THE ZOMBIES: A MUSICAL - PIECE OF MY HEART - The Wankies

Wednesday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace.

It is a kinda gray and overcast morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, which matches your favorite blogger's mood following yesterday’s rather disappointing night.

Yes, I know you are all asking your inner selves ... disappointing??? ...  WTF does he mean by that? Well ... calm your inner selves down and just continue reading.

It all started with Billi Pod’s entertainment event for the evening ...

THE ZOMBIES: A MUSICAL - “The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived and everybody's hungry. This world premiere comedy is set in a small town in middle-America, where the cast of characters face issues like the apocalypse, racism, gun control, religion and conspiracy theories.”==>C+<==giving it the benefit of the doubt.

I really really wanted to like this show because the press blurb predicted just the type of humor that I am into. Well, it was a major disappointment because the story line plodded along too slowly as it tried to deal with some major social issues such as racism, religion and drug and alcohol abuse, among other things. It switched back and forth from zombie-induced belly-laughs to WTF are they talking about now and why.

By plays end I was more on the side of the zombies than I was for the uninfected so-called “normal” humans.

The songs were decent, including: "I’ll Be Chillin/Killin," "This Place Is Filled With Zombies (And It’s So Fucked Up)," "I Will Be Next," and, "The Zombie Shuffle." However, IMHO, each song was at least 2-minutes too long, which adds up when you have 16 songs.

Now, on the positive side ... the cast is absolutely terrific, especially Alex Parrish as Little Pete and Philip Akogu as George, the One Armed Zombie. The singing, and especially the dancing, is totally excellent.

The house was about 3/4s full but at intermission about 50% of the audience fled and that really felt awkward for those of us who stayed, hoping the show would improve in Act II. It didn’t. I felt bad for the cast who were working their collective asses off.

Billi Pod says==>you are warned.

This show is playing at Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, right next door to my apartment building, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through July 13th.

I was in a downer mood when I got back to the apartment, which is just next door to the theatre, and it wasn’t helped by the results of the puke-inducing YANKEE/TORONTO game, details below.

Oh, well ... let’s move on to something much more positive ... like ... Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight ...

7:30==>PIECE OF MY HEART: The Bert Berns Story - “A new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, who died tragically at the age of 38, leaving behind his children, his legend, and music that would live on forever, including “Twist and Shout,” “I Want Candy,” “Hang on Sloopy,” and the immortal title song, “Piece of My Heart.” (Off Broadway - discounted ticket)

Tonight is the first preview performance of this show playing at The Signature Theatre Complex on West 42nd Street. It has a running time of 2:20, with intermission and runs through August 31st.

The Executive Producer of this show is my friend Jack Thomas who has been involved in the production of numerous shows, including: Mothers and Sons by Terrence McNally; Ann by Holland Taylor; Freud’s Last Session by Mark St. Germain; Almost, Maine by John Cariani; and Our Lady of 121st Street by Stephen Adly Guirgis, dir. Philip Seymour Hoffman.

So ... Jack and your cast and crew==>BREAK A LEG!!

We will close this out with the usual sports report ... for you Marty ... and ... Marty ... ahem==>what’s the use of having a blog site if you don’t post in a timely fashion? Jus’ askin.

Now ... the sports scene ...

Last night up in Toronto The Yankees (39-37) lost to the AL East leading Blue Jays (44-35) 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th inning on a throwing error by our rookie third baseman Yangervis Solarte. It was a sloppy game for both teams.

Tonight at 7:07pm The Blue Jays go for a sweep of the 3-game series (and getting revenge for being swept at Yankee Stadium last week). On the mound for The Yankees will be Hiroki Kuroda (4-5) vs. Drew Hutchinson (5-5).

OK ... your favorite blogger feels the need for a major walk and wander session ... so will post this and then head out somewhere ... maybe down to The Lower Eastside, for a change.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.50 miles (or, 7,660 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>676.02 miles (average 3.86 miles per day)

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.”

BROADWAY BY THE YEAR - THE ZOMBIES: A MUSICAL - The Wankies

Tuesday==>Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is happy to report to his loyal and faithful readers and followers that last night’s entertainment event, BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: Musicals of 1990-2014 @ Town Hall, was a total success and it receives a grade of==>A.

