This spring there are at least four productions of MacBeth alone being presented here. And of course there’s the annual Shakespeare in the Park. Last week I checked out two Shakespeare productions, both very unique and original in their own right.
First I saw Classic Stage Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I would like to preface this by saying every show I have ever seen at Classic Stage Company, an award-winning off-Broadway theater specializing in classical material, has been excellent. If you’re a lover of theater, check out Classic Stage Company while you’re in New York. I would say that it would even make you proud, those of you visiting from London!
Due to the relatively small theater and well-appointed seating arrangements (there are seats to the front and left and right of the stage), any seat is excellent. Depending on the show you can get fantastic discounts at www.BroadwayBox.com also. For example, I paid $80/ticket for front row seats, but the Broadway Box offers it for $50. Check out how close my feet are to the stage. Those chairs are part of the set, and you can see audience members sitting across from me on the other side, as I’ve described.
This particular production of Midsummer boasted a famous cast that includes Christina Ricci, Bebe Neuwirth, Taylor Mac, David Greenspan, and Anthony Heald.
The show was extremely entertaining and visually appetizing; there were at least 20 costume changes for Taylor Mac who played Puck. Mac is a Downtown-favorite in the New York performance art scene, and he definitely pulled off being a tree, a clown, and a pink elephant. I loved Greenspan’s performance. My only concern was the lead couples (which included Christina Ricci in underwear, on the floor, right in front of me, half of the play), who were physically beautiful but whose handle on the Shakespearean language was obnoxious and awkward. To quote a Bloomberg News review, “Ricci’s discrete tattoos, partly visible when she’s performing in her underwear, are more noteworthy than her stage technique or shrill delivery. Also evoking an Athenian valley girl is Halley Wegryn Gross, as her rival Helena.”
A recent performance I saw of Chekhov’s Three Sisters here with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard was truer to the classical sentimentality and presentation. Also their recent Venus in Fur went onto Broadway this past season.
Overall, Classic Stage Company offers excellent theater, if you enjoy modern interpretations of classical text. Highly recommended. Classic Stage Company is located on 136 E 13th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues). For more information and tickets: http://www.classicstage.org/tickets/buytickets/, or for discount tickets: http://www.BroadwayBox.com
Next, I saw Tom Gualtieri’s That Play: Solo Macbeth. Guess who’s in the play? That is correct; Tom Gualtieri, solo. If you follow the countless Macbeth productions in the world, a solo MacBeth is nothing new. In fact, just this year there was comedic genius Rick Miller’s MacHomer (a marriage of Simpsons characters and MacBeth… I am incredibly sad to have missed it during its 2-day performance in New York City), and Alan Cumming‘s solo version of Macbeth begins on Broadway this summer.
I, myself, performed in a MacBeth satire called MacChin at the 2010 New York International Fringe Festival about the battle and turmoil between late-night favorites, Jay Leno (hence MacCHIN) and Connan O’Brien, so was familiar with alternative versions of MacBeth, more than the original version perhaps. In that sense, Tom Gualtieri’s Solo Macbeth was a refreshing approach; it was as classic as you would get, except he was, well, alone.
Gualtieri smoothly and skillfully transitions between 19 characters in a span of 90 minutes, without intermission.
Even though I was extremely tired the night I attended, and I had a glass of wine towards the beginning of the performance, the show absolutely kept me up and on the edge of my seat the whole 90 minutes. Gualtieri occasionally broke the fourth wall and spoke to the audience about the scene he was presenting, or his thoughts on Lady M, which provided plesant comedic relief during an otherwise tense scenes (these emotional shifts were also assisted by the lights swiftly shifting from blood-red to a warm house light; ah the magic of theater).
If you enjoy the classic production but still want to experience something a little different and perhaps “New York,” you may enjoy this production.
That Play: A Solo Macbeth is presented at Stage Left Studio (214 W 30th Street, 6th floor, between 7 & 8 Avenues) on May 14, 21, 31, June 7, and 14 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $25.
New York City abounds with international cuisines, mostly available at any time of the day or night. The following two restaurants present very different cuisines and experiences, yet they’re just about 20 minutes away from each other on the subway (which is also available 24 hours a day).
