Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Harold And Maude Still Earns An A+


Happy Hump Day to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers and especially to all of you Worker Bees who are toiling away at your mundane and boring jobs so that we poor retirees can maintain our meager and austere standard-of-living here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. 

Please keep at it!! Actually, come to think of it, you have no choice because Worker Bees never retire, they just keep on working until they drop dead ... so ... keep at it ... 

Anyway ... moving on ...


Billi Pod is happy to report that yesterday’s staged reading of HAROLD AND MAUDE, the quintessential May-December romance between death-obsessed teenager, Harold, and 79yr-old Maude merits an==>A+<==the same rating it got when I saw back on April 14th 2012 as part of the York Theatre’s “Musicals In Mufti” series.

I was there as a member of Dian Crystal’s posse which included me, Marty Kosarik and Vera Olichney. For whatever reason My Lady seated herself and Vera on the front row and consigned/relegated Marty and me to the rear hinterlands. Why, My Lady, why? What had we done wrong? What??

The house was full and almost everyone appeared to be really into the show. Again the chemistry between the two leads, Matt Dengler and Cass Morgan, was apparent, even for a staged-reading. I thought that Dengler’s portrayal of Harold was spot-on==>both believable and interesting. He has a great voice and stage presence for such a young performer.

Donna English, Steve Routman, and the very funny Donna Lynne Champlin provide strong support.

I hope the show can find the necessary financial backing for an Off Broadway run.

Had a great time last night with John Scott Reed aka Fabson. When he got off work he came over to PHC and we did some much needed catching up about things and stuff in our respective lives here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Then we had awesome burgers at 5 Napkin Burger located at 45th and 9th Avenue in my ‘hood. We were later joined by Scott’s friend Bernard Lam aka Harley Man who rode his Harley from his Chelsea residence up to my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

I know some of you loyal and faithful readers and followers have expressed some degree of skepticism over my references to having a Harley in Manhattan. Well, this picture taken after dinner is proof of its existence.

But ... dammit-to-Hell ... they wouldn’t let Billi Pod drive the Harley around the block, no matter how much he whined, pleaded and begged. Oh well ... maybe next time.

When we split I came back to PHC to watch the final innings of the All-Star Game. The National League team was leading 8-0, the final score. Boring. Now the NL will have home field advantage in The World Series for the 3rd consecutive year. Barf!

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:30==>HELL: PARADISE FOUND - “Recently deceased lawyer Simon Ackerman is desperate to get into Hell, which suddenly turns out to be far preferable to the celestial alternative. Standing in his way are other proud denizens of the deep-down, including Shakespeare, Sinatra, and a terribly chic Mother Teresa.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This show is playing at the 59E59 Theater, one of my favorite venues. It certainly sounds interesting doesn’t it?

BREAKING NEWS==>“The Off-Broadway sellout sensation, SILENCE! THE MUSICAL, is set to move to the brand new Elektra Theatre @ 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in the heart of Times Square, with performances beginning next Wednesday, July 18th.” (On-line press release)

Wow, from its origins in a basement theater in St. Marks Place in the East Village to Times Square. That is something.

Have a great Hump Day everyone.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.66 miles

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod
“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

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