WHO'S AFRAID OF A 3-HOUR DRAMA?

Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is probably one of the best dramas on Broadway.  Some year ago, I saw the movie starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton (Martha and George), Sandy Dennis and George Segal (Honey and Nick).  I remember little about the movie so the play was pretty much brand new for me.  Although this cast was quite unknown to me, it certainly didn’t detract from giving a more than superb performance.

Martha (Amy Morton), a large boisterous woman, 52 looking somewhat younger. Ample, but not fleshy. George (Tracy Letts), her husband , 46. Thin, hair going gray.   Honey (Carrie Coon), 26, a petite blond girl, rather plain. Nick (Madison Dirks), her husband, 28, blond, well put together, good-looking.  The set takes place in the living room of a house on the campus of a small New England college.

I understand that the original play was performed by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and this is exactly where the present cast of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is coming from (at the Booth Theatre through February 24^th).   

Act I is entitled “Fun and Games”.   George and Martha have just come from an event on campus.  In spite of the lateness, they have invited guests.   Here is where we get that both George and Martha are alcoholics.  In fact everyone is going to drink and most will get drunk.   First big laugh.  Guests Honey and Nick ring the bell.   Argument (there will be just about as much arguing as booze) as to who will answer door.   Just as George flings open the door, Martha, simultaneously yells, “F**K YOU!

There is an in-joke about the event that they came from singing, “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf” (vs. big, bad wolf).  In actually, the meaning turns out to be, “who’s afraid of to live without illusion.” Throughout the play, illusion seems indistinguishable from reality.

It is difficult to tell which of Martha and George’s stories ­ about their son or George's past ­ are true or fictional.  The same seems to be with Honey and Nick’s lives. Nick married Honey for money, rather than love and although he appears to be strong he is impotent. Honey has been deceiving him by using birth control to prevent pregnancy.  She “poofed” up as if she was pregnant but it was not real.

The games that they play are called Humiliate the Host, Get the Guests, and Hump the Hostess.   There are definite points of comic relief in this drama of love/hate between Martha and George.   If the subject of emotional abuse bothers you, by all means, this is not your cup of Long Island Iced Tea.   However, if you can get past it, this classic is performed so well, that the three hours (with two intermissions) can certainly be enjoyed thanks to Director Pam MacKinnon.   

GREAT AMERICAN HEALTH BAR

Food regiments doesn't necessarily pair well with restaurant reviews unless I can find a few that work with the concept.  The Great American Health Bar peaked my attention billing themselves as "A Restaurant for Healthy Eating".  With a kosher and feature of Mediterranean cuisine, the enhancement is having items such as a Create Your Own Salad.

In case you are not familiar with kosher restaurants, keep in mind that they are either "dairy" or "meat" and never a combination.  This one is "dairy", allowing fish such as salmon and tuna.  So it's eggs but no chicken, milk and no beef.  Soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, pizza, quesadillas, platters, beverages and desserts. 

I would have loved to have ventured in a more fresh juice selection or combination since they are equipped with a juicer.  A large glass of carrot juice went fine with my meal. 

In the mood to check out the Mediterranean, I went for the Mediterranean Combo of: Hummus, BaBa-Ganoush, Tabullie, 3 Falafel Balls, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Feta Cheese, Israeli Salad, Green Olives and Pita (cut up in triangles for dipping).

Hummus is a puree of cooked garbanzo beans and tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds.  Garlic, lemon, salt and olive oil tend to be added.  At home I add salt and olive oil, topped with sumac (not the poison plant).  BaBa-Ganoush is a puree of eggplant, sometimes smoked, garlic, tahini and lemon juice.  I didn't ask for their exact ingredients.  Garbanzo beans (aka chick peas) is the basic ingredient of Falafel, sort of equivalent to having a fried meatball.  Tabullie centers on fine cracked wheat with the basic addition of diced tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley.  Grape leaves are stuffed with rice.  Israeli salads tend to have the same ingredients as the Tabullie without the cracked wheat (with a few additions).

I missed out on their veggie burger prepared with chopped vegetables and garbanzo beans, topped with muenster cheese, tomato and served on a whole wheat bun. Next time.

One other feature of The Great American Health Bar is the  Low-Fat Frozen Yogurt with a wide variety of toppings to add to it.  They are located at the lower level of 35 West 57th Street. It's full service with a decent amount of tables.   FYI.  Cafe Classico is upstairs...kosher as well, but no dairy. 

NO SMOKING OR LIMPING

Ernie (John Bolton), a wanna be rocker enters to the front of the stage with the curtain behind him and talks to the audience…that is, the audience of an alcoholic type meeting group with Nicotine being the addiction.  A few words and into song about his wife, Pam (Farah Alvin) being the last smoker in America.  

The curtain opens to reveal a suburban kitchen, Pam in a robe and a high-tech device on the wall called ASPHYXIA an acronym for Anti-Smoking Penalty Help You Xpect  In America.  It spouts that the penalties for smoking are: heavy fines and social ostracism as well as telling us that new and stricter laws of jail time will soon come.   Pam takes out a cigarette from a cookie jar and is tempted to smoke it singing, “How Can I Quit Now”. 

Ex-smoker Ernie is on nicotine gum and without it tends to go into a bit of anger.  A plastic blow up clown is used to punch…for now.   Their teenage son, Jimmy (Jake Boyd), enters after dad goes out asking mom if he could have a cookie.   We get that Jimmy’s addiction is sugar and video games.  He takes pills for being hyper, tending to forget to take them.

