on the Boardwalk on May 1, 1931.