Go - See - ENJOY!!

We laughed... we cried... we had a nice star sighting to boot (Sam Rockwell is quite handsome in person.)

Which show am I talking about? Brighton Beach Memoirs now back on Broadway in NYC. Myself and 3 friends (including one feller) - we ALL enjoyed the show!

The cast is AMAZING. They are actors and entertainers.

Two women you've seen on small and big screens for years, Laurie Metcalf and Jessica Hecht were wonderful! Truly.

If the young actors in this show are apreview of what we have to look forward to from the next generation -- hip hip HOORAY!

Young Noah Robbins, who plays Eugene (the main character and narrator) stole the show. You hang on his every word.

Although the story is set in 1937... it's as relevant and relatable now as it ever was. A war holds their interest and family, jobs and money are scarce and families have bound together to make sure they all survive.

I'm hoping to see Broadway Bound after it opens November 18th. Same family - 12 years later.

Don't hesitate to buy a ticket and enjoy a great play on Broadway. It will be money well spent!

Gypsy!

I was so happy that Sandi and Jason were able to join me for dinner at Hagi followed by this amazing show! As always, [Sake Bar] Hagi was delish!The Pork with garlic sprouts was simple and fantastic . I have a difficult time finding the garlic sprouts in the US. Sometimes I can find them in Chinatown. What are they some have asked? Think chives but thicker and with a garlic flavor. Um - YUM! We of course got the Daikon Radish Salad with its million little eyes from the crispy tiny sardines that top it, a bowl of Pork Ramen, Bonito Sashimi, and grilled Hamachi (Yellowtail collar grilled and served with lemon. Perfect.)

I'm thrilled to have been able to see Patti LuPone in such a wonderful role as Mamma Rose last night. I'd been dying to see Gypsy for months when Monday an email popped up saying this was its last week. LAST WEEK! I sent out an email and a few friends were game to join me (thankfully the email also had discount codes!) Tuesday I dashed to the box office (to save the $10-$15 worth of per ticket fees) and got 3 of the last 10 tickets available. WOW!

It has been said long before now that LuPone was made for this role. She certainly gave it 110%. She must be exhousted at the end of each performance. Boyd Gains portrays an amazing

Herbie. You feel his pain and his love for Mamma Rose. Her more mild manored and wall floweresque daughter, Louise, is played beautifully by Laura Benanti. When she breaks out of her shell she transforms into a beautiful and sexy woman. Really well done.

What a wonderful night.

On the way out, crowds across the street were going crazy as Daniel Radcliff came out after performing in Equus. I'm hoping to see him before he leaves.

So many shows closing. Let's hope that Broadway figures a way to lower ticket prices during this economy before it's gone to a place of no return.

3 Boroughs in 3 days

Let's see. Karaoke in Queens. Home cooked Indian food and movie night in Brooklyn...what to do to fill up my last Sunday in NYC before I fly back to China again after my 10 day lay-over at home?


Broadway it is!


My girlfriend DJ came down from Connecticut bringing her fiancé, Jeff, along! This was a momentous occasion. DJ and I met in college doing theater. It was love at first site. She was as big of a smart-ass as I was. We ended up dating roommates - so it's a good thing we liked each other. Later we were to be roommates ourselves, otherwise known as no peace and quiet but a whole lot of fun!

Why was this visit so momentous you ask? This was to be Jeff's - first - EVER- show (Broadway or other.) Yippee!! We decided that Mama Mia would be a good first show. Music he'd know and a lively beat. And since they are to be married May 10th - it was none to soon!!

But wait, there's more! DJ called me a few days before hand to let me know the party was going to get bigger! She had a coworker coming in from Brazil and another would be coming with them from Connecticut! Add in my two friends and we had a party!

After a lovely breakfast at Henry's the first 5 of us headed down to Time's Square for a short walk-about before meeting Karthika and Radhika at the theatre. The show was fun as promised and everyone enjoyed it! There will be more shows for Jeff! Yippee!

What next? An early (for NYC) dinner! We hopped on the 50th street subway and rode down to 34th street. After a short walk south east we arrived in Koreatown!! I proudly brought them to my favorite Korean BBQ joint - Kang Suh. I'd tried calling in a reservation a few times but the line was always busy.

