Internationally acclaimed tenor and vocal coach David RomanoDavid Romano, the internationally-acclaimed tenor who created the role of “Ubaldi Piangi” in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera and was best known as the “vocal coach to the stars,” died on Saturday, December 26 at his home in Palm Springs, CA at the age of 69. David was also a close friend of mine since 1995. In addition to his own glorious voice, for more than 40 years David has been a much sought-after voice teacher and vocal coach. Over the years, his students/clients – including Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman – have gone on to illustrious careers of their own lighting up stages from the Metropolitan Opera, to La Scala, to Broadway stages and in feature films. “David Romano was an incredible force,” says 4-time Grammy Award nominee Josh Groban. “He was one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and his knowledge of the voice was pivotal to my understanding of singing and, the lessons he taught me, in music and in life, will carry on with me forever.” David Romano making his grand entrance in The Phantom of the Opera (photo: Joan Marcus) “I first got to know David in 1988 when we were performing in The Phantom of the Opera in NYC,” said international classical vocalist and original Phantom star Sarah Brightman. “At the time, being a young performer, English and new to the pressures of Broadway theatre, he took me under his wing, and we had been good friends ever since.” “Not only did he have a beautiful voice, but he was also an excellent vocal coach,” added Brightman. “He was a strong and ebullient character, a personality, lived life to the fullest, a lover of opera, a wonderful human being and will be missed by his friends and many in the arts and entertainment world. He will always be remembered and will never be forgotten as the vocal coach to the stars.” David Romano with Sarah Brightman backstage at Phantom of the Opera International opera star Angela Maria Blasi shared in a statement: “During our times in Evita, we would disappear into the basement during the break between shows and he would coach me on my opera audition material. He was so knowledgeable in everything opera that I don’t know what I would have done without his steadfast support and mentorship. Rest in peace dear friend.” As a performer, David toured the world as a concert soloist, singing over 100 concerts with Roger Wagner and, can be heard on more than 30 film soundtracks. David Romano chatting with Elizabeth Taylor after a performance of Phantom of the Opera One of David’s favorite highlights was when he sang a duet with opera legend Luciano Pavarotti in the MGM film Yes, Giorgio. During the recording session, Pavarotti announced, “Your voice is more beautiful than mine.” In 1998, David released his own critically acclaimed solo album, All the Things You Are, and over the years was featured on numerous musical theatre recordings. He also recorded the soundtrack and was featured in the ABC movie of the week “Infidelity.” Among his seemingly endless list of credits, David graced the stages of the San Francisco Spring Opera, Opera Colorado, and the Ojai Festival as well as appearing as a soloist with major symphony orchestras up and down the west coast. A shortlist of his many theater credits include featured roles in Evita (original Los Angeles company), Sammy Cahn’s Words and Music and appearances in L.A. Civic Light Opera’s Camelot, Kismet, Wonderful Town, and Bells Are Ringing. Additional film and TV credits are “Fernwood Tonight,” Twilight Zone,” “Alf,” “Lady Blue,” “Means and Ends” and “The Martin Short Show,” to name just a few. But on a personal note, I will remember David for his unending friendship. I met David as a longtime friend of my husband, Michael. Countless were the sitcom adventures I would find myself traipsing about with David. After a year or two, Michael would answer the phone only to turn to me to say, “Ethel, it’s Lucy.” With Michael and David escaping Oz Patience wasn’t always David’s strong point. One time, as he was driving his huge SUV after leaving a theater event in Los Angeles, he got tired of the slow-moving traffic from the 4th floor of the parking structure to the exit. So, he just announced, “Hold on!” And then drove down the left hand (wrong) lane of traffic all the way down to the street level. Once we were out, he calmly turned and said, “I didn’t buy this car to wait.” I also got to experience David’s incredible talent as a vocal coach for several years. Normally, his fee for a session would cost hundreds of dollars, but he would teach me for free out of his immense generosity. And I never sang better. He was very old school. As the student, he wasn’t interested in why I thought I sang this or that a certain way. He would just ask, “Who is the teacher?” His instinct in coaxing the best out of his students was unerring and never missed the mark. “Open your mouth, drop your jaw, say ‘ah’ not ‘aw’ and sing!” And out would come an effortless high B flat I was never able to conquer before. That was David’s talent, though. I just did as I was told. And if you didn’t ‘do as you were told,’ you were thrown out of the studio. Out. OUT. He was the teacher. Period. David and Michael in the 1990s David often assumed the role of my unofficial publicist as he was never slow to brag about my theater career informing any and every one of my resume (as important as it may or may not be) dropping every name he could along the way. David was generous to a fault, and I really mean that. Almost every meal he would pick up the check. Having managed apartment buildings early in his life, he would show up and confront contractors who were working on the first house Michael and I bought when we thought we were being taken advantage of. In one instance, the contractors became extremely defensive about something and the situation wound up with the builder yelling “F*ck you!” inches from David’s face. (pause, pause, pause…raise one eyebrow) “And…?” David asked in a calm, quiet, plaintive tone.
