The Lonesome Road

One of the things that I wanted to do after I came to the US was to see a Broadway play. Due to a very fortunate series of circumstances, that wish was granted today - I managed to get tickets to see “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Broadway today (in fact, I just got back home). I wish this could have been done earlier, but at a $100, tickets are not exactly cheap.
Now, do understand that I have never really seen a musical performed at this level before. The only plays that I have seen before this one have been ones put up by my fellow students in school. So I hope you forgive me if I go a little ga-ga.

I went in to see the musical with no preconceived notions. Even so, the opening surprised me. Just before the play starts, all the lights go off and from the darkness comes the opening line - “I hate theater…”. A small monologue (no, I will not start spouting dialogs here - go see the play!) later, the light comes on and we see the narrator play the record (yes, the LP) of the smash 1928 hit musical “The Drowsy Chaperone”.

The play unfolds with beautiful musical numbers, great dance sequences (I loved the tap dancing sequence with the dancing duo of George and Robert), and some amazingly funny scenes. Well, I promised not to spout dialog, but I shall do so just this once - indulge me.

Mrs. Tottendale: When someone asks for ice water, give them vodka.
Underling: Yes ma’am
Mrs. Tottendale: Remember ice water means vodka.
Underling: Yes ma’am. Ice water means vodka

It goes on in this vein for a while. Then Mrs. Tottenham’s throat feels dry from all the talking and she asks for a glass of ice water.

Underling: Your ice water ma’am
Mrs. Tottenham (spraying the contents of the glass all over the Underling): This is pure vodka!

Well, this scene also repeats a few times.

At this stage the narrator comes in and explains that this sort of device was employed so that the stage could be set for the next scene. The narrator (Bob Martin) for me was the star of the show. Effortlessly weaving introductions, trivia about the cast and information about the actors with witty insights on life in general, he was the thread that held the play together. What was even more enchanting was his childlike glee when talking about the play. His love for this 1928 screwball comedy soon becomes a shared one as the audience is drawn into his little world. It was fun to see him walk into scenes and even join in with the actors (who ignored him because, technically, he wasn’t there!). One of the best monologues is one in which he compares the a musical production and the pornographic industry

In technical terms, the play was flawless (at least to my untrained eyes). Set changes, scene changes, the lighting and music were flawless. It was great to see the narrator walk onto the set during dance numbers and scenes and having the actors adroitly avoiding him while going about the scene.

No, I am not going to talk too much about the “plot” or the characters. This is something that has to be seen - no, it is something that has to be experienced and I am very, very glad that I had a chance to do so. I guess one more expensive hobby has been added to the list (which already has golf in it). The next musical I want to see is Mamma-Mia based on ABBA numbers.

Well, this isn’t really a review. It’s just a small post about the fun I had watching my first Broadway musical - wouldn’t even know where to start a review .

Until next time, I leave you with the one word that stays on the mind even after the play ends - Aldolpho!

I write about this festival every year - and as you can see, this year is no exception.

The change is that instead of ranting on and on about the pollution and the noise, I will talk about the celebrations in my house. While celebrating with friends is never quite the same as celebrating with family, there are days and times when the difference is very, very small.

This is how Divali went today: Our normal group of six was doubled today with the guests we had. So, today’s first fun (dinner) challenge was to cook food for ten people. After a lot of group effort (and swearing), we finally had a tasty shahi paneer, rotis (albeit a few got burnt), and sheera (over which there was a lot of debate regarding the sugar level).

Once all that was done, it was time to light the lamps - and take one of the first of a set of group photos. I’ll upload some pics later, but my annual “Spirit of Divali” picture can be seen here [Lens View]. The outdoor photoshoot did not last too long (and this photographer learnt some new words) as the temperature outside was pretty chilly - and the wind had picked up speed. Somehow all was managed without any loss of feeling in anyone’s limbs and we trooped back in for dinner.

This was another problem is logistics - the table we have comfortably seats six. This meant that we would have to eat in two rounds - or implement the age old indian tradition of sitting on the floor. So, we all sat on the floor and ate dinner together. Dinner finished, it was time for some fun. Well, everyone was so wrung out that we ended up sitting around the table (less three guests who headed back home) and played some cards.

It’s hard to believe that this is my second divali away from home. Time just seems to fly these days. To be honest though, this is what a divali celebration is like at my house (though with zero cursing, more food and no cards) - a gathering of friends and relatives, good food, and pleasant company - and a lot of light. This, after all, is the festival of lights.

To all my (few) readers - a very, very happy divali.

All readers can assign blame to Anshul for this post!

Book that changed my life - Can’t blame a single book. It’s been a progression of books that have changed with my philosophy.

Book you’ve read more than once - Just about every book I own. Of course, the reason I bought them is because they are worth a re-read . To name a few names - The Day of the Jackal (Forsythe), Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less (Archer) among others.

Book you’d take to a desert island - This is a toughie. Does it have to be just one? If you twist my arm, I’ll say any of the Black Widower Series by Isaac Asimov.

Book that made you laugh - Any book by Gerald Durrell. I’ve been a fan of (and laughing while reading) his books for a long time now. Recommended books: My Family and Other Animals, Fillets of Plaice - basically just about every book he’s written.

Book that made you cry - Never really cried while reading a book. To answer this question - The Eyes of the Dragon (Stephen King) was one that just about managed to come close. It’s one of his few non-horror stories - and a damn good book at that.

Book you wish you had written - No book really comes to mind. I’m generally more envious of the way people write as compared to what they write.

Book you wish had never been written - I’m afraid I have to agree with Anshul on this. I hated Old Man and the Sea. Even today the lines “…the fish is my friend, but I must kill it” evokes the same feeling of dread it did a decade back.

Book you’re currently reading - Not one, but two! The Cell (Stephen King) and The Dragonbone Chair (Tad Williams).

Book you’ve been meaning to read - All my textbooks . Seriously - Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art (Scott McCloud).

Well, there you have it. The tag is complete.

Over the last week, I have been making it a general policy to use my linux (Ubuntu) over my windows (XP) install.

Thanks to some dedicated people out there, most of the stuff that I like to use in my windows system have an equivalent in linux - or have been linux apps in the first place which were then ported to windows. One of the apps that I like to use is mIRC. Unfortunately, I don’t like any of the linux equivalents. Hence, (with help from Anshul) I went on to Wine and dine irc to welcome it to a linux environment.

Here’s how:

Well, here is my first article (don’t know if there will be any more) on migrating from Windows to Linux. Still new to this, so if anything is confusing, or you have any questions, just drop me a line in the comments and I’ll reply when I get the chance. Enjoy