"You must be somewhere in London, you must be lovin' the life in the rain. You must be somewhere in London..." ~the national
I'm leaving for London and Wales tomorrow, so this will be my last post before I return. I had a perfect send-off today; my friend Kelly came to visit, and it was so good to see her and spend the day with her. We ended the evening by joining Nic and seeing Next to Normal, my favorite Broadway show (it was my sixth time seeing it). It was the first night of a new group of cast members. It was wonderful, as always. I'll return in August, hopefully with lots of good pictures and stories!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
"Said you didn't love me, didn't want a thing, English girls can be so mean." ~ryan adams
Oh, how I love that song. Notice my England-themed lyrics in my last two posts, and expect that trend to continue. I leave for London on Tuesday!
Our Town was absolutely brilliant. First of all, the Barrow Street Theater is TINY; it doesn't seat many more than 100 people (which is incredibly small for a theater). I was sitting onstage and I felt like I was part of the play, but I imagine you'd feel like that wherever you were sitting. I left the theater (silently) crying. The play (by Thornton Wilder) is simply beautiful, and this production is stunning in its simplicity. Helen Hunt is performing a brief stint as the stage manager, and I can't say enough good things about her performance. She is perfect. I'm so glad I was able to catch her in it. I could only find one critic who reviewed the production with her (she has a very short run), but here's some of Michael Glitz's review from the Huffington Post:
Ooh, funny story. I was sitting next to a very nice older gentleman visiting from Florida, and we chatted quite a bit before the show. As Helen Hunt entered, he said to me, "Oh, she looks like..." but didn't finish the sentence because the play had begun. During the first intermission, we had this conversation:
Him: What I was about to say when the show started was that she looks like someone who was in a movie with Jack Nicholson.
Me: Helen Hunt? From As Good As It Gets?
Him: Yes! She looks like her.
Me: That is her.
Him: Really? Are you sure?
Me: Yes.
Him: Did you know she was in it?
Me: Yes.
Him: Is she in here? (pointing to his program)
Me: Yes.
I pointed her out in the program and he was amazed. I thought it was funny.
Oh, how I love that song. Notice my England-themed lyrics in my last two posts, and expect that trend to continue. I leave for London on Tuesday!
Our Town was absolutely brilliant. First of all, the Barrow Street Theater is TINY; it doesn't seat many more than 100 people (which is incredibly small for a theater). I was sitting onstage and I felt like I was part of the play, but I imagine you'd feel like that wherever you were sitting. I left the theater (silently) crying. The play (by Thornton Wilder) is simply beautiful, and this production is stunning in its simplicity. Helen Hunt is performing a brief stint as the stage manager, and I can't say enough good things about her performance. She is perfect. I'm so glad I was able to catch her in it. I could only find one critic who reviewed the production with her (she has a very short run), but here's some of Michael Glitz's review from the Huffington Post:
"Oscar and Emmy winner Helen Hunt fits in perfectly, her no-nonsense demeanor just right for the Stage Manager. She's matter of fact at first, but allows just enough wryness to leaven the play's brutal attitude, allows just enough emotion to color the edges of her lines to soften the blow of the finale. Unlike most productions of Our Town, this one comes much closer to the heart of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece....I want to go back and see it again. Here's a nice CBS piece on it. Note the small theater. Helen Hunt is currently playing the role originated by Mr. Cromer. You might not want to watch it if you aren't familiar with the play and don't want to be spoiled.
....But what a punch it still packs. Hunt (who played Emily during that Lincoln Center run back in 1989) keeps the audience on its toes, not allowing anyone to settle back in anticipation of homespun wisdom. And as the lights dim for the third act, everyone is drawn in completely. As usual, the set is bare-bones. But the theatrical coup of presenting Emily's flashback in a realistic set hidden behind a curtain is breathtakingly effective, especially in the small confines of Barrow Street Theatre where the room is so small it almost seems like magic.
