Results tagged “Restaurants” from Blogway Baby

A couple of weeks ago I went to New York City and I realized I hadn't seen a show there in three years! I was there last spring, attending Robert Mckee's STORY workshop, but only had time to see the last 45 minutes of TOXIC AVENGER!

This trip was all about seeing people, seeing shows and eating at some of my favorite New York restaurants.

I know there are a gazillion amazing restaurants in New York, but my trip wouldn't be complete without at least a couple of post-show trips to Sardi's. I love that I usually never eat dinner in NYC until after 10:00 pm. We usually get the appetizer plate, or maybe a New York cheesecake with strawberries...

We also made our regular pilgrimage to The Boat House in Central Park. Ever since we saw WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, The Boat House has been a must when we're in NYC. The scene were Carrie Fisher is trying to fix up Meg Ryan with a guy and she goes through her rolodex is priceless. It's so relaxing to sit at a table by the water and watch the boaters and the turtles!

And of course, the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station is another must. Fried clams...mmmmm.

Friday night we saw PROMISES PROMISES. I know a lot of people didn't liked it, and I don't think it got rave reviews, but I LOVED it! And the audience LOVED it! I would see it again in a heartbeat. It was so much fun. With a Bacharach and Hal David score, Neil Simon book, mid century modern sets, lots of dancing, Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth and Katie Finneran, how could I not like it? The opening of the second act with Sean and Katie is worth the price of admission - I am NOT a pick up!

Saturday afternoon I saw Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Catharine Zeta Jones was out sick, but to be honest, i was there to see Angela Lansbury and Keaton Whittaker. What a gorgeous show and Keaton was awesome! And seeing/hearing "Send in the Clowns" performed in context by the lovely and talented Jayne Paterson, I finally understood the song. Yay for me!

Saturday night was EVERYDAY RAPTURE, Sherie Rene Scott's one woman show about her spiritual journey from Topeka Kansas to New York City. If you get a chance, see it before it closes. It is wonderful. She is one of those engaging performers who you could just listen to for hours and still want more. And if that isn't enough, there are songs from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood in the show!

Sunday I saw NEXT TO NORMAL. We were three rows from the stage right in front of "the chair". Alice Ripley is fierce. What an awesome show. But I have to admit, Brian D'arcy James was my favorite character (he played the father).

Monday night we saw THE KIDD off-Broadway with Christopher Sieber, and Susan Blackwell and Jill Eikenberry. Christopher Sieber is another one of those performers who are so easy to watch. But Jill had my favorite line in the show -- "Man up, Mary". Nuff said.

Until next time New York...

COCKTAIL NUTS is sold-out … but SRO may be available at the door.

Well, it’s been a pretty exciting ride on COCKTAIL NUTS so far – there is some great buzz on the show, and it looks like people do want to go out and listen to music and drink on Monday Night.

As previously noted, the September 28 show is sold-out … but we are going to have an SRO line at ACT. There are always a few people who have to decline at the last minute … and as those tickets become available, we are releasing them at the door.

And if you do have a ticket and suddenly – life intervenes and you can't make it – please let ACT box office know at (206) 292-7676 that you won’t be attending. There is a thirsty music-lover who will thank you!

Here's more information on COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray:

For an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, gourmet snacks and cocktails, come join our host Rich Gray as he celebrates "Landing The Gig" with:

Anthony Fedorov (from The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AMERICAN IDOL)

Anne Allgood (from ACT Theatre's upcoming ROCK 'N' ROLL)

Jessica Skerritt (from Village Theatre's upcoming CHASING NICOLETTE)

The NightClub Gentlemen (the "almost" Rat Packers)

Also featuring appearances by Bill Robison and Myrna Conn

Tickets for this incredible night of entertainment are only $35.00 which includes complimentary gourmet snacks. And there will be a cash bar featuring an original COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail -- all cocktail and food service is by VESSEL, our neighborhood nightspot that Esquire magazine calls one of the “Best Bars in America.”

WHEN

Monday September 28, 2009

Door: 7pm for cocktails and complimentary gourmet snacks

Show: 8pm to 10pm

WHERE

ACT Theatre

Bullitt Cabaret

Union and 7th, downtown Seattle

TICKETS

For tickets, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

The name says it all.

