Tips for Tuesday - Game: Utter Nonsense & Books: Right Now is Worth It

We may have been given one or more of the books and/or other products listed below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Game: Utter Nonsense

Me - Today I am recommending Utter Nonsense. It is a completely unique and original game. If you are good at accents or different voices, you will love this game. Even if are not that good at them, but you like doing them, you will still enjoy this game. The object is not to have the best accent, but the funniest. It is easy to learn and easy to play. If you are really inhibited and hold back, you will not enjoy the game as much. However, if you just let yourself go and just have a good time with it, it is really fun.

Books: Right Now is Worth It

Mom - Today I am recommending Right Now Is Worth It by Thomas Corrigan. This book really does a good job of accurately portraying the angst and struggles of being a teenager although three of the four teenagers in the book are dealing with more than just your average teenage drama. Emma is struggling to get over her father's abandonment and her sister's death all while living with an abusive stepfather. Shaun is a shy sort of geeky  guy that's never had a girlfriend who has a major crush on Emma. Sophia just wants to be seen for who she really is and not for her reputation or her looks. Jackson is a star athlete who seems to have a great life but he has a deep secret that can ruin him . As a recent high school graduate himself, the author of this book still seems to have very fresh memories of what it's like to be a teenager. He does a good job of portraying the  teenage struggle to find your way in the world and be your own person while at the same time struggling to be accepted by your peers.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for What-To-Do Wednesday.

Monthly Mashup for March, 2020 Things I Look Forward to When the Coronavirus Pandemic is Over and Life in the Pandemic

Me - My topic for this month  is Things I Look Forward to When the Coronavirus Pandemic is Over

1. I look forward to to going to the library. I want to be able to read my book without worrying about finishing it because the series I am currently reading I don't own, but they have it at the library.

2. I look forward to when theater is actually live again and TV shows and movies start filming again.

3. I look forward to seeing a show preferably on Broadway. I especially want to see Sing Street, Mrs. Doubtfire and Six.

4. I looking forward to going  to museums and on walking tours and doing other fun things.

5. I look forward to being in New York City not just to see a show or anything just to be there and see it crowded again just so I know life is back to normal.

6. I look forward to when the talk shows have an audience again so the jokes don't seem so awkward although I will miss seeing Jimmy Fallon's adorable kids every night.

7. I look forward to seeing movies in the movie theater.

8. I looking forward to going for fast food and being able to eat in the restaurant preferably at Taco Bell or Subway.

9. I look forward  to getting my hair trimmed because I have split ends.

10. I look forward to making plans that don't get cancelled.

11. I look forward to my sister hanging out with her friends so I can have some time to myself in our room.

12. I look forward  to going to the store and having the shelves be full and being able to find things like toilet paper and bread and not have it be a major miracle.

13. I look forward to going out walking and not having to worry about staying six feet away from other people especially in New York where is it always crowded.

14. I look forward to being able to step out of my door whenever I want.

New York City Before

New York City Now

Mom - My topic for this month is life in the pandemic. It is a crazy world we are all living in now. It doesn't feel real. It feels like we all living in some dystopian nightmare or something. I mean who would ever think that we would live to see a world where people had to  hide in their houses and stay away from each other. I mean isn't that something that happened in the dark ages? It's the 21st Century for goodness sake! Isn't it enough that some of us especially in the tri-state area have lived through 9/11? Do we have to live through this too?

Thankfully, I am not sick or suffering or neither are any of my loved ones. Luckily, my husband is still working, although truthfully we were struggling before this all happened and this certainly doesn't help. His having to go out and be around other people scares me a little bit. Still, I know right now a lot of people have it a lot worse than we do.

It just feels like everything is in limbo now. It feels like all the best parts of life were taken away and all that's left are the boring or bad parts. I miss the life I used to have. Everything is different now even this blog is different.  Instead of attending and sharing fun places to go and fun things to do all we can do is share places you can go virtually and things to listen to or watch online. These things can be fun, and I am grateful to have them and to be able to share them, but it is not the same as actually being able to experience things. I miss actually being able to experience things. I miss it a lot.

It's hard to imagine that life will ever be back to normal because right now there is no end to the pandemic in sight, Even when it is over, things will never be completely the same because so many people will have died. Still, I can't wait for a return to some kind of normality or at least as normal as we can get because how we are  all living right now hardly feels like living at all. It's just existing.

And that's our view. What's on your mind?

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits
photo credit 1: heinltier Pizzi via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: AlexandraGalvis via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: samsebeskazal IMG_0681 via photopin (license)

Sunday Scoop Week of 3/28/20 - Updates Regarding the Latest Postponements and Cancellations Plus Current and Upcoming Alternatives to Live In Person Events and More

Postponements


New York

The Lincoln Center productions of Flying Over Sunset  at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and Intimate Apparel at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater will reopen this Fall

Cancellations

New York 

New York City Center has cancelled the rest of their season including the final encores production of the season Thoroughly Modern Millie, their five borough program on the move, and the summer season of Encores Off Center.

