Theater Thursday - Pen Pals

We received complimentary tickets to PenPals for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Pen Pals

Where: Theatre at St. Clements

             432 W. 46th St.

              New York, New York

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Through February 9, 2025

Pen Pals is the deeply touching story of a friendship of over 50 years between two women who live on opposite sides of the world and have never met. Yet, when paired up in a high school pen pal exchange, they form such a strong bond that they continue to correspond long after both have graduated living through births, deaths, and everything that life throws at them vicariously together.

The show currently stars Nancy McKeon and Joanna Day. If you only know, McKeon from her teenage sitcom days, she is a revelation here. Her days as Jo on The Facts of Life only hinted at the depths of her acting ability. Joanna Day's performance is equally strong. Plus the pair's immense chemistry further enhances the emotional impact and really draws the audience into the play. It is just a really heartfelt and beautiful show.

McKeon and Day will be in the show through December 22, and later they will return for the end of the run from February 5 through February 9. Their roles will played in the interim by a rotating list of equally impressive stars including Kate Burton, Sharon Lawrence, and Mary Beth Peil. For a complete list of performers and dates, see below:

• Dec 5 – Dec 22, 2024: Johanna Day & Nancy McKeon

• Dec 26 – Dec 29, 2024: Catherine Curtin & Sharon Lawrence

• Jan 2 – Jan 12, 2025: Nia Vardalos & Gail Winar

• Jan 20 – Jan 26, 2025: Ellen McLaughlin & Mary Beth Peil  

• Jan 29 – Feb 2, 2025: Kate Burton & Pauletta Washington

• Feb 5 – Feb 9, 2025: Johanna Day & Nancy McKeon

And that's our view. For more about Pen Pals or to purchase tickets, visit penpalsplay.com.

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All Pen Pals production photos by Russ Rowland

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.

Where - To-Go Wednesday - Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians

We received complimentary tickets to the American Museum of Natural History for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians

Where: American Museum of Natural History

             Central Park West & 79th St.

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

If you are a fan of snakes, frogs, lizards, and other related creatures, you'll want to visit the American Museum of History's Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians. Find out the difference between reptiles and amphibians. Learn interesting facts about them. Learn about specific animals like Giant tortoises, Komodo Dragons, Poison Dart Frogs, and more. 

In addition to the numerous taxidermied specimens on display, there are some live animals. Occasionally, in connection with the Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians, there are extra special exhibits like a display of live alligators and crocodiles.

And that's our view. For more information about the Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians, go to www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/reptiles-amphibians. For more about the American Museum of Natural History in general or to purchase a ticket to visit go to www.amnh.org

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.

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Attorney to the Stars & Designing Broadway; Movie: Cheat

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Attorney to the Stars & Designing Broadway

Today we are talking about Attorney to the Stars by Clair Burrill. Burill is a former entertainment lawyer. This book details some of his professional exploits. It contains fascinating stories about getting The Rolling Stones out of a legal jam, successfully prosecuting copyright infringement cases for several songwriters including Bill Withers and Bob Merrill, and other absorbing reminiscences from his legal career. However, there are also much less engaging chapters about his military career plus long-winded chapters containing detailed descriptions of golf and/or poker games that may not be very exciting for people who are not fans of these things. Thus, those who are less interested in the latter than in learning about Burrill's exciting career may find this book a mixed bag.

Today we are recommending Designing Broadway by Derek McLane and Eila Mell. McLane is an acclaimed set designer for theater, movies, and more. This book is not an autobiography but an extensive look at the thought processes behind many of his designs for the theater. Plus, it provides details about how the sets were actually created. 

McLane also graciously shares the thoughts of others who participated in the projects he's worked on including other designers like costume and lighting designers as well as actors and directors. He even allows other set designers to share insights regarding their work. Accordingly, the book is a great example of the collaborative nature of working in theater.

There are plenty of pictures too. Thus, this is a book that any theater fan especially those interested in a career in theatrical design will want to have in their library.

Movies: Cheat

Today we are talking about Cheat. Cheat is the story of a woman who cheats on her husband and is then kidnapped and tortured. While the film does have some unique twists and turns, it is also extremely violent. Thus, if you do not enjoy that sort of thing you will not like it. It is, of course, also completely inappropriate for children as in addition to the violence it also contains sexual situations and brief nudity. 

Cheat is available digitally for purchase or rental.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter.