Hello my fellow tomatoes:

Hope you had a happy and fun St. Patty's Day! I am back from a super quick trip to New Orleans, to celebrate one of the great NOLA traditions, a parade through the French Quarter. The Parade was in honor of a different saint, St. Joseph and his day, which is celebrated by a large group of New Orleans Italians. I was invited to ride in the parade and give out beads (really throw with a fast hook)  to revelers who we deemed deserving of them, lining the streets and balconies of the French Quarter! I was there with my niece, who attends Tulane, and we never laughed so much! Check out this photo of Claire and me in a red convertible.













"Claire and me in Parade"

So, from all things Irish, to all things Italian in New Orleans, I make a segue to a show that also makes a jump between 19th century Germany and 21st century NYC. A play that has a limited run on Broadway titled, 33 Variations,starring Jane Fonda.

This piece written by Moises Kaufman, intricately interweaves a story line focusing on parallel lives with a devastatingly beautiful piano performance throughout this brilliant play. This marks Mr. Kaufman's Broadway debut as a playwright, and he also directs his work.


The story that unfolds involves musicologist Katherine Brandt (played by Fonda) who is on a mission to solve a mystery about Beethoven. She travels from NY to Germany to research the Beethoven conundrum. Why was Beethoven consumed by the work of his publisher Anton Diabelli? As she is consumed by the process of uncovering this history, her strained relationship with her daughter takes on a different path and her body begins to betray her.

















This multi layered piece explores artistic obsession, the uniquely human knowledge and understanding of death and bodily destruction, and our closest and most cherished relationships. For anyone who has dealt with a loved one suffering from a debilitating illness, this piece will hit home. It is executed with grace, humor and intelligence.


Ms. Fonda returns to the Broadway stage for the first time in 46 years, and her stage presence as well as her interpretation of the character and her documented decline in health is all spot on. The play underscores dignity for each of the characters. And by the way, at age 71, Fonda looks absolutely amazing.













Exercise your mind and your ears, and allow yourself to go on this cross continent and cross century journey at 33 Variations. It's a limited run, so be sure to get there before the closing date of May 24th. www.33variations.com

More news and theater reviews next week!

Till then, I'm sending virtual New Orleans beads your way!


Best,
Valerie

Valerie's Gallery
     Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007.

Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG.   And she can be seen on The Italian American Network, where she produces and interviews prominent Americans.  Valerie has been the “Voice of God” and on stage emcee for Broadway on Broadway in Times Square, Broadway Under the Stars, and Broadway Meets Country.


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