A Friday Doubleheader For Billi Pod

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

Happy Friday!!

Well, the Spring-like weather in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is now a thing of the past. It is back down to Winter-like temperatures==>37º @ 7:30am, rainy and majorly nasty.

Yeah, Happy Friday!!

This will be a somewhat briefer posting (OK ... hold the f**king applause) because I have a jam-packed day, starting with two routine doctor’s appointments in the morning and then two entertainment events ... so ... let’s get right to it with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s RATED P FOR PARENTHOOD, a series of comic and musical vignettes chronicling every stage of modern-day parenting==>A.

This show, in early previews, is extremely well acted and performed by a talented cast of 4 playing multiple roles. It is funny but also very thought-provoking regarding the sometimes uncertain journey down that bumpy road known as parenthood.

The house was 90% full and everyone seemed to be having a good time. If you need a smile-inducing entertainment event then this the show for you.

As I said ... I have two routine doctor appointments, the first at 10:45 and the second at noon. Then begins my Friday entertainment doubleheader ...

2:00==>THE GIG - “A used car salesman, a dentist, a real estate agent, a financial advisor, a deli owner and a music teacher, who get together once a week to play jazz, land a two week gig in the Catskills.” (Off Broadway - free ticket)

This show is another part of the York Theatre’s Developmental Reading Series and I will be attending, as usual, as a member of Dian Crystal’s posse.

Then for the evening is a show that I have been wanting to see ever since it opened in August 2011 ...

8:00==>TRACES - “A group of friends leave their mark in a run-down warehouse through acrobatics, music, and dance, fusing the traditions of circus with the energy of street performance.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show has received very favorable reviews and I am really looking forward to seeing it.

What about the Oscar Awards Ceremony on Sunday night, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? ... well ... bottom-line ... Billi Pod could care less and has no intention of watching the entire boring and egomaniacal program - he has a show scheduled for 7:30 that night. Now you know ... you are so welcum ...

OK ... it is time to do some things and stuff and then head out ... so I will close with ...

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.”

ALEX-185

Terrific Time With John Scott Reed

Man, I can’t believe it ... it is a beautiful morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>56º @ 10:30am. Will definitely do some walking around this afternoon.

I am happy to report that yesterday afternoon’s staged reading of LUNCH AT THE PICCADILLY, about the rowdy residents of Rosehaven Convalescent Center, was totally enjoyable.

The reading was part of the York Theatre’s Developmental Reading Series. I hope the show finds a life/producer.

Attended the reading as a member of Dian Crystal’s posse, which included Marty Kosarik, Vera Olichney and moi.

Then for the evening I went over to The East Village to check out John Scott Reed’s (aka Fabson) new pad, located on 10th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues.

He is still in the process of getting settled into his new space, which he shares with a roommate of the opposite sex, but it already has that “Fabson” feeling.

Frankly, with so much going on in his life work-wise (Fashion Week, Sundance Film Festival, Red Carpet etc etc etc) and otherwise, I am amazed he has survived the past 3 weeks.

The apartment has access to an outdoor courtyard and that will be nice come summer. Bottom line==>Billi Pod likes his new pad.

And speaking of likes ... Billi Pod also likes his new ‘hood, which has a young and energetic feeling that was definitely lacking in his former ‘hood in Brooklyn.

When we finished the tour of his new pad we went to a terrific restaurant called Frank, located on 2nd Avenue @ 6th Street. Dinner was super excellent and we were able to do a lot of catching up. He even let me talk a bit about me ... and that was nice.

So, Fabson==>welcome back to The Isle Of Manhattan==>where you belong.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:00==>RATED P FOR PARENTHOOD - “A series of comic and musical vignettes chronicles every stage of modern-day parenting, from conception to college.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is playing at a theater in my ‘hood and is in previews with little advanced buzz.

The upcoming weekend is going to be basically a classical music frenzy, with concerts on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. In fact, I am considering adding another for Friday night ... we will see about that.

So, my loyal and faithful readers ... I really feel the need to get out of PHC and wander ... so ... I will close this posting with yet another thing for you to consider/ponder ...

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.”

ALEX-184

Report Cards On Saturday’s Doubleheader

Good morning everyone.

I hope everyone’s weekend is going well out there in the hinterlands and boondocks.

It is bright and cold in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>35º @ 8:30am.

Yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was just as different and diverse as Billi Pod had anticipated. Both shows were in his immediate ‘hood

Before the first show I met up with my theater-buddy Dian Crystal and her posse, which this time only consisted of Vera Olichney. As it turned out, our seats for the show were together and that was nice.

CQ/CX, about an up and coming reporter at The New York Times whose dreams of becoming a famous journalist come crashing down when he becomes the center of a plagiarism scandal==>A.

This show is based on the Jayson Blair “scandal” that rocked The Gray Lady in 2003. I found the story line to be intriguing as well as thought-provoking, with its rapid-fire dialogue and insider feeling. The acting is excellent and the set design terrific.

Our seats were in the front row, which I usually hate, but this time the location made us feel as if we were part of the on-stage action.

In doing a bit of background research for this posting I was somewhat surprised at the number of negative reviews, mainly focusing on how undeveloped the main character is. Well, all I can say is that Billi Pod, a fair and unbiased reporter, does not share those views ... so ...

Billi Pod says==>see this show.

When the show was over Dian and her posse, which now included Billi Pod, went to a pizza place known as Claudio Pizzeria, at the corner of 43rd Street and 10th Avenue.

Billi Pod was cajoled (when was the last time you saw that word?), or perhaps even forced, into trying a slice of eggplant pizza. As many of you know, when you are a part of Dian’s posse it is virtually impossible not to obey her commands/wishes/demands/desires.

Billi Pod tried to convince her that real men don't eat eggplant in any form but she was having none of that argument. Bottom line ... Billi Pod ordered a slice and ate all of it. In the name of fair and unbiased reporting he has to acknowledge to you loyal and faithful readers that it wasn’t as barf-inducing as he had anticipated/expected.

When we finished Dian and her posse went on a walk around the ‘hood and I came back to PHC. When they finished their walk they came up to the 41st floor and joined me in PHC, where we chilled until it was time for our second show, which was ...

8:00==>THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE by Edward Albee, a drama about the arrival of an unexpected guest and her mysterious companion giving the question ‘Who are you?’ new and desperate meaning==>B.

Lots of yelling and shouting and unbelievable interaction between characters who are supposed to be friends. For me the show was saved by the appearance of Jane Alexander in the last moments of Act 1.

Act II is much more compelling as the audience tries to answer the question “who are they?” about the unexpected guests. For Billi Pod it was a typical Edward Albee play in that it both involved him and also pissed him off at the same time.

Dian’s posse gave it a C and a C-, while our theater buddy Daniel Nickle gave it an A.

I was a bit surprised to discover in my posting preparation research that the show originally opened on Broadway in 1980 and ran for only 12 performances. I believe the critics this time are going to be more favorable in their reviews. We will see.

When I got back to PHC I felt really good about the day’s events and the interactions I had with friends etc etc etc. Yes ... it was a good doubleheader, all things (meaning eggplant) considered.

Today is ... tada ... yet another entertainment doubleheader for Billi Pod ...

3:00==>BAD KID - “Is the story of a Goth boy who dreamed of being anywhere but the middle of Texas in 1991. Preferably somewhere in London wearing fishnet gloves and a cape while standing alone in the rain. In this funny and moving examination of rebellion, sexuality and friendship, David Crabb reflects on what it means to grow up different and alone, just like everyone else. (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The show is playing down in the Village. When the show is over I will come back to my ‘hood to be present at an AA meeting to be chaired by one of my buddies who is celebrating his AA birthday. YES!!

Then for the evening is ...

8:00==>ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS - “One Man (Charles Ross) recreates the enchanting world of Middle-earth with nothing more than elbow pads and his imagination, playing numerous characters and re-enacting key scenes from the film trilogy.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket).

This one hour show had a very well received run in New Jersey and I am looking forward to it.

Eggplant pizza==>OMFG!! Why can’t I get this thought/image out of my mind ... why??

Since today is Sunday Billi Pod thinks it would be appropriate to close with the following ...

really ... give it some thought ...

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.”

ALEX-180

Chekhov Can Be Funny & Something New.

First of all==>Happy Friday to all of my Worker Bee friends here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World and out there in the hinterlands and boondocks.

Hope each of you will have a great weekend ... just remember that you cannot ... repeat ... cannot ... leave your jobs until at least 5:05pm ... but then you know that, don’t you ... but ... still ... just a friendly reminder.

Speaking of weekends ... and we were, weren’t we ... Billi Pod has scheduled doubleheaders for both Saturday and Sunday ...

