As one of the few people who has not yet seen the 1954 movie, I was able to go into the Broadway musical with a completely open mind.
Irving Berlin's White Christmas, which opened last night at The Marquis Theatre, comes to Broadway this year for a limited engagement of 65 performances. Running through January 4, 2009, this show is bound to bring out many families during the season that are hoping to see an uplifting holiday show.
Unfortunately, "White Christmas" lacks heart and has a weak book that seems to be forced to weave together the Irving Berlin songbook. Irving Berlin fans will love the music as it features many of his classics such as "Happy Holiday," "Count Your Blessings," and the title song "White Christmas," which is bound to be stuck in your head on the way home.
The one number in the show that truly stands out and blows the crowd away is the fantastic "I Love a Piano." Tony nominee Randy Skinner, who choreographed the show, could not have done this number any better. It was big time and had a great build up and the best tap dancing I've ever seen on stage. The choregraphy was the strong point of the show.
While the four lead actors (Stephen Bogardus, Jeffry Denman, Kerry O'Malley, and Meredith Patterson) couldn't really do much with the bland characters they were handed, there just seemed to be a real chemistry missing that needed to be there. There was never any reason to feel anything for any of the characters, and that hurts the show a lot in the end.
Kids will enjoy the snow falling onto the crowd at the end of the finale, but even snow couldn't save this one.
Irving Berlin's White Christmas Marquis Theatre 1535 Broadway New York, New York www.whitechristmasthemusical.com
I’m going to do something slightly different with this review and that is to split it completely in half – reviewing both the club and the show itself. We will start with the club.
To say I was completely impressed with everything about Comix (14th St between 8th and 9th Ave) would be an understatement. This is hands down the most professional and well run comedy club I’ve ever been to. My favorite comedy club to this point has been the Comedy Cellar in the West Village. They have great well-known comics every weekend for a $15 cover, and you see 5 or 6 comics each do a short set, usually working on new material. Comix is a completely different experience – yet just as awesome in it's own way.
Unlike most of the hole in the wall comedy venues in NYC, Comix offers a gorgeous 320 seat multi-level showroom where every single seat is perfectly spaced out to keep patrons comfortable and give them a great view of the stage. Both the service and the food here are worlds above any other comedy club I’ve ever been to. As a matter of fact, the food is so good here that you will forget where you are. How many comedy clubs do you know that list their executive chef on their website? The beef empanadas were the best I’ve ever had anywhere, and the molten chocolate cake was excellent. I’d also like to point out that they are one of the few clubs that let customers use food and/or drinks for their 2 item minimum. I loved how they put “programs” on the tables so you can see exactly who’s opening the show and read a bio of the headliner. The atmosphere there was really good and everything was organized and ran smoothly from start to finish.
The first couple of comedy shows that I’ve been to in NYC have had no true headliner. They have all had numerous acts doing short sets. I have to say that I was pleased to finally see a show that had a host, a feature, and then a headliner. Maria Borgio (from Cleveland) was the host and did a great job starting the show off on the right foot. Joe Howard (also from Cleveland) was the feature and also had a very entertaining set. Jim Florentine (from New Jersey) headlined the show and had a really tight hour-long set that was a lot of fun to watch. It was nice to see him work the packed crowd and do what he does best – stand up comedy. He’s best known for being the voice of Special Ed on Crank Yankers and for being a regular on Howard Stern (and for dating Robin Quivers), but he’s also well known for his infamous pranks with the great Don Jamieson, and will soon be recognized as being one of the hosts of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show.” The great thing about Jim is that he’s definitely not for everybody and he is willing to take risks in his comedy. He’s very blunt and his humor is as dry as it gets. His set was almost completely new material and he was at his best when he was discussing movie theatre and Old Navy employees. Go see Jim the next time he’s in town and you will see exactly what I am referring to. Put Comix at the top of your list and support them and what they are bringing to NYC. You will have a great time.
