I was not interested in seeing “Kinky Boots,” the successful Broadway musical that won six Tonys. Admittedly, I’m not into quirky, aberrant, eccentric shows and I assumed that “Kinky Boots” with the book by Harvey Fierstein and the music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper would be all that. Surprise! I was wrong. My discerning partner told me that his abundantly talented grandson, Ian, was going to be the conductor/keyboardist for a matinee we were invited to. Who couldn’t turn that down — I would have been a heel (sorry, that’s a joke!). The musicians in “Kinky Boots” are expected to play flawlessly for two-plus hours with both cast and orchestra seeing the conductor in the video monitor. What a responsibility; yet grandson Ian filled the role perfectly. The show is both sentimental and passionate about overcoming prejudice, about tolerance and acceptance. There’s music, humor, and lessons to the story. The whole audience was engaged by the phenomenal cast, amazing set designs, electrifying costumes (lots of sequins and feathers), and lighting. No wonder singing, dancing (awesome energy), and, in addition, a great show with a fine story line and message won six Tonys. We all left the Al Hirschfeld Theater with big smiles on our faces helped by a finale that sent not only us but the entire audience dancing. If you’re a theater-goer watch for Ian Weinberger’s name. That multi-talented young man is going places.
The wedding! My loving companion and I have been to many weddings, but never one like this. What made it so special? First of all, the bride, wonderful Lindsay, and the handsome groom, my grandson Zach. They looked like they belong on top of an extravagant wedding cake. Admittedly, I personally have loved “Linds” for 11 years when Zach brought her to a family weekend. For those 11 years I kept wondering what he was waiting for. At any rate, it finally happened. Where did the big happening happen? In Philadelphia, the bride’s hometown. We spent a few days in the city and became aware of some of its vibrant neighborhoods. Most of us know its historical background: Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the U. S. Constitution was written. There’s the Liberty Bell, a symbol of our historical past. As an aside, do you know how many inches it’s cracked? I won’t keep you hanging — the answer is 24-1/2 inches. There’s Museum Mile that includes the Barnes Foundation, full of pieces by Picasso, Renoir, and more, and the Rodin Museum. Philadelphia has many shops and boutiques, and guess what? Clothes and shoes are tax free. This month one event includes a half-marathon where live bands play at every mile marker. Of course, I was there for my grandson’s wedding, but by getting a small taste of what Philadelphia has to offer I’m hoping to get back as soon as possible to take in many of the sights that Philadelphia is brimming with. Meanwhile I raise a glass (be it wine or iced coffee) wishing the newlyweds a life filled with love and laughter.
In the past I often referred to television as the “boob tube.” I don’t use that derogatory term any more thanks to scintillating series like “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men,” and many documentary films especially those by the prolific Ken Burns. As director and producer he became known for his style of using archival footage and photographs. It was interesting to learn that Burns’s father taught at the University of Michigan (granddaughter Melissa, take note!). Burns’s mother was found to have breast cancer when Burns was three and died when he was 11, a circumstance that he said, helped shape his career; he credited his father-in-law, a psychologist, with a signal insight. “He told me that my whole work was an attempt to make people long gone come back alive.” Well-read as a child he absorbed the family encyclopedia, preferring history to fiction. His most widely known documentaries which received, and deservedly so, many awards and honors include “The Civil War (1990),” “Baseball (1994),” “Jazz (2001).” Well, now we have a new Ken Burns documentary to look forward to: “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.” It chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. Their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. A seven-part, 14-hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore’s birth in 1858 to Eleanor’s death in 1962. Over the course of those years, Theodore would become the 26th president of the United States and his niece, Eleanor, would marry his fifth cousin, Franklin, who became the 32nd president of the United States. Together, these three individuals redefined the relationship Americans had with their government and each other, but also redefined the role of the United States within the wider world – in too many ways to list here. “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” is also a human story about love, betrayal, family, loyalty, personal courage, and the conquest of fear. It’s really something to look forward to – seven episodes starting September 14 at 8 p.m. on Channel 13. As a personal aside, Ken Burns was born in Brooklyn (me too!) and was a graduate student at Columbia University (me too!). But I never produced a documentary. Ha!
And again, thanks to television, here’s a favorite series that we’ve enjoyed for four seasons. By the third season it had become one of the most widely watched television dramas in the world. Can you guess its name? I’ll give you a few hints. The series depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era. I assume you guessed: “Downton Abbey,” a British costume drama depicting the great events in history and the effect on the lives of the Crawley family and on the British social hierarchy. Many historical locations and authentic mansions have been used to film various scenes. The Downton Abbey of the title and setting, though fictional, is described as lying in the historical county of Yorkshire. It gave me great enjoyment to watch all of Season 1 through 4. I’ll have to be patient, and so will you, until January for Season 5, but I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Channel 13, I’ve fallen in love with you!
You can email June Sturz at intunejune@optonline.net