I recently had the great pleasure of seeing a reading of a play by Eva MeiLing Pollitt - Éléphant. Because it was a developmental and promotional reading I won't go into any depth but have several observations. The play is set in 1890's France in and around a bordello. It artfully blends French and English … Continue reading Review – Éléphant
Author: walterthinnes
Review – If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka
Sorry if the the above title offends you. I considered using asterisks (as a current NYC play "HateF**k" does) but knew I would be using a Playwrights Horizon program cover and it would show up unedited. A scattering of play titles have included the "F" word recently and I don't mean "Fork." Like the late … Continue reading Review – If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka
Review – Alice by Heart
The team that brought you "Spring Awakening" has a new musical at the brand new MCC Theater complex on the west side. "Alice by Heart" is yet another retelling of the Alice in Wonderland tale with a different twist. The framing device occurs in the London Underground during the German bombing raids early in WWII. … Continue reading Review – Alice by Heart
National Pi Day
Today is 3.14 and of course math nerds everywhere proclaim it as National Pi Day as it starts the same way! The perfect day to make a pie to celebrate the day. You can check back to my recent February 20 post to link to an absolutely delicious Cherry Pie recipe that I made recently. … Continue reading National Pi Day
Review – Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish)
I've seen a few productions of Fiddler on the Roof, but none quite like this. I saw the recent Danny Burstein Broadway production with the controversial emigrant framing method and provocative version of Matchmaker and enjoyed it. But the version currently at Stage 42 here in New York is something very special. It is performed … Continue reading Review – Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish)
National Napping Day
Are you tired? Run down? Listless? Try Vitameatavegamin. Oops, sorry, wrong script. Actually afternoon naps are valuable and really can give you more energy for the remainder of the day. Siestas are good for you. Now try to convince your boss of that. National Napping Day is always scheduled for the Monday after you spring … Continue reading National Napping Day
National Peanut Cluster Day – and a simple recipe
Today is National Peanut Cluster Day and when peanuts cluster, they like to do it with chocolate. I am here to help. Want a simple homemade candy recipe that includes a fun game? These are called Mystery Flavor Peanut Clusters. Take 2 bags of chocolate chips and 1 bag of butterscotch chips (OK, you know … Continue reading National Peanut Cluster Day – and a simple recipe
Winter hangs on stubbornly
I think it always feels this way at the end of the winter season. It seems it will never end but spring is certainly around the corner. Right? Please confirm. But hopefully the recent Sunday/Monday snowstorm was the last substantial downfall before meltdown. Our mayor Bill de Blasio was criticized for closing schools when less … Continue reading Winter hangs on stubbornly
National Oreo Cookie Day
I write today about Oreo's who have their own national day, today. Not really about the cookie but about where they were founded, right here in New York City. Yep, I'm talking about Chelsea Market. Back in 1912 in a Nabisco bakery Oreos were first baked here. Eventually a number of buildings took up an … Continue reading National Oreo Cookie Day
National Cheese Doodle Day
Today is National Cheese Doodle Day and the little goodies are delicious. These extruded puffs are mostly air so they can't be fattening, can they? Pardon me, I'm snacking on some right now and I seem to have gotten a smudge on the screen. If you want to mention this on your social media account … Continue reading National Cheese Doodle Day
Review – Merrily We Roll Along
Stephen Sondheim is one of American Musical Theatre's most treasured composer and lyricist and one of my favorites. I am a huge fan of many of his works including Company, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. His famously "troubled" work, Merrily We Roll Along opened in 1981 and closed after only 16 performances. It … Continue reading Review – Merrily We Roll Along
National Old Stuff Day
Today is National Old Stuff Day and I couldn't be more excited. I am Old Stuff. I am the very definition of Old Stuff! I would like to thank the Academy for this award on behalf of all the years that have made me old - What? My editorial staff is telling me that National … Continue reading National Old Stuff Day
Review – My Fair Lady
When I heard that director Bartlett Sher was bringing his musical hit-making formula to Lincoln Center Theater for a production of My Fair Lady, I knew I wanted to be there. My Fair Lady was one of my favorite musical from my youth when I was first learning about the musical theater oeuvre. I also … Continue reading Review – My Fair Lady
National Chili Day – and my choice is Cincinnati Style!
