Video: 'Sister Act' on Broadway

Video highlights from the stage musical adaptation of 'Sister Act' playing at the Broadway Theatre in New York City. Visit youtube.com for more videos from the musical.

The Venue: Broadway Theatre Pairs with 'Sister Act'

(all images: TheHopefulTraveler)

Befitting its name, the Broadway Theatre is one of only five playhouses that front the street named Broadway. Opened in 1924 as a movie and vaudeville house, it has one of the largest seating capacities at 1,761 making it attractive for staging musical comedies. Until a refurbished Studio 54 was returned to a legitimate theatre in 1998, the Broadway Theatre at the corner of 53rd Street marked the northern outpost of the Times Square theatre district.

Some of the notable productions to open at the Broadway Theatre: 'Gypsy' (1959) and 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1966) both starring Ethel Merman; 'Evita' (1979) starring Patti Lupone; and 'Les Miserables' (1987).

In addition to 'Sister Act' which is currently playing the venue, other productions I have experienced at the Broadway Theatre include 'Miss Saigon' (1991); 'La Boheme' (2003) directed by Baz Luhrmann; 'Bombay Dreams' (2004) composed by A.R. Rahman; 'Shrek The Musical' (2008); and the revival of 'Promises, Promises' (2010) starring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes.

The renaissance exterior of the theatre was resurfaced in polished granite in 1991 when a skyscraper was constructed above the theatre. The interiors boasts one of the more beautiful lobbies with twin staircases whisking patrons to the mezzanine level, chandeliers and ornate decorative features.

The Broadway Theatre is one of seventeen Broadway houses owned by the Shubert Organizaton.

Step outside of the Broadway Theatre for a great view of Broadway leading
south to the Times Square.

Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop

When my buddy Peter in Westchester mailed me a jar of dark chocolate dreams from Peanut Butter & Co. five years ago, I was hooked and was eager to try their other flavors of peanut butter. This brand of peanut butter cannot be found in Honolulu where I reside and though they can be purchased online, I usually pick up a jar or two at Whole Foods when I visit Manhattan.

For this year's trip back to the city, I was determined to make a stop at their NYC Sandwich Shop. It's a quaint, cute shop where one can grab a quick bite to eat. Its popularity no doubt is built on their reputation of flavored peanut butters and our recollections of enjoying a homemade peanut butter sandwich in our youth.

Most of the sandwiches run about $7 to $8 on your choice of bread and include a side of potato chips and carrot sticks. Some classic sandwiches include the Elvis ($7.50, grilled peanut butter sandwich, stuffed with bananas and honey) and the Cookie Dough Surprise ($6.75, peanut butter on one side and velvetty vanilla cream cheese on the other, stuffed with chocolate chips). I opted for something with one of my favorite foods: bacon. The Peanut Butter BLT ($7.00) is prepared with toasted bread and fresh cut bacon. Rather than the creamy texture of mayonnaise, the peanut butter gives the sandwich a heartier flavor. Naturally any peanut butter sandwich requires a drink and paired it with a bottle of Martinelli's apple juice.

Among their jars of peanut butter, I have tried the Dark Chocolate Dreams, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, White Chocolate Wonderful and The Heat is On. The latter is best used as a dipping peanut butter with crackers or vegetable sticks. The other make are better for sandwiches or for those you love to eat peanut butter out of a jar.

Visit ilovepeanutbutter.com for more info and to shop online. The Sandwich Shop is located at 240 Sullivan Street in New York City between 3rd and Bleecker just south of Washington Square Park. Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm. Click HERE to view their shop menu.

Washington Square Park & Washington Memorial Arch

I had no intention of visiting Washington Square Park but such is one benefit of exploring the city on foot. On my way to Peanut Butter & Co Sandwich Shop nearby, I took a pause here to view another of Manhattan's historic squares. Since visiting Manhattan over the years since 1995, I can't actually remember setting foot in this park until today.

