New York Philharmonic Concert/The Diorama/The Wankies

Saturday==>Your favorite blogger is happy to report to his loyal and faithful readers and followers that it is a beautiful morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. 

At 10:30am it is 68º, with blue skies and puffy clouds. It is, however, very windy ... 22+ mph off the Hudson River.

So ... let’s get today’s blog posting started with Billi Pod’s report on last night’s concert at Lincoln Center ...

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall.

The program was:

Julian Wolf - Anthracite Fields (New York Premiere); and,

Steven Mackey - Dreamhouse (New York Premiere)

“Anthracite Fields” is a testament to the people who persevered and endured in the Pennsylvania Anthracite coal region during a time when the industry fueled the nation.

It was well-performed by The Bang on a Can All-Stars and The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, aided by totally incredible special-effects projections. The NY Phil orchestra did not participate in this number.

“Dreamhouse” is a much lighter homage to the pain, stress and ultimate elation in creating one’s dream house in today’s ever changing world.

It was well performed by the NY Phil and the soloists, including Rinde Eckert in the role of The Architect.

Yeah, it was an interesting evening, even though the running time was a bit long at 2:30, with intermission.

When the concert was over I decided to walk back to the apartment. Thankfully, the YANKEES/TWINS game (details below) was already over.

Moving on to tonight’s entertainment event, an Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>THE DIORAMA - “Two very different personalities collide when artistic Cecily moves in with her Wall Street lawyer sister, Janey, and - as one does - decides to construct a life-size igloo in the small apartment. As tensions rise, the past returns to haunt the two sisters, however, their love for each other may just be enough to redeem them both.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This comedy/drama just opened, is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:20, without intermission, and runs through June 14th.

Now ... some sports ...

Last night at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, The Wankies (28-25) lethargically (according to all of the papers) lost 6-1 to the lowly Minnesota Twins (25-27).

Today @ 1:05pm will be game 2 of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Wankies will be our ace Masahiro Tanaka (7-1) vs. Kevin Correla (2-6) for The Twins.

I plan to stay in and watch the game.

With last night’s loss The Wankies home record is a lowly 11-12, something that is very very disturbing to the fan base, trust me on this ... very disturbing.

Will close with something more positive and that is Billi Pod’s walking stats for Friday. Yes, yesterday I had walk and wander sessions in my ‘hood and in the Lincoln Center area, plus I walked back to the apartment after the concert. By the end of the day Billi Pod had recorded 5.60 miles on his WeightWatchers Pedometer. Not bad, IMHO. Anyway ...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.60 miles (or, 12,252 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>550.68 miles (average 3.70 miles per day)

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.”

P.S.==>There is a real possibility that tomorrow I may actually have some face time with John Scott Reed aka Fabson, so ... stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.

TGIF/A Loss of Roses/New York Philharmonic/Yankees/Ginger Flowers

Friday==>A huge TGIF shout-out to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks.

It is a very pleasant morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, 66º at 11:00am, sunny, with a nice breeze coming off the Hudson River.

This means that your favorite blogger has an overwhelming urge to be out and about with a major walk and wander session ... so ... we need to get this posting started ... with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

A LOSS OF ROSES, William Inge’s poignant story of a young man's struggle for independence and an older woman's search for connection, set against the backdrop of a small midwestern town during The Depression==>B+

The noted playwright was known for writing plays that dug deeply into the private lives of small town folks in the American Midwest, where appearances and fitting in are all important.

In this heavy drama domestic bickering and co-dependence are at the core of the relationships between the mother, played by Deborah Hedwall, the 21-year old son played by Ben Kahre and the "visiting" out-of-work actress played by Lila Green.

The acting is uniformly excellent even though the story line evolves into another overused example of shouting and screaming at about everything. It also becomes rather formalistic toward the end.

Having said that ... I still enjoyed the experience and have no problem recommending this show if you are in the mood for some heavy drama with excellent acting.

As I posted yesterday, this drama opened to mostly favorable reviews, is playing at the Theatre at St. Clement’s on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:10, with intermission, and runs through June 7th.

Moving on ...

My entertainment event for today is a classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall.

The program will be the New York Premieres of works by Julia Wolfe and Steven Mackey.

The orchestra will be joined by The Bang on a Can All-Stars and The Choir of Trinity Wall Street.

(free ticket)

This free ticket is one of the perks of being a multiple season subscriber.

On the sports scene ...

Tonight @ 7:05pm out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, will be the first game of a 3-game series between The Yankees (28-24) and The Minnesota Twins (24-27).

