Sunday, September 22, 2013

Billi Pod Makes His Off Broadway Debut




Sunday==>OMFG!! What a day Saturday was for your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

First, the Yankees won. 

Then, The Gators beat Tennessee.

And, then ... take a deep breath out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks ... Billi Pod made his New York City Off Broadway debut on stage with the improv group THE PROVERBIAL LOONS.

Yes, that’s correct his Off Broadway debut ... so let’s get right to the amazing details ...

As I posted yesterday, my entertainment event was ... 

THE PROVERBIAL LOONS - “This veteran musical improv team comes together to create an on-the-spot musical inspired by the lives of two audience volunteers. The show is hilarious and full of surprises.”

When the show starts the director/performer David Nackman asks for a show of hands for volunteers. I would estimate that about 15 people raised their hands. He picked me and a lady named Margo.

We came on stage and were seated with the 6 performers. We where handed mikes and then asked questions ... like ... where we were born ... what we did for a living ... why were we in NYC ... in my case, what was the silliest case I had ever heard (I made something up) ... what languages we spoke ... what language would we like to learn (I said Spanish) ... etc ... etc ...

Margo, in her late 60s, is a retired teacher from Fall River (and it is Fall, not Falls), Massachusetts, which is the home of the infamous Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. Margo said she was tired of all of the publicity about Lizzie Borden.

When the crew had obtained enough information about us, we returned to our seats and the show began ... and ... folks ... it was totally amazing what they did with the info they had just received.

They performed a musical (with dance numbers) about a Judge who left Florida because he hated hearing stupid cases involving FSU dropouts and fled to NYC so he could become a Puerto Rican. Margo was in New York to promote the retrial of Lizzie Borden so Margo could become the most famous person from Fall River, MA.

Of course my character, played by David Nackman (that’s him in the picture with me), with a heavy southern accent, presided over the retrial, that resulted in a settlement, of sorts

The whole piece was about 45 minutes long and when it was over the troupe received a roaring standing ovation.

I wish I had taken notes of the songs but I didn’t because I was just mesmerized by what was happening on stage.

After I had a meet-and-greet session with the cast after the show I left The Castillo Theatre with a huge smile on my face.

And, of course, the report card for the show is==>A+ 

The total running time for the show is 75 minutes, without intermission, and the remaining dates are October 5, 12 and November 2.


Now ... for the other good things about yesterday ...
The Yankees got a stellar performance from Ivan Nova out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, as he pitched a complete game shutout. The Yankees won 6-0 over The Giants to remain in the wild-card race.

This afternoon @ 1:05pm is the final game of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Yankees will be Andy Pettitte (11-11) who is retiring at the end of this season vs. Yusmeiro Petit (4-0) for The Giants.

There will be a ceremony honoring the retirement of our closer Mariano Rivera. I am sure it will be very emotional.

The final “good” thing for the day was ...

The Gators 31-17 win over Tennessee in The Swamp. 

In this case I have to say ... a win is a win ... because The Gators played some really sloppy ball and we lost our starting QB, Jeff Driskel, for the rest of the season due to a right ankle injury.

Fortunately, his replacement Tyler Murphy did an acceptable job.

The Gator Nation and coach Muskrat have every right to be concerned about the rest of the season.

Well ... with all of this information I hope that you loyal and faithful readers and followers will agree that yesterday was quite a day for your favorite blogger.

Today I will, of course, stay in to watch the final Yankee/Giants game and then for the evening is ...

7:00==>LADY DAY - “Multiple award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater brings the essence and spirit of the late, great Billie Holiday to the stage. Told through onstage triumphs and backstage personal trials, the production features over twenty-five standards.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This musical is still in previews, is playing at The Little Shubert Theatre on West 42nd Street, right next door to my apartment building, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through March 16, 2014.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>1.03 miles (or, 2,265 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>297.12 miles (average 3.58 miles per day)

GO YANKEES!! 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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