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During World War II the country of Japan committed numerous atrocities against its enemies. One such atrocity was committed against the country of South Korea by forcing numerous women into sexual slavery. These women are referred to as Korean Comfort women. In an effort to ease tensions between the two nations Japan and South Korea have made a deal to alleviate some of the sufferings that were caused by these wartime atrocities. However, recently South Korea announced that it would not rollback a 2015 accord that was made between the two nations.

The original deal included an $8.8 million fund to provide care for survivors of the atrocities by the Japanese government. The deal was criticized by the South Korean government as not being enough to cover such atrocities. However, the current president at the time who made the allegations was impeached, and the new president Mr. Moon made a pledge to review the terms of the deal.

The government under Mr. Moon has announced that it would not renegotiate the deal while at the same time also announcing that the 2015 settlement would not be considered a final resolution. Plans are in place for South Korea to set aside eight-point million dollars of its own money for victims of the South Korean Comfort women atrocities and have plans to discuss with Japan how to properly utilize these contributions.

Mr. Moon asked for Japan to produce an additional apology to the victims. The government of Japan believed that the call for an additional apology was no longer acceptable. With the tensions rising between the two nations there have been rumors of whether or not Mr. able will attend the Winter Olympics. Numerous analyst has stated that Japan has already made several apologies to the South Korean Comfort women.

By asking for a new apology from the Japanese government the South Korean government is attempting to revise the agreement that was made in 2015. The Japanese government leaves that this is both contradictory and problematic. Others have voiced concerns that the agreement was made between the leaders of governments and did not include the influence of the victims themselves. It has been said that it is impossible to create a peaceful resolution without including the victims of human rights abuses.

Until such time that the victims have been included in the negotiations, it will be impossible for them to feel at peace with the aggressors. The victims of sexual slavery desire recognition and legal responsibility. In South Korea, the general sentiment is that the agreements that were made in 2015 were not sufficient to cover the totality of the atrocities.

As of now, diplomats from both of the nations are working together in order to figure out a deal that could potentially put the controversy behind them so that they can continue to focus on security cooperation and other national concerns. The Japanese ambassadors believe that the 2015 accord would ameliorate the issues between the two nations. Japan is going to continue by sticking to the 2015 agreement and that it will not forget the terms and conditions that were laid in place.

The decision by the South Korean government to uphold the agreement that was made in 2015 has stirred quite a controversy in the nation. However, the South Korean government believes that this is the best situation in order to help alleviate some of the turmoil that has been caused by these age-old atrocities left over from the war. They hope to help continue improving cooperation between the two nations so that they can have prosperous futures together.

It may be impossible to forget the Comfort women. However by the two nations working together the Comfort women stories will not be forgotten. The Comfort women testimonies will continue to reverberate throughout the annals of history.

Columns

My View: “Because I Have A Story With Each And Every One Of You”…Richard Jay-Alexander

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If you never heard of a restaurant/bar called Milady’s on Prince Street, you’ll know it now!  That’s where Richard Jay-Alexander chose to celebrate his 70th Birthday and it was truly a WOWZA evening…the setting, the food, the peonies, the curated music PLAYLIST (assembled by longtime friend and assistant, Nellie Beavers), the craft cocktails and even a film crew (led by longtime pal, Brian Morgan) in the back, taping BRAVO-style “confessionals” with each guest, about the BIRTHDAY BOY.  The guests in attendance ranged in age and interests, like a perfect jambalaya of an accomplished life.  Even friends from his High School, in Solvay, NY!  The most impressive part of who Richard is was quickly revealed in his post “blowing out the candles of his cake” moment when he looked around the room (clearly moved) and explained that the reason we were all there was, “because I have a story with each and every one of you.”  Needless to say, there was much talent present throughout the room and plenty of legendary New Yorkers, raising a glass to a pretty special guy.  In reality, it is he that entered into our lives and our stories and happily so.  This is how you do it!

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

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RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

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Entertainment

Ken Fallin’s Broadway: The World Says Good-Bye To Tina Turner

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Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll has died, after a long illness at 83. Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2017.

Her life story was told in the 1993 smash film What’s Love Got to Do with It and in the 2019 Broadway musical Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, starring Adrienne Warren in a career-making performance.

Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, TN, Turner became famous in the late 1960s as the singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Their major hits included: “River Deep – Mountain High” and “Proud Mary.”After leaving husband Ike Turner following years of physical and emotional abuse, she staged what remains one of the greatest comebacks in pop music history, scoring massive hits in the 1980s such as “What’s Love Got To Do With it”, “Private Dancer” and “The Best,” with an estimated 180 million albums sold worldwide, 12 Grammy Awards won and sold-out stadium tours around the world.

Turner scored another smash single in 1985 with “We Don’t Need Another Hero, from the Mel Gibson-George Miller threequel Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. She played the ruthless leader of Bartertown in the movie and delivered the memorable line, “Welcome to another edition of Thunderdome!”

She returned to the Top 20 later that year with “It’s Only Love,” a duet with Bryan Adams from his Reckless album, and also was part of the global smash “We Are the World.” That 1985 famine-relief single — written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones and credited to USA for Africa.

Turner also appeared at the intercontinental charity concert Live Aid that summer, performing a raucous, sexually charged duet with Mick Jagger in Philadelphia on a medley of his solo single “State of Shock” and the Rolling Stones’ “It’ Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It).”

Turner’s status as a musical pioneer extended to 1980s television when she became a staple of MTV.

A private funeral ceremony is expected for family and close friends and family.

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Cabaret

My View: It’s Richard Jay-Alexander’s Birthday!

