Harriet Tubman Biopic

The Harriet biopic trailer dropped this week. Harriet Tubman is one of (if not) the most important black women in American history. Featuring this American story on the big screen is WAY overdue.The film features some of my favorite artists today - Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monae. However, the week has been bittersweet as there has been renewed online backlash regarding a British actress being cast as Harriet. And if you recall, David Oyelowo, a British actor, played MLK Jr. (another iconic black American) several years back. There was even more online outrage when a few of Erivo's old social media postings were unearthed and viewed as disparaging to black Americans. Despite this, I will go to the theater in November, buy a ticket, and support this important film about my sheroe (just like I supported the film Selma). But it is NOT lost on me that true art is political and decisions made matter. And no one in 2019 should act like America's history has been a fair and level playing field for all...

After 30 Years - Goodbye Lincoln Center Cinemas

Very sad to pass by Lincoln Plaza Cinemas today and see the empty marquee.

The Hamilton Mixtape: Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)

It's Spring Thyme at Signature Center

At the Spring Signature Cocktail Hour, the mixologist shook things up and taught theater lovers how to make Spring Thyme, a vodka based cocktail that can be summed up in one word -- YUMMY! 

I enjoyed the cocktail very much and even had a pitcher stirred up for my beloved mom on Mother's Day. Check out the recipe if you want to stay refreshed during the Spring heat wave or simply want to enjoy a cocktail before heading to the theater.

I've Started a Theater Bucket List

I have many lists - a list of restaurants to dine at, a list of places to visit, a list of things to do before I die, etc. 

And now, I have started a Theater Bucket List. In no particular order, here it is:

1. Bing on theater in London for a few days
2. Check out the Humana Festival
3. Attend the Tony Awards
4. Volunteer for one day as a theater usher
5. Read a playwright's body of work
6. Observe the rehearsal process
7. Tour August Wilson's Hill District in Pittsburgh
8. Attend a production at Yale Rep
9. Best of London Theatre on Queen Mary 2

Dame Shirley Bassey!!!

I Didn't Do as Well as I Thought I Would on the "Hamilton" Quiz...

I am surprised that I did not do a better job on the Hamilton quiz on The Christian Science Monitor website. Check it out and see how you do! 

Quiz

An Event for Broadway Loving Foodies Who Hold a Mastercard and Like to Brunch...

I have never been to the New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF). Frankly, the festival just looks like the Food Network on steroids. However, even I had to pause when I saw the following Broadway inspired brunch. At $175, it does not come cheap, but it sure looks like it could be fun....

Variety presents Broadway Tastes hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, a Mastercard® Exclusive Event Exclusive Event

Mastercard cardholders will take a culinary tour of the Great White Way at NYCWFF’s brand new event, Broadway Tastes, where renowned chefs will serve up delicious brunch dishes inspired by over a dozen of today’s most popular Broadway musicals. Celebrities and foodies Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka will be your hosts for this magical morning at Metropolitan West, where you’ll have the chance to interact with cast members of your favorite Broadway shows and sample tasty brunch fare prepared by all-star chefs!

Participating Shows:
ALADDIN on Broadway
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
Chicago
Jersey Boys
Matilda
ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Gloria & Emilio Estefan
The Book of Mormon
THE LION KING on Broadway
The Phantom of the Opera
Waitress
Wicked

Sunday, October 16, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM @ Metropolitan West - 635 West 46th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues

"Fences" Trailer

Oooh, I can't wait...

Streisand Trump "Clown" Parody at Clinton Fundraiser

 This one is worth sharing...

BABS rewrites lyrics to "Send In The Clowns" for Trump harpoon. Your Welcome😘😂🎤 pic.twitter.com/qVRF5yF6Ur

— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) September 10, 2016

Live! From the Rainbow Room

What an expensive evening - $250 per ticket + $100 per person food minimum. 

But oh what a treat it will be. 

The iconic Rainbow Room!

The 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical!

Congrats in advance to those who get to slip on shiny cocktail wear and experience this intimate, musical evening.

I know that it will be wonderful. 

Artist I Love: Sharon Jones

Miss Sharon Jones!, a documentary about one of my favorite soul artists, is coming out this week. Her story is truly inspirational. Recalling her comeback Beacon concert brings a smile to my face. 