Current and Upcoming Alternatives to Live In Person Events and More 

1) Alastair Moock Continues Online Concerts for Families and Students of all Ages

2) Lincoln Center Launches Lincoln Center at Home

3) MYnd Kraft available as a Free Print and Play Game

4) New York City Center Encores! Archives Song A Day Project

5) Paley Center Offers Never-Before-Released Full Paley Discussion of Favorite Shows

6) Papermill Playhouse Announced 2020/2021 Season

7) The Wild Project teams w/ streaming theater company., Thirdwing  to offer
    The Female Genius Online

1) Alastair Moock Continues Online Concerts for Families and Students of All AgesThis Week*

Grammy-nominated Boston songwriter Alastair Moock performed multiple online concerts for families and students last week, and  he will continue to host shows in the coming weeks for quarantined families. Here is this week's live show schedule, available both on Moock's FaceBook Music Page.

Tuesday 3/24 at 10:30am (EST)  Family Concert (all ages)

Friday 3/27 at 1:30pm (EST)  Family Concert (all ages)

Also available for streaming at any time are these previously recorded "virtual assembly programs:"

Playing with Tradition (ages 5-10)

FaceBook video

Music and Social Change (ages 11-16)

FaceBook video

Together, Moock's three concerts last week reached more than 4,000 viewers. More information about Moock's award-winning school assembly programs is available here.

Finally, Alastair has also announced an essay contest for students in grades K-8 based on a new video for a song called "Be a Pain" from an upcoming album of the same name. Moock had planned to host his Boston area release show for "Be a Pain” at the Burren in Somerville, MA this weekend. With all shows canceled, he switched gears to bring some of the album's spirit of activism and leadership online. For the essay contest, kids are encouraged to pick a name of one of the many historical and present-day leaders featured in the video (from Malcom X and Cesar Chavez to Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai), do some research, and write a page about what this person did and how their work affects the world we live in today. Entries are due by Sunday, March 29 and can be emailed to moockmusic5@gmail.com.

Learn more about the "Be a Pain" album project and education fund for underserved schools here.

UPDATE: ALASTAIR MOOCK IS NOW HOSTING NIGHTLY CONCERTS AT 10:00 AM AS LONG AS THE STAY HOME ORDER LASTS

*******************************************************************

2) Lincoln Center Launches

Lincoln Center at Home

New Portal Enables Families and Communities to

Keep the Performing Arts Front and Center With:

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom

A Daily Dose of Creativity with Artists and Educators, Weekdays at 10am ET

#ConcertsForKids 

Short Performances for Family Audiences Direct from Artists’ Homes

Archival and Live Stream Performances from the Lincoln Center Campus and Beyond

 Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts announces the launch of Lincoln Center at Home (#LincolnCenterAtHome), a new initiative to maintain vital connections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining the arts community around the world in taking their work online, as of this morning, LincolnCenter.org has transformed into a new gateway to the performing arts: Lincoln Center at Home.

Lincoln Center at Home

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom

Schools may be closed but Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom is open. Tune in to facebook.com/LincolnCenterNYC on Facebook Live every weekday at 10am ET for your daily dose of creativity. 

Led by some of the world’s best artists and educators, each creative learning activity utilizes simple materials found at home to help families with children explore a variety of art forms. Each classroom will remain available on Facebook after the live broadcast, so families can access whenever is most convenient. Early topics include:

• Creating expressive puppets from simple at home objects
• Writing a song with lyrics…and singing it
• Making woven works of art with recycled material like junk mail and cardboard boxes
• Dance lessons to get everyone up and moving

#ConcertsForKids

For family audiences, we’re teaming up with a remarkable group of artists who will bring world-class performances and diverse musical perspectives straight from their homes to yours. They're excited to share these short performances recorded by the artists themselves with your family at home, beginning next week!

First up are Elena Moon Park, Zeshan B, The Pop Ups, and Sonia De Los Santos. Check our web calendar for new events.

From the archives of Lincoln Center’s resident organizations comes a trove of video, including rarely seen footage from decades of Live From Lincoln Center, more recent performances from across campus, and live streams from wherever performances are still happening – empty halls, living rooms, and more. Highlights this week include:

• Brooklyn Raga Massive in our Offstage series (Tue, 3/24 at 4pm ET)
• Simple Gifts: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at Shaker Village (Fri, 3/27 at 4pm ET)
• Joan Soriano’s steel string bachata from the David Rubenstein Atrium (Sat, 3/28 at 4pm ET)

Follow #LincolnCenterAtHome and check the web calendar for the latest digital offerings from all of Lincoln Center.