The program, written and hosted by Scott Siegel, featured one song from a Broadway show for each year, performed by a stellar cast of seasoned Broadway singers and dancers.

The evening got off to a great start with “Love Changes Everything” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love. This is one of my favorite show-tunes of all-time. Once I hear it I then have trouble getting it out of my head. This morning it is still there.

For Billi Pod the other highlights were: “Seasons of Love” from Rent, performed by the Broadway by the Year Chorus; “The Acid Queen” from Tommy, performed by Cheryl Freeman; “I’m Not That Smart" from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, performed by Rory O’Malley of The Book of Mormon fame; and, “Memphis Lives in Me” from Memphis, performed by Chad Kimball.

The house was virtually sold-out and everyone seemed to be having a great time. My discounted TDF seat was in the balcony about 1/3 of the way back. Not bad at all.

This was the final concert on the season and I am looking forward to next season. Siegel announced that next season will follow the same format of one song per year.

The show was over at 10:45pm and I left Town Hall with a big smile on my face.

Tonight’s entertainment event is gonna be something quite different ...

8:00==>THE ZOMBIES: A MUSICAL - “The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived and everybody's hungry. This world premiere comedy is set in a small town in middle-America, where the cast of characters face issues like racism, gun control, religion and conspiracy theories. The romantic triangle between handsome Junior, suicidal goth waitress Chloe and rich stoner kid Basil is complicated…the secret carried by Little Pete is tearing him apart…will he tell his father?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, right next door to my apartment building, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through July 13th.

Moving on ...

Last night, up in Toronto, The Blue Jays (43-35) administered a major ass-whipping to The Wankies (39-36), winning 8-3 as our starting pitcher, Chase Whitley, gave up 8-runs in only 3 1/3 innings.

Man, am I glad that my entertainment event kept me away from this embarrassing fiasco. Oh, and, of course, our bats were limp yet again.

Tonight at 7:07pm will be game 2 of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Wankies will be David Phelps (3-4), who had an excellent outing last week against The Blue Jays vs. Mark Buehrle, who is only 1-11 in 17 career starts against The Wankies.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, time to post this and then head over to The Food Emporium to take advantage of their extra 5% senior-citizen discount, which they offer only on Tuesdays.

Yesterday’s errands and chores plus an entertainment event located near 6th Avenue resulted in another excellent walking day ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.12 miles (or, 11,192 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>672.52 miles (average 3.87 miles per day)

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.”

MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING - BROADWAY BY THE YEAR - The Yankees

Monday==>Yeah, I know, it is back-to-work time for most of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, wastelands, and boondocks.

Take heart. Remember it is your responsibility to add to the Gross National Product (GNP) of this country so that we poor pensioners can survive on our meager monthly stipends from our pension plans and whatevers.

And, since the average retirement age has now risen to 67, you will have even longer opportunities to help those of us who retired at the age of 60.

Thank you all again and again.

Now ... moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL, after Anthony's father passes away, old family members, who haven't been on the best of terms for over a decade, are reunited at a funeral home for the wake and, basically, all Hell breaks loose==>A

This is the same letter grade it received when Billi Pod first saw it back on December 22, 2013.

The show is irreverent, profane, and in-your-face funny. It was just what your favorite blogger was in the mood for. It attacks stereotypes - gay, Italian, and family head on. It also addresses interfaith marriages.

It has a great ensemble cast. The almost full house seemed to be really enjoying the show.

Billi Pod says==>see this show if you want to laugh and have a good time.

This well-reviewed comedy is playing in repertory with MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (Saturday’s) on Sunday’s only at St. Luke’s Theatre on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through September 28th.

When the show was over the weather was excellent so I took the long way back to the apartment. I walked up 8th Avenue to 57th Street, then West of 57th to 10th Avenue and then South on 10th back to 42nd Street and my apartment. This allowed me to have another 5-mile day and completed a pretty awesome walking week (details below).

Today, being Monday, your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, has his usual errands and chores to-do list to work on.

Then, for the evening it will be a concert of songs from Broadway musicals ...

