Monday, November 25, 2013

Billi Pod Will Now Bring You Up-To-Date


Monday==>Yes, everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace ... your favorite blogger did not post yesterday and this posting is somewhat late on Monday ... but ... he has excuses that include ... a jam-packed entertainment schedule with multiple doubleheaders and dealing with the coldest weather of this Fall season ... so ... let’s get started with some catching up ...

First ... Billi Pod’s report cards on Saturday’s entertainment doubleheader ...

THE (CURIOUS CASE OF THE) WATSON INTELLIGENCE, a time-jumping, loving tribute dedicated to the people and the machines upon which we all depend==>B+

The show is very well acted with the actors playing multiple roles. The story line is involving, but at times is a bit difficult to follow due to the quick shifts between times, locations and characters.

Billi Pod says==>it is definitely worth seeing.

It is playing at Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and runs through December 29.

Then for the evening was ...

8:00==>AMERICAN CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA @ Alice Tully Hall - The program was works by: Bach, Buxtehude, Caldara, and Handel==>WONDERFUL!!

The American Classical Orchestra attempts to restore the original baroque sound to classic pieces and it really works in the somewhat smaller Alice Tully concert hall.

My comp. seat was excellent, in the very center orchestra, 10 rows from the stage. Perfecto!

When the concert was over it was way too cold to even consider walking back to the apartment.

Now ... as most of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know ... Saturday also included the dreadful GATOR/GEORGIA SOUTHERN game from The Swamp.

Thank the Gods above that the game wasn’t carried locally. Folks, even 2 long days later I am still having difficulty expressing and processing the depths of my disappointment and frustration with The Gators.


Our streak of 22 consecutive seasons earning a bowl berth is dead. So is the Gators' run of 33 straight seasons with a winning record.

And ... how about this ... barring an unlikely upset victory over FSU,  Coach Muskrat will finish his first three seasons in Gainesville with fewer victories than Ron Zook. Yeah ... that’s right ... fewer victories than Ron Zook.

COACH MUSKRAT HAS GOTTA GO!!

Anyway ... we will now move on to yesterday’s second consecutive doubleheader.

First, it was the coldest day of the Fall season here in The Big Apple. At 8:30am it was 24º, wind chill , with gusting winds.

And ... both of my entertainment events were far far away from the warm and cozy confines of my apartment on West 42nd Street.

The first was ...

2:00==>NORWAY PLAYS: Drama Beyond Ibsen - “Two one-act plays: 
THE RETURNING - “Imagine the last person you'd ever expect to see, and ... A dark comedy that takes the audience on a hilarious and unpredictable ride.”
MORE - “Two young women are playing and one of them gets killed. Could it have been a lesbian act of passion or an accident between friends?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Billi Pod’s report card==B+

Both plays were very well performed, thought-provoking and a bit quirky. 

Kristoffer Tonning as Gustav, the “returning” son in THE RETURNING, gives a stellar performance.

This show is playing at the Theater for the New City on lst Avenue in the East Village, has a running time of 2:30, with intermission, and runs through December 1.

It was about 4:30pm when the show was over and my next show was at 6:00pm at a venue about a 1/2 mile further south, so I began my walk.

Man, it was freezing with the wind swirling from every direction.

It was very unpleasant and, honestly, the thought kept crossing my mind that it was really stupid for a 79+ year old guy to be out in the cold like this on a voluntary basis. Yes, I thought about just heading back, but ... I had a comp. ticket through one of my ticket services and I didn’t want to risk the chance of being kicked out for being a “no-show.”

I actually used the cavernous Whole Foods store on Houston Street as a refuge from the bitter cold.

Anyway ... about the show ...

6:00==>THE JUNKET - “Written and performed by Mike Albo, it asks the questions: what happens when your freelance job turns out to be your worst enemy and can one gift bag change your life ... forever?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Billi Pod’s report card==>A-

The show is very thought-provoking, entertaining and well performed.

Albo was a free lance writer for The New York Times, which he calls The Tomes for “legal” reasons, who was fired when he took a press junket to Jamaica, in violation of Tomes policy.

Albo’s stresses the conflicts-of-interest faced daily by journalists, especially those writing about fashion and consumer goods. Make no mistake about it ... he feels as if he has a score to settle, and maybe he does.

Billi Pod says==>worth seeing.

It is playing downtown at Dixon Place on Chrystie Street in the Lower Eastside, has a running time of 1:20, without intermission, and the remaining performance dates are December 1 & 8

It was 8:00pm when I opened the door to PHC. The temperature was 26º, wind chill 12º. I had logged in 5.11 miles on my trusty WeightWatchers Pedometer and I was tired and starving.

I fixed a huge fruit and cheese plate. Folks, there was no way I was gonna sit in front of this ‘puter and write so ... your favorite blogger just settled in to watch the PATRIOTS/BRONCOS game, won by The Pats in overtime 34-31, after a simply amazing comeback from a 24-0 half-time deficit.

OK ... that’s brings you almost up-to-date ... so let’s move on to today ...

First ... today is my third consecutive doubleheader. I am working on this posting before it is time to head out for my first show at 2:00pm ... so ... will not post this until I get back to the apartment after the show.

I also have to report that it is another cold day ... 25º, wind chill 15º @ 8:30am.

Your favorite blogger has two Christmas-related shows scheduled for today/tonight ...

2:00==>A CHRISTMAS CAROL - “A spirited new adaptation of the beloved Dickens’s classic. Using nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality and the power of imagination, five gifted actors bring to life all of your favorite characters.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Theatre at Saint Clements on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through January 4th.

When the show is over I will come back to PHC and, hopefully, finish up this long overdue posting.

Then ... for the evening is a concert at Carnegie Hall ...

8:00==>THE THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CONCERT @ Carnegie Hall - Featuring the world premiere of “The Song of Christmas” by Dr. Phil Barfoot and Rebecca Peck, performed by Charles Billingsley and Marcia Ware and The American Festival Choir.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... you are now totally up-to-date ...

Hold the applause ... I know who and where you are ... don't make me come over there and bitch-slap you ... jus sayin'

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.28  miles (or, 11,546 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>26.37 miles (average 3.77 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>504.24 miles (average 3.43 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

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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