On the mound for The Yankees will be Vidal Nuno (1-1) vs. Ricky Nolasco (2-5) for The Twins.

Moving on ... 

In response to some rather nasty texts and emails ...

Yeah ... yeah ... I know ... I know ... last night The Rangers won 1-0 over Montreal in game 6 of the Eastern Conference final, earning them their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 20 years ... but ... sorry folks ... Billi Pod has no interest whatsoever in hockey ... zero ... zilch ... nada ... so ... just live with it.

Nope ... and ... don’t even consider any more texts and emails ... Billi Pod Blogs ain’t gonna carry any hockey stuff ... so ... don’t waste your time==>it just ain’t gonna happen.

Moving on some more to a positive note ...

CONGRATULATIONS to my dear dear friend Ginger Flowers of Atlanta, GA, who is celebrating an awesome Birthday today. I am soooooooooo proud of you Ginger .... so very very proud. Keep on keeping on.

As many of you know, Ginger and I dated back in High School and we have remained close ever since.

In closing ...

Yesterday was another excellent walking day for your favorite blogger. Did a walk and wander session in the West 30s area (which was kinda boring) and then another session in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood before my show. Yeah ... some pretty good stats ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.24 miles (or, 11,464 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>550.68 miles (average 3.70 miles per day)

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.”

Les Miz Still Earns An A++

Thursday==>Billi Pod is happy to report to his loyal and faithful readers and followers that yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was totally excellent ... so ... why don’t we get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on his first entertainment event of the day ... the Off Broadway show ... 

ANNAPURNA, twenty years ago Emma walked out on her husband Ulysses, in the middle of the night. After hearing he's in dire straits, she tracks him down in the wilds of Colorado in a grungy trailer, hooked to an oxygen tank==>B+

I am sooooo glad I finally got the opportunity to see this emotionally engrossing drama. It closes its successful run on Sunday.

The two characters are skillfully portrayed by real-life married couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.

The back and forth banter between them, sometimes funny, sometimes profane, often angry, revolves around the question of why she left him with their son, who is now 25. The final scene when all is revealed is highly emotional and gut-wrenching.

The house was full and the audience was very much into the show.

Dian Crystal aka My Lady was at the same performance and she gives it about the same letter grade.

Billi Pod says==>If you can, catch this show before it closes.

It is playing at the Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:35, without intermission, and ends its run on Sunday. 

When the show was over I came back to the apartment and had my usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time for my next entertainment event ...

LES MISERABLES - “The recently opened revival of the musical about a Frenchman who steals a loaf of bread and lives to regret it==>A++

This is the same grade it received when I saw it on April 23, 2014, my 80th birthday present to self.

When I saw it then the role of Javert, usually played by Will Swinson, was played by his understudy, who did an excellent job. Well, last night it was played by Swinson and he did an incredible job as did Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean.

As I reported yesterday, my ticket for this performance was secured through The Actor’s Fund Benefit. My seat was acceptable, in the orchestra, one row from the rear, house left. As a major plus, I was just two seats away from my theater-buddy Mary Maggio and her charming Mother, Mary Ann.

The house was full and at curtain call we gave the cast a roaring, and I mean, a roaring standing ovation.

Now, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting I must reveal that Les Miz is one my favorite musicals of all-time. I have seen it numerous times on Broadway and in London ... but I still feel comfortable in saying to you loyal and faithful readers and followers==>You just gotta see this show!!

It is playing at the Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street, has a running time of 2:55, with intermission, and is an open run.

When I got back to PHC I watched the final innings of the YANKEES/CARDINALS game, details below, had some pizza, and reflected on how lucky I am to be able to live in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Moving on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>A LOSS OF ROSES - “William Inge’s poignant story of a young man's struggle for independence and an older woman's search for connection, set against the backdrop of a small midwestern town in the 1930s.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This drama opened to mostly favorable reviews, is playing at the Theatre at St. Clement’s on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:10, with intermission, and runs through June 7th.

We will now close this posting with the usual ... some sports ...

Last night, in St. Louis, The Yankees (28-24) beat The Cardinals (29-24) by a score of 7-4, after jumping off to a quick 7-0 lead.

With this win the Yankees ended their 9-game road trip with a record of 5-4. They have today off and then begin a 6-game home-stand on Friday with 3-games vs. Minnesota and 3-games vs. Oakland.

OK ... it is a beautiful day today so your favorite blogger needs to post this and then do a major walk and wander session, probably down in the Chelsea area.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.67 miles (or, 8,037 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>545.44 miles (average 3.69 miles per day)

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.”

