Scrappy Gen and Ben's Deli

My good friend Jennifer prepared this fabulous post for your reading pleasure - Enjoy!

Two visits two New York City in less than two months is a record for me. We had lunch with Suzee on October 23 and last Saturday I was back again, but I didn’t have time to see my old (as in long time, not age) friend.

Promises, Promises, playing at the Broadway Theatre, was the destination for my parents, my aunt, my sister and me. My Aunt is a big fan of Burt Bacharach, the music composer, and this was her last chance to see the musical, which closes on January 2. Sean Hayes was hysterical in the leading role and Kristin Chenoweth has a beautiful voice. The original movie, The Apartment, was a fairly serious one, but this show is fun and highly enjoyable.



We took the train to Grand Central Station from New Haven and arrived with a couple of hours during which to eat lunch. My Aunt’s friend had recommended that we try Ben’s Kosher Deli on 38th Street, a short ten or fifteen minute walk from the train station.

We were there early for lunch at 11:45 and quickly got a table. Before we had our coats off, we had been served big bowls of coleslaw and pickles, both dill and half sour. All three were crunchy and delicious.

The menu has a very large selection, but a couple of items appealed to our whole group; the famous Ben’s stuffed cabbage, the matzah ball soup, the hot pastrami on rye and the potato pancakes.

We all declared the stuffed cabbage a winner. The sauce tasted slightly sweet. The appetizer serving of one cabbage is enough for a lunch meal. Of course, we didn’t stop there and also had a half a pastrami on rye. The pastrami was tasty, but could have been better with a little less fat. My Dad had the matzah ball soup. I tasted the matzah ball and it was light and well peppered. The only item none of us loved was the potato pancake. Maybe it was New York style. We were hoping for a lighter, crisper pancake.

The service was good and quick, particularly considering it was the height of the shopping season. Would we make a return trip to Ben’s? Yes. In fact, I don’t have a choice as my husband, MJ, is not very happy that he missed out on the meal and has vowed that we will return. Perhaps to attend Boychick’s Bar Mitzvah.

Before we left New York to return to New Haven, my Mom and Aunt wanted to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. Doing this on a Saturday evening in late December is not something that I recommend, unless you are really good with crowds. It was absolutely crazy, but we did glimpse the tree.

My favorite part of our trip though was seeing these talented fellows:

The Salvation Army employees were singing and dancing their hearts out with microphones and karaoke. They gathered big crowds as they worked their magic and people dusted off their hearts and dug deep into their pockets to show their appreciation. It was a neat thing to see.

All in all, we had a great trip to New York and loved Ben’s Kosher Deli. The only thing missing from the trip was seeing Suzee.

Suzee,

How about Ben’s and shopping in January?

Love,

Scrappy Gen

Cirque Du Soliel - Wintuk

Last night went to see Wintuk - I got a comp ticket, and this was the last year they were going to offer it in NYC. I walked over to Madison Square Garden, and after getting lost in the Andrea Boccelli line, I now realize that MSG has 2 venues - the arena (where I saw Lady Gaga earlier this year) and the WaMu Theater (where Wintuk was held). The arena has great seats all around. The WaMu Theater was so poorly designed, I'll bet 50% of the seats had an obstructed view (the head in front of them). And the seats are very uncomfortable.

The show started on time, but surprisingly, people kept arriving and were seated during the show. It was very distracting. I'm not sure if it's true of all Cirq shows (though it was for Banana Schpeel) that there is really no story. And this show had even less dialog. In the first 45 minutes, there might have been 20 spoken words.

The show was filled with physical comedy, and I'll bet that children would really enjoy it. Unfortunately, I didn't.

It seemed unprofessional. Given that some paid more that $200 per ticket, that was surprising. In addition to seating people while the show was in progress, Cirq was not even able to maintain a playbill for this show to let you know who the performers were.

So, if you are in the mood for a child like show sans the adult jokes, or perhaps you want to expose your children to theater as a way to ease them into something where appropriate behavior is required, perhaps this is for you.

For me, I'm not sure I'd actually pay for a Cirq show given my experiences so far.

Rain on Broadway

Last night I had the opportunity to see Rain on Broadway, a tribute to the Beatles. I let my friends know I was going, and I was surprised to hear the multiple view point comments. It seems there is a love/hate relationship with the public, which I would not have guessed. This show is all about the music, and I have to say I'm not a huge Beatle fan - I don't own any of their recordings, but I don't turn off the radio if one of their songs comes on. Honestly, I wanted to learn more about the history of the Beatles and consider how they influenced music of their time and mine. The bonus was it was a very entertaining history lesson!

