He found his love of entertainment at an early age and spent his
formative years honing his craft, which eventually lead him to act, direct and produce productions of all kinds throughout the world. His historical novel In Search of Heaven was released internationally in May 2006 to massive media coverage. He is currently preparing to release three new novels, IN SEARCH OF LOVE, BABA, and IN SEARCH OF PEACE.

Anytime Ata was saddened or impressed by events surrounding him he used to express his feeling through a poem. But he never kept any of the poems or gave them away. Recently, at the suggestions of his friends, Ata decided to release some of his poem. So he complete and release his latest poetry book entitled
“I Am a Lotus”. That Ata wishes all proceeds to be donated to help and teach love to children of the world, through his children foundation he found; “THE LOTUS LIGHT”.

If you wish to join him in
this important mission please write or go to;
ata@thelotuslight.org. www.the loyuslight.org. www.sennapictures.com

#AtaServati

The post Ata Servati, Poet. A Playwright, Novelist, Filmmaker and Actor discusses Iran appeared first on Good News!.

Willard Manus (born September 28, 1930) is a Los Angeles-based novelist, playwright, and journalist. His original play “Dietrich” just enjoyed a limited Off Broadway engagement at the famed Triad Theatre to packed houses and excellent reviews.

Accompanied by pianist Russell Daisey and starring Cindy Marinangel, “Dietrich” is a based on a true story. Set in May 1960, the play takes place when Marlene Dietrich returned to the Berlin stage for the first time since fleeing the Hitler regime in the 1930’s.

Inside her dressing room at the Tatiana Palast Theater, Dietrich weighs whether to go through with the live performance despite threats on her life by Nazi sympathizers who resent her for having spent much of World War II entertaining American soldiers on the front lines. To them, Dietrich is a turncoat; a traitor who deserves to be shot and killed on stage.

Willard Manus is a playwright, journalist and novelist. He is a member of the playwrights/director’s unit of The Actors Studio. His most recent plays are “Joe and Marilyn: A Love Story,” “Frank and Ava” (now a motion picture) and “Who Killed Comrade Rabbit?” His best known book is Mott the Hoople (1966), the novel from which the British 1970s hard rock band derived their name. Manus was born in New York. He is the author of This Way to Paradise: Dancing on the Tables, a memoir of life in Lindos, Rhodes, Greece, from the 1960s to the 1990s. Additionally he has had a dozen other books published, most recently a young adult novel, A Dog Called Leka, which deals with a young lad sailing the Aegean islands in the company of an exceptional dog. More than two dozen of his plays have been produced in Los Angeles, regionally and in Europe. He has been a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association since 1981.

Cindy Marinangel (Marlene Dietrich) is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio and a graduate of the Chicago Second City Conservatory. Marinangel was recently seen in “Beverly Hills Christmas,” a holiday film starring actor Dean Cain that airs seasonally on UPtv. She is a voice over talent, an avid ballroom dancer, animal advocate and producer of film, theatre and dance shows.

Russell Daisey is an internationally acclaimed pianist, singer and songwriter. He performed at The First Hiroshima International Peace Summit (on stage with the Dalai Lama); the Palais des Congres in Paris; before President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; as well as Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Ellie Wiesel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Betty Williams.

For bookings reviews and inquiries:
https://www.dietrichplay.com/

Works Written by Willard Manus:

Journalism
· Columns

Southern California Correspondent for Playbill On-Line (1995-2000).

Monthly columnist (theatre, opera, books, movies, jazz & blues) What’s Up Magazine &, Lively-Arts.com , Total Theater, The Outlook, Daily News, North-East Newspapers, Pasadena Star News, and many others

Books
· Novels

Love Under Aegean Skies – Amazon E-Book

Mott the Hoople, McGraw-Hill Co & Pinnacle Books – Amazon E-Book

· Fiction

The Fighting Men, Panjandrum Books – Amazon E-Book

The Fixers, Ace Books – E-Book

Connubial Bliss, Panjandrum Books – Amazon E-Book

The Pigskin Rabbi, Breakaway Books – Amazon E-Book

· Children’s

The Island Kids, Anglo-Hellenic Publishing Co (Picture Book)

· Young adult

The Proud Rebel, Ridge Press/Teenage Book Club

Sea Treasure, Doubleday

Mystery of the Flooded Mine, Doubleday

A Dog Called Leka, Viveca Smith Publishing Co – Amazon E-Book

· Non-fiction

This Way to Paradise–Dancing on the Tables, Lycabettus Press

Plays (premiered)
Actual Productions: Bon Appetit (Los Angeles, 1984, director Bert Rosario)