If Cromer drops in every once in a while to keep the performances in line and they continue casting Stage Managers as acutely sensitive to the text and the tone of the piece as Hunt, this Our Town can be strongly recommended for a long time to come."
Ooh, funny story. I was sitting next to a very nice older gentleman visiting from Florida, and we chatted quite a bit before the show. As Helen Hunt entered, he said to me, "Oh, she looks like..." but didn't finish the sentence because the play had begun. During the first intermission, we had this conversation:
Him: What I was about to say when the show started was that she looks like someone who was in a movie with Jack Nicholson.
Me: Helen Hunt? From As Good As It Gets?
Him: Yes! She looks like her.
Me: That is her.
Him: Really? Are you sure?
Me: Yes.
Him: Did you know she was in it?
Me: Yes.
Him: Is she in here? (pointing to his program)
Me: Yes.
I pointed her out in the program and he was amazed. I thought it was funny.
"Famous angels never come through England. England gets the ones you never need." ~the national
My crazy-busy week continues. On Friday I saw the Broadway production of Lend Me a Tenor. It's got a great cast, it's directed by Stanley Tucci, and I thought it was hilarious. I'm such a sucker for farce. It was just a really, really good time.
Yesterday Nic and I went to the Siren Music Festival. We went last year and had a good time, so we returned this year. We got to see the wing-eating contest again (the same person won), and we saw some good bands. It was at least 95 degrees, and even though I wore sunscreen, my back got burned a little. I can't complain, though; it could have been worse.
We headed straight from Coney Island to Central Park to get in line for stand-by tickets to The Winter's Tale at Shakespeare in the Park. It's much less popular than The Merchant of Venice (which we already saw), so we had no trouble getting tickets. I wasn't familiar with the play beforehand, but I enjoyed it. Like Merchant, it's difficult to classify. I guess it's a romance, but the first act in particular is very dark and the whole thing seems tinged with melancholy. I think the two plays go well together. This year Shakespeare in the Park is doing it's plays in rep, which means the plays alternate nights and they share actors. It was nice to see Jesse L. Martin and Jesse Tyler Ferguson with more to do than in The Merchant of Venice.
This morning I went to the movies and saw Inception. I loved it. It's a smart, visually impressive film. I wasn't confused, but I would still like to see it again. I would say more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I'll just say go see it.
Tonight I'm seeing the critically-adored off-Broadway production of Our Town, starring Helen Hunt. I have a front row seat. I'm excited. I'll report back.
My crazy-busy week continues. On Friday I saw the Broadway production of Lend Me a Tenor. It's got a great cast, it's directed by Stanley Tucci, and I thought it was hilarious. I'm such a sucker for farce. It was just a really, really good time.
Yesterday Nic and I went to the Siren Music Festival. We went last year and had a good time, so we returned this year. We got to see the wing-eating contest again (the same person won), and we saw some good bands. It was at least 95 degrees, and even though I wore sunscreen, my back got burned a little. I can't complain, though; it could have been worse.
We headed straight from Coney Island to Central Park to get in line for stand-by tickets to The Winter's Tale at Shakespeare in the Park. It's much less popular than The Merchant of Venice (which we already saw), so we had no trouble getting tickets. I wasn't familiar with the play beforehand, but I enjoyed it. Like Merchant, it's difficult to classify. I guess it's a romance, but the first act in particular is very dark and the whole thing seems tinged with melancholy. I think the two plays go well together. This year Shakespeare in the Park is doing it's plays in rep, which means the plays alternate nights and they share actors. It was nice to see Jesse L. Martin and Jesse Tyler Ferguson with more to do than in The Merchant of Venice.
This morning I went to the movies and saw Inception. I loved it. It's a smart, visually impressive film. I wasn't confused, but I would still like to see it again. I would say more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I'll just say go see it.
Tonight I'm seeing the critically-adored off-Broadway production of Our Town, starring Helen Hunt. I have a front row seat. I'm excited. I'll report back.
