OPENING DAY - Billi Pod Will Be There!!

Finally==>OPENING DAY<==Yankees vs. Tigers @ 1:05pm. Ace CC Sabathia starts. Opening Game Ceremony starts @ 12:40pm and, of course, Billi Pod will be there in his usual seat, Section 212, row 5, seat 17, with his buds.

Weather sucks!! 42º and showers predicted. No matter!! Bring it on!! Oh, yeah, Billi Pod is mega-charged.

Remember, everyone, The Yankees enter the season as “mere underdogs.” Yep, keep believing that through the entire season. Please. Oh, seeya in October!!

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s UP IN CENTRAL PARK==>charming. Dated, yes, but none-the-less a very enjoyable evening.

Billi Pod has yet another doubleheader ...

1:05==>YANKEES vs TIGERS; then ...

8:00==>BORN YESTERDAY - “This classic comedy about sex and politics returns to Broadway - a not-so-honest businessman and a not-so-dumb blonde attempt to capitalize on everything Washington has to offer.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

In the stellar cast are award winners Jim Belushi, Robert Sean Leonard and Frank Wood. It is in very early previews and so far not much buzz.

Hey everyone ... thanks for the emails and texts about my March 18th posting. Really appreciate it!! It was awesome, wasn’t it?

OMFG!! It is only 10:15am and I am sooooooooooo charged ... I am ready to head out to The Bronx ...

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.”

Billi Pod’s Report Card On Catch Me If You Can

Good afternoon my loyal and faithful readers.

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN==>A<==a totally enjoyable show, with great acting, listenable music and interesting sets.

I was very impressed with Aaron Tveit in the lead role of Frank Abagnale, Jr. He has a great voice and to-die-for good looks. Norbert Leo Butz, playing the obsessed FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, was spot-on.

The orchestra is on-stage and that added to the show, rather than detract, as it often does.

Bottom-line==>See it!!

After the show, John McDaniel, the show’s Musical Director, joined Scott Reed, Justin Pifer and me for a late bite at Joe Allen. Awesome.

We learned, among other things, that changes are still being made and the creative team will not “freeze” the show until Friday. It officially opens on Sunday, April 10th.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for this evening is ...

7:30==>UP IN CENTRAL PARK - “A revival of the 1945 musical, set in 1870, about a NY Times journalist who is investigating alleged fraud in the construction of Central Park.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket).

This show is being presented by Musicals Tonight, a not-for-profit company dedicated to the revival of “neglected” musicals. This will be the 3rd production that I have seen.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, I hope you have taken the time to check out

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Voices-for-Recovery/Stories.aspx

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

My March 18th AA Birthday Posting

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers.

I was stunned on Monday, March 28th, when I received the following email --

******************

Hi Bill,

Congratulations on your recent 21-year recovery anniversary—that is an amazing accomplishment! My name is Sarah Ikenberry and I am part of the Recovery Month team.

I have been reading your blog and wanted to introduce myself. I appreciate the insights that you provide to others in recovery based on your own experience. I specifically enjoyed your recent post in which you reflected on the past 21 years of your life in recovery. I’m happy to hear that your recovery has made such a positive impact in your life and that you’ve received support through your involvement with AA.

Sharing these types of insights not only help yourself, but also others who are in recovery. I encourage you to share your story on the Recovery Month website.

Every September the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates National Recovery Month (Recovery Month).

Recovery Month recognizes and lauds the gains made by individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health problems. It also recognizes the efforts of treatment providers and families who support those in recovery.

You can find out more about us, the resources that we provide, as well as recovery events and news on our website, RecoveryMonth.gov. I also welcome you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences and helping others. I look forward to keeping up with your blog.

Kind Regards,

Sarah

Sarah Ikenberry | Public Health Advisor | SAMHSA

1 Choke Cherry Rd., Room 2-1059 | Rockville, MD 20857

Tel and Fax | 240.276.2704

*******************

I had no idea who this woman was or even the existence of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

And, she had “found” me by reading my blog - WOW!!

Did a bit of online research to verify that this was indeed a legitimate website and government agency and then emailed her back that I would be honored to contribute my March 18th blog entry to their program.

I had to fax them a release form, which I did, and then I submitted the March 18th posting, in its entirety, to their website.

I got the following email back --

******************

Thank you for your participation in Recovery Month!

We received your recovery story and Hold Harmless form and have posted your story to our website. You can view it here: http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Voices-for-Recovery/Stories.aspx

*Note: We had to delete references to specific names mentioned in your story.

Recovery Month

***************************

So, my loyal and faithful readers, to view my posting go to

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Voices-for-Recovery/Stories.aspx

and then click on my name to see the complete posting.

I just wanted to share this awe-inspiring event with you.

