This month’s reading list has been a short one. I’m still working on Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, which is a fascinating read.
I’m learning a lot about the history of northern cities and how their racial demographics changed in response to Jim Crow laws. A lot of issues I remember hearing my parents discuss from the news in the 1970s and 1980s come directly out of the Great Migration. But it’s not the version of history I remember being taught in school. And, I’m a bit pissed that it wasn’t addressed then.
On the TV and movie front, we’ve been watching a lot of musicals. Sure, we’re staying caught up with The Equalizer, Ted Lasso, Abbott Elementary, and The Mandalorian. And, we’re also caught up on Season Two of Schmigadoon!, aka Schmicago!, which has been a blast.
Titus Burgess being added to the Schmicago! cast was a brilliant choice. And, as much as I typically dislike Jane Krakowski, I have to admit that her Bobby Flanagan character has been a hoot. Dove Cameron also needs a lot more name recognition, given all that Dove brings to a role. It’s clear to see why she did so much work for Disney for so long.
Also, any chance you get to have Patrick Page’s deep bass as your lead villain is a chance that simply must be seized with both hands. He’s fantastic.
Add in the return of Ariana DeBose, Kristin Chenowith, Alan Cumming, and Aaron Tveit, and the new episodes are always tops on our list to see.
For new shows, though, we’ve been trying out Grease: The Rise of the Pink Ladies on Paramount+ and Up Here on Hulu. Both have a few flaws, but it’s refreshing to see some new musical talent. And, some of the creative teams for both shows include names we know from Broadway, so we’re watching to support their crossover attempts.
Thanks to these musical shows, we’ve rewatched Cabaret with Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, Grease 2 with Michelle Pfeiffer (which I still resent being panned), and Grease Live! with Aaron Tveit, Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer, Jordan Fisher, Julianne Hough, and Carly Rae Jepsen.
What have you watched recently that’s a must-see?
Image Credit: Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Ruth F. Simon 