Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

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About dannyashkenasi

I'm a composer with over 40 years experience creating music theater. I'm also an actor, writer, director, producer, teacher and general enthusiast for the arts.

TELL-TALE SIGN…

Posted on September 8, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

  Something’s coming…   Something murderous, mad, musical…   A pale blue eye…   Cellos signing;  moaning;  screaming…   His hideous heart…   It’s all returning…   But not the way it was…   It will take on a whole … Continue reading →

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MONA LISA & ME

Posted on September 5, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Yep that’s me.  And that’s the Mona Lisa.  And this is a little tale of how I spent some time with her. It starts with a trip to Paris.  And a whole day set aside for the Louvre, the immense … Continue reading →

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ISADORA DUNCAN (?) and the View from Pompidou

Posted on August 29, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

A pioneer of modern dance.  A preserved treasure of early film. Ed and I are spending two weeks in Paris (don’t feel sorry for me) and Monday we went to the Pompidou museum, where this little treasure of dance and … Continue reading →

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HAPPY SONGS FOR DARK TIMES #2: Miss Marple, Tatu, and the Chipper Harpsichord

Posted on August 22, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Theme from Miss Marple – Ron Goodwin and his Orchestra A while back I promised there would be a series of Happy Tunes for Dark Times to highlight what I consider sure fire musical mood boosters. What with ever escalation Twitter … Continue reading →

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FALLING INTO JACKSON POLLOCK

Posted on August 15, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

This Sunday I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and found myself in front of their monumental Jackson Pollock “Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)”.  And once again I had that hallucinogenic experience I often have in front of Jackson Pollock’s … Continue reading →

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FACES. REFLECTIONS. REFRACTIONS.

Posted on August 10, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Some more expected and unexpected impressions at the Brooklyn Museum   First, encounters with some singular faces. It’s hot and humid out, but she is eternally the embodiment of frigid winter.        

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WIZARDS AT THE LYRIC

Posted on July 31, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

My birthday present – my quite extravagant birthday present to myself – was tickets to the two-part all day performance of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Lyric Theatre in New York.  And since today is Harry Potter’s … Continue reading →

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THEY KILLED MERYL! – but she still left us one or two musical gems

Posted on July 24, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

When the first trailers for “Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again” arrived, the absence of Meryl Streep was conspicuous.  As were certain lines that hinted at her character Donna Sheridan’s absence in the “Mamma Mia” movie sequel.  Her likely … Continue reading →

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BEFORE THE SUNSET – with the Sun Song Quiz

Posted on July 21, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

The lady saw me walk onto the middle of the street with my phone out, and said to Ed “he’s taking a picture of the sunset” in that universal “that’s so sweet” tone of voice. Except it wasn’t quite the … Continue reading →

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MAMA MIA – Here We Sing Along Again

Posted on July 17, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Escapism for the New Great Depression I slid the “Mamma Mia” disk into the blu-ray player.  I asked Ed whether it we should activate the sing-along function this time?  Ed hesitated, then demurred.  But I knew he wanted it.  So … Continue reading →

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MOONLIGHT EVOCATION

Posted on July 12, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

    Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller and His Orchestra It’s my husband Ed’s birthday today.  And among his wrapped birthday presents he will find another viola piano duet, another Evocation.  We’ve been together 25 years, so this year it’s … Continue reading →

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NATARAJA – The Dancing King

Posted on July 1, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

   

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Museum Impressions

Posted on June 17, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Yesterday at the Brooklyn Museum with an unwitting special focus on the feminine    

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BROOKLYN PRIDE

Posted on June 11, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Park Slope Comes Out! Highlights from the June 9 Brooklyn Pride Street Fare and Parade     We are Family – Sisters Sledge  

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BEWARE THE CON! – a cautionary epistolary tale

Posted on June 5, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

  The following emails are actual.  Only certain identifying details have been redacted.   Sunday, 7:01pm – Message from D- C- relayed via a service for independent contractors: Hello,My name is D- ,I want lessons for my Daughter,she is 12 … Continue reading →

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These Roses are Ready for their Close-Up, Mr. DeMille!

Posted on June 3, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

Another year… another June… This year the rose garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden had received a “hard cut”, as we heard a passerby explain.  Which made it still lovely but less lush than in years past.  So I’ll focus … Continue reading →

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