Weather Update - The Sleeping Beauty - Benjamin P. Wenzelberg - Commanders-In-Chief

Tuesday==>We will get today’s posting started because your favorite blogger has an entertainment event scheduled for this afternoon (details below) so ...

First ... the weather ... of course.

At 10:30am it is overcast and cold but not as cold as yesterday ... Thank God! The temperature is 30º, wind chill down to 22º. 

In yesterday’s posting I made the following statement: “ ... Monday is Billi Pod’s errands and chores day but ... trust me on this ... ain’t no way he is going to brave the nasty elements just for errands and chores ... no way ...” 

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... it didn’t exactly go down that way ... I ... gasp ... made three trips into the elements yesterday ... one to get some hot food for 3 meals, then one to get some pizza for 3 meals and, finally, one to attend my scheduled entertainment event.

The result ... when I got back to the apartment last night my nose was running and I was sneezing like crazy. This morning my nose is still running but, thankfully, no sneezing ... yet.

Oh well ...

Let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report on last night’s staged reading at The York Theatre. Remember ... he does not give letter grades to staged readings unless they totally suck ... 

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, a staged reading of a new opera about a beautiful Princess who is trying to find a Prince. An evil Wise Woman casts a magic spell. The Princess falls into a deep sleep for 100 years along with everyone in the castle. Will a Prince come in time to save the Kingdom and will he be the Princess’ true love?

This totally enjoyable family-orientated opera earns a Thumbs Up and, hopefully, it will continue in the developmental process.

The Composer/Librettist/Accompanist/Director is 15-year old Benjamin P. Wenzelberg, who began working on the score for this opera when he was 11. UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING!!

The all-adult cast was exceptional, especially Kate Oberjat as the Princess Rosamond, Lauren Flanigan as the Evil Wise Woman (who casts the spell) and Dominic Armstrong as the Prince.

As I was leaving the theatre my friend Jim Morgan, the York Theatre's Artistic Director, introduced me to Benjamin’s mother and I told her how much I enjoyed the opera and that she had every right to be proud of her young son. She seemed to appreciate my comments.

You know ... even this morning I am still processing the idea that a 15-year old could create a full opera and then have it performed before an audience at one of NYC’s outstanding theater venues.

When I was 15 my main concern was who was going to give me a cigarette and how was I going to keep my Mother, Ruby, from finding out that I was smoking.

So ... folks ... remember this name==>Benjamin P. Wenzelberg.

Now ... moving on ...

My entertainment event for today is another staged reading at The York Theatre ...

2:30==>COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF - “After a chaotic rehearsal, 6 community volunteers stampede through a fund raising one-night-only tribute performance to our 44 presidents." (staged reading - free ticket)

This is also part of the Developmental Reading Series at The York Theater Company at The Citigroup Center on East 54th Street.

At the moment I haven’t anything scheduled for this evening ... so ... stay tuned.

Time to post this and then get ready to head out to the York Theatre ... 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.51 miles (or, 9,875 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>167.30 miles (average 4.18 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Nasty Back to Work Monday - Big Love - The Sleeping Beauty - Brian Williams

Monday==>It is another gray, overcast and nasty morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

At 8:30am it is lightly raining with temperature of 25º, wind chill down to 13º. Rain, sleet and light snow is in the forecast for the remainder of the day and into the evening. Not a very good way to begin the work week, that is for certain.

As you loyal and faithful readers and followers know ... Monday is Billi Pod’s errands and chores day but ... trust me on this ... ain’t no way he is going to brave the nasty elements just for errands and chores ... no way ...

So ... let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

BIG LOVE, fifty brides flee their fifty grooms and seek refuge in an Italian villa in this modern re-making of one of the world's oldest plays, The Danaids by Aeschylus. Mayhem ensues, complete with grooms in flight suits, women throwing themselves to the ground, occasional pop songs and romantic dances - even a bride falling in love==>B+

The performance by the ensemble cast is totally amazing and the physicality displayed as the actors throw themselves onto the floor, into walls and into each other is like nothing I have ever seen on stage.

It is a play with music that includes recognizable pop songs such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

The staging and special effects are incredible.

The mood swings back and forth from outrageously funny to somber, violent and disturbing.

The full-house audience seemed to be totally involved in the production and gave the cast a roaring standing ovation at curtain call.

My only quibble is that some of the monologues are too long, which impacts the frenetic flow of the story line.

Billi Pod says==>if you want something different, then this is the show for you.

It is playing at The Signature Theatre Complex on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission, and runs through March 15th.

Moving on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is a staged reading ...

6:00==>THE SLEEPING BEAUTY - “A staged reading of a new opera about a beautiful Princess who is trying to find a Prince. An evil Wise Woman casts a magic spell. The Princess falls into a deep sleep for 100 years along with everyone in the castle. Will a Prince come in time to save the Kingdom and will he be the Princess’ true love?” (staged reading - free ticket)

This is part of the Developmental Reading Series at The York Theatre Company. 

