The Unknown Playwright Speaks

St James Infirmary cartoon --

2012-01-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

This is the coolest. It's one hot version of the Gambler's Blues, and the cartoon is totally total. T.U.P. loves it!

Lola Astanova @ CarnegieHall -- A Superstar Is Born

2012-01-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

Lola Astanova @ Carnegie Hall

(photo courtesy Matt Peyton, Getty Images)

Lola Astanova’s Carnegie Hall performance Thursday was a brilliant evening – though for awhile the seats around me seemed a midget shy of a scene in a Fellini flick. Fortunately, the music was so beautiful and so transporting that all else was subsumed while this talented and unforgettable young woman played.

The evening, a benefit for the American Cancer Society, kicked off with some speechifying. Donald Trump, who was awarded a lifetime appreciation award from the ACS, very generously donated $100,000 to get the evening rolling. (I’m still not voting for him.) Dame Julie Andrews was also honored for her work on behalf of the charity.

Lola Astanova with 2 fans.

(photo courtesy Matt Peyton, Getty Images)

Then the Stonewall Chorale and Melodia Women’s Choir strolled down the aisles, filling the sold-out 3,000-seat hall with voices in song. They sang another number onstage, to the melody of Midnight in Moscow.

Miss Astanova is everything one expects from the press coverage and her online presence, and more. The planet is a better place due to her musical performances. Her music and her stage presence are beauty in its highest realization. Bravi, Lola!

Of course, I’m a ukulele playing jazz folk gangster, musically speaking. Dixieland is my genre. So my perspective is skewed toward enjoyment. And what a pleasure the music of Astanova is.

Meanwhile, my viewpoint as a playwright (unsung and unknown or not) and novelist allowed me to appreciate the drama as it unfolded around me. First, there was the pleasure of being seated with the great Byron Janis and his ever-beautiful wife Maria Cooper Janis. Dame Julie acknowledged Byron’s presence in her opening remarks. Stefan Janis, Byron’s son from a previous marriage, is someone with whom I go back more than a couple of decades, though of late our connection is of the email variety. Stefan is a writer and translator. (I was always impressed when visiting Stefan at home. He had a framed drawing of himself as a baby – by Picasso!)

Of course, I said hello and after the concert our resident photographer and cartographer Mike Anton got some photos documenting the meeting of The Unknown Playwright and classical piano legend Byron Janis. I also got a quote for posterity, as I walked with him and his wife toward the backstage reception, where he went to offer his congratulations.

The great Byron Janis enthusiastically pronounced Lola Astanova “a very talented performer.”

That was one viewpoint, a very important one, given the setting.

Byron Janis and The Unknown Playwright

(photo credit Mike Anton, AntonMiles.com)

Maria Cooper Janis, Byron Janis, and T.U.P.

Quite obviously an organized claque was seated in this section, too; some in my row and some in the row in front of me. It took me awhile to figure out what was going on. These biddies would not applaud; and they all left at intermission, leaving a huge “hole” in the audience. Honestly, once I figured out what was going on, it seemed so quaint, so utterly Carnegie Hall. Someone cared enough to buy a block of prime seats and arrange an honest-to-Pete claque. It’s great that someone with money has such passion for music. And of course it all benefited the American Cancer Society.

None of the drama in the seats mattered to Astanova, of course. She was wowing the crowd from the main floor to the uppermost reaches of the hall. She was triumphant – such artistry, such brilliance.

It was like something out of one of those black and white classical music biopics. You know, where people are all dressed up for classical musical events.

Which brings me to another point. Are artists, billionaires and bankers the only people who dress up anymore? There were adults wearing blue jeans on the main floor of Carnegie Hall. I saw one guy wearing a sweat suit. My daughter was embarrassed to come with me, afraid none of her clothing was suitable. And it’s been so long since I was invited to an A-list affair, I accepted her demure.

To be fair, most folks on the main floor at least made what I would call a tie-and-jacket effort, without implying gender specificity. But sadly, it seems anything goes sartorially anymore. Maybe the world was really only ever stylish in black and white movies.

