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.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES – Women’s March against Trump in NYC (also, NfaC’s 200th post!!!)

Posted on January 22, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

We Shall Overcome – Bruce Springsteen (The Seeger Sessions)                             “Tell me what Democracy looks like” “This is what Democracy looks like”

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A Fond Farewell

Posted on January 19, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder A small gesture of thanks and appreciation. To a fine example of our ability to be decent, empathetic, smart, wise and caring. A reminder to act in good faith and listen to … Continue reading →

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New Categories for Movies, Theater and LGBTQ Themed Articles

Posted on January 15, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Three new categories have been added to the Notes from a Composer archives:   Cinema Scope – For the love of movies, and not just the musicals   Live! On Stage – Live performances / a life in the theater … Continue reading →

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A Little Advice on How to Love THE HOBBIT Trilogy Better

Posted on January 10, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Finally watched the extended edition of the third Hobbit movie.  Took a while because we wanted to carve out the consecutive evenings to watch all three extended editions in close succession, in hopes it would improve the experience.  And it … Continue reading →

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TONI ERDMANN Finds The Greatest Love of All

Posted on January 7, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

I finally saw “Toni Erdmann”, which A. O. Scott in the New York Times calls “by a wide margin the funniest almost-three-hour German comedy you will ever see”, which swept all the top awards (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay) at … Continue reading →

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HOPE? Maybe just PRAYING FOR TIME

Posted on January 3, 2017 by dannyashkenasi

Last year I ushered in the new year with Hope for a New Year, featuring the cathartic finale “Hope” of my oratorio The Song of Job 9:11.  A song of phoenix like rising from the ashes, a gently defiant assertion … Continue reading →

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Holiday Repost: HAPPY HOLIDAYS – How this Carol Curmudgeon Ended Up Unwittingly Writing Three Seasonably Suited Carols Himself

Posted on December 28, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

(Originally posted last Christmas… Last Christmas … sniff… R.I.P. George Michael…) I plead guilty to being a bit of a Christmas Carol Grinch.  OK, I used to be a BIG Christmas Carol Grinch, really loathing most carols and sometimes resorting … Continue reading →

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Holiday Flee Market in the Classic Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower

Posted on December 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

This post features holiday music from the damn bestest Lesbian holiday album ever: Venus Envy’s 1990’s cult classic “I’ll be a Homo for Christmas” The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower is the most famous building in Brooklyn.  Completed in 1929 it … Continue reading →

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SHADOW & LIGHT – an exploration in pictures and music

Posted on December 16, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Shadow and Light – Danny Ashkenasi (from the musical Speakeasy) Today I will share some photos I have taken over the past few months that feature a play of light and shadow in a diverse variety.  I’ll complement these images … Continue reading →

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An Indecent Play of Light & Geometry on 56th and 8th

Posted on December 10, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

New York New York – Ol’ Blue Eyes I moved to New York City in 1986 yet sometimes I still enjoy it like a tourist.  You know the old joke about telling the tourists from the New Yorkers by who … Continue reading →

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Political Tweet Storms from Electoral Colleges to Golden Showers to the Russia Sessions – updated 3/20/17.

Posted on December 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

1/12/17 – @canyonhaus, going viral via Debra Messing since November: “If anything, we are the ignored majority.  Not conservatives, who can’t win fair and square.”

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BRAZIL – THE WHOLE FEIJOADA

Posted on November 29, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

21 Brazil Articles! – 22 Covers of “Brazil”! – 19 Brazilian Music Tracks! – Countless Brazil Photos! When I started the Two-Fisted Touristing Brazil Series I did not anticipate that it would grow to 21 articles (including this final one) … Continue reading →

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A study of light in blue and gold

Posted on November 26, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The morning sun dappled our blue and gold head sculpture just so the other day.  So I took this picture. That’s the version that should fit comfortably on your screen.  For a BIGnified look at the details, plus details about … Continue reading →

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Brasília in Twilight

Posted on November 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Brazil Choir / Brazil String Orchestra / Quatuor Ébène / Richard Héry The last day of our second trip to Brazil, August 2016, was spent traveling from Manaus, in the Amazon, to Campinas, just north of São Paulo, … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Climbing up Trees in the Rainforest

Posted on November 18, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil (Aquarela do Brasil) – Leslie Odom, Jr. People from all over the planet come to Manaus to explore the Amazon.  But where do the people from Manaus go on vacation?  Presidente Figuerido, a resort town two hours north of … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Sculpture Garden of Izulina Xavier

Posted on November 15, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Vérroneau When Ed and I were exploring Corumba, the Brazilian city that is one of the gateways into the Pantanal (here and here), the city tourist pamphlet led us to the Izulina Xavier Sculpture Museum.  We arrived at … Continue reading →

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