“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” —Thornton Wilder Happy September! The weather may be cooling down, but VLOG is heating up! Well, it’s not actually cooling down yet, but the second half is true. We are all busily preparing for our November production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, our first fully staged show in four and a half years (believe it or not, By Jupiter in May of 2019 was the last one). To say we’re excited (and scared) would be an understatement. We have a wonderful production team, a marvelous cast, and we can’t wait to get started. You may be asking yourself: Self, what can I do to ensure Gentlemen’s Guide is a smashing success? I’m glad you asked! There are big jobs, small jobs, and all sorts of jobs in between, before, during and after the run. Help building sets, props, and/or costumes Work backstage as an assistant stage manager, dresser (we’re going to need a few of these!), follow-spot operator, gofer, etc. Lend a hand with load-in and strike Usher at show time, make and/or sell concessions Box-office coordination Tell all of your family, friends, and work-proximity associates about VLOG, and get them to buy tickets! and many, many more Gentleman’s Guide is a huge endeavor, and we’re going to need the support of this loving community. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t It? Community. Without you, there wouldn’t be an us. So please consider donating some of your valuable time (and money, maybe? Money never hurts!), and let’s make some magic together! Yours in Melpomene and Thalia, James Higgins Please direct your volunteer excitement in email form to James Higgins iamjameshiggins@gmail.com Once again, thank you so much to everyone who came out and auditioned at VLOG for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. The casting team was overwhelmingly impressed by everyone’s incredible talent at the auditions! Congratulations to those cast in the show! Nicolette Boillotat–Sibella Hallward Keith Broughton–Man #1 Martin Everall–Man #2 Maggie Langhorne–Woman #1 Joe Marx–Montague "Monty" Navarro Karen Mason–Woman #2 Chazmond J. Peacock–The D'Ysquith Family Kathleen Raab–Woman #3 Luke Sikora–Man #3 Amanda Silva–Phoebe D'Ysquith Noelle Teagno–Miss Shingle The cast is already hard at work at their first rehearsal Seeing as MURDER is in the air... Join us in October For A Murder Mystery Party We will be hosting a Murder Mystery Party end of October, time/location to be announced based on interest. We will all dress up in theme and work together over drinks and food to create a night of exciting mystery and intrigue! Solving crimes has never been so much fun. Look out for an individual email to RSVP in the next couple of weeks. We'd KILL to have you Join Us! October 2023 - Murder Mystery Soirée, TBD November 17-19, 2023 - A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Flea Theater Have you renewed your membership for the 2023-24 season yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

“Tra la! It’s May.” And now that I look at the rest of the lyrics from that classic Camelot song, I realize that I can’t use most of them. They’re not appropriate for a family newsletter. Anyway, please don’t go blissfully astray because VLOG has a lot planned for you this spring. In our first few weeks of rehearsals for VLOG Does the Tonys 2, we’re already seeing some amazing numbers taking shape for those three June performances. In addition to the great songs, we have some surprises in store for you. See below for the show dates and times. Tickets will be on sale soon. Shortly after the show, we’ll be having our Summer Membership Meeting, on June 17, and later that month, we’ll start rehearsing for the return of the VLOG Annual Summer Concert. That’ll be on August 5 in New Rochelle, “the place where the mansion will be” to which you’ll have your warm dinner delivered when you both come wearily home from downtown. And the Membership Committee is planning Vloggers Meeting Vloggers. So rest up while you can and eat your Wheaties! Keep reading for all the details. Breaking News: Vlog alum Bonnie Milligan has been nominated for a Tony in the Best Featured Actress in a Musical category for her role in Kimberly Akimbo. Brava, Bonnie, and break a leg! Joe Levine June 9, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 10, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 11, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 17, 2023 - 4:00 p.m. - VLOG Summer Membership Meeting, In-Person, Location To Be Determined June 17, 2023 - Vloggers Meeting Vloggers, In-Person, location TBD August 5, 2023 - VLOG Annual Summer Concert, New Rochelle Public Library Save the Date: Summer Membership Meeting VLOG will hold our annual summer membership meeting on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4:00pm. We look forward to providing you with information about our forthcoming season and voting in our new board! Your Membership Committee is planning our first ever “VLOGGERS MEETING VLOGGERS” Get Together this June! WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS! WE HAVE “OLD” MEMBERS!! Our mission is to give longtime VLOG members and newer VLOG members a chance to meet and share VLOG stories. And have some drinks. And tell stories of backstage drama. And kvetch about “that” director. And just hang out. WHATEVER works for YOU! There’s no denying that the VLOG organization has morphed over the decades. The VLOG that someone who joined in 1983 and the VLOG that someone who joined in 2023 are very different VLOGS. Getting to know each other can be a genuine gift in so many ways. Truly, what I’ve learned and continue to learn from longtime VLOGGERS has created a very special bond with all things VLOG that I most certainly would not have without my VLOG family generously sharing their rich history and stories. Let’s start building some connections between the generations and decades for ALL VLOG members – a connection to something that matters and deserves to be shared! The VLOG legacy is robust and impressive. Let’s work together to keep it strong for another eight decades! All that said, we are actively asking for your help in finding a bar or restaurant or private home where we can hold our first VLOGGERS MEETING VLOGGERS party. Our illustrious committee includes Belen Negron, Karen Mason, and Patty Shay. Please reach out to any of them or to me, Pam Palmieri, at pcp@gemfacts.com with all suggestions for a great spot to hold our first of these events. Only a few more weeks until VLOG DOES THE TONYS 2, and what a classy extravaganza it’s going to be! We’re going to plan some craft parties this month for the cast and all VLOG members to help with the award envelopes aka playbills aka programs to be “presented” to each audience member when they arrive! As rehearsals progress, there will no doubt be additional opportunities to help us with creating and/or gathering props and stuff like that, so please stay tuned! Thank you to Lalo Cavali for the beautiful graphic you see above. TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE SOON! WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DETAILS! VLOG Annual Summer Concert Hello VLOG! At long last, we are very excited to announce the return of our annual summer concert! The concert will be on Saturday, August 5, at 12 p.m., at the New Rochelle Public Library. Rehearsals will begin in mid-June. The call for singers and rehearsal schedule will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to sing with you again! The schedule is as follows: Monday, June 26, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studios Thursday, June 29, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studio Thursday, July 6, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studios Monday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studios Monday, July 17, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal,353 Studios Monday, July 24, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studios Monday, July 31, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Rehearsal, 353 Studios Thursday, August 3, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—Dress Rehearsal, 353 Studios Day of Logistics (exact times to be confirmed) 10:00 a.m.—Arrive at New Rochelle Public Library 11:00 a.m.—Call Time, New Rochelle Public Library 12:00 p.m.—Concert, New Rochelle Public Library 3:00 p.m.—Party at Amy Tietz’s house Michael Thomas, Music Director Lauren Trapido, Producer Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Month - May Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share those histories and the continuing culture thriving in parks and communities today. For more information, check out the National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month.htm Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month is meant to be a time to celebrate or commemorate together, but is not meant to be the only time of year. Find resources to learn, teach, experience, and reflect on women's history and heritage beyond May. Sharing History & Heritage - Discover stories and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country. Heritage Travel - Explore parks, memorials, and historic sites around the country and US territories in person or virtually. Educators Portal - Find distance learning opportunities, lesson plans, and other educational material about history and heritage for all age groups. Read A Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2022 from the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/04/29/a-proclamation-on-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-heritage-month-2022/ Jewish American Heritage Month - May May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a great opportunity to celebrate the important contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since the first group of Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654. The United States has many heritage months that celebrate the various communities that form the mosaic of our country, including Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more. By celebrating heritage months, we learn about one another, we honor the richness of our diverse nation, and we strengthen the fabric of American society. Jewish American Heritage Month originated in 1980 when Congress passed a resolution, which authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating April 21-28, 1980 as Jewish Heritage Week. Following a series of annual presidential proclamations designating a week in April or May of each year as Jewish Heritage