I am so excited to see Anne Allgood at COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray on Monday September 28. Anne is the consummate performer. She has appeared on Broadway, national tours, every major theatre in Seattle, and now...COCKTAIL NUTS!

I first saw Anne onstage in THE WOMEN at ACT (see the picture below, that's Anne in the blue hat). She was hilarious. And then I saw her in MEMPHIS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at The 5th Avenue Theatre, and most recently in DAS BARBECU at ACT Theatre. Anne can sing anything - from Sondheim to country and western! She'll make you laugh and then tear your heart out. Ouch!

And not only is Anne an amazing performer, she is an incredible voice coach.

Chasing Jessica...all the way to COCKTAIL NUTS!

Jessica Skerritt, currently appearing as Gwendolyn in The Village Theatre's production of CHASING NICOLETTE, will make her COCKTAIL NUTS debut on Monday September 28.

I first saw Jessica perform in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at The Village Theatre, where she played Dyanne, Elvis's voluptuous girlfriend. I remember thinking, wow, it's not fair that somebody with that face and that body should also have that amazing voice! (No, I'm not bitter)

Then, after I saw Jessica play Phoebe in STUNT GIRL and Corrie in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (again at The Village Theatre), I thought, wow, it's not fair that somebody with that face and that body and that voice should also be funny!

Well good news folks. Jessica Skerritt is bringing that whole package to COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray.

The Bullitt Cabaret at ACT Theatre is a wonderfully intimate cabaret space, so COCKTAIL NUTS tickets are going fast. So get yours now!

Here's more on COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray:

For an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, gourmet snacks and cocktails, come join our host Rich Gray as he celebrates "Landing The Gig" with:

Anthony Fedorov (from The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AMERICAN IDOL)

Anne Allgood (from ACT Theatre's upcoming ROCK 'N' ROLL)

Jessica Skerritt (from Village Theatre's upcoming CHASING NICOLETTE)

The NightClub Gentlemen (the "almost" Rat Packers)

Also featuring appearances by Bill Robison and Myrna Conn

Tickets for this incredible night of entertainment are only $35.00 which includes complimentary gourmet snacks. And there will be a cash bar featuring an original COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail -- all cocktail and food service is by VESSEL, our neighborhood nightspot that Esquire magazine calls one of the “Best Bars in America.”

WHEN

Monday September 28, 2009

Door: 7pm for cocktails and complimentary gourmet snacks

Show: 8pm to 10pm

WHERE

ACT Theatre

Bullitt Cabaret

Union and 7th, downtown Seattle

TICKETS

For tickets, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

Someone give that man a microphone!

Seattle favorite RIchard Gray will be hosting COCKTAIL NUTS at ACT Theatre on Monday September 28.

What would a cabaret or variety show be without a host?

A great host wraps a show up in a big hug and presents it to the audience. A great host is excited by the talent he is hosting and gets a kick out of sharing that talent and enthusiasm with the audience. A great host is charismatic, funny, and a natural performer who is quick on his feet.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present tonight's host...Richard Gray!

I first met Rich when I worked with him on The 5th Avenue Theatre's Adventure Musical Theatre program production of Northwest Bookshelf 2. I had two musicals in that show (Larry Gets Lost in Seattle, and Daisy the Firecow) and Rich was the director. He was such a pleasure to work with, so funny, so good with the actors and a real respect for the intelligence of his audience. So I thought, hey he's a great director.

Then I found out he had written a bunch of the musicals in that show, so I thought, hey, he's a great writer.

And then I would hear him play and sing stuff at rehearsals, and I thought, hey he's a great piano player and singer.

Then I started seeing Rich perform at ACT (A Marvelous Party) and The 5th Avenue Theatre (The Buddy Holly Story, Hello Dolly, Sunday In The Park With George), and I thought, hey he's a great actor.

And then I thought, hey, who is this guy?

From an article in Seattle magazine:

WHEN RICHARD GRAY SPEAKS, it's as if he is composing a song on the spot; he starts, stops and edits his word choice until he says precisely what he means. If you don't already know when you meet him that he is Seattle's very own Renaissance man—actor, writer, director, composer, pianist, lyricist, librettist—this running wordplay is your first clue.

