Category Archives: Travel

expedition, Arctic, Antarctica, adventure, expedition cruise, voyage to adventure,

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SMASH and The New Normal Cancelled: Pedigree Counts for Naught

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, dire...

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, director, at the Long Island Studios of the Army Signal Corps for the recording of Spencer Tracy’s narration of the “Ring of Steel,” an Office of Emergency Management (OEM) film, on February 19th, 1942. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Spielberg produced, Garson Kanin inspired,  Broadway Soap – SMASH – will not see a third season. Spielberg wasn’t the only name producer behind the series. Craig Zadon and Neil Meron put their reputations behind it. The cast’s pedigree was equally strong. Megan Hilty, Christan Borle and Anjelica Huston were standouts. Debra Messing brought a television pedigree. Pedigree, however, was not enough to save it.

The cancellation of The New Normal was announced last week. No surprise to devotees of the Ryan Murphy produced series. Justin Bartha brought Hangover fans into the audience. Andrew Rannells, hot off Book of Mormon, should have captured hearts. Ellen Barkin, who barked through the role of Nana, and NeNe Leakes, a reality television star, should have counted for something. Yet they were not enough to find a significant audience on Tuesday nights.

Both shows were shown on NBC in the US. Perhaps distribution killed them both? The network moved the shows around regularly. They were hard to find. An audience can’t build, if the program can’t be found. The New Normal did not benefit from following Matthew Perry’s new sitcom.

One significant difference between SMASH and The New Normal was consistent vision. SMASH was all over the place. Broadway audiences are preRENT or postRENT, and despite the efforts of Glee, never the twain shall meet. Season 1 of SMASH was about producing a show in the preRENT style. Season 2, in hopes for capturing a younger audience, a postRENT production was added. Neither audience was enticed.

There is an adage – You are only as good as your last show. Both these shows were good. And they didn’t last.

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#Documentaries on my mind

Awhile ago I watched an episodic documentary about spices. The episode that changed my culinary point of view took an in-depth look at the history of vanilla. I did not know that vanilla was native to Mexico. Human beings transplanted vanilla to Oceania, and Mexico lost its stranglehold on the product. The region in Mexico that was once the only source of the pods has begun to sell their vanilla as a luxury item – only in Mexico, eh?

It was Mexican vanilla that I used in the variation of my baked pear recipe. By using the liquid vanilla more juice was produced, perfect for pouring over the pears and the ice cream. The flavour of the vanilla was more subtle as well. Perfumed without overpowering. I found the Mexican vanilla in a small shop in Prince Edward County, in Bloomfield to be exact. The proprietors sell all things Mexican – pottery, jewellery, furniture, art work and vanilla.

English: JOURNEY, Live in Minneapolis, MN on S...

English: JOURNEY, Live in Minneapolis, MN on September 16, 2008, L-R: Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Arnel Pineda, Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo. Photo by Matt Becker, melodicrockconcerts@gmail.com (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night I watched Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey. Yes it is about the band Journey. No it has nothing to do with Shakespeare. Although the central figure’s life could be considered dramatically Shakespearean. Arnel Pineda, grew up poor and homeless in Manila. Eventually he joined a band that spent 15 years in Hong Kong singing cover songs. He lived the rock and roll lifestyle – drugs and sex took their toll. When he returned to Manila, he sang lead in a cover band that paid tribute to Journey, Bon Jovi and other long hair bands from the 80s.

Arnel’s number one fan videoed his performances and posted them to a YouTube channel, where Neal Schon from Journey saw them. He was scouting for a new lead singer. The band gave Arnel a chance, and another chapter in the history of rock and roll was written. It was also captured in a documentary – a life affirming documentary to quote Little Sister.

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Ironman 3, Baked Pears and Mother’s Day

Little Sister flew in to mark Mother’s Day. She is a mother too. The consequence is compromise: selecting activities that honour the Nonagenarian and her younger daughter.