Next we meet Phyllis (Natalie Venetia Belcon), their token African-American neighbor who always seems to be in a good mood.  She is being appointed as the district’s no smoking captain.   We first get to hear Belcon’s vocal abilities as she sings, “Let The Lord Be Your Addiction”.  

Now, let me pause and say that the dialogue and lyrics are humorous .  During this number the back wall cabinets open with Ernie and Jimmy dressed as the Osmond Brothers.   This wall will be used for stints such as this.  

We then get Jimmy behaving “Black” rapping a song called, “Gangsta” and wanting to take on that identity.    The audience is involved as well as Ernie rapping with him.  Soon, Pam joins in and then enters Phyllis to complete it.

Ernie will sing “Straight White Man” giving Bolton the opportunity to show off his vocal cords and movement.   Let’s not forget Alvin, who will get her turn a few times, let alone Belcon belting out a few. 

Back to the script…Pam, who does take some puffs, has to leave for fear that she will get caught.   What this whole thing turns out to be is a political statement on privacy at home.   What is next?  

So, what we have here is a 90-minute show (no intermission) with some dialogue but mostly songs of which the book and lyrics are written by Bill Russell, music by Peter Melnick.   On the whole, I found the show to be entertaining and funny.  Talented performers.   Story was a bit choppy.   Too many “things thrown in” for humor or whatever.    Audience involvement was awkward. 

The Last Smoker In America is playing at the Westside Theatre….upstairs.   Not for the handicapped.   Funny thing was that I noticed that the first seat in front of me had a wheel chair notice on the side.   Why?

IMPECCABLE ITALIAN ASELLINA

Grab an Ama Italian beer at Asellina’s back bar during happy hour but don’t worry about the slice of lemon on the glass.  Those citrus slices that accompany our drinks were originally used to keep away the bugs.  The only place you might encounter one is if you are dining in the back garden.   

Ristorante Asellina, located at Park Avenue South and 29^th St, is huge.   Entrance puts you onto the front bar and side lounge area with cushy seats. Into the main dining room with comfortable space between you and the next table.   Continue walking toward the back and down the stairs to another dining room with a bar.  More casual looking and leading to a garden with seating as well.

Chef Marco Porceddu hails from Sardinia, Italy, with a menu that is quite savory.  Genova immigrant Massimo Schiavon was our waiter as I was interested in a tasting of the fare beggining with a specialty of Stuffed Cerignola Olives.  Stuffed with a mousse of roasted veal, mortadella, carrots, celery, truffle and onions the olives are then rolled in semolina and quickly deep fried.  

Antipasti of various Italian cured meats (including Speck) and a few cheeses.   Last appetizer of a chilled Seafood Salad with shrimp, scallops, calamari, octopus, lemon and vinegar.  Salad is marinated overnight and served on a plate with cantaloupe and frisee.

A list of fresh pastas included two dishes that I absolutely loved.   Pistachio Garangelli (the pasta) contained hand made sausage and wild mushrooms.  A little rosemary and thyme, a taste of garlic and leeks, chicken stock and some white wine with a hint of parm cheese.  Out came a sundried tomato infuse spaghetti served in a sea urchin with Italian fennel sausage and shrimp in a light brandy sauce.  

An entrée of Lamb Burger appeared.   Ground and seasoned lamb served atop Carasau bread.  Pickled green tomatillos are made into a compote and served aside and atop the burger that is sprinkled with Pecorino Sardo.  A side of freshly made house fries seemed to have a familiar taste…truffle oil! 

I saved room for dessert as I had to sample the gelatos and sorbets as well as the chocolate cake, cannolis (with and orange liquor) and specialty of Fresh Basil Panna Cotta served with candied pine nuts and a tomato sorbet.   Certainly a savory dessert. 

Meal ended with a glass of Limoncello imported from Sorrento.Not only was the food great but the service here is impeccable. Plates and silverware changed for each course. Now that’s fine dining.

In case you want a picnic basket to take to a park, they have one that serves four people to include:  Dry-aged Cacciatorini wild boar salami, wheel of Tomino cheese from Torino, roasted red and yellow pepper and mixed Italian olives, ciabatta bread, grapes on the wine, handmade pasta salad with veggies, Sicilian tuna salad, lemon pound cake and two liquids – bottled water and a bottle of wine.  Plastic ware, cups and napkin included.   You have to leave a deposit of $50 for the basket.  For reservations call 212-317-2908.

SHUTTLE TO FAIRWAY

I just got this information. 

Fairway Market is now offering a FREE group shuttle bus to its Red Hook, Brooklyn (480-500 Van Brunt Street) location Mondays thru Wednesdays from 10AM-7PM. For groups of 10 or more within a 5 mile radius of Fairway Market, Fairway’s shuttle will pick up customers at one chosen location and bring them to the store. Each group will have an hour and a half to shop and/or enjoy a bite to eat in the picturesque café by the waterfront. There will also be two pickup times on Wednesdays at 10AM and 1PM at 589 Prospect Avenue, between 11^th and 10^th avenues. 

 

To make your pick up reservation for the shuttle - call Viola Williams or Marcy Rosenblum at 347-750-1251

 

 It's time for me to check out Fairway Market's locale in Red Hook...too bad they won't shuttle from my house...oh well.