PHILIP GOES FORTH==>B+

Saturday==>Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, knows that today is going to be a busy day for many of his loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks ... 

So ... why don’t we get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

PHILIP GOES FORTH, a satire about a young man who rebels against his father and a career in the family business and ventures to New York to write plays==>B+

Well, things don’t quite work out as Philip had hoped they would.

The story line is set in 1931 and by the end it isn’t about the shattered dreams of aspiring writers, but about knowing who you are, what you’re not and what really matters in a meaningful life.

There is an excellent cast, headed by Bernardo Cubria as Philip and Carole Healey as Mrs. Oliver, the mother of Philip’s love interest.

The sets are terrific for the small Mint Theatre space.

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

As I said above, it is playing at The Mint Theatre, whose mission is reviving shows that were once popular but are now largely forgotten/overlooked.

It has a running time of 2:05, with intermission, and runs through October 27th.

Billi Pod says==>this show is certainly worth seeing.

When the show was over I met up with my Lakeland, FL, friends Tammy Serebrin and Paul Hughes for a late bite at Angus Bistro on West 44th Street.

Tammy had seen Matilda and Paul had seen The Trip To Bountiful.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s posting, Tammy and Paul had put together a whirlwind tour for a group of 42 fellow Polk Countians and they are also the tour guides.

We had a great time and did a lot of much-needed catching up.

So ... Tammy and Paul==>it was great being with you guys.

Moving on ...

This is today’s entertainment schedule for your favorite blogger ...

3:00==>THE NORWEGIANS - “A new comedy  about a pair of nice Norwegian gangsters in Minnesota and a recently transplanted Texas woman who finds herself going to great extents to resolve the difficulties of her latest breakup.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Drilling Company Theatre on West 78th Street, has a running time of 1:30, with intermission, and runs through October 27th.

It had a very well received run earlier in the year and it sounds like a lot of fun.

Then, back to PHC for sports for the rest of the day/evening ...

5:30==>The Rays vs. The Boston FuckSox in game 2 of the ALDS from that fetid cesspool known as Fenway Park, carried on TBS,

Yesterday The Rays sucked and The FuckSox kicked butt, winning 12-2.

Then ...

7:00==>Florida Gators vs. Arkansas Razorbacks @ The Swamp, carried on ESPN2.

The Gators and The Razorbacks will play for the first time in 4 years. They have met 9 times and The Gators have won 8 consecutive games and we are favored by 13 points.

In closing ... in response to several internet inquiries about whether I plan to watch SNL tonight, hosted by Miley Cyrus ...

Billi Pod’s response==>he would rather have his eyes poked out with an ice-pick. No f**king way!!

So ... on this happy note ... 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>1.13 miles (or, 2,475 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>331.33 miles (average 3.45 miles per day)

GO GATORS!! GO RAYS!!  

Billi Pod

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

FUN HOME==>A

Friday==>It is a hazy day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 11:00am the temperature is 75º with a projected high of 82º - not bad for October. Unfortunately, there is rain in the forecast for the early evening but Saturday and Sunday will be fine.

My Polk County friends Tammy Serebrin and Paul Hughes are in The City as tour guides for a group, also from Polk County, on a whirlwind theater and sightseeing adventure. Hopefully, I can connect with them before they leave on Sunday.

So ... let’s begin today’s posting with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

FUN HOME, a new musical that charts a girl’s quest to come to terms with her father’s unexpected death==>A.

There is an outstanding cast headed by Judy Kuhn and Michael Cerveris, but the stars of the show, IMHO, are the two young girls, Sydney Lucas and Alexandra Socha, who play younger versions of the lead female character Allison.

The story line is very emotional and troubling as it deals with Allison’s realization that she is gay and the family dealing with the fact the their revered father (Cerveris) is a closeted homosexual. The father ultimately commits suicide.

The show comes close to being an opera in that a good part of the story line is developed through songs. The score is terrific and the sets and staging are remarkable.

The house was full and very much into the show. The cast received a well-deserved standing ovation at curtain-call.

This show is still in  previews, is playing downtown at The Public Theatre on Lafayette Street, has a running time of 90 minutes, without intermission, and runs through November 3rd. I am rather certain it will be extended.

Billi Pod says==>this is a MUST SEE!

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>PHILIP GOES FORTH - “This sparkling satire tells the story of a young man who rebels against his father and a career in the family business and ventures to New York to write plays. He leaves home without his father’s support or blessing.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show recently opened to generally favorable reviews, is playing at The Mint Theatre on West 43rd Street, has a running time of 2:05, with intermission, and runs through October 27th.

Now ... on the sports scene ...

This afternoon at 3:00pm will be game 1 of the ALDS, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston FuckSox, at that fetid cesspool known as Fenway Park.

On the mound for The Rays will be Matt Moore (17-4) vs. Jon Lester (15-8) for The FuckSox.

