Sections Around Town

Portland Stage presents A (One Man) Christmas Carol

Digital Streaming through January 7, 2021. This kinder version of A Christmas Carol opens with the lighting of a single candle on a blackened stage. “Old Marley was as dead as a doornail. This must be distinctly understood or nothing good can come of the story I’m going to relate…”

Read More »

Irish Repertory Theatre presents a Winning Meet Me in St. Louis

Online through January 2, 2021 A lovely old fashioned holiday musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, is admirably served by Irish Rep’s charming, technically innovative production. Though every actor was recorded in a different place, interaction is adroitly directed coming closer to creating the illusion of cohabiting a stage than

Read More »

Octo Observations: The 2020 Holidays…..A Mixed Bag!

Somehow, and I do not know how, people are scurrying around our city as if this were a normal holiday season, with zero danger of contracting Covid-19. Parking lots are filled, and a little old lady like me feels she takes her life in her hands venturing into a big

Read More »

Aprile Millo – A True Diva

It is difficult to capture in a few words what makes an opera singer a diva, but a diva in the truer sense of the word, not in its altered meaning of someone temperamental, demanding, and entitled. Diva means, at its root, goddess. It implies a direct connection to the

Read More »

Dine Like Inspector Montalbano with Pasta ‘Ncasciata

If you are a fan of Inspector Montalbano (read our review), then you know the Sicilian detective likes to eat. One of his favorite dishes, prepared by his housekeeper, Adelina, is Pasta ‘Ncasciata, a rich baked dish whose ingredients include a meat ragu, eggplant, a besciamella sauce, caciocavallo cheese, and

Read More »

Foodie Gifts Are Sure to Please

There’s still plenty of time to fill in your gift list for people who enjoy inspired food and drink items. Here are some go-to choices at a wide variety of price points. We have provided company web sites (click on the name) for your convenience as the products can be

Read More »

Stream Selected Films Starring or with Bill Nighy

In several of these films, Nighy is an ensemble player, but the movies themselves are worthy and might otherwise be missed, so they’re included. Love Actually 2003 Directed by Richard Curtis. Wonderful ensemble cast playing out (sometimes linked) stories of love in all its forms and alterations. One of the

Read More »

Portland Stage presents A (One Man) Christmas Carol

Digital Streaming through January 7, 2021. This kinder version of A Christmas Carol opens with the lighting of a single candle on a blackened stage. “Old Marley was as dead as a doornail. This must be distinctly understood or nothing good can come of the story I’m going to relate…” begins master storyteller Joel Leffert. (member of Actors’ Equity Association.) The adapter and sole actor slips between narration and a multitude of characters with only

Read More »

Irish Repertory Theatre presents a Winning Meet Me in St. Louis

Online through January 2, 2021 A lovely old fashioned holiday musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, is admirably served by Irish Rep’s charming, technically innovative production. Though every actor was recorded in a different place, interaction is adroitly directed coming closer to creating the illusion of cohabiting a stage than any other I’ve seen. Actors seem aware of one another. Magical moments include, in part, one player’s arms around another’s neck, laying a Halloween ghost

Read More »

Octo Observations: The 2020 Holidays…..A Mixed Bag!

Somehow, and I do not know how, people are scurrying around our city as if this were a normal holiday season, with zero danger of contracting Covid-19. Parking lots are filled, and a little old lady like me feels she takes her life in her hands venturing into a big box store like Costco. So, I avoid large stores and malls as much as possible. I shop on line or write checks. Santa’s 2020 pack 

Read More »

Dr. Janetta Rebold Benton: Impressionism- Part I: Edgar Degas & Claude Monet

Under the aegis of the 92Y. Leaving behind the dark colors, smooth surfaces, and subjects approved by the official Salon, the Impressionists painted with bright colors, let their brushstrokes show, and focused on scenes of everyday life. In fact, the artists’ goal was to capture an impression of what the eye sees in a fleeting glance. “The history of art in the 19th century is a series if isms.” Dr. Rebold begins by setting the

Read More »

Aprile Millo – A True Diva

It is difficult to capture in a few words what makes an opera singer a diva, but a diva in the truer sense of the word, not in its altered meaning of someone temperamental, demanding, and entitled. Diva means, at its root, goddess. It implies a direct connection to the divine, a transcendental quality that enthralls and instills worship among fans. And when the human being behind the artist is as generous, noble-spirited, and rich

Read More »

Dine Like Inspector Montalbano with Pasta ‘Ncasciata

If you are a fan of Inspector Montalbano (read our review), then you know the Sicilian detective likes to eat. One of his favorite dishes, prepared by his housekeeper, Adelina, is Pasta ‘Ncasciata, a rich baked dish whose ingredients include a meat ragu, eggplant, a besciamella sauce, caciocavallo cheese, and short dry pasta like rigatoni. After watching an episode where Salvo Montalbano (played by Luca Zingaretti), chowed down with his fellow detectives, Mimi Augello (Cesare

Read More »

Foodie Gifts Are Sure to Please

There’s still plenty of time to fill in your gift list for people who enjoy inspired food and drink items. Here are some go-to choices at a wide variety of price points. We have provided company web sites (click on the name) for your convenience as the products can be easily ordered online.  Sweet Soul Boutique – Thatiana Rangel, founder and owner of Soul Sweet Boutique, has expanded her Newark-based business to include nationwide ordering

Read More »

Stream Selected Films Starring or with Bill Nighy

In several of these films, Nighy is an ensemble player, but the movies themselves are worthy and might otherwise be missed, so they’re included. Love Actually 2003 Directed by Richard Curtis. Wonderful ensemble cast playing out (sometimes linked) stories of love in all its forms and alterations. One of the great feel-good films and set during the holidays (should you need an excuse for romance). Nighy plays rock and roll legend Billy Mack and though

Read More »
Facebook
LinkedIn