********************************************************************

3) MYnd Kraft Made Available as a 

Free Print and Play Game

As an increasing number of parents and children are spending time at home due to self isolation,  the makers of MYnd Kraft have decided to make the game available as a free print and play game so that parents and children can spend more time together over a game of cards and in the process children can learn. Just go to the website (https://www.myndkraft.games/) and sign up to receive a free Print & Play version of the game, which will be emailed for your to print out at home.

For more information about this game, see our previous post Tips for Tuesday - Misc.:MYnd Kraft

********************************************************************

4) New York City Center

Encores! Archive Project

song-a-day video series

Until they are up and running again at full steam, we invite you to enjoy the song-a-day video series called the Encores! Archives Project, curated by Jack Viertel, by following us online @NYCityCenter (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter). Next week, there will be an updated Education Resources webpage that brings many of their productions to life for K–12 learners and their families. There’s also more online content in the works.

********************************************************************

5) PAPERMILL PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES 2020-2021 SEASON

CLUE
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE’S AIDA
THE WANDERER (World Premiere)
BRUCE (World Premiere)

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW

The Paper Mill Playhouse 2020-2021 line up includes two world-premiere musicals: The Wanderer, rescheduled from the 2019-2020 season after being postponed due to the national health crisis, and Bruce, a musical based on the memoir The Jaws Log about the making of the 1975 summer blockbuster. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling (973) 379-3717 or by visiting the theater’s website at www.PaperMill.org. Due to health restrictions the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office is closed for in-person transactions until further notice

CLUE
A hilarious farce-meets-murder-mystery

Based on the Screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Written by Sandy Rustin
Additional Material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price
Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture
Based on the Hasbro Board Game Clue
Original Music by Michael Holland
Directed by Casey Hushion
October 7–November 11, 2020

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble for a dinner party at Boddy Manor. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro game, Clue is a whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter. Casey Hushion (Resident Director, Mean Girls, Disney’s Aladdin) directs.

*

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
A triumphant story of family and love

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
Directed and Choreographed by Mark S. Hoebee
November 25, 2020–January 3, 2021

Celebrate the holidays with the heart-soaring melodies of The Sound of Music, including such beloved gems as “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Every Mountain.” Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s final musical conjures an Austria replete with rolling hills, singing nuns, and a tender love story, set in the shadow of World War II.

*

ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE’S AIDA
The timeless tale of lovers torn between their nations and each other

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Book by *Robert Falls, Linda Woolverton and David Henry Hwang
Revised by David Henry Hwang
Choreographed by Camille A. Brown
Directed by Schele Williams
February 4–March 7, 2021

This updated and reimagined version of the Tony-winning Broadway smash offers a fresh take on the tale with a contemporary score, while retaining the iconic characters and powerful love story of the original production. The show features Elton John and Tim Rice’s Tony- and Grammy-winning music and a revised book by David Henry Hwang (who co-authored the acclaimed original production with Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls), with direction by Schele Williams (original Broadway cast) and choreography by Tony nominee Camille A. Brown.

*

THE WANDERER
(A World-Premiere Musical)
Based on the Life and Music of Dion

Book by Charles Messina
Produced in Cooperation with Dion
Directed by Kenneth Ferrone
April 8 – May 9, 2021

Dion. One name set the standard of cool for a generation. But how does a kid from the Bronx make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? In The Wanderer, the incredible musical journey of a troubled young man turned teenage heartthrob (and, ultimately, rock and roll icon) is told in intimate and no-holds-barred detail. Dion’s music helped define a generation of rock and rollers. His lifelong battle with addiction shed a stark light on the darker side of fame and success. This musical takes both subjects head on, set to the iconic sound of an incomparable era in American music, and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit against all odds. The Wanderer is the riveting true story of Dion, New York’s rebel king, the man Bruce Springsteen calls “the link between Frank Sinatra and rock and roll.”

*

BRUCE
(A World-Premiere Musical)
A man, a mechanical shark, and the making of a masterpiece

Music by Richard Oberacker
Book and Lyrics by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor
Based on the book The Jaws Log by screenwriter Carl Gottlieb
Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore
June 9 – July 4, 2021

Paper Mill brings you a new musical based on the memoir The Jaws Log by screenwriter Carl Gottlieb. Chronicling the making of an iconic movie, Bruce tells the story of then unknown director Steven Spielberg’s beleaguered film set and the challenges that thwarted his team at every turn, including the film’s star: an uncooperative mechanical shark named Bruce. At its heart, the show proves that when we are faced with hardship and work together as a team, great things can happen. Canadian Donna Feore, renowned for her work with the Stratford Festival, directs and choreographs. Bruce is a co-production with Seattle Rep.

