Haydn’s “The Creation” - The Girl Who Came to Supper - Baseball

Tuesday==>Your favorite blogger is happy to report that it is much warmer this morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

At 11:30am it is a rather balmy 63º and sunny. Not nearly as windy as it has been for the past several days.

Hopefully Billi Pod will be able to get in some much needed/wanted walking and wandering after he finishes this posting and makes his weekly trip to the Food Emporium to take advantage of the additional 5% senior discount.

So ... let’s get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

A classical music concert at Carnegie Hall ...

ORATORIO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK @ Carnegie Hall. The program was:

Hadyn - “The Creation”

The oratorio depicts the creation of the World, based on the Bible's Book of Genesis and Book of Psalms, and Milton's Paradise Lost.

This was a totally enjoyable concert with excellent work from the Chorus and Orchestra.

The highlight was the stellar performances from the three soloists, Susanna Phillips, Aaron Blake and Sidney Outlaw in the roles of the archangels Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.

As mentioned yesterday, the piece was performed in German and it was done in three parts, with one intermission.

The Playbill had extensive program notes including the complete libretto. I was able to follow what was being sung on stage, although I still don’t understand why Carnegie Hall doesn’t have supertitles like The Met. Oh well ...

It was about 10:15pm when the concert was over. I considered walking back to the apartment but ultimately opted to subway.

I had actually gotten to the concert early for some walking and wandering in the area. This and the walking required for my errands and chores made for a pretty good mileage day==>4.58 miles.

Moving on ...

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

7:30==>THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER - “This Noel Coward musical is set in 1911 London. An American chorus girl becomes involved with a Balkan archduke (after he sees her perform in a West End musical), his teenage son and the Queen Mother, as well.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

Tonight is the opening night for this Musicals Tonight show. As you will recall, Musicals Tonight revives long forgotten and under-appreciated musicals, in a basically staged reading format. Usually very interesting and well-performed.

It is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:30, with intermission, and runs through November 16th.

Moving on some more ...

On the sports scene ... the baseball world is all abuzz as the free-agent market is now open. Lots of big-name players out there and tons of speculation on who will end up where when it is all over.

The Yankees have made closer David Robertson a $15.3M qualifying offer ... so ... stay tuned because it’s gonna get very interesting. I predict he will ultimately remain a Yankee.

OK, folks ... time to post this and then do what I need to do so I can have some walking and wandering time ... seeya later.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.58 miles (or, 10,011 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,258.92 miles (average 4.10 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>BEAT VANDY!!

Billi Pod

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

Chairs and A Long Table - Pool (no water) - Oratorio Society @ Carnegie Hall

Monday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers. I hope that everyone had a great weekend because your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, certainly did.

So ... why don’t we get started with Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader ... starting with ...

The Off Broadway show ...

CHAIRS AND A LONG TABLE, a drama that follows a group of Asian American actors in New York City as they prepare to attend a conference in L.A. addressing racial discrimination in the casting of a classic Chinese play, where the two lead characters have been cast with non-Asian actors==>B

The acting is excellent, headed by Moses Villarama as the articulate but extremely angry Asian actor Bill.

The story line is interesting as it explores the perceived under-use of Asian actors, that is hidden by the use of the concept of “culture diversity.” The problem is ... the playwright hammers this issue in your face over and over and over until it gets a bit old.

The show could easily be trimmed by 10-15 minutes.

Having said all of this ... it is still an involving and thought-provoking show ... so ...

Billi Pod says==>it is worth seeing.

The show is in previews. It opens on November 6th, is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through November 22nd.

It was around 4:45pm when the show was over and when I left the theater complex it was already totally dark outside. Man, do I hate this. Thanks for the consequences of having to turn the clock back an hour. Thanks a lot==>NOT!!

Anyway ... came back to the apartment for my usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time to head downtown to The Village for my second show.

It had really gotten cold out and the wind was howling ... so ... I got out my thermal underwear and gloves ... meaning ... Winter has now officially arrived for Billi Pod.

My second event was another Off Broadway show ... 

POOL (no water), a famous artist invites old friends to her new home for a long awaited reunion. But the celebration comes to an abrupt end when the host suffers a horrific accident. An almost unthinkable plan starts to take shape - could her suffering be the group’s next work of art?==>A-

What an amazing performance from the stellar 5-person cast: Estelle Bajou, Eric Berryman, Nick Flint, Richard Saudek and Maja Wampuszyc.

