The 12 Posts of Christmas (2012), volume IV

It is hard to turn one's energies to the holidays when unspeakable tragedy has taken place yesterday.  I used to be a teacher and am now a parent and I cannot think of what the parents and members of the community of Newtown Connecticut are going through today.  Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers today and in the coming weeks.

As the world prepares for Christmas and the birth of Jesus, let the words of scripture comfort us.  As President Obama spoke at the end of his remarks, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

Today I will be downtown at Ford's Theatre to usher for A Christmas Carol.  It is a good opportunity to list my favorite holiday shows. This list is in no particular order. What do you think?

• The Rankin-Bass collection, which includes Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and so many others.  These are all staples in the Brave Astronaut home and we own them on DVD.
• The Prep and Landing collection - this is a recent addition to the list of holiday favorites.  But it is SO TINSEL!
• It's A Wonderful Life - because it is.
• Miracle on 34th Street - the original, in black and white, only.
• Growing up in New York, a standard for Christmas in our home was the Yule Log on WPIX (channel 11) - we didn't have a fireplace.
• Elf - because Will Ferrell is a comedic genius and Zooey Deschanel is pretty good looking.
• The Polar Express - though I haven't seen the movie all the way through, I really prefer the book.  Still makes me cry at the end.
• Scrooged - this adaptation of A Christmas Carol is one of the better ones out there.
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the original, with Boris Karloff, not the Jim Carrey version, ever.
• Holiday Inn and White Christmas - you really can't go wrong with Bing and Fred Astaire's 4th of July number in Holiday Inn is legendary.
• Die Hard.  Hey, it's a Christmas movie isn't it?
• The Christmas episodes of The West Wing, specifically, "Noel," and "In Excelsis Deo"
• A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The 12 Posts of Christmas (2012), volume I

Today is December 2, and we are well into the holiday season - having put Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror (we had a wonderful time at the beach, with friends).  The holiday music is in full shuffle mode on the iPod and at some point, I will put the Christmas playlists on exclusively. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the first day of the Catholic Church liturgical year. 

Yesterday I ushered at Ford's Theatre for a matinee performance of A Christmas Carol.  It's there until December 30.  If you're in the DC area you should go see it.  If you go on December 15, I'll be there again - maybe I'll help you to your seat.  After the show, I came home to help co-host the church men's club celebration dinner.  A good time was had by all.

Today I spent my afternoon doing some yard work, all the leaves are finally down off the trees.  I also took advantage of the warm(er) weather and hung the Christmas lights.  I ran into darkness before I got all of the lights out that I was hoping for - so maybe there will be some more lighting next weekend.  But next Sunday will also be the annual Christmas tree hunting expedition.  This year we are trying a new place - in Harper's Ferry.  We'll see what happens.

Here's a picture taken by Mrs. BA showing how the house looks so far.

Fly! at Ford's Theatre

Tomorrow night I will be at Ford's Theatre for one of the last few performances of Fly!, based on the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.  If you haven't seen it yet and you are in the DC area - you should (hurry! you only have a week left - show closes October 21).

The next show on the Ford's lineup is the return of A Christmas Carol, with Edward Gero returning as Scrooge.  One of these years, I will bring LBA to this show - SoBA is still a few years away from this dark rendition of the Christmas classic.  Following A Christmas Carol, the Ford's stage will be transformed to Grover's Corner for Our Town.  So I will be sure to be crying when I'm watching that one.  The Spring musical this year at Ford's is Hello Dolly!

There is a plan afoot to go see My Fair Lady which is playing at another of Washington's theaters.  So i've got that going for me.

Finally, yesterday, a very special friend of mine celebrated her wedding anniversary and tomorrow she will celebrate her birthday!  She's been having a rough year, but indications are that she is on the mend - which is great, because I am looking forward to seeing her next year, when I travel to New Orleans for a conference in August.


So, if you have the chance go over to her website / blog ( hope she still sees checks in there) and wish a Happy Birthday to Lana!