Saturday - 2:00==>CQ/CX; 8:00==>THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE.

Sunday - 3:00==>BAD KID; 8:00==>ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS.

The specific details will be, of course, in later postings.

Tonight I was able to schedule a repeat visit to ...

8:00==>THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G, about a man looking for answers and revenge in Vietnam. (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

As you loyal and faithful readers know, I gave this comedy show an A rating when I saw it this past Wednesday night. I am so happy that I was able to score another comp. ticket and that my ticket service let me do it. Sometimes they get a bit "testy" over repeat visits early-on in a run.

Now about last night’s entertainment event ...

Last night’s CHEKHOVEK, 15 scenes from the works of Anton Chekhov, was a very pleasant evening==>B<==the cast was excellent.

Yes, Billi Pod learned that Chekhov can indeed be funny/amusing. The scenes in the first act were a lot funnier than those in the second act. The second act got a lot more serious, but that was OK.

Interesting observation==>the house was virtually sold-out and I would estimate that 85% of the audience were females over the age of 60. Most of them appeared to be there with a female friend. I guess Chekhov is a draw for that demographic.

I want to close this posting with a new feature that will be in the daily postings for awhile. These items are a result of Billi Pod’s internet research in fulfilling his responsibilities as a fair and unbiased reporter to you loyal and faithful readers out there in Nowhereland. Since this blog was created (2008) I have tried to keep my reader/fan base on the cutting edge of what is important in cyberspace ... so ...

Yes, you are so very welcum ...

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.”

ALEX-178

A Warning To You Worker Bees & HURT VILLAGE==>BARF!!

Welcome to Thursday everyone out there in the vast hinterlands, boondocks, and morass known as cyberspace.

Yes, my Worker Bee friends, you have only the rest of today and then tomorrow until your weekend begins. Billi Pod knows that you are already getting excited ... but ... remember ... you have to remain focused on your tasks, mundane though they may be.

A friend of mine, who is not a Worker Bee, has been urging me to remind all of you Worker Bees that you need to constantly remember and understand how lucky you are to even have a job in today’s troubled economic times. And ... damn I hate to write this ... but ... as a fair an unbiased reporter I must ... the harsh reality is ... once a Worker Bee loses his/her job ... the odds here in the US of A are virtually 99.8% that you will never ever be rehired in any capacity, for even the most unpleasant and menial tasks.

So ... all of you Worker Bees ... you are again reminded of your lowly status in this harsh reality of life in the 21st century. Actually, for Worker Bees it has always been thus ... but ... you are again reminded ... you are so welcum ...

On to other more important things, like Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader, which was ... alas ... another mixed bag ... starting with ...

HURT VILLAGE, about a Memphis family in the projects who are about to be relocated==>is a bag of s**t.

I can’t remember when I disliked a show so quickly. It began with the opening scene which featured a 13yr old girl rapping and spewing the n-word, the s-word and the f-word. Nasty and unpleasant.

It got only worse with stereotypical portrayals of alleged ghetto life laced with the n-word, the f-word, the s-word and homophobic slurs. Folks ... if this had been written by a white playwright there would have been riots in the streets in protest ... and I am not joking about this ... riots ...

The only saving grace was an acceptable performance from Tonya Pinkins in the role of Big Mama, the family matriarch.

I fled at intermission, along with a lot of other people. Stay away from this!!

I do have to comment that the new space, now called The Pershing Square Signature Center, is awesome and is worth seeing even if you are not scheduled for a show there.

Thank you Theater Gods ... the second half of the entertainment doubleheader saved the day for Billi Pod ... it was ..

THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G, about a man looking for answers and revenge in Vietnam==>A

This show is extremely funny and very well performed. Interestingly, it also addressed the issue(s) of racial stereotypes but, unlike HURT VILLAGE, it did so with an even and humorous hand. The 80-minute running time flew by.

As I reported in yesterday’s posting, the producing company is called Vampire Cowboys, and I think you will find the following mission statement to be interesting ...

“Vampire Cowboys is a ‘geek theatre’ company that creates and produces new works of theatre based in action/adventure and dark comedy with a comic book aesthetic. The company actively pursues the mating of different genres with varied theatrical styles to create an eclectic structure to tell its stories. We aim to bridge the gap between mass media entertainment and the performing arts, exposing the community to challenging, thought-provoking live entertainment rooted in today’s pop-culture vernacular.”

And, folks, this is just what they did with this show.