*

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audience an opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions. Have you ever wanted to sneak a peek behind the curtain? Or wondered what the director was thinking, or how the cast prepares for a show? Join us for one of many revealing insider’s experiences. Visit the Paper Mill Playhouse website at www.PaperMill.org for dates for our Director's Viewpoint Series, Conversation Club Series, Q&As with the cast, and more.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers people with disabilities the opportunity to see live theater with dignity and independence through a myriad of award-winning access programs and services, including audio description and sensory seminars for the blind, Braille and large-print programs, American Sign Language interpretation for the deaf, open-captioning for those with hearing loss, and assistive listening devices. In addition, Paper Mill Playhouse provides autism-friendly performances of both mainstage and children’s shows throughout the season. The Sound of Music will feature an autism-friendly performance on Thursday, December 30, at 1:30pm.

For additional information, please visit www.papermill.org.
********************************************************************

6) Enjoy Never-Before-Released 

Full Paley Discussions 

of Your Favorite Shows FREE Each Day

Each morning at 10 am ET / 7 am PT, we will post a full discussion from PaleyFest LA or NY to enjoy from your home and leading into some of your favorite TV shows airing this week. The full video—never before released by the Paley Center for free on YouTube—will be available until 10 am ET / 7 am PT the next morning, following this schedule: 3/23 Supernatural PaleyFest LA 2018 (Same day as new Supernatural episode) 3/24 This Is Us PaleyFest LA 2017 (Same day as This Is Us season finale) 3/25 Parks and Recreation Reunion PaleyFest LA 2019 3/26 The Daily Show with Trevor Noah PaleyFest NY 2016 3/27 Blue Bloods PaleyFest NY 2017 (Same day as new Blue Bloods episode) 3/28 The Office PaleyFest LA 2007 3/29 The Walking Dead PaleyFest LA 2017 (Same day as new The Walking Dead episode)

And it’s more than that: The Paley YouTube channel has thousands of clips with hundreds of stars from other favorite TV shows that you can watch at any time, as well as curated playlists. Subscribe to our channel so that you will be notified whenever we add new events!

Join in the fun over on the Paley Tube Channel
*********************************************************************

7) The Wild Project teams with Thirdwing, a streaming theater company, to offer

THE FEMALE GENIUS online

Thirdwing, a digital theater company designed to develop plays directly for streaming as well as for the live stage, launched just before massive closures due to COVID-19. This meant that Thirdwing’s first live stage offering, Rachel Carey’s THE FEMALE GENIUS,  running from April 14 – April 18 at The Wild Project in NYC, was canceled.

Thirdwing is partnering with The Wild Project to release one episode each night of their scheduled run starting on April 14th. Half of all yearly streaming memberships will go directly to support The Wild Project. Those using the discount code WILD will get 10% off monthly subscriptions ($36 a year or $3.59/ mo) with all proceeds going to The Wild Project for 6 months. Audiences can visit www.thirdwing.watch for more information and sign up for the streaming subscription.

The subscription will give audiences access to the show on the streaming platform, a ticket to the live performance during its post-pandemic remount at The Wild Project, as well as extra bonus content such as “behind the scenes” footage and interviews with theater greats John Turturro and Danny Burstein, with more being added.

In series of short plays, a dying Emily Dickinson verbally abuses her caring sister; Mary Shelley procrastinates on writing Frankenstein by seducing Lord Byron; JK Rowling can’t pay the babysitter; Ayn Rand encourages a young acolyte to assault her, and Zora Neale Hurston’s pro-segregation speech upends white expectations. THE FEMALE GENIUS is a darkly comic look at the struggle of having great talent in a misogynistic world.

*********************************************************************
And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy!

Theater Thursday - Playbill the Game Show

What: Playbill The Game Show

Where: Playbill.com (or YouTube.com)

Our view: One amusing way to get your fix of theater is to watch Playbill the game show. In this show, three actors from a show play against each other to see who knows the most Broadway trivia The winner receives the Golden Playbill. Each game consists of three short rounds and lasts about ten to fifteen minutes.  To date there have been ten episodes, and the link to each of them can be found below. It is really fun to watch this show and play along and see if you know more than the contestants do.

Episode 1 - Frozen Cast Members: Jelani Alladin, Ryann Redmond, Caroline Bowman

Playbill the Game Show Episode 1

Episode 2 - Beautiful Cast Members: Gabrielle Elizabeth, Cory Jeacoma, Sarah Bockel

Playbill the Game Show Episode 2

Episode 3 Hadestown Cast Members: Reeve Carney, Jewelle Blackman, Eva Noblezada

Playbill the Game Show Episode 3

Episode 4 Beetlejuice Cast Members: Elliott Mattox, Jill Abramovitz, Kelvin Moon Loh

Playbill the Game Show Episode 4

Episode 5 The Play That Goes Wrong Cast Members: Angela Grovey, Max Fitz-Roy Stone, Maggie Weston

