The Scene In and Around Boston . . . "Wheel of Fortune's" kick-off "Season 27" included traveling to Boston for the first time since 1993 to tape three weeks of shows themed "Historic Boston," "College Week" and "Boston's Got Game." The shows are presently airing during the November sweeps. We are told that "Wheel of Fortune" has been the #1 syndicated series since its inception and has earned 5 Emmy Awards. With more than 40 million viewers per week, syndication's most successful series continues to attract a larger audience than many primetime television shows. In 1993 the show was taped at the former Wang Center, which is now the Citi Performing Arts Center's Wang Theatre. This time the tapings were done at the Boston Convention Center. The gowns worn by Vanna White were provided by Denise Hajjar and Yolanda. For more information about "Wheel of Fortune" with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, visit www.wheeloffortune.com.
"Fiddler on the Roof" Enchants We were recently in the audience for the preview of the wonderful "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Opera House in Boston. Billed as a "Farewell Performance," it was the last opportunity to enjoy a live performance by the one-and-only Chaim Topol as "Tevye," the unforgettable role he has played thousands of times, both on stage and in Norman Jewison's classic 1971 film. We share some interesting facts that we received in our press materials: ~Orson Wells, Frank Sinatra, Anthony Quinn and Marlon Brando were among the actors who were asked to play Tevye in the film! ~Before being cast in the movie, Topol had already played the role of Tevye in the original London stage production. ~The entire movie was filmed with a woman's stocking placed over the camera lens to create the unique look Norman Jewison wanted. ~During the London revival, the actress playing Topol's wife Golde, Rosalind Harris, was the same woman who played the role of oldest daughter Tzeitel in the film. ~The original Broadway production of the show was the first musical ever to surpass the 3,000-performance mark. It held the record for longest-running Broadway musical for almost ten years. ~The creators meant for the 'Fiddler' to represent survival. According to Wikipedia, "The musical's title stems from a painting by Marc Chagall, one of many surreal paintings he created of Eastern European Jewish life, often including a fiddler. The Fiddler is a metaphor for survival, through tradition and joyfulness, in a life of uncertainty and imbalance."
TV Diner Gala Scheduled for November 21 The "3rd Annual TV Diner Platinum Plate Gala," sponsored by Dadgar Insurance, is set for Saturday night, November 21. The fun takes place at the Herb Chambers Lexus showroom on Route 1 "The Auto Mile" in Sharon, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Food tastings will come from more than 20 great New England restaurants and food providers, including Avila, Stephanie's on Newbury, Burton's Grill, Bobby C's, the Inn at Pleasant Lake, Samba Steak and Sushi, Asana at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, Bove's, Cava Tapas and Wine Bar, Chef Vito/Bellini's, Ecco, Allora Ristorante, Cafe Vanille, Icing on the Cake, V-One Vodka, Accardi Foods, Bin Ends Wine, V. Cirace & Son, The Spirited Gourmet, Seaglass, Champions Boston, Piantedosi Baking, Red Rock Bistro, Costa Fruit and Produce Co., Rao's Coffee, Taranta Ristorante, and Montilio's Bakery. Also featured is the annual auction spectacular. Past years have included prize packages from the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox, an African safari, fabulous trips and of course, your chance to appear on "TV Diner" as the "Diner for a Day." All of the auction proceeds go to the event's charity partner, Cradles to Crayons, which provides children in the Greater Boston area with the clothing, shoes, and learning tools they need to excel in school. This celebrity-studded gala has been a sellout in past years. For tickets and more information, visit www.NECN.com. Enjoy! |
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In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." |
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Fashion designer Denise Hajjar, right, received a signed photo from Vanna White, left, after 15 "Wheel of Fortune" episodes were taped in Boston. Hajjar designed five of the gorgeous gowns that the TV star wore during the tapings. (Photo courtesy of Denise Hajjar)