Broadway | Living on Love

Living on Love, A New Comedy with Music
Playing at Longacre Theatre
Musical or Play? Play
Rush? No
Best Place for Discount Tickets: Today Tix App (From $25)
Official Website: livingonlovebroadway.com

Renée Fleming makes her Broadway debut in the new comedy Living on Loveby two-time Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, based on the play Peccadillo by Garson Kanin, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall.

World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming takes to the stage as celebrated diva Raquel De Angelis. When Vito, her larger-than-life maestro husband, becomes enamored with the lovely young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, Raquel retaliates by hiring her own handsome, young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown, and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this brand new hilarious comedy.

REVIEW

I'm not usually a play person, but when I had the opportunity to go see Living on Love for a discounted price, I decided to take a chance. I'm so glad I did! This comedy is one-of-a-kind. First and foremost, it's simple in that there is a very small cast of six characters, and the entirety of the show takes place in the same location – an upscale Manhattan apartment. Unlike other plays I've attended, Living on Love is also a short two hours (intermission included), which is quite manageable even for novice theatergoers. 

Moreover, Living on Love is unique in that it is a comedy with music, as the tagline suggests. The storyline focuses on a famous married couple. Maestro Vito De Angelis is set to narrate his autobiography to a ghostwriter, who ended up taking the job simply to meet the Maestro's wife, opera singer La Diva. Of course, things go wrong – the Maestro and La Diva's marriage is falling apart and they're running out of money. What follows is a hilarious family drama filled with ridiculousness, love, and opera. Yes, opera. Acclaimed opera singer Reneé Felming makes her Broadway debut as La Diva, and lends her voice to the show. It may sound weird, but it works.

I was definitely surprised with how much I enjoyed Living on Love. While the story is very predictable, it's still laugh-out-loud funny. The cast works flawlessly together, and each has great comedic timing. I really loved the incorporation of music into the show, as it fit perfectly with the storyline. Plus, it helped drag a musical lover like me to a play, thus making Living on Love accessible to a wider audience. 

I didn't try for the Stage Door after Living on Love, but I remember from a past experience at the Longacre a few years ago that barricades weren't set up until 10-15 minutes after the show. If you're interested in meeting the stars, I recommend asking an usher for more information. 

All in all, I'm glad I took the time to see Living on Love. I'm not sure that I would go see it a second time, but I do think it's worth seeing, especially if you're looking for a comedy. While the show is geared for adults, there is nothing inappropriate about it, and I would recommend it for families with children middle school age and up. If you'd like a light and quick Broadway experience, Living on Love is definitely the show to see. 

Book Review | Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Bunheads by Sophie Flack
Published by Poppy on October 10, 2011
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 294
Format: Hardcover
Source: BookMooch
Goodreads: ★★★★1/2

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life? 

REVIEW

After reading a few disturbing books at the end of February, I needed to curl up with something that I knew I'd love. I recently received Bunheads by Sophie Flack on BookMooch, a book trading website. I've heard mixed reviews of this young adult novel, but because I was a dancer growing up I was really interested in reading a book featuring a ballerina. I definitely picked up Bunheads at the perfect time – I found it a quick and comforting read. 

Bunheads tells the story of Hannah Ward, a nineteen-year-old in the Manhattan Ballet Company's corps de ballet. The book is written in Hannah's first-person perspective, and is separated into the three seasons the ballet performs: fall, winter, and spring. Readers follow Hannah as she faces a multitude of struggles in her young life. Hannah wants more than anything to be promoted to a soloist in the company, but receiving that position requires a strict diet and workout schedule, and forces her to compete against her closet friends. At the same time, Hannah wants desperately to be a normal teenager, but ballet dancers in the Manhattan Ballet Company rarely leave the confines of the theatre.

I really enjoyed Hannah's story, and connected with her in many ways. Even though I am not a professional dancer, I understand how it feels to move to New York City and try to follow your dreams when you are young and alone. Just like Hannah, I struggle with balancing my career with my personal life, and I really admired how Hannah handled her situation. 

Bunheads does feature a love triangle, but I think it worked really well with this story. It wasn't overdone, and it wasn't dramatic. Instead, it was quite realistic, and the conflict brought an interesting twist to the story. I only mention the love triangle in my review because I know that is a key buzzword for some readers when deciding whether or not to pick up a book. 

The only criticisms I have with Bunheads are very small indeed. First, Flack uses a multitude of ballet terms throughout the novel. Because I took ballet for several years, I had no problem pronouncing or understanding the different dance positions and movements. However, readers with no dance background will probably find these terms frustrating, so it would be very helpful to include a glossary in the back of the book with the proper pronunciations, translation from French to English, and a short description of what the step is. 

Furthermore, I found the pacing in Bunheads to be a little confusing at times. Even though the story was separated by season, I found that time moved much quicker that I would have expected. For instance, if a scene takes place in the book, the next scene could be either the next day, or the next week, or even a few weeks down the road. The timing between chapters was not consistent, and I would have liked more markers so I could follow where I was. However, this is really nitpicking, and it really did not detract much from the story at all.

