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Saw it today. A very charming, funny, sometimes heart breaking show. Helen J Shen and Darren Criss are terrific. Good music and creatively staged. IMG_8355.mov

It’s worth a visit just to see this spectacular covered courtyard. The art is good too.

The perfect art installation for tired museum feet. You are encouraged to lay on the floor looking up at this hanging of fiber with changing lights by Janet Echelman. IMG_8280.mov

Four talks by Laurie Anderson and Basquiat and Banksy.

Big or small Calder’s work always makes me happy.

The connecting Concourse is home to the light sculpture connecting the West and East buildings of the National Gallery. It has approximately 41,000 LEDs and they do not repeat the pattern. The artist is Leo Villarreal. It’s very cool I thought. IMG_8167.mov

Now at the National Gallery in DC. A beautiful show with paintings from several museums.

Few if any remaining tickets. I have high hopes this will transfer to Broadway as several encore productions have done so. I would love to see this production again. It was wonderful.

In 1975 the book Ragtime came out. I bought a copy and really enjoyed it. At the time I was living in an apartment (as an illegal sublet) in a brownstone on 38th Street between Park and Madison Avenues. When I got to the chapter about the siege on the Morgan Library I put the book down, went downstairs, walked 2 blocks over and stared at the Library, I went back to my apartment and continued reading. Life imitates art. When the Broadway musical came out in 1997 I went to see it having some doubts that the musical could capture the book. I loved it despite some mixed reviews. I believe it was the first time I saw Audra McDonald. I did see a revival, in 2009 I believe. So I recently bought a ticket for this new production at City Center which is getting very good reviews. Ticket wasn't cheap at $178 but I really like the show and I'm looking forward to seeing it November 9. It closes on the 10th so any review I have will be late. Hopefully it might transfer to Broadway.

Today I saw Our Town. I have to admit I’ve never seen a live production of this play. I have seen filmed versions but it’s been a while. So I was looking forward to seeing this well reviewed production of what is considered an American classic. With an impressive cast I had high hopes for it. Sorry to say I was not bored exactly but rather underwhelmed by it all. Apologies to Thornton Wilder.

Now on Netflix the Great British Baking Show has always been a guilty pleasure. But now I have even more reasons to enjoy it since Dylan Bachelet has arrived.

Now at the Met in NYC. I beautiful show of art at the dawn of the Italian Renaissance. Besides paintings there are sculptures, gold work and fabrics. But it’s the paintings that got my attention. While religious in nature I like them for the strange and surreal compositions and imagery.

It had been 30 years since I was last in Yosemite so I was long overdue for a return visit. While it’s almost a cliche to say our National Parks are an American treasure, it’s certainly true. We are so lucky to have them. Inspired by the photographer Ansel Adams whose photos brought added fame to Yosemite, I tried taking some of my own as homage. I used my iPhone 14.

If you’re looking forward to a fun filled time in the theater this is not the play for you. If you want something serious with some comic moments you might enjoy it. But be prepared for a play that’s over 3 hours. Written by the highly regarded playwright Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, The Ferryman) and directed by the very talented director Sam Mendes you can expect to be in for a well crafted production. It was a big hit in London and has now transferred to Broadway. The official opening is September 29 so still in preview. The plot is 4 sisters who as young girls were being encouraged (forced) to become a singing act much like the Andrew Sisters by their mother. Now 20 years later they are reconnected as their mother is dying of cancer. To say much more would give away the plot so no spoilers from me. The cast is all quite wonderful, some playing different characters. And while not a musical there are some terrific musical moments in the show. IMG_7559.mov

The Great Elephant Migration | A Coexistence Story THEGREATELEPHANTMIGRATION.ORG The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraising adventure to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race, to share space. One-hundred... Now on exhibit in NYC it’s worth a trip downtown for this outdoor art installation.

Yes. It really is disgusting. I love it. Maybe I should put it on EBay. BTW I have a strand of silver curtain from the Gaiety Male Burlesque Theater before it closed if anyone is interested ha ha.

IMG_7519.mov Saw this today. After the Encores presentation of Into The Woods I think this is a close second. But that’s Sondheim who can’t be topped . Sutton Foster was brilliant as always. Saw her in Sweeney Todd while she was in rehearsals for this show at the same time. Amazing stamina. Great performances in both. Michael Urie who I’ve seen in several shows was so charming and funny. He’s just so good. Ana Gasteyer who I didn’t know was hysterical as Queen Aggravain. And I really enjoyed Daniel Breaker as the Jester. The whole cast was terrific. I’d happily see this again and highly recommend seeing it. And I came away with a terrific souvenir. When Sutton makes her first appearance after her climb over the wall to the castle, after swimming the moat, IMG_7519.mov IMG_7519.mov she has all sorts of creatures on her body. Her back has leeches which Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless pulls from her back and throws into the audience. I was in the 11th row, center row of the orchestra and one landed in my lap. So I now have this disgusting sticky rubber leech that was attached to Sutton Foster. Better than an autograph I think.

Decent hangers, preferably wood in the closet. Something to put a suitcase on when opened. Good lighting especially for reading in bed (with a book). Some good magazines that you could read in bed. Hooks strategically placed in the bathroom to hang clothes. Maybe a nice bathrobe. Counters in the bathroom for putting toiletries that guests have traveled with. I’m always frustrated when the only place to put your stuff is on the top of the toilet. Decent towels and a place to put them when they are wet.

For all you Virginia Woolf fans, Wayne McGregor’s ballet triptych based on the writings of Virginia Woolf looks to be a good performance. My ticket is for Saturday, August 29 and I’m looking forward to it. American Ballet Theatre WWW.ABT.ORG American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is one of the greatest dance companies in the world, revered as a living national treasure since its founding in 1939 and dedicated to...

It’s almost here, the ultimate stripper show with dancers who can really dance. June 23rd there are two shows. Tickets going fast. Not cheap but certainly for a great cause and tax deductible. A win win. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS – What we do together, makes a difference BROADWAYCARES.ORG

Thanks for all the recommendations. A lot of what was running in London I had already seen in NY on Broadway. However I did find with full days of museums I collapsed into my hotel bed shortly after dinner. I did hear about a show that intrigued me called Babies which sounded good but I missed it. I’ll be back next year doing a theater tour but not sure what will be included.

I feel the same way with bartenders in gay bars. I sure do miss Splash Bar. Ok. A bit off topic.

For those interested, on the British Museum website, you can find something called The Parthenon Sculptures: The Trustees’ statement regarding their position about returning the sculptures to Greece. It’s worth a read and you can decide for yourself if you agree with their position or not. British Museum WWW.BRITISHMUSEUM.ORG Welcome to the British Museum - discover two million years of human history and culture.

I only had a short 3 hours this morning but what I did see was really great. The museum is free but there was a huge line outside. Luckily the friends I was with are members so we went right in before the crowds. It pays to know the right people lol.