Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

Unknown's avatar

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.

Exodus of my own personal NEW YORKER CARTOON captions

Posted on May 5, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Alas, poor Yorick, I know you well. Installment #15 of my ongoing series. All other personal New Yorker Cartoon captions can be most easily found in the literary lyricism archives. Who’s a good board? Who’s a good board? You are! … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hanami Nights at the Cherry Esplanade

Posted on April 28, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Last Thursday the Brooklyn Botanic Garden sponsored Hanami Nights in celebration of cherry blossom season. Hanami translates to “flower viewing”. I have posted pictures of the cherry blossoms before, but this is the first year the BBG organized their special … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Live! On Stage, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Film Shoot in an Upper East Side Townhouse

Posted on April 24, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

I have been busy acting in several handfuls of short films (and other projects) lately. One of the short films shot early March in an upper class Upper East Side townhouse. It was a night shoot. I played a sleazy … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Cinema Scope | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE RESISTANCE GROWS!

Posted on April 19, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Photos from the April 19 March in New York City

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brooklyn Vantage

Posted on April 14, 2025 by dannyashkenasi
Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“LOVED” Performed on Dozens of Xylophones in the Botanic Garden

Posted on April 11, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Video of the complete performance in the Cherry Esplanade section of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden March 22.

Posted in Melodies Linger On, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

R E S I S T !

Posted on April 6, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

The NYC protest gathered at Bryant Park, then marched down 5th Avenue

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism, Notes in the News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Exit the Hotel

Posted on April 3, 2025 by dannyashkenasi
Posted in Arts-a-Poppin' | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Screenplay Awards for “Prelude to a Death”

Posted on March 31, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

This lovely glass trophy came in the mail last week. I almost didn’t expect it even though I’d been notified of the win. But the Vienna Script Awards operated differently from most awards bodies and film festivals I know by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Literary Lyricism, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Genesis of my own personal NEW YORKER CARTOON captions

Posted on March 23, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

I lost this hand in a whirlpool, so this seemed appropriate. And we are back for another installment of my own personal (non-contest-winning) New Yorker Cartoon captions. Number 14 in the seemingly indefatigable series. Find all others via the literary … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CROCUS & CARCASS

Posted on March 17, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

CSI: Brooklyn That feeling when you go out to take photos of the first buds of Spring but then stumble upon the scene of a murder. The Remains of the Bird. Pigeon most likely. Most likely devoured by a hawk … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tell-Tale in Beloit

Posted on March 15, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

“The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” at the Beloit Film Festival The official festival run of my first Edgar Allan Poe musical short film adaptation “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” ended years ago, but lately there have been invitations … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is FIDELIO the Original HONEYPOT?

Posted on March 9, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center Friday night Ed and I attended the Met Opera performance of Beethoven’s one and only opera “Fidelio”, and it was glorious. I generally don’t cry at operas, but I did so twice this time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EXCERPTS from AFTERMATH

Posted on March 4, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Clips from the live performance of “In the Aftermath of Mercy” March 1st the Virtual Arts production of the new play “In the Aftermath of Mercy” was broadcast live over the internet. I played the lead role of Nathan Leopold, … Continue reading →

Posted in Live! On Stage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Excerpt from Jane Fonda’s Speech You Must Read

Posted on February 23, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Jane Fonda received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAG Awards tonight. She concluded her speech with a rousing message that speaks to the perilous times we find ourselves today. I will quote this conclusion in full here: “Make no … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HYACINTHS!

Posted on February 21, 2025 by dannyashkenasi
Posted in Arts-a-Poppin' | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment