Manhattan Digest

Theater Reviews: “Indian Ink” and “The Country House”

Tom Stoppard: Prominent, prolific, and critically acclaimed. Certain playwrights hold a certain shroud of prestige to the point that any talk of criticism towards them is considered heresy. Well, consider me a heretic. Try though I may, I have attempted to read his plays and watch them staged. Each time, I’m left in a state of confusion and frustration. Usually, this is due to the fact that Stoppard’s use of language is so comprehensive one might think that he decides to use every single word of the English language in a single play. Or perhaps I’m a simpleton who just doesn’t “get it.” All the votes on that aren’t in yet.

However, my single vote on Roundabout Theater’s Indian Ink is in, and unfortunately, I’m not voting in favor of it. Indian Ink takes us to 1930s India, where we meet Flora Crewe (Romola Garai) , a British gal who likes to pen poetry and sleep with men-lots of them. As her sister, Eleanor (Rosemary Harris) notes, “She used them like batteries. When things went flat, she’d put in a new one.” Crewes establishes a friendship with Nirad (Firdous Bamji), a painter who asks to paint Crewe’s portrait. She obliges. Meanwhile, she continues to have dalliances with any willing man and is taught lessons of painting styles from Nirad. All of this is seen in flashbacks from Eleanor’s memory. A scholar, Eldon Pike (Neal Huff), is currently writing an academic paper on Crewe’s life and has enlisted Eleanor’s aid to discuss the specifics of her sister’s life. These scenes take place in the 1980s.

There is subtle beauty here. Robert Wierzel’s lighting is exquisite and work beautifully against Candice Donelly’s gorgeous costumes. To completely dismiss Stoppard is foolish and unfair, and he does scribe some genuinely poignant lines. As Pike reads one of Flora’s last letters, she writes: “Perhaps my soul will stay behind, as a smudge of paint on paper.” It’s a lovely sentiment and yet, one wishes that Stoppard could be more laconic. Instead, we must withstand close to three hours of endless dialogue about the cultural differences between India and the British. It’s comparable to being cornered at a party, in a fabulous room, by a guy who incessantly chatters about Amway-all while you hold an empty wine glass and pray for Armageddon to strike.

Indian Ink plays off Broadway through Nov. 30 at the Laura Pels theater, 111 West 46th Street between 6th and Broadway. For tickets and information, visit: http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Indian-Ink.aspx

Manhattan Theater Club must subconsciously be channeling classic Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Last season’s The Snow Geese gathered a family in upstate New York who grieved the recent loss of their patriarch. Those who attended the country getaway spoke only of regret and loss-all in true Chekhovian flair. Now, his spirit presides in the Berkshires, the setting for Donald Margulies’ new dramatic comedy The Country House.

An always classy and elegant Blythe Danner, leads this superb cast as Anna Patterson, an esteemed actress who has arrived in her home near Williamstown, Massachusetts. It is the first time she’s stepped foot in the house since the passing of her actress daughter, Kathy. Walter Keegan (David Rasche), Kathy’s husband slash hack director who now turns his attention to a B film series called Truck Stop, is also in tow for the family festivities. His eyes happen to be targeted on Nell McNally (Kate Jennings Grant), his weekend companion and an aspiring knock-out actress. She’s also significantly younger in years than Walter. Walter’s daughter, Susie (Sarah Steele) is also bunking down can see right through her father’s mid-life crisis. Patterson’s son, Elliot Cooper, joins as the most Chekhovian character here. Cynical, bitter, and yearning for the unreciprocated love from his mother, Cooper is planning to unveil his latest play, which the family will read. No doubt that Margulies has molded him from Konstantin Treplyov, the forelorn playwright from Chekhov’s The Seagull. With all of these dramatic personalities under one roof, rest assured that sparks will fly. Oh–but wait! Michael Astor (Daniel Sunjata) is coming too. Astor is a fellow friend of Patterson who is now the star of a popular television series. He vows to take the couch for his sleeping preference. Astor is swarthy and handsome and his charm is simply too irresistible to resist- by every female character under this roof. You can probably tell where this is headed.

