Have you seen that hilarious Progressive Insurance television commercial trying to prevent us from becoming our parents? Well, I am going to use a term that my mom used to always use, “Variety is the spice of life!” That is technically the theme of “Un-Block The Music.” As a new wave, punk rock girl of... Continue Reading →
Women Wonders: Rona Siddiqui, “Strange Loop” To 54 Below; Most People Are Outside The Box
If you truly want to understand people and improve our world, take a look at what theater artists are putting out there, particularly since the pandemic. Case in point, two projects with Rona Siddiqui’s name attached. Tony-winning A Strange Loop and Salaam Medina, Tales of A Halfghan. If you can’t decipher the meaning of these... Continue Reading →
“Choices’” Creator John Krupa Talks Crossing From Rock &Roll To Theater This November
What is it that has made rock and roll so eternal? “Un-Block The Music” is unwavering in that answer. It is it’s realness; it’s rawness. That is what makes me so excited to introduce readers to John Krupa and his upcoming show, Choices, A Rock Opera. John is a New York musician that toured with... Continue Reading →
Women Wonders: Steph Singer’s “Simon And His Shoes” Offers Optimism
Steph Singer, co-writer of Simon And His Shoes, and “Un-Block The Music”connected on an artistic level, but perhaps even more importantly on a “life” level during our interview. Experiencing and achieving a joyful life is on top of my bucket list goals. Not that I didn’t always want “joy” in my life, but it is... Continue Reading →
“Kite Runner’s” Tabla Player, Salar Nader Offers A Glimpse On World Music & Above All, Humanity
On Monday night, “Un-Block The Music” is going to see The Kite Runner on Broadway. In preparation I interviewed tabla player, Salar Nader. I know little about Central Asian music. If you don’t know, The Kite Runner is the story of a childhood friendship being torn apart. It follows one man’s journey to confront his... Continue Reading →
“Altar Boyz” Composer Michael Patrick Walker Proves Creative Careers Go Beyond The Obvious
If “Un-Block The Music” has learned anything from writing this blog, it is that schools need to educate their students about the many jobs there are in theater, especially in music and sound. It’s not just about being an actor or singer. Writer, Composer, Lyricist, Music Director Michael Patrick Walker can be the poster child... Continue Reading →
Curtis Craig Talks “The Hot Wing King” Sound Design Careers He Inspires At Penn State
“Un-Block The Music” often talks about sound design. Most of the time, I talk about it in regard to musicals, however, I want to clarify that there are sound designers for plays as well. Most of the time sound designers for plays and musicals are different. Then, there is Curtis Craig, who was recently sound... Continue Reading →
Musical Director David O’s Diversity Of Talent Led Him To “Mr. Saturday Night” & Yes…”My Little Pony”
Before “Un-Block The Music” was ever a possibility (there was no internet when I started my career!), two of my greatest mentors told me not to let any editor dictate my career to me. I was encouraged to come up with story ideas every day and to store them in the vault that is my... Continue Reading →
Women Wonders: Andrea Grody Brings 19th Amendment Quest To Life Thru “SUFFS”
Next week, “Un-Block The Music” is seeing SUFFS, the musical written by Shaina Taub. And, as if that is not exciting enough, I have already had the pleasure of interviewing music director and supervisor Andrea Grody. A young woman in a sea of men behind the scenes, SUFFs is by no means Andrea’s first trip... Continue Reading →
Helen Of Troy Aside, Peter Kellogg Talks About Giving Penelope Her Due In New Odyssey Show
Theater has finally begun to heat up. Despite CO-VID stops and starts, artists forge ahead and seem to generally be playing to strong houses. If you want attendance statistics, go to https://www.broadwayleague.com/research/grosses-broadway-nyc/. However, in addition to Broadway shows which grab the headlines, there are lots of off-Broadway and regional theaters ramping up as well. “Un-Block... Continue Reading →