This is not a review. Recently I saw an "industry reading" of a work in progress. It is a musical based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald novella. I had seen early drafts in reading group as the writing team developed the work and it was thrilling to see it being presented in one piece to … Continue reading The Diamond as Big as the Ritz
New York City
Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Last week I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, visiting my mom in Central Florida for a sumptuous meal. We had turkey, ham, risotto, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, delicious roast vegetables, cheese rolls, lovely dressing and so much more. My mom will live off the left overs and share them with her neighbors for some time … Continue reading Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Alternate Side Parking
The city of New York recently released the ASP calendar for 2018. In this town street parking is highly regulated and quirkily assigned. From the calendar: "All of NYC was designated a Tow Away Zone under the State’s Vehicle & Traffic law in 1959. This means that any vehicle parked or operated illegally, or with … Continue reading Alternate Side Parking
Evacuation Day
Tomorrow, Saturday, November 25, is Evacuation Day here in New York. It commemorates the day in 1783 when the British left Manhattan after the American Revolutionary War when General George Washington returned in a triumphant parade. He had left the city, starting a long strategic retreat, when he abandoned Fort Washington (in my part of … Continue reading Evacuation Day
Happy Thanksgiving
In America we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today with parades, sumptuous dinners and sporting events. I hope that you are getting the Thanksgiving you desire. Usually I go to my favorite steak house in New York to gorge myself in my own quirky manner but today I choose to celebrate more traditionally with my mom in … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving
Review – Home for the Holidays
Two caveats for this review: I do not watch TV reality singing contests at all and so have no idea who these people are (old-timer Danny Aiello was a minor part of the evening and the only face I recognized). The other is that I saw the first preview and the sound mix was not … Continue reading Review – Home for the Holidays
Recycling in New York
High density living, as we experience in New York, is not for everyone. I know lots of friends and relatives who shudder at the thought of apartments stacked upon each other and living so close to other people. They long for their lawns and driveways and separation from their neighbors. But one thing it provides … Continue reading Recycling in New York
Review – M. Butterfly
When David Henry Hwang's play M. BUTTERFLY opened in 1988 I did not see the original production. Several years later a group of actors, including myself, participated in a reading and discussion where I then lived in Florida. We were all enchanted by the work and the script has been one of my favorites ever … Continue reading Review – M. Butterfly
Review – OFFICE HOUR
The Public Theater is currently presenting a fascinating play by Julia Cho, OFFICE HOUR, which is inspired but flawed. It begins with two teachers warning another about a troubled student she is about to get in her class. The student has exhibited anti-social behavior and written violent diatribes for class assignments. The fear is that … Continue reading Review – OFFICE HOUR
Review – The Last Match
Been seeing my fair share of Roundabout shows recently. They are featuring THE LAST MATCH by Anna Ziegler at their Laura Pel stage. It is an interesting concept, following a tennis match in nearly real time between an aging tennis legend and an up and coming new star. Without rackets or balls they do a … Continue reading Review – The Last Match
My AeroGarden Update
In past posts I have told you about the plants I grow in AeroGardens in my NYC apartment. A while back I described the cherry tomato plant that lasted more than a year and in August I gave you my recipe for Basil Pesto. The tomato plant finally stopped bearing so I replanted the Bounty … Continue reading My AeroGarden Update
Review – Time and the Conways
"There is a great devil in the universe and we call it time." One of the defining lines from the Roundabout Theatre's Broadway production of TIME AND THE CONWAYS. Sometimes I can be a lazy theater goer. Back in 1994 I saw a production of AN INSPECTOR CALLS by J.B. Priestly on Broadway. One of … Continue reading Review – Time and the Conways
My scripts in 2017
As 2017 winds down, time to take stock of how my scripts have done this year. While there is still a chance more will be accepted this year, less chance of any performances, readings or recognitions. Seven different scripts received a performance, reading or recognition this year and were featured in nine different productions and … Continue reading My scripts in 2017