Tipsy Parson (156 Ninth Avenue between 19th and 20th Streets) in the vibrant Chelsea section of Manhattan is an adorable, neighborhood Southern food restaurant. The restaurant is surrounded by flowers and plants in front and in the back and gets a lot of natural light, so it feels as though you’re lunching in a cute cottage on the countryside even though you’re in the heart of Chelsea (which is a refreshing experience for New Yorkers)! When I visited for brunch, the menu consisted of comfort classics such as fried chicken and waffels, mac and cheese, and BBQ pulled pork, as well as revamped brunch favorites as Lemon-Cornmeal Pancakes and Flaxseed, Almond & Pumpkin Seed Granola. All the items we ordered were excellent, but I especially loved the Make-Your-Own Buttermilk Biscuits, where you get to choose your own sweet or savory toppings. We got the lemon curd; yummy! Though I’ve only been for brunch, I’ve heard great things about their dinner as well. I’d highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking American comfort food in a homey atmosphere.
A New York City evening is another thing. Pulqueria (11 Doyers St), a Mexican street food restaurant and bar, and Apotheke, its sister bar, stand next to each other, both owned by a brother and sister duo. Pulquria is located underneath a former Vietnamese restaurant on Doyer Street (a hidden street as it is!) in the Chinatown area of Manhattan. They specialize in pulque, which is a unique Mexican fermented agave drink. Some items we ordered were excellent, and I especially recall the tacos being very filling. The service was subpar, so I would recommend this place to those who enjoy atmosphere over service. I have a soft spot for speakeasies so this semi-hidden concept won my heart a bit. I did not get a chance to check out Apotheke bar right next door, but these two might be a perfect date spot due to its clandestine nature and romantic lighting.
Having said that, I recommend La Esquina over Pulqueria. It is a similar type of underground, semi-hidden Mexican restaurant, but in a more vibrant neighborhood of SoHo.
Each year, over a million auto-enthusiasts descend on the Jacob Javits Center in New York City for the world-famous International Auto Show. Among the attendees this year were members of the Distrikt Hotel Team!
With over a thousand cars on display, and every major manufacturer eager to direct people to their latest offerings, the event is a petrol-head’s dream! While some cars were on display in closed-off areas, such as the Bugatti Veyron with its price tag at over a million dollars, other cars were available for a closer look and even to sit inside (check out Will below!). While the Veyron held a commanding audience of people posing for photographs, these cars had a constant line next to them with people eagerly waiting for their turn to sit behind the wheel of their dream sports cars. From Porsche 911’s to the latest Civic, there was something for every taste.
If sports cars failed to excite you, there was also a large selection of SUV’s. The impressive Jeep display outside offered ‘ride along experiences’ to anyone who wanted to brave the waiting time, with experienced drivers throwing the SUV’s into seemingly impossible inclines, and bringing the car to a stop on an almost decline before the end of the experience!
Distrikt Hotel is just about a 10-minute away from the Jacob Javits Center. While you’re in New York City, take advantage of our location and check out their schedule to see if any exhibition might interest you!
The 2012 Tony Awards nominations were annouced today. Though I’m a major theater buff, I have been slacking as of late and realized I’d only seen one on the list this year (WHAT! That NEVER happens!).
While ONCE, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET, and THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS, with 11, 10, 10 Nominations (respectively) are leading the way, I recently checked out LEAP OF FAITH, which got 1 Nom for Best Musical (Hey, that’s still a major accomplishment).
Now, I must preface this by saying I attended their very first “preview,” meaning the period during which producers test out the show and see what scene, which song, which character, etc. work and don’t work. Following these previews the show officially opens for performances. For my performance, the Playbill included a questionaire asking these questions so producers can gauge audience reaction. Often there are no major differences between previews and performances besides minor tweaks here and there. (Unless the show is Spiderman, which went through every change possible.)
Based on the 1992 Steve Martin film, Leap of Faith stars Raúl Esparza, a Broadway favorite and veteran. (Yes ladies, he is very attractive.) Esparza is Jonas Nightingale, a charismatic con-man “faith healer,” who travels across the country holding revivals and performing “miracles.” Before the curtain opens, some of the Kansas townspeople and the ministry members (or “Angels”), characters you’ll soon meet in the show, surround the audience, inviting very much a “revival” feel.
I had mixed feelings about this show. The book (storyline) is predictable, but so is almost any Broadway musical. The music was not memorable but very fun, though I am biased because composer Alan Menken has a special heart in my place (who DIDN’T grow up on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and every other Disney movie ever?).
To summarize, it is a VERY FUN, EXCITING show. If you’re looking for the quintessential, glitsy Broadway musical experience, this perfectly fits the bill! So do Mamma Mia! and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (though Priscilla maybe not if you feel uncomfortable with dozens of drag queens in sequins).
