Proud CB Mamas

Some times The Culture Buddies feel like the 'proud mamas' of some of the young people we have seen on the stage. This is especially true if we have first seen these young folks in previews or in an Off Broadway show. Last season we felt like proud mamas to the wonderful young cast of Spring Awakening. We saw the show in early previews and just loved it. We stood outside after the show and fawned over the cast (this was before the institution of "acknowledge but don't fawn"). The kids were so gracious and kind to the fans. Now that the show has won the Tony for Best Musical and is a certified Broadway phenomenon, you might expect the cast to be a little less willing to spend a great deal of time after the show with the fans but this isn't true. No one is more well mannered and polite than Jonathan Groff. He signs autographs and stays to pose for pictures until the last fan leaves. We stay in a hotel right next door to the Spring Awakening theatre, so we often see him after the show. We always say, "Wasn't he well raised?" or, "Shouldn't his mom be proud?"

This morning The Culture Buddies felt the 'mama pride' again with the lead story in the Friday's Arts Section of The New York Times about Lin-Manual Miranda - the star and brains behind In the Heights. We saw this show Off Broadway last year and were so happy when it made the transition to Broadway. We saw it in previews during our last trip and the magic is still there. It is such a wonderfully energetic show with great music.

Culture Buddies Shout Out

A shout out to our Culture Buddies patron, Matt VW, who sang the role of Monostatos, a devilish Moor, in Janice Edward's performance/recital of The Magic Flute on Saturday in Manchester, NH. With his playful evilness and strong tenor voice, Matt was a crowd favorite!

Monday, March 10

It was great waking up this morning to a rave review of In The Heights in the NYT! We're so happy for this cast and crew who have been working together for three years to get this play to Broadway. Just moving from Off-Broadway to Broadway is an amazing feat, but earning this kind of a review is such a boost to their deserved success. The reviewer, Charles Isherwood, really captured the strengths of the play and the up-beat mood created by the (mostly) young, incredibly talented cast. We feel like proud mommys . . .

Yesterday was a busy day for the Culture Buddies. First, Key Sunday Cinema Club, a movie club we attend every couple of weeks in West Newton, MA that prescreens independent and foreign movies, follwed by a speaker and discussion. We never know what we're going to see until we get there, but it's usually pretty good. Yesterday, we saw Under the Same Moon, a Mexican movie about a young boy's quest to get to his mother who has been in LA for four years trying to make enough money to bring him to the US. The child actor was very endearing, and it was a rather sweet movie, but a little too cliche-riddled for the Culture Buddies, and you could see every plot point coming a mile ahead (okay, Leslie still cried . . .).

We decided to make it a double-header and see another movie, since we had time to kill before meeting up with Culture-Buddy-in-Training, Lluvia, who was in town for a conference, and seeing a play at 7:00 in Boston. We saw Caramel a movie set in a Beruit that focuses on four women who work together in a beauty salon, their neighborhood, the restrictions they face as women in a repressive society, and their friendship. We both really enjoyed it and would recommend it highly.

After killing a little time at Barnes & Nobles, something the CB's have no trouble doing, we headed to the Huntington Theatre to meet up with Lluvia and see a production of Conor McPherson's play, Shining City. The CB's loved McPherson's Seafarer on their last NY trip and were looking forward to seeing another one of his plays. Unfortunately, we were rather disappointed in this one. Much of it depicted therapy sessions which seemed to go on and on at points, and the actor who played one of the four roles, the therapist, was pretty weak. In addition, it threw in the strangest curve ball ending that had the three of us trying to figure out what the hell it meant.

Lluvia Accepts Best Dressed Oscar
We caught some dinner afterwards and presented Lluvia with the Best Dressed Oscar for our Academy Awards party. This lovely statuette sported a one-of-a-kind couture dress designed by none other than Culture Buddy, Ann. Lluvia accepted the award on behalf of herself and Kate, and she also received a large poster of Sweeney Todd that the CB's had begged for from a movie theatre manager. By the way, did you know that the posters the movies display are double-sided w/a mirror image of the front on the back? Stick with us and you'll learn all kinds of fun facts!

