Billi Pod Blogs: THE CASTLE==>C-

Saturday==>It is a typical summer day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. We have light blue skies, puffy clouds, high humidity, a breeze and temperature of 84º @ noon.

It might get into the low 90s, meaning that for only the second time this summer Billi Pod will consider turning on the AC. Yeah ... that’s right ... your favorite blogger has been quite comfortable thus far with open windows and fans.

Hey ... relax ... remember ... I was born and raised in the middle of Florida ... so I know how to handle hot humid weather.

Anyway ... why don’t we get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s “entertainment” (when you read further you will understand why entertainment is in quotes) event, the Off Broadway show ...

THE CASTLE, about the plight of a band of Crusaders returning “home” after being away for 7 years. Things aren’t the same and woman now seem to be in control.

When I left the theater after the show I was uncertain what my final grade would be, so I allowed myself to process my feelings until this morning. At the theater I met up with my theater-buddies Michael Pederson and Dennis Dohman and their friend Inez and each of them expressed uncertainty about their feelings for the show.

Well, it is now 14-hours later and ... now I know ... and Billi Pod will give the show the benefit of the doubt with a grade of==>C-

Act I is tolerable but a totally incomprehensible second act sinks this unpleasant ship. During the entire performance there is way-too-much yelling, screaming and cussing. The talented cast does their best with this mystifying material but they cannot save it.

I think I understand why the show has been rarely performed here in the US of A.

It is playing down at The Atlantic Theatre Stage 2 on West 16th Street, has a running time of 2:20, with an intermission, and runs through August 4th.

So ... Billi Pod says==>you are warned.

Before the show, the weather was great so I walked from my apartment on 42nd Street down to the theatre on West 16th Street. When the show was over the weather was even better so I walked back to the apartment.

Moving on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is another classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Avery Fisher Hall - “The Planets - An HD Odyssey.” - works by Adams, Offenbach, Strauss and Holst. (concert - discounted TDF ticket)

The orchestra will be conducted by Bramwell Tovey.

Now ... some sports for my buddy Marty Kosarik aka Whatever ...

Last night The Yankees won in dramatic fashion over The Orioles. We had a stellar outing from Ivan Nova, who pitched a complete game, giving up 2-runs on only 3-hits. But ... we were trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of the 9th. A bases-loaded walk tied the game and then Vernon Wells drove in the winning run with a single to left-field. The stadium went crazy and Nova got his well-deserved win.

This was the 5th consecutive win for The Bombers and put them back into the race in the AL East.

This afternoon, at 1:05pm, out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, it will be game 2 of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Bronx Bombers will be Andy Pettitte (5-6) vs. Chris Tillman (10-2) for The Birds.

Good News==>Derek Jeter, who has not played this season, will begin his rehab game assignment at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Captain is recovering from a broken ankle. The actual date for his return to the Yankee roster is still uncertain, but this is a major step forward.

So ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... on this happy note your favorite blogger will post this and then settle in to watch the YANKEES/ORIOLES game.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND!!