If you want something less exuberant and neon costumes, and more intimate or intense (a la Phantom of the Opera), this may not be for you.
Always ask the front desk for suggestions if you ever need help deciding! Stay tuned for more theater reviews.
Beautiful ceiling at the St. James Theatre.
The box seats are converted into an orchestra pit (which usually is right underneath the stage) and stairs for actors to easily travel from the second floor to the stage. Cool!
Characters from the show start talking to you while you wait for the curtain to open… (This guy’s funny)
In the last few years New York City has gone through a food truck craze. Each year a new batch of food trucks enter the City with a hopeful twinkle in their truck-eye.
Last week the Village Voice hosted their First Annual Choice Streets even featuring 20 popular food trucks. Our own Cara, Rachel, and Paola walked over to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, which is just a 10-minute walk away, to check out this fun event. It was very similar to their Annual Choice Eats event that we covered in March (http://www.nycstooptalk.com/?p=613) except this time with food trucks instead of local favorite restaurants.
The girls loved Waffles and Dinges, Phil’s Steaks, and Mexico Blvd, but if you spot any of the trucks below in the City while you’re visiting New York, make sure to grab a bite of the hottest phenomenon right now!
Ben Franklin once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Well, Mr. Franklin could not have been more right one Tuesday afternoon when we heard Beer Authority had finally opened right around the corner from us on 40th Street and 8th Avenue, after we eagerly awaited the news for months. The massive pub offers 58 beers on tap, about 100 bottled brands, boasts flat-screen TV’s for sports fans or a view of the New York Times building, whichever you prefer, and is soon to open their third floor outdoor area to the public, just in time for summer. If you’re a lover of beer make sure to pay a visit; they’re just a few stores down from Distrikt!
This Shepherd’s Pie has real lamb in it! Holy baaaah!
The place is so spankin’ new, you can still smell the varnish on these chairs.
Williamsburg is one of the most popular Brooklyn neighborhoods today. It is so popular that rents have skyrocketed (you can easily find apartments that are more expensive than some in Manhattan) and taking advantage of the fabulous view of Manhattan just across the skinny East River, condominiums have been built non-stop in the last few years. Still, Williamsburg maintains its quaint charm. Due to its convenient location (one subway stop from Manhattan) and space, artists began moving into the area in the 1970′s and continued to do so decade after decade. The neighborhood is filled with art, music, bars, restaurants, anything for the creative souls. Here are some photos from one afternoon spent in sunny Williamsburg.
Once you step foot into this seemingly quaint bakery…
…it’s Desert Island (though their signage bears no evidence of its name), the most colorful book store with an extensive collection of rare and unique comic books for both adults and kids. I found my favorite from my childhood, Tomi Ungerer’s The Three Robbers and Moomin.
We walk over right next door to my favorite deli in the whole city, Hana Food. They have THE BEST veggie and vegan sandwiches (with very fun names like “Dirty Feet,” “The Illegal,” Teddy Bear,” “Butter Face,” etc. You get it).
We came across some gentlemen from Sky High Murals finishing up a mural off a poster of an upcoming TV show. How do they do that!? Very impressive.
We ventured into Causey Gallery, a free art gallery.
But as soon as you step foot outside back onto the streets of Williamsburg, you find yourself surrounded by street art.
This was my favorite!
A few blocks away we saw Brooklyn Bowl. This venue, which is a massive, renovated iron foundry, is a 16-lane bowling alley, concert venue, a Blue Ribbon Brassarie restaurant, and a cocktail lounge all in one.
As the above sign suggests, right next door is the famous Brooklyn Brewery, which offers free tours.
Across from the Brooklyn Brewery is Beacon’s Closet, my favorite thrift store in the entire city. An absolute must for thrift shopping lovers!
Just to let those of you know who are interested, no one would look back twice if you dressed like this here in New York. Not kidding.
We spent an hour or two at Artists & Fleas, a weekly artist, designer, and vintage market open on Saturdays and Sundays. We got to chat with local artists and buy some handmade jewelry. This is a great place to support and meet local artists.
After a long day of walking around and feeling lathargic, I was craving coffee to continue my Williamsburg journey! First we stopped by at cafe, Bakeri. With an on-site bakery (hence “Bakeri”), they offer fresh good every morning and fantastic coffee drinks.
Then we walked over to an old favorite of mine, Urban Rustic Grocery & Cafe. Their motto of delivering locally, reliably, and ethnically sourced food translates to their homey, communal atmostphere as well.
