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Musicals Making a Comeback—On Screen and Stage
Trivia: What is the capital of Iceland?
RetireHub
November 19, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Wednesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on Musicals Making a Comeback—On Screen and Stage, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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 | By: Daphne James Huff Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan… When Dr. Anais Miller meets a handsome and charming stranger at the local bar, she starts to fall before realizing he's her brother’s best friend, and a pro baseballer with no intention of sticking around their small town. Will their shot at love be worth it, or leave them both brokenhearted? |
Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
Before retirement, and as history proves, now during semi-retirement, I have always found it difficult to stay connected with casual friends. Everyone else is extremely busy and in many instances, I just want to take a nap. Now, I am not talking about immediate family or the couple of very close friends I have, but the people I want to stay in touch with but find it hard to schedule a time that coordinates with everyone else’s schedules.
One of the great plot twists of retirement that I have found is discovering that I finally have the time — but everyone seems to be way ahead of me as they have been at this “retirement thing” longer than me. Apparently, they have either joined a circus, enrolled in graduate school, or became the CEO of Being Too Busy. My adult children can’t talk because they’re running the kids around, working crazy hours, or taking a nap (my youngest gets that gene from me). My friends are constantly traveling, even more so than I do. My neighbors wave as they zoom by in cars that go way too fast for a residential street. Meanwhile, I sit in the morning with a warm cup of coffee thinking: What is on the calendar for today? I honestly can’t remember even though I know I looked at that calendar three times this weekend.
But here’s the good news: staying connected in retirement doesn’t require coordinating schedules like you’re running a military operation. It just takes humor, flexibility, and a willingness to accept that sometimes your text messages will be misinterpreted by autocorrect in ways that require immediate clarification.
Let’s start with texting. Once I learned how to text, I found it’s a wonderful tool. It’s fast, direct, and conveniently allows your family to respond whenever their schedule allows. The trick is convincing your phone to send the message you actually meant to type. Ask any retiree and they’ll tell you: autocorrect is the least helpful invention of the last 50 years. You try to write “Having a great day!” and your phone proudly delivers “Having a grated yam!” Suddenly my daughter-in-law thinks I’ve taken up experimental cooking.
Then there are video calls. These are fantastic for seeing loved ones face-to-face… or more accurately, forehead-to-ceiling-fan. I finally learned how to answer one of these video calls, but I still am not an expert at initiating them. No one tells you the camera is on until you’ve spent five minutes staring down at the buttons like it’s a mysterious artifact. My grandkids, however, love it. To them, my rotating ceiling fan is way more interesting than their own homework.
And let’s not forget social media, which can be a fun way to stay in the loop once you get over the shock of seeing people you haven’t talked to since high school posting pictures of their pet iguanas dressed as superheroes, or taking photos of every meal they ever eat. The trick is not taking social media too seriously. Scroll, enjoy, laugh, and move on. Nobody wants to go down the rabbit hole of comments arguing about gluten-free dog treats. And, for heaven sake, stay away from the political rhetoric.
Of course, staying connected doesn’t have to involve technology at all. As I am sure we all agree, some of the best connections happen in person: chatting with a neighbor between driveways, meeting a friend for lunch, or running into someone at the grocery store and catching up and talking so long that your frozen food items start to thaw. You can also join local clubs, volunteer groups, or silver sneakers — all great places to meet people who enjoy the same things you do and don’t mind hearing your favorite stories again. (And again. And possibly again.) Honestly, I find myself telling a story and thinking: Did I already tell them this?
But here’s the part no one tells you: connection in retirement isn’t just about keeping up with others — it’s also about letting others keep up with you. You’ve lived enough life to share wisdom, humor, and perspective that can only come from experience. When you reach out, whether by phone, text, or carrier pigeon (still a valid option), you’re not just filling your own social calendar — you’re enriching someone else’s day. Just as I love hearing from someone unexpectedly, I have to assume they feel the same way when they hear from me!
So don’t worry if you occasionally feel like the only person on Earth who isn’t tied to a meeting, an appointment, or a last-minute crisis. The silver lining? If no one picks up the phone, you now have the freedom to choose between reading, gardening, snacking (my personal favorite), or that beautiful mid-afternoon nap calling your name (my next favorite after I have snacked into oblivion). And truly, what’s better than being well-rested and well-connected?
As always, I love been connected with my readers. Please email me at [email protected]. Your questions, thoughts, stories, or suggestions for future columns are always welcomed and appreciated.
Ciao for now!
Joanne
My favorite way of communication is: |
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, one of the most iconic speeches in American history. Spoken in under three minutes at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Lincoln’s brief remarks reframed the Civil War as a fight not just for the Union, but for the enduring principles of liberty and equality. His famous opening—“Four score and seven years ago…”—has since become a cornerstone of American civic identity, reminding generations that democracy requires both sacrifice and constant renewal.