Closing on a very positive note==>I am happy to report to my loyal and faithful readers and followers that the Lake Howell High School boys golf team, now coached by my son Bill III aka The Bill, just came in second in the Seminole County Athletic Conference Tournament. One of his players was a gold medalist (meaning he had the lowest score) and two players made first team All County.

As a proud father I can also report that last year the team came in a miserable second from last ... so ... yeah ... that’s right ... this year’s dramatic improvement must have been the result of the new coach. Jus sayin’

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.07 miles (or, 6,724 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>330.20 miles (average 3.48 miles per day)

GO GATORS!! GO RAYS!!  

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday’s Doubleheader==>Win One, Lose One

Thursday==>In the name of fair and unbiased reporting your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, must disclose that yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was a mixed bag and as such, didn’t live up to his expectations.

He will now share with his loyal and faithful readers and followers his report cards on each of the events ... starting with ...

ANTHEM, based on the 1937 Ayn Rand novel about a dark future world where individual identity is a crime==>C (giving it the benefit of the doubt)

To begin with, the starting of the show was delayed about 10 minutes and then there was announcement that due to technical problems the show would go on without the “projections” that were, I later learned, integral to following what was happening in the basically bare performance space.

Folks, the story line is totally incomprehensible. And I say this even though I had done a bit of research prior to the show by reading a detailed summary of the Ayn Rand book on Wikipedia.

The only thing that kept the show from getting a D was the acting, which was excellent, especially Matthew Lieff Christian in the lead role of Equality 7-2521.

The show is playing at the Baryshnikov Arts Center - Jerome Robbins Theater on West 37th Street, has a running time of approximately 75 minutes (it seemed much longer), without intermission, and runs through December 3rd. 

Billi Pod says==>you are hereby warned.

Fortunately, the entertainment event for the evening met, and even exceeded, Billi Pod's expectations.

SHAW CONCERT, featuring internationally renowned concert pianists Timo Andres and David Kaplan - Music with Four Hands.”==>A+

Based on the advance press material I had expected that there would be two pianos on stage ... well ... there wasn’t ... there was one piano, with two extremely talented pianists.

I had an excellent seat with a great sight line to the stage to watch the two of them working the single keyboard. It was totally awesome.

The first part of the program was: Andres - “Retro Music” and Stravinsky - “The Rite of Spring.”==>terrific

The second half was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” and it was==>mindly-blowingly beautiful

Yes, I left The Pearl Theater with a huge smile on my face.

Was back at PHC in time to watch the final 4-innings of The Rays/Indians game, which, as you probably know, The Rays won 4-0 on an outstanding performance from 25-year-old Alex Cobb and the bullpen.

On Friday @ 3:00pm The Rays will play game 1 of the ALDS against The Boston FuckSox at that fetid cesspool known as Fenway Park. The game will be carried on TBS.

As a side note==>The Rays have been in the post season 4 of the last 6 seasons, the same as the Yankees over that span.

OK ... now let’s move on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>FUN HOME - “A new musical that charts a girl’s quest to come to terms with her father’s unexpected death. As she moves between past and present, she dives deep into the story of her volatile, brilliant father and relives her unique childhood at her family’s funeral home.” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

In the cast are Broadway veterans Judy Kuhn and Michael Cerveris. 

This show is in early previews, is playing downtown at The Public Theatre on Lafayette Street, has a running time of 90 minutes, without intermission, and runs through November 3rd.

The weather is still outstanding ... so ... it is time to post this and then do some walking and wandering.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.74 miles (or, 5,996 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>327.13 miles (average 3.48 miles per day)

GO GATORS!! GO RAYS!!  

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday Will Be Another Doubleheader

Wednesday==>The wonderful weather continues here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Sunny, nice breeze and a temperature of 70º @ 10:00am with a projected high of 82º.

Today your favorite blogger has an entertainment doubleheader so we need to get this posting started with a report on yesterday’s entertainment event ... so ...

During the day I kept checking my iMac, hoping that The Winslow Boy would come up on one of my ticket services for the evening. Well, it didn’t. I still had multiple options for Off Broadway shows, but instead ... I opted to finally catch a movie I have been wanting to see ...

WE’RE THE MILLERS - “A veteran pot dealer (Jason Sudeikis) creates a fake family (Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts and Will Poulter) as part of his plan to move a huge shipment of weed into the U.S. from Mexico.”

Right up front with you loyal and faithful readers and followers==>this movie is a crude road-trip comedy that alternates between being outrageously funny and being just plain silly.

It is very in-your-face profane and raunchy and I TOTALLY LOVED IT!!

One of the funniest and grossest scenes involves a tarantula spider that crawls up the pants leg of the teenager played by Will Poulter. 

