This fast paced musical is based on the 6 wives of Henry the VIII. In the play all wives present their story through song and funny stories. Each compete for the favorite wife slot as the play goes on. There is no intermission.
While the play was glitzy, very different and fun, I missed most of what was said as the actors spoke and sang at an extremely fast pace. What I did hear was definitely a hoot so if you are young and in the mood for a funny romp through history this play is for you.
Today was a combination of theater and opera with Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and Agrippina at the Met.
Phantom is based on a novel by Gaston Leroux, from the early 1900’s. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart converted the story into a play and it has famously been running ever since. The music and story line are strong and beautifully sung by Broadway royalty in this production and the ticket prices through Headout.com are reasonable.
Evening entertainment was Agrippina, a newly updated opera of Handel from the 19th century. It portrays governmental intrigue of ancient Rome. The voices were astonishing and astounding, however I found the 4 hour performance difficult to follow. Sung in Italian the English translation on the seat captions were difficult to view. In the past they Met posted these above stage making the opera easier to follow.
I need to write to the Met about this. Ha! Ha!
Those in the audience oohed and ahhed in glee over the performance with the Met filled to capacity. March 7th the performance closed but for opera buffs there is always another year.
Stay tuned: Tomorrow, Four Freedoms State Park and Six, The Musical.
In the evening of my first night in town took in Tina, the Musical. What an exciting play this was! It is only a short run so get your ticket and go. Ms. Adrienne Warren who plays Tina is amazing and be assured you will hear that name again and again in the future.
The play follows Ms. Turner’s life and what a roll it was with parents who didn’t want her, a grandmother who adored her, a man who used, abused and beat her, and finally finding love, peace, and solace in a German man many years her junior. They remain together marrying recently and living in Switzerland.
Hopefully, this play will do a road trip. It is a must see.
For some reason emails regarding this museum have been gracing my inbox for the past 6 months. Having never been there decided this was a message to visit. Glad I did as it is an amazing collection. Hooking on with a docent giving a tour to students of the NYC School of Visual Arts I learned much more than rambling solo through the Museum, but let’s start with a little about “the man.”
JP Morgan was a dominant Wall Street financier of the Gilded Age. He was instrumental in forming the US Steel Corporation, International Harvester, General Electric, and held interests in AT&T, Western Union, and 24 railroads. Born to a prominent Connecticut family, as a child he acquired Rheumatic Fever and was sent to Europe for recovery. Here he became fluent in French and German which contributed to his international business acumen. Said to have helped shape and transform the American economy some say he was America’s greatest banker.
At the time of his death he was worth $118 million with $50 million of that wealth in his art collection. So, let’s start with that..
The home is quite impressive with it’s foyer and ceilings.
The library is a work of art with statutes, fireplaces, and elaborate architecture. The Morgan collection includes 3 of the remaining 49 Gutenberg Bibles.
Mr. Morgan’s office.
The Museum has much to offer with rotating collections every 6 months, concerts, talks by experts, and a pleasant dining area. Glad I received their emails and will definitely stop again.
Upon arrival at the 42nd St. Terminal I scurried to the subway on the next level taking the train to Canal St., Chinatown. Once on Canal Street a cold and sunny day met me. Seeking out a massage venue one was quickly located on Baxter St. across from the Church of the Holy Blood. Here Miss Jenny recommended the 30 minute foot rub and 30 minute back massage for $45. As usual it was amazing and Miss Jenny was rewarded with a generous tip. What fun.
Lit candles and said prayers said for those I love.
Next was food which was nearby, reasonable, and tasty. For $6 had the lunch box special which was 3 selections inclusive of rice and soup. This included carrot soup, fried rice, a chicken, pork, and fish selection. The cup from the soup proved handy as what I couldn’t consume was placed there for later dining.
