PARLY TRAINS
THE UNIQUELY English parly trains, short for parliamentary trains, say so much about this wonderful country. Today, let’s celebrate their history and a link with the gentle humor of Michael … Continue reading
ON STAGE AT SCRIPPS COLLEGE
THE RUTH CHANDLER WILLIAMSON Gallery of Scripps College in Claremont, California, has a beautiful exhibit titled “On Stage: Japanese Theater Prints and Costume (Kabuki, Bunraku and Noh)” running through December … Continue reading
I LOVE THREE ORANGES
SERGEI PROKOFIEV’S OPERA The Love for Three Oranges had its first performance in Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre on December 30, 1921. The story traces back to a 17th-century Italian fairy tale; … Continue reading
CIGAR-BOX RAP AND OLD-TIME RADIO
TA-DA! EVEN for relatively unmusical sorts such as me, ta-da signals a revelation of some sort. It’s just one form of interstitial music, music that bridges a gap between two … Continue reading
THE MIRACLE OF THE POTATOES
WIFE DOTTIE’s iMAC had been having problems, but maybe the hassle was solved in the dark hours by the Miracle of the Potatoes. Potatoes are sacred in our family, so … Continue reading
DISNEY AND ITALIAN PORN, AGAIN
I APOLOGIZE to gentle readers (and to Daughter Suz, a Disney aficionada Big Time) in pairing Disney with Italian porm twice. In defense, I don’t make these things up. This … Continue reading
DISNEY AND ITALIAN PORN
I’M HONESTLY surprised when I get involved in these things. Half awake, I was listening to my (6 a.m. Pacific) news on the BBC World Service. Did I hear “Disney” … Continue reading
SALOME, OH MY!
OPERA RIDES THE razor edge of absurdity, Peter Ustinov observed. I’ve already had fun here with operatic production goofs, such as costume malfunctions, tomb doors not closing properly and unexpected … Continue reading
THANKS, WOMAN’S DAY
A GOOD COOKBOOK is like a good travel guide. If it was worth visiting a century ago, it’s likely worth a visit today. If it was tasty 50 years ago, … Continue reading
PEG LYNCH, THE DRUMMER, ALGEBRA AND THE HUMOR OF MARRIED LIFE
PEG LYNCH, PLAYING THE wife in radio’s The Couple Next Door, was the spiritual godmother of Tina Fey. Lynch’s warm and gentle comedic writing and acting are recurring pleasures to … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 