In case you haven’t noticed, we have passed the half-way mark of the year 2016.  With the end of several seasons of performances (Mondavi, in particular), the time seems right to note the ten best performances of the first half of the year.  With apologies for any that we may have missed that should be […]

The Islamic State is losing its grip in its self-proclaimed caliphate, which, at its zenith included sizeable portions of Iraq and Syria.  Credit for this turn goes to the U.S.-supported campaign to re-take regions of the nascent state (most recently Fallujah in Iraq) and return them to lawful government control.  But as the grotesque terrorist […]

When it had its opening run on Broadway in 1964 (winning ten Tony Awards, including best musical), “Hello, Dolly!” was most praised for the star turn by Carol Channing, who made it the signature role of her career.  Five years later, the also heralded film version became a vehicle for Barbra Streisand, who helped make […]

Depending on which political talking head you listen to, the predicted result in the forthcoming presidential race can be any one of the following: Hillary Clinton will win in a landslide; Hillary Clinton will win handily; Hillary Clinton will win a squeaker; Donald Trump will win a squeaker; Donald Trump will win handily; or Donald […]