Great Time With Paul Hughes and Scott Reed!!

Had a great time last night with Paul Hughes and Scott Reed. We met up at PHC after Paul’s show and then had a late bite at Westside Diner, which is open 24/7.

It was great having face time and catching up. Thanks guys!!

Unfortunately my show, APPLE COVE, was canceled due to sound problems. I knew something was wrong when the pre-show incidental music suddenly stopped and the opening of the show was delayed. At around 8:30 the House Manager came on stage and told us that the sound problem could not be fixed and that the sound system was an integral part of the show.

The 3/4’s full house took everything in stride. Seated to my left were 4 mid-30s guys who had flown in from Palm Springs, CA, on Thursday night for the sole purpose of seeing one of their buddies who was in the show. They were flying back on Saturday afternoon so their trip, unfortunately, was for naught. Did feel bad for them but they seemed in pretty good spirits.

We were all given replacement tickets and that took a while but, as I said, everyone remained pretty upbeat. I think, maybe, the good weather had something to do with the positive attitudes

Anyway, I came back to PHC and waited to hookup with Paul and Scott.

Today’s entertainment schedule is another doubleheader for Billi Pod --

2:00==>BLACK TIE - “A. R. Gurney takes a humorous look at one ill-fated weekend in the Adirondacks. Father of the groom, Curtis, simply wants to make a memorable toast. But he must defend the time-honored ways of his past, including his attire. Cultures clash.” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

The show is playing at the 59th Street Theatre and has received mixed reviews.

The second part of the doubleheader is --

7:30==>INVASION - “Follows the name Abulkasem, and the powers it endows to a parade of characters who take it on for their own purposes. But what does the name really stand for? And what does it mean to you?” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

Yeah, I know ... sounds weird doesn’t it? However, several of my theater buddies have recommended it, so I thought I would give it a shot.

Sadly, I have to report that yesterday’s summer-like weather is now history ... gone. It is now in the 40s and it is supposed to be much colder for the next several days. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

In response to several rather snarky emails and 2 text messages ... no I have not become suicidal and yes I do know that I made what some are now characterizing as “disparaging” remarks about Justin Bieber and the 3 young Harry Potter stars, Harry, Ron and Hermione, but ... come on folks ... you know it is my responsibility to give you loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands the benefit of Billi Pod’s fair, unbiased and impartial reporting.

Remember, too, Billi Pod never vouched for the veracity and/or truthfulness of the musings ... he is just reporting what spewed out of his mind on the fateful night of December 2, 2010.

So, in this regard he will not be deterred from his mission, and will simply ignore the snark and close with another rather timely musing ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Understanding makes everything understandable, usually.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Friday - Beautiful Weather in The Big Apple.

Wow, spring weather in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. It feels great. Bring it on!!

Report card on last night’s THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON==>A<==even though it is of the kinda formalistic “nothing is as it first appears to be” genre. Acting super-excellent led by Brian Cox as The Coach.

I am happy to report that Jim Gaffigan holds his own in his Broadway debut. See it now because it has a limited run.

Billi Pod’s entertainment events for tonight start with --

8:00==>APPLE COVE - “When newlyweds Edie and Alan move into the gated community of Apple Cove, they believe they have found a safe haven from the chaotic world outside. They quickly learn that nothing, not even electric gates, can keep nature out. Especially one's own nature.” (Off-Broadway - complimentary ticket).

Very mixed buzz on this show but several of my theater buddies, whose judgement I trust, have recommended it, so I thought I would give it a shot.

After my show I will come back to PHC and meet up with Paul Hughes, who is in The City on a rather whirlwind theater binge, and Scott Reed and we will do some long overdue catching up and then have a late bite somewhere in my ‘hood. Really looking forward to it.

Paul’s show for tonight is actually in a theater that is on my block so that makes everything very convenient.

Have things and stuff to do, so will close with another perhaps controversial musing ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Harry, Ron and Hermione are gay.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod Says==>La Cage Sucked!!

I hate to start off on a negative note, but in the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to give you loyal and faithful readers Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s matinee performance of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, with the new leads of Jeffrey Tabor as Georges and Harvey Fierstein as ZaZa.

