“FIDDLE FADDLE” That is one of the songs that I remember my sister Colette playing when I was a young ‘un.  She had her own marimba at home and there were endless hours of practice engulfing the home with music.  My dad and I used to transport her…

SO BILL, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN WRITING “VOICE” IN YOUR REVIEWS? I like to think that I possess a bit of a theatrical flair in my writing. I choose to be playful, using parenthetical quips and unusual vocabulary choices. I am very fond of idiomatic expressions…

Exasperating!  NOOOOOOOOO! There are some words that are so hackneyed and trite that, when said, they’re not even communicating anymore. I’m convinced that MY TORTURE explains the only possible reason they exist these days. Think  bamboo shoots under the fingernails or a brand spankin’ new piece of chalk…

TIE ONE ON? For a man, it may not be that complicated these days. Should I put on a tie and stifle my collared shirt or keep the collar splayed to the breeze when I attend a theatre show? It’s no contest under most circumstances. As far as…

THANKFUL FOR HONEST THEATRE CRITICISM? Why does it serve the artist? There are plenty of factors which affect performance. Of course, training, experience, direction, sleep, mentoring, script analysis, energy from partners on the stage, etc. all contribute to excellence. The performer throws all of the ingredients into the…

HELICOPTERS?  KING KONG? As I read the publicity about KING KONG set to open at the LYRIC THEATRE on Broadway soon, I began to reflect on other massive scenic challenges. Hmmm. The obvious one, of course, is the helicopter from MISS SAIGON. Now onward to the dirigible airship in…

2018  OPENS NEW THEATRE VISTAS IN SOCAL Theatre in Southern California mesmerized audiences throughout the year.  For this critic, it also offered a time of exploration of other theatres beyond San Diego County, Orange County and the Inland Empire as well. Consistently fine work presented by Cygnet Theatre…

NYC Yellow Cab Tips Yellow Cabs can be very expensive; however, one may suit your needs on occasion. Depending on the traffic  it could require $20 or $30. Certainly tip a few bucks extra or you’ll see a very nasty countenance on your driver. Crosstown travels (e.g. moving…

OH, DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS Every New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, PA (barring excessive winds) for over a century, there occurs an annual Mummers Parade. Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades participate in this annual event that has become a city tradition. There has to be a story…