Category Archives: NYC Moments

Loyalties

Mabel: I hate half-hearted friends. Loyalty comes before everything.
Margaret:Ye-es; but loyalties cut up against each other sometimes, you know.

That’s the essence of Loyalties, a play currently running in an unlikely venue – the back room of a restaurant in Hunter’s Point, Long Island City. Think Andy Rooney and Judy Garland saying “Let’s put on a show!” – then give them an incredible script, a talented director and a wonderful group of seasoned equity and young non-equity actors and you’ve got a hidden gem of a production just two subway stops off Broadway.

The play itself is a British drawing room drama by John Galsworthy, the author of the Fosythe Saga. Think Noel Coward, but from the inside. At the play’s outset, money is discovered stolen from a room at a country manor during a weekend when the house is filled with guests. The crime’s victim happens to be the only Jew in the group and not entirely a likable character, and the accused a war hero, boyhood chum and all around good ‘old boy. Loyalties harden, soften and shift as evidence begins to mount against the accused and his friends and young wife are forced to decide where they stand.

Loyalties is presented by the Unity Stage Company and directed by Sofia Landon Geier, who has created a very sophisticated production on a shoestring. This is theater at it’s best – top-notch actors performing real drama without expensive sets, corporate backers or rehashed movie scripts. Congrats to Sofia for unearthing this little known gem of a play, which apparently played to smash reviews when it opened in 1922. It’s themes of racism, classism and group loyalties are, sadly, ever-relevant and particularly timely.
If you’ve never been to Hunter’s Point, seeing Loyalties is a chance to visit this hip gentrified Queens neighborhood. The 7 Train drops you just three blocks from the theater, and Vernon Boulevard is home to an increasing number of wonderful restaurants, including Blend, a Latin Fusion restaurant, Bella Via, a wonderful Italian place that I hear has fabulous brick oven pizza, and El Ay Si, which serves global “comfort food”. Every one of these restaurants was packed the night we went to see Loyalties, and my only regret of the night was that we had already eaten dinner at home.
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Loyalties is running till Jan 30 at the Parlor at Cassino Restaurant, 47-18 Vernon Blvd in Long Island City. For reservations, call 718-361-5858 or go online at Unity Stage.org.
Read more about the play and the cast in the Woodside Herald.
Last updated 03/6/10

Thank You, Mr Violinist, Whoever you are…

Mr New York Philharmonic Violinist in the third row stage left, whoever you are, thank you for making last night’s concert a truly joyous experience.

I mean, first there was the Egmont Overture (nice), then Emanual Axe playing Beethoven’s 3rd (such emotion), then the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (I cried at the third movement), and I thought – why don’t they just stop the program there? What is this Three Cornered Hat business anyway? I was only here because it was Mr TBTAM’s birthday present, and while I like classical music and all, heading to the orchestra is generally not at the top of my Saturday night to-do list, forget it also being Halloween and the third night of the Yanks vs the Phils. Enough is enough.

Then I caught sight of you, barely able to contain yourself in your seat as you played the third part of the Three Cornered Hat, making music not just with your bow, but with your entire body. How much fun was it watching you? You played with pure, unadulterated joy, unembarrassed by the fact that you were the only member of your section moving anything other than the bow. You did not distract from the music, you channeled it, enhanced it. And I will never be able to listen to that piece again without thinking of you.
And smiling.
(Oh, and thanks to the rain delay, we got home by the bottom of the fourth inning, even though we had walked home instead of taking the bus.)
Last updated 03/6/10

City Bird

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The kids were out, Mr TBTAM was downstairs grading final exams, and I figured I was going to be spending a rainy Friday evening alone in my room. Turns out I had wonderful company till sunset.

Any bird lovers out there who can tell me what kind of bird my garden guest was? (You can’t see the bird in this video – but I was hoping someone knew bird calls and could figure it out that way…)

Last updated 07/30/10

Proud Parent Moment, New York Style

Well. That was fun.

