Release Your Inhibitions at "Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man"

Sometime around 1997, two best friends, Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman decided to co-author a dating book of sorts, acknowledging that women hoping to learn how best to interact with the opposite sex should shoot straight for the source, and "Who better than an honest-to-goodness gay man? He knows things most straight guys don't even know about themselves." Since the first publication, their book has sold more than 250,000 copies and is now the subject of a new, hilarious Off-Broadway comedy, "Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man."

"Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man" Starring Lindsay Nicole Chambers and Jason Michael Snow
Photo Courtesy of Red Rising Marketing

"Sex Tips" opens on a stage set for a university English Department forum, "Rendezvous with Alternative Authors of the Modern Era," as a budding young professor-in-training unwittingly finds herself moderating a potentially scandalous group discussion. The guest author is none other than "Dan Anderson," played by Jason Michael Snow, a charismatic comedian always ready with one-liners and coquettish quips. Lindsay Nicole Chambers plays the nervous, loquacious senior teaching fellow, Robyn, who must lead a successful book discussion if she has any hope of being promoted to a full professorship. Rounding out the cast is actor Andrew Brewer, who plays the sexy, straight, seemingly simple Stefan, a wannabe astronaut stuck running sound and lighting for the forum, though with a potentially untapped talent as a male model.

As Dan and Robyn delve into the cheeky chapters of "Sex Tips For Straight Women From a Gay Man," the unabashed comedy that results is sure to titillate even the most austere audience member. This is not a show for those coy to audience participation, as anyone risks the chance of being called upon to answer questions or even help with demonstrations on stage. Jason Michael Snow has a special charm when talking to the audience and reacting to statements and suggestions like a master of stand up. Although WGINY only attended the show on one night, I imagine that every night brings a slightly different experience. The most surprising part of the play may be that, while you're certainly being entertained, you're also gaining important experience and advice about relationships.

As the title suggests, the audience consisted of mostly women and gay men (yes, we were polled by "Dan Anderson"), but there were also a significant number of couples whom I can only imagine went home eager to try out some of the tips they had learned at the show. Whether a group of singles, a bachelorette party or a couple out for date-night, "Sex Tips" is a juicy, seductive show that will have you clamoring for more and hankering to get your hands on the book on which it is based. (The book is currently for sale as a show souvenir or on amazon -- I could neither resist nor wait and purchased one immediately following the curtain call).

"Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man" is currently playing at The 777 Theatre, on 8th Avenue between 47th & 48th Streets. Tickets are available daily, except for Wednesdays. The show is appropriate for ages 18 and up. The theatre bar opens one hour prior to showtime, and if you check in to the show on social media, you may be eligible for a free drink.

[UPDATE: It's also NYC Off-Broadway Week so you may be able to find tickets for "Sex Tips" at half price for shows through March 2.]

Pizza Loves Emily and You Will Too.

"The Colony" at EMILY: A pizza adventure.

With barely two weeks on the NYC pizza scene, the word has apparently already gotten out about newcomer EMILY in Clinton Hill, and this charming establishment was packed when I arrived for brunch this past Sunday. From the moment you peer through the window, peruse the enticing pizza options and the posters for workshops such as "Yoga and Pizza Making," you can tell this is a place with character and a story. Pancakes and pizza together for brunch? Yes please.

EMILY's story began with its namesake, Emily, and her now-husband, Matt, sharing a pizza twelve-and-a-half years ago. On their website, you can read about how their mutual affection for pizza helped their budding relationship grow, and eventually led to them opening EMILY together. This isn't just a pizza place, it's a human interest story.

Step into EMILY for dinner or weekend brunch, and you'll witness for yourself the pride Matt takes in making his pizzas, and taste firsthand the love in every bite. There's a wood burning oven in the back and Matt can often be found right next to it mixing dough and handcrafting mozzarella for the smoky thin-crust pies. Even the dollops of addicting sauce adorning the red pies are artisinal.

EMILY mixes it up with something for everyone. Pizza purists may like "The Classic" (sauce, mozzarella, basil) or "The Luca" (Classic + buffalo mozzarella). Those looking for a real pizza adventure might want to try "The Colony" (sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled chilis, honey) or "Emily" (mozzarella, taleggio, pistachios, truffle sottocenere, honey). I polished off an entire 12-inch Colony pie on my own, relishing in the savory contrast of sweet and spicy.

There are several variations of red and white pies, and it only gets better as you move toward dessert. At dinnertime, try a "S'mores Calzone" made with marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker. At brunch, there's a "Deep Fried Elvis Calzone," made with peanut butter, banana and honey. Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches are also always available. Any restaurant that pays homage to both pizza and Elvis in the same menu and also patronizes local businesses is already ahead of the game in my book. Matt and Emily plan to rotate the menu seasonally, and I can't wait to see what else they have cooking.

Brunch at EMILY: What could be better than fluffy, sweet pancakes AND pizza? 

Special thanks to designer, Justin Fuller, for introducing me to EMILY.

Calling All Creative Writers: Get Inspired at Gotham Writers' Workshops.

If you have any interest in writing and you live in or have visited New York City during the past 20 years, odds are you have seen a flyer, advertisement, or course catalogue for “Gotham Writers’ Workshop,” a private creative writing school operating in New York City since 1993.

I recently dropped in for a Friday night “Write-In” session at Gotham Writers’ headquarters in midtown Manhattan. Every Friday night from 6:30-8:30pm, Gotham Writers’ offers a creative writing, brainstorming and socializing session at 555 8^th Avenue, between 37^th & 38^th Streets. There is also a recurring Saturday afternoon “Write-In” at TwoMoon Café in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Friday Night "Write-In" Class at Gotham Writers' Workshop

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my Write-In as I entered a small classroom alone with my notebook around 6:15pm. Several writers were already there, socializing and bonding over mutual interests, or rendezvousing with acquaintances they had clearly made from attending past Gotham Writers’ courses. A few others sat nervously playing with their cell phones or perusing Gotham’s Winter 2014 Program Schedule, not yet ready to make eye contact. Finally, as 6:30pm drew nearer, our instructor, Alexis, began the introductions. About half of the writers in a room of approximately fifteen had participated in a Write-In before, while the rest of us were first-timers. A second class of approximately the same size was also working nearby. As I found out later, at least one person was "on holiday," and had found the Write-In by searching on-line for drop-in writing courses. 

