Annual event I'll never miss -

Apple Jazz Music Festival

Cortland County, New York

Set for its 29th year, this annual spring festival draws capacity crowds to the scenic and historic Pavilion at the north end of Little York Lake (the Pavilion is also the summer home of the Cortland Repertory Theatre).

Quality classic jazz directed and featuring Charlie Bertini with a host of prominent professional musicians and local favorites.

Patrons, friends and families picnic in idlylic surroundings. 

Tickets are limited - music and fun are not. I'll be there again.

Information and ticket orders:

 http://www.applejazz.com/applejazzevents/applejazz_festival.php

cabaret-style theatre...

Cider Mill Playhouse

Endicott, New York

High quality 3-season performances in venue with great sight-lines, wine and snacks at your table, and great variety of offerings from musicals to farce.  Excellent value with ticket prices below $30.

Recently attended:  The Middle Class; Hello, Dolly; and Unnecessary Farce (all featuring my very own sister, Rona Knobel).

http://www.cidermillplayhouse.com

Almost as far off-Broadway as you can get...

Twelfth Night of the Living Dead

Playwright:  Brian Smallwood

Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe, Arizona

Hilarious mash-up of Shakespeare and Romero performed by non-equity community rep in university town.  Even before the lights went down, front row audience covered themselves in plastic sheeting as if Gallagher and his watermelons were expected.  Only a single splotch of fake blood on my pants in Row D, but otherwise it was all over the place.

From beginning as each character is bitten and slowly becomes a Zombie, his or her precise Shakespearean presentation is first interrupted by groans and shreeks, and then is lost to Zombie-speak.  Viola's speech to a suitor's dismembered hand was memorable.

Whatever they used to simulate intestines was effective and comical.

This play was first produced off-Broadway several years ago.  Is actually great theater, as engaging as some, more renowned farces I've seen.  Clever.

Attended April 2010.

www.straycattheatre.org

On Broadway

RED 

Playwright:  John Logan

Alfred Molina as Mark Rothko.  Angry, abusive, jealous, vulnerable...portrayal exposes and captures the guts, genius, and soul of often embittered artist.  I was introduced to Rothko in '70s at St. Thomas' Rothko Chapel in Houston.  Difficult to express/explain why I was captivated even before I read his story.  In many ways, nothing in the play surprised me:  the personal pain and unrequited ambition is there in the paintings.  His suicide would be no suprise if you knew nothing of the bio.  Molina lays it all out there as the play spans Rothko's 'evolution/devolution' later in his career when success and acclaim come without the sense of self-satisfaction he'd sought.  It was never enough.  The silences and scene transitions were as important as the dialogue. 

Play was on Broadway at Golden Theatre for limited run (attended May 2010).  Would like to see it again.  Visceral experience.

John Logan is a playwright and scriptwriter whose movie credits include Gladiator (Best Picture), Sweeney Todd, and The Last Samurai.

Favorite musicians and groups -

Cake

B-52s

Led Zeppillin

George Thorogood

Eagles

George Harrison

Roy Orbison

Johannes Linstead

Gypsy Kings

Serge Gainsborough

Doors