NEW YORK (AP) — The glitzy, fictional Broadway musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe that formed the heart of the TV show “Smash” will make the leap to an actual Broadway stage next season. Producers said Wednesday that “Smash” is slated for Broadway in the 2024-25 season, welcome news to many of the show's fans and the Broadway community who embraced its look at the inner workings of their industry. “'Smash' is near and dear to my heart, and it was always my hope that a musical inspired by the show would eventually come to the stage,” said lead producer Steven Spielberg in a statement. The new book for “Smash” will be co-written Tony-nominated Rick Elice, who penned “Jersey Boys,” and Tony-winner Bob Martin, who won for “The Drowsy Chaperone.” No casting for the Broadway version was revealed. The series on NBC lasted two seasons starting in 2012 and starred Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Katharine McPhee, Leslie Odom Jr., Krysta Rodriguez, Christian Borle and Debra Messing. … [Read more...] about Once a TV show, ‘Smash’ to make its Broadway bow in 2024
Willie Nelson honored with Texas educational endowment
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Weeks after winning more Grammys, Willie Nelson is getting a new kind of honor: a university endowment in Texas. The 89-year-old country music icon, who in the 1980s helped launch the Farm Aid benefit concerts, is the namesake of the new Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs, the school announced Wednesday. The endowment will fund research and student fellowships benefiting rural and farm communities. The “Always on My Mind” singer has raised more than $70 million for family farm owners through Farm Aid, according to the school, which also plans to honor the Texas native at a May gala. “Willie Nelson is a national treasure who gained fame through his sheer musical talent and won hearts as someone who truly cares about the lives of his fellow Americans,” Larry Temple, Chairman of the LBJ Foundation Board of Trustees, said in a statement. At the Grammys last month, Nelson's won best … [Read more...] about Willie Nelson honored with Texas educational endowment
The Woodlands ranked No. 3 among ‘Best Cities to Live In America’—again
Death. Taxes. The Woodlands ranking highly among "U.S. Cities You'd Be Proud to Take Home to Mom and Dad." Niche.com , our friendly "market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families," released its annual rating of "Best Cities to Live in America" on Monday. As in previous years, The Woodlands was rated highly among the site's list of top livable metropoles in the U.S., which is judged on a variety of factors including diversity, school district ratings, Niche.com user reviews, FBI crime statistics and other metrics its analysts equate to deciding the desirability of location when it comes to living and raising a family. The Woodlands ranked No. 3 overall in Niche.com's 2023 city ratings, earning an A+ overall grade and A+ rating for public schools. And yes, with a population of 114,000 per 2020 U.S. Census Data , the Harris County enclave north of Houston does qualify as a city in accordance with Niche.com's 100,000 population threshold. … [Read more...] about The Woodlands ranked No. 3 among ‘Best Cities to Live In America’—again
Wall Street holds steady ahead of Fed decision on rates
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are holding steady Wednesday as Wall Street bides its time until the Federal Reserve’s announcement in the afternoon about whether it will tighten the screws further on the economy. The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged in morning trading. It’s coming off its first back-to-back gain in two weeks, before the second- and third-largest U.S. bank failures in history threw the industry into turmoil. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was virtually flat at 32,561 points, as of 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was also basically unchanged. Markets are waiting for the Fed, which is stuck with a difficult decision: whether to keep hiking interest rates to drive down inflation or to ease off the increases given the pain it’s already caused for banks, which could drag down the rest of the economy. A few weeks ago, much of Wall Street was convinced … [Read more...] about Wall Street holds steady ahead of Fed decision on rates
Britain’s best ‘hidden gem’ staycation destination is ‘truly incredible’ – full list
The Outer Hebrides are one of the UK's best hidden gems (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info New analysis from travel experts at Coast & Country Hotel Collection has found some of the UK’s best hidden gems. From beaches to abbeys, the list provides plenty of stunning staycation inspiration. Related articles Best Jet2 deals in March 2023: 50% off hotels and more US tourists slam Kensington Palace for 'making money off Diana' UK’s top hidden gems Outer Hebrides, Scotland Ladybower Reservoir, Peak District & Derbyshire Montrose Beach, Scotland Nanjizal Beach, Cornwall Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire Lundy Island, Devon Old Sarum, Salisbury Loch Awe, Scotland St … [Read more...] about Britain’s best ‘hidden gem’ staycation destination is ‘truly incredible’ – full list