With the multimedia insertion to the show, I was very impressed with how the show reminded you really how different life was in the these decades, especially when the Beatles first burst on the scene. Hindsight is 20/20, and it looked to me that the Beatles were just as influenced by America, as America was influenced by the Beatles. I prefer the pop-like music from the early Beatle sounds. The sound and video were very cool - and it felt authentic. The songs were raw without any electronic smoothing, and I loved how each vocalist was really such a fabulous musician!

The actor playing the Paul McCartney character was simply amazing. He didn't look like Paul per se, but his gestures, dancing, awesome hair and interacting with the band - after a few minutes, you knew exactly who he is portraying. It seems he was also in Beatlemania (the previous Beatles Tribute, which I did not see), so I can only imagine how much time he spent capturing these physical nuances.

Rain is only on Broadway until January 9th - it is a great show for young and old alike - it is fun and you can't help but smile.

Everyday Rapture on Broadway

I got some last minute tickets from Theater Extras to see this new musical comedy. This show was cool logistically because even on a Friday night, it started at 7:00 pm. It ran an hour and a half, so they skipped the intermission (which was a little stressful - people actually got up toward the end to go to the bathroom).

I'm not surprised though - they had special cocktails for people before the show. Yes, I tried the Everyday Rapture, and yes, it was amazing!

The show is about a menonite woman's remeniscence of her childhood - a kind of 50's coming of age story. The music and talent were really good, and it was an enjoyable show. I laughed out loud a LOT!

In The Heights - Not Your Mom's Musical

WOW! I just walked home from the Richard Rogers Theater, and I can't stop thinking about the most fabulous show I just saw!! In The Heights is an original broadway show that won the 2008 Tony for Best Musical. AND YOU MUST SEE IT!

Seriously - an up-to-date score, incredibly talented ensemble cast, gorgeous sets .... even the lighting engineer gets kudos from me, and I don't even know what they heck they really do.


The story is heartwarming - you will laugh, you will cry, you will suck in your breath in surprise.

If I get the chance to go again, I will go in a heartbeat.

I think I might even have to down load the recording to my iPod.

Banana Shpeel

Went out to see Banana Shpeel today - got my tix from my favorite dealer on Friday, and my seat was center orchestra! I'd never been to a Cirque Du Soliel show, so I figured what a great opportunity. There were ALOT of kids at this matinee, and they were vocal. But the show lent itself to that - a mix of an indoor circus, cabaret and human muppet characters.

The show was at the newly refurbished Beacon Theater in the Upper West side, and the seats were very tiny. Nicely recovered, but very small. Theater itself was almost museum-like in the architectural detail - absolutely beautiful. And I thought it was funny that you can buy Frozen Strawberry Daquiris and Margaritas at the theater bars in a souvenir cup.

After a very long cab ride to get to the Theater, I spotted the subway station and figured I'd just take that back. I wasn't sure where it was all oriented as I haven't spent much time in that neighborhood, but now that I know the 3 train is one stop from Times Sq to 72nd street, I can see going back for more exploration. The buildings are absolutely breathtaking.

La Cage Aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer

On Thursday night I had a ticket to see La Cage Aux Folles, looking forward to a comedy with Kelsey Grammer (aka Frasier) playing Georges. Kelsey did a fine job, but his co-star, Douglas Hodge stole the show as Albin. Robin de Jesus as Jacob (Albin's Housekeeper) was pretty freaking hillarious too!

La Cage is the same story as the movie Birdcage released in 1996 with Robin Williams as Georges and Nathan Lane as Albin.

The stage production is interestingly produced, well contrived sets and super dance numbers. But the truth is, I continually thought of the movie. I guess I am too old to watch a show like this ;) Either that or Robin Williams has big shoes to fill :)

Promises, Promises - Theater fun!

Last night I was treated to a wonderful experience at the Broadway Theater on 53rd and Broadway. Promises, Promises was a comedic delight! Sean Hayes was so hilarious from a physical perspective, and from an acting perspective - he was a delight even without the gorgeous voice and acting of Kristin Chenoweth. I was thoroughly entertained - such a great show!

I had no idea until I went to the web site that there is a student discount - Students can get $30.00 tickets with a valid student I.D. Tickets are available for the day of the performance only at the Broadway Theatre box office. Two tickets per valid student ID. Subject to availability.

I loved this show, and I think you will too - very fun, a little Mad Men like, and great performers!

Sardi's and 39 Steps

Last night I was able to snag a ticket for Alfred Hitchcock's 39 Steps on Broadway. I left early so I could pick up my ticket before the show, and I got to the Helen Hayes Theater at about 7, and the show started at 8. I decided to stop next door at Sardi's. How could I skip NYC's iconic theater location? As I entered, I saw a sign that there was a cocktail lounge upstairs. Bonus! I'm there! I ordered a Cosmo - not too sweet, and the attentive bartender brought it over. The bar had large bowls of pretzles, peanuts, and crocks of cheese with crackers. I met a few interesting folks - a couple in town for a company Christmas party, a woman who just bought a new apartment and is renovating her kitchen...it was a nice break.

