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STAR W E E K L Y
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID Desert Hot Springs, CA
Matthew Porter at 35th Annual Cabazon Indio Powwow, see page 2. Photo by Pat Krause
PERMIT NO 00005
November 30, 2016 Vol. 9 No. 96
Hairspray Live!
Photo by NBC Entertainment/Division of NBC Universal, Inc.)
Big hair, bold moves, and beautiful confidence. “Hairspray Live” has it all, join the party on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8/7c on NBC. By Pam Price If you’ve already seen The Wiz and Grease broadcast on NBC during the holidays and remain a fan of bringing Broadway into your home, make a big note of December 7th, Thursday at 4:30 PM (PST) for NBC Entertainment’s “Hairspray Live!“ The nearly two-hour production features
newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad and Harvey Fierstein as her mother, the indomitable Edna Turnblad. The telecast of the Broadway hit musical features an in-depth and fascinating preview before the performance with Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (of Will & Grace fame) highlighting all that it takes to
stage a one-of-a-good-hearted musical event. The official title of that is “Countdown to Hairspray Live!” and will be televised from the backlot of Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA. Chenoweth and Hayes will provide audiences with one-of-a-kind backstage access to the fast-paced world of “Hairspray Live!” starting
By Desert Star Staff After years of dealing with failing health, Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban revolution who steered the country through decades of a US economic blockade, has died, state media report. Castro died in Havana on Friday at 10:29pm local time, Cuban television said. His death was announced by his brother Raul, who took the reins after Fidel stepped down. “According to the will expressed by comrade Fidel, his body will be cremated,” Raul said.Castro led the country from 1959 to 2006, when an intestinal condition nearly led to his death. He ceded power to his brother first provisionally, and then formally in 2008. In his last years, he mostly stayed out of the public eye,
only occasionally providing commentary on events in Cuba. His passing marks the end of an era for many. Castro was the last remaining leader from the group of old school communist leaders including Chinese Mao Zedong, Korean Kim Il-sung and Soviets Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev. Dictator or national hero, Castro was called many things along the way, as he rose from being a student activist protesting against oppressive regimes to becoming the president of Cuba. In February 1959, the Cuban Revolution brought Castro to power as the prime minister. He was backed by the so-called 26th of July Movement, and Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara.
Together, they managed to oust US-backed President Batista. After failing to maintain ties with Washington, Cuba became isolated from its neighbor as the US chose to cut all trade links with the Caribbean state. In 1961, the island nation fended off a CIA-backed invasion known as the Bay of Pigs. Upon taking office, Castro quickly found a new ally, as the Soviet Union supplied Cuba with arms, cars, and industrial equipment to keep it running. But the nations’ alliance brought more than mutual benefits. Cuba and Russia became key players in the Cuban Missile Crisis – arguably the most dangerous confrontation of the Cold War,
with the first open casting call to the final rehearsal. This special will explore what it takes to create a live television musical event, as viewers will experience never-beforeseen access to “Hairspray Live!” from set and costume design to choreography and rehearsals with the cast. Even though you may be
tempted to get up and dance the Lindy, the back story on the backlot is mesmerizing minute to minute. There is even a final look at the last-minute preparations before the 5 p.m. PST live broadcast. Reliving the 960s is a hair-raising event with fun and family-friendly watch Continues on Page 6
Fidel Castro, Cuba’s longtime leader, dies at 90
Continues on Page 6
Fidel Castro