Diamonds (Los Angeles, 1985, director Richmond Shepard)

Hemingway–On the Edge (Los Angeles, 1993, director Lonny Chapman)

In My Father’s House (Los Angeles, 2000, director Jerome Guardino)

Junk Food (Los Angeles, 1981, director Rick Edelstein)

MM at 58 (Los Angeles, 1989, director Gary Guidinger)

The Bleachers

The Deepest Hunger (Los Angeles, 1984, director Lonny Chapman)

The Electronic Lincoln (Los Angeles, 1992, director Susan Deitz)

Their Finest Hour–Churchill and Murrow (Woodstock, director Nicola Sheara)

The Kendo Master (Los Angeles, 1981, director Sab Shimono)

The Last Laugh (Los Angeles, 1999, director John Lant)

The Love Boutique (Los Angeles, 1989, director Walter Olkiewicz)

The Penis Monologues (Los Angeles, 2002, director Louis Fantasia)

The Yard

Man in the Sun

Porkchops

The Call (Los Angeles, 2006, director Gregory Crafts)

Reap the Whirlwind (Los Angeles, 2000, director Doug Lowry)

Walt-Sweet Bird of Freedom (Los Angeles, 1984, director Lonny Chapman)

Central Avenue–The Musical (Los Angeles, 2007, director Louis Fantasia).

“In My Father’s House”

“Berlin Cowboys”

“Bird Lives”

“Prez, the Lester Young Story”

Frank & Ava”

Joe & Marilyn, a Love Story”

“The Life and Loves of Marlene Dietrich:

The Wicked, Wicked, Mae West”

and other plays…..

Television
Boys Will Be Boys, Fox TV.

Secrets of Midland Heights, CBS-TV.

Shannon, CBS-TV.

Too Close For Comfort, ABC-TV.

Translations
Leka de hond (A dog called Leka), translated by Gerrit Brand, Uitgeverij Nobelman, 2012.

With Artistic Regards,

Cindy Marinangel

DietrichPlay.com
CindyMarinangel.com
EternalWaltzFilm.net

“Marinangel’s excellent performance made me catch myself many times thinking that I was watching the ‘real’ Marlene.”
— Petra Schuermann (Germanworldonline.com)

The post Playwright Willard Manus discusses the origins of his original play “Dietrich”, Starring Cindy Marinangel appeared first on Good News!.

New York (Sept. 5, 2018) – “Dietrich,” a compelling solo play about iconic German actress
Marlene Dietrich, will be featured as part of the New York New Works Theatre Festival.

“Dietrich” will perform Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. The festival is being held at the
Acorn Theatre, 410 W. 42 St. in Manhattan. Ticket prices range between $29.25 and $62.25. To
buy tickets, visit https://www.nynwtheatrefestival.com/book-tickets.

Written by Willard Manus, directed by Michael V. Doane, accompanied by pianist Russell Daisey
and starring Cindy Marinangel, “Dietrich” is a based on a true story. Set in May 1960, the play
takes place when the actress returned to the Berlin stage for the first time since fleeing the
Hitler regime in the 1930’s. Inside her dressing room at the Tatiana Palast Theater, Dietrich
weighs whether to go through with the live performance despite threats on her life by Nazi
sympathizers who resented her for having spent much of World War II entertaining American
soldiers on the front lines. To them, Dietrich is a turncoat; a traitor who deserves to be shot and
killed on stage.

“Dietrich” (formerly known as “Marlene”) celebrated its world premiere at the Brickhouse
Theatre in Los Angeles, debuted in New York at the Hudson Guild Theatre as part of the New
York Theatre Festival’s annual Winterfest and had a successful showing at The Triad, an OffBroadway
theatre in Manhattan.
The play was chosen for the New York New Works Festival among hundreds of plays submitted
for consideration. Every submission was reviewed by a panel of Broadway producers, many
who have won Tony and Emmy awards for their work.
Visit www.dietrichplay.com for more information.
Cindy Marinangel is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio and a graduate of the Chicago
Second City Conservatory. Marinangel was recently seen in “Beverly Hills Christmas,” a holiday
film starring actor Dean Cain that airs seasonally on UPtv. Visit www.cindymarinangel.com for
more information.