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If there’s anyone who deserves to be featured in TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES, on this particular day, May 24, it would be this guy, Richard Jay-Alexander.  Born in 1953, today he turns 70 years old, here in New York City.  He has walked these city streets more than most, as he pursued and has enjoyed a 49 year career, working on Broadway, in most theaters, clubs and majestic musical institutions, such as Carnegie Hall and The MET.  He’s touched many, many lives and has a passion for this business that continues to burn and just this past Sunday, he helmed a thrilling evening, celebrating BroadwayWorld.com‘s 20th Anniversary, at midtown’s historic Sony Hall.  On the eve of his birthday, he attended his favorite Tuesday night happening, Susie Mosher’s The LINEUP at Birdland Theatre, and treated the audience to a couple stories, observations on this important birthday and then, with Billy Stritch at the piano, John Miller on Bass and Clint De Canon on drums, performed a moving and heartfelt (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Richard clearly has a gift and a passion for the stage and for music and we are all the better for it, on the receiving end. 

Happy Birthday, Young Man! Here’s to many more.

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

BILLY STRITCH & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER & SUSIE MOSHER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

SETH SIKES, NICOLAS KING, CARLOS CLEMENZ, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER, STEPHEN SOROKOFF, EDA SOROKOFF

DOUG MIDDLEBROOK, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER, EDA SOROKOFF

BILLY STRITCH, KATE SHINDLE, President Actors’ Equity Association, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

SUSIE MOSHER & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RJA

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Cabaret

My View: A Glamorous Celebrity Filled Night With Lorna Dallas at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

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It was a celebrity filled audience last night and the glamor of Manhattan Cabaret nightlife was in abundance for Lorna Dallas and her show at the Laurie Beechman Theatre titled “Glamorous Nights and Rainy Days

Ms. Dallas returned to New York City with a wonderful new show. This was Ms. Dallas’ first appearance in this town since she performed at the Bistro awards prior to the lockdown of 2020.  The three years respite has done nothing to dim the luster of Ms Dallas’ exceptional instrument.  She stayed in fine voice all evening long.  But she is more than just an excellent vocalist.  She is also a compelling actress.  Her show, skillfully crafted by director Barry Kleinbort, and sensitively accompanied by one of this city’s best musical directors, Christopher Denny, was a joy from start to finish.  The star studded audience at the Laurie Beechman theater responded heartily to every one of Lorna’s numbers.  Evening high points ran the gamut, from standards like “I Have Dreamed,” to “When the Sun Comes Out;” from an hilarious “By Strauss” by the Gershwin’s to a dramatic “Silent Spring”  by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg.   She also premiered a new song written especially for her by Ann Hampton Callaway and Amanda McBroom, “In My Dreams,” which wowed the savvy New York crowd.  Hopefully, Lorna Dallas will return to these shores on a more regular basis.  Three years is too long a wait for this powerful soprano’s next appearance..

LORNA DALLAS

CHRISTOPHER DENNY & LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & DONNA McKECHNIE

LORNA DALLAS & MELISSA ERRICO

MARILYN MAYE & LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & CHARLES BUSCH

PENNY FULLER & LORNA DALLAS

MELISSA ERRICO & EDA SOROKOFF

DAVID ZIPPEL, LORNA DALLAS, JAMIE deROY

LORNA DALLAS & REX REED

LORNA DALLAS & KT SULLIVAN

SUSIE MOSHER & LORNA DALLAS

DAVID SABELLA & LORNA DALLAS

CRAIG RUBANO & LORNA DALLAS

MARIEANN MERINGOLO & LORNA DALLAS

GEORGE DVORSKY, LORNA DALLAS, ROSIE BENTINCK

EDA SOROKOFF,MARILYN MAYE, CHARLES BUSCH

KT SULLIVAN & ELIZABETH SULLIVAN

KURT PETERSON, LORNA DALLAS

 ANN TALMAN &LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & SANDY MANLEY

JOYCE BREACH & REX REED

LORNA DALLAS & RICHARD HILLMAN

BARRY KLEINBORT, DIRECTOR

LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS

CHRISTOPHER DENNY & LORNA DALLAS

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Cabaret

My View: David Yazbek and Norbert Leo Butz at 54 Below

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Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award winning composer/writer/musician David Yazbek and his band were on the stage of 54 Below last night playing some of his new songs from an upcoming album. They also played some great music from the Yazbek songbook and from his Broadway musicals.

 In addition to being an award winning composer and lyricist David Yazbek is a formidable pianist possessing a fearless technique generating an extraordinary combination of intoxicating melodious dissonance. .  A highlight of the evening for me was when he displayed his unique harmonic and rhythmic pianistic concepts on the Great American Songbook Standard “Over The Rainbow”.  Norbert Leo Butz also starred in the the 54 evening titled “David Yazbek and The Bludgeoneers” and he brought the house to it’s feet with the “Dirty Rotten Medley”

The Band: Javier Diaz (Percussion), Tony Orbach (Sax), Sam Sadigursky (Clarinet), Dean Sharenow (Drums), Chris Tordini (Bass), Paul Vercesi (Sax)

DAVID YAZBEK

DAVID YAZBEK

DAVID YAZBECK

NORBERT LEO BUTZ

NORBERT LEO BUTZ

NORBERT LEO BUTZ

SAM SADIGURSKY

DAVID YAZBEK & SAM SADIGURSKY

NORBERT LEO BUTZ

TONY ORBACH & PAUL VERCESI

THE BAND

DAVID YAZBEK & NORBERT LEO BUTZ

54 BELOW

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