Billi Pod highly recommends it and will see it again, if he can, before its run ends on March 4th.

So there you have it my loyal and faithful readers ... one show was a bag of s**t and the other was a bag loaded with fun and, I guess, this just goes with the territory when you see as many shows as Billi Pod does here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Which leads me to answer several emails and snarky texts ... yes ... I know I haven’t posted the entertainment stats for 2011 or for January 2012. Both will be forthcoming ... I promise ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is also in the “WTF Is This Category” to be brutally honest ... it is ...

8:00==>CHEKHOVEK - “Five actors and one musician perform nine of Anton Chekhov’s, the Russian master, most famous and theatrical short stories. Desire, death and foolishness abound in a comedy in 15 scenes.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Really?? Checkhov==>comedy<==Really?? We will see. This is playing at a theater in the Upper Westside known for cutting-edge work ... so ... we will see.

Still no word on whether AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi is gonna be history. Let’s do it guys!

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.”

ALEX-177

POETIC LICENSE Report Card and Today’s Doubleheader Info

OK my loyal and faithful readers ... let’s get right to the important stuff ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s POETIC LICENSE, exploring how one person's past can shape his art, his family and his future in academia==>A<==a thought-provoking drama where the “truth” is uncertain even at the end.

Yes, hidden secrets are uncovered, characters are a bit over-dramatic, and anger boils over to yelling, screaming and cursing ... still ... the story line is believable and the show is extremely well acted. The 80 minute running time flies by. See it!!

When the show was over I had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with the playwright, Jack Canfora, and that was nice.

When I got back to PHC I prepared (meaning warmed up) my first full meal from the recently opened neighborhood gourmet deli, Well Green Market, which consisted of chicken breast, brown rice, mushrooms and veggies - nice - tasty. I estimated its cost at an eye-rolling ... $6.00. Can you beat that? I think not ...

This morning it is gray and overcast in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World ... 40º @ 8:30am.

Billi Pod has a highly “diverse” doubleheader today ... starting with ...

2:00==>HURT VILLAGE - “A hard-edged drama about a soldier returning to the projects in Memphis, where many of the residents, including his family, are being relocated and the community is disintegrating.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The running time is 3 hours and the show has received very mixed comments from some of my theater-buddies. It is playing at The Signature Theater Company's newly opened complex located less than a 1/2 block from my building.

Then for the evening is a show which couldn’t be more different ...

8:00==>THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G - “It’s been 10 years since Agent G has been in Vietnam, where his family and friends were all viciously slain. He’s now come back looking for answers and a good bit of revenge.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

What isn’t to like about a show whose production company is named Vampire Cowboys? It is playing at a theatre on my block.

I am happy to report that the countdown to the beginning of Spring Training has begun. It is only 4 days until pitchers and catchers report to the Yankee training complex in Tampa. Billi Pod is more than ready!!

There are “reliable” insider stories that The Bronx Bombers are close to reaching a deal with the Pirates that will rid our team of AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi. Oh, we will have to eat a good part of the $33M remaining on his two year contract but it will be worth it just to get rid of him. Good riddance to bad rubbish!!

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.”

ALEX-176

Worker Bees Head Back to Work - Yesterday’s Doubleheader Report ...

It was another bright and cold morning in the Big Apple==>28º @ 8:30am as all of my Worker Bee friends began their lemming-like treks back to their cubicles, offices, wait-stations etc. OK ... guys, gals and whatevers ... your weekend is over ... so get back to work ... and stop the whining ... just get on with it ...

As I am writing this posting it is 2:00pm and the weather has warmed up a bit to 39º but the high is predicted to only reach 40º. I have spent most of the morning and early afternoon doing my usual errands and stuff and, trust me, it is really windy and cold in Hell’s Kitchen.

OK ... enough with the weather ... let’s move on to more important stuff ... like ... Billi Pod’s Sunday doubleheader. I know you loyal and faithful readers out there in the hinterlands and boondocks are dying to know if Sunday’s doubleheader was better than Saturday’s so-so doubleheader.

Well ... Billi Pod is happy to report that Sunday’s doubleheader was totally AWESOME!! So ... let’s begin with the first entertainment event ... which was ...

THE NAVIGATOR, about a man whose GPS starts giving him 100% correct advice on his life-issues and future==>A.

The show was very funny and also thought-provoking once you buy into the concept that maybe being “right” all the time isn’t necessarily everything one imagines or wants it to be. It was very well acted.

