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 →
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 →
Tony Winning Sound Designer Rob Kaplowitz Talks About Bringing A Car Factory To Life
It always surprises me to find that so many “behind the scenes” theater artists start out in acting and later find their true passion is in other areas of creation. Case in point….Tony Award winning sound designer Rob Kaplowitz. “Un-Block The Music” got the chance to speak with Rob when he was working on Skeleton... Continue Reading →
“Six’s” Musical Director, Julia Schade Talks About Mental Health & Having A New Career At 43
( Photo by Joan Marcus©2020) Pictured: Ladies In Waiting--- Front, l-r: Elena Bonomo (Drums), Kimi Hayes (Guitar), Back l-r: Michelle Osbourne (Bass), Julia Schade (Conductor/Keyboard) Meeting Six The Musicals’s Julia Schade in a Manhattan Starbucks on a Saturday between shows was awe-inspiring. That was not only just because of her talent, although that was the... Continue Reading →
Spend Your Friday Night With Edward Hardy At NYC’s Joe’s Pub For An Eclectic Musical Treat
If you are in New York City and don’t have a Valentine’s Day plan for your sweetheart or even your best friend this weekend, here is a treat!!! Joe’s Pub will present Violinist Edward W. Hardy tonight at 7 p.m. “Un-Block The Music” spoke to Edward this week about his career and this show. I... Continue Reading →
Enjoy More “Women Wonders” In “Un-Block The Music’s” Upcoming Book
Happy New Year!!! I am always the optimist. While Co-vid rages through New York AGAIN, “Un-Block The Music” stands with those that say, it’s not the same unknown hysteria that we experienced two years ago. We have treatments, we have vaccines and we have theater! While theater might be a bit limited right now…it’s here.... Continue Reading →
“Safe & Sound”: These Broadway World Nominees Invite You To A Fundraiser Cabaret December 11 In NYC
Theater is back! Thank the Good Lord! The world without theater is like a day without sunshine. (Un-Block The Music steals the quote from an orange juice commercial back from when I was a kid!) Anyway, with theater back, there is so much to write about and talk about. I am thrilled to report that... Continue Reading →
“Girl From North Country’s” Dean Sharenow’s Career From Baez To Broadway
Photo by Susan Stava Nothing excites “Un-Block The Music” more than when my pop music past collides with my new found love of theater. And…that exciting mash up happened recently when I met Dean Sharenow, the music coordinator for Girl From North Country. If you don’t know…it is the play by Conor McPherson with music... Continue Reading →