Bill

Billi Pod Has A Big Entertainment Event Tonight

First, Billi Pod is happy to report that last night’s MASTERWORKS FESTIVAL CHORUS @ Avery Fisher Hall concert was an excellent evening of classical music.

My comp. seat was in the second tier with a full view of the stage. The first half of the program was 3 out-of-town high school ensembles and each one did a terrific job. Boy ... the thrill of being in high school and playing in Avery Fisher Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic ... I can only imagine how it must feel.

The second half of the program was Wilberg’s “Requiem Mass” performed by The New York City Chamber Orchestra with the 150+ member Masterworks Festival Chorus.

It was beautifully moving and just what Billi Pod really needed as a break from last week’s intense theater dramas.

Oh, in response to several inquiries ... Yes, I did play a musical instrument, the clarinet.

I began playing when I was in junior high school, the seventh grade

I was first chair/solo clarinet in the Summerlin Institute Band my freshmen, sophomore, and junior years and was also Band President my junior year.

I had to leave the band in my senior year when I got into a physical altercation with the Band Director, Howard “The Asshole” Stivers.

But, that is in the past ... I mean ... burn in Hell you c**t ... I mean ... it has been years and years ... may your soul be eternally damned to roast in flaming lava ... I mean ... oh what the Hell ... damn you to Hell ... I mean ... oh, I guess it is time to forgive and forget and move on, right?

Soooooooooo ... anyway ... Billi Pod has a big entertainment event scheduled for this evening ...

8:00==>CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - “Based on the beloved film, this Broadway musical follows the unlikely adventures of a young man who creates an astonishing array of identities, as he is relentlessly pursued by a straight-arrow FBI agent.” (Broadway - discounted ticket)

This show is in late previews and the buzz so far has been very favorable.

After the show I will meet up with Scott Reed, Justin Pifer and, hopefully, the show’s musical director, John McDaniel, for a late dinner at Joe Allen.

I am happy to report that HOW TO SUCCEED AT BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING opened on Sunday evening to generally very favorable reviews. Yes, some were negative but the majority were very good and almost everyone gave Daniel Radcliffe a thumbs-up.

ALMOST BREAKING NEWS==>I have some interesting news to share with you just a little bit later about the recovery and AA blog posting of March 18th. Something rather amazing occurred, so stay tuned ...

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Billi Pod Says==>Good Monday Morning From The Big Apple

It is yet another bright but cold day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>26º @ 8:00am. You know, I’ve just about had it with the cold weather.

Happily, it warms up a bit during the week but the forecast for Thursday, the Yankees Opening Day game against Detroit @ 1:05pm, is for scattered rain, with a high of 50º and a low of 38º. Don’t like how that looks.

Anyways ... today is Monday and it will be Billi Pod’s usual errands and stuff day.

Yesterday’s drama doubleheader was very very long but mostly entertaining. Billi Pod’s report cards on the two shows --

THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL’S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES==>B<==3.5 hours inside yet another mega-dysfunctional family, with the usual yelling, screaming, cursing and revelations of long-hidden family “secrets.”

One of the things I found to be annoying was the playwrights continued use of overlapping dialogue, that was incomprehensible. But, in all honesty I have to report that last night it dawned on me ... tada ... it was supposed to be incomprehensible ... duh ...

I guess if I didn’t see so much theater I might have found the show more engrossing. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t capture my theater-soul like I expected it to. Having said that ... Billi Pod highly recommends it to you Tony Kushner aficionados out there in theater-land.

I had about a 90 minute break before my second show, which was ...

GO BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE==>A<==David Greeenspan’s 70 minute comedy/drama has excellent acting with an intriguingly un-linear story line. I highly recommend it.

I am also pleased to report that Will MacAdam concurs in this review.

Make no mistake about it, Billi Pod needs a theater-drama break, so, hopefully, tonight’s entertainment event will do just that ...

7:30==>MASTERWORKS FESTIVAL CHORUS @ Avery Fisher Hall - “performing the Wilberg (who??) Requiem.” (complimentary ticket).

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, I am happy to report that Billi Pod’s entertainment report for the past 7 days is awesome IMHO ... but I report - you decide ...

Broadway shows - 2

Off-Broadway shows - 7

Classical music concerts - 1

Plus face time with Scott Reed and his friends Rachel and Romey

The upcoming week’s schedule will include ...

2 Broadway shows

2 Yankee games, including Opening Day

1 NY Philharmonic concert

At the moment both Wednesday and Saturday are ... gasp ... open. For Wednesday, unless something great shows up on one of my ticket services, I am thinking about doing a movie doubleheader==>PAUL and WIN WIN.

Never fear my loyal and faithful readers out there in the wilderness and vast hinterlands, Billi Pod will fill in the schedule gaps, you can depend on that ... hum ... having said that ... and speaking of depends ... it is time to go out and get Billi Pod's weekly supply of Depends ... so ... later ...

