What's up doc? It's National Bugs Bunny Day in honor of your favorite Wascly Wabbit. It is timed to coincide with his debut in 1938. He looks pretty good for 81. Many National Days I feature are focused on celebrating foods, but not in this case. Wait a minute, maybe so. Hassenpfeffer! As always you … Continue reading National Bugs Bunny Day!
Month: April 2019
#ATOBTTR comes to New York City
My hometown Cincinnati Reds are in my dearly adopted New York City for a four game series against the Mets. I can't wait and will be watching closely. I will do all I can to help my Reds, including wearing their gear and joining them at CitiField Tuesday night. Of course, all will also be … Continue reading #ATOBTTR comes to New York City
“At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
My short play "At the Diner with Dad" will be performed at the Adult Center Theater in Hood River, Oregon over the next two weekends. Performances are scheduled for April 26-28 and May 5-8. It will be part of a program of four short play on the theme of "Parents and Their Adult Children." As … Continue reading “At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
Review – Ink
Who knew I would enjoy spending 2 1/2 hours with Rupert Murdoch? In this case it is a play by James Graham which dramatizes when Mr. Murdoch stormed Fleet Street to trash and revolutionize the august British newspaper trade in 1969. The now familiar themes and memes and methods of populist journalism are planted and … Continue reading Review – Ink
Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
I have done NYC restaurant reviews and Broadway show reviews, but now a review of someplace that is terrific but you are unlikely to ever visit. Broadway Souvlaki is a tiny trailer on the corner of Broadway and Bennett Avenue up here in Northern Manhattan. It is just a short walk from our home and … Continue reading Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
Shakespeare’s Birthday?
NEW YORK - Statue of William Shakespeare by the American sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward was erected in the Central Park in 1872. We don't really know for sure. The later to be famous Bard was christened on April 26, 1564 and that is the first time he is recorded to be around. Scholars make … Continue reading Shakespeare’s Birthday?
Happy Earth Day
Earth Day has been with us since 1970 and small steps have been taken since then. Bigger things are necessary if we are to save our planet. So many people think of forests and pastures in connection with Earth Day but I think we should think of cities instead. The co-op where I live in … Continue reading Happy Earth Day
Review – Kiss Me, Kate
Director Scott Ellis and the Roundabout Theatre Company have a habit of putting together tremendous musicals. Their latest classic musical remounting is Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate." But as we have recently observed many of these works come with problematic histories as we've recognized issues with misogyony and the patriarchy. Just look at "Carousel" (spousal … Continue reading Review – Kiss Me, Kate
National Animal Cracker Day
Today is National Animal Cracker Day and before we go any further I have no idea why they are called that as they are really cookies. It must have something to do with the fact that the first batch was imported from England in the later 1800's and those Brits have weird names for things … Continue reading National Animal Cracker Day
Review – Burn This
Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is a good script where what the heart wants the heart needs to get despite odds and likelihood. I saw a wonderful production of this work at Signature Theatre in 2002 with Edward Norton and Catherine Keener. It is not a good sign when that production is a more compelling memory … Continue reading Review – Burn This
The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
The Brant Foundation Art Study Center at 421 East 6th StreetNew York, NY The Brant Foundation is doing the art world a great favor. They acquired the building pictured at right and launched an inaugural exhibit of the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat. For Free. Incredible. The building was constructed as a Con Edison Substation in … Continue reading The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Mmmmm, I do like me some pork. If you've seen previous meat recipes on this blog you know I lean toward the piggie (Franken-Ribs, Homemade Breakfast Sausage and more...) So I perked up when I saw today's National Day. I was intrigued. My preference is Country Ham - not brined or water injected - but … Continue reading National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
Interesting Concept. This group has been around for sixteen years and I have never heard of them. Their idea is to create live concerts with note by note, cut by cut. This is not a tribute band where performers play the parts in audio and appearances. It is not an interpretation of an artist's work … Continue reading Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
National Submarine Day
Oh boy, oh boy. When you are hungry at lunch there is noting better than a delicious submarine sandwich. Just the right crunch to the bread, quality cold cuts, tangy cheese, a bit of oil and vinegar for flavor and then bring on the lettuce and tomato and I am set for - what? Wait. … Continue reading National Submarine Day
Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Scott Siegel runs an excellent series of a musical cabaret program of Broadway hits from selected years at The Town Hall. Arguably 1943 and 1951 are slim pickings beside Oklahoma! but there are favorites from many sources. The performers were uniformly skilled but the stand outs were William Michals, Robert Cuccioli, and Oakley Boycott. The … Continue reading Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
So last week I celebrated the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day win saying I would crow with the hashtag ATOBTTR - the signal winning call of vaunted Marty Brenneman "And This One Belongs To The Reds." Problem is that it has not been heard since. Yep, we have lost every game since Opening Day and stand … Continue reading Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
National Banjo Day!
Today is National Banjo Day. Generally people either love or hate banjo music, I happen to fall in the former camp. My college roommate played the banjo exceptionally well and thrilled to memories of meeting and strumming with his hero Roy Clark. There are other celebrity banjo players like Bela Fleck and Steve Martin. What … Continue reading National Banjo Day!
Review – King Lear
Seeing a great work of art elevates the soul. William Shakespeare's KING LEAR is a very familiar and one my favorite's of the Bard's script. I was fortunate to see the great Christopher Plummer take up the mantle a couple of decades ago in what was a more traditional but powerful production. Controversial director Sam … Continue reading Review – King Lear
National Jeep 4×4 Day
Many of the National Days I feature here are set because of seasonal or traditional time frames (imagine strawberry shortcake day in summer and eggnog day near Christmas). Others are set because of arbitrary number and word play (remember pi day on 3.14 and Star Wars on May the Fourth be with you). Today is … Continue reading National Jeep 4×4 Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day – again!
Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day and as I prepared my blog post I had a strange sense of déjà vu. Sure enough I looked back and saw that last year I did a post with a recipe from a cooking school I attended. It is a classic approach and lots of hard work and … Continue reading National Chocolate Mousse Day – again!
Review – [title of show] 10 year anniversary concert
Last month I attended an Actor's Fund 10 year anniversary concert of [title of show]. Though I did not see the original run a decade ago I was aware of the premise. Essentially a writer and composer team up to enter a show in the first New York Musical Festival. The problem is they don't … Continue reading Review – [title of show] 10 year anniversary concert
National Sourdough Bread Day
Today is National Sourdough Bread Day and I have a sourdough starter I have kept active for over a dozen years. Before available commercial yeast, most breads were made with a starter or "sponge." These can be long term or just for one loaf. When you put a slurry of flour and water out it … Continue reading National Sourdough Bread Day
Walter Thinnes 
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