My father was a very fine dentist. As a matter of fact, so was my mother and my brother. I didn’t get any further than being pre-med. But my dad was a not-so-fine driver. He failed the test two times but finally at age 60 he succeeded and voila! He got his license. He was motivated because he wanted to be able to drive from Brooklyn to River Edge to visit his grandsons (that was before my daughter was born). Annually, he drove Jimmy and Andy to New York City to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It became a family legend to recall including the fact that the two youngsters asked why did everybody honk their horns when grandpa drove. Ha! At any rate, my dad did create happy memories about their trips to see the one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration starring the Rockettes. I’m pleased to say that the women’s precision dance troupe is still at it and still performing an impeccable “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” Currently the show has incorporated the latest technology very different from when it started in 1933. So, if you’re looking for a truly enjoyable Christmas celebration the annual holiday stage show at Radio City nicely fills the bill. But perhaps you ought to consider getting there by bus and train unless your grandpa is a much better driver than my dad was.
It’s a special treat when I can sit in my recliner and watch two hours of uninterrupted television – really fine television. It’s not easy to find but I got lucky and did find a television drama, a gem of a story that gave me that pleasure two days in a row. I shared that with my literary librarian friend, Barb, telling her to make sure to see the outstanding four-part mini-series on HBO, “Olive Kitteridge.” She informed me that she already knew about it. She was part of a “One Book, Everybody Reads” program and that all the members had read the book that the mini-series was based on. They even met its author, Elizabeth Strout, and were charmed by her. Well, if four hours of great acting and great writing appeal to you, this show does not disappoint. The stars are Frances McDormand (remember her so outstanding in “Fargo”?) and Richard Jenkins as her kindly husband and the town pharmacist. Their one son, Chris, joins them in their “lives of quiet desperation.” I looked forward to each scene with a mix of dread and glee in spite of the fact that I‘m not a fan of the flashback, flash-forward device used so frequently. The story takes place in a seemingly placid New England town that is actually wrought with elicit affairs, crime, and tragedy told mostly through the lens of the abrasive Olive. “Olive Kitteridge” is a gem of a story and a vehicle for incredible performances, including Bill Murray in a rare small-screen stint. It’s a hugely satisfying program, easily one of the best things I’ve seen on TV this year. Fortunately HBO reruns this frequently. I hope you can catch it.
Some 14 years ago an enthusiastic Adele Elkind told me that she was going to be one of several guides at the newly opened Liberty Science Center. The job was to help visitors find their way in the newly opened beautiful, exciting museum. Now, let’s fast forward to the present. Here’s a list of talented people I know: Les Paul (gone, but I did enjoy his music frequently), Bucky Pizzarrelli, his son, John Pizzarrelli, and Steve Pizzella. Can you guess what the four have in common in addition to having a last name that begins with a “P”? Okay, you probably guessed it — they all play the guitar. Well, currently the Liberty Science Center has an interactive exhibit: “Guitar – The Instrument That Rocked the World.” It leaves visitors with a new and comprehensive appreciation for the omnipresent instrument (I’m still looking for a guitar player to join the Bayonne Senior Orchestra). For guitar lovers it certainly is worth the trip to Jersey City. The beauty and variety of the encased guitars is enough to keep the kids interested as well since there are more than 60 instruments ranging from rare antiques to the wildly popular and innovative. The Rock Ock, the world’s only eight-neck stringed guitar, is part of the extensive Liberty Science Center exhibit. It includes many interactive elements. I’m happy to report that there’s a live music series on weekends. In fact, a tribute to Les Paul is scheduled for December 21. What a museum! There are many musical hands-on opportunities. You can pluck strings and even pick up many of the available acoustic guitars. Happily, also available for play are a keyboard, mini drum set, and tambourines. I’m assuming those of us in Bayonne are aware of the location of the Liberty Science Center, but, just to make sure, it’s in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, Exit 14B. The exhibit is available through January 4. Perhaps I’ll see you there.
Are you aware of the New York City Center’s Encores!? It celebrates the rarely heard works of America’s most important composers and lyricists. Conceived as concert performances, Encores! gives three glorious scores a year the chance to be heard as their creators originally intended. Each production is whirlwind, with just eight days of rehearsal, one day of dress rehearsal, and five performances. The cast, backed by the Encores! orchestra, takes the stage with books in hand. I’ve enjoyed every Encores! production I’ve seen, the most recent being “The Band Wagon,” an Encores! Special Event. It’s an adaptation of the beloved 1953 MGM movie musical that starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. There’s a roster of top-drawer, rousing, vintage score songs by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. Here’s an example: the dreamy “Dancing In the Dark,” the tap-happy “A Shine on Your Shoes,” and the anthemic “That’s Entertainment.” Personally for me that music was deeply satisfying in an old-fashioned way. I walked out of the theater humming the tunes, many of them played by my mom on the piano and many that I still play. Yes, I did enjoy this Bandwagon Encores! presentation but there was one thing missing – guess who? – Fred Astaire.
You can e-mail June Sturz at intunejune@optonline.net