A Day-Off Yesterday - A Doubleheader Today

Wednesday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace, yesterday your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, gave himself the day-off ... yep ... a day-off.

I still had some left over errands and chores to do and I decided to stay in to watch game 2 of the YANKEES/CARDINALS series (details below). 

So ... it was a day-off ... but ... interestingly ... with the chores, which included trips to the grocery store, my favorite pizza place and my favorite hot food store, plus my TV watching walking regimen (walking between 1/2 innings) ... at the end of the day I had recorded a total of 4.32 miles on my WeightWatchers Pedometer ... so ... not totally sure that yesterday can really be considered to be a day-off ... what do you think?

Anyway ... today Billi Pod is back on his entertainment schedule because he has a doubleheader ... so ... let’s get started with the details ... first is ...

2:00==>ANNAPURNA - “Twenty years ago, Emma walked out on her husband, in the middle of the night. Now, hearing he's in dire straits, she tracks him down in the wilds of Colorado in a grungy trailer, working on his magnum opus, hooked to an oxygen tank, and cooking in the buff. Their reunion, charged by rage and compassion, brings back the worst and best of their former bond.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show has received mixed reviews, is playing at the Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:35, without intermission, and ends its run on Sunday.

When the show is over I will come back to PHC and have my usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then it will be time for my second entertainment event ...

8:00==>LES MISERABLES - “The recently opened revival of the musical about a Frenchman who steals a loaf of bread and lives to regret it.” (Broadway - discounted ticket)

This is one my favorite musicals of all-time. I have seen it numerous times on Broadway and in London. The last time was on April 23, 2014, my 80th birthday present to self and I gave it a report card of A++.

My ticket for this performance was secured through The Actor’s Fund Benefit program and they usually have pretty good seats.

Les Miz is playing at the Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street, has a running time of 2:55, with intermission, and is an open run.

Yeah ... a real interesting doubleheader ... don’t you agree?

What wasn’t interesting was last night’s game ...

Last night, in St. Louis, The Cardinals (29-23) shutout The Yankees (27-24) 6-0 behind a complete game from Lance Lynn. The Wankies bats were silenced and their defense was majorly sloppy.

Tonight at 8:15pm is the final game of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Yankees will be Hiroki Kuroda (3-3) vs. Shelby Miller (6-3) for The Cards.

The Yankees will have tomorrow off and return to Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, to begin a 3-game series against The Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Moving on ...

I have downloaded the 142-page manifesto written by that monster Elliott Rodger. 

Have read about 1/2 of it and it is totally mind-blowing and scary as he details his life and his "justification(s)" for his horrendous act. If you are interested the link is ...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/226068735/Manifesto-of-Elliot-Rodger

On this happy note ... 

Time to post this and then get ready to begin my entertainment doubleheader ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.32 miles (or, 9,442 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>541.77 miles (average 3.69 miles per day)

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.”

What Day Is It, Really?

Tuesday==>Seriously ... what day is it ... really?

Your favorite blogger’s head is telling him that today is Monday, not Tuesday ... while his body clock is screaming that it is really Tuesday ... oh well ... whatever day it is ... we will get this blog posting started with ...

Billi Pod’s report on last night’s classical music concert ...

DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS INTERNATIONAL @ Alice Tully Hall - “Celebration & Reflection, Part 2” - featuring works by Chilcott, Clausen and Effinger. 

This was a very pleasant and enjoyable entertainment event.

The concert was performed by the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, joined by soloists Danielle Talamantes and Christian Reinert.

The seating for this concert was General Admission and I was able to score a very good seat in row H, dead center.

As planned, I left for the concert early, via subway, so I could have a walk and wander session in the Lincoln Center area. The weather was excellent.

When the concert was over I walked back to the apartment and it really felt good largely due to the breezy wind coming off of the Hudson River.

On the walk back I listened to the final extra innings of the rain-delayed Yankees/Cardinals game, from St. Louis.

The Yankees (27-23) won 6-4 over The Cards (28-23) in the 12th inning. This was the third time on this road-trip that The Yankees won in extra innings.

Tonight at 8:15pm will be game 2 of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Bronx Bombers will be David Phelps (1-1) vs. Lance Lynn (5-2) for The Cards.

Moving on ...

At the moment my entertainment plans for today are undecided. Oh, I have many options that I am reviewing, theater/movies, but I am also seriously considering giving Billi Pod the day/night off ... yes ... that’s right ... I said it ... the day/night off ... so ... stay tuned, you loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace ... stay tuned ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.25 miles (or, 9,293 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>537.45 miles (average 3.68 miles per day)

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.”