SEASONALITY

CHRISTMAS PAST

Hope all the Christmas/ Chanukah Holiday cheer is still floating around you all.
The New year is approaching and I hope your 2010 will be JOY-FUELED.
We shared our X-Mas eve with a small group of NY bound pals and ate too much, laughed too much and drank just enough.
As I love to cook we had a Turkey Roast, Ham and my special stuffing that I like to have sit for a day or so to meld flavors. YUMMM!
The comedy happens in the small tight space kitchen. No counter space..not areas to prepare anything easily. SO My sleeves catch on things and my elbows knock things over. I always have a large supply of paper towels for spills.
Anyway --I was thrilled with the thought that we might have a White Christmas.
The snowfall on the 19th was as far as I am concerned. a tease.
We had gone to see a movie at about 7 PM and it was flurrying. By the end of the movies at 9:15 it started to look like it was gonna be a terrific amount of the fluff.
By 10:30PM it was a good amount and it was pretty and magical. So I went outside I took photos.
By the next day it had all turned to slushy corner pools and muddy mounds. =0-(
But I had retained some of the beauty digitally.
I had taken long walks through NYC and gotten some Christmasy shots that were good representations of the festive decor festooning the busy streets.
As we walked about after the Christmas day it is sort of sad to see the beautiful Trees tossed away so immediately after the initial day.
But in a world of instant gratification I thought we had instant disregard as well.
Our family always left the tree and decorations up until Jan 6th which is the Epiphany. So I somehow feel it is disrespectful to toss things aside so quickly after such intense preparation.
As a January baby (JAN 9th-) I see the whole holiday season from Thanksgiving until Jan 9th. Which to me is the start of MY New Year.
I always semi-suffered as a youngster with a feeling of Birthday neglect; meaning that my birthday was a let down to the grander Holiday that preceded it. But I have learned to live with that! =0-)
I will hit a milestone this Jan 9th and am very pleased to still be vital enough to enjoy even the anticipation. Let's just say that Medicare is taking precedence over mediocrity: meaning a new CD, DVD or sweater which would have made my day now takes a back seat to this government program. Thank God!
Anyway. The highlights of this Holiday for us, besides the fun of being with friends and sharing food drink and laughs, was the wonderful movies we indulged ourselves with.
There are so many wonderful films to see.
Here is a list of what I saw:
NINE : Although Daniel Day-Lewis wasn't as Latin as I would have preferred in the part I thought his Cosmo-Euro centricity was appealing and appropriate. However his faulty accent on occasion was disruptive.
What bothered me most was the ANGST-ridden almost suicidally conflicted and confused take on Guido's character.I missed some of the intrinsic fun of his own confusion that was inherent in what I remember of Raul Julia's performance in the original stage show..
That said I LOVED the film. And was rather shocked at the Vitriolic Venom directed at the Director. Rob Marshall is a visionary and has been at the vanguard of lifting the Movie Musical up into a higher place in the public's conscious enjoyment level.. CHICAGO gave us a terrific display of how engrossingly entertaining a musical can be using the Cinematic medium.
Anyway..although a lot of the same techniques were in NINE they enhanced for sure.
Rob and John DeLuca made those women look and sound spectacular. It should raise the feminine appreciation to a grand level for all who see it. Hard to single out any one performance ..Marion Cotillard stands out, but Kate Hudson was to me a profound breakthrough of blasting us with TALENT on all levels. It didn't hurt that at times she even looked like her Mom Goldie Hahn.
I felt the attack on this film by the crtitics was ove the top and I recommend it no matter.
IT'S COMPLICATED: See it !! Just for thje wonderful coupling of Streep and Baldwin. I think A new comedy duo was cemented. They were a PERFECT match in wit and delivery and physical humor as well. The entire film was nonstop and peppered with many enjoyable and unique moments.
Steve Martin and the Supporting cast were also a great balance of powers.So much fun.
YOUNG VICTORIA: Wow what a terrific film. Emily Blunt sheds her Prada Posture and dons Queenly attire and attitude in a grand and enthralling character study. A Ten on the scale for sure.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A really interesting and non stop reworking of the legend of Holmes and Watson. All the ripples about the GAY relationship in the film is minimal at best. It is a true Buddy film. There is however many eyebrow raising implications with a deep nod to how much Holmes "loves" watson or as the fiancee says to Holmes .."Cares about him as much as I do" or something like that.. BUt the film is more like Butch Cassidy & Sundance.
One can read into that what one wants.
I am an avid fan of Basil Rathbone as SHERLOCK HOLMES and all those 1940's movies. I was in fear that this new version might obliterate the intellect and cunning of the character.It didn't just made it rougher. Which in this version was appropriate.
So I recommend it as well.
A SINGLE MAN: A super intelligent film on all levels and TOm Ford get's an "A" in my book. Stylish and stunning in vision and performance. SEE IT!
PRECIOUS: This is a stunning portrait of human struggle. An OSCAR nom at least for Monique. SEE IT!
AVATAR: This is till fresh in mind as we saw it last evening.. This was a rather revolutionary or should I say visionary film. James Cameron has created a totally believable world with substance and structure that is totally palpable. Besides being a visual feast it has a great moral center. And although it deals with Aliens touches the humanity in all.
Putting it in 3-D and giving it a terrific conflict and stunning visual effects enhance this already amazing film.
SEE IT!!
A few of these films I was lucky enough to see in Screening and the professional audiences were vocal and appreciative. Others I saw in general release and was pleased to see similar reactions.
Movies are truly magical when that happens.
We saw some plays which I mentioned in previous blog-spoutings.
Our biggest disappointment was that SO HELP ME GOD the Mint Theatre's offering at the Lortel has closed. That was a very special piece and should have had more mileage.

So as the discarded Firs and Frasers dot the soggy sidewalks of NY and the Holiday wreaths droop and dry I look forward to the New Year with high spirit of Hope and all the good stuff we can carry into it.
Wishing you all Good Health, Prosperity, Joy and an abundance of MOVIES and PLAYS and as much music as you can stuff into your iPodded brains.

ONWARD to 2010

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MERRY STREETS OF NY

I took a long walking trek today and took some photos of the very crowded and festive streets of NY.
Times Square, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and a few store windows. Saks, Macy's, and Lord & Taylor windows were all bobbing and bouncing with mechanized scenes and motorized miniatures.
I recommend the MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET windows along Macy's 34th Street side.
Rockefeller Center and the huge Tree are a joy as usual. I love watching the ice skaters and the beautiful lighting especially on the Prometheus Fountain.
I will take another trek farther uptown to Barney and Bergdorff's. Both those stores usually have terrifically designed windows for the season.
Bryant Park was buzzing with a village of shops and a very nice makeshift two story restaurant overlooking the temporary ice rink.
I had gone to TKT earlier to see if I could get tickets half price for the evening performance of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC as they are in Previews and open this weekend. But unfortunately the show was not up on the board there.
I am very anxious to see Angela Lansbury in a role that I am sure is a perfect fit for her.
I saw the original and it is still fresh in my mind. A beautiful production under the skillful and delicate direction of Hal Prince. Florence Klotz's costumes were also spectacular as was the Birch Tree rich set.
I hope I can get to see it soon.
The street traffic was extremely congested but I managed to navigate without too much difficulty.
I recommend doing the X-Mas Trek late at night when places are deserted and the magic of the season can be more accessible.
Next week we'll get a tree of our own and start the home festivities.

MERRY MERRY
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DECEMBERED

-Well.
Winter seems to have arrived in New York.
The cold air is ruffling the mufflers. Hot Chocolate and steaming soups are on the stove and the aroma of pine is floating up and down the street from the various Christmas Tree stands.
I have yet to enjoy the Rockefeller Plaza tree and the wonderful store windows but that is on the agenda for sure.
We have been meeting friends and enjoying the warmth of their laughs and companionship.
Our friends in Palm Springs are enjoying RAIN and COLD as well!! The rain is rare and welcomed but the cold is of course NOT!
There was a festival Of Lights Parade with Floats! And pals were riding high along Palm Canyon Drive which was lined with 180,000 spectators. WOW!!!