More later,
The Culture Buddies

Things That Thrill The Culture Buddies - March 7, 2008

Even though the CB's live 8 miles away from each other, they begin their days the exact same way. They jump out of bed and head straight for their front steps to grab The New York Times and go straight to the Arts & Leisure section. We expecially love it when they review a play we have already seen. This morning was a great day because they reviewed Cat on A Hot Tin Roof which the Culture Buddies saw last week. The NYT praised Anika Noni Rose's performance as Maggie as much as the CultureBuddies did in a previous post and agreed with us that she was the strongest part of the production. What a thrill to have the smarty-pants theatre reviewer from The NYT agree with the assessment of the Culture Buddies! This made us think of other things that thrill the CB's. Here are some of them:

1. Opening The NYT and seeing a huge, full color add for a show that we have already seen or announcing an upcoming play that we already have tickets for.
2. Seeing a play like In the Heights Off-Broadway on a hunch that it will be good, loving it, and then seeing it end up Broadway.
3. Seeing an un-reviewed Broadway play like Spring Awakening early in previews, loving it and watching the play become a huge phenomenon.
4. Seeing a show that is so wonderful that we leap to our feet at the end (usually along with everyone around us) for a standing ovation.
5. Getting to a show and realizing that they have a magnet to add to our collection!!
6. Not ever being accosted on the streets of New York by the guys selling tourist bus trips around the city because we look like native New Yorkers. Leslie especially loves it when someone asks her for directions, and she gives them a definitive answer whether she knows what she's talking about or not.
7. Having a waiter who greets us with a kiss and asks, "What plays are you ladies seeing this time" whenever we stop by at his restaurant for breakfast.
8. Striking up deep conversations about theatre with other native New Yorkers who are amazed (and embarrassed) by how many plays we've seen.
9. Seeing Rude Awakening: Forbidden Broadway and getting every single joke because we have seen all the plays they're making fun of, even though we live in NH.
10. Walking out of a show and having Casey and Ben waiting for us!
11. Loving a performance so much that Ann MUST write one of her fawning notes to the actor. Recent recipients: Eve Best (Homecoming), Violet's understudy in August: Osage County, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Anika Noni Rose (Cat . . .).
    Being moved to tears by performances and displays of talent (full disclosure: Leslie is the cry baby).

New York City Withdrawal Pains: March 6, 2008

Four days away from the bright lights of the big city and the CultureBuddies are starting to go through withdrawal pains. We looked through all the movie listings in Southern NH and there is not a decent movie to be had. Very little beside the 'multiplex movies' ever make their way to this part of the world and independent movie houses (with the exception of the Wilton Town Hall Theater) are few and far between. Several years ago when Life is Beautiful was released, the CBs went to see it at a Nashua theater and at the box office there was a hand lettered sign saying, "WARNING: This Movie Has Subtitles." That pretty much sums up the movie situation around here. So the ever resourceful CBs decided to rent A Moon for the Misbegotten from NetFlix. This movie version of the play stars Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards. They were the original stars of the play on Broadway many years ago. We saw and loved Moon... on Broadway last year with Kevin Spacey and Eve Best so tonight we plan on comparing the Broadway version of the play with the movie. Hey, we do what we can in this remote part of the world to earn our title of the CultureBuddies!

New York Theater Trip: March 3, 2008

Saturday was a theater double header. We saw Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the afternoon and In the Heights at night. Cat... was amazing. In case you haven't read about it, it is a version of the play using all Black actors directed by Debbie Allen, Maggie: Anika Noni Rose (from Dreamgirls), Brick: Terrence Howard, Big Momma: Phylicia Rashad, and as Big Daddy: James Earl Jones. To say it was an EVENT is an understatement. The performances were really wonderful with Anika Noni Rose the real standout as Maggie. She was sexy, sad and funny all at the same time. Terrence Howard (who in our humble opinion is about as handsome as any man alive, sorry Phil and Matt) was very good in the role of Brick. And of course, James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad were amazing as Big Daddy and Big Momma. Talk about Theater Royalty!