Overall, I really loved Bunheads and highly recommend it to anyone who was a dancer or who is interesting in dancing. The author is a retired ballerina herself, so I loved the authenticity in the story. I learned so much about what it takes to be a professional dancer, but at the same time I connected to this book on a personal level. I'm really impressed with Flack's ability to make Hannah's story my story even though we lead very different lives. I will definitely be rereading Bunheads at some point in the future, and I anxiously await Flack's next book, whatever it may be! 

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Broadway | Honeymoon in Vegas

Honeymoon in Vegas starring Tony Danza officially opened on Broadway this month, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the show with all of you. I attended a preview performance of this musical on the second day of previews, so keep in mind that the show may have changed a little, and I'm sure it will be more polished now that the actors are familiar with it. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Honeymoon in Vegas and am highly recommending it!

Honeymoon in Vegas is a musical comedy centering on Jack and Betsy, a young couple living in New York. They've been dating for a while, and despite wanting to tie the knot, Jack is haunted by a curse put on him by his late mother telling him never to get married. In an effort to save his relationship, Jack decides that he and Betsy should travel to Vegas to finally become husband and wife. Of course, things go wrong along the way, and casino owner Tommy Korman, played by Tony Danza, tries to steal Betsy away from Jack. Despite this somewhat-complicated plot, Honeymoon in Vegas is downright hilarious. It has surprise elements, and always kept me wanting more.

My only disappointment with the show is that the vocals are not very strong. As I mentioned before, I saw Honeymoon in Vegas on the second day of previews, but several of the lead actors were struggling to hit their notes in many of the songs. I hope this improved at the time of opening, but even though the vocals were a bit lacking, I still had a great time during the performance.

I also want to mention that Honeymoon in Vegas is playing at the Nederlander Theatre. My friend and I rushed the show, and got tickets in the Front Mezzanine for $32.00. The seating is extremely squished, with no leg room whatsoever. I was uncomfortable during the show, but this is an old theatre and unfortunately bound to happen more often than not when attending a Broadway performance. I point it out because if you need space or have a bad back, you will want to contact the box office to see if they can accommodate you.

Finally, if you want to rush Honeymoon in Vegas, I recommend getting there about an hour before the box office opens. We were there an hour and half early, and no one else showed up until closer to opening time. However, that may have changed now that the show is officially open! Rush tickets are cash only, so run to the ATM before getting in line.

In the end, if you are looking for a super fun musical to attend on Broadway, I think Honeymoon in Vegas is a perfect choice. It's great for families or date night, as it includes elements that everyone will love. You can visit the show's official website HERE for more information. As always, if you've seen this show please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Snapshot Sunday | Book Stack Edition

I'm back with a new Snapshot Sunday after being away for a few weeks on winter break! This week I'm showcasing my current TBR ("to be read") pile instead of a city snapshot since I'm spending my weekend in my apartment and not the frozen tundra that is Manhattan. I've already finished The Giver and have moved on to An Italian Wife. It's so great to be reading in the New Year! Tell me what you're currently reading in the comments! 

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Snapshot Sunday | My Street Art Obsession

I always love seeing street art throughout the city. Whether it's a mural or a smaller piece, I always feel the need to snap a picture no matter how touristy I feel doing so. Now that it's spring and finally sunny outside, I've been able to walk a lot more, and have been spotting new-to-me street art. Here are a couple that I particularly liked this week.

"Love Me" – taken on Broadway near Canal Street

Funky Alien Creatures! Not sure what to call this. Taken on E 2nd Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery.

Do you enjoy street art as much as I do? Let me know in the comments!

Bite of the Apple | 9/11 Memorial

What: 9/11 Memorial

Where: World Trade Center

Price: Free, $2 service fee for online reservations; donations accepted

About: Visit the site of the Twin Towers to see the tribute built in honor of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. In the spring of this year, a museum will be opening at the site as well. Currently, the memorial consists of two reflecting pools, with the names of the fallen inscribed on panels around each pool. There are also informational computers that share more about the memorial, and allow you to locate a name on the panels.

Sweet or Sour: The memorial is a place for quiet reflection, and I would label it as somber rather than sweet or sour. The site is beautiful, and something I recommend visiting at least once to spend a few moments in quiet remembrance. The view of the Freedom Tower is also remarkable.

Seeds: I highly recommend visiting the memorial's website before you go, as there are several security regulations (understandably), and it's easy to reserve your ticket in advance. Also keep in mind that you will be going through airport-like security before entering the memorial, and that the memorial is all outdoors.

Core: If you plan to visit lower Manhattan, take the time to visit the 9/11 Memorial. The length of your visit is up to you, but the emotional experience is profound.

Official Website: http://www.911memorial.org

My Return to the City!

I have exciting news! I will be attending law school beginning this coming August, and thus moving back to New York City! I am absolutely overjoyed to be returning to Manhattan, especially since I will be living downtown and won't have to commute to and from the Bronx. But have no fear, Full Moon, I will definitely be returning to the old neighborhood for some pizza! 

Law school, of course, will not permit me to see Broadway shows every weekend, but I am still looking forward to finding great little restaurants, going shopping (when I have the money), and exploring the best city in the world! I hope you will all continue to read my blog as I depart for this next adventure in NYC.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding my move to NYC! 

