We recently lost a very talented and versatile actor who was one of my favorites - the brilliant Gene Hackman. The mysterious macabre details surrounding his passing at age 95 has created an unfortunate distraction from his career achievements. You can find his extensive filmography in the mainstream media obituaries that I will not try … Continue reading In Memoriam – Gene Hackman
Broadway
In Memoriam – James Earl Jones
While it is true that people die everyday, it is not everyday that we lose a giant such as James Earl Jones. A great man in size, in voice, in talent, and in our memories. He passed away yesterday at 93 years of age. Of course, I have seen many of his films and reveled … Continue reading In Memoriam – James Earl Jones
Are Tonight’s TONY AWARDS Relevant?
Tonight's broadcast of the TONY Awards on CBS and Paramount + are recognized as the ultimate awards for live theater in the country. But they are limited to about a total of about 40 theaters in a narrow strip of land on a narrow island at the center of New York City. When I lived … Continue reading Are Tonight’s TONY AWARDS Relevant?
Special 3 Day Throwback on a 60th Birthday Part 3
Finishing up my three day salute to a fantastic theater I once managed - the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center (currently named the David H. Koch Theater). An astounding and beautiful arts space opened this month in 1964 and shown here through original architectural photography. As it happens it will soon be in … Continue reading Special 3 Day Throwback on a 60th Birthday Part 3
An A.I. Visualization of several National Days
It's Groundhog Day. Again. I've done Groundhog Day posts on this blog twice before, in 2023 and in 2018. I even did a review of the Broadway musical "Groundhog Day" in 2017. You can find them if you are really interested by using the Search field on this page. I have nothing new to add this year. So what to do … Continue reading An A.I. Visualization of several National Days
In Memoriam – Chita Rivera
The Broadway stage lost one of its greatest stars when Chita Rivera passed away at the age of 91. I was very fortunate to see her in a number of classic Broadway productions. The very first Broadway show I ever saw was the original production of the musical "Chicago" back in 1976 which featured Chita Rivera, Gwen … Continue reading In Memoriam – Chita Rivera
In Memoriam – Michael Gambon
The great actor Michael Gambon passed away recently. Why his stage skills were lauded he was most widely known from the role he took over after the death of the great Richard Harris. The roll was some dude named Dumbledore in the latter Harry Potter movies. I saw none of those movies (sorry) but I'm … Continue reading In Memoriam – Michael Gambon
In Memoriam – Stephen Sondheim
The news of the passing of Stephen Sondheim filled me with joy. Not because he died, I'm sorry the world is without him. But because the great joy he gave me as the greatest composer and lyricist of the American stage. He constantly expanded and challenged the music theater art form and we are forever … Continue reading In Memoriam – Stephen Sondheim
Throwback Thursday – Happy Birthday to the Boss
This Throwback Thursday started in 1949 and continued until last June. Today is the 72nd Birthday of Bruce Springsteen and last June we attended his "Springsteen on Broadway" performance at the St. James Theater. It was the most recent show we saw in New York and it may be some time before we see another. … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Happy Birthday to the Boss
Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
The pandemic shutdown of theater in New York was very hard to take for those of us who love the art form. While performers took to streaming, I never warmed to the platform. For some odd reason I enjoy sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers to watch live performers. Not the best pastime during a … Continue reading Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
You may or may not have heard but I am pulling up roots and moving to the state of Florida. I have lived in New York City for more than 23 glorious years and first fell in love with it when I visited when I was just 17 years old. As I was originally born … Continue reading Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
Review – Springsteen on Broadway
After a forced shutdown of fourteen months, Broadway is slowly re-awakening and the first eyelid to flicker open is that of a certain Bruce Springsteen. The Boss reanimates his blowout hit of a few years ago, now at the St. James Theatre - "Springsteen on Broadway." This is no arena sing-along event with his fabulous … Continue reading Review – Springsteen on Broadway
Tipping Back to Normal?
