Tom Stoppard is one of my favorite playwrights. The intellectual twists and turns come pouring at you as from a fire hose. His plays are incredibly crafted, carefully assembled tours de force that are a mental workout that I absolutely love. Travesties was written in the 1970's and sprang from Mr. Stoppard's discoveries that an … Continue reading Review – Travesties
New York City
Review – Children of a Lesser God
You would think that having seen as many stage productions as I have that by now I would have seen just about everything. Not quite. I did not see earlier mountings or the movie of Children of a Lesser God but I saw the most recent Broadway version last night. Of course I knew about … Continue reading Review – Children of a Lesser God
Last Chance to Dance on Broadway…
... at least to still be eligible for the 2018 TONY Awards! This is always a crazy time of year when producers vie to open shows before the eligibility deadline (This year April 26). That means six openings will occur between now and then, including Summer: The Donna Summer musical (and hence my title). They … Continue reading Last Chance to Dance on Broadway…
Taxes due today
Yep, due to the weekend date of April 15 and yesterday's Patriots Day in Massachusetts, today is actually the day your federal and state taxes are due. Many people complain about paying their taxes but I hold to the principle played out by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. His famous quote is "Taxes are the price … Continue reading Taxes due today
Review – Once on this Island
Don't miss this joyful expression of love and loss at one of my favorite Broadway venues. Once on the Island is a remounting of a Lynn/Flaherty story taking place in one of the French Antilles. Accordingly the stage is covered in sand and the entire theatre is dressed in poor but vibrant environment of the … Continue reading Review – Once on this Island
Review – Harry Clarke
Every actor and playwright I know should hurry to the Minetta Lane Theatre to see the production of Harry Clarke performed by Billy Crudup before it closes mid-May. Discounts abound and there is no reason to miss this incredible work. Mr. Crudup has long been one of my favorite stage actors and I have just … Continue reading Review – Harry Clarke
Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
As noted here, yesterday was National Fondue Day. As it happens I had been considering getting a fondue set and looked on Amazon.com. It slid in a recommendation for something called a Raclette. I was familiar with the cheese by that name, a perfect melting cheese good for sandwiches and other applications but had never … Continue reading Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
A special LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading A special LOT to talk about
A Jewelry LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading A Jewelry LOT to talk about
A Photography LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading A Photography LOT to talk about
An Egyptian/Roman Theater LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading An Egyptian/Roman Theater LOT to talk about
My first published play
I had noted earlier that one of my ten minute plays had been selected to be published and represented by http://www.seniortheatre.com. Well, the new catalogue is out and my play "At The Diner With Dad" is in it! So if you want a copy to can order from there and if you want to produce … Continue reading My first published play
National Sourdough Bread Day
Yesterday was not only April Fools Day and Easter Sunday but also National Sourdough Bread Day. I have kept a sourdough starter since I first visited San Francisco two decades ago. To be clear a sourdough starter takes on the flavor of the local yeast particles (which is less scary than Yeats particles and unlikely … Continue reading National Sourdough Bread Day
Getting Around New York City
Of course the best way to get around my favorite city is the extensive bus and subway system that unites New York City. There has been much attention lately to the slow deterioration of the system and that is certainly the case. But most often it is the best option. When it is not, when … Continue reading Getting Around New York City
World Theatre Day
Today is World Theatre Day, an opportunity to celebrate every facet of this very human storytelling medium. Theatre has defined my life since I caught the bug in high school and so I am featuring a photo of my high school auditorium below. Or at least it feels that long ago. With the inspiration of … Continue reading World Theatre Day
Review – Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika
I saw the original Broadway production of "Angels in America" in the early 90's. While clearly an important work by a talented playwright at the time I felt it too self-indulgent and wildly unedited as work for the stage. At the same time it was clearly an important work and I was never bored or … Continue reading Review – Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika
Happy Four’Easter!
Sorry, this is not a Stormy Daniels post, just a Stormy Day post. On Wednesday we had the fourth Nor'Easter of the month. An almost weekly quartet of big snowstorms that slowed things down. Luckily New York has an extensive (but deteriorating) transit system so we kept moving except for a few hiccups. Most of … Continue reading Happy Four’Easter!
An American LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading An American LOT to talk about
Review – The Band’s Visit
Some people going to a Broadway show simply need to see chandeliers crashing or big brass bands playing to believe they got their money's worth. They should not go to see The Band's Visit currently at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The Band's Visit is a simple story of human longing and desires, living and loving, … Continue reading Review – The Band’s Visit
National Ravioli Day!
Happy National Ravioli Day - one of my favorite foods. While these delicious dough pillows can be filled with exotic flavors they are just as fine with grated cheese and ground meet. I have only tried making ravioli from scratch a few times with notably mixed success, but then there are plenty of places to … Continue reading National Ravioli Day!
Review – Escape to Margaritaville
I am always dubious about jukebox musicals and a new one has washed ashore based on songs by Jimmy Buffet at the Marquis Theatre. Scripts for these affairs have to be twisted around the canon being celebrated to fit lyrics never intended to be linked into a storyline and in this case is twisted into … Continue reading Review – Escape to Margaritaville
Review – Farinelli and the King
My only regret about seeing the new play at the Belasco Theatre - Farinelli and the King - is that I didn't see it earlier in its run so that I could give you more time to see it based on my recommendation ( it closes March 25). Playwright Claire van Kampen has written a … Continue reading Review – Farinelli and the King
Review – The Picture of Dorian Gray
While we seldom get to Brooklyn to see theater we make a special trip to see performers who have performed in my plays directed by Pamela. So we were excited to see Sophie Larin in The Picture of Dorian Gray mounted by The Heights Players. Director Cameron McIntosh (no not Cameron Mackintosh, but I'll bet … Continue reading Review – The Picture of Dorian Gray
A lot cheaper LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading A lot cheaper LOT to talk about
National Meatball Day
The once lowly meatball is in the spotlight today. Once a method to extend limited meat resources by adding some breadcrumbs and egg as a binder with some herbs and other flavors thrown in, it is now a culinary category. In New York you can find multiple restaurants based around the meatball. In recipes everywhere … Continue reading National Meatball Day