I could go on and on. As Josh Groban shared on his social media, “Anyone who knew him has a fun story. The guy lived 20 lives. He relished in making people part of new stories.” Josh closed his post with this comment which sums up David oh-so-well: “I would say rest with the angels but I know you’re busy teaching them better vowel placement.” Busy indeed. David was complicated, complex, exhilarating, exhausting, intelligent, and incorrigible. And he was my friend. Rest in peace, Lucy. Signed, Ethel. With Michael, David and Sabrina – Christmas 1998
Kyle Motsinger in ‘Dance This Out!’ Out singer/songwriter Kyle Motsinger drops his new single and music video, “Dance This Out!” The video, directed by Tyler Milliron of Milliron Studios, features Motsinger twirling in his own mylar-curtained ‘ballroom for one’ as he sips his New Year’s Eve bubbly solo. “It’s how I think everyone must feel at the end of this awful year,” says Motsinger. “The song came from the idea that dancing can relieve stress and make you feel better. It’s actually scientifically proven!” The track is from Motsinger’s second album, Any Way I Want It To. After an introspective debut album, Motsinger tells Instinct, “I wanted to let loose and have fun.”
Considering the year that was 2020, the song took on a new meaning for the singer by the year’s end. “We have all ‘weathered the storm’ and feel like we’ve been hit by a speeding train,” said the sassy ginger. “It’s time to dance this year out!” With vocal production by fellow singer/songwriter Corey TuT and music production by Smoke and Mirrors, Motsinger was thrilled with the results declaring the track to be his “most club-ready electronic song.” Hit the play button and bust a few moves as we say goodbye to 2020. “Dance This Out!” is available on iTunes and other digital download sites. I recently covered the release of Motsinger’s dystopian “The Upside Down” here.
President-elect Joe Biden (via campaign)The Washington Post reports there are some staff changes in the works in regard to the Secret Service agents who are assigned to protect the president due to concerns that some current members have shown some alignment with Donald Trump and his agenda. And so, the Secret Service is apparently bringing back a short-list of senior agents whom President-elect Joe Biden knows well from his time as vice president. More the Washington Post:
Staff changes are typical with the arrival of a new president and are designed to increase the trust and comfort the incoming president feels with his protective agents, who often stand by the president’s side during sensitive discussions and private moments.
But the shifts underway occur at a particularly contentious time, as Trump has blamed his reelection loss on unfounded allegations of voter fraud and has sought to block his administration from treating Biden as the president-elect. Some in the Secret Service also came under criticism during Trump’s tenure for appearing to embrace his political agenda.
For instance, some presidential detail members urged other agents and Secret Service officers not to wear masks on presidential trips this year — against the administration’s own public health guidance — as the president felt wearing masks projected weakness, The Washington Post has reported.The Secret Service also took the unprecedented step of allowing the former detail leader to temporarily leave his job to become a White House political adviser.
Pro rugby player Devin Ibañez with his boyfriend Fergus Some news items you might have missed: • Outsports: Devin Ibañez (above), who played professionally in Major League Rugby, has come out as gay in social media posts, saying he has “decided to embrace what I once felt embarrassed of and be proudly and shamelessly myself.” • PBS: Canada will soon require that air travelers test negative for COVID-19 before arrival, federal ministers said on Wednesday after social media images of maskless tourists prompted a call for stricter measures to curb the virus. • NewNowNext: Marcus D’Amico — who brought the beloved Tales of the City character Michael “Mouse” Tolliver to life in the original 1993 PBS miniseries — died from pneumonia on December 16 at the age of 55. Marcus D’Amico on the right (image via PBS) • The Hill: The United States on Tuesday broke its record for the most number of coronavirus-related deaths in a single day with 3,725 reported, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. As of Wednesday evening, the U.S. has now recorded a total of 342,312 deaths due to COVID-19. • Reuters: Donald Trump’s pardon of four American men convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 may have violated U.S. obligations under international law. The Geneva Conventions oblige states to hold war criminals accountable for their crimes, even when they act as private security contractors, the U.N. experts said. • Twitter: As the death toll from the coronavirus passes 341,000+ dead Americans, Donald Trump is back on the golf course today.