The show has a running time of 1:50 and has received an overall critics rating of 7.5 out of 10.0

Billi Pod says==>If offensive, crude, adult humor tickles your funny bone then this is the show for you. If not ... then stay far far away.

In response to several emails about my failure to attend many movies even though two movie theaters are located within a block and a half of my apartment building - Regal E-Walk, with 13 screens and AMC Empire, with 25 screens ... it’s easy ... I basically like movies that are comedies, not heavy drama or action ... and ... when I have to choose between seeing a movie for $9.50 (senior discount) or a theater event for $4.50-5.00 ... the theater event will win out 98% of the time.

Now you know.

Moving on ...

Today is another entertainment doubleheader ... first is ...

2:00==>ANTHEM - “A new take on the powerful classic, written in 1937 by Ayn Rand, that follows the story of a young man in a dark future who must overcome totalitarian conformity by discovering a sinful, forgotten word.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Sounds pretty heavy, doesn’t it?

This drama is playing at the Baryshnikov Arts Center - Jerome Robbins Theater on West 37th Street and runs through December 3rd. I have been unable to verify the running time.

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 the second entertainment event ...

8:00==>SHAW CONCERT - “Featuring internationally renowned concert pianists Timo Andres and David Kaplan - Music with Four Hands, including Stravinsky's “The Rite of Spring” and Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

This concert is playing at The Pearl Theatre on West 42nd Street.

So ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... there you have it ... yet another interesting and diverse entertainment doubleheader, costing your favorite blogger a total of $9.00 in service fees.

This is why I continue to love living in The Greatest City In The World.

Oh, also in response to several texts ... yes ... I will be pulling for The Rays in tonight’s one-game playoff showdown with the Indians. 

The winner of this game will then face The Boston FuckSox on Friday in the 5-game Division Championship Series, in Boston.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.80 miles (or, 6,136 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>324.39 miles (average 3.49 miles per day)

GO GATORS!! GO RAYS!!  

Billi Pod

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

BROADWAY UNPLUGGED==>Outstanding!!

Tuesday==>It is a very nice early Fall day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Azure blue skies with a few puffy clouds, a nice breeze off the Hudson River and temperature of 76º at noon. The projected high is in the upper 70s, low 80s. Not bad.

Still have a few leftover chores from yesterday’s to-do list, including my weekly trip to The Food Emporium, across the street from my apartment building, to take advantage of the additional 5% senior discount.

So ... let’s get started with my thoughts and comments about last night’s concert at Town Hall ...

BROADWAY UNPLUGGED: BARITONES UNBOUND @ Town Hall - “An evening of Broadway tunes, performed without amplification by an all-star cast of veteran Broadway performers and dancers.” 

The show, produced, written and hosted by Scott Siegel, was OUTSTANDING and featured a cast of Broadway veterans and legends singing without being amplified by mikes. It was beautiful from beginning to end.

The highlight of the evening for me was the final number performed by Baritones Unbound (Marc Kudish, Jeff Mattsey and Ben Davis), “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha.

A close second was Noah Racey & The NY Song & Dance Company singing and tap-dancing to “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from Come Fly Away.

As I anticipated, my comp. seat was in the rear of the upper balcony but, thankfully, just before the show was to start I was able to move down to the 4th row of the balcony, which was pretty awesome.

Yes, when the show was over I left Town Hall with a big smile on my face.

I made it back to PHC in time to watch the final innings of the nail-biting tiebreaker wild-card playoff game between The Tampa Bay Rays and The Texas Rangers. 

The Rays won 5-2 behind a complete game from David Price and despite a terribly blown call by the umpiring crew. With the win they will next play one game against the on-fire Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, in Cleveland.

GO RAYS!!

As promised in yesterday's posting ... here are your favorite blogger’s predictions for the post season.

AL Champion - The Boston FuckSox.

NL Champion - The Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series Champion - The Boston FuckSox (pant and gasp)

Yes ... I will answer your question(s) in advance==>I am an avid American League fan but there is no way I can ever, under any circumstances or conditions, pull for the Boston FuckSox to win anything, regardless of who they might be playing.

So there ... just live with it.

Like most, if not all, of my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I am totally disgusted with what is happening (or not happening) in that fetid cesspool known as Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

To me it represents everything that is wrong with our political system, particularly the legislative branch, which, to me, has always been the weakest link, whether at the national, state, or local level.

Legislators==>you are going to let our active duty military forces go without pay? WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Moving on ... 

As I am writing this posting I still haven’t decided which entertainment event I will select for this evening. Actually, I am holding out to the last minute hoping that The Winslow Boy will show up on one of my services. If not I, of course, have multiple other options ... so ...

Time to post this and head out to the grocery store and then some walking and wandering time to take advantage of the awesome weather.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.38 miles (or, 7,388 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>321.59 miles (average 3.50 miles per day)

GO GATORS!! GO RAYS!!  

Billi Pod

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