January 10, 2009

I am scheduled to travel to New York City for the first meeting concerning THE STORY OF MY LIFE.  I can't wait!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3  - THE VILLAGE TAVERN in North Wales, PA  8:30 p.m.  It's a great restaurant with wonderful owners.  Plenty of room for dancing.  www.villagetavernpa.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15 - BRITTINGHAMS in Lafayette Hill, PA  7:30 p.m.  Another great restaurant with wonderful food.  This is one of the greatest Irish pubs in the Philadelphia area.  It is a must-see.  This is a great venue to listen to music and answer trivia questions.  www.brittinghams.com

December 20, 2008

Last night I performed at Generations Restaurant in Media.  It was a great crowd with lots of dancing and singing.  I have been asked to return on Saturday, January 10.

December 18, 2008

On this day I will be performing a holiday show with elementary students with Project Home in North Philadephia.  It will feature each class performing its own holiday song.  We have been working on it a few weeks and it should be a lot of fun.  The kids are terrific.

December 4, 2008

Last night I finalize plans to appear at GENERATIONS restaurant in Media, PA on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 at 8:00 p.m.  If both parties deem it a fit, it will become a regular gig one Friday each month.  I was also asked to perform there on New Year's Eve this year.  I am trying to clear that date so that I can do it.  It is a great place with tremendous potential.

I am very fortunate to now have three top-notch restaurants that I will be performing at on a once-a-month basis:  GENERATIONS in Media, BRITTINGHAMS in Lafayette Hill, and VILLAGE TAVERN in North Wales.  I will also be performing at FLAMANGOS in Whitehouse Station, NJ on special occasions.

December 3, 2008

Tonight I performed at Harrah's Chester Casino. It is a very interesting place with nice people.

November 30, 2008

Today I finished my new movie manuscript entitled Suddenly Irish.

November 22, 2008

Tonight I perform at Flamangos in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. It is a first time for me at this restaurant and I am very much looking forward to it. In my dealings wither her so far, the owner, Cheryl, seem to be a very nice person. http://www.flamangos.com/

November 19, 2008

Today will feature the reading of the first draft of my new show.

November 16, 2008

I attended the closing performance of Magnetic North at Act Two Playhouse in Ambler.  It was a wonderful production that enjoyed a great run.  The cast party afterwards was a great opportunity to say goodbye to the fantastic cast members.

November 15, 2008

Today I finished the first draft of my new show.  I will have a reading on Wednesday.  Next phase involves music and lyrics.

November 13, 2008

On this Thursday night I will perform at George's in Wayne at Spread Eagle Village on Lancaster Avenue.  Things get under way at 7:00 p.m. www.georgesonthemainline.com

  

As many of you know, I have been looking for four different places to perform on a one-Thursday-a-month basis.  If all goes well tonight, George's will be one of those places.

The second place I have lined up for one Thursday a month is Brittinghams in Lafayette Hill.  I  will be performing there on Thursdays  (January 15, February 12, and March 12).  www.brittinghams.com

The third place that I will be playing monthly is the Village Tavern in North Wales, PA on the first Saturday of each month starting in January of 2009.  www.villagetavernpa.com

I will also be playing at Flamangos in Whitehouse Station, NJ on Saturday, November 22. www.restaurantpassion.com/listing.aspx?a=635&sid=8&sn=NJ

 

November 2, 2008

Today Kathy and I traveled to Newport, RI for a short two day get-a-way.  The first day we walked over 10 miles as we did the entire perimeter of the town, including the full Cliff Walk.  We also took in the Breakers Mansion tour.  

When we finally go back to our hotel, we were very fortunate to find a wonderful sports bar right across the street that was showing my beloved Philadelphia Eagles as they beat the Seattle Seahawks.  The perfect ending to a perfect day.

November 1, 2008

Today I traveled to the Goodspeed Opera House's Norma Terris Theater in Chester, Connecticut for the closing weekend of The Story of My Life. I was thrilled that my wife Kathy was able to join me. She LOVED the show, as did I. It was even more impressive seeing it for the second time. We had a great time talking with the director Richard Maltby and the composer and lyricist Neil Bartram. Wow, is Neil gifted!