The audience helped make it a real event in another way. The play usually comes across as rather tragic story with the audience feeling great empathy for Maggie whose husband (Brick) has become an alcoholic and refuses to have sex with her because of the death of his friend (homosexual attraction is inferred). When poor Maggie is going on and on in the first act, she played it up as rather comic and the audience responded with hearty laughter. At many other times when the wives are zinging the husbands the audience laughed like it was a comedy. It made the times when the audience went silent even more meaningful. Very interesting interpretation of the play and a great theatrical experience. Our biggest objection was when the play was over and the actors were making curtain calls- Anika came out first, followed by Phylicia and James holding hands, and then Terrence. WRONG. Maggie has the biggest role and should have come out with her husband Brick. They should have come out as a couple. I know Terrence is a big star but they should have come out together. ( NYT Review )

After the show we stood in line tried to get Casey and Ben lottery tickets to In the Heights with no luck. The Culture Buddies saw In the Heights when it was off-Broadway so we were very excited to see how it made the transition to the big time. It's still wonderful, amazingly spirited and energetic. The music is great and the dancing is wonderful. In the audience were 300 charming college and high school students from the Jackie Robinson Foundation who made the top practically come off the theater during the musical numbers. Jack Welsh was two rows away from us during the show and we were tempted to ask him to help fund the CultureBuddies! ( NYT Review )

Casey Reacts to Receiving His Award
After the show, we took Casey and Ben out for dessert at
Sardi's where we presented Casey with his Academy Award statuette for his mind-blowing 17 correct predictions in the "Satellite Culture Buddies" Oscar pool (vying against Matthew VW; Sarah's boyfriend, Josh; and Matt's twin brother, Tom). We love these boys. They are funny, smart and just plain amazing. They presented us with very cool gift certificates for 'blow outs' at the salon where Ben works. Cool. We didn't fall asleep until nearly 3:00. Bad CultureBuddies!

Sunday was our last hurrah. We ate breakfast at our favorite breakfast spot and then hung out with Abraham and Joseph who work the front desk at the Mayfair Hotel where we like to stay. Our 9th show in 6 days (yes, we were starting to 'hit the wall') was Passing Strange, and we caught the Sunday matinee of what must be the coolest show in all of Manhattan. It's a mix of a rock concert, storytelling, and a play all overseen by a well-know NY musician, Stew, who is famous for performing at Joe's Pub and telling his stories while playing great music. Passing Strange is a loosely based autobiographical "coming of age" story that fit into the emerging theme of the week of creative people trying to find their way in conventional society. We loved it. The music was great, the six talented cast members who sang and danced were wonderful, and the whole thing was very clever, very cool and just a blast. ( NYT Review )

We took the 6:00pm bus back to reality and work and home and laundry, etc. But what a great week. On a scale of 1 to 10, this week was definitely a 10!

Thanks for sharing in our fun and thanks for all your positive comments.
Love from the CultureBuddies (a.k.a. Ann and Leslie)

New York Theater Trip: March 1, 2008

Yesterday the girls continued in their marathon of CULTURE!! We went to Lincoln Center after lunch to see The Counterfeiters which won the Academy Award last week for Best Foreign Film. It was the very compelling true story of the Jewish men who were forced by the German's to counterfeit dollars and pounds to undermine the economy of the Allied Forces during WW2. The movie theater at Lincoln Center provides the CultureBuddies with some 4 star people watching opportunities.

There has been an almost eerie sense of continuity during this trip. Yesterday morning we woke up to a rave review of Passing Strange which we will see Sunday, and the review compared it to Sunday in the Park with George which we saw Wednesday night. The theme of this trip seems to be that it's not easy being an artist whether it's music or drama. The playwrights of several of the plays we have seen have committed suicid or stuggled with alcoholism. It's weird how unbeknownst to us, a theme usually emerges during our trips.