Would be hipsters aside, there was an entire contingent that looked like a casting call for a movie adaptation of a Dostoyevsky novel. (Definitely not from Tolstoy; I’m reading War and Peace right now on my Kindle and am well aware of the difference.) Astanova was raised in a Russian household in the Uzbekistan capital of Tashkent; and these were the New York Lola-nauts, no doubt, come to orbit their brilliant new supernova.

From a writer’s standpoint, the evening was life as caviar – rich, salty, tasty.

From a banjo-thumping band leader’s perspective, it was beyond any high point in any musical experience of my life. I was there when a superstar was born.

Plus, she played Chopin – a nocturne, an etude, and Sonata No. Op. 35 – with the famous 11 note funeral march phrase we Dixieland players like to insert at the end of St. James Infirmary. I’ve always loved Chopin’s music. Many years ago, on a visit to Deya, Majorca to see the poet Robert Graves, I made my pilgrimage to the monastery where Chopin stayed when he and George Sand lived on the island. Anyway, Chopin was the first set (after her opening number, which was not listed in the program -- a startling and passionate rendition of The Star Spangled Banner).

Musicianship and style -- Miss Astanova changed gowns for her second set
(photo courtesy Matt Peyton, Getty Images)

Three pieces by Rachmaninoff led off the second set; followed by two etudes by Scriabin. The music was so beautiful. The young genius finished with 2 more pieces by Chopin that were rapturous in their execution.

Astanova received a standing ovation and 3 curtain calls. What a magnificent performance by a performer whose stunning beauty is surpassed only by her talent on the 88s.
Long may Lola share her music with us, her devoted listeners!

Make no mistake, readers, we are now in the Age of Astanova!

MORE PHOTOS OF THE UNKNOWN PLAYWRIGHT:

Despite being exiled to Appalachia by the financial policies of the ultra rich elite, The Unknown Playwright enjoys his visits to Manhattan, as these photos by Mike Anton demonstrate.

T.U.P. outside Carnegie Hall

If you've read this far, please consider reading one of Uke Jackson's books!

Pennsylvania Legislators -- Wake Up!

2012-01-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

PA Residents, Groups, Local Officials Urge Legislature to Oppose Impact Fee Bill

Hundreds tell the legislature to protect local rights and public health from gas operations

(Harrisburg) – Today, as legislators returned to Harrisburg for the first session day of 2012, hundreds of Pennsylvania residents and local officials called on state leaders to oppose the omnibus gas drilling bills, HB 1950 and SB 1100, which cleared the State House and Senate in late 2011.

As the bills head to conference committee deliberations, today’s event drew attention to major provisions in both bills that tie the hands of local elected officials on zoning decisions related to shale gas operations such as wells, pipelines, compressor stations, and chemical and waste storage.

"This was a terrible idea in 2011 and remains a terrible idea in 2012,” said Steve Hvozdovich of Clean Water Action. “Our legislators must take this opportunity and make a New Year’s resolution to protect our health, water, air, and communities by opposing any legislation that attempts to weaken or allow state takeover of municipal rights."

The groups assert that the bills’ state preemption of local decision-making and zoning is a fatal flaw that will negatively affect Pennsylvania residents’ health, environment and quality of life, and the bills’ impact fees and limited environmental provisions are too limited to make up for the local zoning tradeoff.

“This bill is the antithesis of local control and represents a serious threat to democratic decision making by Pennsylvania communities,” said Maria Payan, Director of Peach Bottom Concerned Citizens Group. “Will we be allowed to use local zoning laws to protect the public health, safety and public welfare, or will our state enact a law to accommodate the oil and gas industry and their high-paid lobbyists?”

Pennsylvania municipalities currently have the legal right to decide where and how gas development occurs. Both the Municipalities Planning Code and the State Constitution vest municipalities with the authority and responsibility to address local environmental and public resources. State Supreme Court rulings have also made it clear that the state Oil and Gas Act allows municipalities the right to use zoning codes to restrict the location of gas wells.

