Day 211- Pittsburgh Public Theater, Death of Salesman –Which American Dream?

Bendard (Shaun Hall) and Willy (Zach Grenier)*

Death of a Salesman, written in 1946 by playwright Arthur Miller, is one of those classic tragedies that we all have to read at some point in our educational history. This play is well known for  an analysis of the “American Dream”. Willy (Zach Grenier), a 63 year old washed up salesman  anguishes over his lack of  self-success and the lack of career accomplishments of his two sons, Happy and Biff (Maxwell  Eddy and Alex Mickiewicz).  He  fades in and out of reality as he relives his  past but in the present, he has a delusional  view of his imagined success. When forced to face his failed “American dream,”  he ends his life.

To be honest, in my youth without much life experience, I just did not get it. In my empty nest period, this play was much more relevant-I think Willy missed the American dream that was right in front of him because of an  unbalanced  focus on being liked by others and  equating success with monetary gain.

Day 210 Pittsburgh Ballet-Romeo and Juliet- Grand Romance/Love

I have enjoyed dance performances before (see Day 90) and I have seen several ballets but not the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.  My blog inspiration, Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book, reminds us to “be romantic”.  As this season comes to close, I was excited to experience the romance and passion of this first time Pittsburgh Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet.

Reflection                                                           

We all know  Shakespeare's story of the two young lovers who would rather end their life than live without each other but this production was so grand. It had 13 scene changes in 3 acts. The sets were magnificent with an elaborate market square, a stone castle home, a garden with the famous balcony, floor to ceiling stained glass in the chapel, beautiful arches in Juliet’s bedroom, and finally, a crypt. An ornate tapestry- like 7 paneled curtain, which  rose and fell  in sections between each scene, directed the audience's  focus on the character(s) by the pattern used.  It looked just like a painting each time!

Day 209 Celebrate Earth Day-“Ecolution Fashion Show” at Fairmont Hotel/ the Universe and more

Earth Day Pittsburgh celebrates the city’s transformation from steel production to a city with a pulse for green innovations with the theme,“Steel to Sustainable”. The festivities kicked off with the, “Ecolution Fashion Show” at the Fairmont Hotel. My Blog inspiration book," Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book", reminds us that we should remember to, “Look up…Stargaze”. “Plants-Preserving the Wonders of the Universe” was what this show celebrated with art, fashion, food, and dance.

Day 208 Nightly- Alternative POP at Spirit (Lawrenceville, Pgh)

Nightly in Pittsburgh

I have tried listening to various genres of music and exploring different music venues in my continued  quest to try new things (see Days  169, 172 and 174 ). This is in line with what my blog inspiration book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book, recommends, “keep music in your life”.  So I was off to experience Nightly, a band from Nashville and try listening to some alternative pop at a new venue, Spirit, in Lawrenceville.

Day 207 STOMP- Enjoy the Rhythm Made From Nothing and Everything

A beat produced from any source (a drum, a hand, or a can) is an instinctive way of human expression that  transcends all  language obstacles.  I think that is what makes  STOMP, a show that  focuses on sound and the creative  percussion of objects, so appealing.  My blog inspiration book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book, recommends that we, “make something from nothing”. That is just what happens in STOMP- everything and nothing is turned into a nonstop rhythmic experience!

Day 206 PNC Broadway Pittsburgh/Fun Home –Tackling Real Life but Soaring

"Fun Home" is not like any other musical that I have ever experienced. It’s not a musical where: “boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, and they sing  catchy show tunes that reverberate in your head  for  days”.  After this show,  it was  not the songs that played in my head, but the characters’ pain and joy  expressed through the music.   One  character (Alison) soars after she  openly  comes to terms with the fact that she is a  lesbian, while her  father (Bruce) self destructs from a  life  of  hiding that he is gay.  This musical  tackles real life family issues and is emotionally powerful  entertainment. 

Day 205 PNC Broadway, King and I- Overcoming Cultural Differences and Finding Friendships

As a child, I loved the movie “The King and I.”  I must admit that I had a crush on the king, Yul Brenner, in the movie, bald head and all!  This is a story of  two people from very different cultures (The King of Siam) and the British schoolteacher (Anna), who’s contentious relationship at first  develops into a  loving friendship.  Initially, their ideas are very polarized because their  worlds could not be  more different but by being open to learn about each other, and  by developing a deep respect for each other, a powerful friendship/love evolves.  “The King and I" is all about  the process of  overcoming cultural differences.

Day 204-The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center-“Shake Your Booties..Down Bourbon Street” for a Family Cause at Stage AE

I have been to galas and walks to raise funds for organizations that focus on the support or a cure for various illnesses (Day 67, Day 90), but not for an organization that so strongly supports families. My blog inspiration, Little Golden Books, reminds us that family “times gives us a sense of belonging, when we feel safe and loved.” That is just what The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center does by promoting the health and the well-being of infants and children through  services that establish and strengthens the family.  They help establish a family with an infant adoption program, prepare a family with a home-like transition hospital for children, and  assist a family with a day care program for children with developmental and medical needs. I was  therefore ready to enjoy a night of jazz and fun by attending the event, “Shake Your Booties..Down Bourbon Street " and support this family centered cause at Stage AE.

Day 203- Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra POPS-Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel (AJ Swearingen & Johathan Beedle) –magical harmony.

At age 10, I remember listening to my neighbor’s parent’s  Simon & Garfunkel albums,“Bridge Over Troubled Water” and "Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits." We sang “Cecilia and  Homeword Bound” over and over again.  As a child, I loved the harmony and the stories told in the music and to this day I gravitate toward artists that have poetic lyrics and that harmonize.  This 1960’s duo was truly a magical musical union that fit together like no other. They produced songs that lasted the test of time or the kind that when played, you just start to sing along.  The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra POPS –Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel–with guests,  AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle, and under the direction of guest conductor, Michael  Krajewski, brought back that magical sound enriched with Pittsburgh's first class symphony orchestra.

Day 202- Riverdance 20th anniversary-Amazing-Benedum Pittsburgh

Riverdance is on its 20^th year of touring and I have never seen the show!  I love  to watch dance (see Day 193-Pilbolus & Day 90-Nutcracker ) so I thought that  it was time to see why this show has had such a long run and get my Irish fix on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. My son was home, so even though he needed a push to go, we both were amazed at the show. I overheard several people say “I thought it would be good but did not know it would be this good!”  

Day 201 Brit Floyd-Music of Pink Floyd- Back in Pgh revisit Immersion Tour at Benedum Pittsburgh

(Brit Floy is back in Pittsburgh with a 50th Anniversary Tour on April 21, 2028. Remembering the experience in 2017 and excited to experience the new production. For tickets go trustarts.org.)

My first experience with the  music of the British  rock band, Pink Floyd, was in college.  I was  not  a  “rock and roll” girl but a disco queen  in college mostly because I loved to dance.  One  of my roommates gave me  head phones and  I listened to the entire  album of “The Wall”laying down in a dim lit room.  I could not believe the musical experience with  the voices, sounds (laughter), and instrumentals. I assure you that no drugs were involved but  I was taken on an escape, a relaxing ride,  and  I was hooked on the band. My blog inspiration book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from A Little Golden Book, reminds us to “use your imagination” and that is just what I remember doing that day in my college dorm as I was immersed in the music.   I was excited to see if  Brit Floyd, which is a Pink Floyd cover band, could capture the experience.