On Lillian Hellman’s birthday, I’m reading The Autumn Garden for the first time—the play she called her favorite. Oddly, I’ve never seen it produced and rarely hear it discussed. For those who know it: what am I in for, and why has it largely vanished from the repertoire?

This is like the makeup on his hands—thick, clumsy, obvious, and destined to call attention to the very thing it’s attempting to conceal.

Just finished Patrick Radden Keefe’s London Falling, read by the author. What begins as a mysterious death becomes a fascinating portrait of wealth, class, power, and modern London. Keefe is one of our finest nonfiction storytellers. I was sorry when it ended.

The purest act of love is to repost someone without putting in your two cents.

Standing ovation for Rep. Beatty, who sued Trump over the renaming of the Kennedy Center, took him to court, and won!

I understand the Kennedy Center removal crew may soon be available for freelance work. Asking for a city on the Chicago River.

Happy 75th birthday to the ageless Richard Thomas At a time when fewer stars are willing to hit the road, he’s spent years bringing great theater to audiences across the country. Always superb onstage, always a mensch off it. Here’s to Richard Thomas.

David Hockney with Joni Mitchell.

I am choosing, for the moment, not to seek additional context.

A birthday salute to Ben Jonson, one of the giants of English drama. History can be cruel: write Volpone and The Alchemist, and four centuries later you’re still only known as “Shakespeare’s contemporary.”

Mad Men fans: you need to snap these up immediately.

I’ve seen a lot of Spielberg Top 10 lists lately. Maybe I’m alone on this, but his West Side Story is comfortably in my top three. An extraordinary film.

Not an easy watch, but it’s one of the great underrated films of the ‘70s. I only discover it about a year ago and was blown away by the performance and May’s direction.

Wow. Can you imagine—15 pre-1980 films!

Happy birthday to Robert Preston. There may be no surer sign of a theater kid than an 11-year-old in downstate Illinois, surrounded by cornfields, who could recite “Ya Got Trouble” from memory. That kid was me.

BTD - Robert Preston - The Music Man - 1962 - Italian release poster

A group of us from the University of Illinois came to New York with student budgets and sleeping bags. We shared one room at the Edison Hotel. If memory is to be trusted, we saw: • Pippin • A Little Night Music • That Championship Season • Absurd Person Singular • Equus • The Sunshine Boys

I’ve been at 2,999 followers long enough to discover that I am not nearly as evolved as I thought.

This is what it should look like in front of the White House every day

Has anyone here seen Hellman’s The Autumn Garden”? Surprised there’s never been—to my knowledge—a major revival; not that I’m making a case for one.

Because all playwrights rehearse wearing tuxedos. Ed never played Willy; I believe it’s from a 1978 CBS special, “Saluting the American Imagination.” He came backstage to see Dennehy after a performance and said, “That shoulda been me up there on stage tonight!” Brian was mildly amused.

I can never remember which sleep aids are l*problematic* after cocktails. On the bright side, the cocktails seem to have solved my memory problem. i am now goign to slepe like a bby on a trian drivn by owls good niht god bles zqrrrppp

Sammy and Hazel enjoying a beautiful Chicago morning. Apparently I'm about 20 followers shy of 3,000. This means absolutely nothing, which is why I'm mentioning it. Feel free to repost for anyone who appreciates dogs more than social-media milestones. The dogs, naturally, remain indifferent.

👇 Pretty cool glimpse into book prize world. Now we know.

Child care. Disaster relief. Education. Food assistance. Mental health. Research. Infrastructure. The governing philosophy appears to be: if it serves the public, destroy it.

#Art: The Theater (2022-23) #Artist: #GregorySievers (b. 1951) #ArtMovement/Style: Medium: Oil on canvas 91.4 x 60.9 cm (36 x 24 in) #DailyArt #TalkArt #Artsy #ArtPost #FineArt 231

Best urban riverside vibe in the country, no competition

BREAKING: The Trapp Family has withdrawn from Donald Trump's Freedom 250 concert, citing previous unpleasant experiences with fascists.

BREAKING: Charles Manson backs out of the Freedom 250 concert

Happy birthday, Clint Eastwood. I’ve always greatly admired him as a filmmaker. Some good, some bad, some ugly—but always personal. (Well—maybe not Jersey Boys) He once nearly drove me off the 405 in an SUV roughly the size of Wyoming. Still a fan.

I mean… c’mon…

Authorities say the dog had no prior criminal record, though neighbors described him as ‘intense around fireworks.’

He looks like he flatlined halfway through Splash Mountain.

🖐️

Because I miss both of them. Because it’s an incredible photo of two singular artists.

Seriously, there’s never been a better arrangement of an American standard than the one provided by Nelson Riddle for Sinatra’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”Absolutely ecstatic. youtube.com/watch?v=C1AH...

Discussing Rosemary’s Baby, they make a good point Re: Cassavetes. I’m thinking Robards.

Nice

On this day in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened on Broadway. A decade later, I saw the legendary revival with Phil Silvers. Still, without question, one of the funniest performances I’ve ever seen on a stage.

If Hazel in a sweater can’t get me to 3,000 followers, then frankly I’ve misunderstood the internet.

@shoshanagreenberg.bsky.social hi there. I’ve really enjoyed your posts and am delighted to be following you now. Where can I find your podcast?

50 minutes left of Orson’s birthday, so I’m using them to say how much I love this photograph. It just makes me happy.

#filmnoir #moviesky #filmsky #NoirNeckties That 3-minute, can’t-look-away tracking shot that is the opening of TOUCH OF EVIL (1958) Written, directed, and starring Orson Welles #BOTD

Celebrating Orson Welles today with one of his most underrated films,

Apparently today is Raise Your Hand If You'd Be Dead Without Antidepressants Day. ✋🏻

I’ve been holding off, but need to throw this question out there: what’s with all the dead and dying pet posts? *every* day I believe I’ve read other complaints; can anyone explain?

Polish poster for CHINATOWN (1974) Directed by Roman Polanski Starring Jack Nicholson - BOTD in 1937

I’d swap out out The Last Detail for Marvin Gardens, and Reds for Passenger. But yes, a great run!

… as I was just saying