Still More Theater Saturday - Upcoming Show: Unconditional, a Musical Memoir

What: Unconditional: A Musical Memoir 

Where: La Mama - The Club

             74E 4th St. 

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for ages 14 and up

When: This show will run from October 15 through October 25 only

 

We recently had the opportunity to attend a preview of Margot Rose's upcoming musical memoir, Unconditional. Rose is an actress, singer, composer, and lyricist whose prolific career included a stint in the original cast of the long-running Off-Broadway musical I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road, in addition to numerous theater, TV, and movie roles. 

This show is her story. It is a blend of autobiography and storytelling. It is about family, including the sometimes difficult road to parenthood, the impact of a tragic loss, and more. It's an emotional story that most people will be able to relate to in one way or another.

As part of the preview event, Rose sang a few songs. Some from the show, others not. Melina Young, the actress appearing in the show as Rose's daughter, among other things, also made an appearance and sang with her. Gretchen Cryer, who starred in and co-created  I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road with Nancy Ford, also made an appearance, and the evening was capped off with Cryer and Rose singing a song from that show. 

For more about Unconditional, a Musical Memoir, or to purchase tickets, visit lamama.org/unconditional-a-musical-memoir.

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credit: 

Margot Rose photo by Jackson Davis.

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used with permission. Address concerns regarding image usage here.

Theater Thursday - The Piano Lesson

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

What: The Piano Lesson

Where: Two River Theater

             21 Bridge Ave.

             Red Bank, NJ 

Who: Recommended for ages 13 and up due to mature themes.

When: Through October 4, 2026

Two River Theater continues its run through August's Wilson century cycle with their 8th production of one of his plays. Their current show is The Piano Lesson, the fourth play in the cycle, which is set in the 1930s. The show last appeared on Broadway in 2022, with several actors from that production later appearing in a Netflix film adaptation in 2024.

The show revolves around a brother and sister's fight over an inherited piano. The instrument is both a family heirloom and a dark legacy that he wants to sell, and she wants to keep. An excellent cast takes on themes of race, identity, family trauma, and more in this stirring play.

And that's our view. For more about The Piano Lesson or to purchase tickets, visit tworivertheater.org/whats-on/the-piano-lesson. 

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday. 

Photo credits:

All The Piano Lesson production photos by Michael Hull

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used with permission. Address concerns regarding image usage here.

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Snoopy in Style NYC

What: Snoopy in Style NYC

Where: 25 Little West 12th St.

             New York, NY

 

Who: All ages

When: Through September 26, 2026

In honor of the U.S. Open and New York Fashion Week, which occurred earlier this month, a month-long free exhibit exploring the intersection of the comic strip Peanuts, particularly Snoopy, and fashion is now open in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. The exhibit also pays tribute to over thirty years of exhibits featuring either Snoopy and his sister Belle or Snoopy and Woodstock in designer clothing created especially for them by an assortment of renowned fashion designers.  Designers who have contributed to these various events have ranged from Levi Strauss to Givenchy and everyone in between. Even theater and movie costume designer Paul Tazewell has contributed a couple of his Hamilton designs for Snoopy and Belle. 

The current exhibit features numerous examples of Snoopy and Woodstock in designer clothing created for a previous exhibitions as well as some created specifically for the current exhibit. Many others of Snoopy and Belle scroll in a continuous loop on screens throughout the exhibit. 

The museum also covers the creation of the comic book characters and how their style developed, including how it was influenced by trends of the day along with Charles Schulz's own style. A couple of his sweaters are even on display. Numerous examples of Snoopy in regular everyday clothes as well as career-specific ones are also on display. Books, mugs, figurines, articles of clothing and various other memorabilia are also on display.

Special areas located within the exhibit are devoted to tennis, Peanuts-related music, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  The tennis section explores Schulz's love for the game, his friendship with Billy Jean King, and his devotion to women's rights and equality, particularly in sports. The Joe Cool Listening Lounge provides a quiet space to listen to Peanuts-related music. The parade section explores Peanuts' relationship with the parade over the years. Models of some of the Snoopy Balloons that have flown in the parade are on display. Samples of  the new Macy's parade-related Peanuts merchandise created in honor of the parade's 100th anniversary this year are also part of this section. The latter items are not available for purchase in the exhibit. Numerous other items, including stuffed animals and other toys, books, music, bags, magnets, and so much more, are available in the very large gift shop section. There is also a snack bar. 

The whole exhibit is fairly large and can be a bit overwhelming at times, particularly because of crowd sizes and the sheer volume of material available to take in.  However, it is unnecessary to try to absorb all the signage and written material available on site. Large multi-page, newspaper-sized pamphlets covering the same material in slightly more detail are available for free to take home and peruse at your leisure. 

And that's our view. The exhibit is completely free. No tickets or reservations are required. However, be prepared to wait in a long line to get in, especially at busier, more convenient times. For more information about the exhibit, visit hwww.peanuts.com/snoopy-in-style-nyc

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own.   Address any concerns regarding image usage here.