This is an odd time for us all as there is the threat of Health Insurance being extremely compromised without a strong Public Option while people are dying and losing their homes.
This is a Christmas season that will be permeated by a Scrooge-like penury and delicacy when shopping and trying to find the elusive JOY.
I have been taking advantage of any and all invitations including one to go to Northport, Long Island to see friends in a musical version of MIRACLE ON 34th STREET.
It is a sweet attempt and not without its charm. The John Engeman Theatre is also a lovely converted movie theatre enhanced by the provenance that Patti LuPone grew up there and attended the then Main Street Movie house.
A LIRR trip out to Northport was very pleasant even at 5:04 PM from Penn station. The Cab ride from the Northport station was more expensive than the one way train ride. And I thought NY cabs were expensive. Hey THEY ARE!
We did however get a bit of a tour from the cab drive which acquainted us with the lovely park and lighted Gazebo and the very movie set-like Main Street and local eateries. One called Morant that is a 28 on the Zagat guide!! We went somewhere less expensive..SKIPPERS! A terrific Lobster special for $20.
When one goes to these Provincial Outposts of Culture one can get stuck. Our friend forgot to call a cab and we were not able to take the 10:56pm from Huntington. So we indulged in the lovely mahogany embossed bar Lobby of the theatre. Unfortunately I had a Cognac that tasted watered. Not a good sign. And $15 !!
Luckily a colleague of our friend took us to the Hicksville Station and we were able to get back to NYC before 1:00am.
Northport was a beautiful example of Main Street America. especially lighted for X-Mas. I did notice that most of the street was lined with tourist gift shoppe and eateries along with ATM accessible Chase Banks.
The Cab driver said that the real estate was extremely expensive. What else is new?

I am like most looking for bargains everywhere.
I managed somewhat.
As for food we are also in pursuit of less expensive and healthy vittles.
We headed up to COSTCO on 116th and FDR. A long ride on the 6 train subway Lexington line connection.
It was raining and a long trek from the subway. But worth it! Real bargains in a terrific, if over crowded, store. The only difference between California Costco's besides No real Liquor products like Tequila, Vodka etc...the Aisles were a bit narrow and therefore ultra congested. We had a time of it dragging the carts up subway steps but the bulky trip was well worth it!
If you want a decent bargain of good products gogogo!1 =0-)

What else??
We had recommended RAGTIME as a wonderful theatre experience and I still do. It s superb.
And they are saying it is closing by Jan 3rd or so.
GO if you can. It is a true FAMILY show as it is about the AMERICAN FAMILY and how the Europeans and the rich racial mix informed our culture and our society. Along with terrific performances and beautiful voices.

We ate at City Diner on 90th and Broadway during the Snowy rainstorm on Saturday with a good friend who is a screen and play writer.
It was our first time there and I hope we hit it at the wrong time..The food was mediocre and bland with the worst..I reiterate WORST coffee EVER!

I am toying..get the PUN..Toying with going to see the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR..But my girlfriend Maria said that the tickets are as expensive as a Broadway show.
WHAT??? That was an American tradition that was accessible to the masses . Especially the city residents. It is now being sold to those wo can AFFORD it...with premium seats in the $200 range. Bring the Kiddies BUT take out a LOAN!!
What a shame. I guess the Camels are eating better than we are???

We are going to a Holiday party tonight at an apartment on Gramercy Park. I will try and get some photos of the Gramercy Park tree. It is usually very beautiful.
I will hit the Rockefeller Tree soon. It always lifts my spirits!!

We're getting the dribbles of X-Mas cards and have to start sending in return.
I LOVE hearing from friends and seeing some very Fun greetings.