On to the Morgan Library…
Started the journey on a snowy Virginia night. Learned quickly Virginia doesn’t take to snow. All in town was closed. This was an omen. The Greyhound trip from Hampton to Richmond was a civilized 1 1/2 hour trek with a no-nonsense female driver. Grateful for structure and order, unlike the Chinese bus, I settled in and caught a few winks.
Once in Richmond a busy Greyhound station was discovered. With this was friendly staff but a dirty facility with disgusting bathrooms and an unsavory restaurant. Greyhound needs to make an effort to make these places hygienic and pleasant. Perhaps a few plants?
With the snowy conditions the wait increased from 1 hour 45 to 3 hours 15 due to bus maintenance and cleaning. Snowy conditions, (2 inches), added to the delays, however, the next bus driver was also courteous and efficient making haste to New York City once all boarded.
Our only stop was breakfast at the Biden Center in Delaware. This was a new “green” rest stop with contemporary food venues, clean facilities, and a wealth of free Delaware travel brochures. Here JFK opened I-95, our nation’s longest north to south interstate stretching 1,920 miles from Maine to Florida crossing 15 states.
Yippee … on to NYC with ETA 0900…
The other night on Stephen Colbert Keith Urban was a guest. He came out looking like a homeless person, in fact most of the homeless folk I care for as a psychiatric nurse look better than he did. Then the tatoos, he doesn’t have an inch of body skin uncovered. But, back to the get-up… and one question to his wife, Nicole Kidman, a woman of elegance and glamor:
“Couldn’t you get this guy a clean t-shirt and jeans?”
While I know this is the “style” of these music folks and perhaps these ratty clothes cost more than my entire wardrobe, style says something about a person. It is your face to the world. I’m glad the homeless folk I care for understand this, perhaps they are on their way to recovery. Keith take the hint and Nicole get on the stick.
Something to think about… and as always,
“It’s Kathleen and if you don’t like what I say it’s still Kathleen.”
This museum is an impressive collection of over 600,000 military artifacts.
With the uniforms of many wars on display,
and nurses who served recognized.
The exhibit dedicated to those left behind was a moving tribute. These are the forgotten victims.
The Museum posters are an extraordinary collection.
There also is a park outside the Museum with tanks and the like displayed among the greenery. This is the Viet Nam Memorial.
As someone who knew a holocaust survivor the exhibit on Hitler’s War was particularly moving.
Will close with a Thomas Jefferson quote,
If the sacrifice, time, and money spent on war was used to promote humanity rather than destroy it, where would we be?
This Plantation dates back to 1622 when the Harwood’s, an English family, came to America. It is named as the home is the endview from the road.
The Harwood’s were politicians and magistrates. At first friendly with the Indian population later war broke out and with colonist victory the Indians relocated to another area of Virginia.
Fast forward to 1858 when the property owner was Dr. Humphrey Harwood Curtis and his family of 11 children. Here he conducted his medical practice and grew wheat, corn, potatoes, and had livestock on the farm. Slaves assisted with home and farm duties.
The family fled during the Civil War returning in 1865 and struggled to maintain the farm. Humphrey died at 49, however his wife lived till here until her death at 82 and with children assisting maintained the land.
In 1985 the property was rented out and in 1995 Newport News purchased the property for a museum.
There is a family cemetery from the 1700-1880’s,
and a lovely nature walk. At the time of visit daffodils were in bloom.
An enjoyable visit to a unique piece of history.
As a woman, and I hate to say this, but I have never understood this gal. She is one angry white woman. Perhaps it’s her grating voice, but whenever I meet one of her supporters I get the same vibe that they are angry as well.
What she did on the debate stage going after the male candidates was distasteful. And loosing her home state while I felt sad for her, says something. Maybe they are tired of this demeanor as well.
Pundits say Biden and Bernie will be vying for her endorsement but I wonder. We need women who can work with men. Maybe that’s why I stay single:).
It’s Kathleen and if you don’t like what I say it’s still Kathleen.
Young Retiree Needs a Life 