“The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania is appalled that elected officials are considering HB1950 and SB 1100,” said Roberta Winters, Vice President Issues and Action of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. “These bills eliminate the treasured value of ‘local control’ by pre-empting the right of municipalities to protect the health, well-being, and property of local citizens while collecting too little revenue to repair the impact of industrial level fracking on their communities. This does not reflect good government and blatantly disregards the hearts and minds of the citizens of Pennsylvania.”

The group pointed out that both bills would allow gas operations – including well pads and drill rigs – as close as 500 feet and wastewater and chemical impoundments as close as 300 feet to homes, schools, and health facilities, potentially diminishing the well-being and property values of nearby residents. Under this legislation, in many cases other types of businesses – from hair salons to light construction – could face greater restrictions on locating in a residential area that gas operations.

"The Pennsylvania General Assembly must kill HB 1950 and SB 1100. Neither versions of the Marcellus legislation provide sufficient environmental protection or funding, while both would usurp existing local government authority to protect their communities," said Jeff Schmidt, Director of Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter. "We call on every member of the House and Senate who voted in support of these bills to change his or her position. The electorate will know if their legislators voted to protect public health and the environment, or if they voted to do what out-of-state drillers want.”

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Happy Birthday, Betty!

2012-01-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Since Betty White and I share the same birthday, it seems like more fun to celebrate hers today.

The Daily Beast has a nice celebratory round up. Click here to see it.

Happy Birthday, Betty!

Lola Astanova @ CarnegieHall -- I'll Be There!

2012-01-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

My daughter will attend the Lola Astanova concert with me on Thursday evening at Carnegie Hall. We're both psyched.about this show. Lola is amazing. (I'd say she rocks but . . .)

Ukuleles for Peace video newsletter

2012-01-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

My dear old friend Paul Moore is a hero for the work he does with Ukuleles for Peace, bringing Arab and Jewish children together in Israel to play music: Send the guy some money if you can. I did.

And in case you're interested, here's Chaos the Cat:

How'd I miss this?

2012-01-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

Over the holidaze, Michael Nutter, mayor of Philadelphia, announced a plan for supporting the arts, a plan that recognizes the importance of having a creative community in the city.

What a smart man!

Here's the actual URL, just in case:

http://articles.philly.com/2011-12-29/news/30569224_1_task-force-arts-related-projects-creative-economy

Cannabis -- Weed, Pot, Stops Cancer Cell Growth -- Video

2012-01-11T08:26:00.001-08:00

PA REPUBLICANS A DEGENERATE CABAL?

2012-01-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Thomas W. Corbett, while he was Attorney General of Pennsylvania and later as Governor, has allowed politics to supersede sound judgment in the child abuse scandal at Penn State. While Attorney General, he delayed making an arrest for years despite having eyewitness testimony of child rape. As Governor he gave millions of dollars to Second Mile despite his knowledge that they were at the center of the child rape scandal.
At best, Corbett has used poor judgment. At worst, Corbett allowed politics to trump protecting children and prosecuting criminal actions. It is time for Corbett to resign.
Sign our petition here: http://signon.org/sign/gov-corbett-must-resign?source=s.em.cr&r_by=142072&mailing_id=1621

I received the above in an email today. Nothing surprises me anymore about child molesters and the Republican party in Pennsylvania. Locally, a few years ago, the Republican won the district attorney's race. To celebrate, he got drunk and took his 10 year old daughter to a Hillary Duff concert, where he publicly fondled her genitals and was arrested.

Immediately upon his posting bail, the Republicans swore him into office so the tax payers would have to pay his salary while he dealt with the charges. His punishment? He had to resign (and live with being a sleazoid. though that's not hard for any politician). (Republican judge.)

In Shaun Mullen's book "Bottom of the Fox" the reporter came to the conclusion that in the 1970s and early 1980s, a "sado-masochistic homosexual sex ring," that included local Republican bigwigs was behind a string of murders.here in the Poconos.

