Patrick Olson, is a musician-scientist and now a performer with his own show Emergence, Off-Broadway at The Pershing Square Signature Center through January 7, 2024.

T2C talked to this  prolific artist to learn more about what seems more like a movement and a unique experience.

See t2C’s review here. 

Emergence: Things Are Not As They Seem: Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street through January 7th. Tickets and information: emergenceshow.com

Video by Magda Katz

G.H. Harding

TREE LIKE ME — Monday morning, gossip-sites were ablaze with this missive from one Tree Paine – Taylor Swift’s publicist – about swirling rumors about the singer’s love life:  Travis Kelce’s sister-in-law, Kylie Kelce, subtly supported Taylor Swift after the “Anti-Hero” singer’s publicist clapped back at rumors about her love life. Eagled-eyed fans noticed that Kylie “liked” a post from the Today Show  about Tree Paine slamming celebrity gossip blog DeuxMoi for spreading “fabricated lies” about Swift’s relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

Ms. Paine’s PR-firm is called Premium PR and by all accounts, the Nashville-based mistress has had a great ride with Swift. As we go to press, Time Magazine just named her their person of the year.

Back in the day, ZZ Top and Michael Jackson had Howard Bloom; Debbie Gibson and Run DMC had David Salidor; Elton and the Rolling Stones have Fran Curtis; and Billy and Alexa Joel and Christie Brinkley have Claire Mecuri … all stars in our book, but Ms. Paine has Swift.

Brenda Lee

BRENDA LEE — (from People) Brenda Lee has a reason to celebrate the holidays early this year.

On Monday, the singer’s 1958 classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time, 65 years following its debut.

In claiming the top spot, Lee broke many records — including those held by Mariah Carey and her mega hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” — as her hit became the third holiday No. 1 ever to be featured on the Hot 100, per a press release.

This marks Lee’s third No. 1 hit in her career. She earned her first No. 1 with her 1960 single “I’m Sorry.”

Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded the Johnny Marks-penned hit debut, and at 78, she’s now the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher for “Believe” when she was 52 and Carey for “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at 53.

In a press release statement, Lee called the song’s latest achievement “amazing. “I cannot believe that ‘Rockin’’ has hit No. 1 65 years after it was released, this is just so special!” she said. “Thank you to the team at UMG/UMe who worked so hard to celebrate the song’s anniversary this year. But most importantly, thank you to the fans who keep listening.”

Lee continued: “The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate — it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!”

Last month, Lee released the first-ever music video for her Christmas classic, which features cameos from Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFsZy9t-qDc 

In addition to the music video, she shared the EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, in November featuring “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.

For record aficionados: The song was originally released on Decca Records in 1958. Dub Allbritten became Lee’s personal manager in 1956 and remained in that position throughout her formative years. In May 1956, Lee signed with Decca and two months later had her first recording session, supervised by Paul Cohen with the assistance of Owen Bradley

SHORT TAKES — RIP Denny Laine – best remembered from The Moody Blues (“Go Now”) and Paul McCartney’s Wings – and their best album Band On The Run. I loved “Go Now” btw. Here’s Roger Friedman’s take via SHOWBIZ 411: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/12/05/rip-denny-laine-79-original-member-of-wings-and-the-moody-blues-wrote-the-hit-go-now …

Denny Laine; Linda and Paul McCartney

I didn’t see any reviews from Debbie Gibson’s 2 shows last week at NYC’s Gramercy Theater but Yahoo did run a headline that she had 5 costume changes! They were in support of her 2022 holiday Winterlicious album …The Kennedy Center Honors had their event this past weekend. Congrats all. Can’t wait to see the show next week. Here’s Deadline’s take: https://deadline.com/2023/12/kennedy-center-honors-joe-biden-robert-de-niro-billy-crystal-1235650306/ …

Debbie Gibson (by Troy Smith)

Here’s celebrity-biographer Mark Bego’s interview with NEWHD’s Zach Martin: https://www.spreaker.com/user/bigfatamerican/mark-bego-copy … RIP Norman Lear; Happy Bday Anthony Noto … On the mend: Jerry Lembo!

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Kimberly Cornell; Joe Lynch; Victor Kastel; Peter Shendell; Eppy; Kent Kotal; Roy Trakin; Melinda Newman; Tyson Terror; Vincent D’Onofrio; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Sasha Peres; Jacqueline Boyd; Cairo; Tanya Tenor; Jonathan Wolfson; Brad LeBeau; Wayne Rosso; Thomas Silverman; and ZIGGY!

In the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, industry giants are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to capture the attention of new audiences. 

With evolving consumer preferences and advancements in technology, it has become imperative for these big entertainment organizations to employ effective strategies to expand their reach. 

This article delves into the various methods and approaches used by entertainment and gaming titans to tap into new markets and engage an ever-expanding audience base.

1. Embracing Multiplatform Accessibility

Entertainment giants and game developers understand the importance of meeting consumers where they are. 

To reach diverse audiences, these organizations leverage the power of multiplatform accessibility. By developing games, applications, and content and making them accessible across different platforms such as consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and streaming services, they ensure that their offerings are available to a wide range of users. Considering that people often switch between their desktop computers, mobile phones, and other devices throughout the day, this allows people to access their favorite movie or favorite game whenever and wherever they may be. 

This inclusive approach helps captivate and retain new users who prefer seamless entertainment experiences across different mediums.

2. Innovation and Technological Advancements

Keeping pace with technological advancements is also paramount for entertainment and gaming giants. 