Eldest daughter won her high school’s drama award, which in this town means you get to go to the Drama Desk Awards ceremony with your parents and get your scholarship presented to you by Brian D’Arcy James, the star of the Broadway production of Shrek. Not to mention share your school auditorium stage with the likes of Harvey Fierstein, Liza Minelli, Stockard Channing, John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, Victor Gerber, Jane Fonda, Audra McDonald and Angela Landsbury (just to name a few).

Congratulations, honey – We are so proud!

The other moving moment tonight was seeing Laguardia alumnus and Pulizer prize winner Lynn Nottage return to her alma mater to receive the drama desk award for her play Ruined.

The most inspirational moment was when Angela Lansbury, age 83, danced across the stage to accept her award for best feature actress in a musical (Madame Arcady in Blythe Spirit), reminding us that age is just a number.

The gayest moment was a toss up between Carson Kressley’s monologue and when Cheyenne Jackson kissed James Donegan, the actor who spoofed him in Forbidden Broadway, full on the lips, saying “I always wondered what it would be like to kiss myself”.

The funniest moment was when Alison Janney, who won the award for best actress in a musical, slapped herself across the cheek to remind herself that she was in a musical, not a play.

The only disappointing moment was when I realized that Audra McDonald, who presented several awards, was not going to sing. Actually, there would be no production numbers or entertainment other than the awards themselves. It was a very low key and low budget ceremony that felt, well, just about right for theater in a recession. As a result of this, and the fact that a fair number of award recipients (such as Elton John) were not present to make acceptance speeches, host Harvey Fierstein was able to congratulate us on the historic completion of an awards ceremony in under two hours.

Afterwards, in a real New York moment, we rode the crosstown bus where we had a nice chat with the President of the Drama Desk and the producers of Hair (who also won tonight – congrats ladies!).

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of this year’s Drama Desk Awards, the prize that doesn’t care if your play is Broadway, off-Broadway or off-off Broadway, how big your audience is or how much money you bring in – if it’s great theater, it’s great theater.

And as for the rest of you – Get out there and see some theater! There are some amazing productions up this year.

Last updated 08/4/10

Subway Moment


IRT #6, 68th St/Hunter College
Dec 18, 2009 3:59 pm

Last updated 04/22/11

Sunny with a Chance of Meatballs

So there I was, minding my own business, sitting in my car in front of a high rise apartment building across from Asphalt Green, waiting to pick up my daughter and her friend from softball practice.

It was a warm, beautiful summer afternoon with an amazingly blue, cloudless sky and a strong but warm breeze blowing in from the East River. Jonathan Schwartz was playing something by Nancy Lamott on WHYY, and I was trying to think of a 9 letter word meaning “commonplace”.

I don’t know what made me look up from my Sunday Times crossword. Maybe I was hungry.

All I know is that, at that moment, a large uncooked hamburger patty fell from the sky and splattered onto my windshield. Come to think of it, it didn’t really splatter much. It just sort of spread itself out there on the wipers in front of me.

No cheese. No bun. No fries. Just fresh, raw ground beef.

Now that’s what I call a heavenly burger.
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Apologies to Judy and Ron Barrett for mutilating the cover of their wonderful children’s book.

Last updated 08/24/10

Cookies for an Afternoon Concert

Every year, my friend and pianist/artist Ellen Farren gives a recital at her apartment, a preparatory rehearsal for an annual performance she gives with New York Philharmonic violinist Fiona Simon.

It feels so special to be allowed into the private world of musicians, and to enjoy such amazing music in the comfort of a friend’s home. Fiona and Ellen played with untiring energy, tackling two lesser known pieces by Benjamin Britten and Dvorak, as well as a more familiar Schubert. When Fiona played a Bach violin solo, I felt transported back to the salons of Europe. The concert ended with an encore of Spanish music.

