On Tuesday, We Visited The Museum Of Broadway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             David and I had been wanting to see this for a long time.  I had been hoping this place would be something of a Lourdes for Theater Queens, but, really, darlings, it is worth only one visit.

                              It's a hodge podge of stuff wrapped up in a Lewis Carroll like vision--call it "Alice In Theatreland."  There were many things to enjoy, which I will get to, but I could clock off the omissions--no mention of Shelley Plimpton in the "HAIR" exhibit, no mention of Neva Small anywhere, not enough on "Gypsy" or "Funny Girl"--imagine, BARBRA!!!!!!!!!!--  just a poster for "Henry, Sweet Henry," and so far down I had to lean down to see it.  'Merrily' was represented by a small photo of the recent cast, but how about the originals?  And, lastly, not a word about "Runaways."  I mean, Elizabeth Swados! Trini Alvarado, for God's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Still, there are two things I loved, and if the damn ticket price was not so expensive--limiting a lot of struggling Theater Queens--I would go again.  There is a "West Side Story" area where, along with shadows projected onto a red wall, one can dance to "America," and "Cool."  I swear, as I was doing it, I felt myself leaping and turning!

                            But the piece de resistance was in the "A Chorus Line" area, of course, where they had a Cassie outfit--unfortunately not the original worn by Donna McKechnie, and they had a hall of mirrors, to the music, where one can dance and unleash their inner Cassie.

                                     And here I am, doing just that, darlings!  Sorry I could not wear the outfit!

                                   Anyway, this experience is worth a one trip visit.  But no more than that.

On Monday Evening, We Saw "TEETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             I am sure many on here know the trajectory of this show; for those who may not, let me offer an explanation.

                               This is a musical version of a 2007 film of the same title, which I saw back in the day.  It was directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein, the son of Roy Lichtenstein.  Like the film, the musical is about a young girl named Dawn O'Keefe, who suffers from a condition called "vagina dentata," thereby ruining her chances for intimacy.

                                 The movie was witty and understated, for a film of this subject.

                                 The musical, which moved from Playwrights Horizons to New World Stages is as in your face and vulgar as can be.  Andy Karl plays the kind of pastor one associates with Christian phoniness, and the story is given a Christian agenda, which it never had, and which I objected to.  Then we get the vulgarity of dozens of penises on strings falling from the sky by way of the theater ceiling.  What the hell is this?

                                     Kyra Kennedy plays Dawn, with as lackluster a manner as any of her players.  The music, which is loud and raucous, did absolutely nothing for me.  The costumes were merely functional.  And the underratedness of the film is missing because the creators forsake the film and fill the story with phony Christian political correctness.  Darlings, if you want Christmas correctness, go see the Rockettes.  Because I am telling you, the Living Nativity is so spectacular I don't think the real thing could have been better staged.

                                       However, everyone around us was going crazy with joy.  This show has some demographic that obviously draws repeat viewers, but I could not fathom it.  I felt we were on the outside looking in.

                                       Sarah Benson directed this mess.  I never heard of her, and don't expect to.  Why?  Because she took a unique property, did away with it, and made it into her own politically correct agenda.  What a load of crap!

                                           "TEETH" will have you gritting yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Restaurant Of Choice This Year Was Il Cantinori!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One Of ANNA's Favorite Places!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Of course, darlings, I always go by ANNA.

                                     One advantage to having a birthday on Monday is that our lunch/dinner was so peaceful and quiet.

                                      Arriving at 2PM on November 18, David and I were graciously escorted to a table, and discovered several people in the restaurant then were celebrating their birthdays at the time. This is getting to be something of a tradition for us, as the same thing happened last year at Balthazar.

                                          We started out with a free appetizer of toasted bread with white bean spread.  It was delicious.  And gracious of them to offer it.

                                         One woman offered me her crown to wear, which I did for a few seconds, and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to one another.

                                            Which is all well and good.  But I know what my darlings want to know--what did we have to eat?

                                              So, here it is--

                                               David had white wine, and I had red.  Both were suited for our entrees.

                                               David had Bruschetta Con Pecorino E Pere for an appetizer. This was a salad with pears, honey and croutons.

                                                I had, as my appetizer, Aspargi Alla  Milanese, which was asparagus with parmigiana cheese and hardboiled egg.  What a light and delicious appetizer!  Highly recommended, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 David's entree was Scampi Con Pomodori , which was shrimp with spinach and tomatoes.  He said it was delicious.