We stayed overnight at the Griswold Inn in Essex, CT. What a nice and fun little place!

October 31, 2008

Today I traveled with my niece Heather and my son Tim to the Phillies parade. It was quite a challenge. After the train blew right through the Wayne station without stopping, Heather and I threw our bikes in the van. We then picked up Tim and his bike. We drove to Fairmont Park, park there, and headed out for the city on our bikes. We then parked the bikes at my other son's apartment near the Art Museum. We then walked 2 miles to an office building at Broad & Sansom. We viewed the parade from a wonderful "skybox" thanks to my nephew Patrick and his partner James. What a great day!

The highlight of the entire day was when my son Shaun told me that he had always wanted to share a championship like this with his father.  I knew EXACTLY how he felt.

October 30, 2008

Today I realized one of my dreams. I signed on as a volunteer for Project Home, a Philadelphia agency that deals with the homeless. One of my lone regrets is that I never joined the Peace Corp. This will be a nice substitute. In the beginning I will be volunteering one day a week. When my theater commitments subside, I hope to increase the amount of time I can spend with Project Home.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Tonight marks the opening of the brand new play entitled Magnetic North at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA. I have served as Assistant Director and have loved every minute of it. Although this is a total change from my normal type of show, it has been a wonderful journey. The play is beautifully written, wonderfully acted, and skillfully directed by Buddy Martin. I have thoroughly enjoyed my association with this project.

October 10, 2008

Today I drove over 7 hours to get to the Goodspeed Opera House's Norma Terris Theater in Chester,  Connecticut. I do not recommend Route 95 on a Friday afternoon. However the trip was well worth the time.  The Story of My Life is a beautiful show that I absolutely loved.

In the picture here you will see me standing with Buddy Martin (right) and Richard Maltby (center), who is directing this wonderful show. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction with Ain't Misbehavin' and was nominated for these other shows: Baby (Best Direction of a Musical, Best Original Score), Blood Knot (Best Play), Song and Dance (Best Direction of a Musical, Best Musical, Best Original Score), Miss Saigon (Best Origin

al Score), Nick & Nora (Best Original Score), Big (Best Original Score), Fosse (Best Direction of a Musical).

The Story of My Life features music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and a book by Brian Hill. They are pictured here.  They are extremely talented...and nice.

October 10, 2008

Today I will travel to the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut to take part of the opening night festivities for the show The Story of My Life.  This famed theater has won two Tony Awards and has been the birth place as such shows at Annie, Shenandoah, and Man of La Mancha.  The show will be staging its pre-Broadway run at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theater in Chester, CT.

October 8, 2008

Today was another read-through of the script to the brand new show Magnetic North, which opens October 21 at the Act Two Playhouse. The script by Bill Donnelly is excellent, as are the four performers in the show. I already knew that Buddy Martin was a great producer, I am now learning that he is also quite an amazing director as well.

October 7, 2008

Today we start work on the production of Magnetic North. After a meeting with author William Donnelly, it is on to the theater for a "meet and greet."

October 4, 2008

Today I traveled to a recording studio in Fairless Hills to record an original song entitled "Long Way Back." Several months ago I was contacted by a gentleman from Houston who spearheads a movement to save the leatherback sea turtle from extinction. Oddly enough, his name is also Larry McKenna...but no relation. He asked me to write a theme song for a documentary that they are making about the cause. To learn more about this wonderful group, check out their web page at http://saveourleatherbacks.org/

October 1, 2008

Today I was offered a position as the assistant director on a brand new show entitled Magnetic North at the Act Two Playhouse in Ambler, PA. I have accepted the position and am very excited about the opportunity.

September 28, 2008

Los Angeles, CA

- Nine to Five: The Musical at the Ahmanson Theater

September 27, 2008

Las Vegas, NV

- Mama Mia at the Mandalay Bay Theater

September 26, 2008

Temecula, CA

- South Coast Winery

September 25, 2008

San Diego, CA

- Hotel Del Coronado (where the movie Some Like It Hot was filmed

- Petco Park (Home of the San Diego Padres)