Of ‘The Musical’ I sing

Of ‘The Musical’ I sing

EDITOR:

Sunday afternoon my wife dragged me downtown to the Oakland Center for the Arts to see the off-Broadway production of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical) directed by a YSU graduate in theater, Liz Rubino.

I hate musicals. My wife loves them, but we both had a ball. The Musical of Musicals is comprised of a single skit: an evil landlord threatens a lovely girl for her overdue rent while boyfriend and girlfriend provide support. This skit is repeated in five musical styles: that of Rogers and Hammerstein (Oklahoma), Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods), Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats, Evita), and Kander and Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago).

Even if you don’t know squat about musicals, the skits are funny. For musical mavens, the skits are sublime with their sly and not so sly musical and lyrical jokes performed by a cast of four talented actors/singers and the accomplished pianist and audience coach, Tim Web. The androgynous Oakland newcomer, Kista Barrum, knocks them dead and sings every note despite a glittering tongue stud. Recent MBA graduate, Anna Frabutt, transforms herself from an Oklahoma-style Mother Abby to a world-weary Fraulein Abby in the Cabaret-style number. With his massive stage presence, Robert Dennick Joki dominates as the villainous landlord while the Dana School of Music graduate, Brianne Kochunas, hits all the high notes and as the lovely lady in distress: June, Jeune, Junie Fay, Junita, or Juny depending on the musical style.

This wonderful production may still be enjoyed on Sept. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. Don’t miss it.

BOB NOBLE

Poland

And a generous man, too

EDITOR:

As Mr. de Souza said in his Sept. 5 column, “ A good man who gave into greed,” Jim Philomena was a person who caused much intrigue. Please allow me to express my view.

I knew Jim for many years. He was a very colorful person. The Jim I knew was respectful and gracious.

I was always a hardworking person. In the mid ’80s I sadly had to file for divorce. At that time, I had three young sons and my finances were low. At my appointment with Jim, I paid the court costs and requested to pay as I could in intervals as I saved the extra money.

At some point I dropped off my first payment at Jim’s office. He was not there. That afternoon, on his way home, he stopped by my home and returned the money. The court costs were my only charge. His kindness helped me though personal troubled times.

I hope that the people that he disappointed can forgive him. That would be a kindness to the lovely family that he has left behind.

JANICE CATANIA

Youngstown

They won’t get her number

EDITOR:

I am a recent YSU graduate who was interested in attending the upcoming Jobs Fair at the Chevrolet Centre. To attend you are required to register with One Stop Ohio. I went to their Web site to complete the registration process but stopped abruptly when asked for my Social Security number. I called One Stop Ohio to inquire about the reason for needing my Social Security number and was told that they had so many clients with similar names that this was their way of differentiating between them.

I am writing to inform those businesses that are participating in the Jobs Fair and hoping to use this resource as an opportunity to find future employees that there is at least one very skilled, capable, and viable candidate who will not be attending because I am not willing to permit One Stop Ohio access to my Social Security number as a form of identification. This practice is an archaic and irresponsible procedure that can easily be replaced by less dangerous forms of tracking so those individuals wanting to attend the Jobs Fair but not necessarily use the other progams offered by One Stop Ohio need not be excluded.

ANTONETTE COX

Poland