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 →
Women Wonders: Lucier & Rose Show Off Xena’s “Many Skills” In “The Lost Scroll” Sept 21
What I love so much about “Un-Blocking” the music is that I have found innovative projects I may have been deprived of if I was still only a part of the general media. Case in point; Xena: Warrior Musical, The Lost Scroll premiering at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn September 21. If you were a... 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 →
Sir Paul McCartney “Got Back”!
It has been almost a week since I saw Sir Paul McCartney’s “Got Back” concert at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey! It has taken “Un-Block the Music” that long to come off the cloud! Oh, how I love Sir Paul! While most of my attention these days has been focused on Women In Musical Theatre... 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 →
Happy 4th Anniversary To Un-Block The Music
Happy 4-year anniversary to “Un-Block The Music”! I have certainly traveled “The Long and Winding Road” to get to where I am right now! Yes…I am still a Paul McCartney fan. Yes, Joan Jett is still my alter ego. HOWEVER, I not only hike the streets of Greenwich Village as I once claimed, I also... Continue Reading →
Jimmy “J. Keys” Talks About Sound Design, Hip Hop, “Confederates” & The New Broadway
When I secured the interview with Jimmy Keys for “Un-Block The Music,” I had a flashback to the days working at Billboard. At that time, did I ever expect to interview a rapper for a Broadway show story? I didn’t! But, “Un-Block The Music” is so excited to be on the front lines as theater... Continue Reading →