Playbill the Game Show Episode 5


Episode 6 Come From Away Cast Members: Caesar Samayoa, Jim Walton, Becki Gulsvig

Playbill the Game Show Episode 6


Episode 7 The Lightening Thief Cast Members: Chris McCarrell, Kristin Stokes, James Hayden Rodriguez

Playbill the Game Show Episode 7


Episode 8 Forbidden Broadway Cast Members: Joshu Turchin, Chris Collins-Pisano, Jenny Lee Stern

Playbill The Game Show Episode 8


Episode 9 Unmasked: The Music of  Andrew Lloyd Webber Cast Members: Alyssa Gianetti, Bronson Norris Murphy, Rema Webb

Playbill the Game Show Episode 9


Episode 10 Real Life Broadway Sweethearts: Adam Hyndman and Bradley Gibson, Amanda LaMotte and Ben Estus, and Corey Hummerston and Nic Rouleau

Playbill the Game Show Episode 10

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

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy!

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visit: The National Women's History Museum

If you want to get your dose of culture while being stuck inside, many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will doing so as well and  we will be sharing one or more of our virtual visits in today's and future What-To-Do Wednesday posts.

What: The National Women's History Museum

Where: 205 S. Whiting Street
             Suite 254
             Alexandria, VA

The National Women's Museum is located in Alexandria and is devoted to telling the stories of women who transformed the nation. The Museum offers quite a wide variety of online exhibits including the following:

Women in the Olympics - This exhibits gives you an overview of the history of women's participation in the Olympic games. Learn about tennis player, Helen Wills and  and Multi Sport Athlete, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, relive Mary Lou Retton's gold medal winning vaults in gymnastics and the US teams winning the first gold medals in soccer and ice hockey and more.


Inventive Women - This exhibit focuses on women inventor's from 1865 to 1900. Learn about Charlotte Smith who fought for women's right including women's right to own the rights to their own inventions. Other women inventors covered in the exhibit include Sara E. Goode who invented a folding cabinet bed, Margaret Knight whose numerous inventions included the machine that folded and glued flat bottomed paper bags found in grocery stores, and Josephine Cochrane who invented the dishwasher.

Timeline World War I - This exhibits focuses on women's contributions during the first World War I. The exhibit highllights groups like the Hello Girls,  telephone operators who were also the focus of an Off Broadway Musical called The Hello Girls; the International Congress of Women, who were dedicated to peace and devoted to ending the war; and The National League for Women's Service, whose job it was to coordinate the women's war efforts. It also mentions individual women like Mary Roberts Rinehart, the first journalist to reach the front during the war; Loretta Perfectus Walsh, the first women to enlist in a branch of the armed services; and Elsie Janis, a singer, songwriter and actress who performed for the troops.

Other exhibits include ones on First Ladies, The Woman of Nasa, Sojourner Truth and more.

For more information or to begin exploring the National Women's History Museum's virtual exhibits yourself, visit www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/online-exhibits.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy!

Photo credits:
photo credit 1: Patrick Hoesly 577 - Olympic Rings Texture via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: Production photo from Hello Girls the Musical by Richard Termine

Tips for Tuesday - Books: For What He Could Become & Misc.: MySuperFoods

We may have been given complimentary copies of one of or more of the books or other products listed below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: For What He Could Become 

Mom - Today I am recommending For What He Could Become by James Misko. This book is divided into the three distinct parts. In the first part Bill Williams leaves his hometown in Arctic Village, Alaska and goes on a series of adventures which include working on riverboat and fighting in World War II. In the second part, he comes home to find that his girlfriend has married his brother whereupon he leaves home again and his life takes a downward spiral. In the third part he is given the opportunity to redeem himself by participating in the first ever Iditarod sled dog race. This is another one of James Misko's book that reads like an action movie particularly in the last part of the book which involves the Iditatord. That last section is by far the best part of the book. Prior to that Bill Williams is not always the most likeable protagonist, but in the end that section of the book is able to redeem him not only in terms of the story but in the readers' eyes.

Misc: MySuperFoods

Mom - Today I am talking about MySuperFoods. My SuperFoods is a company that was started by two Moms who wanted to make better snacks for their kids using better ingredients including super foods like chia, coconut oil, acai, and baobob. They currently make three varieties of MySuperSnacks Granola Bites, three varieties of MySuperCookies, and three varieties of MySuperPops chips. All are organic, kosher and whole grain and not only don't contain nuts but are made in a facility that is free of nuts.  These moms not only want to make sure kids have better foods to eat, they want to make sure that all kids have food to eat in general with their commitment to supporting local food banks across the country and their Pack A Lunch Give Back A Lunch Charitable Social Media Campaign to donate meals on behalf of their customers.

For more about MySuperFoods, visit https://www.mysuperfoodscompany.com.