I went next door to enter the theater and find my seat. Bonus! I was in the 4th row orchestra seats! The Helen Hayes Theater is older and smaller, and there was no coat check. I stuffed my coat and my butt in the tiny seat and started looking at the Playbill. The show was initially set in London in the '30's. A few scenes had the actors smoking, and there was a lot of smoke used through out the first act. Being so close to the stage, it was really bothering me, so I left. It was too bad because the actors were very good. I think it is very hard to do physical comedy, and these people were *really* good :) 39 Steps is closing January 10th, so be sure to get tickets (for the back of the theater).

Danielle Is Tired

Danielle said last night that she would like to go to the Today Show and maybe get on TV. We went to bed around 10:30, and I gave her a shake around 6:15. She was a girl barely awake, but still dragged herself out of bed. She wanted to check this out. Unfortunately it was a busy news day, and only one segment showed the crowd. We missed out on our 15 minutes of fame :(

After we watched Mamma Mia on DVD, we went to lunch. Danielle was pretty tired, but pulled it together for the camera. Next we went to Nail City for a mani/pedi. Danielle was excited to get her toes and fingers painted - she picked navy blue for her toes, and a bright pink for her fingers. I had the bright pink for both.

After we relaxed a bit, we got ready for the show and dinner. We went to Ciro's Trattoria for dinner and met Rick there. I think it was Danielle's favorite so far - she had chicken parmesean and pasta, and a shirley temple :)

And after dinner we saw Shrek at the Broadway Theater. We had great seats - mid orchestra - very close to the stage :) There were a TON of kids at the show, but they were pretty well behaved. The Fiona character and the Donkey character were played by the understudies, but were still pretty good. The Shrek character and the Lord Farquar character were played by the casted actors, and they were really wonderful. It wasn't until the end that you could see that the actor playing Lord Farquar was actually taller than the actor who played Shrek :) It was a very well written show, and the sets were fantastic. I enjoyed it and I think Rick and Danielle did too!

9 - 5 The Musical

I walked to Times Square yesterday afternoon, and I didn't realize that the New Years Eve ball is actually there all year long :) Cool!





I went to the Mariott Marquis (home of the Marquis Theater where 9 - 5 is playing on broadway) and I was early, so I thought I'd go up to the only revolving restaurant in Manhattan (The View in the Marquis). A wonderful French Martini was served to me, and I enjoyed it prior to the show.




After my cocktail, I walked down to the theater, and made my way to my seat. I was sitting near a group of girls celebrating a friend's birthday - it made me think, hey, maybe I am in a show that will be like Mamma Mia....

After the ushers made them remove the balloons and happy birthday tiarras, the show started. Initially I got a little itchy with the dancing in business attire. And, for women, '70's business attire is very similar to '00 business attire :) Those wrap dresses are the best! But the music - it was awesome. Dolly just hit it out of the park. I'm going to have to go out and buy that soundtrack. I loved hearing a hint of a country twang on Broadway!!!!!!!

The show is very similar to the movie - no surprises there. But Allison Janey in the lead role does an amazing job of the Lily Tomlin role....not at all a singer, but really - I've never heard spontaneous applause in a musical for actual acting. And in that role it was perfect. The Doralee role, originally played by Dolly, was played by Meghan Hilty - my favorite of the show. I love Dolly and she must have listed to Dolly for hours and hours to make the role so much like Dolly. She made it so much more fun!

Both Doralee and Judy (the other character completing the trio) were vocal geniuses. They both came from the show Wicked, as well as the director. It was a first class show.

Congratulations Dolly!!!

Patti LuPone in Gypsy

This afternoon I took the 5 to 59th street and switched to the R to get to Times Square. I'm on my way to see a matinee of Gypsy on Broadway!





It was snowing when I left and I thought, hmmmm, seems like when I go to Times Square it's always snowing. At least it was last time :)







The St James Theater is just up Broadway and a left on 44th Street. There are a lot of theaters on this street, and it is exciting to walk with all the other broadway lovers to the show.










It is a very old theater and it reminded me of the Music Hall in Portsmouth prior to it's renovation. I sat it the second to last row of the Theater and if I looked across I was at the same level as the chandeliers :)






This show was absolutely everything you would ever want in a Broadway musical and MORE. Patti LuPone was AMAZING. It's kind of sad that after all the Tony awards it has won it is scheduled to close, but I guess it gives Patti a chance for a break and the opportunity to do the next amazing thing.

I may have to go back to see her again. It was really that good.




The story was a sweet one - if you aren't familiar with Gypsy, essentially LuPone's role is one of a stage mother of 2 daughters and all the things that happen as they grow up. She loves showbusiness.

If you get a chance to get to NYC before March, this is the show to see. It will close after that, but I'll still have my memories :)