Week, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month on April 20, 2006. The proclamation began with efforts by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. These resolutions urged the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the rich history of Jews in America and the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society. The resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives in December 2005 and in the Senate in February 2006. For me more information, check out the American Jewish Committee (AJC) https://www.ajc.org/news/what-is-jewish-american-heritage-month Mental Health Awareness Month - May Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every year during the month of May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness. Read below to learn more about how you can get involved. For more information, check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month Have you renewed your membership yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Hello VLOGers, Our spring show is now Naked Boys Singing. April Fools! In some ways it feels like April Fools came early for VLOG, as our best-laid plans for our spring production were thwarted time after time. But like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, we will not be defeated! The show must go on, even if it wasn’t the first (or second) one that we thought it would be! We are very excited for VLOG Does the Tonys 2 in the fabulous Symphony Space. Put it on your calendars now: June 9 & 10 @ 7:30 p.m., June 11 @ 2:00 p.m. We want you ALL to be a part of this production whether you are on stage or in the audience. You are VLOG! And speaking of “VLOG is its members,” the more of us, the stronger we will be as an organization. So tell all your talented friends about what VLOG has meant to you and encourage them to audition for a show. We have had some fabulous additions to the group this year and we want to keep that momentum going. And speaking of friends, when you come to see VLOG Does the Tonys 2, why not bring a friend (talented or not) who is new to VLOG? If every VLOG member in the audience brought a friend, we could exponentially increase our ticket sales! And the member who brings the most friends will win a new car! April Fools—who do you think we are, Oprah? See you at VLOG Does the Tonys 2, my friends! Noelle Teagno June 9, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 10, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 11, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. - VLOG Does the Tonys 2, Symphony Space June 17, 2023 - 4:00 p.m. - VLOG Summer Membership Meeting, In-Person, Location To Be Determined August 5, 2023 - VLOG Annual Summer Concert, New Rochelle Public Library To Be Determine - Vloggers Meeting Vloggers (see below for details) Save the Date: Summer Membership Meeting VLOG will hold our annual summer membership meeting on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4:00pm. We look forward to providing you with information about our forthcoming season and voting in our new board! Your Membership Committee is planning our first ever “VLOGGERS MEETING VLOGGERS” get together this spring! Our mission is to give longtime VLOG members and newer VLOG members a chance to meet and share VLOG stories. And have some drinks. And tell stories of backstage drama. And kvetch about “that” director. And just hang out. WHATEVER works for YOU! There’s no denying that the VLOG organization has morphed over the decades. The VLOG that someone who joined in 1983 and the VLOG that someone who joined in 2023 are very different VLOGS. I’ve had the great pleasure of becoming dear friends with people who’ve been members of VLOG for literally years. In comparison, I’m very much a newbie. But getting to know these old-timers (yes, I said it - you all know who you are!) has been a genuine gift in so many ways. Truly, what I’ve learned and continue to learn from them has created a very special bond with all things VLOG that I most certainly would not have without my VLOG family generously sharing their rich history and stories. I’m forever grateful for this, and would love to start building some bridges between the generations and decades for ALL VLOG members. This has nothing to do with your age. It’s about creating connections with something that matters. Something that deserves to be shared! The VLOG legacy is robust and impressive. Let’s work together to keep it strong for another eight decades! All that said, we are actively asking for your help in finding a bar or restaurant or private home where we can hold our first VLOGGERS MEETING VLOGGERS party. Please reach out to me, Pam Palmieri, at pam_palmieri@vlog.org or pcp@gemfacts.com with any and all suggestions for a really great spot to hold our first of these events. Want to help us on the committee?? Let me know that, too. So far, it’s Belen Negron and me. But we’d love your help and input! Cheers! VLOG DOES THE TONYS 2: No Sore Losers! Once auditions take place, we’re going to plan some craft parties for the cast and all VLOG members to help with the award envelopes aka playbills aka programs to be “presented” to each audience member when they arrive! As rehearsals progress, there will no doubt be additional opportunities to help us with creating/gathering props and stuff like that, so please stay tuned! VLOG Annual Summer Concert Hello VLOG! At long last, we are very excited to announce the return of our annual summer concert! The concert will be on Saturday, August 5, at 12 p.m., at the New Rochelle Public Library. Rehearsals will begin in mid-June. The call for singers and rehearsal schedule will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to sing with you again! Michael Thomas, Music Director Lauren Trapido, Producer Arab American Heritage Month - April During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society. Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful of states recognizing the initiative. Each year, our grass-roots network of over 250 Arab American volunteers in 26 states gathers hundreds of proclamations from their states, counties, municipalities, and local school districts. If you would like to join a state team please contact Dr. Amal David. The President of the United States recognized the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month with a special commemorative letter to our organization. In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. Additionally, the following states have passed permanent legislation designating the month of April as NAAHM: Illinois; Oregon; Virginia; and Indiana (Senate). For more information, check out the Arab America Foundation: https://arabamericafoundation.org/national-arab-american-heritage-month/ Have you renewed your membership yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Dear VLOG Friends and Family! DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!! Get ready, get set. . . . it’s SHOWTIME!! November brings us the long-awaited, much-anticipated performance of Sondheim’s “Sunday In The Park With George” staged concert and we could not be more excited for you all to see it! VLOG’s return to the concert stage features cast members young and old, old and new, tried and true. . . all just bursting with talent! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! Seriously. Buy them now! (Details and link below) Your board has been working diligently to make VLOG the best we can be. . . if you haven’t read VLOG’s Mission Statement it in a while (ever?), take a moment now to remind yourself why you choose to be a valuable member. Here’s an abbreviated version: VLOG exists to foster appreciation of the musical arts with modern themes and equitable representation that reflects the diversity of NYC today, and reviving lesser-known works to elevate underrepresented artists within this generation-spanning genre. Through semi-staged concerts and cabarets to full-scale operettas and musicals, we provide opportunities for members to hone performing, producing and creative skills while making high-quality amateur theatre accessible to the community, including the elderly, handicapped, and economically disadvantaged. That’s it. . . that’s what we strive to do. But to do it, we need you! If you haven’t yet this year, please PAY YOUR DUES. The pandemic hit us hard. Now, more than ever, your participation in any way you are able is appreciated. Paying dues is an excellent way to show your support. https://secure.givelively.org/donate/village-light-opera-group-ltd/2022-2023-membership-dues And at the start of this month of gratitude, we’re kicking off VLOG’s Giving Tuesday campaign. This year Giving Tuesday takes place on 11/29/22 and is described as “a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity”. Think about that. . . radical generosity! So, when you receive emails and requests for donations in the next few weeks, please keep an open heart, an open mind, and give whatever feels right for you. All gifts/donations will be very much appreciated. Thank you kindly! #GivingTuesday Have a lovely, performance-filled, and radically generous November! See you IN THE PARK!! Warmly, Pam Palmieri November 18-20, 2022 - VLOG presents Sunday in the Park with George December 14, 2022 - Caroling - 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Intercontinental Barclay (111 East 38th St. at Lex) - Save the Date! February 10-11, 2023 - VLOG presents Iolanthe June 9-11, 2023 - VLOG presents A Tale of Two Cities Click on picture to buy tickets for SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE! Friday November 18th @ 7:30 Saturday November 19th @ 7:30 Sunday November 20th @ 2:00 Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College entry on E69th between Park and Lexington To see cast list, click HERE People of VLOG, I can’t say it any better than Pam just did. It’s been a difficult almost 3 years for everyone, and what better way to celebrate life than to support your favorite theater company, than to see this exquisite and life-affirming show by one of the greatest Broadway composers the world has ever known! We have a total of 420 tickets available, and I know we can absolutely sell out. Please buy some tickets for yourselves, for you family, for your friends, heck, for some kind-looking strangers on the street. One reason to buy your tickets early is that we have to provide a list of ticket holders to Hunter a day or two before the shows. Yes, tickets will indeed be available at the door, but think of how much easier it will be just to get your name checked off, go through the turnstile, and