What caught my interest was a head’s up from a member of the York Theatre staff and the following comment in The New York Post:

“Most 15-year-olds’ are concerned with homework and overbearing parents - but for Benjamin P. Wenzelberg, it’s performing an opera he wrote himself.” 

Wenzelberg is the Composer/Librettist/Accompanist.

Yep ... looking forward to seeing this.

In closing .... the Brian Williams fiasco gets even more interesting as he canceled Thursday night’s scheduled appearance on David Letterman’s show. Letterman and Williams are very close friends.

 It is unclear whether the decision to cancel was made by Williams or by NBC brass. Oh the drama ...

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.66 miles (or, 10,193 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>29.12 miles (average 4.16 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>162.79 miles (average 4.17 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Big Love - Brian Williams

Sunday==>Billi Pod hopes that each and everyone of his loyal and faithful readers and followers is having an AWESOME weekend out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks.

Your favorite blogger’s weekend has been going well and he will share the details below in just a few minutes ... but ... first ...

Let’s have the usual gratuitous weather update from The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World ... at 11:00am it is overcast and kinda nasty looking. The temperature, however, is manageable==>35º, wind chill down to 27º.

So ... let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report on last night’s excellent entertainment event ...

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - The program was:

Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (performed by Anne Akiko Meyers);

Rameau - Orchestral Suite from “Les Boreades;”

Andres - “Word of Mouth” (World Premiere); and,

Schubert - Symphony No. 5

Folks, this was a super-excellent concert, highlighted by the final number, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. I am a big Schubert fan and this was a beautiful performance.

Anne Akiko Meyers, filling in for the ill Austin Dumay, gave a stellar performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto.

Thankfully, the World Premiere of the work by 30yr. old Brooklyn-nite Timo Andres was melodically pleasant and not the usual atonal dreck that Billi Pod hates. Andres received a very loud round of applause when he came onstage when the piece was completed. 

I was amazed at the location of my comp. seat ... orchestra, row P, dead center. The face-value of the ticket was $98.00. WOW!!

Yeah ... I left Carnegie Hall with a big smile on my face because the concert was everything that I had anticipated, and more.

Now ... moving on to tonight’s entertainment event ...

7:30==>BIG LOVE - “Fifty brides flee their fifty grooms and seek refuge in an Italian villa in this modern re-making of one of the world's oldest plays, The Danaids by Aeschylus. Mayhem ensues, complete with grooms in flight suits, women throwing themselves to the ground, occasional pop songs and romantic dances - even a bride falling in love.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The buzz on this show has been very mixed ... so ... we will see.

It is playing at The Signature Theatre Complex on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through March 15th.

In closing==>I think that Brian Williams made the right decision in voluntarily removing himself as “NBC Nightly News” host for the next several days. As you probably know, NBC has also launched an internal investigation including, among other things, his coverage of Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans.

My gut tells me that this ain’t gonna go away ... so ... stay tuned.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.23 miles (or, 7,059 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>158.23 miles (average 4.16 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Sorry for Delay - St. Olif Choir - Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Saturday==>Sorry for the delay in this posting but for whatever reason your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, has been late in getting things started today.

Why ... I know you are asking your inner selves? Well, for one reason he didn’t get to bed last night until almost 3:00am ... yeah I know ... 3:00am ... had a late Broadway show, didn’t get back to the apartment until after midnight ... ate some pizza ... and then just messed around and ... tada ... it was 3:00am.

Woke up this morning at 9:00am and got immediately up ... but ... just haven't been in the mood to sit down in front of this ‘puter and get things started.

Well ... now I am ... so ... let’s get started ...

Yesterday was indeed an interesting day entertainment-wise ... so we will start with Billi Pod’s report cards on his diverse doubleheader ... beginning with ...

The concert at Carnegie Hall ... 

THE ST. OLIF CHOIR @ Carnegie Hall, this choir from St. Olif College in Northfield, Minnesota, is recognized internationally as a creative force behind America’s a cappella tradition.

What a talented group of college performers. They exuded energy and talent from the very beginning of the concert, which was a mixture of contemporary and classical pieces.

The a cappella sound coming from the stage was beautiful, almost surreal.

The first half of the program lasted 50 minutes and, unfortunately, I had to leave at intermission so I could hustle down to The Theater District to pick up my ticket for my 10:00pm show ... which was ...

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, this revival is now with its original star and co-creator, John Cameron Mitchell, as Hedwig a transgender punk-rock diva from East Germany, who is the survivor of a botched sex change operation==>A

From the moment John Cameron Mitchell came on stage he captured the audience and we remained in his clutches until the 90 minute running time was over. No doubt about it ... he is Hedwig, and you better believe it.

He has extended his run in the show through April 26th.

Lena Hall as Yitzhak, Hedwig’s love interest, is also outstanding. She won the 2014 Featured Actress Tony for this role. 