During the pandemic lockdown Times Square and the theater district here in New York were a ghost town. Unimaginable before we experienced it. But there are several signs things are getting back to normal. More than half of the Broadway Theaters have announced performance dates starting on September 14 and stretching through the end of … Continue reading Tipping Back to Normal?
World Theatre Day 2021
Happy World Theatre Day after a full year with no theatre. I can't tell you how much I have missed it. I've tried several screening options but it never filled the void. It was fine but so are movies and television. What I love is to sit shoulder to shoulder with total strangers to absorb … Continue reading World Theatre Day 2021
In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
Norman Nadel passed away on October 25, 2010 - you read that correctly, a decade ago. But ten years ago I didn't have a blog so I wanted to take this opportunity to memorialize a great guy ten years out. I started work at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts (since renamed Artis-Naples) in 1989, … Continue reading In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
When will theater return?
When New York and the the world went into shutdown in mid-March, it seemed impossible that live theater could resume anytime soon. Broadway will certainly not be back very soon as 2021 is the earliest projected date and many shows are setting March and April openings, though these are still subject to change. There is … Continue reading When will theater return?
Ramble on New York Theatre in the time of COVID
You may have heard that Broadway has just confirmed that The Great White Way will be closed at least until Labor Day and perhaps longer. While disappointing, it is entirely understandable at this point. Until we get this plague under control few people are clamoring to crowd shoulder to shoulder into a building with strangers. … Continue reading Ramble on New York Theatre in the time of COVID
In Memoriam – Brian Dennehy
We lost a great actor yesterday. I've seen Brian Dennehy in lots of screen roles but I am blessed also to have seen his Tony winning Broadway performances. In 1999 he led an amazing cast in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and I also saw him lead an astounding production of one of my … Continue reading In Memoriam – Brian Dennehy
Concerns for World Theatre Day
Happy World Theatre Day at a very difficult time for theatre. During the current shutdown Broadway has been closed down, several shows won't reopen, others have been rescheduled for next season, and the Tony Awards have been postponed. But more than that, millions of theatre employees and related workers have been laid off with no … Continue reading Concerns for World Theatre Day
In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Playwright Terrence McNally passed away from complications of COVID-19 yesterday in a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was in the target danger group as he was 81 and had COPD. He was a prolific writer I admired very much and still actively writing. A great loss to the theatre community. He wrote the book to … Continue reading In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
A whole new world
Exactly a week ago I fretted about what would happen if the spreading COVID19 infection hit the theatre industry. Yesterday it came true. Broadway has been shut down for at least a month. But it is much worse than that. Professional basketball and hockey have been suspended. College basketball playoffs, which at first was going … Continue reading A whole new world
I’m Worried
Not that I might catch the COVID-19 virus. I understand the science and know the odds of me specifically becoming ill are very small (especially as I don't get out as much lately). I'm worried that the worries of the general public will harm the theatre business. Not just Broadway here in New York but … Continue reading I’m Worried
In Memoriam – Kirk Douglas
I'm sure you've heard by now that legendary actor Kirk Douglas passed away this week at age 103. You can find plenty of obituaries recounting his storied career, including "Paths of Glory" and the amazing "Spartacus." But I will always remember a personal chance encounter. In May 2001 I purchased tickets to a Broadway revival … Continue reading In Memoriam – Kirk Douglas
In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
A couple of days ago we lost one of our greatest musical theater writers - Jerry Herman. He will be missed but he gave us so many great nights in the theater. All of the remembrances note his greatest works - "Hello Dolly"; "Mame"; and "La Cage aux Folles." They are all amazing and enjoyable … Continue reading In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Derren Brown is many things, but foremost in his current show at the Cort Theatre is a consummate entertainer. His easy, warm and confident manner comfortably holds the audience in his sway for the entire evening. He can be called a mind reader, mentalist or "psychological illusionist" but at heart he is a magician. Each … Continue reading Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Walter Thinnes 
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