Anybody check Sandusky's voter registration record? And why did Governor Corbett donate millions of tax payer dollars to Sandusky's charity when he knew it was under investigation, while at the same time cutting education spending?

WHY THE ENDLESS ASSAULT ON CLEAN WATER?

2012-01-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

From the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Taxpayers for Common Sense:

Corps of Engineers Uses New Recipe to Cook the Books – Again –

To Push Wasteful Delaware River Deepening Project

Taxpayer and Environmental Groups Release Report on Updated Economic Analysis

Responding to renewed economic claims for Deepening the Delaware River, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, along with our colleagues from Taxpayers for Common Sense and the Water Protection Network, issued a new independent analysis which proves once again that the deepening project is an economic loser. The groups issued the analysis and an accompanying report titled “Army Corps Cooks the Books Again,” in response to a May 2011 analysis issued by the Army Corps of Engineers. Copy of the reports can be obtained at:

Stearns Report 2012

Army Corps Cooks the Books Again

The findings of this report adds new information to the wealth of environmental and river harms that have been documented by DRN as well as a host of agencies and experts.

Clean water, endangered species, marshlands, river dependent jobs, and a whole host of species and habitats that are vital to a healthy river are at risk from the Delaware River deepening project.

Pennsylvania Politicians, and now some from Delaware, are trying to finagle new funding for this bad project in a new effort to circumvent the prohibition on earmarks in Congress.

Don’t let the Army Corps get away with their misrepresentations of facts;
Don’t let politically motivated politicians waste our precious tax dollars;
Don’t let deepening take jobs from those that rely upon the River and its bounty for their livelihoods …

Write your Letter to Congress today!

CLICK HERE to send your letter NOW!

Occupy Wall Street's Livestream Operators Arrested

2012-01-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

NYC police raided a TV studio in Brooklyn and took 6 people into custody. Their crime? Live Streaming the Occupy Wall Street protest. Thanks to The Atlantic Wire for covering this.

Anyone who thinks a billionaire is a good leader ought to have their heads examined. Billionaires are self-serving, democracy-undermining fascists -- Bloomberg included.

The other Lysistrata musical is closing

2012-01-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

It is interesting that, during a time of unending war, no one commented on the fact that "Lysistrata Jones" left out the anti-war theme and made it all about sex. Oh well.

Any of you readers remember my "Cafe Lysistrata" in 2009? We even had a couple of anti-war songs. Of course, not being part of the elite-approved playwrights, mine never went anywhere.

Don't you just love the arts in the new fascist America?

You Gotta Love the Mummers

2012-01-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Mummers Parade in Philadelphia is one of the greatest community theatrical events on the planet. It's goofy and gaudy and great.

Though The Unknown Playwright voted against gambling in the commonwealth, as did the majority of Pennsylvanians, it is necessary to commend Sugar House Casino for stepping into the breach and sponsoring this joyous cultural event.

Bravo Sugar House!

Bravo Philadelphia!

Bravo Mummers!

A Thought for 2012

2011-12-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." -The Dalai Lama

R.I.P. Dad

2011-12-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Cornelius M. DiLauro (1921 -2011) Aviator, farmer, father of 12, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Saturday December 24 after a short battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by members of his family at home in Sarasota, Florida.

He grew up in upstate New York on a fruit farm, the son of Italian immigrants. In the Second World War, he flew a P-38 Lightning fighter plane in the North Africa and Italian campaigns. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf clusters, a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, and the Purple Heart.

He often told the story of how, after he was shot at the poker table in a tent when a German plane strafed his airfield, he was in the triage tent for almost 3 weeks with a .50 caliber machine gun bullet in his gut. There were initials found scratched on the bullet when finally it was removed – the initials of the surgeon..

After the war he worked at odd jobs and for awhile promoted Dixieland jazz concerts at the local grange. Eventually, he joined Capitol Airlines, which became part of United Airlines, as a pilot. In January 1949 he married Ellen Ferrin, who survives him. This writer, born in January 1950, was their first child.

