Art
Dreamgirls
"Dreamgirls" at the bucolic McCarter Theatre on the grounds of Princeton University is as good here as when I saw it back in 1982 on Broadway! The story and songs remain the same, however with a deft staging (stage and lighting cut between glam and jazzy sheik).
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Ode to the Musician
What is music and the musician that makes it so easy and fun to listen to at any given chance to listen? Music is a series of sounds and notes that come together that makes us relax or have a good time. Music is also something that lets us show our emotions much like writing and drawing does for me and others.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Ode to the Artist
What does it really mean to be an artist? Artists come in many shapes and sizes and forms. They are people of ideas that are picturesque as well as descriptive in what they are depicting. There are various mediums that one uses to be called an artist.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Ode to Writers
Who are writers? We all learn to write our letters whether in manuscript printing or in cursive. Does that make us all writers? I remember back in second grade and just learning how all the letters joined together to make words come alive and it was pretty as a picture written in cursive handwriting with all the lines and curves like the letters 'Q', 'L', 'S', and my favorite was the letter 'Z'. Anyway, what is a writer by profession that we chose to be during a period of our lives.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Water For Elephants.
"Water For Elephants" at the Imperial Theatre will enjoy what I think will be a long run on Broadway. Like "Music Man" and "Back to The Future", this wonderful musical will appeal to people of all ages and all walks of life. The music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. are not overly memorable, the choreography by Jesse Robb is simple and plain, however, the acting, the book by Rick Elice the direction by Jessica Stone and the circus design and acrobatics by Shana Carroll (Cirque du Soleil's Crystal) are outstanding.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Thunderstorm and Rain
Who doesn't like a good thunderstorm? When you were little your parents probably told you it was God moving furniture around or bowling. As an adult we know it is just two air masses clashing together the hot and cold of it. I still like the idea of moving furniture around or bowling. That would mean to me that heaven will be a better version of what is here.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Typewriting
Who remembers taking a typing class in high school? At my school, believee it or not it was requirement to graduate. You had to take at least one year of typewriting, but I took both courses. As I said when writing my acrostic entitled 'Old Typewriter' I also remembered these two courses.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Gregg Shorthand
Gregg Shorthand is a skill that is obsolete in the business world now but is still used in legal offices and by some journalists with their own style of writing. Gregg shorthand is a phonetic way of writing words and phrases using various symbols like lines and curves and dots. There are other forms of this subject like Pitman, Teeline and Alphahand. To me Gregg shorthand is easier to read and write, and I am planning on sharing lessons here on Vocal.com. I have tried to find some pictures of Gregg shorthand on Pexels.com and a few other image places but no luck. In my lessons that I am planning to share I will be writing words, phrases and letters from the textbooks that I had in high school back in the 80's by Leslie and Zoubek.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Notebook
"The Notebook" is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The 2004 movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. In its current Broadway production, the book is by Bekah Brunstetter and the music and lyrics is by Ingrid Michaelson.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
The Fantasticks
The Bergen County Players version of the longest running musical is as simple as the one that I saw back in the late 80's at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in The West Village. With limited staging, Director Ray Yucis is able to move his talented cast about the stage with ease.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
