Resurfacing this on the occasion of the NYC opening of Sondheim's final musical. I was told he heard and chuckled at the piece when it aired. And there are links so you can play the full versions of a lot of the star-studded singing I sampled. All Things Considered npr.org/2015/01/26/379…

Terrific piece, and the only place you're likely to hear music from Sondheim's final show.

It's not every comedy critic who can crack the front page. Jason Zinoman's done it again. nytimes.com/2023/10/26/art…

This makes me so happy. (And I can vouch for her authority.)

Kati has a system for keeping track of both of us when we’re all napping. Back leg on Carlos’s calf, head on my foot.

Here we are merrily rolling along on Amtrak towards a full day of Sondheim. Matinee of MERRILY, evening of HERE WE ARE, dinner with old friends. Isn’t it beautiful? There he is, there he is, there he is, Sondheim is everywhere. Broadway still loves him so much.

Solidarity in Times Square. ⁦SAG-AFTRA⁩

Here we are at HERE WE ARE and I’m here to say “Yes it’s strange but it’s gorgeous.” Splendidly sung, designed, directed. Great Sondheim score, uproarious Ives script. Can’t wait to see it again bc I’ve never (since FOLLIES in ‘71) fully “gotten” a Sondheim show on 1st hearing.

Architectural traipsing around lower Manhattan today, including that Calatrava subway stop, the Whitney’s view of the pontoon garden on the Hudson, and a Jenga block condo tower.

And a quick “Bob as art” moment.

Tonight NPR's Nina Totenberg inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame ✨✨✨ npr.org/about-npr/1191…

My review tonight on All Things Considered of RUSTIN includes the new Lenny Kravitz song “Road to Freedom.” Listen if you can.

My All Things Considered review of RUSTIN -- starring Colman Domingo in a career-making leading role -- ends with the new Lenny Kravitz song (and presumed Oscar nominee) "Road to Freedom." Click to hear it. npr.org/2023/11/02/121…

Smart, sharp, pungent MAESTRO review from my pal Anastasia Tsioulcas Morning Edition npr.org/2023/11/22/121…

This exquisite tablecloth, sewn by Portuguese nuns, was a wedding gift to Carlos’ mom in 1960. She saved it all her life for a special occasion, but nothing ever felt special enough so we inherited. Today, with thanks to Elba and to those nuns, it makes its debut on Thanksgiving.

We are — absolutely — worried about spills, but keeping it hidden away in a drawer for six decades just seems nuts.

23 films you'll want to catch by the end of '23. npr.org/2023/11/23/121…

I've been posting here less and less, and I think I'm now done. You've all been grand, but this site's owner and the creeps he encourages are awful enough that I now cringe every single time I see what dribbles into my feed. Enough with the cringing. Fare well, and farewell.

Breaking my own rule about avoiding this site, to trumpet elizblair's terrific piece about Redbone. npr.org/2024/04/16/124…

Great to have you and the ACTF crew.