Unlike Margulies’ last work, Time Stands Still, there is much less weight to this piece- which is not to renounce it. It would be rather ridiculous to compare a piece about a photojournalist who has returned from Iraq after a roadside bomb injury to a play about the petty dramas of an acting family. Still, The Country House provides a perfect vehicle for Blythe Danner to grace the stage and remind us what acting royalty is all about. At one point, her Anna Patterson laments the fact that the likes of Geraldine Page and Julie Harris are gone. “There are no more stars on Broadway,” she says. “Oh sure there are stars on Broadway, but they aren’t Broadway stars.” It’s a cutting and hilarious line, but with respectful disagreement, Danner can take her place among the greats.

The Country House, on Broadway now through November 23rd at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th betweeen Broadway and 8th aves. Tickets avail at the box office or by visiting http://thecountryhousebway.com/

A Honest Guys Take On New York’s Comic Con

by Ryan Shea

Half Naked Wolverines, Rubber Duckies, and Amber Benson. A Good Formula For Comic Con 2014

I for one can admit I am not the biggest fan of Comics. I grew up more on video games and when that faded out my love for music kind of stuck and I kind of turned a blind eye and deaf ear to any other influences that my friends could’ve brought on me. So cue to this past weekend where for the 2nd time (first time I stayed briefly) I went to the New York City Comic Con, taking place at the Jacob Javitz Center over on 33rd and 11th, conveniently right by Penn Station. This is Halloween for Professionals, and what I mean by that it the people who actually show up in costume put an incredible amount of effort into what they are portraying more than the slutty nurse or sexy Cat Woman that you see on a drunken Halloween night. For all things Comic Con, this was something completely out of bounds for me yet after a short period of time I started to warm up to and whereas it is something I wouldn’t necessarily die to go to each year it is something that I would browse around for a good amount of time to see what the convention brought on.

Manhattan Digest, New York Comic Con, Comic Con — Credit to: Photos By Scruffy

Something that I personally enjoyed was the throwback’s to games and relatable comics when I was growing up. Comic Con brought on anything from Capcom to Charlie Brown, and had something there for everyone regardless of age, background and likability for a particular thing you are a quote unquote fanboy of. The Willy Wonka aspect of Comic Con was that it really seemed endless and the focus was a sharp as a laser beam when it came to see what was next. Comic Con was split up into multiple sections such as the show room floor, artist alleys and panel rooms for each fan to divulge and enjoy. My personal favorite was actually the artist alley as you got to meet each artist individually and see what they brought to the plate, which was a bevy of colors, designs and intricate drawings that really enticed the eye. My personal favorite was meeting Darryl McDaniels of the legendary Run DMC who on top of being a rap legend and pioneer is also a budding artist who came to Comic Con to display his goods. Mixing art and music? Good shit.

New York Comic Con, Comic Con, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Photos By Scruffy

Being press has its advantages, in this particular case it was a big thing at Comic Con as you really got to meet a lot of the big time game designers, authors and more in a minimally claustrophobic environment. The highlight for me was when my fellow writers David Baxter interview author and “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” actress Amber Benson, who has taken the sci-fi badass chick thing and elevated it into so many different facets of the industry, most recently her book she just published. See the interview here if you haven’t already. She turned me on to how much effort she put into this book and got me to understand the level and depths of the character she created. That was another positive thing I got out of Comic Con, was the level of expertise many different types of people took on there. Whether it was creating a costume like the one’s you see above, the art in a recent comic book or the words on a page discussing any numerous types of subject that is Comic Con related, you can undeniably doubt the passion these people have. It was quite the feat they accomplished and for me was very refreshing to see.

Overall I would give Comic Con an 8 out of 10. Not my forte, never will be, but had quite a lot of fun while there. Heck, I even got my nephew a rubber ducky as they actually had one of those vendors at Comic Con. So at least I made one person happy with this article :). For more information on New York City’s Comic Con, log on to their official site.