I wanted to do something to thank Ellen for the privilege of attending yesterday’s concert, so I brought some cookies. This is a variation on a raspberry cookie recipe from Irene, born out of necessity when I discovered at the last minute that I had no raspberry preserves but lucked upon a jar of fig jam in the fridge.

The combo of figs and chocolate was rich but not too sweet, and went well with the delicious array of cheeses, spreads and pates that Ellen served after the concert. I only wish I could have stayed a little longer to talk a bit more with everyone. And watch the Yankees -Red Sox Game, which Ellen made certain her husband turned back on as soon as the concert was over.

Wonderful music, good food, great wine, good conversation and the Yankees – Yep, I’d say that’s a really special New York afternoon.

Chocolate Fig Bars

¾ cup light brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter in 8 pieces
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
¼ cup Fig jam
2 oz. Bittersweet chocolate in pieces
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
½ cup blanched whole almonds
Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Process the lemon zest with ¼ cup brown sugar with the metal blade of a food processor until the zest I as fine as the sugar, about 1 minute. Add the flour, butter, and vanilla and process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 seconds.

Press into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan and bake in the preheated oven until it begins to color, about 15 minutes.

Remove the crust from the oven and lower the temperature to 325 degrees.Let crust cool a few minutes to harden up a bit.

If the fig jam has large lumps of fig, pulse it a few times on the food processor. Then spread the jam on the cookie crust, leaving a ½ inch border on all sides.

Pulse the chocolate 4 times, then process until chopped finely, about 1 minute. Sprinkle over the jam.

Beat the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Reserve.

Chop the almonds finely with the remaining ½ cup brown sugar with the metal blade, about 15 seconds. Add the egg whites and pulse until just combined, about 3 times.

Spread on top of the chocolate layer and bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle with the confectioners’ sugar, cut into squares and serve.

Note – For a thinner cookie, use a 9×12 inch glass pan.

Last updated 08/4/10

TBTAM Visits the Colbert Report

It’s a surprisingly small studio (think off-off broadway theater) and a surprisingly small, very nice staff.

If you’ve ever been to a TV show taping, you know the routine – line up, take you seat, listen to the warm up comedian (Pete Dominick, very funny guy), practice your whoops and cheers for the stage manager, and then the star comes in and takes questions.

That’s where Colbert showed his real persona – the one he showed in his interview on Larry King the other night. Nice guy. He signed a copy of his book for a woman to send to her husband inIraq, then shot her one of his wrist strong bracelets. Like I said, nice guy.

Then the show starts, and he’s brilliant of course. First he ragged on Hillary, then announced his candidacy for president. (He’s really doing it, though only in South Carolina, and registering as both a Republican and a Democrat.) Balloons fall on the stage to the strains of “Hail to the Chief”. Jeff Greenfield pops in to give some political advice. Then a brief interview with the author of “Curveball”.

Then, before you know it, it’s over.

And you think “That’s it?”

Maybe it was 16 minutes of material, including the commentary from the guests. Pretty much all of Colbert’s material delivered straight to the camera, with us, the audience, serving as the soundtrack. He acknowledged us enought to let us know that he knew we were there and appreciated us. And we felt appreciated.

But in the end, it wasn’t really a show for us. It was for you, and the over one million others who watch this show.

This little show produced by this little group of people in this little studio. Seen by over a million people every night.

Television.

It’s bizarre.

And brilliant.

Last updated 08/3/10

I am not a Paparazzi

Dear Paul Newman:

When you looked up as you were getting into your car outside of the NDI performance on Monday night, I’m fairly certain that you saw me. And I think you noticed that I was holding my cell phone up in front of me. So I’m pretty sure that you think that I took your picture.

Which means you now think I’m the kind of person who takes pictures of celebrities with their cell phone.

But really, Mr Newman – Do you mind if I call you Paul? – Really, Paul, what I need you to know is that I did NOT take your picture. I swear, I didn’t.

I know you don’t read my blog, but if you did, you would know that if I had taken your picture it would be up there. But it’s not. See?