And that's Mom's view. Tune in tomorrow for What-To-Do Wednesday.

Stay home! Stay safe! Stay well!

I wish there was ...

Me- Things that I wish there was, wow! I wish there was a voice control button for life. I wish there were money trees. I wish there was a button that when you press them ideas come to you if you're trying to brainstorm. I wish there was no such thing as school.  I wish there was a way to absorb education without actually having to go to school. I wish there was a mental hot-line in your brain so every time you were confused about something you just figured it out. I wish there was a way to get around without having to walk. I could just teleport myself everywhere. I wish there was a remote control for the TV that you controlled with your brain so if you wanted a certain TV show to be on, it would be. I wish that there was a remote control for life that had pause, play, fast forward, rewind and delete buttons. I wish there was a flat iron that straightened your hair the second it touched it. I wish that there was make-up that the second you touched it applied itself just the way you want it to your face. There are so many things that haven't been invented that should have been and that I hope someday will  be.

Mom -  I wish there was a way to be in two places at once. I wish there was a way to get more done in a day. I wish there was a way to stop time. I wish there was a way to go back in time and do things over. I wish there was a way to think things and make them happen. I wish there was a way to make the cold weather not feel so cold and the hot weather not feel so hot. I wish there was a way to instantly learn anything you want to learn. I wish there was a way to instantly get anywhere you want to be. I wish there was a way to get sleep and be awake at the same time. I wish there was a way  make everyone in the world happy. I wish there was a home for every child and for every dog and cat. I wish there was way to make everyone feel compassion for their fellow human beings. I wish there was a way to cure all diseases. I wish there was a way to instantly know how you are going to look in clothes the minute you see them in the store. I wish there was a way that you could always look good in any clothes the minute you put them on. I wish there was a way to keep looking young and beautiful throughout life without having to do anything. I wish there was a way to prevent all pain.  I wish there was a way to be happy every minute of life.  I wish there was a way the world could be filled with only goodness and no bad.

And that's our view. What do you wish?

photo credit: ckaroli Beata Zita via photopin (license)

Sunday Scoop Week of 3/22/20 Updates Regarding the Latest Postponements and Cancellations Plus Current and Upcoming Alternatives to Live In Person Events and More

Postponements

New York 

1) Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation and York College Postpone March 21 Premiere of New Musical:Dreaming Of 1975 Benefit Event at Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center to Stem which was supposed to occur on March 21 has been postponed to July 11.

1) Boys Will Boys which was scheduled to being performances at 59e59 Theatres on March 26 has been postponed.

2) Whisper House which was scheduled to begin at 59e59 Theatres on April has been postponed.

3)  Vangline Theater/New York Butoh Institute in collboration with Triskelion Arts Dai Matsuoka in Hijikata's Three Chapter which was supposed to being om March 25 has been postponed.

Cancellations

New Jersey

The Wanderer which was scheduled to begin performances at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ on May 28 has been cancelled.

New York

1) Barococo which was scheduled to being performances on March 18 has been cancelled.

2) Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) has cancelled all remaining live performances in its Spring 2020 season.

3) Discus which was scheduled to begin performances at 59e59 Theatres on April 9 has been cancelled.

4) Hangmen which began performances at the Court Theater in will not reopen. The rest of the run which was scheduled to officially open on March 12, 2020 has been cancelled.

5) Metropolitan Opera cancels rest of season.
6) Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf which was scheduled to open at the Booth Theater in on April 9 has been cancelled.

Current and Upcoming Alternatives to 
Live In Person Events and More 

1) Rosie O' Donnel Show One Night Only Return on Broadway.com and Youtube 3/22

2) The Amazing Max Takes to Facetime and Zoom with Virtual Magic Lessons

3) Artechouse Offers Anyime Passes

4) Broadway Records to Release Rags Parkland Sings Songs of the Future Original Cast Album

5) Broadway Workshop Offers Online Coaching with Director, Marc Tumminelli

6) Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo brings show online twice a week until show reopens in June

7) Sing Street Original Broadway Cast Album to be Released

8) Stars in the House Daily Mini Concerts and Conversations New Episodes Daily at 2pm & 8pm

1) One Night Only Return of 

THE ROSIE O’DONNELL SHOW

IN SUPPORT OF

THE ACTORS FUND

LIVE TONIGHT

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 AT 7:00PM ET

ON

BROADWAY.COM AND YOUTUBE

COMPLETE LIST OF PARTICIPANTS HAVE WON 10 ACADEMY AWARDS^®, 43 TONY AWARDS^®, 33 EMMY AWARDS^®, 38 GRAMMY AWARDS^®, 18 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS^®, AND 12 SAG AWARDS^®

The one-night-only return of the legendary, 25-time Emmy Award-winning “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”  will broadcast live tomorrow, Sunday, March 22^nd at 7:00pm ET on the theater world’s premier online content provider, Broadway.com, and will also be live streamed on Broadway.com’s YouTube channel.

