Three Actors, Three Posters, Three Marquees: Casting 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'

Daniel Radcliffe ended his run in the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch earlier this month in the Broadway revival of 'How to Succed in Business Without Really Trying'. Though the show was short of a complete sell-out, Radliffe never missed a performance during his 10-month contract, helped to fill the theater to an average of 94% of capacity, and was instrumental in producers recouping their $9 million production cost by December 2011.

Radcliffe's replacement is Nick Jonas (of Jonas Brothers fame). Though he is contracted to star from January 24 to July 1, 2012, producers had the great idea in casting Darren Criss ("Glee") to fill the interim between Radcliffe's departure and the the arrival of Jonas.

With Criss starring only three weeks in the role and his fame cemented by his role of Blaine on the FOX television series and his cover of the Katy Perry song "Teenage Dream" from the show, the box office is currently on fire with grosses coming in at over $1.3 million each week.

With Jonas starring in the role for six months, predictions are that the box office will soften as audiences have a wider window to catch the actor/singer in the role. Other major changes in the cast includes Beau Bridges as J.B. Biggley (replacing Tony Award winner John Larroquette) and Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty") as Bud Frump (replacing Christopher J. Hanke).

Publicity for the show has remained similar with the three young actors gracing adverting, the marquee and playbill cover by wearing a similar grey suit. But it was rather cutesy that each actor would have a signature color bow tie: blue for Radcliffe, purple for Criss and green for Jonas. Souvenir ties in each color were sold at the show. Photos below of the 'How to Succeed' marquee from BroadwayWorld.com.

(images: BrodwayWorld)

Closing!!! 'Backbeat' Musical in London

Backbeat Marquee at the Duke of York's Theatre.
(image:British Beatles Fan Club)

Another musical adapted from a feature film fails. 'Backbeat' was an unusual choice. It may have had the Beatles as a subject matter but unfortunately the story takes place before they were famous and is actually about the bass guitarist who was not part of what were to become the fab four. Also the 1994 movie "Backbeat" is not a well known title compared to other recent film to stage adaptations. (It's U.S. box office gross was $2.4 million.)

"Backbeat" the film is a dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of the Beatles in the search of luck while playing the seedy clubs of the city. The band at the time was made of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Pete Best, George Harrison and Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe falls in love with a German girl and he has to make a choice between a new life in Germany and rock and roll. The film spawned a Soundtrack CD and is available on DVD. (Sutcliffe died in April 1962 of a brain hemorrhage just before the Beatles made their first recordings that would launch their fame.)

The musical 'Backbeat' opened at the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End on October 10, 2011 (previews from September 24) and will close on February 18, 2012. The production directed by David Leveaux starred Nick Blood as Sutcliffe, Andrew Knott as Lennon, Daniel Healy as McCartney, William Payne as Harrison and Oliver Bennett as Best. Ruta Gedmintas plays Astrid Kircherr, the name of the girl that Sutcliffe falls for. The musical had its world premiere in 2010 at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre. Producers hope to transfer the show to Canada in summer 2012.

From Sam Marlowe's Time Out review: "This is no tacky jukebox musical. Instead, it's a striking absorbing play with music, written by Ian Softley and Stephen Jeffreys and based on Softley's 1994 film of the same name. It does, of course, exploit the mythology of the Beatlres; but it does so imaginatively, with neither wide-eyed adulation nor slavish adherence to historical fact. The results are dark, thrilling and startlingly moving."

Nick Blood as Stuart Sutcliffe

Oliver Bennett as Pete Best

Daniel Healy as Paul McCartney

Andrew Knott as John Lennon

Will Payne as George Harrison

(all production photos: Nobby Clark)

The Air Up There: Germs on Airplanes

(image: msnbc)

Air travelers suffer higher rates of disease infection and one study indicates the increased risk for catching a cold as high as 20%, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.  One culprit to blame: the air that is recirculated thoughout the cabin.

Studies indicate that most jets today can capture 99.97% of bacterial and virus-carrying particles. It's when the air circulation is shut down which happens during long waits on the ground or when passengers are boarding or exiting is when infections can spread.

The report points out a study in 1979 that when a plane sat three hours with the engines off and no air circulating, 72% of 54 people on board go sick within two days. It was traced to one passenger who had the flu virus. In 2003 the Federal Aviation Administration issued an advisory that passengers should be removed from planes within 30 minutes if there's no air circulation but compliance is not required.

