By Daniel Skora Before computers, iPads and iPhones, there were newspapers. Ink was the lifeblood of the nation and paper the conduit through which it flowed. In retrospect, the news of the day was the news of the day before, or even days before, for not only did the information network move slowly then, but … More New York, Newspapers, and Newsies at Opera House
By Daniel Skora Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s business partner in Charles Dickens’ famous story “A Christmas Carol” is one of those fictional characters who seems not to have been given a fair shake by the author who created him. Marley may have been a disagreeable and greedy person just like his partner, but to wander the … More Jacob Marley’s “Carol” at Williamston
By Daniel Skora Sometimes the question of what to do with mother when she’s at that age when everyone believes she needs the kind of care that only a retirement home can provide is offset by the question of how do you handle the children when you’re totally able to care for yourself and you … More Matrix Mixes Up Molotov Cocktails
By Daniel Skora Performance Network Theatre has two shows scheduled for the holiday season. “Why Not Me? A Sammy Davis Jr. Story” is a one man show that has the iconic entertainer looking back on critical events throughout his life and amazing career. It alternates with “Dickens: An A Capella Carol”, a dramatic reading of … More Davis and Dickens at Performance Network
By Daniel Skora Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol” in 1843. The book, a ghost story that was both thrilling and entertaining, had enormous popular appeal. It also served as a call to action on other issues that affected English life, from the poverty and poor working conditions caused by the Industrial Revolution to the … More Mrs. Cratchit Binges at the Dio
By Daniel Skora The Kansas farmhouse where Dorothy Gale lived has undoubtedly alighted upon Munchkinland hundreds of thousands of times since it was first wrenched from its moorings in 1900. L. Frank Baum’s book and the numerous movies and stage productions that followed have made “The Wizard of Oz” a global success. But it took … More Kansas Farmhouse Drops on Encore Musical Theatre
By Daniel Skora What with flying reindeer, elves that make toys in a place so remote that even FedEx doesn’t pick up, and a red-suited fat guy who breaks into people’s homes by sliding down their chimneys, the secular celebration of Christmas is one easy institution to poke fun at. You only have to listen … More British Humour Tackles Rudolph