This special event, produced by O’Donnell and actor/producer Erich Bergen and presented in partnership with Revelations Entertainment and Broadway.com, has been conceived as a LIVE streaming fundraiser for The Actors Fund, in order to help in this time of crisis.

The participants have won a collective 10 Academy Awards, 43 Tony Awards, 33 Emmy Awards, 38 Grammy Awards, 18 Gloden Globe Awards, and 12 SAG Awards. The complete line-up for Sunday’s “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” will now feature performances and appearances by some of the biggest names in all of entertainment, all participating live from the comfort of their own home, including Sebastian Arcelus, Skylar Astin, Shoshana Bean, Beth Behrs, Annette Bening, Erich Bergen, Nate Berkus, Alexandra Billings, Stephanie J. Block, Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker, Andrew Burnap, Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, Miguel Cervantes, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Darren Criss, Brandon Victor Dixon, Cynthia Erivo, Gloria Estefan, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harvey Fierstein, Jordan Fisher, David Foster, Sutton Foster, Morgan Freeman, Neil Patrick Harris, Megan Hilty, Christopher Jackson, Jeremy Jordan, Jane Krakowski, Lorin Latarro, Judith Light, Patti LuPone, Barry Manilow, Rob McClure, Audra McDonald, Katharine McPhee, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Matthew Morrison, Kelli O’Hara, Lauren Patten, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Randy Rainbow, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Anika Noni Rose, Seth Rudetsky, Lea Salonga, Miranda Sings, Jordin Sparks, Elizabeth Stanley, Ali Stroker, Marisa Tomei, Aaron Tveit, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, Adrienne Warren, James Wesley, and more, including some surprise guest appearances!

To make a tax-deductible donation, visit give.actorsfund.org/Rosie

********************************************************************

2) Artechouse Offers Anytime Access Passes

Artechouse a space for immersive and interactive art exhibits  is offering anytime passes which can be purchased at a discounted rate and redeemed for a later visit at any Artechouse location. Arctechouse can currently be found in Washington DC; Miami, Florida; and New York, NY.

For more information or to purchase tickets , visit https://artechouse.square.site.

*********************************************************************

3) Broadway Records to Release Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future Original Cast Album

Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future will be released digitally and in stores on Friday, March 27, 2020. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.BroadwayRecords.com.

The Original Cast Recording of this award-winning new musical doubles as a sci-fi concept album, intercutting fictional live recordings of two concerts – one that resurrects the folk music of the 23rd century’s civil rights movement — and one that places you in the heart of that life or death struggle, at the underground concert of blues-rock rebels (and constructed humans) Beaux Weathers & The Future. The never-before-heard audio of the band’s final performance is framed by the return-to-Earth concert of The Future’s only human-born member, Rags Parkland. Combined, they paint an all too familiar picture of perseverance in the face of persecution— a rallying cry for vigilance against the hatred that fuels human evil as we turn the corner into the 24th century. 

To learn more, visit BroadwayRecords.com.

*********************************************************************

4) Broadway Workshop Offers Online Coaching with Director, Marc Tumminelli

Marc works with actors on how to approach material and help them sharpen their audition skills, understand direction and adjustments, make strong choices, relax and most of all, have confidence. During coaching sessions students will work on audition scenes/sides, monologues or other material they might want to focus on. If a student is looking to work on a song or musical material, we can have a musical director create a piano track or use any online accompaniment. 

Marc's private acting coachings take place online using Skype or Facetime. The rate for an online coaching is $100. All coaching sessions are 50 minutes. 

Marc specializes in college audition pieces and audition preparation. His students are currently attending Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory, Elon University, Emerson College, Ithaca College, Marymount Manhattan College, University of Michigan, NYU, Brown, Pace University and Syracuse University. He is also the leading coach for New York performing arts high school auditions. Over 60 of Marc's students have made their way from the classroom to the Broadway stage, Marc's students are appearing on Broadway in Dear Evan Hansen, Harry Potter, Beetlejuice, Mrs. Doubtfire, West Side Story, Mean Girls, in commercials and on television. 

For more information, email Marc at marc@broadwayworkshop.com.

