Thursday - Things and Stuff

First of all - I am happy to report that my sister Ann Parker, now living in Indio, CA, has successfully completed what is, hopefully, her last surgery addressing clogged neck artery issues. And, thank you Donna Parker Jadamec of Denver, CO, for your willingness to be with Ann during her time of need.

There is still an almost surreal feeling in The Big Apple over the election results as the significance of Obama’s historic election sinks in. Yesterday all of the daily newspapers sold out. I have all three and will store them together with the papers dated 9/12/01. Maybe one day in the future my great-great-great grandchildren will find them interesting.

Now, on to other things, like my entertainment schedule for the next 7 days. Do I need to use the term “awesome,” or do you loyal and faithful readers now automatically utter that word without my urging? I don’t know, but ... here it is:

Thursday - 7:30 - “Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk" - “Wintuk is an exciting adventure about a boy's quest for snow. This celebration of winter weaves thrilling acrobatics, breathtaking theatrical effects and memorable songs into an extraordinary journey to an imaginary land called Wintuk. The boy and his companions –- a mysterious female shaman, a fearless young girl and a yellow-bellied man –- deliver endless excitement, exhilaration and intrigue. The show is playful, musical, and bursts with the energy of the city and the magic of a wonderland. Featuring a cast of 50 performers from Cirque du Soleil, this seasonal story will have the whole family wishing for snow!” (complimentary ticket).

Friday - 8:00 - “My Vaudeville Man” - Off Broadway. “A rousing tap dancing new musical based on the life of legendary eccentric tapper Jack Donahue. Jack’s mother struggles to get him to see vaudeville as a ridiculous pursuit and that he needs to come home to work alongside his father at the docks. As Jack tap-dances his way to stardom, will his family finally recognize he’s meant for greater things?” (discounted TDF ticket).

This show is playing at the York Theater in the basement of the Citicorp Building. I have been a financial supporter of the York Theater Company for almost 10 years and I consider their Artistic Director, Jim Morgan, to be a friend. They usually do very good stuff.

Saturday - 2:00 - “Mouth to Mouth” - Off Broadway. “Frank, a gay writer living with AIDS, attends a party at his friend Laura's house to celebrate the return of her teenage son from abroad. As the story shifts back and forth through time, it's clear that Frank may have played an unscrupulous part in the unraveling of his best girlfriend's family. Nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Play, Kevin Elyot's West End smash is a haunting, twisting tale of undeclared passion and the fine line between intimacy and betrayal.” (complimentary ticket).

I have to admit to having mixed feelings about this show but several of my theater-going buddies (all female) have recommended it so I thought I would give it a shot before it closes.

8:00 - Gators at Vanderbilt - ESPN2. I hope the Gators don’t look past this game because Vandy has a good team and they have given the Gators a hard time over the last several years. Go Gators!!

Sunday - 7:00 - “Garden of Earthly Delights” - Off Broadway. “The performers fly through the air as if they were heavenly bodies released in space in this breathtaking flight of imaginative genius from Martha Clarke. A seamless fusion of theater, dance, music and flight,that is at once sensual, stunning, disturbing and unforgettable. Using state-of-the-art aerial devices Clarke takes you on a journey from creation through Eden, earthly existence, damnation and redemption.” (complimentary ticket).

Make no mistake about it - I will either love or hate this show, there will be no middle ground. This show, following so closely on Cirque du Soleil, may result in sensory overload on my part. I hope not. We will see.

Monday - 8:00 - “Basic Training” - Off Broadway. “Basic Training, created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti, is a new comedy based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force. It chronicles Ashanti's amazing tour as a member of the elite entertainment troupe "Tops In Blue" in the U.S. Air Force. A life altering event forces his attention home to face the childhood he tried to forget. Ashanti plays twenty-three unforgettable characters that tell his funny true story.” (complimentary ticket).

Tuesday - 8:00 - “A Man for All Seasons” - Broadway. “A revival of the award winning drama about Sir Thomas More, played by Frank Langella, who stands up to government on moral principals, with disastrous results.”

This show is part of my Roundabout Theater subscription series. Unfortunately, it has gotten just lukewarm reviews.

Wednesday - 7:30 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is: Violin works by Lyadov, Khachatorian, and Kancheli (none of whom registered with me) and then Stravinsky’s "The Firebird Suite." (subscription series).

So, there it is - for the next 7 days: 1 Broadway show; 4 Off Broadway shows; 1 Circus performance; 1 New York Philharmonic concert; and 1 Gator game broadcast on local TV. I very likely will add a Sunday and a Wednesday matinee show.

Yep, the word “awesome” certainly leaps into my mind as it knocks aside “entertainment-excess” and “obsessive-compulsive behavior.” What do you think?

Hey, I report - you decide.

Much more to post concerning past events. Will do so later, I promise.

Go Gators!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com