Category Archives: Notes in the News

On current and historic events, likely with a musical angle

SPEAKEASY performances start 2/18 – OPENING NIGHT 2/20

Posted on February 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  SPEAKEASY PREVIEW PERFORMANCES START THURSDAY OPENING NIGHT SATURDAY FEB 20, 8PM FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 13 WEDNESDAY – SATURDAYS 8PM SUNDAYS 3PM   Theater for the New City – 155 1st Avenue – Smarttix 212 868 4444 – Tickets … Continue reading →

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The BROADWAY BLOG spotlights SPEAKEASY

Posted on February 8, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The Broadway Blog has posted an article about Speakeasy.  Find it here or read the excerpt below: Opening — ‘Speakeasy: John and Jane’s Adventures in Wonderland’ February 8th, 2016 Matthew Wexler Before there was Hedwig and the Angry Inch, there … Continue reading →

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Adam Szymkowicz interviews Danny Ashkenasi

Posted on February 3, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

So there are two last names with lots of letters and lots of Eastern European heritage… Adam Szymkovicz posted his interview with me yesterday on his site.  You can go to it here or read the excerpt below. Those looking … Continue reading →

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AXS INTERVIEW

Posted on February 2, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The on-line magazine AXS has published an interview with yours truly.  The questions delve into the evolution of Speakeasy as well as musical influences in my childhood and advice to aspiring playwrights and composers. The article is excerpted below: Interview … Continue reading →

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THEATER IN THE NOW SPOTLIGHT ON … Danny Ashkenasi

Posted on January 29, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Michael Block from Theater in the Now has posted his interview with me.  Click here to read it. Here some excerpts: Why theater?: I’ve loved performing and music since before I can remember.  It’s always been who I am.  I … Continue reading →

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FASCINATING VIDEO OF JULIAN ELTINGE IN DRAG (with bonus clip of Gene Malin in drag too!)

Posted on January 27, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

One of the musical Speakeasy‘s lead characters, Julian Carnation, is based in part on the real life female impersonator Julian Eltinge (as well as the red Queen and the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice books). I want to share … Continue reading →

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OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED – so, what happened with those hoped for bragging rights, Danny?

Posted on January 14, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

So the Academy Award nominations were announced this morning, and as every year I had the TV on, munching my breakfast, and followed along as they were read out (see the full list of nominees at the bottom of this … Continue reading →

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Speakeasy Tickets Now on Sale

Posted on January 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Tickets for the showcase production of SPEAKEASY – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland are now on sale. Check out the Theater for the New City Speakeasy webpage here! Check out the Smarttix Speakeasy ticket purchase page here! Plus, … Continue reading →

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MY 1978 SANTA BARBARA EARTHQUAKE

Posted on January 4, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

I was standing near my croquet ball holding my mallet waiting my turn when we heard the rumbling. First thing I saw was the house shaking.  A one story ranch style house made with vertical wooden slats, which were now … Continue reading →

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HOPE for a New Year

Posted on December 31, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

I believe in the good of mankind I believe in the end truth prevails It resides in our hearts and our minds Should we seek it we’d find love unveiled HOPE Happy New Year.  Let’s hope for a 2016 that … Continue reading →

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94% FUNDED! 3 DAYS TO GO!

Posted on December 19, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

We’re so-o-o-o close! Hundreds of friends and strangers have come together to help make next year’s showcase production of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland” a reality! Will you join them? Remember, with each pledge, no matter … Continue reading →

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Revealed: SPEAKEASY Poster and Postcard DESIGN!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

Voilà, the poster/postcard design for the February/March 2016 showcase run of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland”! Designed by Derk Scholtz in an ever evolving process that I will get into more behind-the-scenes detail below.  But first, … Continue reading →

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BEST SONG OSCAR SURPRISE? – The movie song I predict will be this year’s stealth surprise Oscar Best Original Song nominee

Posted on December 14, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

A few days ago the Academy, aka the people who hand out the Oscars, revealed the list of songs from this year’s movies that are eligible to be nominated as best original song in a motion picture.  There are 74 … Continue reading →

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THANK YOU

Posted on December 8, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

Thank you everybody who came to the reading Monday night. Thank you for your enthusiasm and all the wonderful comments. Thank you to the performers for all their incredible talent and hard work. Much was accomplished and much learned putting … Continue reading →

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BroadwayWorld.com Spotlights Speakeasy Reading!

Posted on December 3, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

BroadwayWorld.com just posted this article about Speakeasy: New Musical SPEAKEASY to Receive Reading at TNC Next Week           The creative team of Speakeasy: John and Jane Allison in the Wonderland, a fantastical musical of Prohibition-era NYC … Continue reading →

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SPEAKEASY GOES OFF TO THE BALLROOM – The Great Drag Balls of the 1920’s/1930’s

Posted on December 2, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

The centerpiece in Act Two of the new musical “Speakeasy – John and Jane Allison in the Wonderland” is the great drag ball at the Jefferson Lodge Ball.  Chet Cheshire presides over the festivities, attended by a sparkling variety of … Continue reading →

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