Dawn Wells, who starred as “good girl” Mary Ann in the popular 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19 in Los Angeles. She was 82.
Pig-tailed and attired in her ubiquitous dungarees or gingham dress, which is on display at the Hollywood Museum, the Mary Ann character was the girl-next-door to Tina Louise’s suggestive evening dress-clad Ginger, who was often subjected to leering comments from the male stars they were shipwrecked with on a tropical island after becoming stranded during a “three-hour tour.”
Louise, the last remaining member of the crew, said in a statement, “I was sad to learn of Dawn’s passing, I will always remember her kindness to me. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do – always with a smile on her face.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced there won’t be a vote for increasing stimulus checks to Americans to $2,000 because some might not need it. This was completely expected as McConnell has shown no interest in actually sending funds to Americans during the pandemic. Mind you, he had no problem handing out tax cuts for the wealthiest worth far, far more. From the New York Times:
Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, said on Wednesday that the chamber would not consider the issue of larger stimulus checks separately from two other demands issued by President Trump: the investigation of election security and the removal of legal protections for social media platforms. The decision all but dooms the effort to increase direct payments to $2,000.
“Here’s the deal: The Senate is not going to split apart the three issues that President Trump linked together just because Democrats are afraid to address two of them,” Mr. McConnell, the Kentucky Republican, said.
A stand-alone bill to increase the payments, he said, has “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate.”
All of a sudden Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are worried that someone in America might get a $2,000 check “who doesn’t need it.” Funny. They had no problem giving a $1.4 billion tax break to Charles Koch and his family with a net worth of $113 billion. What hypocrisy!
Bernie Sanders just stuffed Mitch McConnell in a locker. “Let me just make it clear for the majority leader — that 10 out of the poorest 25 counties in the US are located in Kentucky.” pic.twitter.com/EPm7jT5TSF
(screen capture via Instagram) Circuit gays from all over the world found themselves party-free on Tuesday night when officials in Rio de Janeiro shut down the Festa Revolution event due to violations regarding health guidelines regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Globo News reports that approximately 2,000 attendees were ejected from the Faro Beach Club when the fire department determined the event had not been approved. While the organizer’s website communicated that health protocols would be followed photos and videos shared on social media clearly showed hardly any face masks to be seen. And social distancing? Forget about it… The Instagram account GaysOverCovid, which shares posts of gay men ignoring COVID restrictions, posted video of the event in full swing followed by officials shutting the party down. The caption on Instagram read, “Revolution: ‘A sudden, complete, or marked change.’ The @revolutionparty in Rio got a revolution of their own tonight. Brazil ain’t playing. They Shut 👏🏻 It 👏🏻 Down. Now go home queens, and quarantine.”
GaysOverCovid also shared photos in their Instagram stories from the event posted throughout the day. As you can see in the pics, there’s hardly a face mask to be found and folks are seriously not social distancing. (screen capture) Folks on Twitter also had some opinions about the possible super-spreader event. One Twitter user shared video from a beach event with barely a face mask in sight. The clip was accompanied by the caption, “MY GOD! Look at CoronaFest that is happening THIS INSTANT in Rio !!! Revolution by Rosane Amaral. CARALEO, NO ONE WILL DO NADAAAAAAA ????”
Basically the Revolution party in Rio (gay pride) got shut down by the police. The organizers are upset because they are using covid as an excuse. Police Claim limited masks and no social distancing. https://t.co/auP7vJ507D
A notice on Festa Revolution’s Facebook page posted today shared with followers the organizers had been evaluating and studying COVID-19 statistics since March, and in October the rate of infections appeared to be heading downward (according to the statement). In light of that, at the time, the organizers hoped to hold their annual party. “However, due to the municipal decree published by the official city daily of the City of Rio de Janeiro on December 28, 2020 nº 48.322 in article 10, which provides that any license that was still pending authorization could no longer be issued, we have come to inform that the Revolution Party and The Original Brazilian Pool Party are temporarily DELAYED,” read the statement via Google Translate. Continuing, the organizers cited Law No. 14.046/2020, “which states that organizers are dismissed from immediately refunding the values paid by consumers for reservations or events, shows and shows not held, we will make available the value of the ticket purchased in the form of a CREDIT for use in event future to be booked up to 24 months after the end of public calamity state.” In related news, yesterday I reported about a similar event, White Party Puerto Vallarta, set to begin today. No word on if any changes in schedule have been made According to Globo News, Brazil has recorded 7,577,890 cases of coronavirus and 192,716 deaths from COVID-19. In the past 24 hours alone, 1,075 deaths were added to the mounting death toll. (source: Instagram)
Donald Trump called for the Republican governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, to resign from office today because Kemp wouldn’t attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. After counting the ballots three times in the Peach State, the results show President-elect Joe Biden won the state by 12,000 votes. Trump also tried to allege that some kind of conspiracy theory that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s brother works for China and somehow figures into the mix. By the way, did I mention Brad Raffensperger doesn’t have a brother? In related news, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports an audit of over 15,000 voter signatures from the election didn’t find a single fraudulent absentee ballot as Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed. The report by the Georgia secretary of state’s office released Tuesday. From the AJC: “There were 10 absentee ballots that had been accepted but voter signatures didn’t match or signatures were missing, according to the report. But agents from the GBI and investigators with the secretary of state’s office contacted those voters and confirmed they had submitted those ballots.”