Theater Review: “Stalking The Bogeyman”

by Ryan Leeds

"Roderick Hill in a scene from "STALKING THE BOGEYMAN" Photo: Jeremy Daniel." — “Roderick Hill in a scene from “STALKING THE BOGEYMAN” Photo: Jeremy Daniel.”

A rhetorical question is asked near the end of the intensely riveting drama, Stalking the Bogeyman: “Do you know what it’s like? To realize that the most horrible event in your life helped shaped the defining characteristics of your entire being?” It is is posed by David Holthouse (Roderick Hill), a journalist who experienced a brutal rape at the formative age of seven. The perpetrator was the son of his parent’s friends, Russ (Murphy Guyer) and Carol Crawford (Roxanne Hart). Their son (Erik Heger) whose real name is intentionally absent until the end, is ten years older than David and is viewed as a big brother to him-at least until the harrowing incident–and then David sets out on a path for revenge against his “Bogeyman.”

This chilling tale is based on a true story that ran on National Public Radio’s This American Life in 2011. For years, Holthouse kept the rape a secret. When the story broke in 2004 in a Denver newspaper (where he was working), emails and letters began pouring in from those who had experienced the same tragedy. The stage version will no doubt strike a chord with individuals who have also endured such abuse.

Even if you are familiar with the story, which has been adapted by Markus Potter, there is a creepy, uneasy feeling that plays out like a first rate thriller. Make no mistake; this is not entertainment in the traditional sense. Instead. it is a fascinating study of human understanding, compassion, and grace. Issues of sexual molestation and abuse have long been topics for movies of the week and television crime dramas, but watching this story unfold on stage brings a visceral permanence to a awkward and uncomfortable topic. Kudos to this creative team for handling such a delicate matter with dramatic strength and truth.

Erik Heger in a scene from the new drama "STALKING THE BOGEYMAN" Photo: Jeremy Daniel." — Erik Heger in a scene from the new drama “STALKING THE BOGEYMAN” Photo: Jeremy Daniel.”

Stalking the Bogeyman is now playing at New World Stages, 340 West 50th street (between 8th and 9th). For tickets and more information, visit the box office or online: http://www.stalkingthebogeyman.com/

Amber Benson on “The Witches of Echo Park”

by David Baxter

Unbeknownst to most of humankind, a powerful network of witches thrives within the shadows of society, using their magic to keep the world in balance. But they are being eliminated—and we will all pay if their power falls…

When Lyse MacAllister’s Great Aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she’s back in Echo Park, Lyse discovers her aunt has been keeping secrets—extraordinary secrets—from her.

Lyse is heir not only to Eleanora’s home, she is also expected to take her great aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril—for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last…

At this year’s New York Comic Con, I got to sit down with an incredible actress, writer, director, and all around awesome person Amber Benson. For those of you not religiously following her, she has a new book coming out, and we got to talk about it, and other things.

Can you tell me a bit about the story?

So, in a nutshell, it’s about a young woman named “Lyse” who lives in Georgia and one evening she gets a phone call from her great aunt who’s dying and wants Lyse to come home, but when she shows up in Echo Park, CA, she finds out that not only is her great aunt dying, but that her great aunt is the coven master of a coven of witches, and they want her to join the coven, which is sort of the jumping off point, really. More importantly, what I wanted to talk about is women’s relationships with each other. Growing up, I was a tomboy and I had all these dude friends, well one or two girl-friends but it was always me and the dudes. And as I got older, and hit my 30’s, I finally found my crew of ladies and the book is a bit of a mash note to them.

What inspired you to write the story? You mentioned growing up and having to find your women friends, was there more to that?

Well, I set it in Echo Park because I’m a little obsessed with that neighborhood. It’s super magical, you walk around Sunset Blvd and Echo Park and there are botanicas on the sides of the street that you can go into and there are saints candles you can buy and magic spells and then there are houses that are built on the hill and there are no ways to access them except for these crazy winding stairways. So, there’s just something magical. And then there’s Angelino Heights right there in Echo Park and there are all these Victorian houses and its super creepy and they have these hitching posts where people used to tie up their horses! You know, before they would go in to go visiting, and I don’t know, I just love that neighborhood and I wanted to combine that magical realism with these relationships that these women in the coven have together. And also, I wanted to work with my editor at Ace/Roc which is a part of Penguin, and continue to write urban fantasy and I thought, well, what better way to talk about these things that I want to talk about, deal with this magical world, then to put it under this auspice of these magical witches.

