Everyone plays NYC

One of the cool things about living here is that everyone plays NYC. If you follow a specific performer, a band, a dance company, an artist, etc….eventually, they will have a performance or exhibit here.

This past week, was my birthday and so in celebration, my BF and I had dinner at a little Mexican restaurant in Union Square called El Cantinero. The cuisine is nothing fancy, but it sure satisfies that guilty pleasure serving up piping hot dishes smothered in cheese and salsa. And the margaritas hit the spot as well. They also offer all-you-can-eat Mondays for only $11.95. For location and specials check out their website at http://www.elcantineronyc.com/.

Following dinner, we met friends and headed to the Union Square Theatre where I had the opportunity to see a stand-up comedian/actor whom I have followed and enjoyed for several years, Mr. Eddie Izzard. Performing at 10:30pm (following nightly performances of JUMP, the Korean production that features martial arts and acrobatic displays) Eddie performs for nearly 2 hours.

While being a moderately sized auditorium (500 seats), the Union Square Theatre is probably one of the more intimate spaces in which you will see Mr. Izzard perform. It is so very nice when, without the help of cameras or monitors, you can see the performer's face and feel like you are actually a participant of the performance. This is taken a step further when, Eddie who obviously feels quite at ease, often responds to and sometimes encourages his audience to talk to him while on stage.

The British comedian is known for his monologuesque performances that provide commentary on current political events as well as human culture in an historical and societal context. And of course there is also the little fact that he sometimes dresses like a woman. And in case you were thinking it might only be a shtick, I have actually seen Mr. Izzard riding the New York City subway in his best "executive transvestite" gear.

I admit, I was slightly disappointed when Eddie walked out on stage in jeans and a sports jacket, but the disappointment quickly evaporated and I thoroughly enjoyed his quick witted anecdotes. From the origins of the word "assassins" as explained by Wikipedia to the communication efforts of mute giraffes to the question of the existence of God it was an entertaining and enlightening evening.

By the way, Eddie claims that not all the information on his Wikipedia page is correct, but he didn't say which facts were false and he has refrained from making corrections. See what you think.

Eddie Izzard plays the Union Square Theatre through March 8th. For the remaining dates and tickets visit TicketMaster.

For more information about Eddie or future events, visit http://www.eddieizzard.com./

Insider Tips:

• Many people come into the city to see a specific performance. However, if you happen to be in the metropolitan area and are looking for something to do, you may be surprised by what you discover. Here are some good sites to start with:
  
  City Search - http://www.citysearch.com/
  NYC Tourist - http://www.nyctourist.com/
  NYC Visit - http://www.nycvisit.com/
  Smartix - http://www.smartix.com/
  Ticket Master - http://www.ticketmaster.com/
  Or pick up a copy of Time Out New York http://www.timeout.com/
  


• El Cantinero is a great place for a cheap date especially on Mondays for their all-you-can-eat night. Make sure to read the all-you-can-eat rules at the bottom of the menu. They're good for a hoot. "It is all you can eat, not all you can waste."

Rapidly Responding to You

Hip poetry did not die out with the dawn of the 70’s. In fact it is alive and flourishing in NYC. One of the hippest spots in Manhattan, the Bowery Poetry Club, is where the locals gather to celebrate the spoken word. With a calendar chalked full of events, from poetry readings to hip-hop nights to sketch comedy, the joint is hopping every night of the week.

This week, I attended an event called Rapid Response. A little storytelling, some music, sketches and poetry make up the fabric for this witty show that is performed every other week through May 16th. Imagine a gritty, funny, urban version of Prairie Home Companion with a political twist. Inspired by the headlines of the week their goal is to make "bad news into good shows." The writers and performers only have a few days to write and rehearse each installment, thus the title of the company.

Sometimes thought provoking, sometimes a little weird, sometimes down right hysterical, Rapid Response is more edgy and raw than anything you’ll see on TV. The talented cast provides a well-rounded evening as they satirize current events. The charismatic host, Isaac Butler, keeps the joyful, energetic spirit moving throughout the hour-long performance.

Another fun element of Rapid Response is that each installment is recorded as a podcast. It is a technological update that harkens back to the golden days of radio where a studio audience is privy to the live performance. The podcast is available online at http://www.rapidresponseteam.org/ along with a calendar of remaining dates.

While Rapid Response is appropriate for adults only, The Bowery Poetry Club is open to all ages and provides progams to nurture the future poets out there. It also sells refreshments (coffee and pastries) and includes a bar (where drinks are served to only those patrons that are 21 years and older). To check out a complete list of events happening at the Bowery Poetry Club go to http://www.bowerypoetry.com/.

Inside Tips:

There is only 1 insider tip here and that is check out the websites.

The Bowery Poetry Club has several events every day including some programs that are age appropriate for kids. I'll bet you'll be able to find something that tickles your fancy.

Rapid Response archives all of their podcasts so it is a great opportunity to check out what they do.

