Posters’ on Sale to Help Artists New Creatives a Hand NEW YORK, April 20, (AP): Letting Ways Celebrates the People Who Work Made the Choice They Did

ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

This combination of photos shows rejected theatrical poster art from various productions, designed by Frank Verlizzo and available for purchase. All proceeds go to the aid organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. (AP)

Television Theater

Talks ending ‘Insecure’ Memorabilia from Springsteen to ‘Phantom’ set for auction Actress Issa Rae gives Rejected ‘posters’ on sale to help artists new creatives a hand NEW YORK, April 20, (AP): Letting ways celebrates the people who work made the choice they did. It always the world see your failures is usually on Broadway who often aren’t seen. makes perfect sense to me,” he says. By Gary Gerard Hamilton something most people try to avoid. “Each one has a story. And and I Not for theatrical poster designer think we crave stories during this time. Also: ssa Rae remembers what life was like when she was Frank Verlizzo — he hopes you’ll put We crave creativity,” she said. “I don’t NEW YORK: Bruce Springsteen, Istarting out in Hollywood: no money, and just hop- his on your wall. think it’s a coincidence that wall art Hugh Jackman, Elton John, Bette ing for a chance to be discovered. Verlizzo is selling prints of his re- has become so popular. Customers are Midler, Christine Baranski, Steve “It was about ‘I just want the exposure. I need the jected posters for such shows as “Cab- just craving art and things to put up on Martin and Tina Fey have all raided right person to see me and see my work’ and I feel Carly Pearce accepts the award for aret,” “Equus” and “Matilda” with all their walls and bring into their homes their closets to offer up personal items like I can deliver from there,” she said. “And then it proceeds going to the aid organization now that we can’t access it in other for a charity online auction, with one was, ‘I’m broke as hell.’ If I could just have a certain single of the year for ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’ at the 56th annual Acad- Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. ways.” prize being a key prop from the world- amount of money to help me continue to do my work, “It’s exciting for me because it’s wide smash musical “The Phantom of then I’d be good.” emy of Country Music Awards on, Campaigns April 18, at the Grand Ole Opry in work that I particularly loved that I the Opera.” It was a decade ago that the fi rst episode of her viral Nashville, Tenn. (AP) didn’t think anyone was ever going to Posters play a key role in a show’s Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers webseries “Awkward Black Girl” launched. She ran see,” says the artist. “So it’s kind of life. Until word of mouth takes over, has unveiled the slate of stage and out of money, then was saved by a Kickstarter cam- wonderful that they’re now out in the ad campaigns have to entice patrons to screen items for its live auction event paign. world, for better or for worse.” be willing to pay high ticket prices for on April 28, which includes a Wol- So Rae, now an aspiring entertainment mogul with The 16 posters included in the series something they may know little about. verine jacket from Jackman’s closet, a reported new $40 million WarnerMedia deal, wants — each goes for $399 with a frame “It’s defi nitely the fi rst thing any- glasses from John, and boots, jeans to lighten the load for others — were either rejected, never pitched body sees about any show. And the and a T-shirt from Springsteen. A por- hoping to climb the entertain- or part of a group of submissions that thing I like most about it is it’s the thing tion of proceeds from every item sold ment ladder. Verlizzo made that allowed only one that stays behind when the show’s no will benefi t The Actors Fund. She’s teaming up with winner. longer around,” Verlizzo says. The highlight package includes a LIFEWTR, PepsiCo’s bot- One highlight is an alternative The latest set — on top of a collec- “Phantom” prop: A music box in the tled water product line, and poster for “The Lion King.” Disney, tion of his work, “Fraver By Design: shape of a barrel organ with the fi gure its “Life Unseen” campaign. of course, went for Verlizzo’s stark 5 Decades of Theatre Poster Art from of a monkey playing the cymbals at- They’re hoping to shed light on animal mane stamp that has become Broadway, Off-Broadway and Be- tached. It is used in the prolog to set up 20 up-and-coming creatives in Rob Diddy iconic. But now people can mount an yond,” show Verlizzo’s range, which the musical. The rare prop is from the fashion, fi lm, music and visual unpublished design of his which uses includes everything from woodcuts to West End production and the package art from underrepresented com- paw prints from King Mufasa and elaborate typography to stylized illus- also includes admission for two when- munities. newborn Simba to illustrate both the tration. ever “Phantom” reopens on Broadway. Rae Their content will be fea- Variety past and the future. “This was a criticism I always came “We are delighted to offer this ex- tured at LIFEWTR.com and up against at school — ‘You don’t tremely rare artifact for auction, sup- their individual artwork will also be displayed on a Favorites have a style. You don’t have your porting The Actors Fund, and I look collection of 20 bottles starting next month. There’s NEW YORK: Rapper Black Rob, known “There are a million reasons why a own style,’” he says. “It’s like, ‘Well, forward to greeting the winning bidder also a #LifeUnseenContest on Instagram which in- for his hit “Whoa!” and key contributions poster gets rejected for a show,” he ex- I like all sorts of things. I like wood at our fi rst performance of ‘Phantom of cludes a chance for fi ve more artists to be mentored to Diddy’s dominant Bad Boy Records plains. “It’s a room full of people. It’s cuts. I like illustration. I like graphic the Opera’ back on Broadway,” com- by Rae and provided $10,000 each for future projects. in the 1990s and early 2000s, has died. like one big beauty contest. Everybody design.’ I don’t see why I have to tie poser Andrew Lloyd Webber said. “It’s always been a mission to make sure that peo- He was 52. has their favorites.” myself down to any one particular look Other items up for bids include Bob ple have a place within this industry,” said the “Inse- Black Rob died Saturday in Atlanta, The offerings include an intriguing or style.” Mackie dresses from Burnett, a Dol- cure” creator and star. “It’s about opening the door, according to longtime friend and former one for “Matilda” that uses letters of To make his posters, Verlizzo starts ce & Gabbana dress worn by Glenn labelmate Mark Curry, who said he was the alphabet to make up a graphic por- with a script and dreams up an image Close at the opening night of “Sunset and even the talent that we selected, we hope that that holding the hip-hop performer’s hand at the will be their mission as well.” trait of the imaginative heroine. Verliz- that can be shrunk down to the size of a Boulevard” in 2017, a black sequin end. He’d been hospitalized and suffered zo created it for the Broadway run of postage stamp newspaper ad or blown gown worn by Midler, a banjo signed The campaign aligns with what Rae already does: multiple health problems in recent years, extending her hand to pull others up. Industry col- and died of cardiac arrest, Curry said. the musical but producers decided to up to be on a billboard. by Martin and three gowns that Baran- leagues and co-workers often sing her praises for “Rest in power, King,” Diddy wrote keep the previous West End campaign. “I read it quickly fi rst and try to ski wore for appearances at the Golden offering opportunities in what’s perceived as a ruth- on Instagram. “You have made millions Verlizzo, who designs under the get visual impressions, which is re- Globes, Emmys and Kennedy Center less industry. Last season on “Insecure,” she tapped of people all over the world feel good moniker “Fraver” — a combination ally what I’m reading it for,” he says. Honors. several young directors to lead episodes, like rising and dance!” of his two names — says opening his “Sometimes there’s a theme that I see More treasures include Celeste filmmaker Thembi Banks and Rae’s own co-star, Born Robert Ross and raised in Har- vault and helping fellow artists during evolving that I think would be that I Holm’s Golden Globe awarded in Jay Ellis. lem, New York City, Black Rob started the pandemic was a “no-brainer.” could express graphically.” 1947 for “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” “If you have the opportunity to give people the rapping even before he became a teen- “The devastation in the theater in- He works so far ahead that often the signed books from Julie Andrews, the chance that they’re looking for, then why not provide ager. After signing to Bad Boy, he made dustry was unbelievable. So many of script isn’t fi nished yet and there have dress worn by Fey to the 2013 Emmy that opportunity? I have nothing to lose and I have striking guest appearances alongside my friends were unemployed instant- been no casting decisions yet. He tries Awards where she won for writing “30 only things to gain by watching passionate people de- labelmates in the 1990s and early 2000s, ly,” he says. “I hope it raises a lot of to come up with something to “catch Rock” and the leather suit Alan Cum- including Diddy’s “Bad Boy for Life” money.” your eye or intrigue a possible audi- ming wore to the Tony Awards when liver,” said Rae, who recently won the NAACP Image and remixes of Total’s “What About Us” Award for outstanding actress in a comedy series. The project is in partnership with ence member.” he won the best actor in a musical tro- and 112’s “Come See Me.” Gelato, the global production platform In addition to art for “The Lion phy in 1998 for “Cabaret.” Succeed He spun a 13-bar story of revenge on the that enables artists to sell their designs King,” Verlizzo has made his mark on More one-of-a-kind items are an 1998 posse cut “24 Hrs. to Live” alongside Rooting for others to succeed, especially Black to customers anywhere in the world Broadway with hundreds of posters for Oscar de la Renta gown worn by DMX, who died earlier this month. Renée Fleming people who have been historically underrepresented using a network of local producers, such shows as “Sweeney Todd” and when she sang at the His debut album “Life Story,” released which means carbon emissions are “Sunday in the Park with George.” Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen in Hollywood, has been Rae’s mantra. Her viral “I’m in 2000, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard minimized. He has no hard feelings if his design Elizabeth II in 2012, a limited edition rooting for everybody Black” response during a 2017 charts and went platinum, led by the Julie Ryland, who led the project for isn’t picked by producers. “When I copy of the “Downton Abbey” fi lm Emmys red carpet interview was something she said infectious single “Whoa!” Gelato, said each poster takes you be- fi nally do get to the theater to see the screenplay, and some leather jackets off the cuff and is now found on T-shirts, stickers, pins ”‘Whoa!’ carried us through a signifi - hind the creative process and in some show, I always understand why they from the TV show “The Good Wife.” and other trinkets. cant point of our time in hip-hop,” Curry “I still think about leaving the carpet that day and said. “He always felt like he took the my publicist being like, ‘Oh my God, you’re every- label on his back.” where!’ And I was like, ‘They didn’t like the dress?’” His second album, “The Black Rob “That kind of work and that kind of size, for modern and contemporary master- at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong. she said, with a huge belly laugh. “’Then she told me, Report,” was his last with Bad Boy, and and that kind of prestige, does not come pieces and the market is expected to (AP) ‘Oh, no, everybody’s saying this phrase.’” his career stalled due to legal troubles. to the market very often.” remain strong. ❑ ❑ ❑ He served four years in prison in connec- The painting is estimated to fetch Last year, a 700-year-old Chinese Rae’s Hoorae production company is now focused tion with a 2004 hotel robbery. (AP) between $45 million to $58 million in a painted scroll titled “Five Drunken NEW YORK: The tiny red hearts that on the fi nal season of “Insecure.” Serving as co-crea- ❑ ❑ ❑ single-lot auction on May 24. Princes Returning on Horseback” from appear under Instagram photos of kids, tor, executive producer and lead, Rae says it’s time to Belin said there is a diverse appetite the Yuan Dynasty fetched $41.8 million kittens and sandwiches can be a source of close this novel — even if the fans aren’t ready. HONG KONG: A Chinese painting from stress for many users, an insidious way “That’s like being mad that you’re reaching the end 1924 is expected to fetch at least $45 of measuring self worth and popularity. of a book. And I understand that sentiment — it’s a million in an auction in Hong Kong, as Now Facebook says it’s going to test compliment that people want it to continue. But you collectors’ appetite for art continues to out — again — an option for users to bought this book and you saw the length of it, and rise even amid economic uncertainty hide those “like” counts to see if it can we’re at the end of it.” brought about by the coronavirus pan- reduce the pressure of being on social But does she feel pressure to end the show in a way demic. media. Instagram, which Facebook owns, that’s pleasing to both her and her loyal viewers? The painting by infl uential Chinese will soon allow a small group of random modern artist Xu Beihong depicts a slave users to decide whether or not they want “I have no doubt that if people don’t like the end- hiding in a cave and a lion. It is based to see the number of likes their posts and ing, they’re going to make it clear to me and make it thematically from ancient Roman my- those of others receive. known for the rest of my life,” she laughed. “So in that thology and Aesop’s Fables, according to The social media giant says it’s also way, yes, there is pressure, but I’m happy with where Christie’s auction house, which unveiled exploring the feature for Facebook. Com- things are ending. I like stories ending.” the painting Monday. ments will still be available for people Up next for Rae is “Rap Sh(asterisk)t,” a series Xu frequently uses the lion in his work who chose to hide likes — they just loosely based off the firecracker female rap duo to exemplify his faith in the rise of the won’t see whether it was 2, 20 or 20,000 City Girls, as well as a remake to the cult classic Chinese nation. The lion in the paint- people who liked their posts. “Set It Off.” She’s also completed her first script ing is wounded, but remains dignifi ed, Instagram began hiding likes in 2019. for a movie she hopes to film soon. Hoorae is said righteous and proud — a symbol of the While many users welcomed the feature, to be juggling more than a dozen projects in various Chinese spirit, the auction house said. others, including some infl uencers, wor- stages. The “Slave and Lion” painting is ried it might take away from the social With magazine cover shoots and glamourous red considered a groundbreaking work that media experience. At the time, the plat- carpet looks, Rae is far from those early lean years inspired Xu’s later paintings and one form didn’t give users a choice to hide or despite still hustling like one. So what would she go of the most important oil paintings in unhide the like counts. back and tell that awkward Black girl? Chinese art history. “Some people found this benefi cial “Xu Beihong himself is one of the but some still wanted to see like counts “She should not be afraid to dream big and to pos- most important modern artist in China so they could track what’s popular,” sibly dream even bigger,” said Rae. “And you’re still who has infl uenced generations of paint- Carrie Underwood performs at the 56th annual Academy of Country Music the company said in a statement. Then going to be awkward, so just embrace it.” (AP) ers and artists,” said Francis Belin, Awards on, April 17, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. The awards COVID hit, and Facebook said it prior- President of Christie’s in Asia Pacifi c. show aired on April 18 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP) itized dealing with the pandemic. (AP)