For my edification, because I might be having a total dumb moment, Echo Park is in…?

It’s near downtown Los Angeles. It’s one of the many myriad neighborhoods that make up L.A. It’s super hipster central right now, so we’re getting a lot of flak.

I feel like I should know this, but I haven’t been in LA since 1990-something. My grandparents lived in Fountain Valley and so I remember that area but I don’t remember the rest of L.A.

A really interesting movie to watch if you want to see the neighborhood is Allison Anders’ Mi Vida Loca. It’s set in Echo Park and it’s a great film!

So, you’ve done some acting in the past…

Just a little bit!

And there’s still some going on, I believe! Has that influenced this at all, or any of your writing, or this, since we’re talking about this?

I think anything you do creatively expands your horizon and opens your mind. You know, working on Buffy, obviously, I played a witch and it was kinda fun to go back to that world. It’s always interesting to me when we would shoot stuff, and people would come up and be like “I saw that episode and you floated a rose! How did you do that?!!” Do you really think that we were using magic to… You really think we were using magic to float the rose. Yeah, if guy with a pole and an invisible string is magic then sure. Well, the whole “string is magic” thing is real.

There’s lots of theater magic out there.

How did you get into writing?

You know, I always wrote growing up. I wrote a lot of really bad poetry.

[here is where I start cackling wildly] Sorry!! I did, too!

You have to! You have to!

Yeah, I think there’s a diary somewhere that I don’t wanna open.

Well, it’s funny, I just did a show called Mortified on Thursday at the Bell House in Brooklyn and it’s all about people get up and read from their journals from when they were teenagers. The thing I did was, my friend, he wrote a fan-fic for Less Than Zero when he was 14, and Adam Busch and I READ it, and it was super hysterical, but I do not have the balls to read my own stuff.

I don’t even want to be reminded that mine exists, so that’s scaring me right now!!!

So yeah! I always wrote and then when Chris Golden approached me about doing some Buffy Comics while I was in the show, that’s sorta how the writing professionally started.

Speaking of Buffy, you played Tara, who has become a queer icon, has that gone into your writing at all, or is that Tara and not Amber?

No! Like I said, I think that everything you do informs how you create. Like in “The Witches of Echo Park,” I have a lesbian character, Danielle, she’s an empath. She’s like Rogue, in that she wears gloves because she can’t touch people. But yeah, I think playing Tara and becoming an ally of the LGBT community really impacted my life. Both Allie and I feel very blessed to play those characters and to tell that story, but the fact is that in 2014, we’re still fighting for equality!

[Editor] Buffy was when the WB kinda started, and the CCW is a different feel rom them. What’s your take on those shows?

I think they’re a lot glossier, the shows. A little more that you look cute and adorable, and you look at shows like Dawson’s Creek or Buffy and everyone was attractive, but there was a quirkiness to Joey on Dawson’s Creek. She wasn’t all slick and glossed out. And I think there were better female driven shows. I think there’s a lack of it… It’s very “The Same.” And I would like some more female driven stuff.

I remember there were a lot of talk while Buffy was on the air about “Oh, Amber Benson, she’s a big girl!!” and, no! you’re small!! And do you have any thoughts on that, especially with everything being so glossy?

Oh yeah!! I mean, I know, I got castigated online for having breasts and hips! It’s insane!

[Editor] You mean cause Sarah Michelle Gellar is shorter then you?

They’re all shorter than me! They’re all petite girls! And I’m 5’4 ½, and back then I was, 120lb, and I was super curvy and looked like a girl and I’m not going to change who I look and I’m not going to be anorexic. I just felt it entirely too much. I do feel it’s gotten better. I don’t know if you got to see My Mad Fat Diary, a BBC show? HIGHLY recommend. You wanna talk about … just watch it. The protagonist, she’s amazing! I feel like it’s gotten to that extreme where you have to look anorexic to be on a television show, and I feel that it’s sad!

