In case you’re wondering what I’ve been doing since I got back to New York, part of the answer can be found in my drama column in this morning’s Wall Street Journal, in which I review four, count ’em, four shows, This Is How It Goes, Dessa Rose, Moonlight & Magnolias, and the Kennedy Center’s production of Mister Roberts.

Off we go in a breathless rush:

– Neil LaBute, who got my hopes up with “Fat Pig,” has let them back down again in “This Is How It Goes,” running through April 17 at the Public Theater. Not all the way, I’m relieved to say: This compact tale of a romantic triangle with an interracial twist has its moments of nerve-shredding tension. But the jack-in-the-box plot twists are contrived in a way that sits awkwardly alongside Mr. LaBute’s ruthless dialogue, and it’s about time he swore off more than a few of his personal clich

Loving you

Is not a choice,

It’s who I am.

This is why I live.

You are why I live.

Stephen Sondheim, “Loving You” (from Passion)

In light of Our Girl’s recent posting about Stephen Sondheim, I thought I should mention that I just got back from the opening-night performance of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook concert version of Sondheim’s Passion, starring Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, which I’ll be reviewing in next Friday’s Wall Street Journal.

In addition to being a gala for the bejeweled rich, Wednesday’s performance doubled as a technical rehearsal for tonight’s live telecast of Passion on PBS’ Live at Lincoln Center. In New York City, Passion will air at eight o’clock on Channel 13, with a replay at noon Sunday. For more information, go here.

If you live in another city and want to know when and where Passion is airing, go here. (Got that, Girl?)

To purchase the original-cast CD of the 1994 Broadway production of Passion, go here.

Now, if you’ll be so kind as to excuse me, I’m off to another show….

“The army taught me some great lessons–to be prepared for catastrophe–to endure being bored–and to know that however fine [a] fellow I thought myself in my usual routine there were other situations alongside and many more in which I was inferior to men that I might have looked down upon had not experience taught me to look up.”

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., letter to Harold Laski (1926)

I’m hunkering down Terrylike over here under the onus of many deadlines, and flipping my blogging switch to the Off position. Oh, I may try to put up a couple of fortune cookies, but beyond that the pickings will be slim. Also, if you’ve emailed me recently, it will probably take me a day or two more to respond. Better late than never, right?

Right? Bueller? Anyone?

Ah well. In the meantime, please check out a brand-spanking-new literary group blog, The Valve, some of whose contributors grace the blogroll here. (A little Maud told us.)

“The inevitable is not wicked. If you can improve on it all right, but it is not necessary to damn the stem because you are the flower.”

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., letter to Harold Laski (1921)

Oh–did I mention the temperature in Chicago today reached 72?

Quorum of strawberries, fresh or frozen

Lone banana, sliced

Goodly dollop raspberry sorbet

Liberal spoonful orange juice concentrate

Generous shmear plain yogurt

Decent smattering ice cubes

Blend and be nourished.

Don’t worry, I know you know how to make a smoothie. But this one has been working magic for me this young spring, so I felt like sharing.

I know I’m way, way too busy when I stop filling the ice trays in my freezer. I belatedly noticed this afternoon that I must have reached that point some time in the past couple of days. Not to worry, though. My head remains above water (just), and I see that OGIC has been keeping you fed and groomed in my unavoidable absence. Isn’t she the best?

As for me, I still expect to depart this vortex of overwork some time over the coming weekend and return to the blogosphere on Monday, perhaps not rested but definitely ready.

Later.