And it's come in handy in his work. Many recognize Gray from Forbidden Xmas, the popular cabaret-style, 15-year-on-and-off holiday parody of local events and icons that he writes and performs in with other local singer/actors. Initially a scheme to cheer up a friend in mourning, Xmas, with its snappy, leave-you-humming songs such as "Starbucks Coffee Grinder Suite" and "The Bon Star Blues," became one of the key works of Gray's career—and also one that helped him define his own unique skill. After many years of production, however, Gray grew tired of simply parodying other songs. So he started composing his own works, both for Xmas and for other musical theater projects. "I said, 'Well, I’ll just write the whole song,' ' he says, "and I realized I was good at it."

He's so good at it, in fact, that the 42-year-old Gray has decided to sell his skills to the masses with Song Portraits, his custom songwriting service for special occasions. Think This is Your Life meets a pop ballad, musical theater number or country-western song—whatever your inner tune happens to be, Gray will find it.

"You have to trust me as you would a painter," Gray says about writing for a client. "I want my songs to be like the songs on the radio, when you're listening and you think, 'Oh my God! That's my life!'

Before the Song Portraits launch last July, he had already ventured out, writing songs as gifts for his father and his partner {Seattle magazine Flash Talk columnist Ernie Pino), as well as for his brother's wedding and for a tribute to Jack and Becky Benaroya in 2005. But the real success of his idea came when his Song Portrait package went to not one but two of the highest bidders—at $8,000 a pop—at the 5th Avenue Theatre auction this year.

This "musical genius," as Linda Hartzell of Seattle Children's Theatre calls him, has an unstoppable passion for the local arts scene. In the late '80s, when he moved to Seattle from his native Portland, where he also studied acting in college, he began arranging music in his first job for the now-defunct Bathhouse Theater Company in Green Lake. A lifelong pianist and self-professed ham, his combined talent made music arranging and composing easy.

In 1989, he became a frequent performer (as a pianist and singer) at the Rainier Tower's dinner theater restaurant Crepe de Paris, where he created Forbidden Xmas. His nonstop work since then includes serving as composer of the Seattle Children's Theatre musicals Little Rock in ’95 and Time Again in Oz in ‘99; composer and director of The Donk Sisters in '95 at Crepe de Paris; composer and performer of Gray Matter, a revue of his own career and just this year, conductor and musical director for 5th Avenue's The Buddy Holly Story.

And then I thought, hey, he'd be a perfect host for COCKTAIL NUTS!

The Bullitt Cabaret at ACT is a wonderfully intimate cabaret space, and tickets are going fast so I would recommend getting your tickets now!

Here's all you need to know about COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray:

For an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, gourmet snacks and cocktails, come join our host Rich Gray as he celebrates "Landing The Gig" with:

Anthony Fedorov (from The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AMERICAN IDOL)

Anne Allgood (from ACT Theatre's upcoming ROCK 'N' ROLL)

Jessica Skerritt (from Village Theatre's upcoming CHASING NICOLETTE)

The NightClub Gentlemen (the "almost" Rat Packers)

Also featuring appearances by Bill Robison and Myrna Conn

Tickets for this incredible night of entertainment are only $35.00 which includes complimentary gourmet snacks. And there will be a cash bar featuring an original COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail -- all cocktail and food service is by VESSEL, our neighborhood nightspot that Esquire magazine calls one of the “Best Bars in America.”

WHEN

Monday September 28, 2009

Door: 7pm for cocktails and complimentary gourmet snacks

Show: 8pm to 10pm

WHERE

ACT Theatre

Bullitt Cabaret

Union and 7th, downtown Seattle

TICKETS

For tickets, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

Esquire magazine calls VESSEL one of the “Best Bars in America.”

Well, that very same VESSEL will be providing beverages and gourmet snacks at the COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray on Monday September 28!

(Of course, soft drinks will also be available)

VESSEL became my favorite bar in Seattle when I walked in and saw a bottle of Hubertus behind the bar. I've never seen a bar with Hubertus, my favorite Hungarian digestif. Trust me, with all that goulash you need a good digestif.

Oh, and the fact that the bartender was using a small blowtorch on something in a glass. We asked him what he was doing, and he replied "I'm brulee-ing figs".

Nuff said.

