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 →
“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 →
Broadway Is Back, “Un-Block The Music” Celebrates At “Six”
Female empowerment at its best! Broadway at its best! New York City at its best! “Un-Block The Music” saw Six last night. I don’t do reviews, but I can’t help saying that this show is exactly what we all need. The “Six” wives of Henry VIII tell their side of the story in a rock... Continue Reading →
Lin-Manuel Miranda Teams Up With Broadway Cares To Help Entertainers Affected By COVID
Were you sipping champagne Sunday night watching the 74th Tony Awards and its subsequent special Broadway’s Back? After I figured out what the heck was happening with the Broadcast (only the second part was on CBS), “Un-Block The Music” was screaming with delight! And…when I watched Lin Manuel Miranda rap along with the cast of... Continue Reading →
Women Wonders: Kate Baldwin & Julianne Merrill Chat About Maestra, The Pandemic, Re-Opening Broadway & “An Enlightened New Normal”
Damn! If you are having a gloomy week with all of this crazy weather throughout the U.S. Or, are you just ready to finally get out in the world and celebrate, here’s a song to pump you up!!!“Amplify,” written by Lynne Shankel and featuring Shoshanna Bean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsMBm7jKVHM&ab_channel=MaestraMusic Wow!!! “Un-Block The Music” has been dragging along... Continue Reading →
Happy 2nd Anniversary To “Un-Block The Music” Did Anybody Say “Social Media”?
March 20, 2020 is “Un-Block The Music’s” second anniversary! I am having the time of my life finally getting to write about ALL music. The featured image above was taken at the press evening for Rocktopia on Broadway in March 2018. It was the first event I attended for my new blog! At the time,... Continue Reading →
York Theatre: “Where Musicals Come To Life”
“Un-Block The Music’s” postings have been slow for the last couple of weeks, because I have been on the road talking to amazing artists, writers, producers, and seeing shows of all kinds. This story is about a nearly-50-year-old company, York Theatre in Manhattan. Its slogan is “Where Musicals Come to Life.” That includes new musicals... Continue Reading →
Happy 1st Birthday To Un-Block The Music
Happy One Year Anniversary to “Un-Block The Music”! Hope you like my new look! More changes to come! Boy, have I learned a lot! I learned that I still love chasing a story, and meeting new people and interviewing and writing. I learned that my initial premise of “unblocking” all music is really valid. I... Continue Reading →
Previously Unheard Music Comes From “Rent’s” Late Composer Jonathan Larson
At last, Ghostlight Records will release previously unheard music from “Rent” Composer, Jonathan Larson! “Rent” is tied for first in terms of “Un-Block The Music’s” favorite musicals of all time! Of course, I watched the quasi-live broadcast of “Rent” Sunday night on Fox. In case, you weren’t watching, one of the leads, Brennin Hunt, broke... Continue Reading →