Happy Thanksgiving From Steve On Broadway!
Happy Thanksgiving From Steve On Broadway!Tomorrow marks the American Thanksgiving Day Holiday. This proud tradition had its auspicious roots in 1621 when English settlers in Plymouth (in what is now Massachusetts) shared their harvest dinner with the Wampanoag Indians -- only that feast was never repeated. So much for tradition!
In fact, it wasn't until after the Revolutionary War that President George Washington first declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. In 1863 in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln initiated the annual observance by designating the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving. Finally, in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt is credited as setting the fourth Thursday of each November as the official Thanksgiving Holiday, which Congress approved in 1941 and we observe to this day.
Personally, I am thankful for so much. I feel enormously blessed for my family and friends, but I'm particularly grateful to live in a nation where freedom of speech enables us to share our points of view with each other. Thankfully, dissent is alive and well, and often finds its roots in the arts. Theatre contributes tremendously to the national discourse, and whether we agree or disagree with its messages, we should cherish and never take for granted the critical role theatre traditionally plays in often shaping and leading the discussion.
Naturally, another major tradition for millions of Americans has been a journey to New York for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will march for its 80th year down Broadway. The parade helps serve as a showcase for the Great White Way, and it's a certainty that Broadway shows will see a spike in attendance over the next few days.
But now that Macy's parent company, Federated Department Stores, has gobbled up some of the country's most beloved, venerable department store brands like Marshall Field's, Filene's, Kaufmann's and Meier & Frank's, and transformed them all into Macy's -- much to the chagrin and irritation of countless shoppers nationally -- Macy's will no doubt use this year's parade to win the hearts and dollars of Americans one day prior to the busiest shopping day of the year. According to a story in this morning's The Wall Street Journal, Macy's rebranding "is off to a rocky start." Something tells me that they'll have to go beyond merely staging what's become a national parade to overcome the stone hearts they've created.
Happy Thanksgiving!*
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route information.
*Since I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with family, there will be no Steve On Broadway (SOB) postings on the Holiday.
Labels: Broadway, Freedom Of Speech, Holiday, Special Messages
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, November 22, 2006
9 Comments:
P.S. As you can see from the right-hand margin, I've posted a new Steve On Broadway poll where I ask you which U.S.-based theatre opening of the year you've appreciated the most. Thanks for participating in the poll!
Happy Thanksgiving Steve...
Just to let you know I am scheduled to be in Zombie Prom at Minneapolis Musical Theater in The Spring. Hope you can attend.
Thomas Karki
Appreciate the heads-up Thomas! Now, for those of us who are unfamiliar with Zombie Prom, maybe you can fill us in on the show.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Steve
Steve and others who may be interested,
Zombie Prom has got great and energetic music and fun plot. Rahter that giving you the whole synopsis, here is a link for anyone who might be interested in learning more: http://www.geocities.com/zombieprombie/story.html
I will be playing the role of Eddie Flagrante. Really good tango scene for me :)
Peace for now,
Thomas Karki
So wish I could be there. I love Thanksgiving! Bet you are excited for David Hare's new play opening next week? Jealous indeed, yet again. His London one Any's View has been panned.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING SOB!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Steve. Thanks again for the daily good reads. Peace.
Liz,
Yes, David Hare's latest -- The Vertical Hour -- opens on Broadway one week from tonight (November 30). Not only is it directed by Sam Mendes, but it stars Julianne Moore and Bill Nighy. I'm hearing lots of positive buzz on the show.
Cheers!
Steve
Thank you Thomas and break a leg! Now that I know you're in the show, I'll be following its progression! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank YOU, Martha! And knowing what a huge Patti LuPone fan you are, don't forget to tell your friends to vote in my latest poll!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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