Well it’s about time. Head to Central Park to view the first statute in the park to honor women, and this one honors three! And if you’re like us, you’ll be happy when “virtual” starts disappearing before events. So we’re excited to tell you about some “live” events coming in September. There’s a vintage aircraft flyover celebrating the end of WWW II. And Floating Cinema is coming to NYC! Valerie Smaldone has the scoop on a Neil Diamond Tribute event that airs this Sunday on YouTube! And speaking of YouTube, our Broadway Babe continues to unearth some amazing entertainment. And it’s all FREE!

Restaurant of the Week

The Wayland Summer House is the ultimate East Village cocktail bar. It’s known for its expertly made cocktails, comforting food, live music and perpetual warm welcome. 700 E. 9th Street.

Sept 5. Celebrate the end of World War II.

If you’re looking for Labor Day weekend excitement, head to the American Airpower Museum on Long Island where vintage aircraft will perform high-speed flyers celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event starts at 10:30 am.   

AAM is Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum. It’s located at Hangar 3 of Farmingdale’s Republic Airport, which was home to Republic Aviation, an aircraft manufacturer that produced more than 9,000 P-47 Thunderbolts to support the wartime effort. Get the details.

Sept. 16 for One Week. Floating Cinema in NYC

Here’s a new take on drive in theaters. It’s called Floating Cinema and it’s made up of 12 to 24 mini boats, holding up to 8 people per boat. So you and family and friends can rent your boat and watch movies on the water.  Movies are set to be a mix of golden oldies and new releases but will be announced when tickets go on sale! There will be free popcorn for everyone attending, and other movie snacks and drinks will be available to purchase before you set sail.  Sign up for presale info.

Central Park Gets First Women’s Statute

Up until this week, there were 23 statues of historical figures in Central Park, but not one honored a woman. Well thanks to the non-profit, Monumental Women that has changed and in honor of the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, this beautiful statute  featuring New Yorkers Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth (abolitionists, suffragists, and women’s rights pioneers) is now in Central Park. You will find it at Central Park’s Literary Walk, a tree-lined promenade that also features statue of Shakespeare, Scottish poet Robert Burns, Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott and American author Fitz-Greene Halleck. Learn more about supporting this group and other commissions.

The Broadway Babe’s Entertainment Picks

Randie Levine Miller has some wonderful picks today many of which she saw on Broadway and shares some fun anecdotes. They include: Victor Victoria, Ragtime, Memphis and more!

A Tribute To Cy Coleman: Up Close & Personal at the Kennedy Center

…took place in 2010, six years after he died… Hosted by Michael Kerker, ASCAP’s director of musical theater, in conversation with one of Cy’s close friends and collaborators, David Zippel (“City of Angels”) about the life and times and musicals written by Cy including: “Sweet Charity”,”Barnum”,”Will Rogers Follies”, “On The Twentieth Century”, “Little Me”, “The Life”….. featuring performances by Lillias White, Billy Stritch, Jason Graae and Judy Blazer… Sidebar:  I invested in “On the Twentieth Century” in 1978…The show was a hit… And for me, the best part was attending the most exciting opening night party I ever attended….however,  I never saw a penny… But that opening night made up for it, especially meeting Richard Burton (his wife Suzy, pulled him away from me!)

Victor Victoria 1995

This is the most perfect video of a Broadway show…. It’s actually the Opening Night Performance of the musical, “Victor, Victoria” at the Marriott Marquis Theater, from October 25,1995, starring Julie Andrews, Tony Roberts, Michael Nouri, and Rachel York…. Music by Henry Mancini, Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Book by Blake Edwards…The video is incredibly sharp, taped in HD for the Japanese NHK Network. You’ll feel the excitement of opening night, though I didn’t recognize many of the first nighters… but I did notice Rudy Giuliani with then wife, Donna Hanover!  Enjoy this totally delicious musical!

The 1998 Tony Award Winning Ragtime

I’m delighted to share a true find… The original 1998 Tony Award winning musical “Ragtime”, book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Featuring a stellar cast: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie, Peter Friedman, Mark Jacoby and Judy Kaye. Many magnificent songs including: “Wheels of a Dream”, “Make Them Hear You”, and Marin Mazzie’s showstopper, “We Can Never Go Back To Before,” which resonates with what’s happening in our world today….ditto, “Make Them Hear You,” sung by Stokes.

“Memphis” The Musical

This opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theater in October 2009 … written by David Bryan and Joe  DiPietro… It won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical…. It was loosely based on a true story about a white Memphis DJ, who was one of the first white DJs to play Black music in the 1950’s…. Brilliant performances by co-stars Chad Kimball and Montego Glover… a real audience pleasing, upbeat musical, it was one of my favorites….At the time, I was in charge of special events for the Drama Desk, and got to know many Broadway performers…. Chad was one of my favorites… He told me that in case he didn’t make it, he had a backup business that he started with his brother….. cashmere tee-shirts! He and his leading lady were both single at the time..I urged them to “get together”…. to no avail!!!!

Wonderful Town

A fun trip down memory lane…  The Broadway musical, “Wonderful Town” by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolf Green, was broadcast on national TV in 1958… This kinescope is easy to watch and even has sponsorship from that era of products I’ve never heard of!  Starring the legendary Rosalind Russell, Sydney Chaplin and Jacquelyn McKeever.