One thing passengers should be aware of are the "hot zones": beware of sick passengers who are two seats beside, in front of and behind you. But passengers should note that other factors come into play. The environment at 30,000 feet is extremely dry and because viruses tend to thrive in low-humidity conditions they can spread easier. The mucous membranes of people are not as effective in blocking infection when they are dry. In addition the body can tire at higher altitudes making passengers more susceptible to catching colds.

Germs can live for hours on airplane cabin surfaces. Everything from tray tables, seat-back pockets, pillows, blankets, latches, overhead bins and the lavatory can be contaminated.

The report suggests passengers take these precautions to keep germs at bay:

Hydrate - Drink water and keep nasal passengers moist with a saline spray.

Clean Your Hands - Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently. Passengers often infect themselves by touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

Disinfecting Wipes - Use them to clean off tray tables before using.

Seat-Back Pockets - Avoid them. They get stuffed with used tissues, soiled napkins and trash.

Open Your Air Vent - Aim it so that air passes just in front of your face so the filtered air can direct airborne contagions away from you.

Change Seats - If you are seated near a cougher, sneezer or someone who looks like they may have a fever, changing seats may not be possible on full flights but it is worth a try. One sneeze can produce up to 30,000 droplets that be propelled as far as six feet.

Air Circulation - Notify the flight crew if the air is shut off for an extended period.

Pillows and Blankets - Avoid them.

Click HERE to view the complete article on wsj.com. The graphic below can also be viewed in the article or click on the graphic for a larger view.

30-Story Hotel Built In 15 Days

I'm not sure about you but I'd have second thoughts about staying at a hotel that was constructed in 15 days. But apparently if you need something done and need it done fast, you have to applaud the Chinese.

Boasting over 170,000 square feet of space, the hotel located in Dongting Lake in Hunan Provice is reported to be able to withstand a 9.0 earthquake. According to the International Business Times, the quick turnaround time was helped by using prefabricated modules that were put together in a factory and then placed on steel structures at the construction site.

Broad Group is the company building this project and was also responsible for the construction of the 15-story Ark Hotel in Changsha, China in six days.

And There Was One, Broadway Long Runs in Las Vegas: 'Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular' To Close at the Venetian in September

Advertising at the Venetian/Palazzo for 'Phantom' and 'Jersey Boys'
(image: DurangoBeach/flickr)

When 'Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular' closes in Sin City on September 2, only one Broadway musical ('Jersey Boys') will remain playing in one of the major hotel resorts on the Vegas strip. It's unlikely any new New York musical will set up shop in this gambling mecca anytime soon. The dream of a "Broadway West" in this desert city has evaporated.

The stage musicals presented on the strip since 1993:
'Starlight Express' (Las Vegas Hilton, September 1993-November 1997)
'Chicago' (Mandalay Bay, March 1999-February 2000)
'Mamma Mia!' (Mandalay Bay, February 2003-January 2009)
'Avenue Q' (Wynn, September 2005-May 2006)
'Hairspray' (Luxor, February 2006-June 2006)
'Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular' (Venetian, June 2006-September 2012)
'The Producers' (Paris Las Vegas, February 2007-February 2008)
'Spamalot' (Wynn, March 2007-July 2008)
'Jersey Boys' (Palazzo, May 2008-January 2012; Paris Las Vegas, March 2012-open ended)
'The Lion King' (Mandalay Bay, May 2009-December 2011)

'The Producers' at the Paris Las Vegas.
(image: snakecharmed/flickr)

These productions were designed to play long-term sit-down runs in Las Vegas. Other productions such as 'Footloose' at the Rio or 'Smokey Joe's Cafe' at Caesar's Palace had definitive limited runs while other played on the strip as stops for a national tour. Some off-Broadway productions ('Blue Man Group') have made it to Vegas and these titles are not included on the above list. Although 'Chicago' was announced as a limited run at Mandalay Bay, the belief is if the musical proved successful its run would have been extended.

With most of these shows logging disappointing unprofitable short runs, it's likely that only 'Mamma Mia!', 'Phantom' and 'Jersey Boys' returned their investments with smaller profits made by 'Starlight Express' and 'Chicago'.