After our introductions, Alexis explained how the Write-In was structured. She would provide us with a writing prompt, a word or phrase we could use for writing inspiration, though we were free to not use the prompt. We would have fifteen minutes to write about anything we wished, and then we would have the opportunity to share and discuss. There were two main rules: consider that anything you hear from another writer is fiction, and provide only positive feedback to encourage maximum creativity. The stop and go writing format was like a great brainteaser, or mental exercise, and there was a welcome twenty minute wine and snack break in between the writing sessions, included in the cost of the Write-In.

The first writing prompt we received was “freeze”. I took this literally, and within fifteen minutes had written two short poems about feeling “frozen,” metaphorically of course. At the time, writing quickly, I was sure that my poems were unfinished and unpolished, and required more work. However, the comments I received at the workshop helped me to realize that both of my vignettes generated full and interesting images for a reader or listener, and did not need anything more. Our second session prompt was "held breathe," a phrase that I also took somewhat literally, as I embarked on a short story about an experience two pre-teens have by a pool, while challenging each other to hold their breathe underwater. I hadn't written creative prose in years, yet, surrounded by fiction writers, I felt  inspired to do so. I did not finish my story in the allotted fifteen minutes, but I did finish it that evening when I returned home. 

There was enough time for each person to share once, and as we shared what we had written, it became clear that no two people had interpreted the prompts in the same way. For example, stories from the "freeze" prompt included a humorous dating anecdote, a poignant Holocaust tale, and a sweet short story about a child contemplating misbehaving during Christmas, but fearing that her mother would alert Santa. In just a short time, some of the writers created very complex characters, and while much of the works written that evening could stand alone, several could have been a springboard for longer compositions. 

The instructor herself was very helpful in encouraging us to share and discuss our work, and she provided helpful feedback to each person who chose to read aloud. In a room full of strangers judging me, I felt surprisingly at ease, and I appreciated that others the room were not shy to share what they had written. Every person contributed to the discussions at least once, even if just to give a comment or praise. Having others compliment my writing style, pick out certain words or phrases that created an emotion for them, or tell me how they related to my work was very satisfying. I was especially taken aback when an unexpected revelation in the last line of one of my poems caused everyone in the room to gasp.

If you have writer's block and need a little push, if you want to exercise your brain (and your pen/computer/tablet), or if you just want to meet other writers, the Write-In is a fun, productive experience. You can register in advance or just drop-in (cash only at door). It's $20 for one session or $45 for a three session pass, payable at the door. Interested in a longer writing endeavor? Gotham Writers' Workshop offers a wide range of writing courses as well as on-line classes. For a limited time, enter code "SAVE20" to save $20 on a writing class package.

El Maguey y La Tuna: Authentic Mexican Food From Family Recipes at This Lower East Side Restaurant.

If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food in New York City, consider El Maguey y La Tuna, a cozy family run restaurant in the Lower East Side. The inside of El Maguey y La Tuna is designed to resemble a quaint Mexican village, decorated with ceramics and art from Puebla, Mexico. The menu features a wide variety of tempting cuisine, whether you prefer to stick to classics like jumbo stuffed burritos or “quick bite” quesadillas, or you want to branch out and try the more traditional Mexican-style “Especialidad de La Casa/House Specialty” varieties of mole sauce dishes (hint: branch out!). 

Mole Poblano at El Maguey y La Tuna

Although “Mole Poblano” may seem like a familiar option in a city inundated with Mexican chain restaurants, “mole” can mean so much more, and El Maguey y La Tuna keeps in mind that, within Mexico, moles are often reserved for special occasions such as weddings and other “fiestas.” As you’ll learn at El Maguey y La Tuna, with the correct combination of ingredients, blending chiles and spices, one can prepare a unique chocolate dark mole sauce (such as what’s used in “mole poblano”), a hot green mole, or a milder red mole, chipotle chile mole, and more, and you can find dishes highlighting each of these at the restaurant. What’s most interesting is that the same type of mole may vary slightly in taste depending on what region of Mexico the recipe is from. At El Maguey y La Tuna, many of their mole recipes date back generations, handed down from grandmothers to mothers to daughters. In fact, while Maria Luisa Cortez and her father manage the restaurant, Mrs. Cortez can often be found downstairs mixing fresh moles. This is a unique draw for El Maguey y La Tuna, as most other local restaurant order moles shipped from Mexico. As a result, each batch is special and you can really taste the blend of 20+ spices in the mole poblano or the 5 chiles used in the chile mole. No actual blenders are used and everything is mixed, made and mashed by hand, right down to the ground sesames used in the mole poblano sauce. 

WGINY recently attended a press dinner at El Maguey y La Tuna on a cold winter day and was delighted to be greeted with a cup of their warm apple cider, spiced up with a splash of rum, which was just enough to give the drink a kick, but not overpower it (cider also available with tequila). Moving on to appetizers, although it’s not currently on the regular menu, we sampled the spicy green mole sauce by way of soft corn tamales filled with pork. This was contrasted nicely with crispy, crunchy, finger-sized chicken flautas. Topped with creamy guacamole made in-house, the flautas were a perfect introduction to the rich family recipes that keep customers returning to El Maguey y La Tuna. Don’t be afraid to use your hands here. Most main dishes are served with black or red beans and rice, and can be accompanied by fresh corn tortillas, also homemade. The taste and texture of the tortillas reminded me of those I’d tried at a small panadería I visited while traveling in Guatemala, a country that shares a border, and some cuisine, with Mexico. 

Chicken Flautas with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo

Other notable house specialities included: zesty “Tacos de Pescado,” tilapia-based fish tacos, sauteed or fried with green mole sauce; traditional “Chile Rellenos,” described as roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and simmered in roasted homemade tomato sauce; and the distinctive, if not lesser known, “Adobo,” a smoky Mexican delicacy consisting of tender pork marinated in a chipotle mole sauce made with garlic and cumin, among other spices. The Cortez family enjoys presenting cuisine from their own town of Puebla, but also prides themselves on preparing other regional Mexican cuisine. The “Tacos de Pescado,” for example, are more typically found in coastal towns, whereas Puebla is inland. Both the tacos and the “Chile Rellenos” are heartily made with a heaping of cilantro. The sweet, simmered tomato sauce on the rellenos is also based on a family recipe, and the soft queso blanco filling will certainly fill you up. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, the “Chile Rellenos” are your best bet. Each chile is individually roasted, turned out, battered and fried, and the preparation process can take two hours. Don’t worry though, several batches are made fresh each morning so you won’t have to wait when you’re ready to eat. 