[Editor] Or you get praised for being normal!

It’s like Lena Dunham!! She gets praised for being so brave, she’s a normal girl!

So, as a female writer, writing about women, have you encountered any difficulties in promoting?

I’m very lucky. The urban fantasy world is very female driven. There are plenty of women writers and women protagonist and on that part its wonderful to be out there with a whole bunch of ladies, shilling their wares. But, in the mainstream, there is definitely, a lack of female stuff. But we’re working on it, and it’s getting better. And I feel that’s happening with the LGBTQ stuff. That’s sort of on the forefront of things now, and I’m teaching writing classes and 70% of my students are young queer women who are tired of not having something out there for themselves and are wanting to write it! I think I should start the Amber Benson LGBTQ imprint! You bring me your tired, your unwashed and your awesome stories, and I will put them out for you!!!

“The Witches of Echo Park” comes out January 6^th, 2015, and is available for preorder on Amazon, Murder by the Book, Mysterious Galaxy, and IndieBound.

Amber Benson is what we call ‘a maker of things’. A prolific writer, she is the author of the five-book Calliope Reaper-Jones urban fantasy series for Penguin and the middle grade book Among The Ghosts for Simon and Schuster. Behind the camera, she co-directed the Slamdance feature film Drones and (co-wrote) and directed the BBC animated series The Ghosts of Albion. In her previous incarnation as an actor, she spent three years as ‘Tara Maclay’ on the cult television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer and later this year she will appear as head vamp ‘Amelie’ in Morganville: The Series for Geek & Sundry. Her new book The Witches of Echo Park comes out in early January 2015. Amber does not own a television.

Photos, bio, and synopsis used with permission by M4PR.

Theater Review: “Big, The Musical”

by Ryan Leeds

Big, The Musical. Photo courtesy of Jenny Anderson.

Can you recall what it’s like to have spontaneous, uncalculated fun? If you’ve forgotten, then the perfect reminder awaits at the York theater, where a modest, but winning production of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire’s Big, the Musical is underway. The show kicks off the theatre company’s 20th year of their “Musicals in Mufti” series. According to the program, a “mufti” is a “show performed in street clothes; without the trappings of a full production.” This serves the work well, primarily because it forces the viewer to focus more on the story and content

rather than the splashy spectacle of a full-fledged staging.

Big, the Musical is based on the hit 1988 Penny Marshall movie of the same. It starred Tom Hanks and earned two oscar nominations-one for Hanks, and one for screenplay by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. In 1996, the late director Mike Ockrent brought the story to Broadway with his then wife Susan Stroman as choreographer. Reviews were mixed and it closed after 193 performances. Since then, John Weidman’s book, Maltby, Jr.’s lyrics and Shire’s score have been overhauled. In this version, eight brand new songs have been added.

The premise of Big is by no means wholly original or unique, but the musical is filled with so much heart that the simplicity of the plot can easily be forgiven. 12 year old Josh Baskin (Hayden Wall) is determined to grow up. He’s tired of living under his parent’s rule and frustrated by his inability to win the affection of his crush, Cynthia Benson (Elainey Bass). Upon visiting the local New Jersey carnival with his best friend Billy (Jeremy Todd Shinder) , Josh encounters an arcade game called “Zoltar Speaks”, where he is granted one wish. His wish is to be a grown-up. Instantly, the adolescent is thrust into adulthood (played by John Tartaglia), where he effortlessly catches the eye of toy company honcho George MacMillan (Richard Maltby, Jr.) and becomes an executive at the company. Here, he meets Susan Lawrence (Kerry Butler) and is forced to navigate through the difficulty of a romantic adult relationship.