Cornelius DiLauro carried on the family tradition of fruit farming by planting 60 acres of cherry, peach and apple trees with his sons and brothers, outside Albion, NY during the 1950s. Due to his job he moved to Clinton Township, New Jersey, in the 1960s, where he grew raspberries on 17 acres.

He will always be remembered for his wit, sense of humor, and toughness in the face of any and all adversity. He was affectionately known as Corny by friends and family. He is survived by, in addition to my mother, 9 children, several grandchildren, and a great-grand-daughter. R.I.P., Dad. Love you. See you on the other side.

A Tribute To Horowitz: Lola Astanova, Piano Debut

2011-12-22T07:31:00.000-08:00

A Tribute To Horowitz: Lola Astanova, Piano Debut

Benefit Concert for American Cancer Society
Donald J. Trump, Gala Chairman
Julie Andrews, Special Guest Artist Host
Thursday, January, 19, 2012- 8pm

New York, NY – On Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:00pm, piano virtuoso Lola Astanova makes her Carnegie Hall debut in “A Tribute to Horowitz” performing the works of Chopin, Scriabin and Rachmaninov at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

The evening is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. The gala chairman is Donald Trump. Julie Andrews will appear as the special guest artist host to introduce Ms. Astanova on stage. The event is being executive produced by Misha Levintas and sponsored by Tiffany & Co. Tickets for $100 – 20 are available at the Carnegie Hall Box office, Carnegie Charge 212-247-7800, www.carnegiehall.org. Further information at www.lolaastanova.com

As you might imagine, for a young piano virtuoso from Russia, now a U.S. citizen residing in Manhattan, this evening is an astounding milestone in Ms. Astanova’s career. Lola is a mashup of a classically trained piano virtuoso and a modern musician who uses her 2.5 million You Tube views and Twitter to reach her fans.

Lola Astanova, a Steinway artist, will perform on a piano that is, without question, the most famous piano in the world - the legendary Horowitz Steinway. It was built in 1941 and Vladimir Horowitz acquired it on May 27, 1943. This piano traveled with Horowitz all over the globe, including his legendary "Return to Russia" concerts in Moscow and Leningrad in 1986. Horowitz also played it at the White House for President Ronald Reagan. The piano has a serial number CD503 (very famous in the piano world).

Franz Mohr was Horowitz's piano technician for years and in his book, he wrote about how Horowitz famously refused to play concerts unless Franz was preparing his piano. Franz Mohr will prepare the piano for Lola's concert on January 19th...and will attend the show as Ms. Astanova's special guest.

As the concert at Carnegie Hall is Lola's tribute to Horowitz, one of her music heroes and inspirations, Lola says playing his piano on the main stage of Carnegie Hall will be “A very special and emotional experience.”

Born in Tashkent in the former USSR, Lola’s music career began at the age of six. By twelve she achieved international acclaim and was featured in a UNESCO documentary Prodigies of the 20th Century. But her young career came to a halt when, confronted with bureaucratic barriers, Lola was precluded from performing for two years. Fighting to break free, Ms. Astanova moved to America and, relying on new media to communicate with her fans, began to redefine what it means to be a modern-day virtuoso.

Her American break came in 2007, when Lola garnered unprecedented attention as the star of a $1.6 million Neiman Marcus’ Classical Superstars Fantasy Concert, alongside Valery Gergiev and Regis Philbin. Today Lola’s online videos are among the most watched virtuoso performances in the world, and her original arrangements are attempted by pianists all over the globe. Passionate and fearless, Ms. Astanova has always used her talent and influence to support important social causes.

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A Message from the Delaware Riverkeeper

2011-12-15T15:40:00.001-08:00

Clean Water: A Priceless Gift that Future Generations Will Thank You For

Healthy rivers are the lifeblood that sustains healthy communities. The protection of our rivers should be a top priority for us all. But rather than making the protection of our rivers a priority, there are those who would take advantage of our public waters for personal profit. They hire high-priced lawyers to find new ways around already weakened environmental laws. They hire “experts” willing to dispute established science. They tell us we must choose between the environment our children will inherit and the economy.

