| Given that I can neither sing, dance, nor act, people are often surprised to hear my watchcry, "Show business is my life." However, I am a specialist in dramatic literature and theatre, and I am proud to have edited the book Neil Simon: A Casebook (Garland, 1997). Together with scholars and other writers who share my interest in America's most successful playwright, I assembled an impressive group of essays covering Simon's life and work from a variety of perspectives. |
While I love plays, I'm especially passionate about musicals. I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on the Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals, and I've a number of articles on musicals. The Stephen Sondheim casebook includes an article I wrote on the musical Passion that I like--more importantly, so does Mr. Sondheim. See my curriculum vitae for more details on my publications. |
Over the years I've performed a number of concerts on the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, and in 1981 I even recorded a solo album, Gary Konas...On Broadway! Given that the organ is the most magnificent, versatile instrument ever devised by humans, it's frustrating to realize that the organ lacks the popularity of the piano and several other musical instruments. Maybe people simply associate it with "marryings and buryings," which is unfortunate. Turn to my theatre organ page to learn more about the King of Instruments. |
Another pleasurable interest that I take seriously is fine wine. I've been collecting for many years, and my cool cellar contains over 500 bottles that range from good to excellent, including the first-growth red Bordeaux Chateau Latour from year-of-the-century 1961 as well as 1964, 1970, and 1993. I also have wines I have made myself. My two 1974 Cabernet Sauvignons, made with grapes from Caymus Vineyards and Diamond Creek Vineyards (two of the most prestigious Napa Valley wineries), are both still coasting on their plateau peaks. |
