Booth Theater, NYC, 3/09
Some days when I wade through New York City traffic or try to keep my cool when dealing with a mindless bureaucrat, the only thing that makes me stay here is the arts and theatre in NYC.
As a member of the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) I go to a lot of theatre, some good some bad and some very special. Last night I went to Next to Normal. A musical about a mother, whose grief at losing an infant son, has brought on a bipolar condition and how it affects her family.
The theme of this musical was a surprise to me after reading a brief review which stated. “Next to Normal is a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crises…” The reviewer could have been talking about unemployment, or crab grass, but certainly not mental illness.
Next to Normal has thirty original songs and the last two are good enough, if re-orchestrated, to stand alone, but there is not a single title of a song in the Playbill!!! A Playbill about a musical without songs; I am reminded of “Don’t write naughty words on walls, if you can not spell” and don’t write reviews if you haven’t seen the show!
This production is a wonderful night of theatre, especially the first rate acting of the grief stricken mother and the powerful singing of the mother and daughter. The songs were mostly to the point and poignant. The exception was a hilarious “Sound of Music”-like … “Valium and Prozac are among my favorite things…”
Most musicals are banal, but Next to Normal, puts you in the family and you understand the emotional and practical problems of mental illness. Next to Normal, also explores the hit and miss state of modern psychiatric medicine. The long dead infant appears as a teenager, who takes on a demon-like quality more like “the Exorcist” than a modern medical problem
.
Despite a poor playbill, Next to Normal is not an alternative condition, but another reason to see theatre in New York City.
For more see www.ditmasestates.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Cheap eats on Avenue U Brooklyn, NY
Triple Z
1410 Avenue U
718 382 4328
With Ducks and half pigs hanging in the window, there is no doubt that this is an authentic Chinese eating place.
There are lunch specials as cheap as $ 4 and the food is very fresh, as there is a major Chinese market next door. A la carte main courses run about $ 10
The green vegetables are done just so and the sauces have none of the gloppiness of a Junior High School cafeteria. You can even get your Chow Fun dry
The ambiance is definitely family style, expect to sit at a large round table with people you don’t know.
BTW definitely go to the market next door, the Chinese love their greens and always have at least a dozen varieties available. Don’t worry if you don’t speak perfect Mandarin, the store’s help always answer every question with “very good, very fresh”.
For more see http://www.ditmasestates.com/
1410 Avenue U
718 382 4328
With Ducks and half pigs hanging in the window, there is no doubt that this is an authentic Chinese eating place.
There are lunch specials as cheap as $ 4 and the food is very fresh, as there is a major Chinese market next door. A la carte main courses run about $ 10
The green vegetables are done just so and the sauces have none of the gloppiness of a Junior High School cafeteria. You can even get your Chow Fun dry
The ambiance is definitely family style, expect to sit at a large round table with people you don’t know.
BTW definitely go to the market next door, the Chinese love their greens and always have at least a dozen varieties available. Don’t worry if you don’t speak perfect Mandarin, the store’s help always answer every question with “very good, very fresh”.
For more see http://www.ditmasestates.com/
Eating Cheap on Avenue U Brooklyn, NY
La Villita
1249 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY
718 998 0222
If you want a cheap, but interesting family meal Avenue U is definitely the place to go. There are a half dozen Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants, but one Mexican Restaurant La Villita.
This small Formica table place has maybe a couple of dozen seats, but what it does have is good inexpensive food.
The Guacamole is a fresh yellow green and creamy (Guacamole turns brown almost immediately) and the Salsa fresca is a winner. Warning the regular salsa can be spicy.
I had the Mole Poblano, usually made with Turkey, but this time chicken fillets were used. Mole Poblano, a dark savory sauce is made with bitter chocolate, and should be easy to take down, but have an after burn. The sauce was thin, but tasty. A salad was included all for $ 11. The enchiladas and burritos were also good and approximately the same price
The waitress friendly and is constantly at attention. Avenue U has plenty of meters so parking is not usually a problem
for more see www.ditmasestates.com
1249 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY
718 998 0222
If you want a cheap, but interesting family meal Avenue U is definitely the place to go. There are a half dozen Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants, but one Mexican Restaurant La Villita.
This small Formica table place has maybe a couple of dozen seats, but what it does have is good inexpensive food.
The Guacamole is a fresh yellow green and creamy (Guacamole turns brown almost immediately) and the Salsa fresca is a winner. Warning the regular salsa can be spicy.
I had the Mole Poblano, usually made with Turkey, but this time chicken fillets were used. Mole Poblano, a dark savory sauce is made with bitter chocolate, and should be easy to take down, but have an after burn. The sauce was thin, but tasty. A salad was included all for $ 11. The enchiladas and burritos were also good and approximately the same price
The waitress friendly and is constantly at attention. Avenue U has plenty of meters so parking is not usually a problem
for more see www.ditmasestates.com
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Romantic Italian Restaurant
Grotta Azzurra
177 Mulberry Street
NY, NY
Times are tough, especially in the restaurant business. Saturday night in Little Italy and there were many empty tables. Grotta Azzurra was doing only slightly better than some other restaurants on Mulberry Street . And the reason is SERVICE.
The most frustrating thing is to try to contact your waiter when the restaurant is empty and your waiter is talking to other waiters, but not at Grotta Azzurra. Our waiter was attentive and when he didn’t know, he got back to us immediately. The plates came out on time and in good order and in a romantic restaurant that is important.
The décor of Grotta Azzurra is simple and classic, you are immediately transported a classic Italian restaurant, large displays of famous Italian sculptures dominate the dining room.
The menu is large at Grotta Azzurra and the portions are even larger. The Calamari was tender and not greasy, the salad had plenty of Radicchio, and the Filletto di Pompadori, rigatoni with tomato sauce, cheese, pancetta and onions was immense and superb.
Grilled Vegetables were nicely done and the Shrimp Oreganata was just so. Alas, the Veal in my Saltimbocca was tough; the sauce was the same as the di Pompadori and while good this is a big no, no.
The decaf cappuccino and the decaf espresso to die for. Dessert was a blueberry cake with real blueberries and ice cream, Yum!
Dinner for two $100
www.ditmasestates.com
177 Mulberry Street
NY, NY
Times are tough, especially in the restaurant business. Saturday night in Little Italy and there were many empty tables. Grotta Azzurra was doing only slightly better than some other restaurants on Mulberry Street . And the reason is SERVICE.
The most frustrating thing is to try to contact your waiter when the restaurant is empty and your waiter is talking to other waiters, but not at Grotta Azzurra. Our waiter was attentive and when he didn’t know, he got back to us immediately. The plates came out on time and in good order and in a romantic restaurant that is important.
The décor of Grotta Azzurra is simple and classic, you are immediately transported a classic Italian restaurant, large displays of famous Italian sculptures dominate the dining room.
The menu is large at Grotta Azzurra and the portions are even larger. The Calamari was tender and not greasy, the salad had plenty of Radicchio, and the Filletto di Pompadori, rigatoni with tomato sauce, cheese, pancetta and onions was immense and superb.
Grilled Vegetables were nicely done and the Shrimp Oreganata was just so. Alas, the Veal in my Saltimbocca was tough; the sauce was the same as the di Pompadori and while good this is a big no, no.
The decaf cappuccino and the decaf espresso to die for. Dessert was a blueberry cake with real blueberries and ice cream, Yum!
Dinner for two $100
www.ditmasestates.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
