BROKEN FENCES==>B

Sunday==>It is a pretty day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, but, dammit, the temperature has dropped back to the upper 40s.

Let’s get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

BROKEN FENCES, about two neighbors, one black, one white, trying to protect their families without destroying their community==>B

The show is well-acted and thought-provoking but there is way way too much yelling, screaming and cussing, mostly from the black characters. It gets very old by the end of the show.

A friend of mine posted the following comment to my posting about the show on my FaceBook Timeline ... 

Elodie Bentley - Seems like more and more I find that yelling and screaming is passed off as "acting."

I couldn’t agree more.

Anyway ... moving on ...

Today’s entertainment event will be ...

5:00==>KEEN TEENS - “World premieres of three plays written for, and performed by, teenagers.” (Off Broadway - full price ticket)

The show is playing at the Theatre Row Complex on my block.

This will be the 3rd consecutive year that I have seen this talented company perform. Their talent and energy flows from the stage and totally engulfs the theatre. It is fun just being a member of the audience.

Now a bit of sports ...

Yesterday afternoon the Yankees got a stellar performance, finally, from Phil Hughes, who pitched 8-innings of shutout ball, giving up only 4-hits and striking out 9. The Yankees won 4-2 in game 2 of the Oakland A’s series.

Game 3 of the series will be this afternoon @ 1:05pm out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, with Andy Pettitte (3-2), coming off of a terrible last start vs. Dan Strally (1-0) for the A’s.

Of course I will be in front of the tube until it is time for my afternoon show.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.14 miles (or, 6,871 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,443.29 miles 

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.”

Happy 31st Birthday to My Grandson Chris Falletta

Saturday==>A major HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout-out to my youngest grandson, Chris Falletta aka Topher, who lives in Apopka, FL. Topher is celebrating his 31st.

And, speaking of Topher, hopefully, he will be able to visit me this summer up here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. We are working on the details now, so stay tuned.

I am happy to report to all of you loyal and faithful readers and followers that yesterday’s doubleheader was pretty AWESOME, and, yes ... your favorite blogger obviously made it safely to and from the wilderness known as Queens. 

So ... let’s get started with the first entertainment event ...

db, the staged reading about the infamous DB Cooper, who hijacked a Boing 747 on November 24, 1971==>interesting and educational.

After receiving the $200,000 ransom Cooper parachuted from the plane and has never been seen since.

I saw this with my theater-buddies Dian Crystal aka My Lady and Marty Kosarik aka Numnutz.

When the reading was over, as planned, Marty and I began our Out-of-Manhattan Adventure by catching the N train up to a venue located on Crescent Avenue in Astoria ... gasp ...  Queens.

We made great time. It was 9 stops from Times Square and it took only 16 minutes. It was only 5:05pm when we got to our subway station in Astoria. The show didn’t start until 8:00pm, so we had, obviously, plenty of time to get acquainted with the ‘hood.

The first thing we did was find the Astoria Performing Arts Center, which is actually in the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church on Crescent Street, not that far from the subway station.

After accomplishing this task we then walked around the immediate ‘hood and I have to admit that I was very impressed. It was not ghetto-like as I had erroneously mentally pictured.

We found a nice restaurant, Grand Cafe, where we had a leisurely early dinner and it was great. There was such a positive vibe in the restaurant from a youngish crowd.

Then it was time for the reason for our Out-of-Manhattan Adventure, the  musical ... 

BLOOD BROTHERS, Willy Russell’s 1983 tear-inducing musical is about twin brothers separated at birth and their subsequent interwoven lives, one wealthy, the other poor==>A

The theme explores the classic debate of nature vs. nurture through the story of twin brothers raised under very different social and economic circumstances.

The cast is exceptional, especially Collean Hawks in the difficult role of Mrs. Johnstone and Rowan Michael Meyer as Mickey, one of the twins.

There is a 7-piece orchestra, plus two trumpets played by members of the cast.

The staging and choreography is outstanding, especially for a small and confined performance space.

As I reported yesterday, the show ran for 24-years in London. I didn’t mention that it ran for only 2 years on Broadway. The reason for its rather limited run has been attributed to the difficulty American audiences had in dealing with the central theme of the effects of class on our development as individuals.

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers in the Tri-State area, it is a production that is definitely worth making the extra effort to see.

