Nrthwnd

Listening to a great holiday album, featuring all of the cast from Broadway's HADEStown. It's really good, and uses the musical style of the musical itself, to frame some favourites. Honestly, I believe this is the first Holiday album to be made by a Broadway cast ... ever. https://www.amazon.com/If-Fates-Allow-Hadestown-Holiday/dp/B08KV81ZGX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=if+the+fates+allow&qid=1639356139&sr=8-3 Available through Amazon.com

Author Anne Rice, who "breathed new life into vampires," has just passed away. She was 80 I believe my David has practically every book she's written, including those she wrote under another name. Just counted them. At least 27 books of hers! We even went to where things took place with "Interview With A Vampire," during our very first trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. David was like a kid in a theme park finding "all the places where...."

Am very excited, as this might be the last first run movie we see, before "the New Year" begins. Nonetheless.... "West Side Story" newly directed by Steven Spielberg (his first movie musical!) and Tony Kushner ("Angels in America" scribe) involved ..... ...and I myself, played Riff in a 1977 production of the musical, at Theatre In The Park, Vancouver. Gotta love LIVE theater, y'know? We had to see this one, especially with all we knew were parts of it's re-creation. GO Rita Moreno! And a LOT of Broadway artists involved on screen, too! Mr. Spielberg, and his WSS cast. And (TRIVIA!) 'Bernardo' on the left there? It's David Alveraz, who won The TONY for Lead Actor/Musical, with his two companions of "Billy Elliot"... a three-way First!

Hmmmm. From the art concept, it has a "usual" lift hill in the framework. Quite the "Loop-de-Loop" I see. Tall and impressive. Hope the design works out, and the coaster is epic. EDIT: Just saw that "tilt" towards the queue from the station exit. Brilliant!

^I'm still wondering if they are going to create another entryway into Galaxy's Edge? From that point, I mean. Otherwise, "the new rumor" going around, is that with building a new show building for this Runaway Railway, there is the possibility that they are going to add an extra scene in this version. Anybody else read about this rumor? .... and .... Go Mickey! And .... From their looking at the "route" of the vehicles, the rumor source sort of figured, that what was called the "Alleyway" between Daisy's Dance School and the Factory, etc. would be where the new scene would go. Just a rumor, mind.

And I have to add this .... Our back yard (and back of the house) looks towards an apartment bldg, painted a not-great sort-of blue colour. Anyway, one of those living opposite us, put some lights in their window. And really, we're the only ones who can actually see it, outside! So nice of them to do this, LOL. My night photo skills aren't great, but it still looks .... interesting. A closer shot, and it turns into something else, LOL. Happy Holidays, Everybody!

"Several Years Later......" I wanted to post a photo of what we've done this Holiday Season, on the front of our house. Took me a bit of time to find any thread that I didn't have to repeat. Found this one. Jingle! We got a set of purple lights to drape across the front railing of the porch. Worked pretty good, Yes? EDIT: I didn't realize there was an actual year in the topic's title. Ho ho ho. A touch fuzzy, but you get the idea. A better pic will be taken later on. I hope.

I just discovered this TR, and it's a Ginger Snap Goody, Chuck! Did the coaster ornaments feature all their main coasters, or just a few? Just curious. Man, I wish I/we could go to something like this, locally. <sighs> Ah well.... Best Holiday Wishes to you and your closest, Chuck! Jolly Jolly!

A couple of musicals now have their Original Cast CDs released... Now re-opened on Broadway. An Off-Broadway gem. I saw this in 2013 in Vancouver. It's really great! And a couple of musicals' original cast recordings, to be released next year. The LONDON Original cast. And yes, they made a musical out of it! First revival of this musical on Broadway. But it opened in London first, not long ago. STILL TO COME: "Flying Over Sunset" An LSD-based Musical {truth} about three know people who never met each other, but "meet through their LSD Experience." I kid you not, And it was just reported, they are going to record the show, and release the CD in March. Fantastic! And I am really, REALLY HOPING for a Broadway Revival Cast Recording of "Company." They released the London Cast cd of it back in 2018, but I am hoping that with such a group of well-known actors in the Broadway version (...and still keeping Patti LuPone from the London gig), will yield their own Revival Recording. And remember this is the revival that "switched gender" of it's lead character, AND features the "Getting Married Today" couple. as a gay couple tying the knot! That's my Holiday Broadway Wishes.

Michael Nesmith, formerly of The Monkees. Aged 78. R.I.P.

December 8th - Back to the Cream Based Pizzas! This time, it's the 'Pancetta E Zucchine' pizza. Still great, a second time around. The sky looks nice some times, around sunset time. As written on La Menu. Only two other people here, right now. A bit later on, it got really busy with more arrivals. Trying to be 'fancy' with the oven's fire reflected in the front window. Ta daah! Looks great. Tasted even better! Last bites. And as usual, one slice for David.

I didn't try to ride it (for the credit) back in Sept.2016 (WCBash) 'cause it was just - too - small for me. Go figure.

Damn I wish I had a burger (ANY burger) right now! A&W burgers would be fine, right now.

Great video, Robb! That initial hangover into a "smoke"-filled pit, reminds me of Oblivion at Alton Towers. Thanks for the great video of it!

And the beat goes on......

^ Well, one way or the other, we've been very lucky in seeing several movies over these past weeks. And with Broadway "getting back to work," I am sure touring shows will pick up as we go along. Our first touring show will be "Anastasia" in mid-January. And eventually "Hamilton" in late spring. By the way, our current "Films Seen List" is: Encanto, Ghostbusters/Afterlife, Eternals, Dune, Ron's Gone Wrong, No Time To Die, The Green Knight, Dear Evan Hansen, Free Guy .... The French Dispatch (this Thurs.) and West Side Story (next Thur.) .... that's it for what we've seen and plan to see before the year's out.

^ Well, I am still hoping that some touring version of it comes to town. And that's true, they have re-opened on Broadway with a mash-up of the two separate plays, into one play.

"World's First Coaster That Will Never (well, hardly ever) Break Down!"

^ Geez, that's tough for you and all concerned. I hope it all (eventually) works out for you and all of your family.

The PNE and BC Transit are offering a shuttle service through their Winter Lights, if one doesn't own a car. Where to get tickets for this: http://pne.fan-one.com/r/?id=h19d03ae,10c509c,1b6706 Happy Holidays From Playland and The PNE!

^ Well, all JKR things considered, it would still be a hoot for them to do the film version of "Cursed Child." I mean, they are the actual age now, in the time period the play takes place, yes? One can always dream and hope. I haven't read any version of the play. What don't you like about it?

Happy Holidays from Everybody at Playland & The PNE! (...and Here's to a Much Happier Healthier Season in 2022!)

Time for another one!

Among the many many tributes Stephen Sondheim will be receiving, this one must have been intensely emotional. COMPANY RE-opened on Broadway, Friday night, November 26, the day that Steve passed away, that morning. This is the director Marianne Elliot, giving a pre-show speech to the audience. And the cast shows up, too! It's an amazing Youtube. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH2HpkDm3tI And I really, honestly believe, that in over 1/2 of this video, was the audience standing & applauding, for Steve. P.S. On Wednesday, December 08th, the lights will dim on Broadway, 6:30PM ET, for one minute, to honour Steve and his legacy. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/201621/broadway-theaters-to-dim-lights-in-memory-of-musical-theater-titan-stephen-sondheim/