The show is highly energetic and that radiates into the audience.

To quote from the New York Times review ... “Foulmouthed, electrically tuneful and furiously funny, with explicit descriptions of its title character’s bungled sex-change operation and erotic adventures” ... and that pretty much sums it up.

Billi Pod says==>you gotta see this show.

My discounted Actors Fund Benefit ticket was acceptable, in the 4th row of the front mezzanine.

As usual, Dian Crystal aka My Lady (with her friend Gail Breiterman) had a better seat ... in the rear orchestra, of course. 

It was 11:50pm when I left the theater, with a big smile on my face. The smile quickly faded, however, as I braved the freezing wind on my walk back to the apartment.

As I said ... it was late when I got back. Thank God I had some pizza in the ‘fridge.

It was a great entertainment doubleheader ... weather be damned. 

Moving on to today ...

Well ... first of all ... we had snow flurries in the late morning/early afternoon. At 1:30pm it is 32º, wind chill down to 25º. Manageable.

Tonight’s entertainment event is another classical music concert at Carnegie Hall ... 

7:00==>ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - The program is:

Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (performed by Anne Akiko Meyers);

Rameau - Orchestral Suite from “Les Boreades;”

Andres - “Word of Mouth” (World Premiere); and,

Schubert - Symphony No. 5

(concert - complimentary ticket)

This extremely talented group of musicians perform without a conductor. I have seen them on many occasions and they are always outstanding, so I am really looking forward to this concert.

In closing ... again ... sorry for the delay. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.16 miles (or, 9,101 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>155.00 miles (average 4.19 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

TGIF - Weather Report - New York Philharmonic - St. Olif Choir - Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Brian Williams

Friday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is finally Friday and the weekend is almost upon us ... so ... all of my Worker Bee friends in your cubicles, wait-stations, broom closets, whatevers ... keep your eyes on the clock and don’t even consider leaving early because ... well ... you know by now why you can’t slip away early ... so ...

Man, yesterday was a majorly cold day/evening here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. I had to brave the elements twice ... once to go to the Food Emporium and then to and from the subway station for my concert up at Lincoln Center. The wind cut like a knife. It was very very unpleasant.

Last night, when I got back to the apartment at 10:15pm, it was 12º, wind chill down to

-2º.

At 11:00am this morning it has warmed up a bit ... yeah ... warmed up to 19º, wind chill 7º.

I will remain in the warm and cozy confines of my apartment until it is time to head out this evening for my entertainment doubleheader (details below).

So ... let’s move on with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s excellent concert at Lincoln Center ...

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program was:

Barber - Violin Concerto (performed by Lisa Batiashvili);

Rouse - “Iscariot;” and,

Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2

Totally enjoyed the Barber and Rachmaninoff works but, as usual, the Rouse piece, in its New York debut, was another piece of atonal dreck that Billi Pod hates. It received only a tepid round of applause, as did the composer when he was brought on stage ... awkward.

My discounted TDF seat was excellent, in the middle orchestra, row AA, house left.

Despite the Rouse number, Billi Pod enjoyed the evening and he left Avery Fisher Hall smiling. He needed a classical music fix and this did it.

Now ... let’s move on to today, which is going to be an entertainment doubleheader that couldn’t be more diverse.

The first event is a concert at Carnegie Hall ...

8:00==>THE ST. OLIF CHOIR @ Carnegie Hall - “This choir from St. Olif College in Northfield, Minnesota, is recognized internationally as a creative force behind America’s a cappella tradition.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

When I originally booked this concert I erroneously put the starting time as 7:00pm. Luckily, I discovered the error but I will have to leave at intermission because I have a Broadway show scheduled for late night ...

10:00==>HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH- “This revival is now with its original star and co-creator, John Cameron Mitchell, as Hedwig a transgender punk-rock diva from East Germany, who is the survivor of a botched sex change operation.”  (Broadway - discounted Actors Fund ticket)

I saw the original Off Broadway production in 1998 at the Jane Street Theatre and totally loved it. John Cameron Mitchell was Hedwig back then, too.

This very well-reviewed musical opened on April 22, 2014, with Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig.

It is playing at the Belasco Theatre on West 44th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and is an open run.

Yeah ... I think you will agree that this is a pretty diverse entertainment doubleheader.

Moving on ...

As you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, Brian Williams, the anchor of “NBC Nightly News” is under fire because of his admission that he lied about being in a military helicopter forced down by enemy fire in Iraq in 2003. 

He gave a weak apology about “misremembering” - whatever that is. There are growing calls for NBC to remove him from the show.

As a fair and impartial journalist, I find this whole thing to be very disturbing because Williams was one of my favorite newspersons.

I reluctantly feel that he should resign his position because even more charges of “less-than-truthfulness” are surfacing. We will see what happens.

On this happy note we will post this and then move on ...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE AND STAY WARM!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.23 miles (or, 9,260 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>150.84 miles (average 4.19 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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