As You Like It

One of my favorite summertime activities is catching some of the live outdoor performances in Central Park.

This last weekend, my BF and I enjoyed a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It presented by Boomerang Theatre Company. This production had all the requisite elements of good outdoor theatre; live music, comedy, physical action and good actors who are able to project. It also didn't hurt that As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's most popular (and easy to follow) plays.

It is not always easy to perform outdoors. The weather of course is a wild card and then there are constant distractions such as other park goers, snack vendors, city traffic, playful children laughing and screaming, etc. etc. However the Boomerang cast was up for the challenge. Wandering minstrel, Scott Williams entertained the crowd as we found seats and continued to add to the buoyant atmosphere throughout the show. Jessi Gotta was the anchor of the production with her fully realized portrayal of Rosalind the quick witted heroine and Matthew Trumbull turned in a wonderfully humorous and unexpected performance as the pretentious know-it-all Jaques.

Director Matt Johnston cleverly pared down the production to the essentials of the story and let the script and the actors do the rest. A large rock and tree surprisingly provided the perfect setting for the romantic comedy. Set in contemporary times and with few props, the cast quickly grabbed the attention of the assembled audience and entertained us throughout the very quick 2 hours.

As You Like It runs through August 10th and is Free to attend.

Insider Tips:

• Check out Boomerang Theatre Company's website. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary and have a great season planned.
• Bring a blanket or lawn chair, water and a snack.
• Check out where the bathrooms are located before the performance begins
• Central Park offers a ton of fun outdoor performances check out these links for information
  Summer Stage
  Sandbox Stories & Music
  Marionette Theater
  Delacorte Theatre

The Mother of Silly Hat Days

New Yorkers like to wear silly hats. It's true. We'll use any excuse to create and wear an absolutely absurdly gaudy headpiece; Halloween, New Years, St. Patrick's Day…. But the mother of all silly hat days has got to be Easter. If you were to stroll down 5th Avenue between 10am and 4pm on Easter Sunday, you would get an eyeful of the silliest bonnets ever created. And it's not just humans. Dogs, cats, birds, snakes and even a pig don incredibly ridiculous hats in a rainbow of pastel colors.

It may be the anticipation of the return of the warm weather, but everyone is in a good mood, full of Easter chocolate and feeling a bit frivolous. The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is a colorful, fun and funny event that will keep you giggling.

My BF and I also took the opportunity to saunter through Central Park, have a little picnic and visit the Angel of the Waters at Bethesda Terrace. The park is full of activities such as bike-riding and ice-skating. There are also tons of statues and art installations to appreciate, paths to explore and quiet patches of nirvana to discover.

I intend to write a blog this summer about Central Park and all the activities it has to offer, but in the meantime check out the official Central Park website.

Insider Tips:

• Get to the parade early. All the best stuff seems to be earlier in the day.
  
• Take your camera. There are lots of great photo ops.
  
• Bring a lunch and enjoy the park.