We've sampled many a cocktail from their wonderful menu including one of my all time summer favs, Pimm's No. 1 Cup! My husband is partial to their Whiskey Sour. Everything is made with such inventiveness, care, and flair it is a welcome respite from the usual drinks you typically get in bars. And did you know they were the first to have a special ice maker (there are only three in Seattle) that makes their ice super cold so it doesn't melt quickly and dilute the drinks?

And, drum roll please, VESSEL is developing a special COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail!

It's a secret so you'll have to buy tickets and come to see the show on Monday September 28 to find out what it is!

Tickets are $35 which includes delicious gourmet snacks. Cash bar featuring a specialty COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail.

For TICKETS, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

So let's recap:

For an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, gourmet snacks and cocktails, come join our host Rich Gray as he celebrates "Landing The Gig" with:

Anthony Fedorov (from The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AMERICAN IDOL)

Anne Allgood (from ACT Theatre's upcoming ROCK 'N' ROLL)

Jessica Skerritt (from Village Theatre's upcoming CHASING NICOLETTE)

The NightClub Gentlemen (the "almost" Rat Packers)

Also featuring appearances by Bill Robison and Myrna Conn

Tickets for this incredible night of entertainment are only $35.00 which includes complimentary gourmet snacks. And there will be a cash bar featuring an original COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail -- all cocktail and food service is by VESSEL, our neighborhood nightspot that Esquire magazine calls one of the “Best Bars in America.”

WHEN

Monday September 28, 2009

Door: 7pm for cocktails and complimentary gourmet snacks

Show: 8pm to 10pm

WHERE

ACT Theatre

Bullitt Cabaret

Union and 7th, downtown Seattle

TICKETS

For tickets, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

And visit the Cocktail Nuts Facebook event page!

I’ve got cabaret fever!

It seems every time I turn around (which is often) someone is thinking about, planning, or doing a cabaret night, or one man/woman show! Krystle Armstrong did a one woman show, Thoroughly New York, Christian Duhamel is doing a Songbook Release party, and I've heard Billie Wildrick is thinking about doing a one woman show in the fall (just to name a few). Wouldn't it be neat to have a regular place for artists to perform, for audiences to have a drink or two, to get to know a congenial host, perhaps something along the lines of Jim Caruso's Cast Party in NYC? Or how about Feinstein's at Loews Regency?

Meanwhile, self-starting Thaddeus Wilson is hosting his own one man evening of song at Amore! Thaddeus is a friend of my daughter Myrna, and also a very talented musical theatre triple threat currently appearing in SHOW BOAT at The Village Theatre (He appeared in HELLO DOLLY with Myrna at The 5th Avenue Theatre). His featured special guest, Cayman Jacobs, is playing Julie in SHOW BOAT. This sounds like an evening not to be missed!

From the facebook page:

"A Night Of Musical Theatre", is a show featuring me with songs by Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, with accompaniment by Kyle Clark.

The music of the "Golden Age" is my favorite music. With that in mind I decided to dedicate every Tuesday in June to my favorite composers and lyricist. The show will range with songs from shows like South Pacific, Babes in Arms, Higher and Higher and many more!

It's at this incredible little Italian restaurant that carries amazing food, drinks, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. Musical Theatre is my passion, so I am very excited to share my talent and knowledge of musical theatre to Seattle. Shows are at 7 and 9 with a little 10 min break in the middle of the show.

Opening Night is June 23rd. There is a cover charge of 8 dollars at the door. (Soon it will be dinner and a show, all for one price) So come join me for some musical theatre fun until the end of July! For reservations visit www.tasteofamore.com.

Featured Guest: Cayman Jacobs

"A Garden of Giving"

Or, How much is that doggie in the window?

The Fairmont Olympia Hotel in downtown Seattle was hopping last Saturday night with The Village Theatre Gala! Free champagne and helping to raise money for a theatre are the only reasons I ever put on nylon stockings anymore, so I glammed up (hubbie in a tux!) and headed out!

The auction was divided into three sections – Act I, Act II and the Live Auction plus dinner, hosted by John Curley. Act I was slighter smaller items while Act II items were larger and included lots and lots of cool wine. After Act II closed we all headed into the Spanish Ballroom for a delicious dinner and live auction.