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, the park is alive with residents and visitors enjoying the warm summer day. The park grounds has an unsavory history. Originally a marshland and hunting ground, criminals were hung from a large elm tree in the northwest corner until the 1820s. From 1797 until 1926 paupera were buried here and the remains of about 10,000 people rest here in peace. Eventually the city purchased the land making its nine acres the city's largest park in the 1840s. The park today is popular with the students of nearby New York University.

The most striking feature of the park is the Washington Memorial Arch. Originally built in 1889 of wood, plaster and papier mache it commemorates the centenary of George Washington's inauguration as the first president of the United States. Eventually it was replaced by a permanent stone arch that still stands today. The arch measures 30 feet across and 77 feet high and was the gateway to Fifth Avenue when cars passed directly underneath it in the 1950s. The city closed all traffic through the park in 1963.

More info about Washington Square Park at nycgovparks.org. Click HERE for a 360 degree view near the Washington Memorial Arch.

Union Square Park & Greenmarket, Summer 2011

Top photos: Union Square Park and one entrance to the Union Square
subway station.
(all photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

After brunch at Max Brenner I had a few hours to explore this part of lower Manhattan before a Broadway matinee. I started with a visit to Union Square Park. Reclaimed from drug dealers and abject ruin in the late 1980s, the park which opened in 1839 is adjacent to one of Manhattan's busiest subway stations and one of the most pleasant places in the city to spend a part of the day.

The park is best known as the site of New York's premier Greenmarket. Open year-round rain or shine, the market is open each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8am-6pm. Vendors sell fresh vegetables and fruits, organic baked goods, cider, wine, cheese and fresh fish. Other goods include fresh cut flowers and plants. Even if you don't plan to purchase anything, a visit is worth it just for the visual delight. Part of the market's purpose is to promote regional agriculture, preserve farmland and ensure a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for all New Yorkers.

Learn more about the Greenmarket at grownyc.org. More info about Union Square Park at nycgovparks.gov.

Below photos: Union Square Greenmarket.

A Sweet Breakfast at Max Brenner, Union Square

A restaurant that is entirely devoted to chocolate was all I needed to know. Actually Max Brenner serves more than chocolate at their restaurants. The New York City location near Union Square was the perfect place for a late Saturday breakfast.

Resembling a chocolate factory with pipes that appear to be pumping 100% pure chocolate above restaurant goers, the atmosphere is one that is immediately inviting by the aroma of cocoa and sweet and colorful display of chocolates goodies in the restaurant's boutique. If you've ever dreamed of walking into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, this place will seem like heaven to you.

Our breakfast party made our selections from Max's Brunch Therapy Menu. For myself, I ordered the Cinnamon Apple & White Chocolate Truffle Cream French Toast ($14.55).

Giselle and Ritchie chose the Lazy Breakfast ($13.25) made of two extra large egg whites scrambled with with two of any of the following: bacon, mushrooms, onions, cheddar, cheese, chorizo or tomatoes and Bagels Mood ($8.00) with peanut butter and jam.

I coupled my meal with a dark chocolate cocoa ($5.25) served in their signature Hug Mug which is specially designed so that it can be hugged in both hands to create the experience of coziness, warmth and fragrance.

With my sweet tooth, there was no doubt that I would enjoy this meal. If time was not an issue, I likely would have placed an order for a second entree from the brunch menu. Max Brenner is on the map for me and is worth visiting again. The service is fast and friendly and a visit gives me a reason to browse the high-end chocolates and chocolate-inspired goods in their shop.

Max Brenner chocolates or "Chocolates by the Bald Man" is an Israeli chocolate shop chain founded in 1996 by Max Fichtman and Oded Brenner who combined their names for the company. Max Brenner operates restaurants in Boston, Philadephia and Las Vegas. International locations are found in Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and Israel.

More info at maxbrenner.com. The New York City location which opened in 2006 is just north of Union Square at 841 Broadway (between 13th and 14th Streets). Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-Midnight; Fri 9am-2am; Sat 9am-2am (brunch 9am-4pm) and Sun 9am-11pm (brunch 9am-4pm). Click HERE for online restaurant reservations.

