Good evening my loyal and faithful readers. I hope that each of you has been able to get into the holiday spirit/mood because Christmas is fast approaching. I can honestly say that Billi Pod is now in a yuletide frame-of-mind, a Holiday Mood. Yep, I am. Bring it on!!
I am happy to report that Sunday afternoon’s concert with the Brass Quintet of The New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brass & Percussion sections of the West Point Military Band was everything that I had wanted it to be and then some. They were terrific and the sold-out audience was really into the program. No, it wasn’t like the prior concerts with The Canadian Brass. This one was much more classical music orientated. I can sum it up by saying - “I left Avery Fisher Hall in a very festive holiday mood,” and that is what I wanted. Ah yes ...
Today, Monday, has been a major errands day and some Christmas-related chores in anticipation of my up-coming trip down to Columbia, SC, to be with family for Christmas.
I have a very diverse entertainment schedule booked for the upcoming week - 1 Broadway show; 3 Off Broadway shows; 2 classical music concerts; and, 1 ballet. The details are --
Tuesday - 12/15 - 7:30 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is: “Handel - “Messiah.” Performing with the orchestra and soloists is the Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart Chorus. (subscription series).
As I wrote in a previous posting, this is a holiday staple for Billi Pod and I am really looking forward to it
Wednesday - 8:00 - “The Toxic Avenger” - Off Broadway. This is an edited version of the press blurb: “He's New Jersey's first Superhero and he takes to the stage in this rock 'n roll monster of a comedy. Thrown into a vat of toxic goo by two bullies, a mild-mannered science student named Melvin Ferd the Third is reborn as a one-of-a-kind environmental crusader, The Toxic Avenger! Armed with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark, he's out to save New Jersey, end global warming and woo the prettiest, blindest librarian in town.” (complimentary ticket).
I saw this show about a year ago in very early previews and loved it for what it is ... funny gross-out humor, very well performed. It it closing in January, I think, so when it showed up on one of my ticket services I immediately booked it.
Thursday - 8:00 - “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” - Off Broadway. “Retelling the story of the nativity, as only Sister can, she poses the burning question, "We know what happened to the myrrh and the frankincense - Mary used them as a sort of potpourri. They were in a barn after all. But who was the culprit who made off with the gold coins and left Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in that lousy stable without any chance to upgrade to a suite?" Employing her own scientific tools, assisted by a local choir as well as audience members, Sister creates a living nativity unlike any seen before.” (complimentary ticket)
Oh yeah, this is going to be fun. The performer has done several other “Sister” shows and they were all gut-busting funny, unless, of course, you are The Pope or a Cardinal, then ...
Friday - 7:00 - “The Nutcracker - Joffrey Ballet School” - “The Joffrey Ballet School returns with a new production of The Nutcracker to Tchaikovsky's beloved score. Generations of audiences have enjoyed this charming tale of holiday adventure that follows a little girl's journey through a fantasy world of dolls, toy soldiers, an army of mice, snowflakes, princes and fairies in the land of sweets. The production features the students of the Joffrey Ballet School performing all of the traditional roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.
(discounted TDF ticket)
It has been years since I have seen a production of The Nutcracker. I am not a huge ballet fan, but I have always liked this show, so ... why not? Again, just right for my Holiday Mood.
Friday - 8:00 - “Ragtime” - Broadway. This is the press blurb for the revival of this Tony-winning musical: “At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing... and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, RAGTIME weaves together three distinctly American tales -- that of a stifled suburban mother, an inventive Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician -- united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Their compelling stories intertwine to form a rich tapestry of hopes and dreams, struggles and triumphs, rhythm and rhyme.” (discounted TDF ticket).
I saw the original production back in 1998 and remember liking it but not being totally blown away. This revival has received generally favorable, but mixed, reviews. I thought I would give it a shot to see for myself.
Sunday - 7:00 - “Basically Brandenburg” @ Symphony Space. “Bach is Back! Chosen from among New York City's finest musicians, the triumphant Symphony Space All-Stars celebrate the holidays with a festive and joyous performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos of J.S. Bach. Among Bach's most often-performed and best-loved works, the six joyful, exuberant Concertos make for a holiday treat for friends and family alike!” (discounted TDF ticket).
Oh yes!!
Monday - 8:00 - “Altar Boyz” - Off Broadway. “Chosen as 2005's Best Off Broadway Musical by the Outer Critics Circle, this musical comedy portrays a struggling Christian boy-band's first visit to New York City. Riding the wave of America's latest fascination with religion and armed with catchy melodies, freaky moves and product in their hair, the self-anointed apostles of pop (Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham) bring their soul-saving tour to New York City with all their hits like "Girl, You Make Me Wanna Wait" and "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone." (discounted TDF ticket)
This has been one of my favorite Off Broadway shows over the years and I have seen it numerous times and have sent lots of out-of-town folks to see Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham do their stuff. It has had a long run but, unfortunately, is closing, so I just had to see it one last time. You Guys Rock!!
Tuesday - 12/22 - 4:00pm - depart Laguardia for Columbia, SC; 6:10pm - arrive Columbia, SC. (hopefully)
! will be in Columbia, SC, for Christmas with my daughter, Kathi Bendeck, and son-in-law Dr. John; son William A. Norris, III, aka Billyboy, of Orlando, FL; oldest grandson Alex Falletta aka Lex and his wife, Gina, of Elgin, SC; and, youngest grandson Chris Falletta aka Topher and his fiancé Sally Goldman, both of Gainesville, FL. It has been a long time since we were all together at the same time in the same place and I am really charged about it.
You know, one thing Billi Pod has learned while getting old and older - “family” matters more and more and more with each passing year.
Sunday - 12/27 - 7:00am (yep, that is the correct departure time) - depart Columbia, SC; 9:03am - arrive Laguardia (hopefully).
Happy Holidays 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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