Friday - 8:00 - “We All Fall Down” - Off Broadway. “Written as a reaction to the unnecessary drama created out of boredom in the stale and sterile existence of office life, We All Fall Down is an existential comedy of epic proportions. The plot follows the downward spiral of Galahad A Smith who takes a nothing position in a mysterious corporation for an inexplicably large salary. Before long Galahad finds himself trapped as a pawn in a twisted game with life and death stakes and no discernible rules. If Galahad survives the game there is just no telling who he's gonna kill. What happens when money and power fall overwhelmingly into the hands of perverted psychotics The title pretty well answers that question.” (complimentary ticket).
Saturday - 4:00 - Gators vs. ‘Bama for the SEC Championship on CBS. The winner of this game will more than likely play in the BCS Championship game on January 8 2009.I feel so antsy about this game. Have been wearing my Gator clothes wherever I go and I have been amazed about how many guys make some comments, not about the upcoming game, but about how much they admire Tim Tebow.
Regardless of the outcome of the game I knew I would have to get out of the apartment, so I scheduled something a bit different for later at the 59th Street theater --
9:30 - “Jeff Harnars The 1959 Broadway Songbook” - Off Broadway. “A musical revue celebrating the 21 musicals running in New York during the Golden Age of Broadway. From Gypsy, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Bells Are Ringing, The Music Man and more, a cast of four toasts this pinnacle of The Golden Age of Broadway.” (complimentary ticket).
On Sunday my dear friend and mega-Bull Gator Stumpy Harris and his wife Dottie, of Orlando, will arrive in town so Stumpy can attend various events involving The Football Hall of Fame. They will be coming from Atlanta after, hopefully, witnessing the Gators kicking ‘Bama butt. I will have some face-time with them.
7:00 - “The 29th Annual Lennon Tribute @ The Ailey Studios” - Off Broadway. “A stellar line-up of singer-songwriters: Rosanne Cash, Cliff Eberhardt, Vance Gilbert, Carrie Rodriguez, The Kennedys, Erin McKeown, Karlus Trapp and a surprise guest! Plus two acclaimed NYC dance companies -- Wendy Osserman Dance and Dietz Marchant Dance -- will present new Lennon-inspired works. And comedian Joe Raiola will bring his special brand of humor and satire.” (complimentary ticket).
This was a last minute addition to my schedule because it sounds so interesting.
Monday - noon - I will meet Dottie Harris and her friend Sue for lunch.
8:00 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program for this non-subscription concert will be Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection.,” performed with the Westminster Symphonic Choir. (extra full price ticket in the rear orchestra).
This concert will be 100 years to the day after Mahler himself conducted the NY Phil in the US premiere of this work.
Tuesday - 8:00 - Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular @ Carnegie Hall. (full price orchestra ticket).
This has become part of my holiday tradition and it is always very entertaining and a lot of fun.
Wednesday - 8:00 - “Spring Awakening” - Broadway. “Winner of 8 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, this Broadway musical is based on the 1891 Frank Wedekind play, a frank and challenging take on adolescents grappling with sex and death.” (discounted TDF ticket).
I first saw this wonderful musical in early previews when it was Off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company. After it moved to Broadway I went back at least 3 times. It will close (much too early in my opinion) in January 2009 and I just had to see it one last time.
Thursday - 8:00 - “Shrek the Musical” - Broadway. This, of course, it a musical version of the 2001 movie and it is in previews. I have a discounted ticket. There is interesting buzz about the show with the online commentators falling basically into two camps - “I Love It” or “Shrek is Drek” - with very little middle ground. I am looking forward to seeing it and forming my own opinion.
Friday - is open for the moment because I have so many options that I am having trouble making a choice this far in advance.
My friend John Horne of Anna Maria, FL, and his posse of 19 will arrive in the Big Apple today and will be here until the 15th. John is the owner of several highly successful restaurants in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. I look forward to seeing him.
Saturday - 11:00am - The Little Orchestra Society Presents “Babes in Toyland” @ Avery Fisher Hall. “Just in time for the holidays, The Little Orchestra Society celebrates Victor Herbert's 150th Birthday with the world premiere of a new version of this classic, including musical favorites March of the Toys and Toyland. An eccentric toymaker with a struggling business receives unexpected assistance from mysterious investors. But, when the toymaker's new partners try to make some unwelcome changes, can the toymaker's young apprentice and the shop's collection of toys save the day?.” (complimentary ticket).
This should be fun. I have several options for the evening that I am mulling over.
On Sunday afternoon is the event that really starts my holiday season --
3:00 - New York Philharmonic Principal Brass with the Canadian Brass @ Avery Fisher Hall. “A New York tradition! The Philharmonic’s Principal Brass and the Canadian Brass present their annual Holiday classic, filled with wit, virtuosity, and the glorious music of the season.” (full price orchestra ticket).
Monday - 8:00 - “The Who’s TOMMY 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert.” Broadway. “This is a reunion of the original cast and band. The proceeds from the concert will go to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Broadway Dreams Foundation. The production will be presented concert style with the cast and band on stage during the entire performance. Projections and photographs from the original production will be used to express the design elements and feel of the show.” (expensive full price ticket).
I love The Who and I loved “Tommy’ when it was originally on Broadway so this was a no-brainer when tickets became available.
Tuesday - 7:30 - “Streamers” - Off Broadway. “In this powerful American masterpiece, four young soldiers fresh from boot camp wait anxiously in 1965 Virginia, watching the Vietnam conflict escalate. As they struggle to make sense of their new life in the army, tensions rise over race, sexuality, and class, culminating in an explosive act that changes them forever.” (Roundabout Theater subscription).
This drama has gotten excellent reviews and I am looking forward to seeing it.
Wednesday - 7:30 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is: Handel’s “Messiah,” performed with the Westminster Symphonic Choir. (series subscription).
For me there can’t be a holiday season with Handel’s “Messiah.”
Thursday - 8:00 - “Pal Joey” - Broadway. “This revival of the 1940 Rogers and Hart classic is about a scheming nightclub gigolo with romantic and financial headaches. Joey dumps his wholesome girlfriend, Linda, to get in with wealthy older lady Vera Simpson.” (Roundabout Theater subscription).
So there you have it my loyal and faithful readers. I have reported, now it is up to you to decide whether “awesome” is an appropriate description for the upcoming 2 weeks.
Go Gators!!
Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com
1 comment:
Caught the last part of the Lennon Tribute you mentioned myself. What a great and varied line-up of cool people doing few Beatle/Lennon songs each. Erin McKowen (so cute), Maura Kennedy (refreshing to see her without Pete, sorr dude), Carrie Rodriguez (see why she has buzz), the Fab Feux guy (can't remember his name), and Rosanne Cash (always a goddess) were highlights - but all were great.
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