Chile Rellenos

As for drinks, El Maguey y La Tuna mixes up more than six varieties of margaritas, served frozen or on the rocks, and showcasing tropical Latin American fruits, such as guava, tamarind and papaya. Since the restaurant is known for its chiles, there’s even a fiery jalapeño margarita. Not a tequila fan? A lighter option might be the fruit-infused “Maria’s Homemade Sangria,” served red or white, and created by Maria Luisa Cortez herself. When you’re ready for dessert, it wouldn’t be a Mexican meal without flan, and the custard here is smooth and velvety and cooked just right. Try it with a side of café con leche. 

Flan

The lunch/dinner menu at El Maguey y La Tuna is available all day, but if you’re dining between 11am and 4pm, you may want to try the very reasonably priced Mexican Brunch menu. For $11.95, you can get Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, Breakfast Enchiladas and other “comida típica,” accompanied by a rejuvenating beverage such as a Bloody Mary, Sangria, or Mexican Hot Chocolate.

If you hail from Williamsburg, you may recognize the name “El Maguey y La Tuna.” The restaurant first opened there in 1992 and was a neighborhood staple until a fire closed down the business in 2001. With a little reimagining, “El Maguey y La Tuna” moved to its new Lower East Side home in 2003. Presently, El Maguey y La Tuna is located at 321 E. Houston Street, between Attorney and Ridge Streets, and is open for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 11pm. Neighborhood delivery is available (10% off for first-time customers with online promo code 4D3D0). El Maguey y La Tuna can also host private parties at the restaurant, and is available to cater your offsite party or event.

SingleCut Beersmiths: A Flight You Need to Take.

5 Beer Sampler at SingleCut Beersmiths

Just a few blocks north of the Astoria/Ditmars subway in Queens, in an unassuming semi-industrial area, stands a relatively new but noteworthy entrant into the New York City beer scene. SingleCut Beersmiths, born on December 8, 2012, is the first micro-brewery to open in Queens, complete with a tap room to showcase the rotating draft beers available. All beers are brewed on site and you might even be able to procure a brewery tour if the tap room isn’t too busy.

An assortment of year-round and seasonal drafts. Ask the bartender to surprise you!

SingleCut Beersmiths creates hoppy ales and lagers, or “lagrrrs!”, as they call them. Try a flight of any 5 beers, in 5 oz tasting glasses, for only $10, served on a tray with an informative insert, like a box of chocolates. Some of the beers really focus on piquant savor, such as the dark stout, “Eric! More Cowbell Milk Stout,” with a sharply sweet chocolate taste, or the “Pacific NW Dean Mahogany Ale,” featuring caramel and toffee flavors. Give these darker beers a few tries if you’re not used to the style. The Mahogany Ale especially surprised me as it began somewhat bitter, but became more pleasing with each sip. Having tried ten out of twelve available drafts, the most solid options for the avid beer drinker seemed to be the golden “Billy” IPA varieties — an “18 Watt,” “Half-Stack,” or “Full-Stack,” with varying levels of hops and ranging in alcohol volumes from 5% to 8.6%, and the robust signature lagrrr, “19-33 Queens Lagrrr!” Find your favorite flavor and take it home in a 32 oz Growlrrr!

The softest pretzel you'll find in New York City, at SingleCut Beersmiths.

There is also a small variety of bar food available to accompany your beer. WGINY recommends the soft pretzel, one of the softest you’ll find in NYC. Try dipping the pretzel in mustard before your next sip, and watch the beer flavor instantly merge with the aftertaste of the spicy yellow mustard. Some of the other food choices available include Shepard’s Pie, bratwurst, and a cheese plate.

SingleCut Beersmiths is located at 19-33 37th Street, Astoria, NY, 11105. The tap room is open Thursdays from 4pm-11pm, Fridays from 4pm-1am, Saturdays from 1pm-1am, and Sundays 1pm-8pm. Brewery tours, when available, are Saturdays at 3pm and 7pm and Sundays at 4pm. Inquire within for private parties.

All photos in this post are by WGINY. The main text of this post was originally published by localwriteup.com at http://www.localwriteup.com/food-drink/singlecut-beersmiths-a-flight-you-need-to-take/.  

"The Commons of Pensacola" is Worth a Second Look.

Actress Amanda Peet has taken her first foray into full-length playwriting with The Commons of Pensacola, currently featured at New York City Center, on the Manhattan Theatre Club Stage. The Commons of Pensacola examines the twisted dynamics of a somewhat broken family following the downfall of its patriarch, who had perpetrated a wide-ranging fraudulent financial scheme on innocent investors. Sound familiar? Though it is initially confusing when the play commences, the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together as you realize whose story you are watching, with the inspiration for the characters apparently coming from none other than the family of one Bernie Madoff.

Despite less than glowing reviews from Variety and Daily News, I am more apt to agree with the NY Times that The Commons of Pensacola is full of "rich material" performed in "excellent form". The set is a retirement condo in Pensacola, and the design by Santo Loquasto impeccably captures the atmosphere of the "active adult" residence that is so commonplace in Florida. Veteran actors Blythe Danner and Sarah Jessica Parker command the stage as "Judith," the seemingly frail, aging wife, and "Becca," the slightly misguided daughter, of an unnamed white collar criminal who never appears on stage, yet is the central focus of the play. Blythe Danner transcends into her character's spacey, kooky moments just as simply and naturally as her more calculated ones, and her performance is both raw and melancholy. Ironically, and perhaps not surprisingly, Sarah Jessica Parker, whose character is a struggling 43-year-old actress, commences her role with a bit too much overacting, but her expressive outbursts fit her character by the play's resolution. Also appearing in the cast are Michael Stahl-David as Becca's young boyfriend, "Gabe," Ali Marsh as Becca's sister, "Ali," Zoe Levin as Becca's niece, and Ali's daughter, "Lizzy," and Nilaja Sun, as "Lorena," Judith's maid and caretaker. Keep your eye on Zoe Levin, a New York stage newcomer who demonstrates an adept acting talent and is surely a star on the rise. (Levin had a highly regarded supporting role in the 2013 film, The Way Way Back, though I have not seen the movie yet).