Comix
353 W 14th St
New York, NY 10014
212-524-2500
www.comixny.com
Hello again! We have seriously been slacking with the updates, but I am ready to write and let you know what has been going on. This has been an amazing last week. Let's go back though and cover some other recent things:
Katz's Deli: Jenn and I finally made it over to Katz's one afternoon a couple of weeks ago. Like many other things, NY delis are a big debate here. Katz's Deli vs. Carnegie Deli seems to be the biggest deli debate so I was really excited to finally taste the pastrami sandwich for which Katz's is famous. When we walked in, it definitely had the right "deli feel"...but there were certain things that were automatically not that good. Having to order different items at different counters was bad, and quite frankly, a pain. We didn't realize there was also table service until after we ate. When the menu said "The biggest sandwich you will ever see" - that turned out to be extremely misleading. I got the sandwich and it was maybe 20% of the size of a Carnegie deli sandwich. I moved past that and was curious how it would be. It was absolutely nothing to write home about, and it actually wasn't even that good to be honest. We won't be back.
More exploring Central Park...
D. L Hughley taping at CNN Studios: One of the greatest things about living in NYC is that sometimes you find out about things at the last minute. There are always things going on. We got an email from our friend Anna that had mentioned this taping so we signed up to get tickets. The taping was at CNN Studios in the Time Warner Center which is less than 20 blocks from us. This is D.L. Hughley's new show and is a "humorous" look at recent news events. It was really cool to be inside CNN and to see their studios and all the computers and the people working, etc. Recently, I have gotten really into CNN so this was definitely an experience. Unfortunately, that's where the fun ended. The show was not funny at all and was actually really boring. Look for this to get cancelled soon. Here we are in the studio audience (at the 18 second mark)...
Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate: We had some money left on a Pottery Barn gift card so we decided to try out this Williams-Sonoma hot chocolate and marshmellows that Jenn guaranteed would be very good. BEST HOT CHOCOLATE EVER!!! We had it 4 nights in a row and it was brilliant.
One Friday a couple of weeks ago, the job frustration was really taking its toll on me and I needed to get out. Jenn wanted to stay home so I went to see 2 afternoon movies back to back:
"Pride and Glory": For some reason this one isn't really doing anything at the box office and faded out quickly. Personally, I thought it was great and thought Edward Norton and Colin Farrell both gave excellent performances. A really gritty cop-drama with some intense scenes and great twists. Norton alone is worth the price of admission - as usual.
"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist": Whenever I see 2 movies back to back, one has to be more lighthearted than the other. Especially after a movie like "Pride and Glory." This one did the job. It was an hour and a half of complete fluff. The entire movie is filmed in NY (mostly on the Lower East Side and East Village) and the camera showed glimpses of Max Brenner's and Katz's and a few other places I recognized. The movie itself was only pretty good. Take the indie feel of "Juno," but make the movie not as good - and you have this one.
Shake Shack: A few weeks ago we had a major addition right outside our apartment building on the opposite corner. The legendary Shake Shack has opened up a second location on 77th and Columbus! We have been there a few times and are already addicted to the Shack Burgers. The shack sauce is key! Definitely a good place to go for a low key meal. It's pretty much a better version of Steak n Shake.
Meredith and Patrick's engagement party: It's been a long time since I have seen my friend Meredith from Orlando so it was great to go out to Brooklyn and see her and meet Patrick and have Jenn meet both of them. It was at an awesome place called The Jakewalk which is a new bar in the Carroll Gardens area. It was good to see Meredith's friend Erin again who I haven't seen in years either and we met some cool people (Elizabeth and Ethan) who we hung out with for most of the time there and I'm sure will see again at some point. All in all, a great time was had.
Sky, Diane, Ayva, Harrison: After the engagement party, we headed a few minutes over to Park Slope and got to see some family that we have not seen in a bit. Sky and Diane are awesome and were so nice to make us dinner. We love hanging out with them and seeing their amazing kids Ayva and Harrison who are growing up so quickly.