The story line involves the fragility of friendship and the jealousy inspired by success and it is very troubling at times. 

The staging is remarkable as the performers are in constant motion using the only props, 5 long white thin tables, to create multiple scenes.

The hour-long running time flies by.

Billi Pod says==>if you want good acting and something “different,” then this is the show for you. 

It is playing at The Barrow Street Theatre in The West Village, has a running time of 1:00, without intermission, and runs through November 24th.

When the show was over it was way too cold and windy to even consider walking back to the apartment, which would have taken about an hour.

Now ... moving on to today ...

This is Monday so Billi Pod has his usual errands and chores list, which he will begin working on when he finishes this posting.

The entertainment event for this evening is another classical music concert at Carnegie Hall ... 

8:00==>ORATORIO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK @ Carnegie Hall. The program is:

Hadyn - The Creation.

(complimentary ticket)

According to the press blurb: “Haydn's oratorio depicts the creation of the World, based on the Bible's Book of Genesis and Book of Psalms, and Milton's Paradise Lost.”

It will feature The Chorus and Orchestra, with three soloists representing the archangels Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. 

It will be performed in German, is in three parts and has a running time of 1:45, without intermission (I think). 

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... time to post this and then get to work on my errands and chores list ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.53 miles (or, 7,720 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>28.90 miles (average 4.13 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,253.44 miles (average 4.10 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>BEAT VANDY!!

Billi Pod

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

The Gators Win!! - Riverside Symphony - Chairs and A Long Table - Pool (no water)

Sunday==>All is well in The Gator Nation, at least for the moment, because yesterday Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor combined for 389 yards rushing and four touchdowns as the unranked Gators upset #11 Georgia 38-20, ending a 3-game losing streak in the series and perhaps saving Coach Muskrat’s job.

Yes, I unabashedly admit that I was totally wrong in my prediction and, of course, I am glad I was.

Our next game is at Vanderbilt at 7:30pm next Saturday, carried on SECN.

It is going to be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.

Moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

A classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

RIVERSIDE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA @ Alice Tully Hall - “Romance in the Air” - The program was:

Lansky - Line and Shadow;

Faure - Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra;

Chopin - Grand Polonaise Brillante; and,

Schubert - Symphony No. 4 “Tragic”

This was a totally enjoyable concert.

The highlight for me was Schubert’s Symphony No. 4.

My comp. seat couldn’t have been better ... row P, in the very center of the orchestra section ... perfecto!!

When the concert was over it was still raining and it was windy and nasty and cold so I didn’t even consider walking back to the apartment.

Let’s move on some more with the details on Billi Pod’s entertainment doubleheader for today ... starting with ...

The Off Broadway show ...

3:00==>CHAIRS AND A LONG TABLE - “A drama that follows a group of Asian American actors in New York City as they prepare to attend a conference addressing racial discrimination in the casting of a classic Chinese play, where the two lead characters have been cast with non-Asian actors.” (Off Broadway  complimentary ticket)

This show is in previews and is playing in repertory with LIVIN' LA VIDA IMELDA. It opens on November 6th, is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through November 22nd.

When the show is over I will walk the few steps back to my apartment building, have my usual fruit and cheese plate and then it will be time to head down to The Village for the second half of the doubleheader ...

The Off Broadway show ...

7:30==>POOL (no water) - “A famous artist invites old friends to her new home for a long awaited reunion. But the celebration comes to an abrupt end when the host suffers a horrific accident. An almost unthinkable plan starts to take shape - could her suffering be the group’s next work of art?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I have a feeling that this show is gonna fall into the “loved it or totally hated it” category. We will see.

It is playing at The Barrow Street Theatre in The West Village, has a running time of 1:10, without intermission, and runs through November 24th.

So, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, you are now up-to-date and your favorite blogger hopes that you will have a great rest of the weekend out there in the boondocks, wastelands and hinterlands.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.51 miles (or, 7,669 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,249.91 miles (average 4.10 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>BEAT VANDY!!

