Longtime readers know nothing makes me happier than the annual Kennedy Center Honors.  Oh, sure, it’s lost a bit of luster with a revolving door of hosts.  Give me the days when Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg would amble out, mosey on over to the podium and welcome people in those dulcet tones more appropriate for a very special episode of Bonanza.  Now, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll walk onstage.  So let’s talk about the recipients.  For years, a popular online game has been to predict who won’t make the cut.  Happily, Liza Minnelli’s streak as the most overlooked person is intact.  The Susan Lucci of the Kennedy Center Honors once again didn’t get a nod.  She’s been passed over in favor of Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, The Grateful Dead and The Apollo Theatre.  I remind everyone that the Kennedy Center Honors are NOT given out posthumously – so someone better get on the stick!

Prior to winging my way to the Continent, I made a quick day trip to Ogunquit and heard lots of excited chatter about the Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of A Little Night Music.  Sure, most of it had to do with Friends chanteuse, Kathleen Turner.  But many were excited that Broadway belter Julia Murney would be playing the role of Desiree.  Since Murney is a most compelling stage presence, I’m intrigued to see what she’ll do with the part when I get back.  It runs through August 17, and what few tickets are left can be snagged at OgunquitPlayhouse.org.

A late addition to the Provincetown summer lineup takes place at the end of the season at the Provincetown Theater.  Lisa Lampanelli will be doing a reading of her new solo show, Lisa Lampanelli: Irrelevant! on August 31^st.  This is her second time trying out new material at the famed venue since her 2019 reading of The Gorge.  This show chronicles the comedienne’s rise to prominence as a stand-up, leaving it behind to become a life coach, and suddenly feeling…“irrelevant”.  I can’t wait to see it!  You can grab tickets at ProvincetownTheater.org.

One of my favorite people has squeezed Provincetown into his already-packed ass-ignments.  That would be the ridiculously rambunctious Randy Roberts, who will hit The Crown & Anchor on select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in August.  Don’t miss this chance to spend an evening with a legend at a choice venue…and at bargain prices!  Specific dates and tickets can be found on OnlyAtTheCrown.com.