Mike Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra on Governors Island
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 moreRent, again, a Review
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 moreJudy and Liza Together … Again!
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 moreRichard Skipper as Carol Channing in Concert
The off-Broadway St. Luke’s theater on West 46th Street is small and cozy; which makes it the perfect venue for Richard Skipper as “Carol Channing” in Concert. The one-“woman” show seems almost as though Carol were improving in your living room. With a big smile, the flutter of eyelashes, and an innocent roll of the wide child-like eyes, as well as “Carol’s” continued astonishment and deep appreciation of the audience’s reactions, Skipper presents a Carol that is truly endearing and delightful; you’re drawn in from the opening moment and deeply [...]
Read moreInception: a review
The new film staring Leonardo DiCaprio is a BIG idea. Too big! The acting is great, the special effects superb, and concept interesting. Yet after two and a half hours it falls short. All the elements were there, but it just like a doesn’t hit the spot. The dreams within dreams action is plenty, but beyond the coolness of the concept the film misses the opportunity to explore the subconcious baggage that we all carry and yet are so unaware of; settling instead for raw action for actions sake. All in all, those [...]
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