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Saturday's Doubleheader Was Excellent

Let me start off this Sunday doubleheader day with a report on Saturday’s doubleheader==>excellent.

It started with meeting Scott Reed in Chelsea and then taking the subway to the outer borough of Brooklyn, more specifically to an area there known as DUMBO. What does DUMBO mean you are no doubt breathlessly asking?” Well, it stands for Down Under (the) Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

We located the theater, known as St. Ann’s Warehouse, and then found a nice restaurant, Water Street Restaurant, and had lunch. And ... OMFG!!! ... I have to report that John Scott Reed actually picked up the tab. Yes, this is correct my loyal and faithful readers, he actually treated Billi Pod to lunch. OMFG!!

I was awestruck to put it mildly. He made repeated references to making some “extra money” at a party he had attended on Friday night. He refused to give me more details even though I pressed him on the issue.

Anyway, Scott, thanks for lunch, regardless of where the “extra money” came from.

At the theater we were joined by two of Scott’s friends, Rachel Newell and Remoy Philip. Rachel was born in Bartow, FL (Billi Pod’s hometown) and was in High School in Lakeland with Scott. She is a U of Fla. graduate and will be embarking on a new career path on Monday, with a Madison Avenue firm.

Scott met Remoy in a Spanish class at Hunter College. He is employed by Apple and totally refuses to give any details regarding his job.

Nice meeting you guys.

Now, Billi Pod’s report card on BEAUTIFUL BURNOUT==>B<==competent acting and interesting story line, however, I had trouble with the heavy Scottish accents.

The show has gotten excellent reviews. Today is its final performance.

When the show was over we split and I came back to PHC to watch the Gators/Butler game. Well, as you know, the Gators lost a game that they should have won. In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to admit that I found it to be a very difficult game to watch. I literally paced back and forth in front of the TV, sitting down only to exchange multiple texts with grandsons Alex aka Army Guy and Chris aka Topher.

Thankfully my evening show was at a theater on my block.

Report card on BENEFACTORS==>B+<==good acting but way too much screaming and yelling. This is a revival of the Tony nominated play by Michael Frayn that opened on Broadway in 1986.

I recommend it if you are into drama.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, the entertainment glut continues because today is yet another doubleheader for Billi Pod. Before I get into the details, I need to tell you that the lengthy title for the first show is indeed correct ... so ...

1:00==>THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL’S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES - “In the summer of 2007, Gus Marcantonio, a retired longshoreman, summons his three adult children to the family's Brooklyn brownstone to vote on the question of his committing suicide. The play explores revolution, radicalism, marriage, sex, prostitution, politics, real estate, unions of all kinds and debts both unpaid and unpayable.” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This is a new work by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner and is playing at The Public Theatre downtown. It is ... gasp ... 3 hours and 30 minutes long, with 2 intermissions.

Then, back in the ‘hood for ...

7:00==>GO BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE - “A forgotten chorus boy from the theater of Ancient Greece, stuck in a lonely purgatory these past 2,000 years, is sent back to earth on a mission from God. He now finds himself among a vacationing family in Montauk.” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This is the world premiere of the play by actor/playwright David Greenspan, who is also in the show.

Well, I hope you will agree with me that I have an interesting entertainment schedule for today.

Oh ... it is still bright and cold in The Big Apple - 28º @ 8:30am.

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Lottsa Stuff For Today

Saturday morning - bright and very cold - 26º @ 8:30am.

This will be brief because I have a lots of things and stuff scheduled for today, but first ...

Report card on last night’s THE SOLDIER DREAMS==>A<==first preview performance. Very powerful and well acted. See it.

Doubleheader today ... Will meet up with Scott Reed, and his friends, and then go out to, gasp, Brooklyn to see ...

2:00==>BEAUTIFUL BURNOUT - “Working class youth seek transcendent ways to escape, through amateur boxing.” (Off-Broadway ... Brooklyn ... complimentary tickets).

After the show will come back to PHC to watch the Gators/Butler game.

Then tonight is ...

8:00==>BENEFACTORS - “is about an architect, charged with building a major development, and the project’s impact on his family and friends.” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

The Book Of Mormon Is A Mega-Hit!!!

Hello my loyal and faithful readers.

On this bright and cold (29º @ 8:30am) Friday in The Big Apple Billi Pod is happy to report that THE BOOK OF MORMON opened last night to rave reviews ... it is a mega-hit, without question.

Here are some excepts from the local coverage --

“MISSIONARY MEN WITH CONFIDENCE IN SUNSHINE

This is to all the doubters and deniers out there, the ones who say that heaven on Broadway does not exist, that it’s only some myth our ancestors dreamed up. I am here to report that a newborn, old-fashioned, pleasure-giving musical has arrived at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, the kind our grandparents told us left them walking on air if not water. So hie thee hence nonbelievers (and believers too), to “The Book of Mormon,” and feast upon its sweetness.”