Review – Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train
Signature Theatre is having quite a season remounting important American plays and re-introducing playwrights. I was thrilled to see their productions of Susan-Lori Parks' Red Letter Plays and they continue their streak with this seminal play by Stephen Adly Guirgis. The playwright has created a compelling work of the prison system and the burdens of … Continue reading Review – Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train
Review – Red Roses, Green Gold
What a fabulous show. The show at the Minetta Lane Theater has a trite, hackneyed and contrived plot that provides the perfect excuse to play Grateful Dead music live and boy, is it worth it. Grateful Dead music should be experienced live. The songs are primarily from two of their greatest albums, American Dream and … Continue reading Review – Red Roses, Green Gold
Election Day 2017
I often prep blog entries in advance and then edit up until the morning posting. This version I have completely re-written at least a dozen times with various quotes, facts and observations. I steer clear of political postings as there is enough bloviating in this environment. This blog is intended to highlight the theatre I … Continue reading Election Day 2017
National Nachos Day
Today is National Nachos Day. Nachos are one of the most abused and misunderstood foods in our canon. Too often they are sloppily and carelessly prepared. Ballparks slather runny cheese over stale chips, dump them in a souvenir batting helmet bowl and overcharge horribly for the privilege. All over New York you will find Tex-Mex … Continue reading National Nachos Day
I take a stand on Daylight Saving Time
This Sunday (November 5, 2017) you are advised to turn your clocks back one hour to stay faithful to Daylight Saving Time. This practice was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin and has been in effect in our world on and off with changing rules for the last century. Those in favor claim better access to … Continue reading I take a stand on Daylight Saving Time
World Series 2017
I love baseball. My favorite sport. Pastoral, contemplative, strategic. I love the playoffs and World Series. I long for the return of my Cincinnati Reds and I enjoy when New York teams are in, but this was a good series. Always good to see a seventh game and certainly lots of interest in a nice … Continue reading World Series 2017
HALLOWEEN!
Today is Halloween, a holiday initially signaling the end of harvest and approach of winter that goes back to Roman times. Eventually it evolved into the eve before the Christian All Saint's Day on November 1 or All Hallow's Eve - now Halloween. Banned by the Puritans but steadily rehabilitated in the Victorian era, it … Continue reading HALLOWEEN!
Your final chance to see Plays & Prestidigitation #9
Today at 3 PM is the final performance of Plays & Prestidigitation #9 - The FRIGHT Edition. If you haven't already seen it get to http://www.polarisnorth.org for more info and if you've already seen it - come see it again! This has been such a magical weekend and I have to thank the whole team … Continue reading Your final chance to see Plays & Prestidigitation #9
Come to see P&P #9!
If you are in New York today, come see Plays & Prestidigitation #9: The Fright Edition at 245 West 29th Street, Fourth Floor at 7:00 PM tonight (Saturday). Check out http://www.polarisnorth.org for details! Kudos to everyone who recognized this is not the correct show image - just checking to see if you are paying attention! … Continue reading Come to see P&P #9!
Opening Night for Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
If you are in New York I hope you will join us for our show at Polaris North Studio on 29th Street tonight and this weekend. It combines short plays and magical interludes. It will be a little scary, a little macabre, and lots of fun. There are several brand new short works and the … Continue reading Opening Night for Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
Review: The Portuguese Kid
Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting John Patrick Shanley's new play at their off-Broadway space at City Center. The efforts of the cast are notable, especially Jason Alexander and Sherie Rene Scott who work hard and keep the play surging forward. Unfortunately the script is a reminiscent of a TV sitcom that reaches hard and out … Continue reading Review: The Portuguese Kid
Players Theatre Boo! Short Play Festival
Recently I saw a performance of the Boo! Short Play Festival at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. It was an interesting batch of plays in a seasonal festival. A little uneven and somewhat odd selections for a "scary" festival. I really went to take in the efforts of several Polaris North members putting together … Continue reading Players Theatre Boo! Short Play Festival
Walter Thinnes 
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