When Edward Albee died about a year ago his estate arranged an auction of the art work he had collected to benefit the foundation he established. Sotheby's won the right to conduct the auction and the exhibit for the sale opens today at their headquarters on the upper East Side of Manhattan. I have purchased … Continue reading The Edward Albee Collection at Sotheby’s
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Unlike many national days the source of this one is well known. It was founded by John Baur and Mark Summers (aka Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy) in 1995. Click here for the entire story! In theory you are supposed to speak pirate slang with lots of Aaar's … Continue reading International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Broadway Season Preview
Living in New York City provides unlimited opportunities to see live theater. While I see Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows, this post I'll preview Broadway shows coming this season. I tend to value shop and seldom pay full price to see shows. I belong to several discount services. For a full summary of the season, … Continue reading Broadway Season Preview
Cassini Mission Ending
Human beings are capable of horrible things. You think times are tough today? Go back in history to any previous period, the cruel methods taken by empires, mobs, and local societies, behavior we would decry as inhuman was all too common. Life was brutal and short. We are fortunate to live in today's world. At … Continue reading Cassini Mission Ending
National Cream Filled Donut Day
Today is National Cream Filled Donut Day. Deep Breath. I love Cream Filled Donuts but I avoid them at all costs. Slight tremor of my right hand. They are so delicious as to be unable to be resisted. A glistening dribble of drool escapes from the edge of my lip. A Boston Creme Donut is … Continue reading National Cream Filled Donut Day
Mom vs. Irma
Mom lives in a retirement trailer park between Orlando and Ocala. She likes the warm climate and the friendly neighbors. When Irma threatened she said "If it is less than a Category 3, no problem. Been there, done that." Since that was the forecast she declined the chance to evacuate. Thank goodness Irma was worn … Continue reading Mom vs. Irma
Recent Reads: RAZZLE DAZZLE, THE BATTLE FOR BROADWAY by Michael Riedel
Books about show biz too often focus on the glitter and glamour of the performers but Razzle Dazzle fixates on the theater owners that really rule The Great White Way. This is a fascinating and fun read on the history of Broadway theaters focusing on the seventies and eighties but providing full context. It dwells … Continue reading Recent Reads: RAZZLE DAZZLE, THE BATTLE FOR BROADWAY by Michael Riedel
September 11 Anniversary
That Tuesday in 2001 was a clear and beautiful day. I had voted in the mayoral primary and was at my desk as Managing Director of the New York State Theater (now the David H. Koch Theater) at Lincoln Center. My assistant let me know that a plane had hit one of the towers of … Continue reading September 11 Anniversary
National Stand Up To Cancer Day
The second Friday in September is National Stand Up To Cancer Day. I am a cancer survivor and grateful to be around to talk about it. Cancer is something many people don't want to even whisper about but it has far reaching consequences for many people. Mine was excised, removed, cut out and not returned … Continue reading National Stand Up To Cancer Day
Seeing my hometown Cincinnati Reds play the New York Mets
Tonight we go to Citifield to see my Cincinnati Reds take on the New York Mets. I know the modern argument that in professional sports you are really rooting for a uniform, not a team as the players are interchangeable, unlike the "old days." Actually players were moved around in the old days but at … Continue reading Seeing my hometown Cincinnati Reds play the New York Mets
Bonus post: Springtime for our Little Hitlers
Had to add a quick note. Just read a great piece in the flailing New York Times. I subscribe but think they allow visitors to read several articles each month. Give it a read: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/opinion/comedy-protest-taxes-nazis.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region Hope the link works. It helps me explain why I am both anti-White-Power and anti-Antifa. Non violence and humor always … Continue reading Bonus post: Springtime for our Little Hitlers
Update your resumé month
September is Update Your Resumé Month. It is a good time to annually review and freshen up your resumé. When I was an actor, a long time ago, I would freshen my resumé on a regular basis as I was always adding shows and prioritizing which shows I wanted seen by those holding an audition (there was only … Continue reading Update your resumé month
100 Posts