Before the auction got underway we were entertained by Rich Gray, Bobbi Kotula, and Randy Rogel. Rich and Bobbi sang some wonderful Rich Gray songs (Don’t Go Into Show Business, The Leading Man and I Hate The Sun, to name a few). Randy is the book writer, composer and lyricist of the new musical THE GYPSY KING which will appear on the Village Theatre mainstage next season. But even more thrilling, Randy wrote the songs for one of my favorite animated shows THE ANIMANIACS! He performed Yakko’s Nations of The World song – too fantastic!

Then the auction began! Boy, John Curley is an amazing auctioneer (apparently he does more than 85 auctions a year)! He kept the evening going quickly, and did that “auctioneer” fast talking, all the while cracking jokes, and getting up close and personal with the audience. And yes, one of the live auction items was a labradoodle! What a cute puppy! (This is why you never want to drink too much at an auction! ) I ended up with a walk-on role in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS being produced at the Village Theatre next fall! So, combined with my walk-on role in ON THE TOWN at The 5th Avenue Theatre, I’m fully booked for next season!

Last night, my family went to Wild Waves because of the INCREDIBLY HOT WEATHER (omg), and then we visited the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. For dinner, we decided to try a new restaurant that I'd spotted on my first trip to Tacoma to visit the Washington State History Museum for my Pacific Northwest History Online Course called The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant). I have to say that we had SO much fun!!!

We started with the traditional swiss cheese fondue (but the spinach artichoke dip looked equally delicious...), served with apple, raw vegetables, and pieces of very tasty bread. I never realized there was so much wine in a cheese fondue, but it made it way less rich and heavy. I'm not a big cheese fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic appetizer :-)

Then, each person had a salad. I ordered the Tropical salad, with hearts of palm, candied cashews, and mango :D My mother had a caesar salad that was (according to her) one of the best that she'd ever had (with parmesan-encrusted pine nuts). The spinach and mushroom salad was my sister and father's favorite.

Finally, my favorite course had to be the entree. Instead of oil, which spits when you cook seafood, we chose to cook our meat and vegetables in a vegetable broth with some wine, garlic, mushrooms, and shallots. The selection that we chose included shrimp, salmon, filet mignon, teriyaki sirloin, and chicken. Next time, we're going to bring stopwatches to have more precise cooking times, but everything still cooked very well. =D There was a variety of delicious sauces, but my personal favorite was the spicy cocktail sauce (for the shrimp).

We did not get any chocolate fondue (sadness), but I would either try the Flaming Turtle, Cookies & Cream Marshmallow Dream, or "Build my Own" by mixing dark chocolate with Chambord. Delish. So, you should check it out. Apparently there are locations in Seattle and Bellevue as well. We had SOO much fun, and our waitress was really nice, explaining how to order from the menu and how the entire "fondue" experience worked! If we're talking about stars, I would rate The Melting Pot 5/5 stars!!

I finally went to The Polish Tea Room on 47th between Broadway and 8th. I tookMichael Rubinoff and Kendra Bator (the producers on Plane Crazy) out for dinner (woohoo, big spender!). What a great coffee shop! Tons of Broadway posters, cool vaulted ceilings that look like iced wedding cakes (blue and pink) and inexpensive, good food.

As soon as we sat down Kendra spotted Jamie Bell who starred as Billy Elliot in the movie Billy Elliot, sitting at a nearby table. I love celebrity sightings!

And of course, Billy Elliot is now Billy Elliot The Musical, playing in the West End. The creative team includes:

ELTON JOHN - COMPOSER
LEE HALL - WRITER
STEPHEN DALDRY - DIRECTOR
PETER DARLING - CHOREOGRAPHER
IAN MACNEIL - DESIGNER
MARTIN KOCH - MUSICAL SUPERVISOR
PAUL ARDITTI - SOUND DESIGNER
RICK FISHER - LIGHTING DESIGNER
PHILIP BATEMAN - MUSICAL DIRECTOR
JULIAN WEBBER - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
NICKY GILLIBRAND - COSTUME DESIGNER
WORKING TITLE - PRODUCERS
OLD VIC PRODUCTIONS PLC - PRODUCERS
DAVID FURNISH - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Yeah, Sir Elton John!

We left determined to put a Plane Crazy poster up in this venerable institution.

