NYC LIFE Insider’s Guide: NYC LIFE: Broadway, Holiday Fairs and Lights, Cocktails, Takeout Turkey, Museums, and More
Along with Broadway, the holidays are back this year. It will be so exciting to see the streets lined for the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. Looking for a takeout turkey meal? We’ve got you covered. The holiday fairs are back and there are new holiday lights to enjoy. Lots to be thankful for this year. Valerie Smaldone says Jagged Little Pill is a triumphant return to Broadway. And there are comedy shows, holiday shows, and new exhibits at the museums and galleries. Aren’t we lucky to live in and around the greatest city in the world?
Jagged Little Pill: A Triumphant Return to Broadway
Valerie Smaldone writes that although she had seen this musical BP (before pandemic) she was curious to revisit it to see how it may have changed with two new principal cast members.We know the score well, as Alanis’s music remains embedded in our minds, since so many of her songs dominated radio in the not too far away past. The story is clever and timely. Read the review.
A Groovy Trip Back in Time
Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens takes us to at the R & Company Gallery in Tribeca that features Verner Panton, the Danish designer who rose to success in the 1960’s. His work and legacy are still present today. He is famous for creating the S Chair which was innovative as it was the first single form injected molded plastic chair that is still fun and iconic today.
The show runs through January 8 and focuses on his lighting mostly constructed of plastic components assembled into wild patterns and intricate organic forms. His creations are placed in psychedelic backdrops for a groovy trip back in time. R& Company is located at 69 White Street in Tribeca. Get details. Follow nicole on Instagram@nfrconsult.
The Pulitzer Fountain
Here’s another fun holiday sight, The Pulitzer Fountain. It’s the one across from the Plaza and near the entrance to Central Park. And this year the fountain features handcrafted animal sculptures, icebergs and 5,000 feet of lights.
Holiday Magic at Hudson Yards
The magic of the holidays in NYC now includes Hudson Yards, Shine Bright Holiday Décor which is adorned with 115-miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees dressed to create a gleaming forest for visitors to explore, 16′ tall, illuminated set-pieces in the shape of hot air balloons arranged throughout the Public Square and Gardens and a 32′ hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in The Great Room of The Shops and Restaurants. You’ll find performances every Saturday through December 18th. A complete schedule of Holiday kick-off events is available here.
The Holiday Markets are Back!
New York City takes its shopping experience to a new level with the many holiday markets that pop up for the season. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and brave the cold to find homemade wares for everyone on your list at the three big outdoor markets:
Union Square Holiday Market (November 18–December 24),
Holiday Shops at Winter Village at Bryant Park now open)
Columbus Circle Holiday Market (November 27–December 24)
Or stay warm at the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair (opens November 15) and the 4th Annual Holiday Market at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (December 4–5).
Holiday Cocktails in the East Village
Head to the Ready Rooftop at the Moxey Hotel in the East Village which has been turned its rooftop space into “Palm Holiday.” The all-season rooftop with panoramic views of the East Village and beyond has transformed into a tropical holiday paradise with palm trees, holiday lights, and flamingos. Sip on your favorite seasonal cocktails like Spice Spice Baby and Tropical Holiday Frozen Hot Chocolate. They also serve tacos and nachcos. Get the details.
Where to Order a Takeout Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC
Photo courtesy of Estuary
Don’t want to cook this year, but don’t want to eat out? Well thanks to 6Sq for this guide to 19 restaurants where you can order an entire Thanksgiving Day meal. Get the list.
A Holiday Show for the Whole Family
Here’s something a little different for holiday entertainment. Gerald Jay Markoe and Michael Colby’s Ludlow Ladd in Concert, will have two performances December 8th at 7PM and December 11th at 2PM at Urban Stages. Part Dickens, part Gilbert and Sullivan, part Fractured Fairy Tale, this family operetta evolves through mock-Christmas carols. It centers on Ludlow Ladd, a poor young orphan in Victorian Liverpool. It’s Christmas night and his birthday and Ludlow wanders the streets, searching for a home. The eccentric Grimbles take him to his house, already crammed with animals, plants, and Prudence, the Grimbles’ bratty daughter. After annoying the Grimbles, Ludlow is left alone with their Christmas tree. He is suddenly whisked to the Land of Yuletide Cheer where dreams can come true resulting in a perversely sweet holiday miracle.
The cast so far includes Shawna Hamic as Hester Grimble, Nick Lunetta as Tin Soldier, Mia Pinero as Daisy, Luke Nephat Sath, Adam B. Shapiro as Nestor Grimble, Megan Styrna as Prudence Grimble, Maureen Taylor as Muriel/Missus Pinecones, and as Ludlow, Joshua Turchin (the TikTok phenom who was the first teen in a major edition of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY). It is directed by Sara Louise Lazarus. Musical Direction by Michael Lavine. Written by Michael Colby (libretto) and Gerald Jay Markoe (music), who are both Drama Desk Award nominees). Urban Stages is located at: 259 West 30th Street (off of 8th Ave.) All tickets are $30 except the opening night Gala. Please reserve your tickets now at: tinyurl.com/6m7cmjdy
Attention Comedy Lovers
Our very favorite comedy duo, Stone and Stone are back doing their hilarious standup routines. Here are three upcoming performances. You’ll love them, and their mother will thank you too!
November 22. Vintage Basement with Max and Nicky,The Kraine Theater (85 E. 4th St.) – 9 p.m. – $10. Tickets: https://www.frigid.nyc/events/vintagebasement
December 12. “Stoned for the Holidays” with Tanya Moberly (cabaret). Don’t Tell Mama (343 W. 46th St.) – 7 p.m. – $10 / 2 drink min. Tickets: https://donttellmamanyc.com/shows/main/6128-salon
December 14. The Lineup. Birdland (343 W. 46th St.) – 8:30 p.m. Tickets: see www.birdlandjazz.com in December
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
