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Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer)
Brentwood, CA
Actor/Writer/Idealist
Recent Activity
DEATH VALLEY DQ (Part Two)
Posted Jun 19, 2012 at Crazytown
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Broadway producing these days smacks a bit of Republicanism, and your post highlights that nicely. There's an exclusive product, afford mainly by the 1% (The actual Broadway production), which is then "trickled down" to the masses and sold as quality to people who subscribe more to the "religion of Broadway" than the substance.
But I think your larger point is the best: "Broadway is the theater that happens in 40 theaters over 500 seats in Midtown New York by professional artists at the top of their game."
SIT DOWN... I DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR BOAT!
The Tonys hit a new low somewhere near the bottom of the ocean. By Ryan Bogner (Producer, Wingnut) So if you were one of the people that watched the Tonys this year you know that this happened: But in the likely chance that you weren't (due to the broadcast hitting the lowest number of viewers...
I quite miss being the first to see the lovely monkey artwork, and coming up with fun teasers for the "Day Bar" post. Let's get a drink when you're settled down. I'm here through August 10th!
CROSSING THE COUNTRY
From June 1st through June 8th, my boyfriend (Nico Rico) and I drove from New York City to San Francisco. We took a southern, and certainly not a direct route. What follows is a joint blog–pictures from the trip. MONKEY BUSINESS by Tony Asaro (Composer/Librettist), Photographs by Nico Rico (Bo...
DEATH VALLEY DQ (Part One)
Posted Jun 12, 2012 at Crazytown
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LEAVING TOWN
Posted Mar 27, 2012 at Crazytown
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DOUBLE YUM
By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) There are so many things I would lick peanut butter off of... And speaking of licking things...Have I introduced you to one of my favorite recipe sites? Ladies and Gentlemen - Batter Licker. Double Yum. BRETT RYBACK wrote the music for Liberty Inn (Ovation Nominee, Best Music/Lyrics), the book music and lyrics for The Tavern Keeper’s Daughter, and the book for Darling. He also acts on stage and TV. www.btryback.wordpress.com EMAIL HIM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | OTHER POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR Continue reading
Posted Mar 20, 2012 at Crazytown
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THE DAY YOU QUIT
Posted Mar 13, 2012 at Crazytown
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DO YOU HEAR WHAT I SEE?
Posted Mar 6, 2012 at Crazytown
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HAT TRICK
Posted Feb 28, 2012 at Crazytown
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LETTING GO
Posted Feb 21, 2012 at Crazytown
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Agreed!
WHAT RHYMES WITH HUMOR?
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sometimes rhymes are funny, but sometimes they're not. By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) Stephen Sondheim has gone on record to say that while "there are reasons not to rhyme...In the theater, true rhyme works best on every level." True rhyme being defined as two ...
Well, I say the audience is left to decide because of a piece of advice I received when I was 17. I wrote to Mr. Sondheim himself and got a letter back. At the end of the letter he wrote: "And don't pay too much attention to individuals who "critique" your work - listen to the audience." And won't they always honestly tell you what they think? Better or worse?
WHAT RHYMES WITH HUMOR?
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sometimes rhymes are funny, but sometimes they're not. By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) Stephen Sondheim has gone on record to say that while "there are reasons not to rhyme...In the theater, true rhyme works best on every level." True rhyme being defined as two ...
Bob, I'm so happy you commented!
I will admit that I did take SS a bit out of context on this one. And as I said - I wouldn't argue a case for near-rhyming. I find near-rhyming, in general, to be confusing. Whether or not it's lazy or inartistic...eh...I don't know that I would go so far as to say that. After all - if content dictates form, as Sondheim eloquently argues, couldn't there be a case for the content to dictate near-rhymes? Maybe, maybe not.
I think the bigger case that I would like to argue is in favor of the well-placed, well-executed NON-RHYME.
Rhyme certainly has its place in lyric writing, and it will always have its place. But with regard to the lyrics of younger writers, I don't wonder if Rhyme becomes a strait-jacket - a rule that cannot be broken. And in attempting to follow that rule, truth can be lost. And Mr. Sondheim, and his presence on the form, is largely responsible for young writers feeling the need to conform to that law.
Often times, I find myself feeling like rhyme makes my lyric feel "clever" whether I intend to be or not. Using precisely the right word to illustrate a point - which Sondheim calls the opposite of laziness - isn't always what we do in life - searching, trying to be articulate, and failing. What non-rhymes might come out in a situation like that?
In a world where Rhyme is the Rule, I would encourage more and more writers to think outside that box - even just to see what happens. Don't fall back on rhyme because it's "just how it's done." But use it - or don't use it - with confidence and purpose.
I did this recently and was very proud of the effect. A chorus to a song with absolutely no rhyme, a free-form of thought, that I think is very effective.
But as always, it's going to be up to the audience.
WHAT RHYMES WITH HUMOR?
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sometimes rhymes are funny, but sometimes they're not. By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) Stephen Sondheim has gone on record to say that while "there are reasons not to rhyme...In the theater, true rhyme works best on every level." True rhyme being defined as two ...
WHAT RHYMES WITH HUMOR?
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sometimes rhymes are funny, but sometimes they're not. By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) Stephen Sondheim has gone on record to say that while "there are reasons not to rhyme...In the theater, true rhyme works best on every level." True rhyme being defined as two words or phrases whose final accented syllables sound alike except for the consonant sounds which precede them. Perfect rhyme, in other words. Home/roam, never/forever. Let me be the first to say that I, for one, couldn't disagree more. I mean, really. Who does this ::air quotes:: Sondheim think he is? Okay,... Continue reading
Posted Feb 7, 2012 at Crazytown
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FUN WITH CELEBRITY NAMES!
Posted Jan 31, 2012 at Crazytown
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ART LOVES SCIENCE
Posted Jan 24, 2012 at Crazytown
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KNOCK ON WOOD
Posted Jan 17, 2012 at Crazytown
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UPSTAIRS OR DOWNSTAIRS?
Posted Jan 10, 2012 at Crazytown
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BOLD MARKERS
Posted Jan 3, 2012 at Crazytown
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TOP TEN TWEETS OF 2011
By Brett Ryback (Actor-Writer) Happy Place has compiled a list of the 50 Funniest Tweets of 2011. For your reading pleasure, I have boiled this list of 50 down to just 10. Without further ado - the top 10 Funniest Tweets of 2011. 10. @Elliot_Duke: "I don't want to sound like I'm showing off or anything, but this is the fifth #rapture I've survived." 9. @BettyLies: "Casual Friday is a great way to confirm your suspicions on who all the sluts are at work." 8. @elonJames: "Oh? The NYPD are treating you badly? Violent for no reason? Weird." -Black People... Continue reading
Posted Dec 27, 2011 at Crazytown
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MBP PSA
Posted Dec 20, 2011 at Crazytown
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NOT SO COLOR BLIND
Posted Dec 13, 2011 at Crazytown
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LIVE AMONG THE STARS
Posted Dec 6, 2011 at Crazytown
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MY BEEF WITH VEGANS
Posted Nov 29, 2011 at Crazytown
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INSPIRATION IS BUILDING
Posted Nov 22, 2011 at Crazytown
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