How can you not love groups that use the arts to facilitate community development goals?
In a recent NY Times article I see that a collaboration to revive a 1937 musical revue is designed to benefit the community. The show is a classic, and it’s called Pins & Needles.
“Running at the Irondale Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, from Wednesday through July 9, the show, comprising sketches and songs, is a joint endeavor of the Obie-winning Foundry Theater and Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (Furee), which since 2001 has worked to increase access to housing, jobs and services for low-income families.” Read the Times article here.
I went to Wikipedia to refresh my memory about Pins & Needles, which I have heard only on an old vinyl recording, and found this.
“The International Ladies Garment Workers Union used the Princess Theatre in New York City as a meeting hall. The union sponsored an inexpensive revue with LGWU workers as the cast and two pianos. Because of their factory jobs, participants could rehearse only at night and on weekends, and initial performances were presented only on Friday and Saturday nights. The original cast was made up of cutters, basters, and sewing machine operators.”
I have to say, I love Wikipedia — you never know what new paths it will lead you down. I had forgotten (if I ever knew) that one of the Pins & Needles creators was Arnold Horwitt, a playwright neighbor who helped me out years ago. He showed me how to write a musical on Fire Island. It was for the annual teenage show. His daughter is a tech writer in the Greater Boston area now, someone who also writes fiction.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
I agree with you about Wikipedia–it’s wonderful. The story of Pins and Needles sounds fascinating.
Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
It’s WordPress. And free. 🙂
I only know about Pins and Needles because the composer, Harold Rome, was the uncle of a friend who lent me CDs of a bunch of his shows (which included “I Can Get It For You Wholesale,” a show which helped to build Barbra Streisand’s career. I love that Arnold Horwitt showed you how to write a musical! And on Fire Island, no less!
The PLACE! Look up my partner in crime there, a songwriter who went on to quite a different but acclaimed career, Lynn Lavner.