Are you ready? Here it comes==>P<==as in PUTRID. While Tabor does an adequate job, Fierstein gives one of the very W O R S T performances Billi Pod has seen in a long long time. There is nothing remotely sexy, provocative or interesting in his ZaZa and his raspy singing voice (and I am being kind when I say “singing voice”) is vomit-inducingly bad and painful to the ears.

I should have left at intermission but I didn’t. Why didn’t I? Well, I wanted to give "them" the benefit of the doubt while hoping that Act II would be better. It wasn't. At the end Billi Pod wanted to rush the stage and bitch-slap Fierstein, not joking, I did feel that way.

When it was finally over I asked several of the people seated around me what they thought of Fierstein’s performance and everyone, and I mean, everyone had a negative reaction, many profanely so

So, my loyal and faithful readers in the NYC area==>you are warned.

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum was last night’s NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA concert==>A<==saxophonist Branford Marsalis was brilliant!! It was a wonderful evening.

I remain puzzled by the number of empty rear orchestra seats for the Wednesday evening concerts, even though, for example, this performance was available at a substantially reduced price on TDF. I guess it just reflects the continued economic concerns even up here in The Big Apple.

Tonight’s entertainment event for Billi Pod is --

8:00==>THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON - “For over two decades, four players and the coach of a high school championship basketball team have gathered every year to relive their greatest moment of glory. At this year's reunion, tensions boil over, long-held secrets bubble to the surface and lifelong bonds are shattered.” (Broadway - discounted ticket)

In the stellar cast are: Brian Cox, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Noth, Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland. The advance buzz is very good. Looking forward to seeing it.

Also on a happy note==>it is warmer today than it has been in a long long time and it is supposed to remain this way for several days. Ah yes ...

My longtime friend Paul Hughes, who lives in Polk County, FL (aka PFC aka Polk F**king County) will be in The Big Apple beginning today through Sunday and I look forward to meeting up with him and catching-up on things and stuff. It has been a long time since we have had some face time.

Time to close with the now highly anticipated and sometimes provocative musings ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Being obsessive-compulsive does not excuse you for being a thoughtless asshole.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Another Doubleheader For Billi Pod

Good morning everyone. It is another bright but cold day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

I am happy to report that I feel much much better this morning. No coughing and the nose isn’t running either. My inbox is not clogged with Bieber-related hate emails, so I think, hopefully, The Bieber Nation has accepted my offer of a truce.

The CURTIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA concert last night was excellent even though my comp. seat was in the upper-upper balcony. No matter because the acoustics in Carnegie Hall are magnificent regardless of where you sit.

You know, early on in the concert I was hit with the thought ... “Bill, you are so f**king lucky. Here you are in one of the best concert venues in The World, listening to classical music performed by a terrific orchestra ... and it cost you only a $4.00 service fee. How much better can it get?” Amen and Amen!!

Which is a great segue into what I have planned for today ... another awesome entertainment doubleheader for Billi Pod --

2:30==>LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - “Georges (now played by Jeffrey Tabor of Arrested Development) is the owner of a glitzy nightclub in Saint-Tropez. His partner, Albin (now played by 4-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein), stars as Zaza. When Georges' son brings his fiancé's conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

Actually, when I booked this show I thought it was going to be one of the last performances by the original cast, which included Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge, but, obviously I was wrong. No matter. It should be a hoot with the new cast.

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Lincoln Center - Saxophonist Branford Marsalis performs works by Glazunov and Schulhoff.

The orchestra also performs works by Strauss and Haydn’s Symphony No. 60. (subscription series)

I will now close with a musing. As I prepared it for this posting the thought did cross my mind that I may have seen or heard it somewhere else. Oh well, no matter, because it did, in fact, spew out of the mind of Billi Pod on December 2, 2010 ... so ... here it is ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Knowing when to fold’em” also helps if you work in a Laundromat.

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod's Tuesday Report

Good afternoon everyone!!

Since I have already blogged about my battle(s) with The Bieber Nation, I think that I will just give you loyal and faithful readers a short posting on Billi Pod’s activities for today.

Hold on now ... stop the applause ...

Report card on BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1921 @ Town Hall==>A<==as in super-excellent, as usual. Scott Seigle stages another highly professional production with remarkable talent. It was a fun evening.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for this evening is ...