Willard Manus is a playwright, journalist and novelist. He is a member of the
playwrights/director’s unit of The Actors Studio. His most recent plays are “Joe and Marilyn: A
Love Story,” “Frank and Ava” (now a motion picture) and “Who Killed Comrade Rabbit?”
Michael V. Doane is a singer, writer, composer, producer and director having performed in
various concert venues, regional theatres, national and European tours, and productions on and
off Broadway. For six years, Michael served as the artistic director for the Flatiron Theatre
Company (NYC) where he directed critically acclaimed revivals.
Russell Daisey is an internationally acclaimed pianist, singer and songwriter. He’s performed at
The First Hiroshima International Peace Summit (onstage with the Dalai Lama); the Palais des
Congres in Paris; before President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; and
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Ellie Wiesel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Betty Williams.

The post “Dietrich” in New York New Works Theatre Festival & Peace Day 9/21 Times Square appeared first on Good News!.

2017 Love International Film Festival (LIFF) Supporting, The Lotus Light Children’s Charity Set For, July 18-22 in Beverly Hills, CA

Beverly, CA – (ANS – 12 July) The 2017 Love International Film Festival (LIFF), which will benefit his Lotus Light Children’s Charity (TLLCC) has been organized to promote a week of love, peace and healing through the art of cinema and will take place July 18th to 22nd. The event will focus on bringing films and filmmakers from across an international community whose work embodies the fundamental message of love and contribution. Screenings of films from over 12 countries and all over the United States will take place at the iconic Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills, California, July 18th to 20th. Panel discussions to with Film Industry Leaders will take place on July 21st at the Flame in Santa Monica, CA. Award night on July 22nd and private party will be held at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, CA. Over 30 high profile celebrities have confirmed attendance to participate in the awards ceremony.

The Love International Film Festival was co-founded by Ata Servati, a spiritual prize winning poet/writer/actor/director and film maker. All proceeds from the film festival are given to The Lotus Light Children’s Charity (TLLCC) whose mission is “to build a league of empowered, educated, proactive individuals who will have the necessary resources to be able to reach out to impoverished children throughout the world. Through the healing and self-expressive nature of the Arts, we hope to inspire children with an abundance of positivity and provide them an outlet. As an outcome, we expect that children will learn that there are alternate ways to solve problems other than picking up a gun or going to war.” www.thelotuslightchildrencharity.org

“Where words fail, art can succeed. These forms of communication can transcend the political or cultural boundaries that exist.”
Ata Servati – Founder, LIFF & TLLCC

Tickets for the festival and closing ceremony can be purchased at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=35155753806 or
http://loveinternationalfilmfestival.com/

For Press: Press@liff.info

http://assistnews.net/index.php/component/k2/item/3048-meet-ata-servati-the-extraordinary-man-behind-the-upcoming-2017-love-international-film-festival-liff-in-beverly-hills-california

http://assistnews.net/index.php/component/k2/item/3014-unique-film-festival-to-promote-a-week-of-love-peace-and-healing-through-the-art-of-cinema

Ata Servati is a noted poet, playwright, novelist, prize-winning actor, filmmaker and activist.
As a spiritual man, Ata has chosen to follow the path of legends such as Rumi, Omar Khayyam and Hafez. His own spirituality began at the age of four when he began to receive premonitions in his dreams. Ata relates the creative forces in his life as the spiritual reminder and choice based on those early childhood experiences. Read More
Before the National Rebellion in his homeland began to rage on, Ata’s career as a filmmaker and writer was beginning taking off. He began to write, direct, and produce productions throughout the world. Before National Rebellion began, Ata left his homeland to come to the United States.
The decision to follow a spiritual calling was not an easy one for Ata. He ignored it for many years trying sustaining it through his creative and business efforts. These efforts along with his business understanding led to a lavish life style common to many people in the film and Real Estate. Ata had financial success, but not happiness. In early 2006 the Real Estate Market was into its collapse. Ata, who up until that time had been successful, experienced a personal and financial disaster. His business failed and his marriage ended. He went from living in a lavish house to becoming homeless. He began to live out of his car. To someone else born to wealth and fame this drastic change of fate would have been the lowest point of their lives. To Ata it was and the beginning of the best moment in his entire life. In that moment he remembered the hopes and dreams of his childhood. It was this experience that led to him to make a choice, and commit to the spiritual path. Ata began to write again, and to focus on the spiritual forces that surround all of us. After many wasted years Ata has found his peace and true path that he was meant to live on. He has rededicated his life to bringing spirituality and healing in the world. The Lotus Light Children Charity is an expression of this love, hope and desire to help and enlighten children; by bring healing to them through art. The Love International Film Festival, founded by Ata provides and opportunity to support this charity and positive art in cinema around the world.
Along with founding The Lotus Light Children Charity, Ata has once again entered into filmmaking with his production company Enlightenment Entertainment. With five projects in development as follow, “BABA” “In Search Of Heaven”, “CellFish” “CellFish 2- The Final Game.” “Dream On Empty.” He has also recently published his novel “In Search of Heaven” and a book of spiritual poetry from the heart, “I Am A Lotus”. His new novels “Baba”, “In Search Of Love” and a three-part compilation “The Shrine”, “Married To The Well”, The Silent Beggar” are schedule for release in 2016 and 2017. Ata Servati is grateful to be able to share his love and creativity with the world.
By, Anthony Petch

The post Ata Servati- Founder/ Executive Director, Love International Film Festival, Los Angeles, July 18-22 Video and Podcast are Here… appeared first on Good News!.

