Art
Ode to Writers
Who are writers? We all learn to write our letters whether in manuscript printing or in cursive. Does that make us all writers? I remember back in second grade and just learning how all the letters joined together to make words come alive and it was pretty as a picture written in cursive handwriting with all the lines and curves like the letters 'Q', 'L', 'S', and my favorite was the letter 'Z'. Anyway, what is a writer by profession that we chose to be during a period of our lives.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueWater For Elephants.
"Water For Elephants" at the Imperial Theatre will enjoy what I think will be a long run on Broadway. Like "Music Man" and "Back to The Future", this wonderful musical will appeal to people of all ages and all walks of life. The music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. are not overly memorable, the choreography by Jesse Robb is simple and plain, however, the acting, the book by Rick Elice the direction by Jessica Stone and the circus design and acrobatics by Shana Carroll (Cirque du Soleil's Crystal) are outstanding.
Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published 2 months ago in CritiqueThunderstorm and Rain
Who doesn't like a good thunderstorm? When you were little your parents probably told you it was God moving furniture around or bowling. As an adult we know it is just two air masses clashing together the hot and cold of it. I still like the idea of moving furniture around or bowling. That would mean to me that heaven will be a better version of what is here.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueParenting
What does parenting mean to you? Is it the time where a mom and dad are doing everything they should but feel like nothing gets done or is it when they feel like failures and nothing is working out the way they thought they would.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueOffice Practice
I remember there was another course in the business curriculum that I did not take but observed. It was a course entitled 'Office Practice'.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueTypewriting
Who remembers taking a typing class in high school? At my school, believee it or not it was requirement to graduate. You had to take at least one year of typewriting, but I took both courses. As I said when writing my acrostic entitled 'Old Typewriter' I also remembered these two courses.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueGregg Shorthand
Gregg Shorthand is a skill that is obsolete in the business world now but is still used in legal offices and by some journalists with their own style of writing. Gregg shorthand is a phonetic way of writing words and phrases using various symbols like lines and curves and dots. There are other forms of this subject like Pitman, Teeline and Alphahand. To me Gregg shorthand is easier to read and write, and I am planning on sharing lessons here on Vocal.com. I have tried to find some pictures of Gregg shorthand on Pexels.com and a few other image places but no luck. In my lessons that I am planning to share I will be writing words, phrases and letters from the textbooks that I had in high school back in the 80's by Leslie and Zoubek.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueThe Notebook
"The Notebook" is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The 2004 movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. In its current Broadway production, the book is by Bekah Brunstetter and the music and lyrics is by Ingrid Michaelson.
Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published 2 months ago in CritiqueThe Fantasticks
The Bergen County Players version of the longest running musical is as simple as the one that I saw back in the late 80's at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in The West Village. With limited staging, Director Ray Yucis is able to move his talented cast about the stage with ease.
Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published 2 months ago in CritiqueLetters From Rifka
'Letters From Rifka' is a youth novel written by Karen Hesse. This is the story of Rifka, a young girl who with her family is leaving Russia for America. Rifka is in for quite the journey with a few setbacks that she must endure and try to understand. It is a book that is written as a series of letters that she has written in a poetry book of Pushkin to a close friend and confidant.
Mark GrahamPublished 3 months ago in CritiqueSeven Year Disappear.
"The Seven Year Disappear" is a non linear, performance art play that deals with a mother, Miriam (Cynthia Nixon) and her son, business partner (Taylor Trensch). Nixon is a famous artist who has left her son Naphtali for seven years only to return leaving him confused. The illusion of Bi-Polar disorder surfaces as both mother and son struggle with mental disorders and substance abuse. Writer Jordan Seavey has created a body of work in which the audience decides what the play is really about... the journey here is the thing; and quite a journey it is!
Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published 3 months ago in CritiqueMarley & Me
Who remembers the movie 'Marley & Me' that came out years ago but can be found on other outlets if looking for this movie. My grandniece bought me the novel and it had a special attachment called 'Marley & Me' Pictures to Chew On. This is strictly a picture book from scenes from the movie and they are the most poignant moments from the movie. The pictures are vivid and beautiful for I have looked at this little book many times over the years. I just looked at again and now I am re-reading the novel and will critique it as well.
Mark GrahamPublished 3 months ago in Critique