quote of the day

"People say well, in Saudi Arabia you can't build a church," Bloomberg said. "Yes. That's the difference between Saudi Arabia and America."

– new york mayor mike bloomberg

quote of the day

"As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure."

– president barack obama

if you want to smile for 90 minutes...

i first saw hula hoop sha-boop 20 years ago at the milwaukee repertory theatre's stackner cabaret. a new version of the 50s-60s jukebox musical opens this friday, august 6th in the same theatre, directed by your's truly. in a desperate act of shameless self-promotion, i'm including not only a photo i took, but information on how to get tickets. c'mon.

The new HULA HOOP SHA-BOOP plays a special limited four-week run opening Friday, August 6 at 7:30 pm at the Milwaukee Rep's Stackner Cabaret. Tickets at the Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells, by phone at 414-224-9490, or online at milwaukeerep.com. (Katie Siri and Brian Craft in Hula Hoop Sha-Boop.)