                                                 We got plenty of bread, which I went easy on, and our water was always refilled so I stayed hydrated.

                                                    And dessert?

                                                    Well, David had regular tea, and I had decaf coffee.

                                                      Our desserts were scrumptious. David had an assortment of gelato--vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, and strawberry.  I had a Tartufo of vanilla and chocolate ice cream covered in a rich chocolate shell.  It was the best Tartufo I have had.

                                                         I hated to leave Il Cantinori, it was such a pleasant experience.

                                                          Just perfect for a 70th birthday celebration, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                            

Imagine--Gojira And Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         This is the definitive one in Japan, but I just found out, girls, that smaller, but house sized. Gojira trees, who breathe smoke, are turning up all over America.

                           Imagine having a Gojira Tree.  It would be like spending Christmas with him.  Or he with you, darlings?????????????

                            Honestly, who would have thought Gojira would be a part of Christmas?  Being the lovable and helpful reptile he is--who listens very closely to Sister Camille--I am sure he would endorse this.  

                              Who knows?  Maybe Sister Camille will get a Gojira Tree herself!!!!!!!!!! 

Rest In Peace, Nicholas---December 24, 2010--December 1, 2024!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     According to what his owner told me, Nicholas was found by him, huddling underneath a car, abandoned, on a snowy Christmas Eve in 2010.  He took him in, and eventually Nicholas became the mascot of his health food store.

                                      Which is where I met him.  I would visit Nicholas every day and gave him attention he was always happy to receive, and he made me happy.  I never knew the bond we had, until Nicholas showed me himself.

                                         During the Summer of 2020, I stopped by to see Nicholas but was overcome by a lack of energy so intense I had to sit on the arm bench in front of the counter.  I stretched out on it, almost going to sleep, when Nicholas hopped up, and began pawing me to see if I was all right.  I petted him, and told him I was, but that was not good enough.  Nicholas then leapt up on the bench, wedging himself to me, so that I would not move from my place.  I rested. and when I finally got up, so did Nicholas.  He dropped to the floor, I stood up, and he looked at me.  He walked me through the store, and into the garden, never straying from my side.  He knew something was wrong and kept an eye on me.  In October, that year, I had my heart ablation, and thanks to Nicholas, I am here.  The surgery saved my life, but if it had not been for Nicholas' love and concern, I might not have recognized the problem.  So, thank you, Nicholas!

                                            Eventually, the health food store was sold.  Nicholas went to a house on Ovington Avenue, where I visited a couple of times, and he was so glad to see me, running up and down stairs, and showing off for me, he was so happy.  The home, however, turned out not to be happy, and Nicholas went to a residence in Park Slope, where I was told he was happy, though he had some health problems.

                                                 Nicholas died peacefully in his sleep.  After Ovington, I never saw him again.  But I always remembered and sent my love to him continuously.  When I heard of his passing, this morning, I wonder, just slightly, if Nicholas had died of a broken heart.  Those he was used to having visits with were no longer coming, and I don't know how his caregivers kept up with vet visits.

                                                        I wished I could have done more for Nicholas, just as he did for me.  But I will always cherish his memory and love him.  As I hope he did me.

                                                         A fond farewell, Nicholas.  You were the cat of cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something Different For Christmas, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Each December, I come up with a Christmas theme to put on here, and I had trouble coming up with one this year.  Until a bright idea popped into my head--how about things associated with Christmas, but which most do not think of?  And there I had it!

                                            Most people this season reach for Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," when it comes to seasonal reading.  But I offer "Great Expectations" as a more suitable alternative.  It starts out on Christmas Day and foreshadows all the action to come.  It is one of the best Victorian novels written, one of my Dickens favorites, and a story that just does not quit, until it does.

                                                   I can think of no better holiday read this year.

                                                   For those who have passed Clarence Clement Moore.

Welcome December, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Who knew that 2024 would match 1822?

                                         If only more things matched 1822.  Families. Visiting. Presents.  The kind of excitement and anticipation one got from this month as a child.  If only that could have been preserved forever.  Alas, it could not.

                                          December is a month of reflection.  The coming of Jesus, our accomplishments during the year, looking to the year ahead.

                                           As children's author Joan Walsh Anglund said, "Christmas is a time of giving."   "Christmas is a blessed time of love."

                                           Let those words be our mantra for this entire month.  Let this December be a joyous time of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!