Falstaff and the Making of an Opera Fan
In the bright and fearless days before COVID-19 shut everything down, I considered watching my first real opera. I thought I’d first try one of Verdi’s operas based on a Shakespeare play, Macbeth or Otello…
Category: Shakespeare
Life in the Time of Coronavirus
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has a lot of life on hold right now. Schools, classes, and programs are closed, as are parks, beaches, trails, and many businesses. Yet, despite the coronavirus shutdown, life goes on. Like everyone…
No Book No Problem
The other morning I had an appointment for routine service on my car. However, in the rush to get everyone out the door I’d forgotten to pack a book or anything to work on while…
20:20 Vision?
Time for a look back on 2019 and a look ahead at 2020. In 2019 I saw 12 live plays, which is more than I thought I would see. Three were for a college class,…
“Twelfth Night” and “On Golden Pond”
I took the family to see Twelfth Night at The Old Globe a few weeks ago. The show wasn’t part of the regular season; it was a special run presented as part of the Shiley…
Used Books and a DVD
I was looking to kill time after a dinner out with my teenager, waiting for traffic to die down, and as we were sort of in the neighborhood I suggested we go to BookOff. It’s…
“Becket” vs. Becket
I found this book on the free books shelves at my local library, where they set out books that have languished unwanted at the monthly book fair through several cycles. I’m familiar with the historical…
“Romeo and Juliet” at The Old Globe
My wife and I saw Romeo and Juliet at The Old Globe earlier this week. Director Barry Edelstein delivered an entertaining, high-energy interpretation that at times veered into parody, such as numerous meta nods to…
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) is one of my favorite film adaptations. Like Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing (2012), it takes the original play’s plot bones and verbal muscle, and gives it a…
July academic update
Well, it’s been a while since I posted about my academic progress, so here goes! I’m half-way through my third class after a gentle virtual return to college. I eased in with DRAM-107, Study of…