Hearings from Atlanta on the Georgia Election overturn now being broadcast. Check it out. @OANN@newsmax and many more. @BrianKempGA should resign from office. He is an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia, BIG! Also won the other Swing States.
…The consent decree signed by the “Secretary”, with the consent of Kemp, is perhaps even more poorly negotiated than the deal that John Kerry made with Iran. Now it turns out that Brad R’s brother works for China, and they definitely don’t want “Trump”. So disgusting! #MAGA
Read the Georgia Secretary of State’s report on the Cobb County signature audit that found one missing signature and one mistaken signature out of 15k. #gapol
Highlight: “no fraudulent absentee ballots were identified.” Story in the morning.
(image via jeffreysanker.com) As we come to the end of the deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic, circuit party impresario Jeffrey Sanker is prepping White Party Puerto Vallarta to begin a week of New Year’s celebrations super spreader events nicknamed WPPV20/21. This might be a bad time to get infected with COVID-19. Vallarta Daily Newsreported on Christmas Day the Puerto Vallarta Regional Hospital is at 100% occupancy with COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the state of Jalisco has reached a 65% positivity rate in testing. Sanker’s official website states health and safety guidelines will be practiced including limited event capacity, temperature checks, and masks required for entry (bolding is mine). Does anyone have a feeling the masks will come off after entering the events? The promotional materials also read: “All state guidelines will be enforced for all guests.” (image via jeffreysanker.com) Speaking of guidelines, VisitPuertoVallarta.com recently announced that NEW guidelines are being implemented from December 25 – January 10, 2021 that include: • Suspension of bars and clubs in Puerto Vallarta at 19:00 hours (7 pm) • New Year’s parties and events will be suspended That last bit of information might come as a surprise to Sanker and company as his 10 pm event at Industry Nightclub (which Sanker apparently owns) on January 1 is already sold out. The other three events are being held at Mantamar Beach Club, which is at least outdoors. However, the December 30 event is announced to begin at 6 pm, so…an hour of party time? Some folks chimed in on Sanker’s Facebook page regarding the possibility of the events spreading the virus even more. (screen capture via Facebook) Sanker canceled the 2020 edition of his White Party Palm Springs earlier this year. I reached out to Sanker for any updates or changes being considered for White Party Puerto Vallarta in light of the new guidelines. No word back at this time.
Among his seemingly endless list of credits, David graced the stages of the San Francisco Spring Opera, Opera Colorado, and the Ojai Festival as well as appearing as a soloist with major symphony orchestras up and down the west coast. A shortlist of his many theater credits include featured roles in Evita (original Los Angeles company), Sammy Cahn’s Words and Music and appearances in L.A. Civic Light Opera’s Camelot, Kismet, Wonderful Town, and Bells Are Ringing. Additional film and TV credits are “Fernwood Tonight,” Twilight Zone,” “Alf,” “Lady Blue,” “Means and Ends” and “The Martin Short Show,” to name just a few. But on a personal note, I will remember David for his unending friendship. I met David as a longtime friend of my husband, Michael. Countless were the sitcom adventures I would find myself traipsing about with David. After a year or two, Michael would answer the phone only to turn to me to say, “Ethel, it’s Lucy.” 
Folks on Twitter also had some opinions about the possible super-spreader event. One Twitter user shared video from a beach event with barely a face mask in sight. The clip was accompanied by the caption, “MY GOD! Look at CoronaFest that is happening THIS INSTANT in Rio !!! Revolution by Rosane Amaral. CARALEO, NO ONE WILL DO NADAAAAAAA ????” 