It was 11:15pm when I opened the door to PHC, thus ending an AWESOME doubleheader==>it was great being with you Marty.

Moving on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is an Off Broadway play ...

8:00==>BROKEN FENCES - “A contemporary play set in an African American neighborhood in Chicago. Two neighbors, one black, one white, must find a way to protect their families without destroying their community.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This World Premiere is playing at the Shetler Theatre Complex on West 54th Street.

Last night the Bronx Bombers got shutout 2-0 by the Oakland A’s. Our ace CC Sabathia made basically one mistake during the game, a game leading-off, first-pitch homer by Adam Rosales.

This afternoon @ 1:05pm at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, it will be Phil Hughes (0-2) on the mound for The Yankees vs. former Yankee Bartolo Colon (3-0) for the A’s.

Actually, I am working on this posting while watching the game on the tube ... so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.30 miles (or, 11,592 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,440.15 miles 

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.”

Heading Out To Queens Tonight==>WTF??

Friday==>A big TGIF shout-out to all of my loyal and faithfull readers and followers, including you Worker Bees, out there in the hinterlands, boondocks and wastelands.

Your favorite blogger will start this posting with his report card on last night’s entertainment event, the classical music concert @ Carnegie Hall ...

AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA,  “Hungary Torn - recognizing the artistic victims and survivors of the Holocaust in Hungary."==>totally excellent.

The highlight of the evening for me was the performance by violinist Barnabas Kelemen of the World Premiere of a piece by Mihaly Nador, who died in 1944.

My comp. seat was also excellent, midway in the Dress Circle (3 levels up), on the aisle.

When the concert was over I walked back to PHC, ending a very good walking day. The stats are below.

Moving on ...

Today is an entertainment doubleheader ... starting with a staged reading ... 

3:00==>db - “A show about the infamous DB Cooper.” (staged reading - free ticket)

I will be seeing this with my theater-buddies Dian Crystal aka My Lady and Marty Kosarik aka Numnutz. 

When the reading is over Numnutz and I will head to the Port Authority subway station to catch the N train out to ... gasp ... and double gasp ... Queens. Yes ... that’s right my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... Billi Pod is going out to Astoria, Queens. WTF??

Now hold on everyone ... don’t panic ... take deep breaths and continue reading ...

We will be heading out to the Astoria Performing Arts Center to see ...

8:00==>BLOOD BROTHERS - “Willy Russell’s 1983 tear-inducing musical is about twin brothers separated at birth and their subsequent interwoven lives, one wealthy, the other poor.”

(Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This show ran for 24-years in London and had a successful Broadway run in 1993 starring Petula Clark along with real-life brothers David Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy.

I saw it twice on Broadway and then twice in London and totally love this show. When I learned it was being performed here I had to see it, even though it is being performed in the wilderness known as Queens.

Marty and I will catch a bite before the show and then basically explore the ‘hood a bit.

You know ... other than going to and from Manhattan to either JFK or Laguardia and a couple of games at Shea Stadium,  I don’t think I have spent any time in Queens.

Should be an interesting adventure.

Moving on ...

Tonight @ 7:05pm out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, The Yankees play the first of a 3-game series against Oakland.

Our ace CC Sabathia (4-2) will be on the mound for The Bombers vs. A.J. Griffin (2-2) for The A’s.

On ... yet another Yankee goes down. This time it is Joba Chamberlain, on the 15-day DL due to a strained right oblique. Dear God, when is it going to end? When??

On that happy note ... will end this posting.

Oh ... yesterday’s walking stats were pretty awesome and reflect the improving weather here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.58 miles (or, 14,390 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,434.85 miles 

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.”

ORPHANS==>A

Thursday==>Let’s get this posting started with your favorite blogger’s report card on last night’s return visit to the Broadway play ...

ORPHANS, the story of two desperate brothers who abduct a wealthy businessman, played by Alec Baldwin==>A

This is the same grade Billi Pod gave it back on March 27th.

I am happy to report that the show is still in top shape. Tom Sturridge certainly earns his Tony nomination for his role as the emotionally underdeveloped younger brother, Phillip, who leaps all over the stage with amazing physicality.

I still feel that the story line is totally unbelievable but ... no matter ... because the acting from the 3 performers is stellar.