8:00==>BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: Musicals of 1990-2014 @ Town Hall - “An array of Broadway stars will celebrate the last quarter century of musical theater with songs from Miss Saigon, Falsettos, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Rent, Jekyll & Hyde, Side Show, The Lion King, Ragtime, Aida, The Full Monty, The Producers, Into the Woods, Hairspray, Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, Wicked and more.” (Concert - discounted TDF ticket)

This well-reviewed series is written and hosted by Scott Siegel. It is usually well-performed and a lot of fun. Since it is on a Monday night, when most Broadway shows are dark, the audience will have lots of “theater-type” folks in attendance and that is always nice.

Moving on ...

I am sad to report that the hit musical NEWSIES will close on August 24th after a 2 1/2 year run that grossed more than $100 million. 

A North American tour is set to begin in October. If it comes to your area you just gotta see it, trust me on this ... you do.

I saw this show twice and loved it each time. Without a doubt, your favorite blogger will see it again before it closes.

Moving on some more ... of course ... 

One of my responsibilities to my loyal and faithful readers and followers is to provide you with information that you might not have access to out there in the wastelands, boondocks and hinterlands.

Well, in yesterday’s New York Times there was an amazing article about a New York Fire Department probationary firefighter (called a “probie”) that is absolutely jaw-dropping in its details of what actually happens when a NYFD unit responds to a reported fire. 

The title of the article is:

BAPTISM BY FIRE: A New York Firefighter Confronts His First Test

and the link to the article is:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/06/22/nyregion/rookie-new-york-firefighter-faces-first-test.html?hp&_r=0

Folk, you just gotta take the time to read this.

Now ... we will close this posting with the usual sports report ...

Yesterday afternoon out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, The Yankees (39-35) lost 8-0 to The Orioles (39-35) as our ace Masahiro Tanaka just didn’t have it and our bats were basically nonexistent. It was a very painful game to watch.

Tonight at 7:07pm, up in Toronto, The Yankees will play game 1 of a 3-game series against the AL East leading Blue Jays.

On the mound for The Yankees will be Chase Whitley (3-0) vs. Marcus Stroman (3-2) for The Jays.

OK, time to close this out and begin work on that annoying errands and chores list.

Oh ... these are some pretty AWESOME walking stats, IMHO ... 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.10 miles (or, 11,146 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>35.57 miles (average 5.08 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2014==>667.40 miles (average 3.86 miles per day)

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.”

READING BETWEEN THE LIES - MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL - The Wankies

Sunday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, boondocks and wastelands.

Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, needs to get this posting underway because he wants to be in front of his TV for this afternoon’s YANKEES/ORIOLES game ... so ... let’s get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

READING BETWEEN THE LIES - “The year is 1947, and Arthur Binkman, once the toast of Broadway, has returned from a self imposed exile with a new play. In order to determine if he still has "it", a reading is arranged at the home of wealthy producers Horace and Kitty Manderly. With players including Arthur's unfaithful ex-wife, his small town fiancé, a former child star out of touch with reality and an unscrupulous actor determined to blackmail his way into the production, everyone is a potential target and everyone is a potential suspect.”==>A

The basic theme is==>a staged reading of a new play goes terribly awry.

This was really a lot of fun, with tons and tons of deep belly laughs as the multi-talented cast takes on marriage, infidelity, show business, divorce, the rich, the entitled, treacherousness and revenge.

Each of the characters has hidden secrets that, when finally revealed, send the story line spinning in another, and unexpected, direction.

The 10-person cast is extremely talented, especially Wende O’Reilly as Betty Blue, the former child star who now is totally out of touch with reality, and that is putting it mildly.

The small theater was full and the audience was really into the show as was your favorite blogger. Yeah ... when it was over I left the theatre with a big smile on my face.

Billi Pod says==>if you need laughs and like off-beat humor, then this is the show for you.

This show just opened, is playing at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios on West 54th Street, has a running time of 1:30, with an intermission, and runs only through June 29th.

It is general admission seating and the box office doesn't open until 15 minutes before the curtain.

Moving on ...

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is a return visit to an Off Broadway show ...

7:00==>MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL - “This comedy is set in present day Staten Island at the funeral of Anthony’s father Joe. Anthony is reunited with his gay brother Peter Pinnunziato, who he hasn’t spoken to in over a decade. Family drama and crazy characters unite when everything that can possibly happen at an Italian wake certainly will!” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I saw this very funny show back on December 22, 2013 and gave it an A. When it showed up on one of my ticket services I grabbed it because I am definitely in the mood for another evening of in-your-face humor.