Hope you all have a great Holiday despite and shortcomings and difficuties.

And if the Global Climate Change has to be part of the Bush and Republican legacy then at least let's hope for a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY MERRY


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WOW

PARDON THE BAD SPELLING IN THE LAST POST..I FORGOT TO SPELLCHECK

BROADWAY BOUNCE

Long time no Blog.
Been busy with auditions and appointments and friends from out of town.
Good friend Clark is here form California and we have hto a few shows.
Saw ROYAL FAMILY last evening and thought it terrific. SO wonderful to see such a well constructed and fun and theatrically centric play.Ooutstanding Rosemary Harris and Jan Maxwell in the role Harris played years ago with Ellis Rabe.
The Biltmore now Friedman Theatre is stunning and a perfect PLAY-house.
The evena dn evening were enhanced bu thelustre of gorgeous GlennClose and the illustrious Stephen Sondheim in the audience. Roger Rees also added to the celebritized.
At Bar Centrale, my favorite haunt we saw Tyne Daly looking great and had a few laughs with colleague and pal Richard Kind.
That was a real New York night!
I have seen TOXIC AVENGER which is so much mad fun your cheeks will hurt from laughing. Nancy Opel deserves all the wards the community cna throw at her for a boundless performance both vocally and comedically. The entire cast is on the mark and works like a troupe or battalion proportions.
See it as it is closing in January..SO WORTH THE TIME.
WISHFUL DRINKING was highly recommended by many including Rex Reed who is afriend of Clarks. He was so right. Carrie Fisher is a hoot and a holler. SHe takes you onj a roller coaster of mad fun and twisted logic that is epoused in Hollywood.
RAGTIME was perfection. Marcia Milgrom Dodge did a superb job from top to tips.
The cast was headed by a now mature and engaging Christiane Noll. Her singing was as usual flawless and her characterization of "Mother" was full of inner strength and determination. Bravo to all.
BYE BYE BIRDIE..wrong WRONG wrong!
This production is odd. And it is definitely not the original script and not giving us the consistent charm. The casting is off and some performers are not in the same show. I thought the show not as bad as some of the reviews offered. But even though everyone was workignhard and sometimes hit the mark the uneveness was off putting.
And: the town the MaCafees live in is called Sweet Apple..Their house looked as slick and cosmopolitan as any NY apartment. Not a vestige of a Shrub or Foiliage or anything suburban. I am critical of it becasue it had moments and some talent, It just didn't work.
That was my foray into the Rialto and tonight I am seeing the Midnight Movie Show of 2012.
We have been enjoying the very MILD weather. We walked Central Park this weekend adn the place was alive with activity and energy. It is such a beautiful park.
Back to the audiiton grind and job searching next week.
Hope you all are having a terrific Fall and enjoying the Season.

AUTUMN IN NY


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EAST SIDE / WEST SIDE

Am back in New York City after a month in California in beautiful Palm Springs and in hectic Los Angeles.
SO EAST SIDE / WEST SIDE -- COAST SIDE.

