The Weekend Started With A Memorial Service Celebrating The Life Of Our Friend, Steve Collins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       The service was held on Saturday, July 27, at 5:45 in the evening.  It really was a celebration of Steve, pictured on the left.

                                       Steve and I met in 1994, and our interests in theater and his in music and opera fueled our friendship.  Steve was also incredibly kind and understanding.  He was a good listener and helped me through some rough times.  Just by talking with him.

                                      But what cemented our friendship was the discovery that we were both born on the exact same day--November 18, 1954.  Steve was born early in the day, while I, a preemie, emerged late that evening at 11:45PM.  I always kidded Steve that I was still the youngest, and he would just laugh about it.

                                        We had our likes and dislikes.  He tried to convince me Gwen Verdon was the greatest dancer of our generation, and while I admired Gwen's talent, for me it would always be Donna McKechnie, having seen her in the original production of "A Chorus Line" in 1975.

                                            Steve--how I miss him.  The courage with which he met his illness head on was equal to Scarlett O' Hara.  How I admired it.

                                              And how I cherished the time we spent together, where it seemed none of us could stop talking.  Just ask my beloved, David, as he witnessed firsthand interactions between Steve and I.

                                                I shall remember Steve for all this and will wish for more.  Maybe in the next life, where we will still argue over Gwen and Donna.  And other sundry chats.

                          

                                          Fly away, Steve.  "Just as far as your vision reaches."

                                                                         --Stephen Schwartz, "Meadowlark"

Girls, "Illinoise" Is Not To Be Missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And You Have Only Till August 10 To See It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Make a mad dash to the St. James Theatre and see this show before it closes.  Based on the 2005 album by Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck, my favorite choreographer practicing today, has created a dazzling theatrical kaleidoscope of dance, recalling such diverse works as "West Side Story," and Elizabeth Swados' "Runaways."

                                          Forget "The Outsiders;" these dancers are the real thing. Portraying social outcasts, adolescents, or those on the fringe of society, each has a story, and in each rendering, there is an exciting spontaneity to the dancers, as if all the discoveries they made during the long process of creating the work were continuing right on stage.

                                            The darkest, most disturbing piece has to do with the story of John Wayne Gacy, the killer clown who sought out young boys.  I had trouble figuring out how this story from the past fit into the fabric of the show, until I realized it was a commentary on the dangers faced by youth even today, via sex offenders and human traffickers.  What a clever move on Mr. Peck's part.

                                                About Justin Peck.  I know he is the head choreographer at the New York City Ballet, but I wish he would visit Broadway more often.  This is his first venture in six years, after the amazing work he did with "Carousel."  Please, Justin, Broadway needs you.  Imagine, girls, what he could create for Donna McKechnie.

                                                   I cannot urge you enough to see this remarkable dance piece.  Oh, there is music, from the album, sung wonderfully by musicians on the side.  It is a blend of folk and rock, and while one may not remember the tunes individually, they fit in with Peck's visual concepts.

                                                    "Illinoise" is the most innovative thing I have seen on Broadway in years.  Not to be sarcastic--oh, go ahead--but I am actually surprised it made it to Broadway.  The Great White Way is more deserving of such innovative creations.

                                                        Quickly, dolls!  Just nine days left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    

Meet My New Friend, Hamlet, At The Algonquin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                               

                                     When David and I stayed there the time of my birthday, last year, I knew of Hamlet, but I never got to see him.  Now, before all of David's trouble started, we had planned, for late July, a mini vacation, involving a friend's memorial service, and seeing two shows.

                                         During our visit, recently, I got to spend some time with Hamlet, and he just loved it.  It was like he was waiting for me to come down to the lobby.  One time, when I approached him, and he saw it was I, he turned over on his back so I could scratch him.  He enjoyed all the petting, scratches, and attention I gave him, and was so loving, as if this happens to him all the time. Which I am sure it does.

                                            Everything was lovely about our visit to The Algonquin, but the best part of all was the love and support I received from Hamlet.

                                             I cannot wait to return and visit him again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                          

Cats For Kamala!!!!!!!!!!!! My Feline Friend Nicholas Endorses Kamala Harris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Even cats have political sensibilities, darlings, and Nicholas is very sensible.  He saw the writing on the wall, and he knew Kamala is the one to go with.  As do cats everywhere, as shall be seen.  Nicholas wants all you out there to get out and vote for Kamala.

                                     Nicholas is sweet, but he is also no nonsense.  He really means what he says.  Which is why I listen to him, ever since he took care of me when I was having a cardiac issue.

                                        He sends his love to all, reminding all to vote for Kamala!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Go, Nicholas, and thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pray, Darlings, That August Turns Out To Be Better Than July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             As I often state this time of year, August I still feel ambivalent about.  It means September is next, which used to mean school, but now means getting into the "ber" months, which quickly end the year.  August reminds me that this time is not so far away, and the Summer is winding down.

                              Nevertheless, I have a pile of reading to catch up on, posts to write, doctors to see, and this ought to keep me busy, throughout most of the month.  I am just grateful we made it through July, and can move on, even though July did have some delightful moments, which shall be chronicled.

                                So, let us welcome August, with open arms!   Summer is still here, but the end is nigh, so let us be grateful and appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Welcome, August!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's It For July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             No fireworks for us this year.  Between David's health problems, and then his diagnosis (which I am not ready to chronicle yet) it was not much of a July.  Though the mini-NYC vacation we took will be chronicled on here, starting tomorrow.  I wanted to say farewell to my readers on here till next month, and explain why, posting wise, this was not much of a month.

                             August will be here, and I will tell you this--"Svengoolie" has one of my favorites lined up for this Saturday night.  I will tell you more on Saturday.

                            My apologies for not writing more.  It has been a rough month.

                            See you in August, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Question Must Be Asked, Girls--What Is Jessie Mueller Up To????????????????

                            Jessie Mueller, the Toast Of Broadway, what has happened to her?  The last thing she did was Adelaide at the Kennedy Center in "Guys And Dolls," and this veteran of the classics has not surfaced in NYC for some time.  No solo albums, no 54 Below Concerts.  What gives, Jess?  Your fans want to know.

                              No female voice on Broadway can match hers, so why this disappearing, almost reclusive act????????????  Health, personal, or other problems?  Somehow, I think we would have heard, or I would have found out.

                                It is frustrating being deprived of a cultural treasure.  So, get an act together, Jess, and present it to us.

                                  She will sell out; that is for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!