'Mamma Mia' banners at Mandalay Bay.
(image: hayncandi808/flickr)

Some critics called the selection of Broadway-type shows for Vegas a dud of a fad while others blame the current financial climate as well as the expensive economics to produce and run each show all the while maintaing the quality of a New York production.

There are some other extraneous reasons that caused the shuttering of some of these productions. The Las Vegas Hilton changed ownership in 1997 and the current owners chose to close 'Starlight Express' despite a planned five-year run. It is largely rumored that the 'The Lion King' was shuttered as Mandalay Bay wanted to accommodate a new Cirque du Soleil production based on the songs of Michael Jackson and the closing would allow for renovation of Mandalay's theater.

It was a great experiment, if one would accept that it was such, to compete against the Cirque Du Soleil productions that multiply every few years. Even Cirque found a dud by their standards with 'Viva Elvis' at the Aria Hotel which opened February 2010 and will close August 2012.

The steps of Manadalay Bay welcomes guests to 'The Lion King'.
(image: dshalock/flickr)

In an attempt to generate interest in 'Avenue Q' at the Wynn, a Vegas
taxi decked out in fuzzy orange.
(image: drewinchicago/flickr)

For myself seeing these productions were my main purpose for returning to Vegas every three or four years since 1993. With the announcement this month of the 'Phantom' closing, it's likely I will require another trip before September.

Of course the closings and lack of new Broadway productions on the strip may be symptomatic of the opening of The Smith Center for the performing arts. Where Vegas largely lacked a traditional theater venue outside of casinos for touring Broadway productions, visitors and residents will now have a chance to enjoy these shows outside of a gambling environment. The $470 million Smith Center is located west of the Fremont Experience. Best of all the venue presents the perfect place for the strict limited run of one or two weeks that is normal for touring musicals.

On the calendar for the Smith Center's Broadway Las Vegas Series:
'The Color Purple' April 3-8, 2012
'Mary Poppins' May 22-27, 2012
'Million Dollar Quartet' June 12-17, 2012
'Memphis' July 18-22, 2012
'La Cage Aux Folles' August 14-19, 2012
'Wicked' August 29-October 7, 2012
'The Addams Family' November 20-25, 2012
'Anything Goes' February 5-10, 2013
'West Side Story' February 26-March 3, 2013
'Shrek the Musical' March 19-24, 2013
'Disney's Beauty & the Beast' April 16-21, 2013
'Billy Elliot the Musical' May 14-19, 2013
'American Idiot' June 11-16, 2013
'Catch Me If You Can' June 18-23, 2013

Click HERE for tickets and more info about these productions at the Smith Center.

The Smith Center
(image: tossmeanote/flickr)

'Hairspray' had folded four months after opening at the Luxor.
(image: grubby)

Some of the theaters in Vegas were renamed for the production it was
hosting. Here is the Grail Theater named for the object of obsession in
'Monty Python's Spamalot'.
(image: n-sai/flickr)

Las Vegas Hilton tokens advertise 'Starlight Express'.
(image: silverstrikers.com)

Airplane Manners: High Road or Load Road

(image: terminalu.com)

This info is from a 2008 Newsday article but I find it's still relevant today. The author presents different scenarios in regards to applying airplane manners (or lack thereof). Have you taken the high road or low road?

IN THE WAITING AREA
Low Road: Cluster around the gate. Put your briefcase on the chair next to you so nobody can sit there. Talk loudly on your Bluetooth and gesture wildly.

High Road: Make sure other travelers know that the seat next to you is available. If someone elderly or pregnant walks up, offer your seat. You might also find a nearby gate that's empty and sit there (while keeping track of time).

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Low Road: Argue with them. Be demanding. They don't have anything to do but focus on your needs, right?

High Road: Develop empathy. Smile as you board. Say hello to them by name. Have eye contact, thank them when they serve you a beverage.

OVERHEAD BINS
Low Road: Put your carry-on bag in the first available bin toward the front, so you can jump up, grab it and exit quickly.

High Road: Put your carry-on above your own seat or, better, under your seat.

CRAMPED LEGROOM
Low Road: Aim your vent at the head of the person who is leaning into your lap.

High Road: Before you lean back, look behind you and ask eye-to-eye, "It is OK if I lean back just a little?"