Musicals Making a Comeback—On Screen and Stage
After years of uneven interest, musicals are enjoying a vibrant resurgence—both in theaters and on our screens. From splashy Broadway revivals to new movie-musical adaptations and even TV specials with full ensemble numbers, audiences are rediscovering the joy, nostalgia, and emotional punch of stories told through song.
One major reason for the comeback is simple: people are craving feel-good escapism. In an era filled with heavy news cycles and constant digital noise, musical storytelling offers a kind of emotional reset. Whether it’s a sweeping ballad, a tap-dancing ensemble, or a chorus that lifts an entire theater to its feet, musicals offer a multisensory experience that reminds us what it feels like to be delighted.
Broadway’s recent success speaks to this trend. Beloved classics like Chicago and The Lion King continue to pack houses, but newer hits—Hadestown, Six, and Kimberly Akimbo among them—have helped pull in younger audiences and first-time theatergoers. Touring productions are selling out across the country, too, suggesting that enthusiasm for live musicals extends far beyond New York City.
On screen, musicals are also gaining traction again. Recent film adaptations and original projects—like West Side Story, In the Heights, Mean Girls, and the upcoming two-part Wicked adaptation—have introduced the genre to viewers who may never have set foot in a theater. Even streaming platforms are leaning in, with musical episodes and specials becoming more common and widely shared.
Another factor driving the resurgence is accessibility. Between touring shows, regional theater, community productions, and streaming releases, it has never been easier to experience musicals without committing to the cost of a Broadway ticket. That expanded access has helped longtime fans reconnect with the art form while welcoming in people who assumed musicals “weren’t for them.”
Finally, the storytelling itself has evolved. Today’s musicals blend genres, explore contemporary issues, and experiment with new music styles—from pop and hip-hop to folk and rock—making the modern musical feel more connected to the soundtracks of daily life.
Whether you’re cheering from a balcony seat or pressing play on your couch, one thing is clear: musicals are having a moment again. And for many audiences, that moment feels like a much-needed burst of joy, creativity, and connection.
How do you prefer to watch musicals? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How do you usually handle suspicious messages?
It looks like most readers aren’t taking any chances with sketchy messages—a strong 61% delete suspicious texts or emails immediately, keeping their inboxes (and devices) safe. Another 24% take the extra step of reporting phishing attempts, helping protect others too. Meanwhile, 11% prefer to pause and double-check the sender before deciding, and only a small handful ask someone they trust to verify or choose “other.” Overall, the results show a community that’s alert, proactive, and confident when it comes to spotting scams.
TOP COMMENTS
“If text, check the phone number in another app that identifies all text and call numbers. If not recognized then the message is autodeleted by phone or iPad. Also I will glance at the text message to see if the content is something I am expecting. If spam, then report and block number. For emails, look at the true sender by highlighting their email address. So many will say, from XXXBank, but then the email address of the sender will be [email protected]. Those are also marked as spam and deleted.”
“If it's extremely obvious, I delete it. If I'm not immediately positive, I check with the real sender, then delete it. I have tendency to forget to report it. My wife was constantly getting phone calls from her brother, asking if an email he received was spam, I think he has figured it out, or someone else is helping him.”
“I don’t want that kind of nonsense on my phone ever, I delete all junk messages.”
“I never use a link or phone number in a text or email link. I always make my own way to verify if there’s a possibility the email is valid. And I NEVER unsubscribe from unknown emails as that validates my email address as being monitored. I mark them junk and let spam handle that particular sender going forward.”
Slow Living: Choosing Quiet Moments Over Constant Hurry
In today’s fast-paced world, slow living isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing more of what truly matters. This mindset shift encourages slowing down, reconnecting with nature, putting down our devices, and savoring simple daily rituals. The benefits are powerful: reduced stress, better sleep, more meaningful relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the present.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Home Skillet
Meaning: “Home skillet” is a playful, old-school slang term meaning a close friend, buddy, or trusted companion. It’s warm, lighthearted, and often used jokingly to greet someone you feel comfortable with.
In a sentence: “After our weekly bridge game, I turned to Carol and said, ‘Great match, home skillet—same time next week?’”
Good News of the Day
Breakthrough Malaria Drug Shows Over 97% Success in Late-Stage Trials
A new antimalarial drug called GanLum (ganaplacide/lumefantrine), developed by Novartis and partners, has shown remarkable effectiveness—more than 97% cure rate—in a large clinical trial across 12 African nations. What makes this especially promising is its success against malaria parasites that have become resistant to current standard treatments. In addition to treating infection, the drug may also help block transmission by targeting the stage of the parasite that spreads to mosquitoes, offering hope for a powerful new tool in the fight against drug-resistant malaria.
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RetireHub Trivia
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Which TV series featured the catchphrase “Book ’em, Danno”? |
What is the capital of Iceland? |
Which singer is known as “The Queen of Soul”? |
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