Review: 'Catch Me If You Can' Flies Into the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway

Aaron Tveit (center)

Norbert Leo Butz

Aaron Tveit
(all production photos: Joan Marcus)

Originally directed on film by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, “Catch Me If You Can” would hardly seem like a subject matter begging for a stage musical treatment.

But with the talents that brought the megahit “Hairprsay” to Broadway working together again on another film-to-stage adaptation set in the same time period, it would appear that lighting would strike twice. That team includes composer Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman, director Jack O’Brien, choreographer Jerry Mitchell and the same designers (David Rockwell, sets; William Ivey Long, costumes; Kenneth Postner, lighting). New to the party is Tony Award winning book writer Terrence McNally (“Ragtime,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman”). The new musical is even taking up residence at the the Neil Simon Theatre where “Hairspray” triumphed for over six years.

Kerry Butler

“Catch Me If You Can” caputures the true store of Frank Abagnale, Jr, (Aaron Tveit) a world-class con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, lawyer and a jet pilot, all before the age of 21. With straight-arrow FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Norbert Leo Butz) on Frank’s trail. In the end Agent Hanratty learns he and Frank aren’t so very different after all, and Frank finds out what happens when love catches up to a man on the run.

Previewing the show with a digital copy of the cast recording, the score by Shaiman and Wittman is less infectious than “Hairspray” but the songs in “Catch Me” do have a certain ease about them. Writing within the constraints that could have easily fallen prey to sound like Harry Connick, Jr. CD filler, the opening song “Live In Living Color” is a bouncy opening production number for the ensemble and leading man Tveit and makes for a promising start to the show. Other highlights include “Butter Outta Cream” which is a fun duet for Frank Junior and Senior (Tom Wopat) and “Seven Wonders” a plaintive love song between Frank, Jr and candy-striper Brenda Strong (Kerry Butler).

Aaron Tveit and Tom Wopat

Aaron Tveit and Kerry Butler

Rachel de Benedet

Watching the performance tonight, one appreciates the epic scope of the original film. So much information and story, so many places and characters are covered fluidly within the film’s running time. The conceit of the stage adaptation that appeared to be clever on paper is ultimately its downfall and robs the show of any suspense.

Staged to resemble a television variety show, Frank, Jr. narrates as host to his own story. The show could have been called scenes from “Catch Me If You Can” as the musical jumps to each musical highlight rather than building the story and characters. Also one point of fun in the movie was scene after scene of Frank, Jr swindling his way through another scam. In this musical these scams carry far less dramatic weight. It is a shame because elements in the show give a hint of a musical that could have worked better under a different storytelling device. The show is intriguing if underwhelming.

Norbert Leo Butz

Candice Marie Woods and Aaron Tveit

Thank goodness for many things in the show including the big act one number for Butz who commandeers the stage with “Don’t Break The Rules.” Butz is a talent to reckon with. Attacking the middle-age agent role with gusto and finding every nuance of humor, his best actor Tony Award is well deserved. Such a sterling stage presence is Butz that Tveit’s Frank, Jr is overshadowed throughout the show.

Tveit actually has very little to work with as shades and development of his character are built mainly through his narration. But at least he always looks smart, smooth and sharp throughout the evening. One thing about Tveit is he has one of the better pop voices on Broadway and works wonders with his songs and is especially strong in “Goodbye” and “Someone Else’s Skin”.

“Goodbye” is one of the best songs in the score should have been the number to end the show. Though “Stuck Together” is a fine jazzy and showy duet for the two leads and which is the show's actual final number, “Goodbye” would have made for a far more dramatic and defiant ending.

Aaron Tveit (center)

Aaron Tveit

The show sports a talented pool in its supporting cast. Tom Wopat and Rachel de Benedet as Frank’s parents do fine work but are saddled with lackluster numbers. However Linda Hart and Nick Wyman as Brenda’s parents relish in the best ensemble number in act two with “(Our) Family Tree.” The always perky Butler as Brenda is underutilized so much so that the love that blossoms between her character and Frank, Jr practically arrives out of nowhere. Even Brenda’s big ballad “Fly, Fly Away” doesn’t give Butler the proper encompassing moment she deserves to gain the audiences sympathy.

