The Manhattan Theatre Club has mounted a new play by Anthony Giardina that is interesting but ultimately hollow. The title is a reference to a fleeting incident in The Great Gatsby about the desire to gain riches and the price sometimes necessary to succeed. What you are willing to do to reach success and help … Continue reading Review – Dan Cody’s Yacht
Links
National Corn on the Cob Day
Today is National Corn on the Cob Day, the way God intended you to eat it, not creamed or mixed in succotash. One of my favorite memories is our family visits to the Ohio State Fair when I was young. Demolition Derby is a really cool concept when your age is in single digits. I … Continue reading National Corn on the Cob Day
This, That, and The Other Thing
THIS: Last night we tried the St. Louis Ribs again, but this time I cooked them at higher temp and for more time in the sous vide. As I had hoped they were even better this time. More experimenting to come for the Franken-Ribs! THAT: Tonight we have the tech rehearsal for my short play … Continue reading This, That, and The Other Thing
Review – Our Lady of 121st Street
Stephen Adley Guirgis is an American playwright with a distinctive natural voice. I've seen his Between Riverside and Crazy and this year very much enjoyed the revival of his Jesus Hopped the "A" Train at Signature Theater. I have recent seen his early work Our Lady of 121st Street, also at Signature. The play has … Continue reading Review – Our Lady of 121st Street
Franken-Ribs, the kitchen tale
I know I promised another review but circumstances require I put that off and relate a cooking adventure. You see, I like to play with my food. I recently became aware of a kitchen toy, I mean tool, called a stovetop smoker. My mind immediately turned to pork ribs, a category I have never been … Continue reading Franken-Ribs, the kitchen tale
Take Wing & A Blanket of Dust
Come to New York City to experience live theater this month! Unlike film or television, live performance by its nature is ethereal magic. No two live performances, even of the same work, are ever the same. The magic is a shared experience by the audience and performers. Most importantly, many events, especially theatre events that … Continue reading Take Wing & A Blanket of Dust
Review – A Letter to Harvey Milk
We've seen a number of shows recently and have at least half a dozen in the queue to post reviews for. But I must get word about about a touching, charming and yes, even funny, chamber musical at the Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row. A very personal tale of a kosher butcher in San Francisco … Continue reading Review – A Letter to Harvey Milk
National Cognac Day
Ok, I admit it. I like a number of different alcohol beverages. But my very favorite is cognac. The perfect post meal sip, cradled by my hand in a snifter, I get a special warm feeling as I close my eyes, the fire in the hearth crackling, resting from reading a book of French poetry, … Continue reading National Cognac Day
Two decades in the Big Apple
On June 1, 1998 I started a new job in Manhattan and have stuck around ever since. I loved this city from my first visit in 1975 (during the bad old rough and glorious days of this place) but always held out hope to be invited here. That happened 20 years ago and I have … Continue reading Two decades in the Big Apple
National Macaroon Day
Today is National Macaroon Day. You may think of the coconut cookie but I think of the French confections made of egg whites and delicious magic. It was a terrible burden but we decided to taste test several versions from Chelsea shops here in Manhattan to decide which was best. You're welcome. There was a … Continue reading National Macaroon Day
Gotta Get Graeter’s
Have you tried Graeter's Ice Cream? Founded in Cincinnati in 1870 they still make ice cream by hand 2 1/2 gallons at a time in a French Pot. What is that? You gotta see it: https://www.graeters.com/french-pot-process-ice-cream They have amazing regular flavors and tempting seasonal flavors (we just tried their Rocky Road, not available again until … Continue reading Gotta Get Graeter’s
Ryding very near Manhattan but in very beautiful spaces
I love to ryde my Can-Am Spyder in quiet and wilderness areas so one would think I must go a long way from Manhattan where I live. Sometimes I do, to Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park, the Catskills, Hawks Nest and even the Adirondacks. But there is a hidden, little known, beautiful road right under … Continue reading Ryding very near Manhattan but in very beautiful spaces
Happy Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day. Today is many things, the artificial start of summer, a long three day weekend, a traditional grilling out holiday, and a day to celebrate troops serving our country. Being an old hippie pacifist I still respect those who choose to protect our nation in uniform and under arms. But we are all … Continue reading Happy Memorial Day
Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
In January I alerted you to a sunrise Manhattanhenge and gave you advance notice of the next occurrence of the sunset version. The orientation of Manhattan is generally north-south and the Commissioners Plan of 1811 created a grid system of streets north of 14th Street. As the earth tilts to create our seasons, the sun … Continue reading Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
National Escargot Day
I love all kinds of cuisines, including French. One of their signature dishes is escargot and is one of my favorites. Some people can't get around the base of the dish, delicious snails. But they now send positively tame compared to some of the adventurist food programs on cable TV. Essentially escargot is a delivery … Continue reading National Escargot Day
Review – In and Of Itself
In and Of Itself, ensconced at the Daryl Roth Theatre until mid-August is a very high concept magic show. It features Derek DelGaudio, directed by Frank Oz and produced by Neil Patrick Harris. The evening is long on meditation about identity and meaning and only fits about a half dozen illusions into the 75 minute … Continue reading Review – In and Of Itself
Review – Broadway by the Year 1956 & 1975
Broadway by the Year is essentially an show business cabaret in the 1500 seat Town Hall in midtown. Scott Siegel has put on nearly a score of these events but last night was the first time I had the chance to see one. It was terrific and I'll be looking to attend more going forward. … Continue reading Review – Broadway by the Year 1956 & 1975
Review – SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical
You may recall how distressed I am that as Broadway becomes more tourist dependent it also more closely resembles a theme park attraction where productions are geared to be flashy events that a city visitor must see on their vacation to the Big Apple. Indeed more than half the current Broadways venues are tied up … Continue reading Review – SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical
25% off an Off Broadway play
Going to be in New York during the month of June? See an Off-Broadway show at the Flea Theatre and save 25% off your ticket. Below are some details. It runs from June 6 through June 30 and I will supply other details in the coming weeks. To use your discount us this live link … Continue reading 25% off an Off Broadway play
33% off an upcoming show
Mark your calendars, reserve your tickets and use your discount code! The Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival runs from June 7-24. My play TAKE WING runs in the middle week, June 14-17. Take Wing is an award winning short play with a terrific director and cast for this production in its New York … Continue reading 33% off an upcoming show
Review – Happy Birthday, Wanda June
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. has long been one of my favorite novelists. Through my high school and college years his quirky world view thrilled me and I have read Slaughterhouse Five many times. He wrote a play that was made into a movie, neither of which I have seen but were vaguely aware of. The Wheelhouse … Continue reading Review – Happy Birthday, Wanda June
National Cherry Cobbler Day
Today is National Cherry Cobbler Day. I have always marveled at these craftsmen and worry that automation will make them obsolete. You have heard the stories of the cobbler's kid who have no cherries? That's the pits. Okay, I know when I've worn out my welcome and driven this topic into the ground. Have a … Continue reading National Cherry Cobbler Day
Go see some MAGIC in NYC!
We recently caught another edition of Monday Night Magic. This is a weekly event at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. Discovered a terrific classic magic performer Torkova, who was wonderful. There were imports Keith Fields & Lady Sarah from the UK who were lackluster (Mr. Blackstone wants his cage back). The featured performer was … Continue reading Go see some MAGIC in NYC!
Review – Live from Here Broadcast
We recently saw a live radio broadcast program of LIVE FROM HERE with Chris Thile, the host and program that replaced Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. It was broadcast from the Town Hall here in New York and was tremendous fun. It featured exceptional music guests Calexico and Meshell Ndegeocello and the very funny Mike … Continue reading Review – Live from Here Broadcast
National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
Nothing beats a nice buttermilk biscuit. Perfect for honey or jam. Lovely for a breakfast sandwich with an egg and sausage. Absolutely necessary for a base with sausage gravy. Or heavenly just as a platform for butter. There is little else that I make that requires buttermilk so I seldom bought it. Until I discovered … Continue reading National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
Walter Thinnes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.