Tourist fined £412 for driving Ferrari into Italian city square
The tourist drove the car into one of Florence's main squares (Image: Muncipality of Florence) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The tourist drove a bright red Ferrari Spider into the Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s famous pedestrianised square. He was apprehended by police in the Italian city. Related articles Best Jet2 deals in March 2023: 50% off hotels and more Travel horror as passenger declined the seat he 'deserved' on plane The driver had been seen driving along the nearby Via dei Gondi street. Local officials described his driving as “nonsensical”. The Piazza della Signoria is shaped like a W and is usually packed with tourists heading to the Uffizi Gallery. Police fined the man 470 euros … [Read more...] about Tourist fined £412 for driving Ferrari into Italian city square
Alastair Stewart retires after almost 50 years ‘to spend more time with family’
Queen Elizabeth II: Alastair Stewart discusses walking stick SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Alastair Stewart, 70, has confirmed he will be retiring from a permanent role on television. He described broadcasting as "the best job in the world" in a statement about his retirement. The journalist attributed his commute from Hampshire to London as one of the reasons for stepping down as well as wanting to spend more time with his family. Related articles Susanna Reid thanks Piers Morgan for making her 'bolder' BAFTA TV Awards' full list of nominations as Happy Valley missing The former ITV journalist hosted his last ever episode of Alastair Stewart and Friends on GB News, last weekend. The … [Read more...] about Alastair Stewart retires after almost 50 years ‘to spend more time with family’
PIP rates to increase in weeks – how much will you get?
PIP rates to increase in weeks - how much will you get? (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Millions of Britons receiving Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits are due to see a pay rise in April, as confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during last November’s Autumn Statement. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is one of the many benefits included in the uplift, which will mean some claimants will receive hundreds more a year. Related articles Thousands of people near end of life to get fast-tracked benefits Full details of DWP cost of living payments due from next month PIP is a benefit distributed by the DWP to help people who need extra help with daily tasks or getting around due … [Read more...] about PIP rates to increase in weeks – how much will you get?
Universal Credit claimants face ‘postcode lottery’ in work search – ‘foolish and unfair’
Universal Credit claimants face ‘postcode lottery’ in search for work - ‘foolish and unfair’ (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A think tank has urged the Government to stop imposing “punitive” benefit cuts on people claiming Universal Credit until the cost of living has eased. It comes as the rate of Universal Credit claimants whose payments are cut or cancelled has doubled since pre-pandemic for those expected to search for work full-time. Related articles WASPI woman in tears after losing house as state pension age changes State pension rise to be ‘brought forward’ by Hunt According to Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) research, there is widespread variation in how job centres … [Read more...] about Universal Credit claimants face ‘postcode lottery’ in work search – ‘foolish and unfair’
Susanna Reid pays tribute to Piers Morgan after ex-GMB star said she ‘let me down’
Susanna Reid thanks Piers Morgan for his help in her career SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Sitting alongside Ed Balls, Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid thanked her fellow colleagues such as Charlie Stayt, Bill Turnbull and Ben Shephard on Wednesday as she celebrated 20 years of "getting up early". She also touched on her time with TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan , claiming he made her "bolder". It comes after Piers claimed he felt "let down" by Susanna after he left GMB in March 2021. Related articles Nicola Sturgeon squirms as she's challenged on resignation The Chase contestant dies weeks after episode airs on ITV Ed asked: "What is your biggest fan girl moment in 20 years? Where … [Read more...] about Susanna Reid pays tribute to Piers Morgan after ex-GMB star said she ‘let me down’