TRAVELERS WITH KIDS
Low Road: Avoid eye contact with a harried parent assigned to a different row than his or her minor child. Is it your fault these leisure-travel losers were forced to take middle seats in separate rows?

High Road: Get over yourself! Be a mensch for three hours and give up your choice aisle or window seat. You'll be richly rewarded in heaven and, if not, you'll be richly rewarded by not having to sit next to the kid.

WINDOW ZEALOTS
Low Road: Drink lots of water (it's good for you when you're flying) and get out of your seat at least three times to use the bathroom.

High Road: Know that you drink a lot of water when flying and reserve an aisle seat.

AISLE ZEALOTS
Low Road: Create a trap for people seated in the middle and window seats. Bring on steaming coffee and footlong sub with chips. Spread out the food, paperwork and laptop on tray table, extend leg into aisle.

High Road: Adapt gracefully to your temporary environment. Discard food trash quickly. Work if you must, but don't forget to acknowledge your neighbors with a smile or small talk so they'll feel more comfortable asking to get past you to the restroom.

FOOD
Low Road: Pick up something in the airport food court that is really stinky. Spicy Italian is good, or onion rings, or maybe something with blue cheese.

High Road: Eat before the flight or pack healthful, smell-free snacks. Consider sharing with your famished seatmates.

Scenic Designs of Upcoming 'Rebecca' Musical

I have to admit that I still gaze in amazement when I see beautiful and extravagant stage set designs despite the quality of the play or musical. These set renderings of the scenic design by Peter J. Davison is likely to captivate audiences. Let's hope the musical a whole lives up to expectations.

'Rebecca' the musical, which will open on Broadway this March at the Broadhurst Theatre, is based on the 1938 Daphne du Maurier romantic thriller. Set in the West Country of England, it tells the story of Maxim de Winter, his new wife and Mrs. Danvers, the controlling and manipulative housekeeper of Maxim's West Country estate of Manderlay where the memory of his first wife, the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, still casts a shadow.

The Broadway production is based on the 2006 Vienna staging where it debuted and played for over three years. Also starring in New York is Howard McGillin (Frank Crawley), Tam Mutu (Maxim deWinter), Karen Mason (Mrs. Danvers), James Barbour (Jack Favell) and Nick Wyman (Giles).

The musical has been staged in Hungary, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. The 1940 Academy Award-winning film "Rebecca" directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Laurence Olivier was also based on du Maurier's suspense novel that begins with the famous line, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again."

Featuring book and lyrics by Michael Kunze, music by Sylvester Levay, English book adaptation by Christopher Hamptom ('Sunset Boulevard') and English lyrics by Hampton and Kunze, the production will have co-directors Michael Blakemore ('Kiss Me, Kate') and Francesca Zambello ('The Little Mermaid').

Click HERE to view all the photos on BroadwayWorld.com and more articles about the upcoming musical.

(Update: on Jan 24, 2012 producers announced that the production has been postponed until next season)

Marquee of the Broadhurst Theatre.
(image: BroadwayWorld)

Quick Tip: The Ultimate Mileage Calculator

For anyone who constantly tries to figure out how to meet airline mileage goals to earn a flight reward or to maintain elite status with a carrier may want to visit the mileage calculator on WebFlyer.com. Unlike other websites that offer similar applications, the calculator on WebFlyer allows the user to enter layover stops.

I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and my choice of airline is American so if I'm flying to the New York City, I will have layover at one of their hubs in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Los Angels or Chicago. The miles can differ depending on the the number of connections and the location of the layover.

Some flyers intentionally take longer airline routes for the purpose of earning those extra miles to reach airline elite levels. Based on the pre-landing announcement of connecting gates, I have to learn some passengers fly, for example, from Honolulu to Dallas to Los Angeles.

This mileage calculator also offers the option to calculate elite and class of service bonus miles. Enter the price of your ticket and learn what you are paying per mile. Click HERE to view the calculator on WebFlyer OR enter your flight information below and your browser will be re-directed to WebFlyer.

The ultimate Mileage Calculator. Find the distance between two locations using this air mileage calculator. 

Mileage Calculator

Just enter two cities (or airport codes) in the fields below and click How Far?