And here’s the Manhattan skyline from the Williamsburg waterfront. Bye bye Williamsburg, see you again soon!
SCOPE is one of today’s leading art shows held annually in New York, Miami, and Switzerland. This year we checked out the 11th Annual SCOPE New York at the massive 30,000 square foot pavilion on the Upper West Side on 57th Street and 12th Avenue. The show featured over 50 galleries from around the globe, showcasing both established and emerging artists in the contemporary art field.
An art show in a massive tent or warehouse is always exhilirating for me. The show was especially vitalized by the breath of fresh air provided by the lesser commercial works, though it is admittingly difficult to turn your head away from the fun works of pop surrealism by Ron English (of whom I am definitely a fan) and Roy Lichtenstein-inspired artists. Video installations were prominent. Some memorable artists and groups included Jessica Lichtenstein, Artists Wanted, artist and Interfaith Minister Rev. Lainie Love Dalby’s TheDiamond Den and more.
Though this particular Art Show won’t return to New York until next year, I highly recommend the following shows and galleries (besides the obvious MoMA and Guggenheim) for those interested in contemporary art:
MoMA P.S.1 - P.S.1 is MoMA’s uber-contemporary little sibling and one of the oldest non-profit arts organizations. It is my favorite museum in all of New York City. From Midtown Manhattan it’s a quick 10-minute subway ride to Long Island City, Queens’ young neighborhood. As a former public school, you walk through classrooms donning large windows, hard wood floors, and other remnants of youthful school years. except every space is full of provocative contemporary art. In the coming summer months they host a weekly music and entertainment series in their massive courtyard. Directions and other information to MoMA P.S.1: http://momaps1.org/visit/
New Museum- This is another one of my favorites. Their last major exhibition, Carsten Höller, Experience, brought out everyone’s inner child with its playful theme of colorful circus fantasy. I ecstatically slid down a three-story high slide cutting through the museum floors and rode a gigantic, mirror-covered carousel, while others experienced an anti-gravitational ‘psycho’ tank and walked around with goggles that lend you an upside-down vision of the world. Their current exhibition, which is their triennial, The Ungovernables, brings together many new U.S. artists with visitors. http://newmuseum.org/
Brooklyn Museum – Their current Keith Haring exhibit (until July 8, 2012) is a must see for any pop art aficionados, and if you prefer, the museum offers a free walking tour of the exhibition every Thursday night. The massive 560,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts building is a pretty sight just from the outside, but once you step in you’ll be greeted by an impressive collection of contemporary art. Just 20-30 minutes away from Midtown Manhattan on the subway, the museum is located by other attractions such as Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/
On March 13th, New York City’s leading free weekly paper, Village Voice, hosted their 5th Annual Choice Eats. The massive event featured over 50 restaurants from all over the City representing a wide variety of cuisines chosen by the paper’s food critic, Robert Sietsma, and his columns. It was well worth the 45-minute wait in line, which went around the block! Here are some photos we managed to snap while juggling dumplings, hot dogs covered in mac and cheese, and beer samples (it was hard!).
Photographed by Cara
There was a Lady Gaga “impersonator” (who knows anymore) walking around.
Seeds of Peace is a non-profit organization with which we love working. They are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of young leaders from around the globe, namely the Middle East, South Asia, Cyprus, Balkans, and the United States, to develop relationships and understanding in a time of conflict. Seeds of Peace annually hosts Peace Market, a fantastic fundraising event for the organization. The event held on March 1st was amazing again this year, and here are some photos we’d like to share.
There were perfectly adorned tables (with chocolates!) throughout the venue.
There was a “Hummus Taste-Off” provided by four restaurants. Each had a lovely tent like this one!
Pretty and comfy seating area.
One of the evening’s performers was the fabulous Sarina Suno, the “Violin Diva,” electronic violinist extraordinaire.
Many local restaurants and cafes provided the evening’s delicacies. “Puddin’ by Clio” was amazing!
Seeds of Peace utilized the large space and uniquely projected images throughout the night!
Oh, that’s us!
There was a photo booth set up for guests’ enjoyment!
Towards the entrance there were two large boards set up called “Messages of Hope,” where guests could write to young leaders involved with the organization.
There was a henna station where you could get a henna (temporary Indian tattoo)!
They looked lovely.
Dylan’s Candy Bar’s staff were so friendly!
“Baked By Melissa” cupcakes adorened the tables. Yum!
Another entertainment of the night was the band, Bad Rabbits.
