MAIL CARRIER CAN'T READ

It's one thing when I get mail addressed to a former residence of my home but when I get mail addressed to my neighbor, I have to think about where my mail is going to.  On Saturday, I received a piece of mail addressed to my neighbor on the right.  Today, it was THREE pieces of mail addressed to the neighbor on my left.  Just the legality alone of dropping mail into the mailbox of another is something to look at but this is the post office and it's my regular mailman delivering the mail.

My biggest concern is that my bills will not get to me and then I'm penalized.  One of the pieces of mail that should have gone to my neighbor came from a bank.  I called the post office to tell them as this is not the first time that this has occurred.  They even sent me a sticker to place above my mail slot alerting the carrier to make sure that it's going to the correct address.  After enough weather related upsets to the sticker, it is no longer there.  So, does that mean that the carrier now does not have to look at the address?  Am I expected to be a mail carrier and deliver the incorrect mail to the correct address?

What test did this guy take to get the job?  

I wrote on each piece of mail, "Delivered to the wrong address".   The carrier is supposed to "swing around later" and pick up the mail.  Is that like waiting for the furniture to arrive? 

WORKING WORKS WELL

How do take a 36 character cast of an Off-Broadway musical and work it so that six actors play all of the roles in a span of about 90 minutes?  Working is the name of the production that was first presented on Broadway in 1978 with stars that included Patti LuPone and Joe Mantegna.  It is now being presented in an Off (not sure if is Off-off) Broadway venue, 59E59 (Yes, it's located at 59 E. 59th Street), by the Prospect Theatre Company and called "Working, A Musical".

Working, from the book by Studs Terkel, adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso (with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg (who directed this production) included songs by Craig Carnella, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers & Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz and James Taylor. It's all about finding significance in your jobs.

As the audience enters, we see actors preparing, stage crew setting up the stage, and the stage manager doing a pre-show check.  Half lights and the Stage Manager is cuing lights and some videos. Some are projections and we can see three old tape recorders playing at different points. One is of Chicago radio broadcaster Studs Terkel, who published a best selling compilation of interviews that involved a cross section of Americans talking about their jobs.  The entire company sings, "All The Livelong Day".

Let me first give you the cast:  Marie-France Arcilla, Joe Cassidy, Donna Lynne Champlin, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Nehal Joshi and Kenita R. Miller.  Now, I'll give you the cast of characters in order of appearance along with the numbers.

Mike Dillard, ironworker (Joe). Rex Winship, hedge fund manager (Joe). Amanda McKenny, project manager (Kenita). Freddy Rodriguez, fast food worker (Nehal) as he and the ensemble sing, Delivery.

Rose Hoffman, school teacher (Donna). She sing "Nobody Tells Me How". Terry Mason, flight attendant (Marie). Frank Decker, interstate trucker (Jay). He and the ensemble sing, "Brother Trucker".

Raj Chadha, tech support (Nehal). Sharon Atkins, receptionist (Marie). Kate Rushton, housewife (Kenita). She sings, "Just A Housewife".

Conrad Sweibel, UPS delivery man (Jay). Roberta Victor, prostitute (Kenita). Candy Cottingham, fundraiser (Donna). Grace Clements, millworker (Marie). She and the ensemble sing, "Millwork".

The entire cast will sing, "If I Could've Been".  Allen Epstein, community organizer (Nehal). Anthony Coelho, stone mason (Nehal). He sings, "The Mason". Eddie Jaffe, publicist (Joe). Delores Dante, waitress (Donna). She sings, "It's An Art".

Joe Zutty, retiree (Joe). He sings, "Joe". Tom Patrick, fireman (Jay). Utkarsh Trajillo, elder care worker (Nehal).  Theresa Liu , nanny (Marie).  Utkarsh and Theresa sing, "A Very Good Day".

Maggie Holmes, cleaning lady (Kenita). She and ensemble sing "Cleanin' Women". Ralph Werner, student (Jay). Charlie Blossom, ex-newsroom assistant (Nehal). Mike Dillard, ironworker (Joe) returns and sings "Fathers and Sons" along with an ensemble.

The last number is called "Something To Point To", sung by the company.   It is all about those that work who do not get the recognition but can point to a building, bridge, road or something that they can recall having even a tiny piece of the action involving the job that they do. "The lumber was cut, decisions were made, the office is run, the coffee is sold, etc.".

Working, A Musical will have it's run at this venue until December 30th.  The running time is 90 minutes with no intermission, now renamed, "inter-pish-ion" by Mark Lord and myself.  For those who are not privy to the Yidish word, "pish", it means "pee".  Any intermission is an interpishion.

My critique. Most times a cast member would go off stage and return in a different outfit for the different character.   There were many times that two members of the backstage crew would come onto the stage and redress the actor to change to another character without a change of lighting. Clever!