take the elevator up to the 4th floor! Please note that you will have to show your COVID vaccination certificate at the door. We are also looking for volunteers to sell tickets by the doors downstairs, as well as ushering in the theater. If you are interested, please email vlog@vlog.org Rehearsals are going exceptionally well, and this remarkably talented cast has been having so much fun! We can’t wait to see you there! Warmest regards, James Higgins National Native American Heritage Month Every year on November 1, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the remarkable Native Americans who have contributed a lot to improve the character of the nation. This month is also referred to as the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. November is the time to rejoice in diverse and rich cultures, histories, and traditions and to appreciate the great contributions of the Native Americans. This month allows us to spread awareness about tribes or to educate people about the various challenges faced by the Native Americans in the past and today. Throughout this month, we commit to keep on supporting the remaining Native American tribes and let the world know about their sacrifices. https://nationaltoday.com/american-heritage-month/ Have you renewed your membership yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Dear Vloggers, Fall has officially arrived, but the cool down hasn’t stopped us from blazing ahead with our first stage production since 2020! Our incredible cast of Sunday in the Park with George has been busy rehearsing for our return to the stage! We had a great turnout at auditions, with a good mix of VLOGers and new faces. Congratulations to all cast! (click here to see the cast list) If you haven’t signed up for a committee yet, there are plenty of ways to get involved! Please reach out to vlog@vlog.org to find out ways to get involved behind the scenes and in the front of house. As they say, work is what you do for others…art is what you do for yourself. So, let’s start putting it together! To celebrate our season, we have a host of themed membership events (please see below for information.) Excited to give us more to see, Laura Kroh October 30, 2022 - Reading of Rocky Horror Picture Show November 18-20, 2022 - VLOG presents Sunday in the Park with George December 15, 2022 - Caroling February 10-11, 2023 - VLOG presents Iolanthe June 9-11, 2023 - VLOG presents A Tale of Two Cities Meet Four Theater Artists to Watch this Fall From the New York Times on September 8, 2022 by Alexis Soloski, Elisabeth Vincentelli, Laura Collins-Huges, and Scott Heller Bonnie Milligan, ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ “I grew up singing as soon as I could talk,” said Bonnie Milligan, who appears in the musical “Kimberly Akimbo” Matthew Murphy When she was at student at Ohio State University, Bonnie Milligan would watch YouTube with her musical-theater-crazed friends and they would “do clips,” as she put it. “I need Audra, let’s go Audra,” Milligan said, recalling some prompts. “Give me some Alysha Umphress. Now we’ve got some Christine Ebersole.” These days, Milligan, now in her mid-30s, is the one that fans might want to search for. They could be looking for one of her big numbers from the Go-Go’s musical “Head Over Heels,” in which she played the gloriously vain Princess Pamela, or for some of her uproarious cabaret duets, especially the ones with her friend Matt Doyle — do yourself a favor and check out their cover of the Celine Dion-Barbra Streisand epic “Tell Him.” It’s a safe bet YouTube will see more traffic when Milligan reprises the role of a gleefully brazen con artist named Debra in the Broadway transfer of the David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori musical “Kimberly Akimbo,” which had a successful run at the Atlantic Theater last year. (Previews begin at the Booth Theater on Oct. 12.) Music runs in Milligan’s family: Her parents met when her father, a pastor, started singing for the gospel group her mother performed with as a pianist. “I grew up singing as soon as I could talk,” Milligan said over lunch on a recent afternoon in Soho. “I’ve always been an instinctual singer. I would sing along to the radio, I would sing along to Celine or Mariah.” It did not take much longer for her to discover the power of humor. “Around fourth grade, I felt a little chubbier and I felt a little different, so I started making fun of myself a little bit, because I didn’t want anybody to make fun of me,” she said. “I really liked making people laugh. It wasn’t always self-deprecating, but honestly, it’s how it started as a kid, which is so sad.” Milligan knew she was talented, yet doubts crept in about having a career. Toward the end of college, a friend told her, maybe to help keep Milligan’s expectations low, that she wouldn’t make it as an actress because of her size. “I had been this super-confident kid that was like, ‘I know I’m different, but that’s what makes me special,’ ” Milligan said, “and it felt really hard to hear that quote-unquote truth.” Fortunately, she eventually reconnected with her confident self, thanks in part to therapy, and threw herself into auditions. In 2018, she made her Broadway debut as a lead in “Head Over Heels,” and “Kimberly Akimbo” will give more theatergoers a chance to experience her precise comic timing, charisma and power pipes. Word Mental Health Day - October 10, 2022 Whilst the pandemic has, and continues to, take its toll on our mental health, the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health. Many aspects of mental health have been challenged; and already before the pandemic in 2019 an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain in short supply, and fall far below what is needed, especially in low and middle income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened. Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being; a staggering 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021. We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need. WHO will work with partners to launch a campaign around the theme of Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority. This will be an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and to be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health & Well-Being becomes a Global Priority for all. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022 National Coming Out Day - October 11, 2022 Another important celebration in the diversity and inclusion calendar, National Coming Out Day 2022 is an annual awareness day that recognises the process of ‘coming out’. Many LGBTQ+ people spend time ‘in the closet’ before ‘coming out’ to their family and friends, but some are faced with ignorance and homophobia. National Coming Out Day educates family, friends and colleagues on the correct way to support their LGBTQ+ peers. In our latest post, we have supplied a helpful FAQ for NCOD and listed the top LGBT speakers for National Coming Out Day 2022. What is National Coming Out Day? National Coming Out Day is an annual celebration for the LGBT+ community, supporting them in the disclosure of their sexuality or identification. The day allows hundreds of people to celebrate being a member of the LGBT+ community or to openly reveal to their friends, family or colleagues that they are LGBT+. The day champions the idea that homophobia thrives in silence, and so thousands of allies and members of the LGBT+ community group together to abolish the silence. https://lgbt-speakers.com/news/top-10-lists/national-coming-out-day-top-speakers-to-book LGBT History Month LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources. https://lgbthistorymonth.com/ Have you renewed your membership yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Dear Vloggers, The day we have been dreaming of has finally come. The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) is returning to the main stage en force! I am more than excited to share with you the slate of shows we have for our upcoming season! From our summer membership meeting and previous newsletters, you are aware that our theme for the season is “Something Borrowed, Something New”. For the past three seasons, the Artistic Direction Committee has gone through the process of researching and choosing slates of shows that they presented to the board which, due to the pandemic, we were ultimately unable to perform. In order to respect and honor their work, we’ve combed through those slates and chosen three of their previous suggestions. Our show selections for the 2022-23 season will be as follows: November 18 - 20, 2022 Sunday in the Park with George (concert production) February 10 - 11, 2023 Iolanthe (concert production) June 9 - 11, 2023 A Tale of Two Cities (fully-staged production) We are returning to the stage, but we can’t do it alone. They say that it takes a village, but I believe it takes a Village Light Opera Group. Please see below for opportunities to volunteer with VLOG and for information about upcoming auditions, membership events, and more! We also have an important update about Vermont from Lauren Trapido and Michael Thomas. It’s almost showtime! Andrew Roberts Visit the website at vlog.org to sign up for an audition for Sunday In The Park With George! September 16-17, 2022 - Sunday in the Park with George - Auditions September 18, 2022 - Sunday in the Park with George - Callbacks September 22, 2022 - Sunday in the Park with George - First Rehearsal November 18-20, 2022 - VLOG presents Sunday in the Park with George February 10-11, 2023 - VLOG presents Iolanthe June 9-11, 2023 - VLOG presents A Tale of Two Cities Hello VLOG Friends, It has been over three years since we last performed together in Vermont. Michael and I know that we are not alone in stating how much we were looking forward to getting back on stage, back in the pool, and back with friends who have become like family after so many years of singing together. Sadly, our time in Vermont has come to a close. After decades in West Dover, VT, VLOG Life Members Ned and Royal Wilson have sold the Mountaineer Inn. We are excited for their next chapter, but it is an undeniable truth that we will all miss this beloved tradition. Not ones to give up, of course, we are looking to you for leads on where we can start the tradition anew. If you have any leads on music festivals, concert series, or lodging that can accommodate at least 30 singers (plus a handful of crew/family), please get in touch with Lauren at lauren.trapido@gmail.com. We are optimistic that we can find a path forward. Hail poetry! Best, Lauren