My comp. seat was excellent, in the center of the first row of the mezzanine.

Before the show I met up with my friends Michael Pederson and Dennis Dohman. They both liked the show.

At intermission I also ran into my friend Kim, who promised me that he would "stop it" as I had previously requested. Thanks, Kim.

When the show was over I came back to PHC, had the usual fruit and cheese plate and basically chilled until it was time for Billi Pod's evening’s entertainment event ... being in front of the tube for the final YANKEES/HOUSTON game @ 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built.

The Yankees got off to an early 4-run lead, but, unfortunately, our starting pitcher, David Phelps, gave up 4-runs in the top of the 5th inning. We ultimately won 5-4 and Mo got his 11th save of the season. It was an exciting game to watch.

The Bombers have the day off and then on Friday will begin a 3-game series against Oakland, in The Bronx.

I have to admit to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that thus far this season I am having difficulty creating an identity with my favorite team, as a result of, I think, my earlier decision not to renew my 41-game season ticket package. As you know, I opted for a 12-game package.

As the season develops I know that I am going to spend much more time in front of the tube, something that isn’t, as you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, high on Billi Pod's entertainment list.

Oh well ... I knew this was going to happen, so I will just have to live with it.

Moving on ...

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is a classical music concert ...

8:00==>AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - “Hungary Torn” - “The Jewish population of Hungary suffered a deep loss during the latter years of the Second World War. Many of its youngest composers met a tragic end, with their promising careers and legacies never fulfilled. This concert gives a few of those artists their due, featuring their work alongside pieces by Hungarian composers who managed to live through the nightmare.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

At 1:00pm it is bright and sunny here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, a balmy 66º, so I need to post this and then head outside for some walking and wandering time, probably in the Upper Westside ... so ... 

Oh ... have just compiled the entertainment stats for April and will probably post them this weekend ... so ... stay tuned.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.79 miles (or, 9,596 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,428.27 miles 

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.”

I'M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF==>A

Wednesday==>It is a beautiful morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, with blue skies and 55º @ 10:30am. The high is forecast to be in the mid-60s. Nice!!

So ... why don’t we get this posting started for you loyal and faithful readers and followers with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway musical ...

I'M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF, Mark Nadler’s exploration of the songs and performers of the Weimar Republic era in Germany==>A

This show is extremely well-performed by the multiple award-winner Mark Nadler who is backed by an accordion and a violin plus stunning visual effects. Your favorite blogger found the story line to be educational, entertaining and emotionally involving.

The full-house gave the performers a well-deserved roaring ovation at curtain call. 

Kudos go out to Jim Morgan and his remarkable staff for yet another crowd-pleaser.

As reported yesterday, it is playing at The York Theatre in the Citigroup Center in Midtown East and runs through May 19th.

Billi Pod says==>see this show.

When the show was over I left the theater with a smile on my face and walked back to PHC while listening to the final innings of the YANKEES/HOUSTON game on my new Sony Walkman.

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, after 10+ years of service the original Walkman died. Luckily I was able to replace it with another Walkman via Amazon.

The Bronx Bombers won the second game of the 3-game series 7-4 behind another good outing from Hiroki Kuroda who pitched 7 innings, giving up only 4 hits and 0 runs.

With the win The Bombers closed out the first month of the season with a record of 16-10, much much better than the vocal nay-sayers had predicted.

Tonight will be the final game of the series with David Phelps (1-1), replacing the injured Ivan Nova, on the mound for The Bronx Bombers vs. Eric Bedard (0-2) for The Astros.

Today’s entertainment event will be a return to the Broadway show, featuring Alec Baldwin ...

2:00==>ORPHANS - “A story about two orphaned brothers holed up in a run-down North Philadelphia row house and the wealthy kidnapped criminal who becomes a surrogate father to them.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Saw this show back on March 26th and gave it an A and I am very much looking forward to seeing it again.

Tom Sturridge, who plays the younger brother, received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Currently my plans are to stay in tonight to watch the YANKEES/HOUSTON game @ 7:05pm.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... got a few things to do before my matinee ... oh ... I think the walking stats shown below are pretty awesome ... what do you think? ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.39 miles (or, 9,596 steps)

Total mileage for April==>130.50 miles (average 4.75 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,425.48 miles (or, 3,117,525 steps)

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.”