Remember the big piano dance mat scene at FAO Schwarz? It’s in here. How about the scene when Josh eats caviar for the first time? Or the “sleep-over” with Susan? That’s in here too. All of the fun moments that made the movie such a hit are included in this stage version, along with some bouncy, memorable tunes that you’ll be humming on your way to the exit. It doesn’t hurt that director Michael Unger has found an engaging and thoroughly talented cast to pull it off. Tartaglia and Butler spark excellent chemistry while Wall and Shinder bring tender authenticity and humor in their astute portrayals of childhood friendship. Due to a last minute change, the actor Walter Charles had to bow out of the production. However, it is a pure joy to see the show’s lyricist, Richard Maltby. Jr. assume the role of George MacMillan.

At a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, the show does tend to have some minor moments of sluggishness. While the first act floats with buoyancy and charm, the effervescence slightly fizzles in the second act. Still, there is much to love in this show as it provides a wonderfully sweet look at the minor pains of childhood and the silly pretentions of adulthood. You’d better hurry, though. Much like our cherished youth, the show vanishes after Oct. 19th.

Big, the Musical runs Oct. 15-19th at York Theatre Company. For tickets and more information call 212-935-8520 or visit yorktheatre.org

Theater Review: “You Can’t Take It With You”

by Ryan Leeds

Are you experiencing feelings of sadness or minor depression? Have you just received word that your best friend is moving to a remote island of Zanzibar? Were you recently informed that your partner of twelve years has been cheating on you? Or are you simply existing in a continued state of exuberance with the belief that life can’t get any sweeter? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, ask your doctor if Kaufman and Hart is right for you. If your doctor has any credibility, the prescription will be a magical elixir of happiness. Side effects may include outbursts of unrestrained laughter, giddy feelings of delight, and the idea that all is right in the world. There is a strong likelihood that this cure will last long after you’ve left the Longacre Theatre, where the classic 1937 comedy You Can’t Take It With You is enjoying a (hopefully) extended residency.

Oh sure. You’re probably thinking, “Classic comedies are about as funny as Bill Moyers on Frontline. They are folksy and outdated and the “jokes” rarely land.” Believe me; this production is different, thanks to an incredibly fine ensemble cast, led by stage and screen giant James Earl Jones. In fact, it may just be the best ensemble working on Broadway right now. With a roster of theatrical names joining him including Annaleigh Ashford, Elizabeth Ashley, Johanna Day, Julie Halston, Kristine Nielsen, and Mark Linn-Baker, there is every reason to expect a joyous night of theater. Lo and behold, those expectations will be met and far exceeded.

George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s story takes place in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. David Rockwell’s stunning and sprawling townhouse may cause modern day New Yorkers (living in virtual shoeboxes) to scratch their heads about its’ palatial quality, but this was 1937 after all. Inhabiting this house is the Sycamore family and their quirky band of fringe folk. Grandpa (Earl Jones) spends his days playing with snakes and avoiding taxes. Penelope Sycamore (Nielsen), just happens to be a playwright after a typewriter was accidentally delivered to her doorstep eight years ago. Nielsen brings her typical kookiness into the fold, as only she can deliver. Her stage characters are often similar to one another and yet she makes each one decidedly and deliciously marked. Penelope’s husband, Paul (Linn-Baker) , spends his time in the basement fiddling with fireworks, along with house vistor Mr. DePinna (Patrick Kerr). Later, Penelope rediscovers a unfinished Greek style painting of DePinna and decides to finish it while he poses in a toga. Meanwhile, daughter Essie (Ashford) is being taught ballet by another houseguest, Boris Kolenkhov (Reg Rogers). There’s little hope for Essie’s prowess (or lack therof) in dance, and her bohemian husband Ed (Will Brill) doesn’t add to much to her unskilled routines with his accompanying xylophone pieces.

YouCan't_Joan Marcus — The Cast of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus.

Let’s not forget two veteran actresses who know to milk every blessed moment each time they step foot on a stage: Elizabeth Ashley and Julie Halston. Ashley plays Olga, a grand Russian duchess and friend to Kolenkhov. Though it occurs towards the end of the show, her entrance is the stuff of theater legend and her performance overflows with vivacious joy.

