Still More Theater Saturday - Encounter: A Space Cabaret and A Shout Out to Christmas in Dikanka

We were given complimentary tickets to Encounter: A Space Cabaret for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Encounter: A Space Cabaret 

Where: The Duplex

             61 Christopher Street

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 15 and Up

When: Through June 14, 2025

Encounter: A Space Cabaret is Zena Wood's show in every sense of the word. She not only stars in the show,  and wrote the book, music, and lyrics, but also produced it. The show is about a space weather girl who encounters a space alien. 

Ms. Wood's portrayal is bubbly and vivacious, perhaps even too perky at times. The songs are fun but mostly not memorable. The best song in the show, "Five Ways to Die on Mars," was actually not written by Woods but rather by composer Kit Goldstein Grant. For more on her, see below. The story, or what there is of one, is not very interesting and seems to move around in circles. The highlight of the piece is the surprise soft shoe tap dance number that comes near the end. 

The show is paired with a stage concert reading of the new musical Christmas Eve in Dikanka, with a book, music, and lyrics by the aforementioned Kit Goldstein Grant. As the show is a work in progress, they are not currently open to reviews. However, we did want to say that the show is a unique delight and you won't want to miss it! We hope to have the opportunity to cover a full production someday.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us here, and we will look into the matter.

Theater Thursday - Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story

We received complimentary tickets to Alibi: An Agatha Christie Mystery for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Alibi: An Agatha Christie Mystery

Where: Bristol Riverside Theatre

              120 Radicliffe St.

              Bristol, PA

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

When: Through June 15, 2025

Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story is based on the acclaimed mystery author's book, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. In fact, the show has appeared in some locations under that name, but allegedly it is the same show. The book has one of the most interesting and unique plot twists of all of Christie's book making it one of her most intriguing novels. For this reason, the show may even be more exciting for those who are not actually familiar with the story than for those who are. 

This does not mean that you can't enjoy the show if you have read the book. It is still fun to see the characters come to life, and for the most part the actors do a good job doing so. Two of the performers particularly stand out. The first is Benjamine Lloyd in the role of Hercule Poirot, who does an excellent job of embodying the brilliant detectective with just the right amount of his famous pomposity. The other stand out is Jackie Shram. She plays a couple of roles in the show, but especially shines in the role of Caroline where she hams it up the perfect amount without overdoing it in the role of gossip addicted Caroline. Whether you are fan of mysteries in general or Agatha Christie in particular, you should definitely enjoy this pleasantly diverting show. 

And that's our view. For more about Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story, visit brtstage.org/shows/alibi-agatha-christie. 

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday.

Photo credits:

All Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story production photos by Mark Garvin

All pictures used in this post are our own. If there is a problem with any image, contact us here and we will look into the matter.

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Site of the Farley Post Office

What: Site of the Farley Post Office

           (currently the Moynihan Train Hall)

Where: 350 W. 33rd St.

             New York, NY 

Who: All ages

The current site of the Moynihan Train Hall across from Penn Station was formerly the Farley Post Office, New York's largest post office, and at the time of its completion possibly the largest in the world. The location is approximately 1.4 million square miles and covers 2 city blocks. It was fully operational as a 24-hour post office from 1914 through 2009. At one time, there was even a small post office museum within the building. 

Currently, although there may still be some postal activity, the majority of the building has been repurposed into the Moynihan Train Hall. The Farley Post Office is part of the 34th District section of the Know New York campaign and you can learn more about it as well as about post office history in general through the available signage when you visit the location. 

And that's our view. 

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own. If there is a problem with any image, contact us here and we will look into the matter.