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The author of these blog posts is a lawyer by day and fiction writer by night.
Jun23

Million Dollar Quartet

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My great grandmother was a Phillips by birth. Her brother had a son named Sam Phillips.  Sam grew up to found Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.  He discovered Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.  I am proud to call him a distant cousin.  There was a day in December, 1956, that all four of  his best selling artists were in the studio and had an impromptu session.  Here is a iconic picture of that day.

This day has now been memorialized in a Broadway show that I had the privilege to see a week ago today.  It was great.  Lots of wonderful music and the actors played and sang it all themselves.  The Elvis character had the mannerisms down cold.  He was good.  Johnny Cash was spot on as well.  The guy that played Carl Perkins was the best guitarist of the group.  BUT I have to say, the guy that played Jerry Lee Lewis stole the whole show. He was fantastic.  His piano playing was amazing even upside down!  He won a Tony Award for best new comer and it was very deserved.  His name is Levi Kries.  I see great things in his future. 

The only female in the cast had a fabulous singing voice.  As for the guy that played my cousin, Sam, he was good, too and better looking than the real Sam. 

I have never been disappointed with any show I have seen on Broadway (except one that I won’t name) and this was another treat.  Highly recommended.  AND get the soundtrack,  you’ll love it.

Check it out: http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/index.html

Jun21

The Addams Family

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As promised, here is my review of The Addams Family on Broadway.  We had front row center seats for the Sunday, June 13, performance. I have never been on the front row before. The closest I’ve been in the past was 7th row when I saw Talk Radio.  I saw Equus from the box and that was a good high view of the stage. This front row thing was a real treat. When Nathan Lane walked onstage, I was so excited I could barely stand it.  He is just such a virtuoso in the comedic arts, he is irresistible. The magnetism he has comes across the stage lights and grabs hold and doesn’t turn loose even when the show ends. He was on form and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.

Bebe Neuwirth also has a great  presence. She was wonderful in her role as Morticia. Her voice and dance abilities are awesome.  I especially enjoyed her dance scene with the ancestors.

The woman who played the mother of Wednesday’s boyfriend, Carolee Carmello, was hilarious. I saw her when she played Donna in Mamma Mia, so I knew she could sing but she played a comedic role here and she was spot on. When she drank the potion Pugsley poured and  her “dark side” came out, she  was so funny, I laughed til I cried.

Terrance Mann is one of my favorite actors and he was perfect as the father of the boyfriend of Wednesday.

Wednesday was a cute girl and sang quite well.  Uncle Fester stole almost every scene he was in (except for the ones with Nathan, of course, as who could take their eyes off Nathan? )  Kevin Chamberlin played Fester and he was nominated for a Tony. He didn’t win but he was really good in the role.

Lurch, Pugsley and Grandma were true to the television series.  All in all, I was very pleased with the show.  Near the end, Nathan Lane tossed a rose into the audience and #2 son caught it.  He gave it to me.  It was a cool end to the show and I’m glad we got to go. 

Two thumbs up for this one.

Jun19

On leaving New York

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At LaGuardia Airport ready to head home from my 8 days in NYC.  I’ll be posting reviews of the 2 shows I saw soon but here is a picture to tide you over til then.

This was my main mode of transportation for the last week. I miss my Volvo.

Remember tomorrow to read my blog entry here:

http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/

Jun17

Long legs vs. Short legs

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The spouse and two kids are all long legged, tall people.  I am not.  I am short with stubby legs.  When they all walk down the street, I’m practically running to keep up- at the least, I’m race-walking.  They stop at the corner to wait for me. I catch up, panting for breath and before I can rest a second, off they go again. I am constantly playing catch up. I know they are annoyed but so am I. 

Join me this Sunday here as my alter ego blogs about Pensacola:  http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/  This is a great blog to follow. Lots of cool info.  They have a Sunday travel feature that’s awesome. Check out the archives section.

Jun15

Sanctuary

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In Medieval times, a red door on a church signified sanctuary- a place where an accused criminal could be safe from arrest. The accused could ask for protection while in the church.  If I remember right, the protection was for up to 14 days.  Don’t quote me because I’m reaching way back to dig this info from the old memory bank (and it could be 40).  The right to sanctuary was abolished by James I in the early 1620s.  There is still a tradition of red doors on many churches. 

Red doors have always fascinated me. I find them very appealing.  I have quite a collection of pictures of red doors.  Seems like I collect them.  This one is in the Chelsea area of NYC. I love the detail at the top.

Jun14

Edgar Rice Burroughs

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Needs to stay in his grave and quit trying to comment on my blog. Better yet, he needs to stay in the jungle with his ape.  I have read the Brothers Karamazov– when I was 16 and still in high school.  I also read The Idiot at the same age.  I can read in Latin, Spanish and some Italian.  Just because I didn’t like a book you seem to adore enough to have written yourself, doesn’t make me stupid.  Give it a rest, already. Or contact me with your real name as we both know you aren’t a man that died in 1950. AND I have read Tarzan as well, by the way. I have an opinion, you have an opinion and this is my blog. I will write what I please. I won’t be bullied by a dead man (or live one either, for that matter.)

My definition of thriller is obviously different that yours, Dead Sir. Thriller means, to me, that the book is so good and so fast paced that it can’t be put down.  Sorry to say the book you and I disagree about was  very much one I could (and did) put down.  I suggest you and I agree to disagree and let it go.

If you DID write the book of whence I speak, you need to learn to take criticism. How did you ever become a writer with such thin skin?  Not everyone is going to love your work. Sorry, but that is reality.  Your comments to me are not going to change my mind and make  me suddenly love the book. I just didn’t. I apologize if that helps but please don’t call me stupid for not liking the book.  I really am quite intelligent.

Jun12

Caffe Napoli

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Favorite place to eat in NYC.  Great Chicken scallopini  and cannolis to die for.  Can you tell I’m gearing up for a trip to NYC?  Can’t say when I’m going, but I’m going.  And I’m gonna eat here. FER SURE!  It is in Little Italy. Highly recommended.

I even used it in one of my books.

Jun10

Can’t Wait- Nathan Lane

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I have front row center tickets to see this:

On Broadway. Won’t tell when since I don’t want to divulge that secret info- just know I am excited and can’t wait.  Can’t believe my luck and I’m praying neither will get sick and need an understudy!

Jun9

Exciting news this morning

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SOLD–  Pimps and Hos, my short story, has been sold to Dreamspell Mysteries. Contract will be on the way soon.  I’m happy to find a home for this story.    It was a fun one to write and I was very happy with it so I’m glad someone else liked it!  A good start to the day!

Jun7

Keurig Love

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We have a large Keurig at the office and I have a smaller one at home. This thing is the best invention ever!  I love, love, love how I can brew what I like and then the person behind me can brew what they  like and it only takes a minute to have the perfect drink.  We have one guy that likes his coffee so strong that it could lift his car.  I like mine so weak it doesn’t even look brown. And we can both be happy in the space of three minutes.

 I adore the teas, hot as well as iced.  I have run the same K-cup through the mahine 5 times to get a partial pitcher of iced tea. Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water and you’re set.  I like the raspberry.  The best hot drink I’ve found is the Chai tea. I am not a fan of sweet drinks and both the raspberry and the chai are not too sweet. They need no additives. Of course, you sugar junkies can add all you want. I’ll pass.

One of the other women at the office brought in iced coffee K-cups last week, I haven’t tried one yet but everyone is raving about how wonderful it is.  Memo to self: drink some before it goes the way of the dodo bird. Like tomorrow. 

Anyway, I recommend this baby for anyone who likes liquid.  Two thumbs way up!