Monday, March 30, 2009

Broadway Monday

33 Variations A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. And, even though they're separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still.

In the early 1800s, a music publisher named Anton Diabelli wrote a waltz and invited the best composers in Vienna to compose one variation on it for publication in a single, handsome volume. According to legend, everyone accepted the proposal except Beethoven, who initially considered Diabelli's composition trite and insignificant. But he eventually became obsessed with it and wrote 33 variations, taking the better part of three years to do it.

Two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda returns to the Broadway stage after 42 years to head a cast of eight in the new play written and directed by Moises Kaufman, author of The Laramie Project and director of I Am My Own Wife. Drama, memory and music combine to transport you from present-day New York to 19th-century Austria, in this extraordinary new American play about passion, parenthood and the moments of beauty that can transform a life. Fonda plays a musicologist racing against time to solve the mystery of Beethoven's obsession while simultaneously facing her own obsession, daughter, life, and immanent death. Colin Hanks and Samantha Mathis also star in the play as Mike and Clara respectively.

33 Variations will enjoy a limited run from March 9th to May 24th at the Eugene O'Neil Theatre in New York City.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

This makes me giggle uncontrollably. Every. Time.

disclaimer: I am normally not a fan of talking babies or animals, but what can I say... this is just comedy gold.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

lights out, kids

Don't Forget
Lights out for Earth Hour tonight at 8:30

pick up a book, light a candle, meditate, talk to your partner, talk to your kids, play with your dog
Give Mother Earth a break!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Is this a good enough excuse as to why I have been having trouble posting this week? Hmmm?

He's called a Boomer. He lives in the XBox 360 game "Left for Dead". He's a zombie who vomits some sort of gack on you which in turn summons up "the horde". They look something like this, and let me take this moment to inform you that they don't move like the slothy, stumbling, abandoned-mall-roaming zombies of our childhood! These bitches are fast!

Oh, and they will eat your face off!So yeah, been a little busy. And scared.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Sandra Day O'Connor
Arizona State Senator--check
Arizona State Senate Majority Leader--check
Arizona State Senate Republican Leader--check
Supreme Court Justice of the United States--check
Board Member for the National Constitution Center--check
Chancellor of College of William & Mary--check
In my opinion, being any ONE of these things listed is cause to be heralded as a Wowee, but for me one feature says it all: Sandra Day O'Connor is a Republican, and was seated by a Republican president. In today's standards, or at least what has come to be in the last decade, that would mean she would have every right to sit on the Supreme Court bench and rule from her party line instead of the constitution. O'Connor may very well be the last Justice to remember what it is like to do their job independently of their party's desires and shun the now common bully tactics that have smeared the bench. For that, I applaud her and miss her presence. A great Q&A appeared this weekend in the New York Times Magazine featuring our first female Supreme Court Justice. Enjoy.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

What can I say? I'm loyal.

I've had this in the hopper since Sunday night, but my commitment to Broadway Monday bumped Portia to Tuesday and now this is probably old news. But for those of you who haven't seen it yet, enjoy!_______________________________________________________________
Sometimes you just have to laugh at a ridiculous situation. May as well do it with a hot girl!



Monday, March 23, 2009

Broadway Monday

West Side Story An adaptation of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," West Side Story is set on the streets of New York in 1957 bursting with the gang rivalry of the Jets and the Sharks. When Tony goes to support the Jets at a school dance he meets Maria, the sister of the Shark's leader, Bernardo, and falls in love. They dream of overcoming their differences, but gang violence makes it impossible for them to live happily ever after.
With a sensational score by Leonard Bernstein, fresh catchy lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and explosive direction by Jerome Robbins West Side Story set new standards in the theatre community and became the benchmark for musicals that still stands today.
Although the show ends on a somber note, the gravity of the show could not stop the critics from raving, the crowds from coming and the songs from being sung in the streets then and now. Even if you haven't ever seen the show or the movie, the story is timeless, and the music is familiar. Incredible.
West Side Story made it's debut at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957 and played for 732 performances. Tony Awards for 1958 included Best Scenic Design and Best Choreography.
In 1961, a superb screen version starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as the star-crossed lovers further added to the popularity and cemented it's place in the pop culture vernacular.
Many revivals have happened since 1957, and recently another joined the ranks. On March 19, 2009 the current revival of West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre.

Best of luck!

Friday, March 20, 2009

cause he'll use...crayons...to...write it...anyone? anyone?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Such a loss for the theatre community and the world.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Jon Stewart I know this happened last week, but Jon deserved an additional shout-out for his bravery, collectedness, and quick wit.
In a 21-minute interview, Jon Stewart simultaneously spoke for each of us frustrated by the economy, and shed a blinding light on one of the reasons we got in this position in the first place. No, it's not all Jim Cramer's fault. but it is the fault of guys just like him that screw around with the market, the futures, and eventually people's lives.
Thanks Jon for carrying such a bright torch! It is virtually impossible to find the whole interview in one place, so make the jump to the Daily Show site and watch in good quality. Enjoy, pump your fist in the air, and say a few "hell yeah"s for me!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

this'll melt your heart

The Newlywed Game question:

What is the best gift your spouse has given to you?

