Reviews, journalism, musings
It’s time to resurrect the satirical style of John Heartfield, who successfully lampooned Hitler and Nazism.
Whenever I encounter one of John Heartfield’s works, I say to myself, “We do need a few like him these days. So where are they?” Continue reading “Remembering John Heartfield”
Each new production of The Threepenny Opera is worth seeing. This one is no exception.
THE THREEPENNY OPERA. Opera by Kurt Weill, libretto by Bertolt Brecht. Directed by David M. Jenkins. Cast: Jennifer Casler: Bob the Saw / Ensemble; Colleen Cherry: Streetsinger / Betty; Spence Gabriel: Crookfinger Jake / Ensemble; Amy E. Gray: Jenny Diver; Jonathan Harrison: J. J. Peachum; Chelsea Hooker: Rev. Kimball / Coaxer / Ensemble; Chris Jackson: Macheath, “Mack the Knife”; Fo’i Meleah: Celia Peachum; Spencer Meyers: Streetsinger / Readymoney Matt; Giselle Muise: Polly Peachum; Maggie Mularz: Lucy Brown / Ensemble; Derrick Phillips: Tiger Brown; Alex Rivera: Smith / Walt / Ensemble; Olivia Sargent: Dolly / Ensemble; Katrina Stevenson: Molly / Ensemble; Ryan Sturm: Filch.
Each new production of The Threepenny Opera is worth seeing. This one is no exception. Continue reading “Jobsite Theatre’s Threepenny Opera’s Worth More Than That”
Not just a tribute to a beautiful bridge, but a thorough history of it.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay. By Nevin D. Sitler and Richard N. Sitler. Paperback. The History Press.
Ten years ago my wife and I toured Tampa Bay, looking for a place to retire. When we passed over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, we were amazed at the breathtaking ride across this stunning suspension bridge that unites Pinellas County with Manatee County. But my first thought was: “How exotic! We’re not in New England anymore. This is Florida.” Continue reading “Book about a Beautiful Bridge”
Why not write your autobiography? Don’t. Try this instead.
Not Your Everyday Memoir! : Humorous Essays, Lies, Rants, Short Stories and More! by Keith Connes
You’re a writer and you’ve clawed your way to the senior rung of life. But you probably haven’t gotten there without hearing at least one acquaintance suggest: “You have such wonderful stories! Why not write your autobiography?”
Don’t. Autobiographies are boring. Continue reading “A Wry Look at the Indignities of Life”
Once in a while, I welcome a little political tiff.
Once in a while, I welcome a little political tiff. Continue reading “The Day I Refused to Discuss Politics”
The first picture I ever took was of my friend Pammy Prager. I didn’t want to.
The first picture I ever took was of my friend Pammy Prager. I didn’t want to. Continue reading “First Picture I Ever Took”
For years this simple truth has dogged me. There are two problems with digital cameras that lack viewfinders.
For years this simple truth has dogged me. There are two problems with digital cameras that lack viewfinders (or have poorly designed ones). Continue reading “The ClearViewer Optical Viewfinder: A Cure for the Two-Handed Wobble”
Waste no pity on Offenbach because he has only one opera in the repertoire (and for dying before he could see it). This one’s a doozy.
TALES OF HOFFMAN. Opera by Jacques Offenbach, libretto by Jules Barbier. Cast: John Kaneklides (Hoffmann), Kathleen Shelton (The Muse / Nicklausse), Kelly Curtin (Olympia), Lara Lynn McGill (Antonia), Tara Curtis (Antonia’s Mother), Susan Hellman Spatafora (Guilietta). Stage Director: Karl W. Hesser; Dance choreographyer: Daryl Gray; Costume designer: Glenn Breed; Conductor and executive director: Mark Sforzini. Produced by St. Petersburg Opera.
Jacques Offenbach composed over 100 operas. But waste no pity on him because he has only one in the repertoire (and for dying before he could see it). Tales of Hoffman, based on three short stories by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, is immortal, right up there with (many of) Giuseppe Verdi’s operas. Any company that performs it must not only be faithful to its strikingly original music, but also tackle its adventurous staging. I’m happy to say the St. Petersburg Opera delivered the goods on both. And boy did it ever. Continue reading “Tales of Hoffman Taller Than Ever”
If you can ignore the tedious staging of this Blu-ray recording of Boito’s Mefistofele, the singing is good.
Here’s my review of a Blu-ray recording of Mefistofele, as it appears in Audiophile Audition (www.audaud.com).
Continue reading “Review of BOITO: MEFISTOFELE”
What is Laine Nixon’s exhibition Becoming Unfinished all about? What does the title mean? And what’s the theme?
LAINE NIXON. BECOMING UNFINISHED. Gallery 221 (Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL). May 15 – June 29, 2017. For more info, visit the gallery web site.
What is Laine Nixon’s exhibition Becoming Unfinished all about? What does the title mean? And what’s the theme? Continue reading “Five Minutes with an Artist: Laine Nixon”
