Routinely Inspired

Posted By Brie Austin In Category: In Search Of , Opinion

Do routines suck the life out of our creativity and limit our sphere of experience, or do they provide a stable balance to it? As a creature of habit I fall into routines rather easily.   I might frequent the same cafe for months; arriving at the same time of day, sitting in the same seat, ordering the same food and/or drinks from my own narrow list of options. Certainly routines can quickly become ruts if you’re not careful; a trip to Buenos Aires turned into a six-year stay, where you [...]

Read more

Mike Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra on Governors Island

Posted By Brie Austin In Category: Events , Music , Reviews

It was a hot balmy day as we stepped off the ferry onto Governors Island; ten minutes off the southern tip of Manhattan. As Jacqueline and I approached the great lawn in the center of the island, I was transported to another place, another time – much like Owen Wilson was when he stepped into the car as the leading character in the new Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris. Before my eyes the roaring 20’s were alive and well, pages come to life from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book The [...]

Read more

Rent, again, a Review

Posted By Brie Austin In Category: On Stage , Reviews

After closing its twelve year run at the Nederlander Theater three years ago to become the ninth longest runnning show in Broadway history, RENT is back! The original show previously spawned three touring productions, a filmed live version and a feature film, begging the question is yet another production viable? It’s central characters – Roger, Mark, Mimi, Tom Collins, Angel, and Maureen struggle with daily poverty, love and loss, life and death. All-the-while they cling to friendships as they pursue their art and a life to be lived on their own [...]

Read more

Judy and Liza Together … Again!

Posted By Brie Austin In Category: Interviews , On Stage , Reviews

If you’re a fan of Judy Garland, then you know her work way beyond the rainbow. The role of Dorothy might have made her a legend, but the cabaret career that followed made her an icon. And her daughter Liza’s career is no less legend, and her persona no less iconic than her mother’s. Tommy Femia and Rick Skye have been impersonating the two women for decades:  Fabulous! (New York Times), Extraordinary (Theatre Mania), Amazing (Time Out), Astonishing … Masterful … Brilliant (Chicago Sun Times), and Sensational (Times) are but a [...]

Read more

Demanding Retribution

Posted By Brie Austin In Category: In The News , Opinion

It seems that the religion of brotherly love simply can’t help themselves from yet again letting their actions contradict their preaching. While the Afghan Muslims that stormed the United Nations compound are clearly  not firing on all jets, the pastor Terry Jones isn’t either. Why would he (Terry) incite anger from the entire Muslim world [for the actions of a few] with his mock trial?   What was the point?

Read more
Pages:1234567...13»