The entertainment industry is being revolutionized by cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and cloud gaming. These technologies are opening up new possibilities for well-established organizations in the industry to reach and engage with audiences. An excellent example of a company taking advantage of these advancements is Resolution Games. This gaming powerhouse is laser-focused on creating social casual virtual reality games that appeal to the masses. With their recent funding of over $6 million dollars from major investors like Google Ventures, Resolution Games is gearing up to launch exciting new titles such as Solitaire Jester. Additionally, they are poised to partner with industry leaders like Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift to make their popular fishing game Bait! even more immersive to make people experience relaxation like never before.

3. Promotion Bonuses and Rewards

Another method these entertainment companies use to entice new audiences and encourage engagement is employing various promotion bonuses and rewards. 

Entertainment and gaming companies frequently use welcome bonuses to attract a fresh and diverse audience. These bonuses are designed to captivate users by offering enticing incentives such as free in-game currency, exclusive items, complimentary plays, or time-limited advantages that intensify the initial user experience. 

One industry that extensively employs this technique is the online casino industry. A glance at non-UK casino sites on this page non-gamstop-casinos.com/non-uk-casino-sites/, for instance, will show the wide variety of offers available to those looking to join a platform. These include perks such as welcome bonuses, free spins, extra cashback, and exclusive offers. By providing a rewarding kick-start, these companies aim to capture the attention and interest of potential users, motivating them to explore the offerings further.

Additionally, some even employ referral programs to expand their user base through word-of-mouth marketing. By incentivizing existing users to refer new members, companies offer rewards such as in-game currency, unique items, or exclusive perks to both the referrer and the referred user. This approach not only attracts new audiences but also reinforces the loyalty of existing users while fostering a sense of community.

4. Targeted Marketing and Personalization

Understanding the importance of targeted marketing, entertainment giants utilize data analytics and user profiling to deliver personalized experiences. 

A well-established company would consistently perform market segmentation analysis taking into consideration of demographics, geographics, behavioural, and psychographic data. By analyzing these factors along with user data and preferences, these companies can tailor marketing campaigns, advertisements, and product recommendations to specific demographic groups. 

This approach breaks through clutter, ensuring that potential new audiences receive the latest content and promotions that appeal to their interests and preferences.

5. Harnessing the Potential of Social Media

Social media platforms have proven to be a goldmine for reaching new audiences. 

Entertainment and gaming giants adeptly leverage the power of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to engage with users, share updates, and create buzz around upcoming releases. By fostering strong online communities and utilizing influencer marketing, these giants successfully generate excitement, raising awareness among potential new audiences.

6. Collaboration and Cross-Promotion

Entertainment and gaming giants also recognize the power of collaboration to gain visibility and access to untapped audiences. 

They form strategic partnerships with other industry players, combining resources and expertise to reach new markets together. Through cross-promotion and product integrations, it maximizes exposure and extends reach across different consumer segments. 

Partnerships between game studios and film or music entities have become increasingly exciting, captivating fans from various domains and igniting fresh enthusiasm. These crossovers have become more prevalent than ever, and the best part is that this trend shows no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future.

The pursuit of new audiences requires the entertainment and gaming giants to remain agile, innovative, and adaptable. 

By embracing multiplatform accessibility, harnessing the potential of social media, employing targeted marketing and personalization techniques, embracing innovation, and fostering collaborations, these giants successfully reach new audiences. 

As emerging technologies continue to shape the industry, their ability to adapt and captivate fresh audiences will be the key to their sustained growth and success.

Skate underneath the historic Brooklyn Bridge while taking in the iconic views of the Manhattan skyline. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a premier winter experience in a setting that will take your breath away.

Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is located at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, found at the base of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Our location is accessible via foot, subway, and NYC Ferry. Glide is a stone’s throw from familiar points within the park, Jane’s Carousel and Empire Fulton Ferry, and near popular dining destinations such as the River Café, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, NY 11201

For tickets please visit HERE.

Right now at the Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street is the New York premier of Sandra Tsing Loh’s Madwomen of the West. The show in a way reminded me of the 1996 play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, where celebrities joined on stage. Here you have Caroline Aaron, Brooke Adams, Marilu Henner, and Melanie Mayron, all actors who have performed on film, TV and stage. They are like long lost friends, they are so familiar.

Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, Melanie Mayron, and Brooke Adams Photo by Carol Rosegg

The four have gathered together for Claudia’s (Mayron) birthday. It is being thrown at the Brentwood home of Jules (Adams) and Marilyn (Aaron) has decorated. Enter the long lost Zoey (Henner) and what you think you know about these friends, isn’t what it seems. As a matter of fact, this birthday brunch is about to turn into the brunch from hell. These Baby Boomers, are also feminists admiring Hilary Clinton and Gloria Steinem, though not always on the same side. They break the 4th wall, as they banter back and forth to themselves and to us, the audience. They confront, encourage, justify and talk about transgender, health, the horror of Trump and those “pussy hats”, sex and so much more. Think “girl-talk” to the max.

They sit on couches, as a backdrop of palm trees, and a lone piñata take center stage, thanks to set designer Christian Fleming. The play has no money, so the production is bare bones…. so they say. Everything about this show is tongue and check and is well directed by Thomas Caruso.

Each actor here shines and in an out of the way aside, each has pieces of their real selves written into the roles they play. Not having seen Aaron on stage before, I was impressed by her vocal quality and humor. Adams brings sophistication and Mayron adds that knowing, we are all in the same messed up boat. Henner will make you want that body and her sex appeal.

These women knocked down doors for the women to come, but I was surprised that the one issue they missed out on was that women are still not equal in this country. It takes 1, count it 1 state to approve this and yet plays about feminism leave this vital information out.

The show ends with “The Bitch is Back.” they sing in glee. I guess it is ok when we call ourselves that.

Madwomen of the West: The Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street through December 31.