Favorite number was "It's An Art", due to both the humor, singing and presentation.  Kudos to Donna who got it.  Good voices.  All in harmony and professional.  However, there wasn't any particular performer that I would go out of my way to hear at a nightclub.  Talented cast.  All on cue. Good choreography by Josh Rhodes.  Band was hidden above the "cubicles". 

Here is Mark Lord's critique of the show.  
"All of the songs in the show are holdovers from Broadway, with two new additions by Lin-Manuel Miranda,
of "In the Heights" fame. A few of the original numbers have been cut. Several lines have been added, too,
bringing the show a more up-to-date feel and lending it greater relevance.

Here, a cast of six talented and versatile performers takes on over two dozen roles. This means a lot of very quick costume changes, several of which are cleverly done in view of the audience. The wardrobe assistants pitch in with panache."

The choreography is simple but effective. Scene changes are interwoven seamlessly. Use of multi media
recordings and projections enhances the show's effectiveness. The show runs 95 minutes without intermission and flies by. In today's economy, it takes on extra poignancy."

For a complete schedule of upcoming shows go to www.59e59.org   

HAYNEEDLED

I have this indoor-outdoor zero gravity "chaise lounge" that I bought from Sharper Image.  Never hit the outdoors as I have been using it as my "recliner" in front of the tv.   It is made of steel, some type of non-chinsy material and wood on the arms.  You've probably seen these.  In the lying position, I tend to nod off due to it being so comfortable and having its own pillow as well.

With the many years of use and all I could do to mend the parts that keep it together (gaining weight will do that), I thought it was time to get a new one.  I had been looking all over for the same one but Sharper Image went out of business and had been taken over to be no more than an internet buying site.  Zero gravity chair not a part of it.

I googled and found a company called HAYNEEDLE.   It got lots of stars and I thought I found one that was perfect for indoor and moderately priced.  It showed being thick padded and close to what I wanted or at least what I would settle for.

Out of the box.  No instructions.  Didn't really look as if I needed any to put it together other than how to install the cup that goes with it.  No matter how I maneuvered it, it would not go into a sitting position and believe me I so stubbornly tried.  I spoke to customer service who said that there was a video on their website.  It showed the chair in a sitting position and how to turn a couple of knobs to get the position you want towards lying down.  It did not help.   You have to be able to sit in a chair such as this in order to work the knobs.  Funny that there were no instructions as if they had sent me one that someone had already returned and after looking at it and not testing it out, they just re-wrapped and threw it back in the box.

Hayneedle decided to refund my money and said that I should donate the chair or throw it out.  Donate it?  If it doesn't work, what would someone do with it.  It's not like a chaise lounge with no arms.  In its lying position, you can't get into it.  Perhaps HAYNEEDLE needs to check out the company that made it for them to sell, or perhaps they only use reviews that are positive.

NEW YORK CITY'S GAY MEN'S CHORUS

Big Apple Performing Arts, Inc. presented the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, this past Sunday, December 15th at Town Hall. Dr. Charles Beale, Artistic Director did such a FABULOUS job conducting those lovely voices. There were a few times that he stepped aside to allow James Gedge and Skie Ocasio to do there thing as well.  It was all to do from keep my eyes on Tom McGillis, the Sign Language Interpreter as he not only signed the words but used his acting abilities as well as his huge smile.

The performance was a combination of readings from a podium located below the stage on the left (stage right) and singing (vs. signing).  "I too sing America" was spoken leading into "The American Dream" and a salute to George Gershwin and Irving Berlin with "An American Holiday".  A spoken "Noel" was the followed by "Three Carols":  Emanuel, Shiloh, and Bethlehem, then into a reading of The Angel Gabriel salutes the blessed Virgin Mary.

"Ave Maria" (the Anton Bruckner version) following with "Gabriel's Message" and two speeches: "No struggle, no progress" and "Change".  Back to musice with "You Yourself Must Change It" and Over the Skies of Yisrael (yes, a token Jewish holiday number)".

The Legend of the Poinsettia was read followed by "Christmas Time is Here/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".  Two firefighters were honored re hurricane Sandy ending the first part of the show with "Holding Out for a Hero".

A bit of humor after intermission with "What I Want for Christmas medley", "The Value of Singing", "High Middle and Low" and a sing along of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with a twist having the words on the program insert.

GUEST STAR!  Judy Collins came on to the stage singing a few songs, telling a joke and letting us know about her Town Hall show coming up next June.

"Let it Snow" and "Silver Bells" was followed by a reading of Gingerbread Spoon Cake, a recipe from Paula Deen.  "Hard Candy Christmas" led into a reading of Gift Suggestions.  It was then that I notice that Tom McGillis had departed from his spot and onto the stage.  We were taught how to sign the beginning of "Silent Night".  At first there was a solo in German, followed by the chorus with everyone signing.  Then there was no music while we all signed the song.

McGillis stayed on the stage while the chorus sang "This Holiday" and the finale, "Christmas Time's a-comin'".