Mitchell’s choreography is built into several major ensemble numbers but though “Doctor’s Orders” and “Jet Set” are fun, they detract from the colorful characters and actors populating the show. Rockwell’s big band set is the main backdrop of the show with scenes telescoped on to prop pieces sliding in to set time and place and all displayed in an appropriate 1960's color palette.

The musical will definitely have a life beyond Broadway. The recognizable title and economic staging will make the property attractive to theatre companies across the country when the rights become available. Make no mistake -- I do not dislike this musical. Just the variety show device. Good songs are there and good performances keep the show entertaining. But this musical could have been something great.

Aaron Tveit (left) and members of the cast.

The DETAILS

• Website: catchmethemusical.com
• Where: Neil Simon Theatre
• Location: 250 West 52nd Street, New York City
• When: Tue & Thu 7pm; Wed, Fri & Sat 8pm; Wed & Sat 2pm; Sun 3pm
• Running Time: 2 hrs 30 min
• Ticket Prices: $62-$137
• Opening: Apr 10, 2011 (previews from Mar 11, 2011)
• Closing: Open Run*
• Book Online: ticketmaster.com
• Book by Phone: 1-800-755-4000
• Cast Recording: Catch Me If You Can - Original Broadway Cast Recording

*08/09/2011 Update: Producers announced the musical will close on Sep 4, 2011 having played 170 regular performances and 32 previews.

Video: 'Catch Me If You Can' Musical on Broadway

Video highlights from the stage musical adaptation of the Steven Spielberg film "Catch Me If You Can" playing at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway. Visit youtube.com for more videos from the muscial.

Broadway montage featuring the song "In Living Color"


Musical number "Goodbye"


Musical number "Jet Set"

The Venue: Neil Simon Theatre Nabs 'Catch Me If You Can'

(above photos image credit: TheHopefulTraveler)

The Neil Simon Theatre is one the most sought after musical houses on Broadway and currently features the musical 'Catch Me If You Can'. The venue originally opened in 1927 as the Alvin Theatre named after the men who built it and produced shows there ("Al" of "Alex" and the "vin" of "Vinton"; their full names were Alex Aarons and Vinton Freedley). After the success of 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' one of the last non-musicals to play over 1,000 performances, the theatre was renamed in 1983 after Neil Simon, one of America's most prolific playwrights.

The theatre hosted two other Simon plays: 'Biloxi Blues' (1985) and 'Jake's Women' (1992). 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' and 'Biloxi Blues' starred Matthew Broderick and introduced him to Broadway audiences. His role in 'Brighton Beach' won him the first of two Tony Awards.

Many remember the Alvin Theatre when it hosted the opening run of the musical 'Annie' (1977) which played the venue for three years before moving to three other theatres during its nearly six-year run of 2,377 performances.

That performance count was topped when the musical 'Hairspray'opened at the Neil Simon Theatre in 2002 for a run of of 2,652 performances without a change in venue. The show also won eight Tony Awards.

The first two shows I ever saw at the Neil Simon Theatre were two glorious musical revivals 'The King and I ' (1996) starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy and featuring a sumptuous production design; and 'The Music Man' (2000) starring Craig Bierko and featured a memorable finale when the entire cast appeared dressed as a marching band toting trombones to play the show's signature tune, "Seventy-Six Trombones."

The theatre is located at 250 West 52nd Street in New York City. A 2002 renovation increased the seating capacity to 1,445 patrons. The before and after photos below show where the additional rows were added. The venue is one of nine theatres owned by the Nederlander Organization. The theatre's official online ticketing service is through ticketmaster.com.

A 2002 renovation added seats with additional rows in the rear
orchestra.

An additional row of seats in the center mezzanine added during the
2002 renovation.

Added exit doors made this side alley into a new entrance/exit.
(above three images: sachsmorganstudio.com) 

The lounge downstairs from the orchestra.
(image: nederlandergroupsales.com)