Today is National Chili Day and most people assume that means sautéed meat, kidney beans and a rough tomato sauce. For me it means a delicious Mediterranean influenced smooth meat sauce spooned over spaghetti, topped by chopped raw onion, finely shredded Colby cheese and sprinkled with oyster crackers. For the uninitiated, this is Cincinnati Chili. … Continue reading National Chili Day – and my choice is Cincinnati Style!
Review – The Cher Show
I am always skeptical about jukebox musicals (that mold a show from songwriters songbook or star selected song lists). Luckily for The Cher Show they have a terrific Book writer in Rick Elice (who wrote The Jersey Boys) and a compelling focus in Cher. Cher is such a rich subject that the show engages three … Continue reading Review – The Cher Show
Cincinnati Night at Edwards Restaurant in New York – Last Monday of every month!
Are you a Cincinnati ex-pat living in New York? On the last Monday of every month you will feel welcomed at Edward's at 136 West Broadway between 5 PM and 10:30 PM. Here you can order Montgomery Inn Ribs, Skyline Chili, LaRosa's Pizza, and Graeter's Ice Cream. A delicious taste of home (unfortunately Goetta is … Continue reading Cincinnati Night at Edwards Restaurant in New York – Last Monday of every month!
Last Chance to Catch my new short play
I know I have peppered you with pleas to see my short play as part of the Players Theatre Short Play Festival for the last several days . I promise I will stop because today is the last day of the festival. Today's matinee is your very last day to catch this play. Come down … Continue reading Last Chance to Catch my new short play
First Red Spring Training Game today (come see my show)
The Cincinnati Reds first Spring Training Game for the year we will win it all starts today in Arizona against the team we share a training stadium with, The Cleveland Indians. I know that Spring Training Games are mostly workouts intended to prepare us for the long season ahead but I still like to win … Continue reading First Red Spring Training Game today (come see my show)
National Margarita Day (come see my show!)
Today is National Margarita Day, that popular tequila beverage. I take mine rocks/salt as below. What a coincidence (segue). After my shows are produced at the Players Theatre, as they will be tonight, we often gather at the Greenwich Village Tex-Mex classic Panchito's, just half a block away. They trumpet a long ago article in … Continue reading National Margarita Day (come see my show!)
OPENING NIGHT for Foreplay – The App
I'm very excited as tonight I will be part of a sex festival. Let me rephrase that. My new short play (Foreplay-The App) will be performed for the very first time for an audience at the Players Theatre Short Play Festival in Greenwich Village here in New York City. The theme of their February collection … Continue reading OPENING NIGHT for Foreplay – The App
National Cherry Pie Day
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love pie and cherry pie is my favorite. And today is the National Day for my favorite. Make some today and share a slice with me. Here's a neat recipe to try tough there are many more out there... https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/cherry-pie/ I have only one quibble … Continue reading National Cherry Pie Day
My 500th Post!
Quick bit of log rolling as I contort my arm to pat myself on the back. This is the 500th post of my blog. And I'm still having fun. Still a micro-min influencer but enjoying the process. I focus on several topics in this blog:* My theater going with reviews and my theater making as … Continue reading My 500th Post!
National Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder Day
Nope, not even kidding. If you've read this blog before you know I delight in bring attention to and often providing recipes related to National Days. (Oh yeah, Happy Presidents Day and no I do not have any related recipes.) So how did this oddly specific National Day come to be? I imagine at some … Continue reading National Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder Day
Review – The Other Josh Cohen
Go see "The Other Josh Cohen." It holds two lessons I take to heart. Created by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen (who also star) it has gone through years of development and workshops and has come out in a sharp distinct performance that does not feel like it came from a committee but from the … Continue reading Review – The Other Josh Cohen
Happy Valentines Day – and a show update…
Hope you have a terrific Valentine's Day, whether your dear is close at hand or far away, send your love. Last night was a terrific rehearsal for our show next week. Details below. If you are in New York next weekend, grab a ticket, they go fast. Hope to see you there. Let me know … Continue reading Happy Valentines Day – and a show update…
