Day 358-Jesus Christ Superstar-Revival production celebrating its 50th year anniversary- Remembering the Sacrifice

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that ends the Christmas season, a time when many of us celebrated the birth of Christ, by coming full circle with the story of Christ’s last days of life and  crucifixion.  This production won the 2017 Oliver Award winning Best Musical Revival. It’s a show that had its debut 50 years ago in the 1970’s. Back then, I remember the controversy that the album and show caused because it was loosely based on the Bible and told Christ’s story from the point of view of a disgruntled Judas. I also remember that everyone was singing the beautiful music and that the album was played on the radio. This was a ground breaking show by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that fueled discussion, debate and reflection on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

Day 357- Home for the Holidays- Celebrate the Season with Some Hometown Cheer

 One of my blog inspiration books, Everything I Need to Know About Christmas, I learned From a Little Golden Book reminds us to “make time for family and friends” and as we do, we often come home for the holidays. Now in its third year,  Home for the Holidays celebrates the season with the best of our local talent coming home to Pittsburgh and bringing some hometown cheer with a musical night of rock, blues and soul.

Day 356-The Holiday Pops- A Pittsburgh Tradition that Creates Family Memories-It Feels Like Christmas.

The Holiday POPs conducted by Daniel Meyer was an explosion of Holiday cheer. This show with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Broadway star, Ashley Brown, Santa and more, elevates the spirit of the season.  My family, like many others, have made this event a Pittsburgh Holiday tradition. It's a show that warms the heart and produces lasting family memories. 

Day 355 -Holiday Magic -Phipps Conservatory-Share the Wonder of the Season

My blog inspiration book, Everything I Learned About Christmas, I Learned From A Little Golden Book, reminds us that Christmas should be a “time of wonder, a time like no other time of the year.”  At Phipps Conservatory,  Holiday Magic brings back the wonder of the season as you navigate through the 8 rooms of nature infused with lights, Christmas trees and poinsettias, as well as 5 permanent botanical gardens. 

Day 354- Forever Plaid-CLO Cabaret-Nostalgic Harmonies for the Young and the Young at Heart

Forever Plaid is a musical comedy that takes you back to the 1950’s where male musical groups like the Four Aces and The Platters dominated the top 40 charts. When I was a child, my mother often  bragged that “the best music came out of 50’s.” This youngster (relatively speaking) was ready to join the “young at heart” and visit this bygone era of nostalgic harmonies in Forever Plaid.

Stay Safe-Just an Intermission

Who would have thought  that a virus could cause such a life paradigm shift  in a few months. As we all navigate though this pandemic, I find comfort in the Pittsburgh Trust's sign- "This is Just Intermission".  I am looking forward to exploring the Trust's 2020-21 Broadway season (preview here), the Pittsburgh CLO and more, when its safe to be back.

 I took a small hiatus to regroup in March but stay tuned for upcoming blogs. We are all living a new experience each day during this pandemic but my hope is  that the upcoming blogs will help you  make the best of it each day.

Stay healthy and safe.

Blog post "This is Just Intermission..." here

Day 353- No Stress Thanksgiving-Order it-A.W. Beattie Career Center-Culinary School

I stress every Thanksgiving where the meal is the star of this holiday and my cooking, although adequate, certainly does not shine. In fact, making the dinner is not a “labor of love” for this girl but a stress bomb. Every year I make numerous calls to my girlfriend (who is a stellar cook) because I lack confidence in my ability to produce the expected brown moist bird. When I learned that my son was not coming home for the holiday, I decided to eliminate all the work and worries about achieving perfection and order my Thanksgiving meal from the A.W. Beattie Career Center's Culinary School.