Goodbye, Internship!

Today was the official last day of my internship. It feels good to not be an intern anymore! I had a great job and the best boss, but I am honestly glad it is over. The biggest drawback of the entire semester? The commute! The more-than-an-hour long commute from the Bronx to Manhattan completely sucks-- especially during rush hour. Almost every morning trip had delays. Last week I was even stuck between stations for an hour. Needless to say, being an intern in NYC is not glamorous.

I am very lucky to have gained so much experience as an undergrad, though. Not many students are able to intern at a law firm before reaching law school. I also learned a lot about what it takes to be a sports agent (one of the fields I would like to enter as a lawyer). It's much more than contract negotiation-- marketing and personal relationships are the keys to your clients' (and your own) success. I'm even thinking about watching some of the NFL Draft on Saturday to see if any of my boss' guys get drafted. I have a new respect for football, but I would definitely want to work with basketball players. Basketball is much more exciting and enjoyable for me, and I need to be interested in the work I do.

Moreover, for my last day my boss took me out to lunch at the restaurant that Justin Timberlake co-owns, Southern Hospitality. I had been wanting to go there all semester! We went to the Hell's Kitchen location, which is easier to get to from where the office is (although, I met him in Grand Central because my train was delayed... surprise, surprise). The food was absolutely delicious. I love southern-style stuff. I got a caesar salad and a BLT wrap, plus we got spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer. There were so many options to choose from, though, that I want to go back and try more! I definitely recommend it if you're in the city. This location is just a short walk from Times Square, and there is another on the Upper East Side. 

On my way home from lunch, I had a really cool experience on the train. When I first moved here at the beginning of the semester, I was taking the train home with Mary. I'm not sure exactly where we were coming from, but a man came on and sang "Lean On Me." He had such a beautiful voice, and now every time I hear that song I think of him. Today, he was on the train again singing the same song. In a weird way, I felt as if I had come full circle. I'm going to miss the NYC community. We all come from different places, but we're all in it together. 

Here's a great version of "Lean On Me" with Steven Tyler. The video quality is crappy, but it's the music that's important:

Law and Order

This week I got sent on my first mission to the court house. I had to file an order (a multiple step process), deliver it to a judge in a different court house, and pick it up the next day. I was pretty intimidated at first, since first you have to go through security like you do at the airport, and then find the right room, stand in the right line, hand in the right papers, etc. Most of the people were really nice, and explained things to me as I went along. There were just a couple of people that got annoyed when I asked a simple question. Oh, the bureaucracy. 

Nonetheless, it was pretty cool to be doing these errands. The court houses are all old inside and out. In one of them the elevators are even run by operators! Here are some of the pictures I took with my phone:

This is the first court house I went into. They film Law and Order on those steps all the time:

This is the statue in the center of Foley Square, where the court houses are:

Here is another court house. I didn't have to go in here:

Orientation Week

During our first week, we originally had a bunch of plans to do a lot of tourist destinations. Unfortunately, the weather has been so bad that we had to cancel a number of them. We missed out on the Museum of Natural History and the tour of downtown Manhattan. Tomorrow we are still planning to go to the Grand Central Terminal, the UN, and Times Square. I'm really hoping the rain stops so we can do that! Our activities for Friday have already been cancelled because we are getting a huge snowstorm. I don't know why New England gets such a bad reputation for weather-- it's just as bad here! 

Today we were able to go to the Bronx Zoo in the morning. It was nice, but started raining harder as we walked around. A lot of the animals weren't outside because of the weather, but here are some photographs I took of ones we did see.

Crocodile from Madagascar

Tigers- The one on the top is a younger tiger than the one on the bottom, which was much larger. 

Bears- That were in quite the fight!

I hope I'm able to go back in the spring when a lot more animals are out. The zoo was huge and had a lot to offer. I definitely recommend going when the weather is nice. Wednesday is also suggested donation day. That means you get in for free, but it's nice if you make a donation to the zoo. They suggest $16 for adults, which is the regular admission fee.

T - 3 Days

Only a few more days until I move to the city. I have been doing lots of laundry and packing like crazy. Yesterday I got an email from my new RD (Residence Director). She included a tentative schedule for our first week in NY. It's going to be a hectic orientation schedule. We'll pretty much be learning the ropes of the neighborhood and the subway, and hitting a bunch of the tourist destinations. It will be good to get those visits out of the way and to spend some time meeting the other students I'll be living with. Some of the stops include: the Museum of Natural History, Downtown Manhattan (Ground Zero, Wall Street, etc.), Bronx Zoo, United Nations, and Times Square. I am really exited to go to the UN! That should be really interesting. I've wanted to go to the Bronx Zoo as well, but it should be a little weird going to a zoo with all of the snow we have been getting lately. I have to make sure I charge my camera! 

I'm also getting a bit nervous about the textbook for my class. It was supposed to arrive yesterday, but because of the snow storm we got it is late. I just hope it comes before I leave on Sunday! Otherwise my mom will have to ship it out to me, and that is such a waste of money. Wish me luck!