For the full story, go to http://goodnewsplanet.com/a-novel-of-love-the-talmud-and-sorcery/

The post Maggie Anton appeared first on Good News!.

Rav Hisda’s Daughter Book I: Apprentice by Maggie Anton

Reader fascination with all things magical in modern literature continues—from the Harry Potter novels to most recently, Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches.   Modern witches may be fantastical, yet history reveals that in third-century Babylonia, in the land where the word “magic” originated, real-life enchantresses used incantations for everyday needs and desires.  Novelist Maggie Anton, author of the acclaimed Rashi’s Daughters series, shares a young woman’s entry into this world of ancient sorcery in RAV HISDA’S DAUGHTER Book I: Apprentice (Plume Original; August 2012; $16.00)
 
As Rome battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance, Babylonia is in conflict.  Amid the turmoil, Talmudic sage Rav Hisda and his colleagues struggle to establish new Jewish traditions after the destruction of Jerusalem’s Holy Temple.   Hisdadukh, Rav Hisda’s beautiful and learned daughter, is coming of age.   As a child, when asked which of her father’s two best students—Rami or Abba—she wished to marry, she shockingly answered, “both.”   Precluded from Torah studies because of gender, Hisdadukh embarks on the torturous path to become a charasheta, or enchantress, under the tutelage of her brother’s wife Rahel.  
 
Soon Hisdadukh marries the older Rami and is caught up in marriage and motherhood, although it is clear that Abba has not lost interest in her.  When her newfound happiness is derailed by a series of tragedies, a grieving Hisdadukh must decide if her path lies in the way of sorcery, despite the peril.
 
With RAV HISDA’S DAUGHTER Book I: Apprentice, Anton brings ancient Babylonia to life from a woman’s perspective—weaving historical detail with complex characters for an engaging story of love and faith.  
 
www.ravhisdasdaughter.com
 
RAV HISDA’S DAUGHTER
Maggie Anton
Plume; On-sale July 31, 2012
978-0-452-29809-5| $16.00
Also available as an E-Book

The post A NOVEL OF LOVE, THE TALMUD, AND SORCERY appeared first on Good News!.

Throughout her prolific career, both as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun and a novelist, Laura Lippman has written an impressive collection of tales, ranging from the beloved Tess Monaghan series to her riveting and intellectually complex stand-alones. Critics and fans alike have praised Lippman’s unparalleled ability to weave together thought-provoking, intricate plotlines with fully realized and compelling characters. USA Today calls her work “disarming and fascinating,” while The Washington Post simply proclaims that Lippman is “one of the best novelists around, period.” Now with her new stand-alone, page turning novel AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD (William Morrow), Lippman solidifies her position as one of the best voices of contemporary fiction.

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at the Baltimore Sun where her beat was crime stories. Her Tess Monaghan books: By a Spider’s Thread, The Last Place, The Sugar House, Baltimore Blues, Charm City, Butchers Hill, No Good Deeds, and In Big Trouble have won every major mystery prize including the Edgar, Shamus, Agatha, Anthony, and Nero Wolfe awards, and her novel In a Strange City was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She is also the author of five previous stand-alone novels: To the Power of Three, Every Secret Thing, What the Dead Know (winner of the Quill Award for Best Mystery), Life Sentences and I’d Know You Anywhere-the last three were New York Times bestsellers. In 2008 Lippman’s award-winning short stories were anthologized for the first time in one volume, along with an original novella, under the title Hardly Knew Her. Fall 2008 also marked Lippman’s serialization in the New York Times Magazine with The Girl in the Green Raincoat-a continuation of her P.I. character Tess Monaghan. A recipient of the first Mayor’s Prize for Literary Excellence and the 2003 Maryland Author Award, she and her husband, television producer David Simon, divide their time between New York, Baltimore and New Orleans. Laura is a step parent to David’s son and last year they had their first baby girl. For more information on Laura: www.lauralippman.com.

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