Here is some info from L.A. Splash Magazine on the Hotel Edison:

The hotel was opened in 1931, just a few months after the opening of the present incarnation of the Waldorf Astoria...another art deco masterpiece, and Radio City Music Hall. Due to the Depression and World War II, the Edison was the last hotel to be built until 1957 When Loew's Summit opened on Lexington Avenue. So for all those years the Edison was New York's newest hotel!

The most prominent feature is the famous Art Deco Lobby and it's grand murals depicting New York Scenes as they once were. But don't just look up; look down at the beautiful inlaid tiles and around at the walls. Notice over the check in/out counter the clocks displaying time in various global zones, a subtle indication of the worldwide clientele this hotel serves.

There are several restaurants and a bar attached to the hotel. The loan-shark murder scene in The Godfather was shot in what is now Sophia's restaurant. The pink-and-blue (wedding cake looking filigree and plaster) of the Edison Cafe is a theater-crowd landmark consistently recognized as New York City's best coffee shop.It is a famous meeting place of Broadway producers and cast members, (Neil Simon has a regular), so much so, that it was nicknamed the Polish Tea Room. Playing on the fact that a lot of business deals were made at the Russian Tea Room and those that weren't willing to pay the high prices there would meet, eat and deal at the Cafe Edison and thus came the name, the Polish Tea Room.

The Russian Tea Room is gone, but the Polish Tea Room lives on...

I'm in New York a lot and I love droppping by Ellen's Stardust Diner at 51st and Broadway.

It's a lot of fun and a great place to go on your own. It's a fifties diner with lots of wonderful kitchy decorations -- old albums covers on the wall (Sugar n' Peggy Lee, Sing-a-long withConnie Francis, Showtime with Doris Day, Johnny Mathis).

It's a big tourist place but we go 'cuz it is very kid friendly.

But the best part is that the waiters and waitresses, who are dressed up in fifties garb, sing to karaoke musical theater songs and standards.

Sometimes they even do it while they are serving which is lots of fun. What I love is that these performers seem to be having a blast singing and serving. These kids are great -- great voices, great presence and great interaction with the customers while they are performing.

Even the gruff maitre d' who won't seat you unless your whole party is present, will do a song (tonight he sang the Dean Martin hit "Ain't That A Kick in the Head").

Funny thing, this time I dropped by for a late snack and a beer (boy it's hot here!). The first song one of the waiters sang was "Artificial Flowers"! It's funny -- I hadn't heard that song before and now I've heard it twice (see my previous post). Usually these things happen in threes so I wonder where I'll hear it next...

And now I read this great follow-up to the Tony Awards by Liz Smith in theBaltimore Sun. It's behind a registration, so here's the relevant part of the article -- read the last sentence:

A star is born?

During a commercial break in the Tony Awards Sunday night, host Hugh Jackman asked the audience if they had any requests? Somebody shouted out, "The Boy Next Door!" Hugh asked, "Who said that?" In the audience, Matthew Hoffman raised his hand and tentatively replied, "I did."

Jackman had him up on stage in a flash. He and Hoffman, who is (natch!) an aspiring singer-actor, began a duet of the famous song from Meet Me in St. Louis. But young Matthew wasn't giving it his all. Jackman stopped and said, "So, what else have you got?" Matthew said "I Can See It" (from The Fantasticks.) Hugh then stepped aside and gave Matthew the stage. Matthew offered a true Broadway performance. He hit the last notes just as the back-on-air signal came. Big applause!

Later, at the post-show parties, Matthew was stopped by many big names. He was congratulated on his impromptu moment in the spotlight. If he becomes a star, it'll be the best up-from-nowhere tale since Shirley MacLaine got lucky because of Carole Haney's broken ankle. For now, he is a singing waiter at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

The Howard Johnson's at 46th and Broadway in Times Square is finally being torn down.

The land is being sold for over 100 million fried clams! I can't tell you how many times I've walked past that restaurant and smiled at the "cocktails" sign that encouraged you to come in and have "a decanter of Manhattan, Martini or Daiquiri". Of course I never went in because it looked a bit too seedy, a bit too 1970s Times Square for me. And I guess nobody else did either, not even the Broadway actors. Although this article inPlaybill says that the restaurant once employed Lily Tomlin as a Waitress andGene Hackman as a Maitre'd:

Howard Johnson's, one of the last functioning remnants of the rough-and tumble, Runyonesque Times Square of yesteryear, will be torn down sometime this year, the New York Post reported April 19.

