Sunday Books: The Excitements

by CJ WRAY Published by William Morrow (January 30, 2024)Paperback $15.99Audiobook $14.99 Reviewed by Penny A Parrish The cover of this delightful book shows the Eiffel Tower and two women “of a certain age.” One is even named Penny, so what’s not to like! I figured “the excitements” would be the two women, but they […]

It’s Drew Time: Can You Hear Me Now?

Is God into home remodeling? Is the Presbyterian minister who married Drew and his love still in the profession? Is Sandra Bullock a Southern Baptist minister in drag? Hey, God, can you hear Drew now? By Drew Gallagher A pastor in Denver recently admitted that he and his wife stole about $1.3 million from their […]

Sunday Culture: Theater Notes on True West

Two brothers, a screenplay, and a modern-day conflict. An American classic comes to University of Mary Washington Theater. TRUE WEST   by Sam Shepard Mary Washington University Theatre  Directed by Gregg StullPerformances February 15- 25Tickets Reviewed by Dennis Wemm Lee is a drifter, a scalawag, an opportunistic outsider. His only source of income seems to be […]

Sunday Books: “Martyr”, “This Disaster Loves You”

This week’s reviews include Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel “Martyr!,” and Richard Roper’s “This Disaster Loves You.” Published by Knopf (January 23, 2024)Hardcover $23.59Audiobook $12.99 By Ashley Riggleson/ FXBG ADVANCE Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel, Martyr! is one of the most talked about books of January and with good reason. This distinctive and poignant novel about a young man’s […]

Sunday Books & Culture: Picasso and Concussions

This week’s reviews focus on the complicated aspects of love and relationships with Jeanne Mackin’s “Picasso’s Lovers” and Annie Liontas’s “Sex With a Brain Injury.” PICASSO’S LOVERS  by Jeanne Mackin Published by Berkley ( January 23, 2024)Paperback $17.00Audiobook $15.75 Reviewed by Penny A ParrishBOOK REVIEWER     Last fall, I visited the Picasso Museum in Paris for […]

Sunday Books & Culture: Theatre Notes

This week’s reviews focus on the complicated aspects of love and relationships with Jeanne Mackin’s “Picasso’s Lovers” and Annie Liontas’s “Sex With a Brain Injury.” JERSEY BOYS Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Directed and choreographed by Patti D’Beck Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice; Music by Bob Gaudio and Lyrics By Bob Crewe […]

It’s Drew Time: Superbowl Edition

Everyone loves the Super Bowl – except for Drew. He argued with his editor about Roman Numerals and lost. And his daughter’s mad at him because he didn’t get the last in Swiftie gear fast enough. by Drew GallagherHUMORIST The 2024 Super Bowl LVIII (Editor’s note to Drew – Dude, you can’t use Roman Numerals here because AP […]