Category Archives: Live! On Stage

Live performances / a life in the theater

HAPPY SONGS FOR DARK TIMES #4: The “HAPPY” Happy Songs

Posted on April 26, 2022 by dannyashkenasi

If I was hopeful that the dark times might brighten after the Orange Menace was evicted by the people, well, those hopes look if not dashed, surely bruised and battered on the floor. Homegrown fascism and bigotry have only more … Continue reading →

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Impressions from ASSEMBLY

Posted on February 24, 2022 by dannyashkenasi

Fierce and Fabulous If I was allowed just two words to describe the fantastic performance of Rashaad Newsome’s “Assembly” I enjoyed last night at the Park Avenue Armory, those would be the two. Given more words to describe the experience, … Continue reading →

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Mainstreet Musicals touts FEEDSTORE QUARTET

Posted on December 4, 2021 by dannyashkenasi

“Feedstore Quartet”, a musical created by Jack Hilton Cunningham and myself, has been selected by Mainstreet Musicals, a non-profit that “promotes development opportunities for new musicals throughout regional America”, as a Director’s Choice Award Winner. Jack and I met at … Continue reading →

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HEXEN in HOF TONIGHT

Posted on October 21, 2021 by dannyashkenasi

A Bewitching Production Born out of a Pandemic My musical “Hexen” (“Witches”) is back on the boards, or rather the foyer, in Theater Hof in Germany. Originally premiered in the fall of 2020, it is back in repertory this season, … Continue reading →

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SELFIE with ADAM

Posted on January 31, 2021 by dannyashkenasi

Friday I attended the live Adam Lambert concert. I missed out on his last concert appearance in New York because it sold out before I made it to the ticket website. But this time I got my ticket early. And … Continue reading →

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THE ART IS ALIVE SESSIONS

Posted on December 14, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

A Tell-Tale Q&A and an Actor Panel This August I participated in several Zoom sessions with the Art is Alive Film Festival. I just received the recordings of two of them. First up is Art is Alive founder Cindy Mich … Continue reading →

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HEXEN in HOF

Posted on October 2, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

A New “Witches” Production Premieres Tonight in Bavaria The new production of “Hexen” (“Witches“), the two women musical I created with Peter Lund, that is premiering tonight in Theater Hof, in northern Bavaria, Germany, has at least two strong claims … Continue reading →

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Diana Rigg and the 3rd Happy Song for Dark Times

Posted on September 10, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

I just learned that Diana Rigg passed. Rest in Peace, Diana Rigg. Diana Rigg was probably my first childhood celebrity crush. I likely first loved Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins the way tots love their nannies, but I had my … Continue reading →

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Art is Alive Actor Workshop

Posted on September 2, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

Thursday, Sep 3 – 6pm – 7pm CDT (7pm – 8pm EST) Silverspot Cinema (Brookfield, WI) 320 Market Street, Brookfield, WI 53045 I will be taking part in an Actor Workshop with the actor Michael Gentile, moderated by Cindy Mich, … Continue reading →

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The Sound of Recovery Music

Posted on July 21, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

Not your childhood van Trapps…   The same friend who treated us to the SCA benefit performance “Snow White and the Seven Hos” invited us to see that show’s impresario Michael Roth’s latest romp “The Sound of Recovery Music”.  Once … Continue reading →

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CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND TAIKO DRUMS

Posted on May 19, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

  Pink Splendor and Banging Dramatics on the Esplanade   The end of April the Brooklyn Botanic Garden holds the Sakura Matsuri Festival, scheduled to coincide with the spectacular blossoming of the cherry trees on the Garden’s Esplanade.  Nature holding … Continue reading →

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Introducing the New Headshots

Posted on April 26, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

  A few weeks ago I shared my head shot bloopers with you, those moments during my head shot photo shoot that went rather wrong, amusingly so. Today I share the final versions of my actual new head shots.  The … Continue reading →

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FIRST GRADE ALIENS RIDE PEOPLE’S HEADS!

Posted on April 10, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

  Another Year, Another Silly First Grade Opera! Actually, another three first grade operas at the Brooklyn Children’s School, created, written, composed and performed by first graders themselves, under the direction of their teachers and their teaching artist Mister Danny. … Continue reading →

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HEAD SHOTS BLOOPER GALLERY

Posted on March 2, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

  I needed new head shots.  I also knew I’d be shaving my beard for the Tell-Tale Heart shoot.  So I scheduled a head shot photo shoot right before the Tell-Tale film shoot in order to schedule my shave in … Continue reading →

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3rd Grade Choir Presents Love & Life with the Beatles

Posted on February 8, 2019 by dannyashkenasi

  A fainting spell nearly derailed the whole concert.  But it was still a rousing success.   When I plan choir concerts for elementary student performers, I hope to choose songs that will appeal to the age group but also … Continue reading →

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TELL-TALE REVEAL!

Posted on November 18, 2018 by dannyashkenasi

  So what is the big new deal with “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre“?     OK!  Aright!  I know you’ve been on tenterhooks!   The suspense has been killing you!     But only figuratively.   Not literally, … Continue reading →

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