I am, after all, a New Yorker. And we New Yorkers pride ourselves on the fact that the great ones can walk amongst us unrecognized. They are, after all, no better than we are…That didn’t come out right, did it? What I meant to say was that we just want you to feel comfortable…

So, do you believe me?

I really hope you do. Because if we ever run into each other again, I would hate for you to hate me because you think I’m one of those people who take pictures of you with their cell phones.

Because I didn’t. Really.

Sincerely Yours,

TBTAM

Last updated 09/2/10

Life Imitates Art

Pont Neuf, Wrapped.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude, 1985

Queensboro Bridge, Wrapped
NYC Department of Transportation, 2007

Last updated 08/3/10

Heaven

Central Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon in early spring, watching your kid play softball. It doesn’t get any better than this….

Last updated 08/3/10

If There’s a Heaven…

Then this is it (at least for me).

It’s 10:30 am on a weekday, and I’m in my kitchen cooking. The rain has cleared, the sun is streaming in my kitchen window, the ceiling fans are on and blowing warm spring air, I’m listening to Brian Lehrer on WNYC, the kids are downstairs in the courtyard playing, and my babysitter is here.

I’ll blog tomorow about exactly what I’m making. Just wanted to share my joy.

Category: Food

Last updated 09/9/10

City Garden Update

My anonymous commenter was right. Those bulbs forcing themselves in mid Februry were hyacinths. Our building management has also pulled up the horific winter cabbages (which should be banned as a horticultural abomination) and put in pansies.

Meanwhile, up on my rooftop, the lilac has begun to bloom, and soon will fill my bedroom with its aroma, lulling me to sleep at night, and wakening me in the morning. (Well, maybe. If the wind is just right…)

The day lilies are early this year,
and the flowering plum fulfills the promise its name makes.

On the terrace herb garden, things are also coming alive. The tarragon is vigorous, the thyme, rosemary, basil and sage survived, and the lemon balm has returned. Come the first of May, to the Union Square Green Market I’ll go, to get new basil and tomato plants. This year I’m gonna’ increase my basil crop size to four plants, two were not enough last year.

Time to get in and pull out all the dead twigs and leaves to give room for the new growth, and start feeding, mulching and spraying. There’s much to do, and I can’t wait to get started…

Category: Gardening

Last updated 08/3/10

Capturing Manhattan

I’m been driving my family crazy for the past month or so, as I try to get a great night shot of the Manhattan skyline for my blog banner. Of all the possible views of my fair city, I’ve decided to go for the view from Queens, because it’s the one that stirs my heart the most. You know the view if you’ve ever driven into Manhattan at night on the Long Island Expresswway. It hits you straight on, smack in the face, as you head over the last hill toward the Midtown Tunnel. Awesome.

Of course, I can’t set up a tripod on the LIE. So, I’ve been making my husband stop the car on the 21 Street on-ramp of the upper level of the Queensboro Bridge as we are schlepping the kids in from theater classes on Roosevelt Island. He pulls over and puts the flashers on, and I lean out the window and do my thing. We’ve done this about 4 times now, and this is the best shot I’ve gotten so far using this approach. Still not good enough for the banner, but with some cropping and zooming, it’s getting close. See?

So far no one has hit us, and no cop has stopped us, but I get the feeling my days are numbered if I keep trying this approach. Plus, I can’t get the photo sharp enough because of the constant vibrations of the on ramp and the car. I’m afraid to get out and set up a tripod for fear someone will “clip me”. (That’s my Grandmother’s term for getting hit by a car).

What I really need is a rooftop in Long Island City. Or maybe I’ll head down to the water in LIC and see what view I get there. If anyone has any suggestions as to where I can go to set up a tripod, let me know. Of course, at that point, finding the time to do it will become my biggest problem.

Until then, If you see me parked on the Queensboro on-ramp, try not to clip me.

Category: Considerations

Last updated 09/9/10