8:00==>CURTIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - works by Hindemith-Kozertmusik for Strings and Brass; Higdon (who?)-Violin Concerto; and, Shostakovich-Symphony No. 5. (complimentary ticket)

For your information, The Curtis Institute of Music was founded in 1924 in Philadelphia, PA, and some alumni are: Leonard Bernstein, Alan Gilbert (current conductor of the New York Philharmonic), Lang Lang, Yefim Bronfman and approximately 50% of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Billi Pod is more than happy to report that Spring Training arrived yesterday with the pitchers and catchers reporting for duty at the facility down in Tampa.

Most of the early news concerns ace CC Sabathia who dropped 25 lbs. in the off season and mentioned that he might opt out of his contract at the end of the season to explore free agency. I believe this to be merely a negotiating ploy, but nonetheless, it caused quite a headline fury --

“Sabathia Loses Weight and Keeps His Options Open” - New York Times

“CC’S CHANGE-UP - Hints he may opt out after this season” - New York Post

"CRUNCH TIME! - Source: CC Likely To Opt Out of Deal After Season” - Daily News

Oh the drama!!!

Will close with ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Living organically means your organs can have multiple orgasms.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod Is Under Attack!!

My dear loyal and faithful readers - I am most sad to report that yesterday’s blog posting in which Billi Pod, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, opined that Bieber Fever was over, generated a fire storm of such proportions that it difficult for me to comprehend just why and how it came about.

I know this to be true:

(1) a certain “person” whom I believed to be a friend and whose name rhymes with Juan Hot Seed, took offense, for reasons I still do not understand, and called my blog to the attention of Team Bieber.

(2) Team Bieber in turn, forwarded the blog to a number of sites including:

www.indefenseofthebieb.com

(3) This site then contacted The Bieber Nation and as a result beginning around 4:00pm yesterday Billi Pod began receiving vile and obscene emails, the contents of which are both shocking and threatening.

When I returned to PHC last night, after my Town Hall concert I, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, tried to respond to the emails, keeping my responses to one sentence in length. But, around 4:30am I realized that I would never be able to answer all of them, so I went to bed and slept fitfully, at best.

Now, I think it is important for you loyal and faithful readers to understand the nature of these emails and my responses, so I have copied a few below for your consideration:

*************************

To: sarahsue83@aol.com==>no my mother’s name was not Ruby Tuesday.

To: biebjizzonme@msn.com==>I deny being related to Bill O’Reilly.

To: bieberbunny12x@verizon.net==>I refuse to acknowledge that The Bieb’s “junk” is bigger than mine.

To: screamin4bieb@yahoo.com==>What is it with you people, I am really adequately endowed “down there.”

To: iwannabebiebsbitch@hotmail.com==>How did you get my home address and no I don’t have a Wikipedia page, why do you ask?

To: belieberordie1998@aol.com==>You’re just making things up ... my son is not a drug-dealer living in Newark.

To: justin4evermine@hotmail.com==>No, I do not live in Alligator Lake, Mississippi.

To: bieberbmine@newarkhs7.gov==>I am not Justin’s estranged paternal grandfather.

To: ibleedbieb@col.rr.com==>well, f**k you too.

To: justinismyperiod@mac.com==>that was really gross.

To: jrmcdaniel186@gmail.com==>Sir, your daughter used the C-word first.

*************************

This morning when I woke up my nose was running and I was coughing and I felt very much out-of-sorts. My ‘puter had crashed and none of the daily papers have been delivered.

Frankly, I feel that I have been cursed by Team Bieber, for which, I might add, Juan Hot Seed joyfully claims credit.

I will not attempt to answer any more Bieber emails, but Billi Pod will not back down. He will continue with his responsibilities to you readers out there in the hinterlands.

I do ask this of you loyal and faithful readers, however ... if 24 hours pass without a posting from me either on this blog or on FaceBook, please call The Missing Person’s Bureau of the New York City Police Department.

Thanks.

Billi Pod

OMG!! IS BIEBER FEVER OVER?

OK, let’s get right to the point, my loyal and faithful readers ... in the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod has to advise you that it appears, sadly, as if Bieber Fever is over.

