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Showing posts from March, 2018

Charming history in Alexandria, Virginia

Located just a few miles southeast of our nation’s capital, Alexandria, Va., offers a pleasant respite from the busy political hustle of Washington, D.C. Alexandria is a vibrant destination in its own right. Flags decorate Alexandria's colorful homes. This city was the launch point for Major Gen. Edward Braddock’s infamous Wilderness Campaign during the French and Indian War (Carlyle House) and the site of one of the first casualties of the Civil War (now a Marriott Hotel). The city itself has also been indirectly affected by history. It became one of the major slave markets for Maryland and D.C. (even when the slave trade was outlawed D.C.) and was embroiled in recent news as Christ Church has long displayed plaques honoring past parishioners George Washington and Robert E. Lee. With warmer weather right around the corner, this is a great time to visit such a walkable city. Visit the waterfront, which offers countless activities including boat cruises, kayaking, festivals

'Something Rotten!' at the Academy of Music

The cast of "Something Rotten!" “Something Rotten!” is a zany mashup that has a grand time with Shakespeare and the Renaissance. It showcases why audiences love musical theater. Set in the 1590s, this hilarious musical, now at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony nominee Rob McClure and Broadway’s Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the "rock star" Shakespeare (Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits. Conceived by brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, this musical brings us to the Renaissance but it's’ edgy comedy, asynchronous dance numbers and quick-witted dialogue keeps the audiences in the spirit of today. The Bottom brothers, although talented in their own right, can’t seem to get ahead in the theater world because of “The Bard’s” popularity and their frustration is brought out in song frequently. This Broadway production keeps all the irreverent humor, a