A Friday List - Movie Trailers

As many of you know, Friday nights at the Brave Astronaut Launch Pad is Movie Night for LBA. Tonight however, I am at Ford's Theatre, watching the new production of "The Rivalry," depicting the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, which grew as a result of their famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. The play opened on January 22 and is on a short run, closing February 13. I am not sure what's on the agenda for screening at the Launch Pad.

One of the best parts of going to the movies for me are the trailers that precede the feature presentation. It's an opportunity for me to see what films are coming out that I might get to see one day. (I should take this opportunity to give the shout-out to my MIL, who came into town last weekend - took LBA to see "The Princess and the Frog," brought dinner for all of us, and then babysat so Mrs. BA and I could get out to the movies. We saw "Up in the Air" and it was really good.

Some time ago (this has been sitting in my Google Reader star list for several months), IFC came out with a list of the Top 50 Trailers. Something I learned from the article? Trailers are called such because they use to follow the feature presentation. Who knew?

Here's the list. Discuss. I do tend toward the older films as so many of the modern films try to have a huge "impact" on the moviegoer (perhaps due in part to our limited attention spans). I also dislike those trailers that reveal the big jokes from the movie - so that when you finally see the movie, it is very anti-climactic. I'm sure there is something to be said here that the majority of the trailers that make this "Tops" list, are mysteries or thrillers.

50. Night of the Iguana (1964)

49. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

48. The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

47. Magnolia (1999)

46. Watchmen (2009)

45. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

44. The Big Sleep (1946)

43. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

42. Little Children (2006)

41. Maximum Overdrive (1986)

40. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

39. Zabriskie Point (1970)

38. Face/Off (1997)

37. The Strangers (2008)

36. Spider-Man (2001)

35. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)

34. The Minus Man (1999)

33. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

32. The Matrix (1999)

31. Corruption (1968)

30. Femme Fatale (2002)

29. Point Blank (1967)

28. The Bishop's Wife (1947)

27. A Night at the Opera (1935)

26. Speed (1994)

25. Real Life (1979)

24. Schindler's List (1993)

23. Red Eye (2005)

22. Sin City (2005)

21. Strange Days (1995)

20. She's Gotta Have It (1986)

19. Unbreakable (2000)

18. Sleeper (1973)

17. Charade (1963)

16. GoldenEye (1995)

15. Pulp Fiction (1994)

14. Garden State (2005)

13. Mr. Sardonicus (1961)

12. Independence Day (1996)

11. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

10. The Shining (1980)

9. Mission: Impossible (1996)

8. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

7. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

6. Citizen Kane (1941)

5. Comedian (2002)

4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

3. Cloverfield (2008)

2. Psycho (1960)

1. Alien (1979)

Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 Season

The 2008-2009 season at Ford's Theatre ended recently, when "The Civil War" finished its long run (enjoying that time off Amanda?). There will not be a presidential gala this summer as Ford's was visited by President Obama in February to celebrate the grand reopening of the theater and to commemorate the birth of Abraham Lincoln. So the summer months will see the halls of the theater give way to sweaty tourists. Except for a few days later this month, when the National Park Service will do some additional renovations.

My ushering days will not return until late September, when the 2009-2010 season opens. Here's the lineup. If anyone wants in on the ushering gig, let me know - it's a great time!

• "Black Pearl Sings!" - September 25-October 18 - Susannah, a song collector for the Library of Congress, travels the country seeking little-known melodies. When she encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, she discovers dozens of musical treasures rooted in the African tradition. Pearl must decide whether to give away her ancestors’ songs for a chance at her own freedom. Music unites strangers in a powerful story that illuminates America’s racial divisions and the attempts of two women to bridge them.
• "A Christmas Carol" - November 23, 2009-January 3, 2010 - this is a great adaptation of the Dickens classic. You should really see it!
• "The Rivalry" - January 22-February 14 - Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state’s rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. The Rivalry captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates, while adding the insights of Douglas’s wife, Adele. As Lincoln and Douglas race for the chance to be U.S. Senator, Adele reexamines her own concepts of freedom.
  