Broadway Carpool Karaoke

Watching this was the best part of the my day. I'm such a theater geek!

Stage Diversity Shows Progress

The Guardian - New theater season once again shows lack of diversity on Broadway and Off

When this blog started, posts often touched on diversity on the New York City stage. That was not the intention for NYCSB. The focus was supposed to be the experience of going to the theater, not the lack of diversity on the stage. 

So, I stopped writing about diversity. 

Today though I want to revisit the topic for a moment, because it has been an exciting year of progress on the stage (especially when compared to the bigger Hollywood movie industry). 

Some exciting accomplishments:

• The musical Waitress made history with the first all female creative team on Broadway and the play Eclipsed  made history as the first all-black, all-female show on Broadway.
• According to the AAPAC's report - Ethnic Representation on New York City Stages,30% of roles went to actors of color, a new high and 24% jump from the previous year. Not earth shattering but progress nonetheless.
• Pulitzer winning multi-ethnic Hamilton has undoubtedly added to the innovation of the Broadway musical! 
• The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs has an ongoing initiative to work towards a diverse and equitable cultural workforce (after surveys showed that while NYC's art groups are more diverse than other organizations nationally, they are far from reflective of the city's demographics).

At this exact moment, there is a wonderful array of diverse productions on Broadway. Two of my favorites in the past year - Hamilton and The King and I - have wonderful diverse cast. On Your Feet! (which I haven't yet seen) looks at entertainment powerhouse - Gloria Estefan and productions such as Allegiance (closed) and Eclipsed told us stories of the unseen victims of war. Finally, two of the most exciting playwrights now in my opinion are young, gifted and black - Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Dominique Morisseau.

The issue of diversity on the stage will never be solved. This year however shows us that progress can and is being made. And on that note, here is a link to Bleep Magazine's - Fall on Broadway – more diversity than ever before.   

Other Posts
Diversity in the Theater - Part III
Diversity in the Theater - Part II
Diversity in the Theater - Part I

Broadway's "The Color Purple" Tribute to Prince

Lin-Manuel Freestyling at The White House

Wait for it... 🎤⬇ #Bam4Hamhttps://t.co/vpwTuNf5zn

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 15, 2016

"This Bitter Earth" Earworm

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful afternoon at the NYC Ballet enjoying a program of 21st Century Choreographers including Ash, This Bitter Earth, The Infernal Machine, Jeux, and Paz De La Jolla. 

Since then, the sun has gone down. 

Night has passed. 

But my This Bitter Earth earworm continues...

Remix of Dinah Washington's This Bitter Earth and Max Richter's On the Nature of Daylight - Shutter Island Soundtrack

Nicki Cochrane Has Seen More Theater Than Any Other Theatergoer in the Universe

I recently read about Nicki Cochrane and Matīss Kaža's Kickstarter documentary campaign.

And honestly, I am curious about Ms. Cochrane. I want to take her to a show, then enjoy a nice meal with her as we chat about the theater. 

So, who is Nicki Cochrane? 

She is a 77 year old theaterlover who goes to 11 theater shows each week (despite alienation from her children and many many conflicts with theater staff). She can be seen outside NYC theaters holding a "One Ticket Please" sign. 

For her, theater is nourishing. And I understand that.

Somebody Likes Today's Snow!

Tian Tian:

Tian Tian woke up this morning to a lot of snow, and he was pretty excited about it. 🐼🌨 #blizzard2016 pic.twitter.com/GrhI9t1u7j

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 23, 2016

BroadwayCon - January 22 - January 24

I have been looking at the scheduled for BroadwayCon for days now...going back and forth on whether I should attend. I am surprised at the demographic for the weekend. According to the NYT, nearly 80 percent of the registrants are female; 75 percent are from outside the state of New York; and 50 percent are 30 or younger. Not entirely my demographic. 

Ultimately, the imminent blizzard / snowstorm has decided for me. 

But tonight, as I scroll through Twitter and the schedule for the weekend, I still wonder...

Casual @Lin_Manuel BroadwayCon freestyle... pic.twitter.com/p0mXTb8HFW

— BroadwayCon (@bwaycon) January 22, 2016