The restaurant and the land it sits on, a prime site on the northwest corner of 46th Street and Broadway, was recently sold for "more than $100 million" by longtime owner Kenneth Rubinstein to Jeff Sutton's Wharton Acquisitions. Sutton plans to flatten the four-story edifice and replace it with a gleaming new retail outlet.

The Howard Johnson's was built in 1955 and is the oldest, continually operated business facing directly on Times Square. Its squat dimensions once fit in nicely with the low-scale, slightly down-at-heel architecture that for a long time characterized the area. But the real estate revival of the late 1990s saw it dwarfed by glass towers and glossy stores like Toys 'R' Us and the Virgin Megastore. Increasingly, the venerable old institution looked like an anachronism.

In the years following World War II, Times Square boasted not one, but three Howard Johnson's eateries (including one directly across the way, on Seventh Avenue). The restaurants -- one of the first to be franchised nationwide -- teemed with locals and tourists alike, and matched the homely qualities of other eating destinations of the era, such as Lindy's. In his recent book "The Devil's Playground," James Traub described how people would line up down the street to sample the trademark fried clams and ice cream.

Hey, how about a show about a bunch of old maitre'ds and waitresses coming back to the Howard Johnson's the night before it gets demolished, a la Follies? You could have songs like "Too Many Happy Hours", "Could I Leave You Without A Tip?" and of course, "I'm Still Here Waiting For My Fried Clams!".

A moment of silence, please.

My husband and I finally got to go out for a romantic dinner together last night. Our Saturday night plans were ruined by our eldest daughter's insistence that she seeFootloose at the City Playhouse in Vaughn that same night (she saw it and gave it rave reviews!). So another sacrifice in the name of theater...

Anyway, we decided to go out Sunday night instead (Desperate Housewives was preempted by an Oprah-produced tearjerker movie...so we figured, why stay in?) to our favorite Cajun restaurant:Southern Accent on Markham Street (inMirvish Village, no less).

We drove by the Bathurst Street Theatre where Bat Boy is playing and parked. Inside, Southern Accent was in full Bat Boy mode, having hosted the opening night party. Batbills (Playbills in disguise) decorated the walls and there was even a dish on the menu called "Bat Boy Salad"!

The salad was composed of baby spinach and radicchio with grilled asparagus and avocado, tossed in a lime olive dressing with sesame seed garnish (what else would you expect?) for $12. Add marinated black tiger shrimp pieces and it goes up to $16.

That got me thinking.

I mean, I've been to celebrity restaurants before (the Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel, owned by Clint Eastwood, where you can still get an Dirty Harry burgers and an Eiger-sandwich) but I've never seen a regular restaurant offer a musical-themed item.

What about a "Sloppy Pal Joe"? "Pajama Game" (roasted au jus of course)? "Wonderful Tuna"? "The Sound of Moussaka"? I'm sure you can think of others.

More importantly when Plane Crazy is a hit, what will its food offering be? Think. Think. Think. How about "The Plane Crazy Stew", a chicken dish made with breasts and thighs...

I really need to get out more.

My husband and I went to the Montreal Jazz Bistro last night to see Swing Rosie. I'd heard about this gig from one of the Rosies, Chantelle Wilson, who recently sang on my Plane Crazy demo session. She's the red head in the blond, brunette, redhead Andrews Sisters trio. It was packed! And what a great evening. We had an awesome table right in front of the performers!

The ladies (Kira Callahan, Shannon Butcher, and Chantelle Wilson), who were all dressed in black with long fuscia gloves, black forties pumps and "diamond" bracelets sang Andrews Sisters and The Boswell Sisters classics, backed by a hot swinging band -- Ka Cheong Liu (bass), Glenn Anderson (drums), William Sperandei (trumpet), and piano (I can't remember his name and he wasn't listed on the flyer -- so sorry!!). Some of my favorites included Elmers Tune, Rum and Coca-Cola and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. All this for only $12 cover -- wow!

Swing Rosie is going into the studio next week to record their debut CD "Swing Cool, Swing Hot", set for release Spring 2005. Run out, buy it, and beat me daddy eight to the bar!