While in Los Angeles I saw a wonderful Gay take on the famous Arthur Schnitzler play
LA RONDE called F*CKING MEN.
Calvin Remsberg artfully and tastefully directed this piece at the Celebration Theatre. It is the American Premier seen lastly in a record breaking run on London's West End.
Joe DiPietro, whose MEMPHIS & TOXIC AVENGER are enjoying a run on and Off Broadway, wrote it and gave Calvin the rights.
Bravo Calvin!! Calvin was in the SWEENEY TODD national tour with Angela Lansbury & George Hearn and on that DVD as the Beadle.
ALso saw a wonderful version of GREATER TUNA in a small theatre in Palm Springs co directed by pal Mark Esposito and produced by Mark Nichols. It was easily as fun and entertaining and well acted as the terrific original which is somewhat preserved on DVD.
I had a lot on my plate but managed to mix business with pleasure and it was a fulfilling month for sure.
Was once again in the inspiring and spirited company of the completely unique Kaye Ballard. What a great lady. She just completed a Disc of her book "HOW I LOST 10 POUNDS IN 53 YEARS" It is available and worth any price.
I also was invited to see a screening of LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE at the gorgeous RANCHO MIRAGE Library. Clark Bason, who is producing a musical version of this wonderful piece with Margo Lion, was there and acknowledged by the owner of the Camelot Theatre who sponsored the event.
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is in Workshop in Florida at the SUNDANCE festival there.
Keep an eye out for future mountings and an eventual Broadway production. Cross Fingers as Clark is a good friend since SWEENEY TODD days and has had this project on the burner for TEN years!
Our friends Oscar and Jeff are now permanent Palm Springs residents. They are thrilled to finally be settled and have the joy of the weather, the mountains and a gorgeous pool right in their backyard. Something their beautiful 7th Ave apartment in NY lacked. =0-)
I hear from them daily about what progress they are making. Jeff's E-Bay business is up and running from there and they are starting to live the life they designed.
It can be done!
I urge anyone who hasn't visited Palm Springs to go if they can. It is a very special and lively place. But watch out for the SPA CASINO!! =0-)
I spent a great deal of time setting up our new house but of course it is not a permanent residence ..Yet!
I am reaching a landmark birthday and had to have something start the ball rolling toward a retirement or rather semi retirement life.
Like ME it is a Work In Progress!!
It was a shock coming form Sunny and temperate Palm Springs into NY during a wet and cold spell. Brrrr
But it has turned around and was Spring-like here if not Palmy.
We saw MEMPHIS last night and really enjoyed it. Terrific entertainment and extraordinary performances by the leads Chad Kimball and Montego Glover . I had the delight of seeing Chad Kimball, among others, sing at the ACE Cabaret in Palm SPrings not too long ago. He sang the MEMPHIS song he sings in the second Act and blew us all away as he did last night.
Tonight I am seeing pals and colleagues, Sean McDermott and Ron Abel perform at the TRIAD on 72nd Street. They are there again this Saturday night Oct 24th around 9PM..go if you can as they are two Top notch talents.
We are seeing TOXIC AVENGERS on Friday and Ironically the same writers wrote MEMPHIS. Nancy Opel, an ole pal from EVITA on Broadway days, is knocking 'em out with her performance and I can't wait to see and hear her do her stuff.
Speaking of EVITA they are mounting a new Broadway production. I may be nuts but I can't imagine a better mounting and concept than what Hal Prince so artfully created in 1979...and earlier in London. What incredible talents came from that show...LuPone, Patinkin, Bob Gunton,Nancy Opel, Loni Ackerman, Valerie Perri. Terri Klausner among others. WOW!!
Pat Gorman who was in the original EVITA ensemble in 79 recently had a 30 year reunion which I couldn't attend as I was in California. She sent pictures and emails and it looked like a great gathering of great people. I am so sorry I missed it.
Anyway.. I am glad to be back in the NY swing of things and had drinks with SUNSET
BLVD pals Harvey Evans and Rich Hebert last week. We sat a Joe Allen's and schmoozed over the OLD DAYS. Harvey is retired and happy as a clam and totally active in
DANCERS OVER 40 which has done some wonderful presentations.
Rich is teaching in Boston but auditioning. he was just seen for BILLY ELLIOT.
Two terrific people and wonderfully talented. Rich and I did CATS with Calvin Remsberg and Mark Esposito in 1983-84..SMALL WORLD ISN'T IT!!

I hope you all are enjoying the weather we have had in NY these last few days..if not keep warm.

We are all concerned about the Public Option and the Healthcare restructuring. And hope that no one else dies or suffers such hideous hardships that the present system inspires.

as Angela Lansbury..soon to inhabit Hermione Gingold's role in A LITTEL NIGHT MUSIC on Broadway..says .."ONWARD!"

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