Ben Brantley - New York Times

“Mormon is a heavenly hit!” - Daily News

“MORMON CONQUEST - Book your tickets fast for this ingenious, irreverent musical!” - NY Post

I, of course, totally concur and Billi Pod is soooooooooooo happy that he was able to see this show in previews because it’s gonna become one of the hottest tickets for the new theater season.

Report card on last night’s TOMORROW MORNING==>B<==excellent cast with problematic story line. It is in early previews so maybe some of the “issues” will be addressed. Still, it is worth seeing.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight ...

8:00==>THE SOLDIER DREAMS - “As David lies in a coma, dreaming of his secret life, we witness his two sisters, Tish and Judy, his brother-in-law, Sam, and his partner Richard wrestling with emotions - and sometimes each other - as they struggle to come to terms with losing David.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This is playing at a theater on my block. I know ... it sounds kinda grim.

How ‘bout them Gators==>beating BYU 83-74 to advance to the Elite 8. We will play Butler on Saturday, with the winner going to The Final Four.

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday's Doubleheader Report Card

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers out there in the backwoods and vast hinterlands.

It is another overcast and cold day in The Big Apple - 31º at 8:00am. It lightly snowed overnight but there is no accumulation except on the rooftops, but the forecast for the next several days is==>more of the same. Barf!!

Billi Pod did not allow the nasty weather yesterday to detract from an excellent entertainment doubleheader, so here are his report cards --

WONDERLAND==>B<==great sets and staging. This is still in early previews, it doesn’t open until April 17th, so I have overlooked some of its shortcomings, which I am sure will be fixed by then. The show didn’t blow me away but I will none-the-less recommend it for a family outing.

THE STAVANGER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF NORWAY @ Carnegie Hall==>A<==what a wonderful evening of classical music - Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn and Mozart.

My comp. ticket was in the dress circle, which is the third tier, and it was very good.

What a terrific way to end my Wednesday doubleheader. Oh, it was lightly snowing during my trip back to PHC.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is ...

8:00==>TOMORROW MORNING - “In this new musical two couples are separated by time, yet bound together by the uncertainty of what the next morning holds, and by the ultimately redeeming power of love.” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

This show is playing at The York Theatre in the basement of the Citicorp Building on the Eastside, one of my favorite venues. I am a financial supporter of this theater group and the Artistic Director, James Morgan, is one of my FaceBook friends.

Yes, folks out there, I know that this conflicts with the Gator basketball game against BYU, but I scheduled it before the Gators made it to the Sweet Sixteen. I should be back in PHC in time for the final 5 minutes of the game, so ...

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Rest In Peace ELIZABETH TAYLOR.

I want to take a moment, my loyal and faithful readers, to pay my respects to film legend ELIZABETH TAYLOR, who died on Wednesday at the age of 79. This is a condensed version of the AP report:

“Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed film goddess whose sultry screen life was often upstaged by her stormy personal life, died Wednesday at age 79.

Her eight marriages — including two to actor Richard Burton — and a lifelong battle with substance abuse, physical ailments and overeating made Taylor as popular in supermarket tabloids as in classic film festivals. The London-born actress was a star at age 12, a bride and a divorcee at 18, a screen goddess at 19 and a widow at 26.

She appeared in more than 50 films, and won Oscars for her performances in "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966), in which she starred opposite Burton.”

RIP LIZ.

Now, on to other stuff, like ...

Billi Pod’s report card on BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO==>B+<==a searing and violent drama that also invokes laughs, with a stellar cast headed by Robin Williams in the title role of The Bengal Tiger. Williams gives a restrained performance in which he makes the Tiger into an actual character in the chaotic world of wartime Iraq. I liked the show a lot more than I thought I would.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to admit that I found parts of it to be very very unsettling due to the fact that my oldest grandson, Alex, is being activated next month for deployment to the Mideast later in the year.

That said==>I do recommend this show.

It is a grim and nasty looking day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. It was only 35º @ 8:30am.

Hopefully the ugly weather will not impact Billi Pod’s Wednesday entertainment doubleheader --

2:00==>WONDERLAND - “This Broadway musical offers a new spin on the classic story of Alice and her Looking-Glass world.

A modern-day woman goes on a life-changing adventure far below the streets of New York City, where a cast of familiar characters help her rediscover what is really important.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This is in early previews and the advance buzz is very very mixed, and, frankly, I have mixed emotions about seeing it.

And then tonight is ...

8:00==>THE STAVANGER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF NORWAY @ Carnegie Hall - “Features works by Vivaldi and Bachand (who?).” (complimentary ticket)

The countdown is on==> only 7 days until the Yankees Opening Day game against The Detroit Tigers. Billi Pod is more than ready.

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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