********************************************************************

5)The Amazing Max Takes to FaceTime and Zoom with Virtual Magic Lessons

FAMILIES WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE MAGIC 
UTILIZING ITEMS THEY ALREADY HAVE AT HOME

 

With an increasing number of children stuck at home due to various school closures across New York and the nation, the critically acclaimed magician The Amazing Max, has taken his magic and jokes online, via Facetime and Zoom, to engage kids who are stuck at home and not able to participate in their usual group activities

Max is also donating lessons to children at the Ronald McDonald House in New York City (as well as other health facilities around the country) where a Covid-19 case within the house has quarantined families to their rooms, with no access to anywhere outside their rooms, except when they have an appointment with their doctor. To donate additional lessons to these children at the Ronald McDonald House and other health facilities/hospitals, visit http://theamazingmaxlive.com/max-cares/

Max has always believed that you can make magic out of anything, and during any circumstance, and so the newly formed Facetime and Zoom magic lessons incorporate materials that people already have in their homes, such as paper clips, dollar bills, cards and coins. Kids will be thoroughly engaged and entertained as they learn basic and fun magic tricks during the lesson - and then spend many additional hours practicing and showing them to their family and friends in person - and online.

Virtual magic lessons with The Amazing Max are perfect for kids ages 5 and up and available in 30-minute private sessions for $50.  (Through March 31^st slots are available for $35).  Slots will be available indefinitely while school is still out and theaters are closed.  For more information on lessons go to http://theamazingmaxlive.com/learn-magic

For more on Max visit: TheAmazingMax.com

********************************************************************

6) Katsura Sunshine 

Star of the Off Broadway’s 

KATSURA SUNSHINE’S RAKUGO

Will Bring his Talents Online With a Weekly Show 

Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm

Beginning March 19, 2020  

on Facebook and YouTube

And Will Return to NEW WORLD STAGES 

Beginning June 20th, 2020

Tickets Now Available on Telecharge.com 

As New Yorks’ theatrical landscape faces an uncertain future, celebrated international performer Katsura Sunshine, who has been starring Off-Broadway at New World Stages since September, will start streaming a bi-weekly talk show online beginning Thursday, March 19th at 8 pm. He will stream live from “Sunshine Studios” in New York City on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm before returning to New World Stages on Saturday, June 20th, tickets available now at Telecharge.com. 

Celebrated, internationally renowned performer Katsura Sunshine (whom the New Yorker called “A big, burly, blond with a bellowing rapid-fire style) will continue to bring the Japanese art of Rakugo to New York in Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo. The show opened to rave reviews in September and was forces to take a short hiatus and will return to New World Stages in Juen and will continue to perform different stories each month

Called the King of Kimono Comedy, Rakugo is the 400-year-old Japanese traditional art of comic storytelling. Currently, there are only 800 Rakugo Masters. Hailing from Canada, Sunshine is the only Western Rakugo Master in the world and star of NHK Worldwide; he is hilarious, charming, universally funny, and yet so very Japanese. Sunshine is the perfect performer to bridge the gap between the East and the West, in an entertaining style.

Sunshine will also present the same show in Japanese at 8 am for audiences in Japan – 7 pm local time

Facebook at Sunshine Katsura Sunshine

YouTube at Katsura Sunshine in New

********************************************************************

7) SING STREET

ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING

AVAILABLE THURSDAY, MARCH 26 FROM SONY MASTERWORKS BROADWAY

Sony Masterworks Broadway announces the release of SING STREET (ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING), an album of music from the critically-acclaimed musical adaptation of John Carney’s indie hit film.  Available for preorder now, the album will be released digitally Thursday, March 26, physical CD release to follow on Friday, April 17.   Featuring music and lyrics by Danny Wilson front man Gary Clark and John Carney, the album was produced by Clark and Tony and GRAMMY Award winner Martin Lowe and mixed by Dave Bascombe, a frequent collaborator to new wave titans Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel and more.  Making its debut alongside today’s pre-order is the album’s lead single “Up,” listen here. 

Dublin, 1982. Everyone is out of work. Thousands are seeking bluer skies across the Irish Sea.  Conor and his schoolmates find an escape from their troubles by forming a band to impress a mysterious girl. With an original score that embraces the sounds of the ‘80s, SING STREET celebrates the thrill of rebellion, the joy of first love and the power of music.

SING STREET (ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING)

TRACKLISTING –

1. Just Can’t Get Enough
2. Riddle of the Model
3. Up
4. A Beautiful Sea
5. Girls
6. Dream for You
7. Drive It Like You Stole It
8. Up (Down Version)
9. Brown Shoes
10. To Find You
11. Go Now

********************************************************************

8) Stars in the House Live Streams  Benefiting The Actors Fund

The daily series, created by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, offers daily mini concerts and conversations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

New shows air daily at 2 PM ET and 8 PM ET, featuring performances by stars of stage and screen and conversations with Rudetsky between each tune. Rudetsky will encourage live viewers to donate, and Wesley will give updates from The Fund as well as shout-outs to people donating in real time. Dr. Jonathan LaPook, chief medical correspondent for CBS News, will also make frequent appearances to answer questions and offer best practices.

Stars in the House will stream daily at Playbill.com until Broadway re-opens.

To make a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund visit 

ActorsFund.org/Donate.

********************************************************************

And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.

Stay healthy!