• Little Shop of Horrors - March 12-May 23 - One of the most popular musicals of all time, Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of the well-meaning flower shop employee Seymour Krelborn and his wisecracking carnivorous plant, Audrey II. Seymour delights in the attention his leafy friend attracts, but when Audrey II develops a craving for human flesh, the situation spins out of control.

See you at the stage door!

Where I Am Tonight AND Who I Am With

As I have reported here before, I am a volunteer usher at Ford's Theatre, here in Washington DC. The highlight each year is, of course, the gala that is held each year, which draws the cream of Washington politicians, and the President of the United States. Tonight the theater will have its grand reopening celebration and the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, will be in attendance. It is an event I have been waiting four years for. My previous three galas have been celebrated with the 43rd President and I am very excited to be in the same room as our new President.

Ford's has undergone a major renovation and has only just reopened. I was in attendance last Friday night for a preview performance of "The Heavens are Hung in Black," the first play of the 2009 season. It stars David Selby as President Lincoln and takes place in the months between the death of Lincoln's son, Willie, and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. You can read a review of the play here and you can read more about the renovation of the theater here.

Tonight's celebration will feature performances from James Earl Jones, Jessye Norman, Joshua Bell, Jeffrey Wright, and Kelsey Grammer. Richard Thomas (John-Boy!) will serve as emcee for the evening and Lincoln Medals will be bestowed upon George Lucas and Sidney Poitier. As I said, can you understand why I have been looking forward to this? A new era of new programming for the gala (read: no more country music!) makes this Brave Astronaut a very happy boy.

And while, yes, the theater did get all new chairs, the entire renovation is amazing. There are now elevators in the building, an expanded lobby, with a gift shop and concessions. A new museum will open in the late Spring. It is such a grand venue here in Washington. I urge anyone who lives here or is planning on coming to Washington, to make some time to experience a play at Ford's. Perhaps I will even be there to help you to your seat.

In Case Anyone is Wondering

Today is June 1. Father's Day is two weeks away. I am finishing up a weekend as the sole parent, looking after my two sons. Mrs. BA was away this weekend at her 20 year college reunion. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying. But I've missed her and that's all that matters.

Tonight is also the annual Ford's Theatre Gala, which will be held at the National Theater as Ford's is still going under renovations. It is sure to be a great evening and it is the last one for our current president, so I am already looking forward to the next one . . .

Anyway, as Father's Day is just around the corner, I thought I would throw out a few ideas in case anyone was looking for a gift for me. LBA and Son of BA are you reading this?

1. There's a new golf course in my county. Lake Presidential Golf Club has opened in nearby Upper Marlboro, MD. It is about a 20-25 minute drive (I've already checked). The rates are a little steep, so it would have to be a special treat, but it is something that those individuals who like to give me golf gifts should keep in mind. Even that Ed guy could get a gift certificate and we could play when he comes for the MARAC meeting in the fall. Yes, I'm shameless, so sue me.
2. I need a new flashlight. I had a MagLite (a big one) and it seems to have sprouted legs and vanished. I want a new one. A big one. One with lots of candle power. A few weeks ago I was out in our backyard while I listened to an animal brawl in the woods. I had my little, feeble flashlight, which would have served me very poorly if this angry creature had sprung from the hedge.
3. There are several books out there that I am interested in, but I'll be damned if I can remember the names of them. I just remember seeing them and thinking "Oh that would be nice to read." Then I remember that when and if I have time to read, it is usually a page or two before falling asleep with the book on my face in bed. So if you are thinking books, think paperback. One was about the long rivalry between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, I think. Oh, and Stephen King has a relatively new book out.
4. This movie is now out on DVD. I have the first one and it would be nice to have this one as well. Plus, since they are making a third one . . .
   