About a year ago I started this blog, somewhat on a whim. The software (WordPress) keeps track of all sorts of statistics and informs me that this is my one hundredth post. When I started I had no specific goal and early entries were random and sporadic. As I recently left my last job I … Continue reading 100 Posts
Happy Labor Day
Today is celebrated as Labor Day in the US, honoring workers and the trade union movement. The date was chosen as an alternative to May 1 (still International Workers Day) which was too closely associated with the socialist movement for the late 19th century establishment. While there are always parades and rallies it serves more … Continue reading Happy Labor Day
Asteroid Florence
This is pretty cool. Today a large near-Earth object known as Asteroid Florence makes its closest pass to Earth in more than 600 years. Don't worry, Florence is less an immediate threat than Harvey (we do have a tendency to anthropomorphize things coming flying at us). It (she?) will come within 4.4 million miles (7 … Continue reading Asteroid Florence
Happy Birthday, Mom
Today is my mother's birthday. I'm not going to tell you how old she is but next year she wants to prepare a special celebration as we both reach landmark years. She lives in Florida but every year or so she visits New York City to see me and Washington DC to see my brother. … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Mom
Confederate Monuments
The recent uproar regarding Confederate Monuments resulting from the ugly display in Charlottesville, VA is long overdue. I am an ardent fan of studying history and have always been astounded that a traitorous uprising is so broadly celebrated in so many places. The facts are so simple and yet an entire segment of our population … Continue reading Confederate Monuments
My Basil Pesto
As noted earlier I have a couple of AeroGarden indoor hydroponic growing devices. They are perfect for a NYC apartment providing a few fresh ingredients for my cooking. After trying a few options I have settled on cherry tomatoes (my plant has been producing for more than a year) and basil. I have always found … Continue reading My Basil Pesto
Kid-Napping and my ordeal as a hostage
Last week I was held hostage by two small terrorists. They were 5 and 7 years old and claimed to be Pamela's grandchildren, Emma and Savannah. They moved too fast and too often for that to be confirmed. But every aspect of my life was controlled by them for those days they were in New … Continue reading Kid-Napping and my ordeal as a hostage
For the Love of Pete
I grew up in Southwestern Ohio in and around Cincinnati - where my father's family has long been based. Baseball is practically a religion there and we worship the Cincinnati Reds. While the feeling has waned a bit over the decades Cincinnati is still the only major league town left that has an Opening Day … Continue reading For the Love of Pete
National Waffle Day
Today, Thursday, August 24, is National Waffle Day. The first United States patent for a waffle iron was issued to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York on August 24, 1869. Thank you, Mr. Swarthout. Waffles are one of my favorite foods. I have a terrific recipe using my sourdough starter and think I will make … Continue reading National Waffle Day
A great Monday Night Magic
This week I attended another version of Monday Night Magic at the Players Theater in Greenwich Village. The performers are different for each edition and I have learned to watch for certain favorite magicians. It was heartening to see a nearly full house and enthusiastic audience. You can check for more information at: http://mondaynightmagic.com/MainMenu.html First … Continue reading A great Monday Night Magic
Leni & Joseph at the New Ohio Theatre
I recently saw a production of a new play by Jacob Marx Rice at the New Ohio Theater on Christopher Street. It runs only three more performances and is worth seeing. You can find more information at: https://www.theshelternyc.org/production/threshold-2017/ I have been fortunate to be part of a playwrights group with Jacob and I can attest … Continue reading Leni & Joseph at the New Ohio Theatre
Time to wipe the sun from the sky – for a minute or two anyway
Ah, finally here. The much heralded, much hyped total eclipse of the sun running through a big chunk of America. Of course total eclipses happen on Earth about every two years or so, but seldom just traverse America. Because of this America is paying a lot of attention. It will be quite the event that … Continue reading Time to wipe the sun from the sky – for a minute or two anyway
Prince of Broadway
There is no question that Hal Prince is a giant of Broadway as we know it today. No question he has contributed to the artistry we see on every stage of The Great White Way. No question he has influenced uncounted artists who perform, choreograph and direct there. Manhattan Theatre Club has brought in a … Continue reading Prince of Broadway
Walter Thinnes 
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