Broadway is Back - Including Raul !!

Friday morning I woke up and didn't feel that great... really... I mean it... I really didn't... I swear *cough... cough* - So I decided to call in sick to work and then attend the Broadway is Back "show" at the Marquis. The large and prodigious rumor mill asserted that each performer(s) there would sing a song from their show. This would make the whole affair run probably about an hour and a half. Not so..... I feel bad for the people who waited for hours. The show was only a half an hour at best.

Following is a link to the article describing the event. I'm too lazy to properly recount the festivities. PLAYBILL ARTICLE

and here is a pic I took at the end: Yes, that is "Elphaba" next to Ms. Lansbury......


Since I had a plethora of time left in the day - I decided to play tourist in my hometown and take some pics. The obligatory stops at "The Tree", Rock Center stores, and Radio City.



On the side of Radio City:


As if I didn't drink enough coffee so far, I made my regular pilgrimage to my java addicted soul's mecca - Porto Rico Coffee on Bleeker and then to Enfleurage where they have the most delicious selection of candles and soaps. (The subway was particularly fragrant by the way...)

Dear God I was hungry! Good thing, because I was meeting some friends for Mexican at my favorite place that also haaaaaapens to have my favorite waiter. First a stop at Posh for drinks (I was invited for the Secret Gay Conspiracy meeting) where I was introduced to a friend's friend with whom I had a spirited conversation about.... Raul. Let's just say we agree to disagree :-) However, he said I was pretty so he automatically becomes a new BFF and gets a blog mention :-) His blog: cowsinthebarn

Capping the evening off was some Coldstone which is conveniently down the block from the restaurant. The last time I had it, it was bland and tasteless. This time, I picked well... dark chocolate mint ice-cream with brownies.

After the sheer amount of food I consumed in such a short period of time, it was quite a surprise that I didn't throw up on the train back to my car. Although I did feel like it.

Definitely not a Weight Watchers kinda day.

Nothing Going On But The RENT

My inner fangurl is making a special appearance for the next six weeks. They are back..... and so are "the pants".



Last Tuesday, I made the first of a few pilgrimages to the Nederlander to see the boys. Adam and Anthony.... what can I say. The chemistry these guys have together is undeniable and palpable. It was so special to see them reprise their roles. They didn't skip a beat. It was perfect and seemed like time stood still. I felt like it was 1996 again when I first sat in my seat at the theatre and watched this incredible piece of work with sheer amazement and joy. If you were there during that time, you felt the impact of Jonathan Larson's clear vision on what was happening in NYC at the time.... he was so on target emotionally that it is not surprising the piece is now a benchmark in the transformation of what is presented Broadway.

It is no secret to those who know me that I have a "special" place in my soul for Adam Pascal.

Deconstructing Seth Rudetsky

First and foremost... I love this man. His undeniable passion for, knowledge of, commitment to, and yes... occasional indignation (read: bitchiness) about all things Broadway is on a level that defies gravity (pun intended). His dedication to BCEFA and the Actors' Fund is unparalleled.

This past Monday, Seth's show Broadway 101 was constructed as a "lesson". I wish all school work was as insightful, entertaining and as passionately taught.

Many areas of the behind the scenes aspects of a Broadway show were addressed. Seth's brilliant insight and creativity gave us such demonstrations as: Andrea McArdle and Laura Benanti not so subtlely demonstrating the difference between head voice and chest voice; Mano Felciano finding his "moment" in timing with the conductor; and Seth's magnificent turn as a swing showing the sheer terror of going on for the first time; and my personal "made me weak in the knees" moment... Raul Esparza backed up by 8 beautiful voices (to demonstrate harmony).... singing "Morning Glow" from Pippin. If one's knees could buckle while sitting down... that was the reaction I had. But then again, he could have sang Jingle Bells for all I cared and I would have had the same reaction.

Seth also let us have a sometimes emotional peek into a few of his experiences as a child that lead him to where he is today. They were very personal moments presented with his usual style and flair. After all who gets to have Jen Cody portray themselves as a 8 year old boy... wearing yarlmulke?

Seth - It would be a priviledge to study with you for an advanced degree.

High Tide

The rain Sunday into Monday was of biblical proportions.

I went to work on Sunday for a few hours since there was a major event there that I had to finish coordinating. The weather was not so awful at that point, BUT the fact that I had to go to my office.... not that fun. By the time I got home - it was starting to get rough. Since I was not about to go out again without an ark, I was consumed for the rest of the day with my SIMS and their lives :-)

So yesterday, Monday morning, I got up as usual to start my day but discovered there was no hot water. *sigh*... you deal with it. As I leave the house, the rain was not as bad as it was Sunday night - but it was still a bit ugly. The traffic was very light... that should have been my first clue. I pass 3 schools on my way to work and usually there are buses and backups at the lights - there were none. I make the turn into my parking lot and...... it was empty. At that moment, my phone vibrates telling me I had a new voicemail message. I knew what it was going to say. ... but I listened anyway. The school was closed because of flooding (the call was made at 6:45 but didn't come through until 8:10).

I turn around - go home - made coffee and once again entered the lives of my SIMS - then I saw the horrific news of the massacre at Virgina Tech. I stared at the TV with utter disbelief and a broken heart for the students, their families and the community - and realized that my minor inconveniences over the past two days were positively insignificant in comparison. Most things are. This act was incomprehensible.

Last evening made up for the dreary past two days. I attended Seth Rudetsky's Broadway 101. What a wonderful evening of song, dance and Seth's hilarious deconstructing of Broadway shows. My next entry will be about it. It deserves its own highlight.

Right now, I am home.... sick and it looks like a nap is in the very near future.

Saturday Spotlight

Tom Everett Scott

Movies, TV and Broadway - he does it all

I, like a lot of people took notice of him after seeing him in "That Thing You Do". However, his stint on ER really showed the depth he is capable of. I was elated when he came to Broadway earler this year in "The Little Dog Laughed". He was truly outstanding as a famous closeted movie actor who develops an unexpected relationship with a rent boy and the effect it has on his life and career.

I definitely look forward to seeing more of this talented man.