Friday, July 16, 2010
"But I can't help the feeling I could blow through the ceiling, if I just turn and run. It wears me out, it wears me out. It wears me out, it wears me out." ~radiohead
Spending a good portion of the day waiting in lines (outside) is quite exhausting. Yesterday I went from line to line to line. It was worth it, though. The first line was to see Sting. He was taping a segment for the Early Show, and he performed four songs. I was especially glad he did "Roxanne." And "Englishman in New York." He's promoting his new album Symphonicities, which consists of reworked hits backed by an orchestra. It was interesting to hear "Roxanne" with a whole orchestra behind it.
From the Sting concert, I went straight to a screening of Charlie St. Cloud. Oh, Charlie St. Cloud. The best thing I can say is that it got me out of the hot sun and into air conditioning for a couple of hours. I love the trailer for the film because it uses a song by The National ("Around the Bend"), and the use of Snow Patrol doesn't hurt either, but it's downhill from there. I wanted the movie to surprise me, and for a few minutes in the second half I thought it would, but then of course it....didn't. Maybe most people will like it, but I'm going to use Nic's word and say I thought it was a bit too schmaltzy. I really liked the little kid, though. And by the way, when did Ray Liotta get so old? I still love him and he's still quite handsome, but boy has he aged recently.
From the movie screening, it was down to Castle Clinton in Battery Park with Nic for a Duncan Sheik concert. Duncan Sheik is a Grammy and Tony winner, and I really like his music. I overheard a guy telling his friend who Duncan Sheik is, and he said, "He did that song 'Barely Breathing' a long time ago, and he wrote Spring Awakening." I guess that covers what he's best known for. He was a one-hit wonder with "Barely Breathing," and he went on to compose Spring Awakening (which has some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard onstage). He sang "Barely Breathing" last night, and he also sang a few songs from Spring Awakening. His "Touch Me" was breathtaking. I love that song. "Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind" was also great. I need to go back and listen to Spring Awakening now. It's just so full of heartbreaking, gorgeous music, and I feel like it stands perfectly on it's own; you don't need to know the show to enjoy it.
He closed with a cover of Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees," which is one of my favorite songs. I had to film that one.
Tonight I'm off to Lend Me a Tenor!
Spending a good portion of the day waiting in lines (outside) is quite exhausting. Yesterday I went from line to line to line. It was worth it, though. The first line was to see Sting. He was taping a segment for the Early Show, and he performed four songs. I was especially glad he did "Roxanne." And "Englishman in New York." He's promoting his new album Symphonicities, which consists of reworked hits backed by an orchestra. It was interesting to hear "Roxanne" with a whole orchestra behind it.
From the Sting concert, I went straight to a screening of Charlie St. Cloud. Oh, Charlie St. Cloud. The best thing I can say is that it got me out of the hot sun and into air conditioning for a couple of hours. I love the trailer for the film because it uses a song by The National ("Around the Bend"), and the use of Snow Patrol doesn't hurt either, but it's downhill from there. I wanted the movie to surprise me, and for a few minutes in the second half I thought it would, but then of course it....didn't. Maybe most people will like it, but I'm going to use Nic's word and say I thought it was a bit too schmaltzy. I really liked the little kid, though. And by the way, when did Ray Liotta get so old? I still love him and he's still quite handsome, but boy has he aged recently.
From the movie screening, it was down to Castle Clinton in Battery Park with Nic for a Duncan Sheik concert. Duncan Sheik is a Grammy and Tony winner, and I really like his music. I overheard a guy telling his friend who Duncan Sheik is, and he said, "He did that song 'Barely Breathing' a long time ago, and he wrote Spring Awakening." I guess that covers what he's best known for. He was a one-hit wonder with "Barely Breathing," and he went on to compose Spring Awakening (which has some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard onstage). He sang "Barely Breathing" last night, and he also sang a few songs from Spring Awakening. His "Touch Me" was breathtaking. I love that song. "Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind" was also great. I need to go back and listen to Spring Awakening now. It's just so full of heartbreaking, gorgeous music, and I feel like it stands perfectly on it's own; you don't need to know the show to enjoy it.