What in God’s Name am I talking about you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well ... here is it ... in the past 24 hours this is what happened to The Bieb:

1. Some virtually unknown person named Esperanza Spalding beat him out of the “Best New Artist” award in last night’s Grammys. Spalding is a 26yo Jazz bassist and singer; and,

2. His movie JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER came in second to the universally panned Adam Sandler movie JUST GO WITH IT, grossing a mere 30.3 million to Sandler’s 31.0 million. Yes, that is right, he lost to Adam F**king Sandler; and,

3. Billi Pod opted not to see the Bieber movie today, choosing instead to spend the afternoon doing mundane errands and stuff.

So, folks, you get my drift? In this cutthroat entertainment environment I am relatively certain that Justin Bieber is history and his 15 minutes of fame is now over. He will soon fade back into the woodwork and became a cliché in game show trivia 20 years in the future. Sad, but true.

There is even internet buzz that support groups are already being formed to assist those who feel betrayed by The Bieber’s lack of staying power.

Oh well, I deeply regret being the bearer of bad tidings, but it is my obligation to you, my readers, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting. So ... sob ... now on to other things and stuff like ...

OMFG!! I can’t believe it==>55º at 2:30pm on this Monday in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Downside==>the wind is howling. As I was coming back from the grocery store the wind blew my 5 year old Yankee baseball cap off my head and into the street. Luckily, it wasn’t run over and I was able to retrieve it.

I believe it is supposed to be warmer for the next several days -- Hooray!!

Report card on last night’s THE MAN WHO ATE MICHAEL ROCKEFELLER==>B+. Interesting premise and outstanding performances by members of the Asmat tribe. Worth seeing for sure.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event to tonight is --

8:00==>BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1921 @ Town Hall - “The show will feature the best music from the entire year packed into one night of beauty, sex appeal, comedy, song and dance." (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket). These concerts are usually well performed and a lot of fun.

Still have lots of things and stuff to do, so will close with the usual and now much anticipated ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“A carload of platitudes will not make a platypus happy.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod’s Saturday Doubleheader==>Double Barf!!

OK, my loyal and faithful readers, the only nice thing I can say about Adam Rapps’ PARAFFIN and NURSE, yesterday’s doubleheader, is==>acting is excellent but everything else is barf and double-barf!!!

The stage was teeming with body fluids, blood, excrement and incomprehensible storylines. Why did I come back for the second one, after wandering around The Village for 2 hours in the freezing cold?? I guess I just like pain, that’s why. Be warned folks, be warned.

But you know what? I am a whore, yep, that’s what I said. Billi Pod is a whore! What am I talking about you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well ... in the name of fair and unbiased reporting ... after each show the playwright Adam Rapp was seated in the rear of the theater and each time we made eye-contact as I was leaving the theater and ... what did I do both times? Well, Billi Pod smiled, nodded affirmatively and gave him a thumbs-up. Both times he nodded and smiled back. Yep ... Billi Pod sometimes can be a whore ... my bad ... at least you know that I am not always perfect. Most of the time, yes ... but not always ...

Anyway, tonight’s entertainment event is --

7:30==>THE MAN WHO ATE MICHAEL ROCKEFELLER-“In 1961 23yo Michael Rockefeller disappeared among the Asmat People of Papua, New Guinea. He was never heard from again. This is the story of what might have happened, as told by the Asmat people.” (Off-Broadway - complimentary ticket).

Yeah ... yeah ... I know ... but it has gotten good reviews.

Bieber Fever is everywhere and I am confident his new movie NEVER SAY NEVER will be ranked number one grossing movie for the weekend. I will see it Monday during the day and then give you loyal and faithful readers my unbiased report card.

Oh, according to a news report on Yahoo News, this almost 17 year old guy has a net worth of 65.5 million already.

So, on that happy note let me close with the usual --

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Rule makers rule while rule breakers break open another can of worms.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Another Doubleheader Today For Billi Pod

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. I am very happy to report that yesterday’s doubleheader was excellent ... different but ... excellent.

The concert version of the 1937 musical I’D RATHER BE RIGHT==>charming and very well performed. Even though it is set in 1937, the problems caused back then by big but ineffective government resonates even today.

