PURE ESCAPISM
Crazy for You at the Asolo Theatre
With music and lyrics by the Gershwin brothers, this classic of American musical theater was an afternoon of romance, some hijinks, and lots and lots of dancing! In 1930 in a dead-end town in Nevada, earnest Bobby Child tries to revive the theater he’s been sent to shut down. Captivated by Polly Baker, the town’s postmistress, and indulging in some theatrics of his own, he and the cast tap dance their way to a successful finale. Along the way are some all-time favorite songs such as “Someone to Watch over Me” and “Embraceable You.”
It isn’t profound drama, the plot is simple and predictable, but overall, it’s uplifting and a great respite from the politics of today. If you’re local, see it before it closes in early January!
SOME FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023
I liked many of the books I read this year, so it’s hard to choose, but here are a few that have stayed with me. Happy reading to you!
NOVEL ABOUT A HOT BUTTON ISSUE
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer. F. Boylan
NOVEL BY A FAVORITE AUTHOR
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
NOVEL BY A NEW AUTHOR
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
NOVEL THAT READS LIKE A MEMOIR
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
MYSTERY
Exiles by Jane Harper
Runners up: Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
And White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear
HISTORICAL NOVEL
Horse by Gwendoline Brooks
Runner up: Bookbinder by Pip Williams
NOVELLAS
Foster by Claire Keegan
And Small Things Like These, also by Keegan
NONFICTION/MEMOIR
Enough by Cassidy Hutchinson
Runner up: Giving up the Ghost by Hilary Mantel
To all my readers, best wishes for a most happy, healthy holiday season!
Note: Header photo of open book courtesy of Unsplash.
