Snikk, from the photo archives...

Most of these are not yet posted on scoodog's photos. Click on a photo to see it larger.

So long, Charlie, you 17-year-old sweetheart.

More photos of Charlie here.

We'll always miss you, Snikk.

More photos of Snikk here.

What a "Musical!"

My freelance review:

Need a break from the holiday madness? Head to the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and enjoy some light-hearted fun with "The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!"

"Musical" is actually five very creative and very funny 15-minute musicals in one, each acting out the same story but in the style of a different famous Broadway composer -- Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Kander & Ebb.

The laughs come in parodies to popular works by the composers. The homage to Rodgers & Hammerstein spoofs "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" with a corny song called "Corn" (with lines like "Just look at that corn!"). Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Evita" is "Janita." Jerry Herman's "Auntie Mame" is "Auntie Abby." And so forth. Corny is an appropriate adjective to describe the songs and the humor in general.

The more you know about the musicals being parodied, the more you'll easily enjoy "Musical." But, even if don't haven't seen a lot of the musicals, there's still plenty to enjoy.

The show uses the same four actors in each of the five mini-musicals. The cast is quite talented and this shows in the range of the performances, as the style of the actors shifts gears across each of the mini-musicals. Joanne Bogart has some of the funniest moments as the older of the two female cast members. She is also one of the original Broadway cast members and, along with Eric Rockwell, creator of the play.

The show moves along quickly, with three of the mini-musicals before intermission and two afterwards. It's a lot of fun and is just the ticket to help balance the stress of holiday season.

"The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!" plays through December 29 at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Well, here is my 2006 Christmas tree. It's the top of my neighbor Joan's 30-foot-tall pine tree that fell onto my deck during the ice storm a week or two ago. No decorations yet. Stay tuned!

Nativity sets from around the world

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Christmas

Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights, please...

Linus, A Charlie Brown Christmas

This weekend, see for yourself what Christmas is all about as Saint Mary's Church in Belleville offers a display of 30 nativity scenes from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The whole community is invited. Parents, grandparents... artists and travelers... everyone -- young and old! Admission is free. Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3PM to 7PM and Monday, Dec. 11 from 9AM to 7PM.

The nativity set is -- after the cross -- perhaps the most popular Christian symbol in the world! And it's amazing to see how each nationality, each culture has taken the nativity as 'its own'. Children, especially, love the story, the figures, the displays.

As examples of what to expect, pictured above is a European gothic nativity, and below are a copper and wood nativity from India and a "clay thimble style" nativity with straw hut from Vietnam. Click on the photos for larger views.

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Linus, A Charlie Brown Christmas

The day after the ice storm -- IN WIDESCREEN!

Sure, you can see photos of the worst ice storm to hit St. Louis since 1978 all over the web. But, discerning readers, only here can you find WIDESCREEN photos!

(Actually, widescreen is a mode on my new Canon SD600 camera, and I thought it would be fun to play with.)

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites. Click here for the whole gallery of 66 photos.

Update (12/10/2006) -- 42 more pictures here.