I think they get a point, Bob.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Broadway Monday

Cabaret
Set in Berlin at the beginning of the Third Reich, on the eve of World War II, Cabaret contrasts the forced exuberance of a seedy nightclub performance with the sobering encroachment of the Nazi regime. The story follows the brief romance of an English cabaret performer and an American writer. Through the songs of the Cabaret's lecherous emcee, the audience witnesses the political changes taking place.
Broadway royalty Kander and Ebb created Cabaret which was derived from John Van Druten's play, I Am A Camera and debuted Nov 20, 1966, ran 1166 performances. Superb choreography was helmed by the fantastic Bob Fosse. Tony Awards showered the production with Best Musical, Actress, Actor, Composer, Costume, Choreography, and Direction. whew!
Not to be outdone, a successful second revival starring Alan Cumming as the emcee debuted Mar 19, 1998, played 2377 performances, and fetched Tonys for Best Revival, Actor Actress, and Featured Actor.
Cabaret also famously made it to the silver screen, directed by Fosse, further confirming it's success. The 1972 film version starred Broadway's original emcee Joel Grey and Liza Minelli as performer Sallie Bowles.The film deservedly won 8 Oscars for it's efforts.

Sunday, March 15, 2009


Excuse for one minute, does anyone actually think/believe that the Bush administration had absolutely nothing to do with the economic meltdown in which we are currently having a blast?Anyone heard of the current $644 billion we are in the hole for the debacle know as the Iraq war? You think that may have had something to do with our current problems?! Hmm?

I fully agree that the economic problems happening are worldwide and shared by many communities, but we helped create the collapse of the house of cards by spending money on a war of choice. It stresses our communities and budgets and guess what? Shit rolls downhill.

Want to know just how much this imbroglio is costing YOUR community? Take a look. This great site boils it right down.

Fucker, Cheney.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Say It Ain't So...Levi

I just would have NEVER seen this coming. What a sad day. But,.. but they look so natural, so in love, so doggone happy...

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Jane Lynch As you've all figured out by now, my Wowees are multi-faceted. Great looking, smart, funny, compassionate...you get the idea. In this week's case every criteria gets met and then some! Jane Lynch is so comically talented, and smart. She has so mastered the art of subtle humor in her mannerisms and facial expressions that she automatically steals a scene no matter how brief.Some of Jane's best roles include a pushy lesbian lawyer, domineering member of a folk ensemble, trainer/owner of a show dogs, president of an international dating service, and butch/femme elementary phys ed coach.
Hear a squeal of delight? It's just me when I see Jane Lynch pop up in a sitcom or movie as a character. It's true!
In my opinion, the final season of The L Word was made a little more tolerable by the VERY FEW times we got to see Jane in the recurring role of power-lawyer Joyce Wischnia.
Because I tend to hitch my wagon to shows that are short-lived (read: smart, quirky, different), naturally one of my favorite shows starring Jane was the axed Lovespring International. It's hard to find clips, but I hope you enjoy this one:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

So Citi Group is reportedly posting a profit for the first two months of this year regardless and seemingly in spite of the tanking economy.
Anyone venture a guess as to why? OK, I'll have a go:
With interest rates ranging between 21.99%-29.99% on personal credit lines, what business SHOULDN"T make a profit? We should all be incensed that they are even in the running for federal support or stimulus.
Have you cancelled your card or at least quit using it yet?

Monday, March 09, 2009

Broadway Monday

Company Company is the story of Robert, a thirty-something bachelor living in Manhatten, his various girlfriends and the different married friends who would like to see him settle down. In a series of vignettes, Robert looks in to the lives of his friends and comes to realize he would be better off married than single. Company cast a clinical look at modern relationships in a way no other show had quite done before.
The arrival of Stephen Sondheim's creation ushered in a new era of musicals for the Broadway stage. In the process, he proved he was the most original voice in contemporary theatre.
Company premiered on Broadway April 26, 1970 at the Alvin Theatre and played for 705 performances. Tony Awards rained down on this production as it was awarded Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design, and Best Lyrics. This production also presented us with a brilliant performance by the incredible and unstoppable Elaine Stritch featured on "The Ladies Who Lunch".A 2006 revival production starring Raul Esparsza took home the Tony for Best Revival due in part to the inventive and unconventional adapatation of director John Doyle where as the actors double as orchestra musicians.