In truth, protected environments are an investment in a sustainable and nourishing future. We documented this in our River Values report. We’re not stopping there; the Delaware Riverkeeper Network is working to make sure agencies charged with protecting the environment are doing their jobs. We go to court to enforce environmental laws when they don’t. And we train citizen scientists to help monitor the watershed when the agencies aren’t watching.

But we need your help. I am turning to you today to ask you to invest in the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. We need your help to raise $100,000 before the end of the year to ensure that the Delaware Riverkeeper Network remains the strong advocacy organization that the River and the communities that depend upon it need.

Your donation will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting the only grassroots river advocacy organization operating throughout the 13,539 square miles of the Delaware River watershed. Your contribution is critical to the number of threats to the River we will be able to take on as we moveinto 2012. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is a not for profit organization entitled to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Your generous gift will be deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Make your secure donation online at http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/join/donate.asp. Please give as generously as you can afford.

Thank you for investing in the Delaware Riverkeeper Network now so that future generations may have the priceless gift of clean water.

Maya K. van Rossum

the Delaware Riverkeeper

George Whitman Remembered by Eddie Woods

2011-12-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

I received the following missive from the poet and international litterateur Eddie Woods in Amsterdam this morning and have re-posted it with his permission:

Hey...

Anyone who manages to survive as long and wonderfully as George Whitman did,
surely deserves more than a mere RIP when they pass on.

George, the iconic proprietor of Paris’ legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookshop,
died yesterday just two days after celebrating his 98th birthday!

Here’s the Guardian’s obituary:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/14/george-whitman-obituary

And for those of you who have not yet read it,
here is the story I wrote about my experiences with George,
as published in the online magazine Parisiana:
“A Place to Change Trains”
http://www.parisiana.com/node/125

Along with my condolences to his lovely daughter Sylvia,
and his very many close friends,
there’s nothing else to say other than:
Bon voyage, mon ami.
When the good Lord made thee,
he certainly did break the proverbial mold!

Salute!

EDDIE

Shakespeare & Co. website
http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/

Eddie Woods website
http://eddiewoods.nl/

Inside Shakespeare & Co.

The Moon of Innocence -- Chapter 4 posted

2011-12-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4 of the free serialization of my novel "The Moon of Innocence" is now posted. Click here.

Here's the URL just in case:

http://moonofinnocence.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-four.html

The Unknown Playwright Speaks

St James Infirmary cartoon --

Lola Astanova @ CarnegieHall -- A Superstar Is Born

Pennsylvania Legislators -- Wake Up!

Happy Birthday, Betty!

Lola Astanova @ CarnegieHall -- I'll Be There!

Ukuleles for Peace video newsletter

How'd I miss this?

Cannabis -- Weed, Pot, Stops Cancer Cell Growth -- Video

PA REPUBLICANS A DEGENERATE CABAL?

WHY THE ENDLESS ASSAULT ON CLEAN WATER?

Occupy Wall Street's Livestream Operators Arrested

The other Lysistrata musical is closing

You Gotta Love the Mummers

A Thought for 2012

R.I.P. Dad

A Tribute To Horowitz: Lola Astanova, Piano Debut

A Tribute To Horowitz: Lola Astanova, Piano Debut

Benefit Concert for American Cancer Society Donald J. Trump, Gala Chairman Julie Andrews, Special Guest Artist Host Thursday, January, 19, 2012- 8pm

A Message from the Delaware Riverkeeper

George Whitman Remembered by Eddie Woods

The Moon of Innocence -- Chapter 4 posted

Benefit Concert for American Cancer Society
Donald J. Trump, Gala Chairman
Julie Andrews, Special Guest Artist Host
Thursday, January, 19, 2012- 8pm