So this morning found us watching Formula 1 racing from Barcelona. Little Sister wearing a Kimi shirt and the Nonagenarian asking questions. The B&B breakfast was a nod to her. Last night Little Sister and I attended Ironman 3. She enjoyed it. I, on the other hand, felt it was Gosford Park 2.0. Do you remember how that film seemed to be two different films stitched together?  When Stephen Fry arrived as the Detective Inspector the entire tone of the film changed. Ironman 3 was like that. Apocalyptic horror and political commentary stitched to comic book hero vanquishing in a giddy, witty way a comic book villain.  Very strange.

The baked pear came about because the Nonagenarian can’t imagine a meal without dessert. Little Sister doesn’t eat dessert most of the time. The recipe was comprised of available ingredients:

  • 2 pears, cut in half, peeled and cored.
  • A vanilla bean sliced in half and scraped.
  • Maple syrup to taste.
  • Brandy

Over the slices of pear, placed in a casserole, pour maple syrup. Spread the vanilla over the pears. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove the pear slices to individual serving bowls. Pour brandy into the bottom of the casserole and scrape the caramelized bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour the sauce over the pears. Cool and serve with a dollop of ice cream.

A variation should you not have a vanilla bean – vanilla extract. Not artificial vanilla. I baked the pears this morning. I haven’t tasted the result yet.

Mother’s Day continues with Twilight Tea at the Windsor Arms.

 

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Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts: 2013-14 Season @RHCPA

The new season’s catalogue was released last week. You can view the production list online. There really is something for everyone. Take the Nonagenarian for example, she does not like music in any form. The new season offers evenings featuring guest speakers of renown. We will be attending Ambassador Ken Taylor’s night, October 23, 2013. Rex Reed will talk film in 2014.

Families with young children will enjoy Alexander and the Terrible Day – January 15, 2014 or A Christmas Carol, December 7 and 8, 2013. Tickets can be bought individually or in simple to understand packages like the Family Series with admission to Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet, the aforementioned Alexander and more!

I’m particularly chuffed by the New Year’s Eve celebration. 9:30 PM, December 31, 2013 – Big Band New Year’s. I quote, “A live recreation of the famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert by Bennie Goodman.” No date required!

Two great comedians are in the line-up – David Brenner and Sandra Bernhard.

Keeping the tradition going, RHCPA will present some of Canada’s finest acts – Jesse Cook, Honeymoon Suite and the third play in the Wingfield cycle.

Free Summer Jazz Series

Jazz in the Plaza returns, every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, all summer long. The patio is licensed. The music is cool. The nights should be warm. See you there.

Elvis Stojko in Land of the Eternals

RHCPA has never been afraid of presenting unique productions. Just last year they presented the world premier of a new musical. The 2013-14 season includes Land of the Eternals – October 10, 2013. Richmond Hill native and champion figure-skater Elvis Stojko stars. RHCPA promises a one-of-a-kind event.

This short post is not inclusive. There are so many more offerings – tribute bands, a film series, plays and Suite Thursdays – a cabaret series. Visit RHCPA online.

PS – James Darren will make us swoon and Molly Ringwald will bring her Jazz song stylings!

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American Idol: Good on ya, @HarryConnickJR

Harry Connick Jr at Tulane University May 16, ...

Harry Connick Jr at Tulane University May 16, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My heroes have been using social media to share an interview with Harry Connick, Jr., conducted after he spent a week acting as a mentor for American Idol participants. Betty Buckley used her Twitter account to get the word out. She retweeted Michael Feinstein‘s tweet. Two of America’s finest song interpreters support Connick’s point of view, and, if I read between the lines, lament with him.

If you haven’t been following the story, here’s my debrief. Connick coached four Idol contestants who were tasked with singing songs from the “Great American Songbook.” Or as I prefer – songs from the time when lyrics and melody counted! The upstarts ignored his advice, and Judge Jackson took him to task for the advice he gave one young lady. Connick made the point that a singer can’t sing a classic properly if he or she hasn’t taken time to understand the context and meaning of a song. Harry expects his singers to do homework!

Great actors do their homework. Interpreting Shakespeare requires effort. Why shouldn’t singers put some effort into singing the poetry of  Larry Hart, Cole Porter or Ira Gershwin? Good on ya, Harry!

Thursday night, I’ll be in the audience when Buckley interprets Memory for the zillionth time. I believe she is going to sing it as if it were the first time. Because Betty understands the power of lyric interpretation.