In The Commons of Pensacola, Becca and Gabe have ostensibly come to visit Becca's mother, Judith, for Thanksgiving, but it is revealed early on that they have an underlying motive -- to convince Judith to participate in a documentary television show in which she would publicly apologize to her husband's victims for his crimes, despite her own lack of knowledge of his financial misconduct. Also visiting for Thanksgiving is Becca's brash 16-year-old niece, Lizzy, with whom Becca at first seems to have a silly and juvenile relationship with. Enter Becca's sister, Ali, who is convinced that Judith knew more than she admitted to when she testified in the criminal proceedings. Ali has therefore not spoken to her mother in months, though Becca had steadfastly stood by their mother. When Judith has a medical scare, Ali temporarily puts her quarrel with Judith aside and hurries to Florida. Ali is shocked to find Lizzy at the condo, as the teenager had told her mother that she was traveling with friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, still convinced that Judith is hiding assets, Ali turns her attention on that and goes rampaging through the condo looking for evidence. Throughout the familial struggle that unfolds on stage, the maid, Lorena, offers both serious and comedic interludes as she tries to assist Judith with some confusing and complicated medical regiments. The resulting interplay of the characters, their emotions, suspicions, and seductions, is startling.

The Commons of Pensacola opened in November and runs through January 26. Individual tickets for the limited engagement are currently sold out, but you can still attend by joining Manhattan Theatre Club. According to the show's playbill, "MTC"  is currently celebrating its 43rd anniversary season "as one of the country's leading nonprofit producers of contemporary theatre." MTC's Artistic Director, Lynne Meadow, who also served as Director for The Commons of Pensacola, has been overseeing productions at MTC for more than 40 years.

All photos for this post are courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club.

Last Chance for New Year's Eve Parties!

We're less than 48 hours out from New Year's Eve 2013/2014 and I'm guessing there are still some last-minute stragglers out there who haven't yet firmed up their plans. Well, there's no time like the present. Don't wait until next year! Or do, with 12:30am tickets now available at many venues:

Many parties are already sold out, but there are still some VIP options, door tickets available, and post-midnight entries. Some New Year's Eve cruises and Times Square lounges, attractions and clubs still have tickets. Pubcrawl.com's New Year's Eve Pub Crawl is still available. And the posh parties thrown by "Best New Year's" have various ticket levels still open, as well as several 12:30am entry ticket options. Toshi's Living Room has sold out for advance tickets, but you can still pay at the door or purchase 12:30am entry tickets online, which include a 2-hour open bar.

Whatever you do, have a safe and fun night and see you in 2014!

Previous WGINY New Year's Eve 2013 posts: 
New Year's Eve Party Updates
Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve

Spotlight on Blesset Unrest and the Innovative Theatre Awards.

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards celebrates "Off-Off Broadway" theatre by recognizing the excellence of artists working in these productions. You can read more about the mission of the "IT Awards" here, and learn about current productions here. As a show wraps up a season of performances, voting for that show for the IT Awards closes. I recently saw Blessed Unrest's production of A Christmas Carol, and I took a few minutes today to cast a ballot for that performance, giving especially high marks for choreography, ensemble performance and outstanding actors. Here's why.

Founded by Artistic Director, Jessica Burr, Blessed Unrest has been challenging theatrical norms since 2000 with a wealth of productions that often emphasize ensemble casts and physical theater. In A Christmas Carol, just six actors played thirty-seven characters as they led you through a very unusual journey with Scrooge (played by Damen Scranton) and his spirits of Christmas past (played by Sora Baek), present and future (both played by Ensemble members).

The basics of the story remained unchanged -- Scrooge was a miser who could never see further than his own nose, even when it came to the holidays and especially when it came to his own employees, such as his poor clerk, Bob Cratchit (played by Nathan Richard Wagner). Then suddenly he is shown the err of his ways by the Christmas spirits. However, Blessed Unrest's unique and imaginative take on this classic tale had me impressed by the ability of the cast to move so fluidly together in motion, dance and gymnastics in often farcical synergy. Together, the Blessed Unrest cast made me feel moments of merriment and moments of sorrow as they moved towards the valuable moral of the story. The minimalist scenery, mostly a variety of old trunks and doors, was used in unique ways and added to the ideals of the stark contrast of wealth and poverty presented by the performers.

Damen Scranton, the only actor to maintain the same role throughout the show, played a stoic Ebenezer Scrooge, whose character quickly became tragically appealing to the audience. Joshua Wynter, who played Scrooge's deceased former business partner, Jacob Marley, among other characters, first stepped onto the stage in stilts as Marley's imposing ghost. Wynter could walk on those stilts like he was born on them as he presented a poignant message for "Scrooge." From there, the show moved on to a touching portrayal of Scrooge's last memories of his deceased sister, Fan (played by Jessi Blue Gormezano), and onward through Scrooge's isolated life and interactions with others, or lack thereof. A Christmas Carol was peppered with comedic scenes, such as a party hosted by the lively Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (played by Wynter and Wagner, respectively), and pitiful ones, such as Scrooge watching his former beau, Belle (played by Tatyana Kot), enraptured with another. The show left me with a tear, even as it left me with a warm and jovial heart.

A Christmas Carol ran from December 5-22 and voting for the IT Awards ends for this show TODAY. I look forward to what's in Blessed Unrest's future.

Warm Up With This Winter With Some Cajun Flair at Masq Restaurant and Lounge.

Spicy Jambalaya at Masq Restaurant and Lounge
Photo by WGINY

Every February or early March, travelers from around the world flock to New Orleans for the annual Mardis Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," festival. This past March, 2013, one restaurant decided to bring New Orleans to New York. WGINY had the opportunity to sample dishes at Masq Restaurant and Lounge at a press dinner last week, and left feeling warm and satisfied.

Masq's Lounge
Photo Courtesy of Masq

Though the decor at Masq lends itself toward a fanciful New Orleans masquerade, as the name suggests, don't come here expecting beads (except perhaps on New Year's Eve, see below...). The restaurant is actually a cozy floor-through that maintains the semblance of a Cajun bistro while remaining residential enough to resemble a close relative or intimate friend's home you've just been invited to for dinner. In fact, owners George and Nora Chaprastian searched antique shops "up and down the East Coast" for furnishings and accessories that would make the restaurant seem more homey. In addition to the antiques, there are also some eye-catching, custom-designed elaborations, such as the horseshoe shaped bar at Masq's entrance, or the avant garde masquerade mural towards the back of the restaurant.

