'Hollywood Arms' to close
"Hollywood Arms," the play based on Carol Burnett's memoir "One More Time," will close Sunday after a Broadway run of 75 performances.
The play, which the 69-year-old actress and comedian wrote with her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, opened Oct. 31 at the Cort Theatre to mostly downbeat reviews and has been struggling at the box office ever since. It stars Linda Lavin as Burnett's feisty grandmother and Michele Pawk as her mother.
Hamilton, an actress, writer and musician, died of cancer in January before "Hollywood Arms" had its world premiere at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. She was 38.
BOOK HONORS MUSIC MAKERS
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a nonprofit group that helps roots musicians, has published a book to help those artists gain recognition.
"We want to give them the r-e-s-p-e-c-t you can't buy. The intention is to get the message out," says foundation founder Tim Duffy of the just-published book "Music Makers, Portraits and Songs from the Roots of America."
"Some of these guys are homeless — or just about homeless — and now they're in a book. It makes them feel good," Duffy says. "They really feel like they're part of something."
The book features write-ups and quotes from 67 music makers and a compact disc with recordings by 22 artists. A second disc sold separately, "Roots II," features 21 more artists, with a "Roots III" in the making.
In the book's introduction, B.B. King praises the music and Duffy's work through the foundation.
"Music Makers, like the foundation from which it takes its name, preserves an American essence we can't afford to lose. The compilation of Music Maker artists enclosed in this book will make you want to cry and shout for joy as only the real blues can do!" King wrote.
The foundation has given more than $1 million to roots musicians since its inception in 1994. It now helps 100 musicians.
Recipients must be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older and have an annual income of less than $18,000. Many have much lower incomes.
Details: www.musicmaker.org .