This well-reviewed comedy is playing in repertory with MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING on Sunday’s only at St. Luke’s Theatre on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through September 28th.

We will close this posting out with the usual sports ...

Yesterday afternoon out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, The Yankees (39-34) lost 6-1 to The Orioles (38-35) as Vidal Nuno had another dismal outing, giving up 3 HRs and 4 ERs in 6 1/3 innings. The Yankee bats went dead again.

Despite this puke-inducing performance Manager Joe Girardi says Nuno will remain in the 5th slot in the starting rotation. This says a lot about our pitching staff.

This afternoon at 2:00am it will be the final game of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Yankees will be our ace Masahiro Tanaka (11-1) vs. Chris Tillman (5-4) for The Birds.

Hummmmmm ... might have time for a walk  and wander session before the game ... so ... 

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.65 miles (or, 10,181 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>662.30 miles (average 3.85 miles per day)

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.”

THE RELIGION THING - READING BETWEEN THE LIES - The Yankees WOW Win!!

Saturday==>It is a beautiful morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 10:00am it is a balmy 70º with sunny, azure blue skies and a nice breeze coming off The Hudson River.

So ... let’s get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

THE RELIGION THING - “Mo and Brian are a picture-perfect DC couple: they're smart, they're witty, and they have a beautifully remodeled kitchen. But when Mo's best friend Patti announces she's found Jesus and is putting her own career on hold, Mo must take a closer look at the harder truths surrounding her own marriage. A comedy about relationships, faith, and the fine line between compromise and regret.”==>B+

The acting by the 5-person cast is excellent, especially Andrew W. Smith as Jeff, who is Patti’s born-again, “formerly gay” husband.

The story line is totally involving without getting too heavy handed with the underlying message regarding the difficulties and stresses of inter-religious marriages/relationships. Yes, there is plenty of humor with a lot of laughs.

The staging and set changes in the small space was fantastic.

The house was full and the audience was very much into the show, which does not have the typical rom/com ending.

It was a pleasant and entertaining evening.

Billi Pod says==>definitely worth seeing.

The show has just opened, is playing at the Cell Theatre on West 23rd Street in Chelsea, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through August 1st.

The seating is general admission and the box office doesn’t open until 30 minutes before curtain time.

I left for the show almost an hour early so I could have a nice walk and wander session in the Chelsea area. It felt really nice. When the show was over I opted not to walk back to the apartment, instead, I subwayed back so I could watch the final innings of the YANKEES/BALTIMORE game, details below.

Moving on to today’s entertainment event ... an Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>READING BETWEEN THE LIES - “The year is 1947, and Arthur Binkman, once the toast of Broadway, has returned from a self imposed exile with a new play. In order to determine if he still has "it", a reading is arranged at the home of wealthy producers Horace and Kitty Manderly. With players including Arthur's unfaithful ex-wife, his small town fiancé, a former child star out of touch with reality and an unscrupulous actor determined to blackmail his way into the production, everyone is a potential target and everyone is a potential suspect.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show just opened, is playing at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios on West 54th Street, has a running time of 1:30, with an intermission??, and runs through June 29th.

The shows I have seen at this rather small venue have all been excellent, so I am looking forward to this.

Now ... on to the sports scene ... or rather ... The Yankees scene ...

Last night out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, The Bronx Bombers (39-33) beat The Orioles (37-35) 5-3 when Carlos Beltran smashed a game-ending, two-out, 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th. Man, am I glad I was in front of my TV to see this.

Up to this point the Yankee bats were woefully inept as we went 4 for 12 with runners in scoring position, something that has plagued this team all season.

The second game of the 3-game series is this afternoon at 1:05pm. On the mound for The Yankees will be Vidal Nuno (1-3), who is fighting to remain in the starting rotation vs. Bud Norris (6-5) for The Birds.

Of course, your favorite blogger will stay in for the afternoon to watch the game ... so ... time to post this ... so ... 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.00 miles (or, 10,945 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>657.65 miles (average 3.85 miles per day)

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.”