Departing from:
Then flying to:
OPTIONAL
And on to:
And on to:
And on to:
And on to:
Elite bonus:	None  25%  50%  75%  100% (double miles)  125%  150%  175%  200% (triple miles)  225%  250%
Elite bonus based on:	Actual miles. Minimum miles.
Class of service bonus:	None  25%  50%  75%  100% (double miles)  125%  150%  175%  200% (triple miles)  225%  250%
Class bonus based on:	Actual miles.  Minimum miles.
Special promotion bonus:	None  25%  50%  75%  100% (double miles)  125%  150%  175%  200% (triple miles)  225%  250%
Promo bonus based on:	Actual miles.  Minimum miles.
Minimum per segment:	None  100  200  300  400  500  600  700  800  900  1000     miles  km
Ticket price(in dollars):

      

Note: These air mile distances are approximate and are based on data provided by various outside sources. This mileage calculator is meant to aid in air mileage estimation and may not reflect the actual frequent flyer miles awarded by each airline.

Aquaphor for Chapped Lips and Dry Skin On-the-Go

I first discovered the healing wonders of Aquaphor during a period when I was prescribed that severe acne drug Accutane. One of the side effects of Accutane is extremely dry and chapped lips. Most of us would think of applying a generous layer of Chapstick. But even applying this product regularly did nothing to stop the irritation of dry lips. But my doctor recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment and I have been using it ever since long after my treatment with Accutane was complete.

From cold wet days in London to freezing snowy weather in Seattle to the dry heat of Las Vegas, I use Aquaphor as a regular therapy either in the morning or at night when I'm traveling. I found that lips irritated by spicy foods were healed with the use of this product as well. Look for the .35 ounce "healing ointment" travel-friendly size. It should be noted that Aquaphor is "petroleum-jelly" like-feeling compared to Chapstick so only a very tiny amount of the ointment goes a long way.

I have nothing against Chapstick which I still use just as often when I'm not traveling. Also Chapstick has one advantage over Aquaphor and that is cost. For example Walmart.com sells Chapstick singles from 98 cents to $1.80 noting that in-store prices will vary. A Chapstick three-pack is $5-$5.76. Walmart.com sells the two-pack Aquaphor Healing Ointment of .35 oz tubes for $5.27 (a better bargain than the Aquaphor Lip Therapy .35 oz single-pack for $3.97).

For more information visit aquaphorhealing.com.  Aquaphor can be found in most drugstores in the skincare aisle. Aquaphor is part of Eucerin's line of skincare products.

'The Mousetrap': 60 Years in London's West End

Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' at St. Martin's Theatre, London
(image: Snapperz/flickr)

In the past couple of years, the West End musicals 'Les Miserables' and 'The Phantom of the Opera' celebrated 25 years on the London stage and still counting. But there is one show that has run 35 years longer. Running on the West End since November 25, 1952 Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetraip' is currently celebrating 60 years and the show's producers are the marking the diamond jubilee with events through the year.

Seen by 10 million people and running over 23,000 performance, the play is currently presented at St. Martin's Theatre. Marked by its brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner, the whodunit has become of the greatest pieces of theatrical history. It's title as long run champion in London was first attained on 1958.

During the record-breaking run, almost 300 actors and actresses have appeared in the play, 86 miles of shirts have been ironed and over 320 tons of ice cream sold at the show. The set had to be replaced in 2000 but it still has the same design as the original and the task completed over a weekend without the loss of a single performance.

Performance on 'The Mousetrap' set.

The show has seen the Cold War, Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and survived 12 British Prime Ministers. For the year-long 60th year celebration, the show producers announced it will begin its first ever tour of the UK in September 2012.

Another interesting fact about 'The Mousetrap': Agatha Christie gave the rights to her grandson Matthew Prichard as a birthday present and she stipulated that only one version could be performed outside of the West End annually.

Visit the-mousetrap.co.uk for more information.

Movies To Travel By: "Letters to Juliet" (2010)

A sweet, wistful romantic comedy, "Letters to Juliet" stars Amanda Seyfried (“Mamma Mia”) as Sophie, a fact checker for the New Yorker, on a pre-engagement vacation with her fiancée (Gael Garcia Bernal). She stumbles upon the courtyard of William Shakespeare’s Juliet in Verona and learns of the Secretaries of Juliet who answers the letters pinned to the courtyard walls by visitors who have been forsaken by love.