Asian Marinated Salmon
Photo by WGINY

Masq's main fare is "New American with New Orleans flair," but the menus actually present an international cuisine, with New American and New Orleans inspirations, among others. One of the most surprising dishes I tried was an Asian Marinated Salmon. I've never been a salmon fan, but Masq's presentation persuaded me to move outside of my comfort zone and try something new. I'm glad I did. The sweet marinade, a honey garlic soy sauce, really made this dish shine. It also helped that the salmon itself was not overtly "fishy," but rather as appealing and appetizing as a tender steak. According to Executive Chef, Marc Getzelman, who is also a co-owner, the marinade was a "happy accident" that resulted from trying to reduce salt while preparing the salmon recipe.

Shrimp Po'Boy
Photo by WGINY

Even the more typical New Orleans dishes at Masq tended to have a unique twist. The jambalaya, usually made to share, was topped with creamy goat cheese to "smooth out," Getzelman said, the fiery kick of the hot Andouille sausage. A cajun shrimp po'boy and mac 'n cheese croquettes were both served with a spicy remoulade that rounded out those fried sensations without overpowering the taste. For a lighter flavor, we also had prosciutto fig flatbread, which was a rich reminder that there's no such thing as too much cheese. Covered with large slices of prosciutto, goat cheese, and shaved pecorino romano, there's so much going on that you don't even taste the flatbread, but you'll savor the savory blend nonetheless. Although I didn't get to try the Maryland crab cakes, I'm told it's one of the more popular dishes and that even guests from Maryland will swear that the crab cakes prepared at Masq are better than those at restaurants back home. Apparently some Southerners have also said this about the jambalaya. The menu is always a work in progress so make sure to speak up about what you like, and anything you don't. The chef takes your comments seriously and several former daily specials have become featured menu items. Look for a crawfish dish to make an appearance on Masq's main menu in the very near future.

Custom-Made Horseshoe Shaped Bar
Photo Courtesy of Masq

Of course, no good meal is complete without drinks, and there's no shortage of alcohol where a restaurant with Fat Tuesday roots is concerned. Seasonal cocktails rotate often at Masq, and some Fall and Winter favorites featured hints of pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie. You can also ask your server to suggest wine pairings to complement your meal. I enjoyed a white wine blend paired with the flatbread, "Le Tre Uve 2011 Bianco Di Valpanera Blend," which was a light Italian wine comprised of Chardonnay, Sauvingon and Verduzzo Friulano, and later a full-bodied Argentinian Malbec, "Alamos 2012," which paired richly with the jambalaya.

Masq Restaurant and Lounge is located at 309 E. 49th Street, between 1st & 2nd Aves, in Midtown East. Masq is open for both lunch and dinner, and you'll find happy hour specials at the bar from 4pm-8pm. In true New Orleans fashion, the restaurant closes for rest on Sundays.


Upcoming at Masq: A New Year's Eve masquerade for $80 in advance or $90 at the door includes a 5-hour open bar, 2 hours of some of Masq's best appetizers (buffet-style), live music, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast as the ball drop is broadcast on flatscreen TVs around the restaurant. After you ring in the new year, return on January 8 for the 2014 kickoff of Masq's Spotlight Lounge Music Series, when the restaurant transforms into a coffehouse scene with singer-songwriters taking the stage.

Masq's Private Party Room
Photo by WGINY

For private events, there is a party room in the back, designed to look like a sitting room, and maintaining the residential quality of the restaurant, with antique furniture, mirrors and other interesting pieces. The party room can hold approximately 45 guests. If you have a larger party, arrangements can be made to rent out the entire restaurant.

The Unofficial Google+ Film Festival Goes Global

By Tami Shaloum

The third annual Unofficial Google+ Film Festival, which took place December 13-15, has concluded but viewers can still watch the nearly 80 short films and web series online. The festival was truly a global event, taking place through a series of live screenings and panels made viewable on Google Hangouts in locations as varied as London, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, and New York City. In addition, the festival brought together filmmakers from 23 countries around the world.

WGINY had the opportunity to attend the live event in New York at Katra, a Middle Eastern restaurant and lounge in the lower east side. The eight films screened were from Film Block 4, representing filmmakers from the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Of particular note are “Unplugged,” a visually unique, pro-nature animated film; “Love Squirts,” an über-short comedy that explores the fine art of zit-popping; “The Story of an Egg,” a documentary about the real meaning of terms such as “free range” and “cage free;” and “Los Santos (The Saints),” a comedy about a couple of inept kidnappers and the three couples they mistakenly detain.

The discussion afterward took place on Google Hangouts with some of the filmmakers and actors live in New York or streamed live on screen. Some film students from a university in Tijuana, Mexico were also in virtual attendance. It was interesting to see the way Hangouts was used to facilitate a Q&A. With only a few minor technical glitches, the conversation seemed to run smoothly. Some of the topics discussed included the number of submissions (500), the veracity of the mockumentary “Fished Out: The Truth Behind Lionfish Addiction” (inconclusive, as the filmmakers were playfully ambiguous), and the conceptualization of some of the films: “La Comida (The Meal),” “Fuck You, Lucy Pickens (The Orientation),” and “The Wood House.”

It’s nice to see some younger, newer filmmakers getting recognized for their work. Events like this really help to celebrate the diversity and creativity of film.

New Year's Eve Party Updates

We're just about two weeks out from New Year's Eve and What's Good in New York continues to bring you updates on the hottest parties. 

Looking for some chic, festive revelry with a unique combination of live music (9 piece orchestra) and DJ? Check out the NYE Gala Party at Toshi's Living Room. Open bar, appetizers and midnight champagne toast are included. WGINY readers may get a special discount via promo code "earlytoshi," while supplies last. 

Have an appetite for an adventure at sea? Try a New Year's Eve cruise with dinner and dancing. With the New York City skyline behind you and fireworks above you, you've never seen New York on New Year's quite like this. 

Focusing on Times Square? Check out these Balldrop.com events. Enjoy the magic of Times Square while you bowl at Frames, play arcade games at Dave and Busters, catch a movie at AMC Theaters, or dine, dance and drink the night away at a host of neighborhood clubs and restaurants. Some packages include exclusive access to balconies and terraces where you can watch the ball drop while avoiding the large crowds in the streets below. 

Seeking a world-class nightclub or luxury lounge with DJs that will rock your socks off? Best New Year's has a party for you and every New Year's Eve package includes open bar. 

Not the nightclub type? Kick back at a local pub, or try several in one night with a PubCrawls.com package.

Fostering Change for Children Raises $11,000+ At Its Annual Holiday For Change Fundraiser.

