Arts & Entertainment

By Christopher A. Pape

In a city of indulgence and excess – where the wealthiest can have anything at any moment and demand it at a moment’s notice, it is a breath of fresh air to meet someone that is both talented and humble. Debbie Lori Travin, of DLT Interiors, is a woman whose skill and devotion shine through; and whose love of interior design and home décor are the passion of her life. Best of all, she’s humble about her talent!

By Christopher A. Pape

When one mentions the name Wendy Williams many adjectives are conjured. To her credit, she embraces them all and uses it to her advantage. Through her long and illustrious career on radio and now with her mega-hit television show, she has become a true inspiration for women of all ages, creeds and colors (though she is humble about it).

By Christopher A. Pape

Mention of Rita Moreno’s name brings smiles of joy to the faces of her fans and heaps of praise from the Puerto Rican and Latino communities. After all, Ms. Moreno, now 80, known as La Pionera, the pioneer, was the first Puerto Rican to be recognized as a Hollywood starlet; and the only Hispanic to have won an Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Oscar.

By Christopher A. Pape

The name Julie Chang roles of the tongue as if it were honey; that she is as beautiful in person as she is on TV, doesn’t hurt either. But beyond that, Ms. Chang is a woman of conviction and taste. For she knows not only the hottest and trendiest of places in New York City, but is dedicated to charitable causes with a fervor and passion that not many can match.

By Christopher A. Pape

The history of burlesque in New York City is more sordid than its actual reality. And long before strippers twirled on poles in G-strings, adult entertainment pretty much consisted of burlesque. With almost fifty theaters that catered to this timeless activity, New York City was the center of the burlesque movement until Mayor Fiorello La Guardia banned it in the 1930’s, calling it entertainment for morons.

By Barry Bassis

Jon Robin Baitz’s “Other Desert Cities” is one of those plays where a family gets together for a holiday or special occasion and ultimately terrible truths are revealed. The beginning is as sunny as the weather in Palm Springs, where the Wyeths live in luxury and their adult son and daughter visit their parents for Christmas. The father Lyman (Stacy Keach) is a former movie actor turned Republican party stalwart. The daughter, Brooke, a writer (Rachel Griffiths), suffered a mental breakdown but has a new autobiographical book dealing with her older brother’s suicide after blowing up a military recruiting station. Naturally, Lyman and his wife Polly (Stafford Channing), are not happy about publicizing a painful and embarrassing part of their past. The surviving younger brother, Trip (Justin Kirk), is a television producer of a Judge Judy type of courtroom television show. Also staying in the house is Polly’s sister, a recovering alcoholic (played by Judith Light). Under Joe Mantello’s assured direction, every cast member gets a chance to shine.

By Barry Bassis

Anna Moffo (1932- 2006) had all the requirements for operatic stardom. Conductor Eugene Ormandy said that when Moffo auditioned for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Young Artists Award in 1954, “It is impossible for anyone that beautiful to sing, so I closed my eyes and she won on merit.” Within a few years, she was starring in the world’s leading opera houses. Newton Classics has just released a CD of seven Songs of the Auvergne plus two excerpts from Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasilieras No. Five and Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise Op. 34 with the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The recording was made in 1964 when Moffo was still in top form and the music is unfailingly melodic. Joseph Canteloube came from the Auvergne region and his setting of songs from his native province, published 1923-1930, are written in the dialect of the region and the lyrics are bucolic. The most famous of the songs, “Bailero” is sung by a woman flirting with a shepherd across the river. Moffo sings with tonal beauty and feeling.

By Christopher A. Pape

The Acting Company is America’s foremost touring repertory company, honored by the Tony Awards for sustained excellence in theater. They have promoted and worked with some of the most preeminent actors in the business including: Kevin Kline, Patti Lupone, Rainn Wilson, among others. Aside from a New York Season each spring, the company tours five months a year by bus and truck to communities all across America where live theater is limited or non-existent.

By Christopher A. Pape

For years, Joan Rivers has been bringing laughter and joy into the homes of many. Through hard work, pride and a never-ceasing sense of drive she has conquered it all. From hit television programs to packed concert halls, she is the embodiment of how a woman can break down barriers and be truly, funny. And now with her daughter Melissa, she is having a Renaissance, risen to new heights and has subsequently engrained herself in the hearts of a new generation of fans.

By Christopher A. Pape

What’s in a phrase or response? Is it just that particular word or is it how it is said? Marc Salem, the world-renowned Mentalist and a student of the human mind for over thirty years, would say it is the latter. As an academic he holds advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University and has been on the faculty of several major universities for close to two decades. He is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on non-verbal communication. How the mind creates reality and meaning has been his major focus. And I had the pleasure of speaking with him to understand how this works, his new show and how he is so good at predicting what people are thinking.