Plays based on historical figures and events can tend to be dry or preachy. That is not the case with MY PARSIFAL CONDUCTOR which opened last night at the West Side YMCA Little Theater. Happily it is a sprightly concoction of vivid characterizations and engaging examinations of a particularly fascinating moment in music history. Composer … Continue reading Review – My Parsifal Conductor
New York City
The Ride Down Mount Scary
We had a terrific rehearsal last night for my short play THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT SCARY which will soon be in the Players Theatre Short Play Festival in Greenwich Village. Directed by Pamela Wilson it features the talented performers Carly Ruda, Eric Diamond, Holly Rosen and Maggie Hunter. Performances are October 25-27 at 7 PM … Continue reading The Ride Down Mount Scary
Baseball and Football
Well, there are no longer any teams from Ohio or New York in the baseball playoffs. I will follow the post season because of my love of baseball but am already looking forward to next season. Spring training is just around the corner. So now I focus a bit on football where the Bengals already … Continue reading Baseball and Football
Review – The Nap
THE NAP is an odd bird at the Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The first extended and endless scene is taken up with exposition, explaining the game rules of Snooker, the family connections to come into play and the meaning of the title (The Nap of a snooker table - the patterns of … Continue reading Review – The Nap
2018 Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
Did you make it to the amazing Medieval Festival here at the upper tip of Manhattan so very close to my home? It was marvelous with many people in costume, lots of fun food, crazy vendors, stadium shows, street shows, and generally festive atmosphere. It was more crowded than normal with a new safety lane … Continue reading 2018 Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
TOMORROW: The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
For months I have been suggesting you mark Sunday, September 30 on your calendar to attend The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival and tomorrow it finally arrives. Take the A Train to 190th Street, take the elevators to the street and turn right. Welcome to my neighborhood. Enjoy some jousting, cosplay, shops and more at … Continue reading TOMORROW: The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
Review – Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties
MCC Theater is ensconced in the Lucille Lortel Theatre this season and has mounted a new play written by Jen Silverman and directed by Mike Donahue. While it brings to mind the ground breaking "Vagina Monologues" it has taken the feminist body image advocacy in Eve Ensler's play and thrown in SNL style improv accomplished … Continue reading Review – Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties
Two show discounts
Tickets are now on sale for the Players Theatre Short Play Festival that includes my script "THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT SCARY" in October. It is directed by Pamela Wilson and features Carly Ruda, Eric Diamond, Maggie Hunter andHolly Rosen The dates my play is featured is October 25-28 and you can buy tickets in advance … Continue reading Two show discounts
Catching Up – Seasons, Storms and Stones
Quick catch up on several topics: Today is the first day of fall and the weather in New York City is cooperating with a turn to the cool. Love it. Heard from the friends and relatives I know that were in the path of Florence and all seem fine but flooding has really taken a … Continue reading Catching Up – Seasons, Storms and Stones
Be More Chill heading to Broadway
You may recall my review of BE MORE CHILL on August 27. I thought it was great and was excited it was rumored to be ready to transfer to Broadway. It will start previews at the Lyceum Theater on February 23, 2019 and will open on March 10. I am excited that it was discovered … Continue reading Be More Chill heading to Broadway
National Pepperoni Pizza Day – my favorite
Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day and growing up in Cincinnati this means a LaRosa's Pepperoni Pizza. Luckily this is actually available in New York City once each month at Edward's restaurant at 136 W. Broadway. They also offer Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn Ribs and Graeter's Ice Cream. It happens on the last Monday of … Continue reading National Pepperoni Pizza Day – my favorite
Franken-Ribs achieved
I call them Franken-Ribs because they take several complex operations to come to life. I live in a small New York City apartment and so do not have a deck, a yard, a grill, or a place to install a standard smoker. Under these limitations I decided to play with how I could make the … Continue reading Franken-Ribs achieved
Review – Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
Vitaly Beckman is a very talented magician. Many of the effects he designs himself and those he created are highly deceptive and impressive, even to a fellow magician. He focuses on paper magic and does it well. He combines multiple effects into smooth stories that work well. He starts and ends his act with impressive … Continue reading Review – Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
The Ride Down Mount Scary
I have written a new short play specifically for the Players Theatre Short Play Festival in October with the theme of Boo!. The dates will be October 25-28 in Greenwich Village. Casting is underway and will be announced soon. When tickets go on sale online I will give you a heads up. Please make a … Continue reading The Ride Down Mount Scary
National Salami Day
Today is National Salami Day and you should go to Katz's Delicatessen for a taste. It has been in business since 1888 and sells wonderful delicatessen classics like pickles, corned beef, and yes, salami. Sure you could order over the internet (they have changed their URL since their founding in the 19th century so take … Continue reading National Salami Day
A New Short Play Performance in New York City!
The Players Theater Short Play Festival has confirmed that my new short play "The Ride Down Mt. Scary" will appear in their next play festival in October with the theme: Boo! Dates are yet to be finalized and casting is underway. Pamela will direct and fun will be had by all. Watch for more details … Continue reading A New Short Play Performance in New York City!
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. I suppose it is fitting as we come to the end of the summer camping season. Some people prefer to use Toasted Marshmallows as only a component in something else like S'mores. Me? I'm a purist and love Toasted Marshmallows for their own sake. Their own perfectly melty, crusty, … Continue reading National Toasted Marshmallow Day
A Ryde to a Roast
My mom is having a very special birthday and I am taking my Can-Am Spyder to Florida to celebrate with her and family. She is hosting a pig roast in celebration and promises it will not be me thrown in the oven. During this week I will be heading down the east coast and stopping … Continue reading A Ryde to a Roast
Mortal Coils Recently Shuffled Off
Three theater luminaries have recently passed on, respect should be paid. Barbara Harris is someone I never saw on stage but her voice is ever present in my head, The Apple Tree musical was written for her and I listen to that album frequently. I did see here in several movies, most especially in Robert … Continue reading Mortal Coils Recently Shuffled Off
Fall Broadway Spotlight
As usual Broadway comes back to life in the fall. The shows that opened this summer have gotten pretty bad reviews so we need some good new shows. The not-for-profits on Broadway kick off early. Roundabout has Bernhardt/Hamlet (about one of histories most famed actresses taking on Shakespeare's iconic role) with previews starting September 1 … Continue reading Fall Broadway Spotlight
The cleanest park in New York City!
While perusing the current edition of The New Yorker magazine I came about a Talk of the Town segment named "One Man's Trash" by Patricia Marx. It details a new activity called "plogging." The word is a combination of jogging and "plocka uppa" (the Swedish term for "picking up.") These folks jog through public spaces … Continue reading The cleanest park in New York City!
Protected: Review – Gettin’ The Band Back Together
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My blogging anniversary
I'm not advanced on social media. I've never been on Facebook (if you're not paying for the product, you are the product). I've been late to websites and Twitter and only recently took up blogging. I figure as soon as Instagram is surpassed by another technology, I might take a look at that! A couple … Continue reading My blogging anniversary
National Filet Mignon Day
Today is National Filet Mignon Day. When I was younger I disdained this cut of meat as devoid of taste and delicious fat. I was known to polish off an entire porterhouse steak all by my lonesome. I have come to appreciate this beef cut and learned to understand quality over quantity. If you are … Continue reading National Filet Mignon Day
Cincinnati Reds win the game I went to see!
As both the Reds and Mets are National League teams I get at least one shot to see my Cincy team live each season. This year both have similar records (translation: terrible), so it is something of an even match. I went to the Tuesday night game and was treated to a National Anthem sung … Continue reading Cincinnati Reds win the game I went to see!
Walter Thinnes 
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