Fostering Change for Children Co-Founder
April Dinwoodie Speaks at "Holiday for Change"

Last Wednesday, December 4, Fostering Change for Children held its 3rd Annual Holiday Fundraiser, "Holiday For Change," raising $11,000 for child welfare awareness and initiatives, and once again surpassing their target fundraising goal for the holiday fundraising event. Fostering Change for Children is a non-profit that works to improve the lives of children and families through programs such as Adoptment, a mentoring program that pairs adults who were formerly adopted or in the foster care system with children currently in foster care, and Children's Corps, a "Teach for America" style two-year work corps for social workers and caseworkers interested in child welfare and youth work.


Although this was Fostering Change for Children's 3rd Holiday Social, the organization celebrated the 10th Anniversary of its Adoptment program, originally realized by Fostering Change Co-Founder and Vice President of the Board, April Dinwoodie. This year's event honored long-time Board Member and Adoptment Mentor, Robert Chirlian, who was surrounded by at least three of his former mentees as he expressed both his gratitude for and dedication to this pioneering charity. Mr. Chirlian spoke of the holiday season and how, because of Fostering Change for Children, "instead of having nowhere to go this Thanksgiving," many of the children on whose behalf the organization works were able to share their holiday with family.

Fostering Change for Children also works to combat the high turnover rate for children's welfare workers in New York City. While the local child welfare system tends to yield a 60% retention rate, Children's Corps retains 87% of its child welfare workers annually. I had the opportunity to speak with several Children's Corps members, many of whom who raved about their experiences working "hands on" with children on a daily basis, most often in association with Family Court permanency proceedings. One thing was abundantly clear -- Children's Corps members have a passion for protecting and advocating for children's rights and wellbeing. Alana Mihovics, a student of both social work and law, noted that she had "looked at [the system] from both sides" and "found it interesting to consider ... ways to improve the system" via a more "holistic approach" as a Children's Corps member. The other common response from Corps members was a deep appreciation for the support system that the program offered them, often as young professionals just starting out in their careers. Miriam Kwietniewska, another Corps member, exclaimed that she "love[d] [her] job," could not have done it without the support of the Corps/Fostering Change for Children, and that she was "intrigued" by the genuineness of the field into which she was essentially thrust, and the "courageous people" she encountered within. Ms. Kwietniewska enjoyed working to keep children "safe and comfortable," with a goal of providing them with "some kind of loving environment." Typically, Corps members are recruited from various disciplines including social work, law, and psychology.

With over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States at any given time, Fostering Change for Children acts as a beacon of light for children in a confusing and murky system.  According to the organization's website, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Barry Chaffkin, LCSW "believes that every child deserves a safe and permanent family, and [he] has dedicated his life to finding new and creative ways to achieve this." Together, and with the support of their staff and board, Chaffkin and Dinwoodie have established an organization that takes hold of neverending opportunities to impact the lives of children and families.

This holiday season, consider donating to this worthy cause, or if you're looking for deeper involvement, become a Children's Corps member or an Adoptment mentor. And don't forget about their diverse training programs in the field of child welfare. There are so many ways to help.

Leslie DiNicola: Man, You Should Hear This Woman Sing.

By Heather K.
Edited by Lauren L. 

You may not know who Leslie DiNicola is yet, but man, you should hear this woman sing. In her three years on the “New York music scene,” she has already released three EPs, with a fourth album in the works for 2014.

Leslie DiNicola at Arlene's Grocery

With an all-male band backing her this past November, DiNicola played a weekly Saturday night residency at Arlene’s Grocery, a Lower East Side music venue that since 1995 has played host to upcoming rock, alternative and indie artists. Ever heard of a little band called “The Strokes”? They once had a residency at Arlene’s Grocery. 

Not every soprano can belt out Demi Lovato, Jewel, Journey, and Dolly Parton within minutes of each other, but Leslie DiNicola has got it down. Add to that a firm selection of emotive original music, and it becomes no secret that this girl is going places. DiNicola often pens her lyrics based on her own personal experiences, such as the touching song, “Weight,” about a friend who had passed away. 

Leslie DiNicola's special talent for rock ballads really shines on songs like Journey's "Separate Ways," a challenging song for any band to master, let alone a female vocalist, yet DiNicola achieves it with apparent ease and enduring devotion to the music that is evident from her presentation of it. Perhaps ironically then, her original music tends to evoke a lighter, earthier mood and a soulful style that you'll want to sing along to. 

Explore her music and discography here, and check her on January 8, 2014, at 7pm, at The Bowery Electric.

Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve 2014 in NYC

By Tami Shaloum with Contributions by Heather K.  

It’s almost New Year’s Eve, and instead of scratching your head wondering what you’re going to do this year, let What’s Good in NY bring you the scoop on the hottest parties around the city.

One unique option to welcome 2014 is a party cruise around Manhattan perfectly poised to view the fireworks display at midnight. NewYearsCruise.com offers 11 different yachts from which to choose. All cruises include dinner, dancing, an open bar, and spectacular views of New York City, with complete packages starting at only $125. The Hornblower Infinity and Cornucopia Majesty are two yachts that also include a champagne toast at midnight, the perfect setting for that special night you’ve always dreamed of. Other boats include the rock n’ roll-themed Lucille Yacht and several family-friendly options. Get the best deals on cruises by booking online at http://whatsgoodinny.ievents.com/type:cruise/new-york/new-york, and use code WGINY5 to receive 5% off any New Year's Eve cruise. 

BallDrop.com brings you all the nightclubs, restaurants, bars, lounges, hotels, and other unique venues around Times Square that are hosting NYE parties. For an 80s throwback, try the Culture Club. General admission includes a 5-hour open bar, four floors of DJs, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Two other playful options are Frames Bowling Lounge and Bowlmor, featuring bowling, a buffet, DJs, and an open bar. Lucky Cheng’s offers fun, interactive drag performers, passed hors d’oeuvres, dancing, and an open bar. Many of the parties referenced in WGINY's Times Square New Year's Eve 2012 post can be found at BallDrop.com. Choose your New Year's Eve experience and buy your tickets at http://whatsgoodinny.ievents.com/type:new-years/new-york/new-york

If luxury nightclubs, lavish rooftops and exclusive VIP spots strike your fancy, you may be interested in some of the hippest parties around town from BestNewYears.com. Go for the bling at Stage 48, voted NYC's #1 New Year's Eve nightclub for 2014, get posh at the The DL's chic rooftop lounge, or cuddle up in a more intimate space at Union Square Ballroom, among other venues. General admission to any "Best New Year's" event comes with a 3-6 hour open bar, depending on venue, and tickets start as low as $75. Buy them at heatherk.bestnewyears.com/newyork. 