Part 1 of the Adam Rapp Hallway Trilogy - ROSE==>very well acted. It is playing at the Rattlestick Theatre down in the The Village and the theater has been completely reconfigured to accommodate the large hallway in the Lower Eastside tenement setting.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to state that the play is typical Adam Rapp, meaning at times it is extremely difficult to understand WTF he is trying to convey, but ... having said that, I have to report that ...

My second consecutive doubleheader today involves Parts II & III of his Hallway Trilogy, yes, that’s right --

4:00==>PARAFFIN - “Set in the first evening of the 2003 New York City blackout it concerns a husband addicted to heroin, his pregnant wife, and his brother's unrequited love for his wife.”

(Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

Then ...

8:00==>NURSE - “Set in 2053 in a disease-free New York. The tenement has been transformed into a museum where young men and women in need of cash are injected with old-fashioned diseases for the amusement of the public. On this night the air-tight glass wall fractures.” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

Both shows are approximately 90 minutes without intermission. I will stay down in The Village between shows, of course.

By the time I get back to PHC I am certain I will need a double glass of Fresca to down mega-doses of painkilling and mood-altering substances to get over my Adam Rapp-fix in time to watch Saturday Night Live, hosted by Russell Brand.

Oh, yes ... Russell Brand ... just the kind of gentle mind-soothing host Billi Pod will need after 3+ hours of Adam Rapp.

Well, yes ... you are right my loyal and faithful readers ... no one forced me to book these shows etc etc etc, so Billi Pod will close in just a minute with his usual musings.

But first, again in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, Billi Pod has to advise you that we/you are closing in on the end of the musings, which as you know, came spewing from the mind of Billi Pod on December 2, 2010.

Hold on now ... hold the applause ... you are gonna miss them once they are gone, trust me on this, you will ... so ... savor them while you can ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“When you make all of the rules, nothing helps time to pass faster than playing mind-games with yourself.”

GO GATORS AND 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 BIRTHDAY GINGER FLOWERS!!

A major shout-out to Ginger Flowers, who lives in Atlanta, GA, and is celebrating her birthday today.

Ginger has lived in Atlanta longer than I care to remember. She is a retired flight attendant.

Our friendship spans decades, beginning back when we dated in high school (Summerlin Institute), in Bartow, FL. We have maintained that close relationship to this day, so ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINGER - Love ya lots and lots!!

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s THE BODY POLITIC==>A<==very funny, well acted and timely. The story line revolves around a presidential campaign between two Governors: a drawling southerner, who is a liberal Democrat and a WASP northerner who is a bible-banging ultraconservative Republican. See it!!

Billi Pod’s entertainment for today is a doubleheader, which is highly unusual for a Friday --

2:00==>I’D RATHER BE RIGHT - A concert style revival of the 1937 musical by Rodgers and Hart - “Peggy and Phil cannot get married until Phil gets a raise that is contingent on President Roosevelt balancing the national budget.” (Off-Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket).

8:00==>ROSE - “Part 1 of the Adam Rapp Hallway Trilogy, which spans 150 years. ROSE takes place in 1953 and concerns a young actress who has been struggling with severe depression and whose arrival in a lower east side tenement affects the lives of several of its residents.” (Off-Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Adam Rapp's work. He is sooooooooooooo talented but sometimes I find myself wanting to bitch slap him after seeing one of his plays. That said ...

I will see Parts II & III tomorrow in another doubleheader.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting, I have to report to you loyal and faithful readers that Bieber Fever is back, big time, with today’s opening of JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER - “Part biopic, part concert film and all crowd pleaser, this celebration of the pop phenom knows exactly what it needs to do to send its target audience of tween girls into a tizzy of giddy screams ... he's preternaturally gifted, freakishly poised and incessantly hardworking. And he genuinely seems like a good kid — it's hard not to like him.” (source - ABC News)

I will see this next week, probably at a before-noon performance to avoid the screaming tweens. I think this film may set all sorts of records, so stay tuned.

OK, got things and stuff to do before I head out to this Friday doubleheader, so, will close with what is, maybe, a slightly controversial musing ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“A hot looking man will get free drinks in a gay bar but a hot looking woman may be politely ignored. A hot looking man in a dyke bar will be killed.”

GO GATORS AND 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.”