Going Blue Man

At this point you would be hard pressed to find an American that does not have some idea of what the Blue Man Group is. From their very modest beginnings performing on street corners in NYC or in underground cabarets such as The Club or the Off-Off-Broadway stage at LaMaMa the Blue Man Group has honed their unique brand of performance art. Now the Blue Man Group boasts world tours, television performances, movie appearances, hugely popular productions in Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, Boston, several locations in Europe and were even the spokesmen for Intel.

The Blue Man Group is an energetic, interactive, musical, multi-media, dance, comedy performance art piece and clown show. One of the reasons that I believe this perennial Off-Broadway production is so popular is because it is so accessible. According to the program their goal is to provide "experiences in a variety of media, which appeal to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds." It does not matter what language you speak. It does not matter how old you are. It does not matter your religion, your education or your political leanings, you can identify with the blue men. That is one hell of an accomplishment.

Using percussive music, paint, films, slide shows, resourceful musical instruments, clever props, tons of recycled paper and the audience itself, the blue men provide an hour and a half of inventive fun with a little insight into human nature and human culture. I have seen the Blue Man Group before and was happy to see some of my favorite scenes from my previous visit, but I was also delighted to see some new things as well.

While the Astor Place Theatre is the home base for the Blue Man Group, it is considerably more modest than the large arenas that host them in other cities. This means you may not see some of the more grand displays that you might at some of the other locations. Also, if you are over 5 feet tall, you might find the seats, especially in the balcony a little too close for comfort.

There is interactive and then there is "interactive." If you don't mind a little regurgitated Twinkie in your hair you might want to reserve a seat in the "poncho" section of the theatre. After all, a little sweat and blue greasepaint never hurt anyone. However, if you are a little squeamish, you might want to get seats a little further back from the stage.

To buy tickets or learn more about the Blue Man Group, check out their website at http://www.blueman.com/.

Insider Tips

• Choose your seat carefully. If you are tall, like me, you will want to select seats either in the first row of the balcony or in the orchestra. There is a "poncho" section of seating consisting of the first 4 rows. People sitting in these seats may be sprayed with food, paint or jello.


• Take a camera. While you are not allowed to take photos in the theatre itself (a rule that is strictly enforced) you can take photos with the blue men and/or the band after the show in the lobby.


• Don't be shy. This is an audience participation production. It is so much more fun when the audience is excited and involved.

Off, off to the Theatre

To say that there is a plethora of theatre in New York City is an understatement. The big apple is the place to be for theatre lovers.

There are of course many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows that offer very polished and professional performances with some of the best singers, dancers and actors along with some of the most spectacular design elements that money can buy. Not to mention all the celebrities who take star turns on the Great White Way.

However, for those of you who are interested in experiencing the complete New York theatre scene and the very heart and soul of American Theatre, you might want to check out the city’s independent theater also known as Off-Off-Broadway. The productions that take place in the more intimate spaces through out New York do not boast big named stars or impressive sets or costumes. But what they lack in production values, they often make up for with innovative staging, visceral and timely plays, outstanding performances and enthusiasm.

Along the West side of 42nd Street, is the famous Theatre Row. During the last 5 years, all of the old theatres (some 15 spaces) were torn down and replaced with a new complex of 5 theatres along with Playwrights Horizons. The new Theatre Row Theatres provide a very pleasant, clean and tourist friendly environment for some of these smaller productions.

This last week, my BF and I went to see an Off-Off-Broadway production entitled Sherlock Solo, a one-person show that tells the tale of one of Sherlock Holmes’ adventures that was previously undocumented by the intrepid Mr. Watson. The playwright, Victor L. Cahn convincingly played the analytical title role along with all the other characters in the story. The set was simple but elegant and gave the distinct feeling of another time and place. The play itself was crisp, fun and titillating especially for those Sherlock Holmes fans in the audience. It was perfect fare for a Saturday matinee.

For only $18 we got a great performance that was as fulfilling as any I’ve seen in New York City. I strongly encourage all visitors to consider Off-Off-Broadway productions in addition to the Broadway shows. Off-Off-Broadway offers some of the best up-and-coming theatre artists along with some of the most accomplished professionals in the city. Plus there is something so thrilling about discovering these gems before the rest of the world does. I love to tell people that “I saw the original production of Urinetown.” Maybe one of these days I’ll be saying “I saw the original production of Sherlock Solo.”

Sherlock Solo was produced by Resonance Ensemble. For more information about the company or their season, check out their website http://www.resonanceensemble.org/.

Insider Tip:

There is just about something for everyone from classic Shakespeare to new plays fresh off the photocopier. I suggest spending a few minutes researching the productions and companies prior to venturing out. There are some fantastic sites that offer reviews and listings of the complete spectrum of theatre happening Off-Off-Broadway.

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards - www.nyitawards.com
TheaterMania – www.theatermania.com
The New York Theatre Experience – www.nytheatre.com
Off-Off-Online – www.offoffonline.com

Full disclosure I am one of the Founders of the New York IT Awards.