The show runs until the end of the month so Billi Pod says==>see it!

The running time for the show was 75 minutes so when it was over I braved the bitter cold and came on back to PHC for my usual fruit and cheese snack and then headed back to the same complex for my second doubleheader event, which was ...

THE THREEPENNY OPERA - “The 1920s Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht classic about Mack the Knife==>A.

WOW!! The incredibly talented cast made the 3 hour running time fly by. In today’s times the show is still very politically incorrect so I can only imagine what the reaction was when it originally opened in the mid-1920s.

The house was virtually sold-out and few, if anyone, left at the only intermission. The show runs through Feb. 29th and Billi Pod says==>see it!!

Man, it was freezing cold on the way back home, about a 15 minute walk. Picked up a couple of slices. It was 11:30 when I opened the door to the warm and cozy confines of PHC, thus ending an awesome entertainment doubleheader. I couldn’t have planned it any better.

As I am writing this posting I am also on the phone with Telecharge trying to use my ticket exchange option to see tonight’s performance of RENT at New World Stages. My FaceBook friend Josh Grisetti is over his bout with the flu and has returned to the cast in the lead role of Mark.

Unfortunately there is a communication problem/issue between Telecharge and the New World Stages box office so I am not certain if things are gonna work out for tonight’s show.

If not, then I will head to one of the multiplex movie theaters in the ‘hood to finally see THE DESCENDANTS with George Clooney.

Wow!! The ticket exchange did indeed work out and I will be seeing RENT tonight at 8:00. AWESOME!!

For you new readers ... RENT is - “Returning to NYC after its groundbreaking 12-year Broadway run, RENT, set in NYC's East Village, is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.”

Really charged about finally getting to see Josh and the new cast ...

I want to close this posting by sharing something that I posted almost two years ago about Timmy Tebow. This is verbatim from my posting on April 25, 2010 ...

“Oh, and congratulations to Timmy Tebow for being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the NFL Draft. Billi Pod’s prediction - give him 2 years and he will make all of the doubters and nay-sayers look like fools. Just remember where you read it first.”

Oh Yeah ... you are so very welcum ...

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS AND GO TIMMY!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-174

Billi Pod’s Awesome Broadway Doubleheader.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers out there in cyberspace ... let’s get right to the important stuff this morning, which is ... Billi Pod's AWESOME Broadway doubleheader scheduled for today.

I have to pick up one of the tickets early so this posting will be a bit shorter than usual (hold the f**king applause out there ... don’t make Billi Pod come over and bitch-slap you ... because I know who and where you are) ... so ... we start first with ...

2:00==>THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - “Winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterwork is a timeless story of seduction and despair. Set at the Paris opera house, a beautiful soprano becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This performance unexpectedly appeared on one of my ticket services and there was no way I could pass it up even though I have seen the show numerous times over the years and I feel confident that my seat will be in the upper nose-bleed section of the theatre.

This Broadway classic celebrated its 24th year on Broadway on January 26, 2012 and will have its 10,000th performance at the 2:00pm matinee on this coming Saturday, February 11th. The performance I will be attending will be number 9,996.

AWESOME!!

And then for the evening is ...

7:00==>VENUS IN FUR - “Goes behind the scenes at an audition, where a man and a woman blur the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. A crackling exploration of sexual control and desire.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This show had a very successful Off Broadway run and then a brief, but well-reviewed, run on Broadway. It moved to another Broadway house and returns for another limited run and today will be its first preview performance(s).

All of my theater friends who were lucky enough to have seen it in its earlier production all gave it rave reviews, so Billi Pod is looking forward to it.

So ... there you have the details of this AWESOME Broadway doubleheader ...

Yes ... I said==>AWESOME!!

And now we will move on to ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s THE CONFUSIONS OF YOUNG TORLESS==>C+<==way too long with too much screaming and cursing. Acting was generally OK from a cast of young performers in the lead roles. About 1/4 of the small house left at intermission but Billi Pod stayed to the bitter end ... not sure why ... I guess it was because of the cast ...

Oh ... forgot to give the usual weather report ... it was 32º @ 8:00am and light snow is forecast for later on in the day.

Big Blue’s parade through “The Canyon of Heroes” went without a hitch and that was AWESOME too. The local papers all reported an estimated crowd in excess of one-million.

Will give a report on an upcoming trip back down South in tomorrow’s posting ... so stay tuned.

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.”

ALEX-169