Monday, April 30, 2018

Day 280 WordPlay-Storytelling With a Musical Spin-An Intimate Experience




The Bricolage Theater  is synonymous  with “adventurous theater”.  It  is a forum were art can be  pushed to new limits.   In the show WordPlay, actors, writers, and just ordinary people, tell their own stories with the injection of music.  This is grown- up storytelling with literally a spin as a  DJ spins real-time soundtracks during the dialogue. I recently saw this show which was an entertaining yet intimate experience as strangers shared their lives.   


Saturday, April 28, 2018

Day 279- Potted Potter-A (Harry Potter) Whimsical Parody



I always loved reading the Harry Potter books with my son but I must admit that I have not read all 7 books.  These books are not just for kids. We all know someone who ran out at midnight to get the  first edition of each book in the series that takes readers to the   magical world at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Potted Potter is a whimsical parody that covers all 7 books in 70 minutes!  I was excited to experience this condensed comedy on the adventures in these beloved books.   

Reflection

There seemed to be more adults than kids in the audience. This show appealed to both the young and mature as the comedy was layered. The first  layer was for the kids and then they kicked in something for the adults. It was like the Disney movie Shrek, where some of the donkey’s “side lines” were more for the adults.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Day 278- Happy Earth Day- Rachel Carson Challenge-Training Hikes- Endurance



What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to try a 7.5 mile training hike for the Rachael Carson Challenge.  Rachel Carson was one of the first "nature writers" whose book, Silent Spring (1962), is credited with fueling the environmental movement. The Rachel Carson Challenge
 is a 35 mile one day hike on rugged terrain on June 23, 2018 (the longest day of the year which makes sense because you need all the daylight that you can get to finish it). Since  this  blog is all about trying new things and obtaining your personal best, I thought admitting with some trepidation, that  I would  at least attempt  the first 7.5 mile training to see if I had what it takes to endure.

Reflection
  My initial reaction to this  daunting Challenge was that attempting it would be crazy because 1) I am really not in superwoman shape and 2)  walking from sun up to sun down seems a little too "Forest Gump like" to me, not  to mention feet aching, muscle burning, literally never ending.   The weekly training hikes  progressively increase in length to prepare you for the mother-lode hike.  The training hikes seem to be a better choice for me.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Day 277 Carnegie Science Center's Rangos Giant Cinema-Hollywood Experiences and 3D Films-Immersive


*The Carnegie Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema is literally a giant theater. They have started evening movies or “Hollywood Experiences” and also have 3D educational films. I recently viewed the  80’s iconic Prince film, Purple Rain  as part of the Hollywood Experiences and the 3D Amazon Adventure  that chronicles Henry Bates’ 11 year exploration of the Amazon rain forest. I have not viewed a movie on this mega  screen in many years but  was excited for an immersive experience!

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Day 276- Midtown Men with Pittsburgh Symphony POPS-Nostalgic Night


I have recently made the Pittsburgh Symphony part of my empty-nest repertoire (Day 266 and especially the POPS, that pair an array of artist  with our Grammy award winning Pittsburgh Symphony (Day 229). The Midtown Men are four original cast members from the hit Broadway show Jersey Boys. I was excited  to experience a little Four Seasons, Beatles, Motown, and more, as they harmonized, accompanied by our fantastic symphony.  This was a nostalgic night through the 60’s.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Day 275 Mummenchanz-Imaginative Swiss Theater Troup


My blog inspiration book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book recommends that we “use [our] imagination”.  Mummenchanz is an imaginative Swiss theater troupe  that really thinks outside of the box. I saw them once in the 1980’s and I was amazed with their ability to use ordinary objects in very extraordinary ways. It was a visual explosion of acrobatics, mime, imagery, puppets, lights, props and more.  I have waited three decades to see them again and I could not wait to experience their recent Pittsburgh show, You and Me.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

April Preview of Events


Potted Potter –Byham Theater- Friday April 27 to April 29, 2018 



I always loved reading the Harry Potter books to my son. So many of my friends ran to get the first editions of each book enjoying  the magical world of the Potter series. Potted Potter is a parody that covers all 7 books in 70 minutes! This should be a cleaver adventure of laughs based on these beloved books.   


Join me at the Byham on a whimsical parody for Potter buffs of all ages.     For tickets go to https://trustarts.org/production/59276.

Blog Post to here 

Word Play- April 13-14, July 27-28, November 16-17, 2018- Bricolage Theater



The Bricolage Theater  is synonymous  with “adventurous theater”.  It  is a forum were art can be  pushed to new limits.   In the show WordPlay, actors, writers, and just ordinary people, tell their own stories with the injection of music.  This is grown- up storytelling with literally a spin as a  DJ spins real-time soundtracks during the dialogue. This should be an intimate experience as  these strangers  share their  lives.   

Join me for the creativity and intimacy of  WordPlay at the Bricolage Theater on Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh. For tickets go to Bricolagepgh.org. 
Blog Post to here

Midtown Men with the Pittsburgh Symphony- April 13 and 15, 2018-Heinz Hall



The Midtown Men are four original cast members from the hit Broadway show Jersey Boys.  They bring the music and style of the 1960’s to the stage. I can’t wait to experience a little Beach Boys, Beatles, Motown, and more, as they harmonize with  our award winning  Pittsburgh Symphony.  This should be a nostalgic night through the 60’s! (preview here)

Join me for a  little 60's nostalgia with the Midtown Men and the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall. For tickets go to Pittsburghsymphony.org.
Blog Post here