FOLLIES Revival on Broadway a smash!

                 Youtube: Bernadette Peters in FOLLIES

Bernadette Peters as the nostalgic Sally in the revival of the musical FOLLIES is a must see on your next Broadway trip! Based on the acclaimed 1971 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Goldman, FOLLIES tell the story of former cast members of the Weissman Follies, reunited for the last time in their theatre which is to be demolished. The trip down memory lane brings to light lost loves, disappointments, the splendour of youth and fantasy versus reality.

The cast of top-notch talent include two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters (Sally Durant Plummer), four-time Tony nominee Jan Maxwell (Phyllis Rogers Stone), two-time Tony nominee Danny Burstein (Buddy Plummer) and three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines (Benjamin Stone).

Photo courtesy of Miss Finesse C2011

Audiences have high expectations of this revival... and FOLLIES delivers. Although all of the cast gave stellar performances, I was enamoured with Jayne Houdyshell as Hattie Walker.  Jayne's sincere performance of "Broadway Baby" brought the house down.  As did Elaine Paige as Carlotta belting out "I'm Still Here".

            Video Courtesy of Miss Finesse C2011

Make sure you don't miss FOLLIES at The Marquis Theatre in fabulous New York City!

The reality of Kim Kardashian and love

Youtube: Humphries/Kardashian wedding ABCNews Report



Kardashian.. a brand name with a lot of clout.  Synonymous with high-end elegance and prestige, the Kardashians are an empire unto themselves.  From a reality show and all things fashion, it's not a surprise that the  "reality wedding" has been the focus of media attention.  Kim's recent divorce filing 72 days after exchanging public I do's with NBA star Kris Humphries is certainly adding fuel to the media-hungry fire. Seriously, do we really think that the Kardashians need more "publicity" than they already have? Are we such a jaded society that we don't see them as fellow human beings?

Youtube: CNM Media

Although an iconic style figure and spotlight sex-siren, we have to believe that there is much more substance to this global sensation. If Kim is stripped of all the hair and the makeup and the couture bells and whistles, Kim is no different from the rest of us. She's just a girl who, like the rest of us, is just looking for love.  In her blog, Kim professed to her fans, " First and foremost, I married for love".. and HumanARTarianS Magazine believes it. I don't know Kim personally, but we all share the same ideal of wanting to find that special person to share our lives with.. it's part of our makeup.

Karsdashian further confesses in her blog, "I got caught up with the hoopla and the filming of the TV show that when I probably should have ended my relationship, I didn’t know how to and didn’t want to disappoint a lot of people."  People, Kim is not the only living being who has done what is expected to save face.  Oftentimes, celebrities are a product of society's expectations. 

So let's give Kim a much needed break and see her as a person.. not a product.

Artist Spotlight: Jackson Pollock

Youtube: Jackson Pollock at work

When in East Hampton, NY I highly recommend a visit to The Pollock-Krasner House. It was truly one of the hilites of my summer vacation in the Hamptons.  The former home and studio of Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) and his wife Lee Krasner (1908-1984) is a preserved historical museum showcasing the work and the lives of the couple famous for their abstract expressionist paintings.

The barn on the property was converted into Pollock's studio and is truly an artistic historical site.  He created his unique "drip-paintings" by laying canvases on his studio floor and splattered, dripped and poured paint to create abstract pieces with neither positive or negative areas.  Below is a picture of the outline of one of Pollack's pieces. Upon close inspection, I was actually able to identify the art pieces based on the outlines around the canvas. Check out my video footage from the studio tour below.

Photo and video of Jackson Pollock's art studio

Courtesy of Miss Finesse C2011

When you tour the house there are some unexpected surprises sprinkled throughout the couple's personal belongs.  Below is a  picture of Andy Warhol's iconic "Asparagus Soup Art". What an art lover's dream!

Andy Warhol's "Asparagus Soup Art"

Photo:  Miss Finesse C2011

The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center is located at 830 Fireplace Road in East Hampton, NY.  Make sure you call ahead for a reservation (631-324-4929)... you won't regret it!