Election Day: I know it's not a good idea to talk politics because people disagree, but oh well. Election day this year was amazing! We only had to walk 1 block to vote and the line was only 20 minutes because we went at an off time in the morning to avoid the work crowd. I have never felt so proud after a vote as I did when I cast my vote for Barack Obama. This was the first time I have felt this good from a simple vote. Jenn said she felt the same way, and from people that I have talked to - this seems to be how everyone felt. I felt like my vote made a difference and history was possibly on the horizon. After that, we headed over to Hummus Place and Levain Bakery and had lunch before coming home. Watched some TV and then after a suggestion from my dad, we made our way over to Election Plaza at Rockefeller Center to see what was happening down there. It was AWESOME. The building was half blue and half red and the news was on and people were starting to gather. If it wasn't starting to rain, we might've stayed longer than we did. I'm not one to cry much at all, but when Barack, Michelle, and their two girls walked on stage after winning, I definitely had tears in my eyes. That was a moment in history that affected many people in a lot of different ways. For Jenn and I, we truly see and feel the economy - and this signified a real change for the better. How often do you see Oprah cry like that?!?!? Barack gave his best speech to date and it was truly the start of a "new day" like Will.I.Am. sings about in his new single "It's A New Day".
On Friday night, I met up with my friend Randy who I haven't seen in about 4 or 5 years. We had an awesome night and did dinner and movie:
Stand: This was a burger restaurant in Union Square that he recommended. Awesome place!!! I now have another Union Square restaurant in my mind and will definitely be back here. I had the bacon, egg, and cheese burger and shoestring fries. A bacon cheeseburger topped with a homemade hardboiled egg mayo concoction. Original and fantastic! I always like a good burger, but I especially like unique ones. We had such a good time talking that we seriously lost track of time and by the time we caught it, it was 18 minutes before the movie was going to start. We quickly paid and then headed over to the theatre 2 blocks away. Good thing I bought the tickets early since the show was sold out. The one negative was that we had to sit in the 2nd row of the theater looking up.
"Zack and Miri Make a Porno": #1 movie I've seen in a long time. I haven't been quite this pumped up about a movie since we saw Hairspray in 2007. What an awesome and surprisingly good movie. Absolutely hilarious and crude and definitely not for kids. I would consider this to be Kevin Smith's best movie since "Clerks" and will see it again with Jenn. I have been spreading the word to friends and family since seeing it, so if your humor is as off beat and random as mine is - this one is for you!
On Sunday we met up with Meredith and Patrick in Brooklyn and had a great time with them! When we got off the train, Jenn pointed out a place called The Nutbox that she wanted to go into. After talking to the manager, it turns out this place is a month old and is our kind of place!!! They have every kind of nut you can imagine, plus chocolate covered nuts, granola, dried fruits, and candies. The prices were extremely reasonable. What a good find. Best nut place I've seen since March when we found The Peanut Shoppe in Memphis with Paige and Justin. Then we met Meredith and Patrick at a great Thai place called Joya. Had a blast hanging out with them and just talking. Good recommendation from Meredith on the restaurant. Nice place with very reasonable prices!
On to the news of the week..... I GOT A JOB! After months of aggravation and frustration, I accepted a job offer on Monday afternoon. Not only did I accept an offer, but it was my #1 choice out of all the places I have interviewed with. I will be a leasing consultant at an Equity Residential property in Jersey City, NJ. It is a 50-60 minute commute each way which is not bad at all for this city and this economy - and if all goes well, I should be starting this Monday! I have not been able to contain my excitement since finding out and this will definitely be a great start in getting back to the routine of life. Now once Jenn finds a job, we will be good to go! We want to give a sincere thank you to everyone who has helped in any way. It was definitely noticed and appreciated. Now just please keep an eye out for Jenn!
Ocean Grill: To celebrate finding a job, we had a very nice dinner that night at a BR Guest restaurant called The Ocean Grill. BR Guest Restaurants has a good brand and has some very good restaurants such as Ruby Foo's, Dos Caminos, Isabella's, etc. I had a hell of a filet mignon and lobster bisque and Jenn had a pumpkin seed crusted tilapia. Hey, when a job offer is accepted, reason to celebrate!!!!
The good luck continued when I won two tickets to see Butch Walker play a free secret show in New York City this Sunday. We are huge fans of Butch and I would consider him to be the best performer I've ever seen live. I've seen a LOT of bands so that says something. He is the real deal and knows how to work a crowd. The great thing is....we have tickets to his sold out show at the Blender Theatre this Thursday so we will get to see him perform twice this week!!!!! One might be acoustic and one might be with a band, but either way, this is good reason to be happy and should be a real treat.
Saturday we will be going to see Jim Florentine at Comix on 14th St and I will be reviewing that show. The holidays are quickly approaching and the weather is getting cooler and cooler. Until next time...