Oh, we also have tickets to the Nationals game on the 8th, so that should be fun, but I won those, so its not so much a gift as it is something that Mrs. BA and LBA are going to do, while my MIL stays home with Son of BA. But I wouldn't look down on a gift of more tickets, either. And I really want one of these or any of the variations . . .

Happy June. :)

Weekend Wrapup

A couple of random observations from the weekend.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to usher at Ford's Theatre again. Devoted readers will recall that I volunteer there during the year. Saturday was a special treat in that while the play season is coming to a close, Ford's has, for the second year, presented a 40-minute play dramatizing the events of April 14, 1865, called "One Destiny." Two actors take to the stage, one playing John Ford, owner of the theater, and the second playing Harry Hawk, an actor who was on stage when John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln. The two interact with one another taking on the personalities of individuals who were at the theater that fateful day. It was very well done.

Two sporting events went late into the Sunday morning, both after beginning on Saturday night. On the ice, the Buffalo Sabres fell again to the Ottawa Senators in game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, in double overtime. While I will point out for C in DC's benefit that the Sabres were up two games to none over the Rangers in the last series, she shouldn't get her hopes up. As I write this, the Ducks and the Red Wings are skating in the third period tied at 3. Another overtime game, anyone?

The Washington Nationals are having a tough season. There are few that will debate that. However, if the Nats could manage to play the Florida Marlins for the rest of the season, things might turn around for them. The Nats concluded a weekend series with the Marlins, taking all three games. Saturday night's game was delayed for several hours as thunderstorms crossed the DC area, concluding the game around 2:00am Sunday morning. The Nationals are now 12 and 25 with the Atlanta Braves coming to town this week. The Orioles will come to DC for interleague play next weekend also. One assumes that reality will return to RFK. On a related note about losing, the Washington Post reported about the President's race that is featured at every home game. Basically, the four presidents featured on Mount Rushmore (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt), have a race in RFK. Teddy Roosevelt has never won. Will he ever?

I got to watch some Tiger-free golf this weekend. The Players Championship, played at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida, was won by one of my favorites, Phil Mickelson. Tiger finished tied for 37th place. I don't feel bad for him. I don't like him. Sawgrass contains what most agree is the most terrifying shot in golf, the 17th. Kids, don't try this at home. I have had the opportunity to "play" this hole twice before, once at the World Golf Village and then at Renditions Golf Course, where the hole is replicated. If the pros put it in the water with great regularity, do you really need to ask what I did?

I also broke out the sticks today and got to hit my first golf balls of the season. Yes, I know it's Mother's Day, but my wife is wonderful and she allowed me the opportunity to play nine holes today. It is but one of the countless reasons I love her.

Which, brings me to today, Mother's Day. My mother passed away last year, this is my second mother's day without her. I miss her a lot. Wherever you are, Mom, Happy Mother's Day. I am very happy to be able to celebrate Mother's Day with my wife, who is the best mother around. My son and I are very lucky to have her and for everything she does I say thank you on his behalf. We love you very much.

Reviews: Mark Russell at Ford's and Music and Lyrics

It was a big entertainment week for me last week. In addition to getting out to a movie last Sunday, on Thursday this week, I had the opportunity to work at Ford's Theatre for a performance by Mark Russell. For twenty-three years (he reports) he has been bringing his political satire and piano playing to Ford's. He is an equal opportunity skewerer, making sure to take shots at both sides of the aisle. He concludes his run at Ford's tonight. Check out his website and you'll get a taste of his humor, although without the piano, you aren't getting the full Russell. Try to make a point of catching him next year at Ford's.

The movie that my wife and I went to see with our best friends was Music and Lyrics, which our best friend pointed out could also be titled the "Andrew Ridgeley Story." Hugh Grant plays, Andrew Fletcher, an 80s pop icon who has been reduced to "Battle of the 80s Has-Been Stars" - facing off in a ring against Tiffany or Debbie Gibson. The "80s videos" alone are worth the price of admission and the realization you will come to that Hugh can actually sing.

