It is common that Broadway shows that were not winners at the Tony Awards shut down or close early. That certainly happened again this year but this summer feels a tad different. Yes, open end run musicals such as "Be More Chill," "The Prom," "The Cher Show," "King Kong," and "Pretty Woman" all could not … Continue reading Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
New York City
National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
We've all heard of the Sturgeon Roe (fish eggs) Caviar that is the classic and very expensive gourmet item we can't afford. But if you want a luxury taste for much cheaper, look for and try Taramasalata. It is a Greek dish (similar products are from the nearby Balkans and Turkey) that combine a salted … Continue reading National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
There is a trend on social media to overshare online with the tag line "TMI (Too Much Information) Tuesday." Do not go looking for it if you are faint of heart. I've seen some pretty weird things I can't unlearn on other TMI Tuesday blogs. But I tend not to overshare. One follower of my … Continue reading FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
There are many reasons to come to Manhattan: to see a Broadway Play; to visit a world class museum; to experience maddening subway delays. Or maybe to take a picture of the sun perfectly framed in our concrete canyons. That phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge, a name bestowed by our own Neil deGrasse Tyson (from … Continue reading Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
National 7-11 Day
This one is easy and a little silly. July 11 is 7-11 day. 7/11? Get it? I don't have much to say about it except that 7-11 has invaded and is beginning to colonize New York City. Just a decade ago we were quirky with little locally owned stores but are now being overrun by … Continue reading National 7-11 Day
FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
My broken ankle is coming along. The doctors believe the best course is to let it heal naturally and that will take a few more weeks. There is not much pain involved, simply lots of boredom and impatience on my part. See, I'm not permitted to place any weight on it at all and that … Continue reading FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
New Jersey has a long history of cruel jokes and demeaning attitudes. For the next week, please refrain from slights about New Jersey. I live just across the river from New Jersey and often cross the busiest bridge in the world (George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River) to visit. Let's see, what can I … Continue reading National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
If you have a smoker you are likely using it to season meats. Try vegetables too. Here is a terrific recipe I made recently you might like. Preparation for smoking the tomatoes can be found at the end of the post. Our tasty test serving choice. Heat about 4 Tablespoons olive oil in large saucepan … Continue reading TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
Some Broadway Musings
My recent ankle injury will keep me from getting to the theatre for a while but that doesn't stop me from paying attention. This is not encyclopedic but a few comments... The shakeout from the recent Tony awards did not reward "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" and "Hillary and Clinton" and quickly closed. Unfortunate, … Continue reading Some Broadway Musings
FootNotes #3 – Gettin’ Around
Regular readers know I often post about Theatre (always preceded by Review - ), National Days and food, food and food. With my recent broken ankle I won't be going to much theatre any time soon and work in the kitchen is highly limited. Because of some complications, surgery is delayed for the moment so … Continue reading FootNotes #3 – Gettin’ Around
Review – Hillary and Clinton
Playwright Lucas Hnath is on a bit of a "what if" kick lately, following his recent "A Doll's House, Part 2" with a look into two of our most famous political figures. While I shied from his multiple universe framing device, he nails the insight inside one of the most famous marriages of all time. … Continue reading Review – Hillary and Clinton
FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
I am always an optimistic sort and just figured out the great advantage I have with my broken ankle. I only wear one sock at a time. Thus less wear, less laundry, less carbon footprint, better results for climate change. It does make it more difficult to track pairs after laundry, but hey, I'll take … Continue reading FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
FootNotes #1 – My latest ride, unplanned and hopefully for not long
Not very sporty but very useful and very necessary. See, I broke my ankle riding my motorbike this week and this little trolley gets me around while keeping the ankle cast elevated and stable. And a nice little basket for carrying the mail! I take it seriously. Warning label says right on it - Not … Continue reading FootNotes #1 – My latest ride, unplanned and hopefully for not long
Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Start with the "source material" - Shakespeare's bloodiest play "Titus Andronicus." This isn't really a sequel. Sure Taylor Mac's script starts by plucking three minor characters from Will's play to follow as they clean up all the corpses (and they are stacked high in Santo Loquasto's set). In theory they are here to clean up … Continue reading Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Review – Proof of Love
Audible, the company that brings you entertainment meant for ear buds, has teamed with the Minetta Lane Theatre by producing stage work that can be translated to their medium. I have seen a number of these works, most impressively "Harry Clarke" performed by actor Billy Crudup. To this point they have chosen existing one character … Continue reading Review – Proof of Love
My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
I was thrilled that my cousin Kim and her husband Dennis traveled from Cincinnati to visit New York City last week. They were here for reasons beyond a tourist trip but they aced that part of it. They especially excelled in their show going expertise. They visited the box offices (strategically about 1-2 hours before … Continue reading My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
National Veggie Burger Day
While now you will hear me celebrating many meat dishes, not many people know that I was a vegetarian for 13 years starting in my senior year of high school. It was based on my belief that if we avoided feeding animals grain combinations we could direct them to humans and seriously reduce hunger in … Continue reading National Veggie Burger Day
Review – Jack of Cups
Unlike the folks doing this work, I am old enough to have seen and worked around Experimental Theatre back in the 1970's and 1980's. Inevitable components included earnest monologues on how we need to come together, interpretive dance, and sounds and music made from unusual items and innovative instruments. Turtleneck shirts were optional but recommended. … Continue reading Review – Jack of Cups
National Rotisserie Chicken Day
There are few better treats than a freshly cooked, crispy skin, moist and juicy rotisserie cooked chicken. Many people pick them up for a quick meal from a shop and indeed this National Day was created by the Boston Market chain. (There is a terrific shop named Malecon here in Northern Manhattan that is worth … Continue reading National Rotisserie Chicken Day
Review – Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune
What happens when you combine a three decade old two hander by one of our greatest living playwrights with two of our finest stage actors? Magic at the Broadhurst Theatre, that's what. "Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune" is a passionate defense of reaching out for love against all odds. When co-workers from … Continue reading Review – Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune
Review – To She Who Waits
The American Renaissance Theater Company is presenting a new play at Theatre 54 at the Shetler Studios. It is the 2018 Jerry Kaufman Award winner "To She Who Waits" by Bob Clyman. The subtitle "God's Plan v. A Mother's Love; Winner Takes All" provides a clue to the plot. The play jumps back and forth … Continue reading Review – To She Who Waits
Review – Caroline’s Kitchen
Caroline's Kitchen is a transfer of a British farce that was very popular there. Maybe they will cling to anything to divert them from Brexit. It is certainly a manic comedy with characters keeping secrets from each other running in and out of the set. The concept is that TV cooking show host Caroline (Caroline … Continue reading Review – Caroline’s Kitchen
Review – The Archbishop’s Ceiling
Great playwrights create some less than great works in their career. Even though I admire many works by Arthur Miller ("A View From the Bridge" is in my top ten plays of all time) I had never heard of "The Archbishop's Ceiling." I am glad I had the chance to see it, but it remains … Continue reading Review – The Archbishop’s Ceiling
Review – Curse of the Starving Class
Many directors and designers have chosen to tear apart a stage set as a physical mirror of the disintegration happening to characters on stage. This can happen as a steady erosion or a grand explosion. This production switches that up with the walls and shelves of the Tate family kitchen being rendered in one grand … Continue reading Review – Curse of the Starving Class
Chapstick EXPOSED! (or at least opened up)
I don't about you but I have never finished a Chapstick before it is used up. Those tubes always seem to disappear half used and I need to buy another. At the end of this cold weather season I realized the Chapstick I was using stopped pushing up that little beeswax stick. Time for an … Continue reading Chapstick EXPOSED! (or at least opened up)