Sophie finds a letter written 50 years ago by Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and with the blessing of the secretaries answers the letter. Claire, with her grandson (Christopher Egan) in tow, returns to Italy in search of her lost love. With Sophie, the three embark on a journey that is is beautifully photographed through bountiful picture postcard settings in Verona and the Tuscan countryside.

Vanessa Redgrave, Amanda Seyfried, Christopher Egan

Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Egan

Amanda Seyfried at the Juliet wall constructed for the film.
(film images: Summit Entertainment)

In his review (three out of four stars), Roger Ebert writes: “I know (the film) is a soppy melodrama, and I don't mind in the least. I know the ending is preordained from the setup. I know the characters are broad and comforting stereotypes. In this case, I simply don't care...All of this is wrapped up in imaginably beautiful shots of the countryside, the warmth of the friendship between Sophie and Claire, and visits to many of the men named Lorenzo Bartolini, which was the name of the boy Claire loved so long ago.”

In the DVD extras, we learn that after Hollywood popularized the legend of Romeo and Juliet (starting with the 1936 version Oscar nominated for best picture directed by George Cukor), an enterprising museum director thought he would help visitors to Verona meet their expectations. He remodeled Juliet’s house which was a rundown tavern. He constructed a balcony out of 14th century sarcophagi and recovered a gothic portal and rose window so that the house would resemble a medieval building.

Amanda Seyfried and Christopher Egan

At around the same time the custodian of Juliet’s tomb planted rose bushes, taught turtle doves to land on tourists shoulders and would accompany tourists on their visit. People would write letters about how they enjoyed their visit and he would answer them as the secretary to Juliet.

Though the secretaries in the film work above the Trattoria Lettere a Giulietta, this restaurant is a fictional place. The secretaries do exist today however. Called The Juliet Club, the volunteers of the association promote the legend of Romeo and Juliet and reply to thousands offering advice and support.

The film is based on the book "Letters to Juliet: Celebrating Shakespeare's Greatest Heroine, the Magical City of Verona, and the Power of Love by Lisa Friedman and Ceil Friedman which tells of these letters and the volunteers who have been writing responses for over seven decades.

Spoiler Alert: Ebert points out an irony in the casting of Lorenzo for the film. Played by Franco Nero, he and Redgrave starred in the movie musical “Camelot” in 1967 as Guenevere and Lancelot. From his review: “So you see, when Vanessa marries Franco 40 years after falling in love with him, and they are playing characters who meet after 50 years, and this all has to do with Juliet’s balcony – reader, what am I to do? I am helpless before such forces.”

The DVD / Blu-ray extras include:
- "The Making of Letters to Juliet: In Italia"
- "A Courtyard in Verona"
- Audio Commentary with Director Gary Winick and Amanda Seyfried
- Deleted and Extended Scenes

Throngs of tourist visit Juliet's house and balcony in Verona
(image: Dave-F/flickr)

Juliet statue in Verona. Touch her right breast for good luck
(image: ShakeFrog/flickr)

The real Juliet wall in Verona
(image: ShuBoPhotography/flickr)

"Letters to Juliet" book with tie-in movie cover.

Cheap Flights: Look for Airline Dead Zones

(photo: ChrisPederick/flickr)

As another year is upon many of us are already planning trips for the year and thinking about the cost and ways to save on a vacation. Rick Seaney, airfare expert, reported in USA Today last month about cheap flight deals during airline dead zones.

He recommends figuring out when everyone wants to fly, and then travel in the opposite season. Summer is popular therefore winter is a dead zone. But he cautions that peak holiday periods don't count.

Dead zones include:
- First two weeks of November.
- First two weeks of December.
- The month of January, beginning January 3rd.
- Most of February, excluding Valentine's Day weekend and the Super Bowl.
- Late August through September, excluding Labor Day holiday.

As a rule, Seaney indicates that the best dead zone travel prices occur in the 'dead of winter'.

The best times to shop for dead zone deals is at least three weeks before travel since sales for these periods require a 21-day advance purchase. The exception to the winter dead zone rule are to popular ski resort destinations and to places where people are seeking to escape the cold. So rule out Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Dead zones disappear during these periods:
- Summer from mid-June through late August.
- Spring Break - varies from mid-February to mid-April.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday travel periods.

Click HERE to read the full article.