Maybe you'd rather not stick to one spot. PubCrawls.com has got your bar hopping needs covered with enough options to satisfy everyone in your party. Their official New Year's Eve Pub Crawl offers $3 draft beers and 2-for-1 mixed well drinks at participating venues. Your night begins at Bar None near Union Square and continues all the way into the wee hours. Pub Crawls tickets can also be purchased at http://whatsgoodinny.ievents.com/type:pub-crawl/new-york/new-york.  

The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show is Back in Full Loco-Motion!

The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show is back in full loco-motion, forging ahead this season with more trains than ever before!

Trains at the Holiday Train Show Pass by Iconic NYC Buildings
Photo Courtesy of  The New York Botanical Garden 

Last year, WGINY had the opportunity to attend the 2012 Holiday Train Show, full of "g-scale" model trains and exquisitely detailed replicas of New York City landmarks. Creator Paul Busse's whimsical, artistic creations have been on view annually at NYBG for over 20 years.

Photo Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden

This year's show at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Courtyard includes most of the scenes from last year, and builds on them with fun new attractions such as a model of a Metro-North train winding around Hudson River Valley mansions, a "Streets of New York" holiday dining pavilion, and a "Holiday Adventures" activity area for kids in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. For the adults-only, consider visiting the show during a Bar Car Night, and enjoy a complimentary cocktail while viewing the exhibition, and then head to the Conservatory Courtyard to watch special ice carving demonstrations throughout the evening.

Additionally, on Saturday, November 23, at 2pm, U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins will be reading special poetry selections, including train-themed works, to a sold out crowd at the Botanical Garden's Ross Hall.

An All-Garden Pass to the New York Botanical Garden, which includes admission to the Holiday Train Show, starts at $20 for adults, and $10 for children ages 2-12, and 30% off may be available for select weekday tickets with promo code "9036" online. You need a timed ticket for entry to the exhibition, and advanced reservations are highly recommended for this popular show.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Holiday Train Show website.

Photo Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden

Want a chance to win tickets to the Holiday Train Show?

The first person to correctly a train-themed poem by Billy Collins in the comments will win a family-four pack of tickets to visit the Holiday Train Show (admission to Collins' reading not included). Tickets will be mailed to the winner.

New York City Bar Chorus 20th Anniversary Show is TODAY at 7pm

Today, the New York City Bar Chorus marks its 20th year of "musical pro bono" with its benefit concert at the New York City Bar Association, 42 W. 44th Street, at 7pm. See WGINY's prior post for more info.

The "CBC" was recently featured on NY1's "Your Weekend Starts Now" segment, at :45. NY1's Stephanie Simon reports, "If you must have a brush with the law, this should be it."

The members of the CBC were also "New Yorkers of the week" in 2004, again featured on NY1, as that "Choir of Legal Eagles Entertain[ing] The Community For Free."

As the Chorus' event announcement notes, "Whether you are a long-time fan or have never before heard the CBC, there is no better time to see them shine."

“The Power of Poison” Injects Mystery into The American Museum of Natural History

By Tami Shaloum

What’s your poison? Is it odorless, tasteless arsenic? Perhaps it is a venomous snake? Or maybe it’s the theobromine found in chocolate, which is highly toxic to dogs? Yes, these are just a few of the diverse poisons that are explored in The American Museum of Natural History’s new exhibit “The Power of Poison.” We all know that poison is used for many evils, as well as for protection, but did you know that poisons could also be used in medicines to help people heal from a wide variety of ills? This exhibit, curated by Dr. Mark Siddall, provides an educational and entertaining look at poisons found in nature, myths and legends, history, and literature.

We begin by entering a replica of the Chocó Rain Forest in Colombia, where many forms of venomous wildlife exist. The different flora and fauna on display showcase their toxic nature often used as protection. Here you will find the typical Museum of Natural History dioramas featuring both live and replica models of animals. Model bugs are magnified to three times their original size, live golden poison frogs demonstrate that being tiny doesn’t make a creature any less deadly, and a video recreates a mysterious real-life poisoning by newt.

Golden Poison Frog Photograph Provided By AMNH

Next, we enter the realm of the fantastic, where stories, myths, and legends come alive, and famous figures come under scrutiny for their connection to poison. Have you ever wondered why the Alice in Wonderland character is called the Mad Hatter? (The answer is actually based in the history of the hat-making process.) What were those witches in Macbeth really brewing in their cauldrons? Other characters on display include Snow White and the poisoned apple; Harry Potter and the bezoar, known as a universal antidote to poisons; Westley and Vizzini’s battle of wits from The Princess Bride (Did you know you really can’t immunize yourself against poison by consuming a small amount every day?); and Hercules and the Hydra, told cleverly by animation projected onto clay pots. These stories are broken down to explore the use of these poisons and learn more about their effects. One particularly amusing display is about people who practiced witchcraft by brewing potions and claiming they could fly. Guess what: They were really just doped up!

Alice in Wonderland "Tea Party" Image Provided By AMNH

Macbeth "Witches Brew" Photo Provided By AMNH

Other displays include protective charms and amulets such as frankincense, gold, and bezoars; poison detectors like opal, toadstones, and silver spoons; and a cool, interactive “Enchanted Book” to help you learn more about different legends. Another interesting feature of the exhibit is a toxicology demonstration where an actor walks the audience through a mystery of an actual poisoning that occurred in the 19^th century that facilitated the introduction of forensic evidence in court cases. She then invites everyone to move on to the next room to try and solve three more mysteries.

This exhibit is great fun for all ages, especially if you’re into mythology, nature, or just curious about poison. It’s interactive, engaging, and very informative. The exhibit opens on Saturday, November 16, 2013 and runs through August 10, 2014. Visit "The Power of Poison" exhibition website for more information.

New York City Bar Chorus Celebrates 20 Years of "Musical Pro Bono" with November 15th Benefit Show

Big-city lawyers tend to get a "bum rap." However, for the past 20 years, the New York City Bar Chorus, directed by Kathryn E. Schneider, Esq., and accompanied by Matthew V. Grieco, Esq., has shown off the more "harmonious" instincts of legal professionals at community outreach venues across New York City, where they provide "musical pro bono." The 80+-member chorus is led by and composed entirely of legal professionals, including lawyers, legal assistants, law students, law librarians, as well as the occasional judge. (Note: Heather K., founder of WGINY, and a lawyer for a local non-profit organization, is a member of the New York City Bar Chorus.)