He is given the opportunity to write a song for a pop star (read: Brittany before the shearing and the outright craziness), but he doesn't know how to do lyrics, he's a melody man. Enter Sophie Fisher, played very well by Drew Barrymore, who is an aspiring writer who suddenly shows Andrew that she is an excellent lyricist. Madcap hilarity ensues with some playful loving back and forth thrown in.

An amusing side note, during the movie, Fletcher gets a gig at Adventureland, an amusement park on Long Island. Trust me people, the place exists. How do I know? I broke my leg there in 1985. Someday I'll tell you all about it. Meanwhile, go see the movie, it's good mindless fun.

Review: Jitney at Ford's Theatre

I had the opportunity to usher on Opening Night for August Wilson's Jitney at Ford's Theatre last week. If you are in the DC area, I urge you to come out and sample this fine work of drama. Set in 1977 Pittsburgh, it tells the story of several gypsy cab drivers and dealing with the problems afflicting the city in the late 1970s. The interpersonal stories of each of the character weave a wonderful story and the play holds you tight for the full two and a half hours.

Here is the review that appeared in the Washington Post.

Review: A Christmas Carol

I ushered tonight at Ford's Theater. It was opening night (for press) of Ford's presentation of A Christmas Carol. The adaptation takes place at the time of Charles Dickens' visit to Washington, DC in 1867. The play begins with Mr. Dickens taking the stage and reading "his" story to the audience. The play gets underway with the actor playing Dickens assuming the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Many of the actors that appeared in last year's production returned for this year, including the three ghosts and Bob Cratchit. There is a new actor playing Scrooge and he is exceptional. There were a number of small children in the audience tonight and it might be too scary for very small children, but grown-up children should take the time to see it. I am sure the Washington Post will have a more extensive review this week.

Going to see this play and the fact that Thanksgiving is but one day away, means that Christmas is around the corner. I am not ready for the holiday yet and am having trouble finding the Christmas spirit. Those who know me know why, but I am hopeful that I will find a little trove of spirit tucked away among the decorations.

Washington Theater

I like the theater. My wife does not. She will be the first to tell you that she doesn't want the theater to be outlawed, she just doesn't want to have to go. This will prove difficult as I have put in a request to go see Movin' Out, which is coming to the National Theater here in Washington, conveniently around the time of my birthday in December.

I manage my theater habit by ushering at two local theaters here in DC. I usher at both Arena Stage and Ford's Theatre. It's a good gig. You help seat patrons and then you get a prime seat and enjoy the show for free. Last season at Ford's was great and as a bonus, I got to "work" the Presidential Gala that is televised each year around the Fourth of July. There is a link to Fords in my links section and they are always looking for ushers. Tell Allison I sent you.

Tonight, I participated in a focus group that was focused on the Washington Theater "scene." The focus group quickly narrowed to an examination of the Olney Theater Center. I had to admit in the focus group that this theater was not on my radar screen, despite being shown a lineup of their 2007 season that looks outstanding. They are presenting a wide array of shows, including Democracy, Of Mice and Men, and Fiddler on the Roof. By the end of the focus group, I realized that Olney is but one of many outstanding theaters in the DC area.

Our group of eight rattled off a number of theaters in the area but Olney did not come up in the first pass. It occurred to me that theater in DC is sort of a hidden treasure. Even though it is nearly five hours away, the sounds of Broadway seem to echo down I-95 and overshadow what are many outstanding venues here in the area. Even my desire to see Movin' Out comes from hearing such great things about its Broadway run. It was the same with Spamalot, which came to the DC area in the spring after a very successful run on Broadway.

I have lived in the DC area for nearly five years now and have been to perhaps half a dozen different theaters and seen a fair amount of theater. But I know I am missing something. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know where I should be going. Theater is one of those treats that one goes to occasionally (it can get a little pricey otherwise) as I am not ready to subscribe to one particular theater, yet. I am preparing to dedicate those funds to season tickets for the Nats in their new stadium anyway.