Billi Pod

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

Weather - Gators/Dawgs - Forever Deadward - Sticks and Bones - Riverside Symphony

Saturday==>It is a chilly and dreary morning here in the Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

At 8:30am it is lightly raining with a pretty strong wind coming off the Hudson River. The temperature is 46º, wind chill down to 41º and the forecast is for the rain to continue for the rest of the day and into the evening.

Well ... that’s great ... it pretty well summarizes your favorite blogger’s mood as he rather nervously awaits the 3:30pm kickoff of the Florida/Georgia game from Jacksonville, carried nationally on CBS.

The Dawgs are favored now by only 11 points ... yeah ... right. Our freshman quarterback Treon Harris is making his first start in a game that will make-or-break the Gator season and Coach Muskrat’s future in Gainesville.

As much as I hate The Dawgs my gut tells me that it will be a close game in the first half and then they will pull away in the second half, winning by a score of 35-14.

Oh well ... now ... let’s move on to some positive things ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s interesting entertainment doubleheader ... starting with ...

The reading of ...

FOREVER DEADWARD, a pop rock musical that lovingly takes a bite out of everyone's favorite vampire series, and a few other pop culture icons along the way. The show playfully examines our culture of obsession and our obsession with the fantastical==>THUMBS UP!

Remember, I usually do not give letter grades to readings and workshop productions.

This show is part of the Developmental Reading Series by The York Theatre.

It has a very funny story line with excellent music and lyrics delivered by a cast of zombies and werewolves, joined by a parody of the Harry Potter “team.”

The cast was excellent, especially Cortney Wolfson as Ella Fawn, Colin Hanlon as Deadward Cologne and Jared Zirilli as Jolon Black.

The running time was about 1:45, without intermission. The show needs to be trimmed a bit, or set in two acts with an intermission.

I hope that it continues in the developmental process because it definitely has potential.

I saw this with my friend and theater-buddy Dian Crystal aka My Lady and she also liked it a lot.

When the show was over I subwayed back to the apartment, had my usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time for the second part of my doubleheader ...

The Off Broadway show ...

STICKS AND BONES, this revival of David Rabe’s Tony-winning play is a portrait of an American family pulled apart by their son's return from the Vietnam War. Ozzie and his wife Harriet are overjoyed to see their eldest son David again, but the furies that haunt David begin to overwhelm them and their happy-go-lucky younger son Ricky==>C

Man, do I have mixed feelings about this show. The press blurbs kept referring to this as being either a “dark comedy” or a “satire” of the American family (hint ... Ozzie and Harriet ... get it?) but folks ... your favorite blogger found virtually nothing funny about this show. Yes, there were a few laughs but they were uneasy laughs at best.

Yes, it does grab your attention from the very beginning as you wait for “better” things to develop on stage, but they never do.

The story line is totally implausible and all of the characters are unappealing and unlikeable, except for the happy-go-lucky younger son Ricky and even he become a dick in the jaw-dropping final scene.

Yes, I know it won a Tony way back when ... but ... your favorite blogger has a responsibility to his loyal and faithful readers and followers to give his honest opinions/report cards, even if it places him in the minority.

The cast is excellent, headed by Richard Chamberlain, Holly Hunter and Bill Pullman and the acting is stellar even though by the end of the 2:20 running time, with intermission, you basically want to run on stage and bitch-slap each of the characters.

The house was sold-out.

I have a feeling the critics are going to give this revival mostly favorable reviews. We will see.

Billi Pod says==>see it, then let me know what you honestly think about it.

It is playing at the Signature Theatre Complex on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and runs through December 14th.

Moving on to today’s entertainment events ...

This afternoon I will be in front of my 42” flat screen TV watching college football, including, of course, the Gator/Georgia game at 3:30pm.

Then ... for the evening ... it will be a classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

8:00==>RIVERSIDE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA @ Alice Tully Hall - “Romance in the Air” - The program is:

Lansky - Line and Shadow;

Faure - Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra;

Chopin - Grand Polonaise Brillante; and,

Schubert - Symphony No. 4 “Tragic”

(complimentary ticket)

Yeah, Chopin and Schubert ... nice!!

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... it is college football time here in apartment PHC ... so ... 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.00 miles (or, 6,572 steps)

Total mileage for October==>134.84 miles (average 4.35 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,246.40 miles (average 4.10 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>BEAT GEORGIA

Billi Pod

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