It. Was. CLOSED for RENOVATION! One of it's employees was out front and directed us across the street to Won Jo. After settling in and ordering the food began to arrive.

First the small dishes. Then the loading of the charcoal into the BBQ's in the center of the two tables.

Soon the meat and the fish were lain on the grills to sounds of sizzling and crackling as we all breathed in the wonderful smells.

What to eat first? The roasted then pickled hot peppers? The bamboo or sprouts? And what about the lettuce? Ssäm of course -- where you wrap up meats and rice and bits from the small dishes into a lettuce wrap and chow down.

Yuuuuum!!!

There were chopsticks grabbing left and right. Sounds of mumbling, yummings, laughing and just pure enjoyment. Really a lovely way to spend a Sunday. Won Jo was tasty, although I think they need to give more grilled veggies, they were quite different in many ways to Kang Suh. Rain check.

Thanks all for joining me on my last weekend in NYC for a little while!!

Time to pack!

SHE'S ALIVE!!

I am so so very behind on blogging...
Life has been all too busy!

I will, as soon as the work rush passes, get back and fill in...

** March's trip through Sri Lanka -- one of the most amazing places I've even been!

** April's journeys through both Italy and France...part of the round the world tour in a month starting in Hong Kong!

** End April/Early May's trip from NYC to Seattle through Vancouver to Hong Kong with Meg to share HK with Meg and Dan...and some of China too!

** Knitting -- I have actually FINISHED something (last night!!)

** Rickey Gervais LIVE, Broadway: Journey's End... Off Bway:BAM- Cypoline (AMAZING!)

** Engagement parties, gals nights out... walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (being a tourist in my own city.)

3 months of fun and fantastic photos to finish going through for my Flickr page...I've loaded some...about two tenths I think! Phew.

I'll get too it!!! Promise!

It's catalog shoot time of year again and I'm up to my neck designing the next catalog and prepping for the shoot! Back to it I go!!

Oh that little dog!



What fun! I was able to score some last minute Broadway show tickets ($3 each!!) for The Little Dog Laughed (with Julie White, Tom Everett Scott, Ari Graynor and Johnny Galecki (yes, the fellow currently on My Boys!)) for tonight! Jo and Emmanuel were able to join Dan and I - Yeah! Appropriately and simply described on their website as: "An agent on the phone. A movie star on the rise. A hustler on the prowl."

The various monologues performed by the lead female were wonderful! She grabbed your attention and didn't let go for a second!

I think seeing Jo's face at intermission, a bit surprised at the full nudity...um...male nudity (both Scott and Galecki)...that was seen at the end of Act 1, well, that made my night. Apparently you wouldn't see anything like that on stage in Singapore. Ever. Meanwhile the man (in his late 40s) sitting behind me was heard telling his wife, "I know they said brief moments of full nudity with homosexual overtones would be seen during this show...but I assumed it would be WOMEN!"
His wife snickered and commented that she'd "thought it was just fine."

No, the nudity wasn't the point of the show - it was very brief - over almost before you realized they were nude, but it was funny to hear the buzz in the crowd.

If you can catch it during its run - do so! I enjoyed it! (I think we all did!)

Knitting...
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... I'm moving right along with knitting secret project #1 that I'd begun last fall... only a few weeks to finish! Phew!

Spamalot!

Tonight I met up with the same crew from last night (Jo, Emmanuel, Suzanne, Derek & Honghui) for dinner and to see Spamalot. Jo had secured some affordable tickets that had full view! Thanks Jo!

We started the evening at Seeda Thai for a pre-theatre bite. It was quick, tasty and affordable!

From there we wandered back into Times Square to the Shubert Theatre watch Spamalot. It was indeed a funny show. Although I think you would laugh at more jokes had you seen The Holy Grail, you didn't need to (I was the only one who had seen it!)

Afterwards we popped over to Junior's Time Square for some coffee and dessert. I enjoyed my Rugulah and coffee and everyone else seemed to enjoy their Cheesecakes! Another fun night had by all! My last night out in NYC for a while!