Later we met up with our two favorite boys and official "Culture Buddies in Training" Casey and Ben and saw a fabulous play The Seafarer. It's an ensemble piece written by Colin McPherson of Shining City fame and was one of the best shows I have ever scene. The acting was not to be believed. The play takes place on Christmas eve in a run down home outside of Dublin and involves lots of drinking and great dialogue. This sounds like a hokey plot device but believe me it is not- there is actually a card game played with the Devil for the soul of at least one of the men. A GREAT GREAT PLAY!!!!

After the play we hung around the stage door to honor the actors and shake their hands. The CultureBuddies have come a long way since the days of Sharpie Markers and cameras. Now we praise- but not fawn- when we are truly moved by great acting. These men really deserved our praise. Even Casey got into the act. The guys loved the show as well.

We went out for drinks and food after the show and the boys sprung a surprise on us. They have set up a blog for us and the address is: theculturebuddies.blogspot.com. Casey posted our NYC press releases and it is where we will keep our friends and family up to date on all things cultural! The CultureBuddies are truly blessed with friends like Casey and Ben!

Today we have a doubleheader- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and In the Heights. More will follow.

Love to all. Only one more night in the big city!

Ann and Leslie (a.k.a the CultureBuddies)

New York Theater Trip: February 29 (Happy Leap Day!)

It's Friday morning in NYC, another cold but sunny day. Since our last update, we've been busy girls. Wednesday afternoon we split up--Ann went to August: Osage County for the second time and loved it even more. She saw three different actors than when we saw it in Feb, and enjoyed the contrast in performances. I went to Lion King, which was visually stunning, but a little too Disney over the top for me. The best part was watching the faces of the totally enraptured kids in the audience. During intermission, I went outside for some fresh air and there were lots of photographers, cops, etc. in the alley. I was about to ask someone what was up when the photographers started shouting "Mariah"--sure enough, it was Mariah Carey on her way in to TRL (Total Request Live for you old foggies)! I'm not a big fan, but I have to say she is stunningly gorgeous in person.

Wednesday night we saw an amazing production of the musical Sunday in the Park With George. It was a really intriguing look at the intense inner life of an artist who found it hard to fit into the "real" world of commercial art and personal relationships. The young director used technology in the coolest ways to capture the slow process Seurat went through to build his famous painting. The two lead actors came over from the successful British run of the play and were amazing. I found it very touching, and it was the first musical I have actually cried at--maybe because I was thinking of my two artist genius children. Ann, once again, supplied the Kleenex. NYT Review

Yesterday we slept in and hit our favorite restaurant for breakfast, Pigale, which is right next door to our hotel. We actually have a favorite waiter there, Jose, and we always try to sit in his station. He treats us very well, and usually slips in free coffee. The best part is that without me asking, he brings a small pitcher of chocolate milk for my coffee. It's cool that in this huge city that everyone thinks of as so impersonal, we have a waiter who greets us with a kiss and asks us what shows "the ladies" are seeing this time around.

We spent most of the day at the Met and still only saw about 1/3 of what was is the museum. Favorites for Ann--the John Singer Sargent paintings and the whole room of Van Gogh paintings. Favorites for me--the incredibly extensive special exhibit on Courbet and a whole wing focusing on Expressionist paintings. Tired, but happy, we made our way back to the hotel for a late afternoon nap.

Last night we saw the Inge play, Come Back Little Sheba, starring S. Epatha Merkerson of "Law & Order" fame. We agreed that it was an old-time theatre experience--no bells and whistles, just talented actors interpreting a classic American story of a disappointing marriage that has been worn down by bad decisions, alcoholism, and day to day life. Once again, I cried; once again, Ann supplied the Kleenex. Afterwards we went to Carmins for a yummy Italian dinner (eating dinner at 11:00 is weird, but necessary sometimes), and came back to our room to crash. NYT Review

So, today is another day and who knows what's in store for the Culture Buddies--Ann will be reporting in next!