An update from my sister on yesterday’s post: Besides the, I think 50, jabs on my back, I had injections up and down both arms. I think I was 10 years old and I cried the entire time. Also, I had a sulfa allergy. I had tonsillitis a lot in winter and that was how … Continue reading This and That
Musicals
The Singing Herod II
According to the Gospel of Luke 23:1-12: 23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king … Continue reading The Singing Herod II
A Wink and a Wiggle and a Giggle on the Grass
Maria Friedman has gotten a lot of attention in recent years as a director, in particular for her direction of the West End and Broadway productions of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, which was recently released in a movie version. But before that she was known for her work as an actress … Continue reading A Wink and a Wiggle and a Giggle on the Grass
Elsa and Max
Quote of the day: Middle age is when you go to bed at night and hope you feel better in the morning. Old age is when you go to bed at night and hope you wake up in the morning.—Groucho Marx Having used some excerpts from The Sound of Music in my little Sondheim video, I … Continue reading Elsa and Max
Sondheim’s “Our Time” Vamp
Quote of the day: When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half.—Gracie Allen Last summer—and by “last summer” I mean the summer of 2024, not this past summer, but you know, the summer of last year, but that’s a rather ambiguous phrase and different folks ascribe … Continue reading Sondheim’s “Our Time” Vamp
Staying Sober in Boston
Quote of the day: People think of education as something they can finish.—Isaac Asimov When I read this anecdote, it reminded me of the story that Celeste Holm told about Oscar Hammerstein, and I thought about putting them together in a post. But then I decided to back up and relate the Most Hostile City … Continue reading Staying Sober in Boston
Desi Congas New York City
Quote of the day: You are not judged by the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed.—Frederick Douglass Still reading Todd Purdum’s Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television. Here’s the thing you need to understand about Desi Arnaz. He didn’t learn the English language until he was in his teens, … Continue reading Desi Congas New York City
“Life is a loveless tale”
Quote of the day: A rich man is one who isn't afraid to ask the salesperson to show him something cheaper.—Jack Benny It was 1942 and Richard Rodgers wanted get to work on Green Grow the Lilacs, a play that had failed on Broadway a decade earlier but in which he saw possibilities for a … Continue reading “Life is a loveless tale”
The Lees of Old Virginia
Quote of the day: I learned ... that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to go back—that the essence of life is going forward. Life is really a one way street, isn't it?—Agatha Christie I’ve been saving this one up, but the forthcoming documentary by Ken Burns on The American … Continue reading The Lees of Old Virginia
Gypsy Closing
Quote for the day: If wanna bump itBump it with a trumpet!—Stephen Sondheim The production of the musical Gypsy starring Audra McDonald as Rose (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “Mama” Rose, but if you’re gonna do that you should spell it like Arthur Laruents does it in the play and Stephen Sondheim does it in the … Continue reading Gypsy Closing