He closed with a cover of Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees," which is one of my favorite songs. I had to film that one.
Tonight I'm off to Lend Me a Tenor!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
"So I will wait on the edges in between these New York streets, where you and I would meet." ~the gaslight anthem
First, another Weezer tidbit. I know, I know. But this is funny. I met a journalist in the elevator, and he included me in his article. Here's the snippet:
I have a crazy week this week. I'm seeing five different plays, four concerts...it's crazy. Here are the events that will fill my upcoming days:
Today I saw a new play called Bachelorette. It was funny and dark and I enjoyed it. It's got a great cast. I haven't seen Celia Keenan Bolger in anything since The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (in which she was wonderful), and she looks so different. Maybe because she was playing a kid in that show. Anyway, she was great.
Tomorrow's a concert day; I'm seeing Sting in the morning (I have a ticket to his performance on The Early Show) and Duncan Sheik at night.
Friday I'm seeing Lend Me a Tenor. With Justin Bartha, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia, and Jan Maxwell onstage, you can't go wrong.
Saturday's the Siren Festival in Coney Island. I hope it doesn't rain. I also want to see The Winter's Tale on Saturday. We'll see.
Sunday's Our Town, with Helen Hunt. I can't wait; it's supposed to be a fabulous production. And I do love Helen Hunt.
Monday Kelly's coming!
Tuesday I leave for London.
So yeah, I'm busy. But it's a good busy. I can't imagine having a job where I didn't have my summers off. This is when I cram in the entertainment.
I discovered this fun app and played around with it today; you paste in a writing sample of yours andit tells you what author's style you use. I used two different writing samples (one more academic and one from this blog), and this is what I got:
It's fun to play around with.
First, another Weezer tidbit. I know, I know. But this is funny. I met a journalist in the elevator, and he included me in his article. Here's the snippet:
"HP has also gone all-out in social media — on the elevator ride up to the studio, I run into Claire, who won tickets to this intimate show via Twitter contest. The longtime Weezer fan has only followed the band [on twitter] for a few months and never won anything before on the social network. Across the way, I see her bop up and down as Cuomo dances and sings — is she blushing?"He caught me. I'm sure I was blushing. But how can you not when Rivers Cuomo is singing to you? Hopefully I'll post video soon. It should be up this week.
I have a crazy week this week. I'm seeing five different plays, four concerts...it's crazy. Here are the events that will fill my upcoming days:
Today I saw a new play called Bachelorette. It was funny and dark and I enjoyed it. It's got a great cast. I haven't seen Celia Keenan Bolger in anything since The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (in which she was wonderful), and she looks so different. Maybe because she was playing a kid in that show. Anyway, she was great.
Tomorrow's a concert day; I'm seeing Sting in the morning (I have a ticket to his performance on The Early Show) and Duncan Sheik at night.
Friday I'm seeing Lend Me a Tenor. With Justin Bartha, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia, and Jan Maxwell onstage, you can't go wrong.
Saturday's the Siren Festival in Coney Island. I hope it doesn't rain. I also want to see The Winter's Tale on Saturday. We'll see.
Sunday's Our Town, with Helen Hunt. I can't wait; it's supposed to be a fabulous production. And I do love Helen Hunt.
Monday Kelly's coming!
Tuesday I leave for London.
So yeah, I'm busy. But it's a good busy. I can't imagine having a job where I didn't have my summers off. This is when I cram in the entertainment.
I discovered this fun app and played around with it today; you paste in a writing sample of yours andit tells you what author's style you use. I used two different writing samples (one more academic and one from this blog), and this is what I got:
It's fun to play around with.
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