Since 1993, the chorus has staged well over 200 performances at its outreach venues, including senior residences, AIDS and cancer support centers, homeless shelters, and rehabilitation facilities. The group has also done the occasional "glamor gig" for legal luminaries, and has appeared three times on television, including as NY 1 News "New Yorkers of the Week."

Since residents at many of the chorus's outreach venues request privacy, its shows are not often open to the public. But, in honor of its Twentieth Anniversary, the chorus is staging a celebratory benefit show on Friday, November 15, 2013, at 7pm, at the New York City Bar Association, which is open to the public. This performance will showcase the CBC's diverse repertoire, ranging from Queen to Dolly Parton, Gershwin to gospel, and West Side Story to Pippin and Wicked, and raise money for the chorus and the City Bar Fund, the pro bono affiliate of the City Bar. Quoted in a recent press release, City Bar President Carey R. Dunne has said, "I think they sound more like singers who practice law than lawyers who sing."

Check out the chorus' event listing or join the Facebook invite for the "New York City Bar Chorus 20th Anniversary Concert," and preview the chorus's professional and uplifting sound on YouTube.

Radio Theatre's "Dracula": You've Never Seen Bram Stoker Like This.

Looking for a Halloween themed activity this weekend? Try a spooky rendition of Dracula by Radio Theatre NYC. "Radio Theatre" is a modern take on the radio programs of yesteryear, presenting theatrical interpretations of actors reading story-scripts at radio mics, but before a live studio audience.

Stephanie Heitman as a Vampire Bride in Dracula
Photo by R. Patrick Alberty (Dracula's own Jonathan Harker) Used With Permission

The Dracula storytellers, for the most part, do not interact with each other on stage, though their stage presence and demeanor, and the deep passion in their voices creates vivid imagery for the audience without too much stretch of the imagination required. For those who do need a little more scenery to paint that perfect picture, there's a homemade fog machine queued up to spew smoke at any moment that calls for a chilling atmosphere.

In Dracula, like in Bram Stoker's original vision, there are several key characters -- Count Dracula of course (read by Patrick Halloran), solicitor Jonathan Harker (R. Patrick Alberty), his wife Mina Harker (Olivia Obaressi), Mina's friend Lucy Westerna (Stephanie Heitman), and prominent vampire hunter, Dr. Van Helsing (Joshua Nicholson). The story's narrator, voiced by the show's director, Frank Zilinyi, is presumably asylum keeper, Dr. John Seward, from Bram Stoker's novel, though his famous eccentric patient Renfield is conspicuously absent. The cast works together reading the story on stage as if they are living it, voices both taunting and trembling, with blood curdling screams abound.

Radio Theatre's Dracula has made it through several layers of adaptation before hitting Horse Trade's Kraine Theater. The original novel was adapted for radio by Orson Welles, legendary for his October 30, 1938 panic-causing War of the Worlds radio broadcast. In fact, Welles' Dracula broadcast hit the airwaves more than three months before War of the Worlds. Since then, Dan Bianchi has re-re-adapted Dracula for the modern "radio theatre" goers. Though, presumably, no one listening to the 1938 Dracula broadcast believed they should actually fear vampires at their windows and doors, theatergoers at Bianchi's current-running Dracula production may become so engrossed as to believe Dracula could creep up behind them in their seats at any moment, hungry for blood.

Like the Count's coffins of earth, time is running out for Dracula with only two more shows left this season. See it on Sundays, November 3 or 10, at 3pm, before it takes flight. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $15 for students/seniors/military, and are available for purchase online, at the door, or by calling 212-868-4444. The Kraine Theater is located at 85 East 4th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

David’s RedHaired Death Captures the Joys and Sorrows of Love and Loss

By Tami Shaloum 

There is something interesting going on in the back of a Mexican restaurant in Williamsburg and it’s not the fine cuisine. It’s LA SALA, an innovative performance space located in Cantina Royal. The room is equipped with high ceilings, blank walls, a projector, cabaret tables and a bar, and is especially well suited to the imaginative multimedia two-woman show, David’s RedHaired Death. The experimental play happens to make good use of the high ceilings, with the addition of two male aerialists, and the vast walls, with images and video projected onto three walls of the space.

The story is simple enough: two red-haired women, Jean and Marilyn, are introduced through an unseen mutual friend and fall in love. Right away, it seems as though they are soul mates. Aside from their shared hair color—a detail that threads throughout the play—they smoke the same cigarettes, have the same family composition, and often say the same things at the same time. Half the play deals with exploring this sudden and surprising mutual admiration. Interwoven in this narrative is the death of Jean’s brother, David. This, we know from the beginning (and the title), is imminent. It is the aftermath of that event that we do not see coming and which, along with the complexity of emotions the two actresses convey, adds some really deep intensity to the story.

The performances by Diana Beshara as Jean and Elizabeth Simmons as Marilyn are nothing short of magnetic. The two actresses are charming and exude chemistry as they flirt and discuss the many benefits of being a redhead. Sherry Kramer’s writing is quite poetic at times and utilizes repetition to great dramatic effect. The story seems to be set in some heightened reality, enhanced by dim lighting and an all white set with a red accent. My one technical complaint is that the aerialists, while skilled, seem a bit superfluous. They pop in about four times throughout the show, apropos of nothing, and perform their gravity defying moves. I understand the use of them in conveying the literal fall of a character, but it took me out of the story rather than enriching it.

If the first act is as dreamy as new love, shit gets real in the second act. All of a sudden, the red-haired curtain gets lifted and we see all the unnatural, brassy highlights. The dialogue ceases to be as lyrical. While it is admirable to let the tone shift a little, it is a little too jarring in this case. It seems as though the entire storytelling device changes. This is accentuated by a phone call that should have been a monologue, but instead we have to endure a hackneyed recording and pretend it is a dialogue. The story could have advanced without this detail.

Configuring the space to the performance and vice versa is an interesting way to deepen the story and inject some energy into the space as though it were another character. This is hopefully a theatrical device that continues to evolve. Even without it, David’s RedHaired Death is still a profound exploration of joy and sorrow, a juxtaposition of the bliss of new love and the depression that can overwhelm us, and a testament to the limits of love.

David’s RedHaired Death is currently playing at LA SALA in the back room of Cantina Royal at 58 North 3^rd Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Performances are running until November 10 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets include a free beer.