Trapido, Producer Michael Thomas, Music Director We are looking for YOU! If you are interested in any of the following areas, please reach out to vlog@vlog.org to volunteer! Membership Committee Help VLOG engage our membership through digital and in-person events, assist with VLOG auditions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Help VLOG curate DEI outreach efforts, create DEI newsletter content and events, serve as DEI representative in VLOG auditions Production Committee Help VLOG produce shows, serve on the Artistic Direction Committee, serve on the Director’s Choice Committee, help locate spaces for VLOG productions Marketing Committee Help VLOG market our events via social media, work on VLOG’s website, create marketing materials for specific productions Fundraising Committee Help VLOG connect with our existing lifetime members and members, work on VLOG’s Giving Tuesday and other fundraising campaigns, work on grant writing Archive Committee Help VLOG to digitize and make materials from VLOG’s archives available online Our dear “Dame Wilkes” passed away on June 27, 2022, in the UK where she had been living with her sister, Tommy, since leaving the US. A much loved and sought-after performer, Jocelyn mastered and sang all of the G&S leading contralto roles for VLOG and toured and sang nationally with many professional companies throughout the US and Canada. One can hardly forget her ferocious Katisha and her hysterical Lady Jane, her domineering Lady Blanche, her magical, mystical bumboat woman, Little Buttercup; to name but a few. Not only a gifted performer she was also a skilled and accomplished seamstress working closely with resident Costume designer, Barbara Sabel, providing costumes and props for many theatrical companies. When not performing Jocelyn was also a nurse and a midwife! And…a faithful and enthusiastic baseball fan…quoting player’s stats as easily as lyrics to a song! Please take a moment to raise a glass and a HAIL POETRY in memory of one who touched so many with her talent and unforgettable personality…..indelibly imprinted in our memories. Rest in peace, Dear Jo. In friendship’s name, SA/Sally Noll Cathy Markoff is looking for a few volunteers to help for a brass band concert on Monday, Sept. 12th from 5 to 7 pm in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. For more info email cmarkoff111@gmail.com asap. Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 every year, and serves as a time to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of Hispanic Americans in all aspects of American life and culture. Below are some links with more information about the month itself, as well as information on the wider contributions of our Hispanic family and friends. National Today: Hispanic Heritage Month, September 2022 https://nationaltoday.com/hispanic-heritage-month/ National Museum of the American Latino https://latino.si.edu/ Latin American Recipes from allrecipes.com https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/237/world-cuisine/latin-american/ A Wikipedia article about Latin American poetry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_poetry International Day of Peace Peace has been an aspiration since…well, since the advent of conflict. As we as a species continue to learn and grow, the idea of a perpetual state of peace—political or otherwise—continues to be an overarching theme in many aspects of our culture. The International Day of Peace is observed on September 21 each year and serves as a day to acknowledge Peace as something that is indeed achievable. Below are links with more information on the IDP and some tools and references on understanding different cultures. (Yes, art and food) National Today: International Day of Peace, September 21, 2022 https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-peace/ Theatre Without Borders: Theatre Without Borders (TWB) is a global, all-volunteer, grass-roots, virtual community that shares information and builds connections between individuals and institutions interested in international theatre and performance exchange. https://theatrewithoutborders.com/ The Capitol Theatre: National Day of Peace—20 Songs About Peace https://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/blog/detail/international-day-of-peace-20-songs-about-peace The Yale ISM Review: Building Peace Through Music https://www.ismreview.yale.edu/article/building-peace-through-music/ Mappr: Top 10 Countries Have the Best Cuisine in the World https://www.mappr.co/countries-best-cuisine/ Last.FM - World Music Artists https://www.last.fm/tag/world+music/artists Have you renewed your membership yet? Contact Us: vlog@vlog.org, president@vlog.org The Village Light Opera Group (VLOG) and its membership are actively and enthusiastically committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We are actively committed to diversity in casting, and encourage performers, directors, designers, and crew of diverse backgrounds to join us. VLOG is committed to being a group that tells a diverse portfolio of stories which reflect the human experience and demonstrates the remarkable spectrum in our community. We are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. It is through diversity that we are made stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.