Celebrities?   I believe that Sarah Rice (who was in the original cast of Sweeney Todd as Johanna) was seated beside me. 

FAVELA CUBANA IS DELICIOSO

One of the best ways to seek a restaurant near an event that you're attending is to simply place, "restaurant near (the address)" and look at their menu.  LaGuardia Place, near NYU and Washington Square Park found Favela Cubana, "Traditional Cuban and Brazilian Food".  A Happy Hour bill of fare sounded most interesting as each of five appetizers and drinks had a cost of $5.  Can two people share all five, each have a drink and have your taste buds as well as your tummy satisfied for $35?

Two bongo drums line the entrance and on a much warmer evening, it would have been pleasant to sit outside.  Favela connotes a shanty town in Brazil.  The inside was a tone of wood, a few murals, showcase of Cuban and Brazilian rum and a bar with bongo drums for bar stools (they are all playable).

Wanting to experience more than just the happy hour delights, I ordered one of them, Lula Fritas that consisted of fried squid and shrimp with pickled onions and chili aioli sauce. Served with house made plantain chips.  I was most pleased to find it cooked perfectly, let alone tasting so well being that it isn't an Italian restaurant.  I even chuckled that they used the word "calamari" instead of "squid".  Turned out that the owner, Marco Britti, spent most of his life in Italy before moving to Brazil.

With the assistance of Jelena, a was able to get a description of the other Happy Hour dishes: Chorizo Croquettes (3), Pulled Pork sliders (2), Empanadas (3) and a portion of Tostones (twice fried plantains) with Favela Sauce.

Rather than check out the pork sliders, my test for Cuban is the Cuban Sandwich, which consists of the roasted pulled pork, ham, swiss cheese, fried pickles and honey dijon mustard done panini style on ciabatta.  It was served with a side of mixed greens. Test passed.

I continued eating. Pao de Queijo is a traditional cheese bread of Brazil. The small ball of dough, made with corn is wrapped around Asiago cheese.  Corvina Ceviche uses snapper as "corvina" is basically a white fish.  It is combined with cucumber, avocado, red onions, tomato, jalapeno, cilantro and fresh lime juice.

"Ensalada De Camarones" sounded good and tasted even better.  Seasoned grilled shrimp is the star as it is placed over a salad of baby arugula, toasted almonds, guacamole with a jalapeno dressing.

Beef was a must to sample typical Brazilian cuisine.  There were three different cuts of meat on the bill of fare.  Marco suggested the Ropa Vieja as this one uses skirt steak, one that is very tender and can be "pulled".  The meat is then mixed with bell peppers and Spanish onions.  Let's combine the Cuban cuisine by serving it with a side of Cuban black beans and white rice.

I guess I could have had coconut flan or tres leches, but I was intrigued with the Passion Fruit Panna Cotta (there was also a dessert choice of gelato). The panna cotta was served with blackberries and a cashew nut brittle.

As for a drink, I ordered a Cava Sangria that added white grape juice, grand marnier, mint and strawberries. Quite refreshing.

As for my experience of the food, I found each of the items to have much flavor, and tantalized my taste buds as well as my tummy.  Favela Cubana is located at 543 LaGuardia Place.  www.favelacubana.com 

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.   

MUMMENSCHANZ IS A MASQUERADE OF JOY

Mummenschanz is celebrating their 40th anniversary with a show at the NYU venue of Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Trying to describe the type of performance is almost like giving a verbal description of how to tie your shoelaces.

To make it easier I will give you their description. "The ordinary becomes extraordinary as common materials of everyday objects - wires, tubes, fabrics and different shapes spring to life as fantastic characters".  You will see 30 sketches of playful, colorful creatures.

Non-verbal mime-masque theatrics with a cast of four includes Floriana Frasseto, the co-founder, who has been with the company since it originally performed in Paris in 1972.  We all wish we were able to move that well as we age.  How they do it is the awesome part of this and you can't help but laugh as well. 

The actors are clad in black as about half of the sketches focus on the lit up costumes.  You will view the creatures, characters, or whatnot going across the stage so it appears that there are no actors with them.  At other times actors are inside the "creature" and move about to create the sketch.  Okay, as an example...each of two actors were onstage "dressed" to focus more on their head than the rest of the body.  Why?  The eyes and other parts of their head were tubes of toilet paper.  This captured a love scene between the two by using the toilet paper. As I said, it's difficult to describe....you know...like..."you had to be there".

There are even times when the "character" comes off the stage and into the audience.  One of the funniest was this huge "ball" that kept approaching the edge of the stage with some reluctance and then simply rolled into the audience and on top of a few folks.  

What is so fabulous about Mummenschanz is that it's not limited to any type of audience.  All of the kids in the audience were awe struck....you could hear them.  Standing ovations and a few curtain calls.  Mummenschanz is a masquerade of pure joy.

Performances will be running until January 6, 2013.  Check it out at www.mummenschanznyc.com