Not since Halston appeared downtown in Charles Busch’s The Divine Sister have I been more amused. Here, she plays Gay Wellington, a drunk actress planning to participate in the read through of Penelope’s new play. Her stage time is quiet limited, but after witnessing this comedic genius slink up a staircase reciting a limerick, you’ll be doubled over so far with laughter that you might need resuscitation. This is not a hyperbolic statement: just be warned.

Then there are the “normal” ones. Alice (Rose Byrne) and her fiance, Tony Kirby (Fran Kranz). Alice is the only seemingly grounded individual in the Sycamore clan. Kirby’s pedigree is much more prim and polished and, like all couples, they must face the uncomfortable situation of introducing each other’s parents. Byron Jennings and Johanna Day (Mr. and Mrs. Kirby) are excellent as uptight WASPs who look as though they’ve been baptized in pickle juice. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out how the initial meeting will unfold.

The message of You Can’t Take It With You is simple and straightforward: Relax. Enjoy Life. Don’t Stress. While it remains true that classic comedies can often feel outdated, nothing is further from the truth with this production . With Scott Ellis’ fine direction and a cast that dreams are made of, its’ timeless lesson is a perfect reminder for our all-too-frequent stressed out selves.

You Can’t Take It With You is now playing at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre 220 West 48th St. (between Broadway and 8th ave.) For tickets, visit the box office or http://youcanttakeitwithyoubroadway.com/

Hustlaball Hits New York City Hard October 12th

by Ryan Shea

The gay lifestyle and New York City kind of go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly. With the exception of a couple of other competing cities in the United States, you really can’t compete with us here when it comes to the variety of gay bars, nightlife and huge events that happen year round in the city that never sleeps. One infamous one is the epic Black Party which took place back in March to much hype and confirmed fanfare. But if there is one event that combines the hottest men in the world, great music and some awesome live shows featuring both, it is the outrageous Hustlaball NYC, which is taking place this Sunday night at Club Slake on West 30th between 7th and 8th Avenue.

How does one describe Hustlaball to a viewer or person that has never heard of this before? It is simply designed as the world’s largest erotic dance party. Taken place not only in New York City but in London and Las Vegas as well, the New York City version is jam packed with some of the biggest gay adult movie stars in the world, sure to entice and excite any fan to buy a ticket and see what their favorite performer or performers will be doing on and off the stage. So who in fact will be there? Performers such as Rocco Steele, Dirk Caber and Killian James who Manhattan Digest have profiled before to high praise and criticism. As hot as those three are, the buck doesn’t stop just there. Also performing will be superstars Tommy Defendi, Tyson Tyler, Christopher Daniels, Seth Santoro, Austin Wolf and Duncan Black just to name a few. There are so many more performers that you should check out the official site for more information.

Hustlaball, Manhattan Digest, Boomer Banks — Credit to: Hustlaball NYC

I was fortunate enough to sit down with another person I interviewed this past year, the sexy and seductive Boomer Banks, who is one of the organizers of Hustlaball NYC this year. Take a look at what he has to say about the raunchiness and debauchery that Hustlaball NYC will expedite this coming Sunday night.

Tell us about some of the performers at Hustlaball.

This year, we have an amazing line up: Falcon Exclusive Ryan Rose and Colton Grey return this year to perform together (Hot hot hot!), two industry Pros, Falcon Group’s Exclusive Brent Corrigan and Nick Capra, will be putting on a SHOW (Caps needed), HustlaBall first timers Billy and Seth Santoro will have a special guest on stage. Also, Brian Bonds will be flagging Red for Hot Newcomer David Benjamin, and they are both Falcon Group Exclusives. NYC nightlife Sex Goddesses Daughters of Devotion with special guest Christian will be a sight. Cockyboys’ Tayte Hanson and Levi Karter. Need I say more? WOOF. Porn Sex Icon Jesse Santana and I, Boomer Banks, will be tearing up the stage… well, I’ll be tearing up something else. Leo Forte will be nothing less than Magic. Rentboy’s Best Bottom Killian James, Tyson Tyler , Duncan Black, Aleks Buldocek, Bravo Delta, Brock Rustin, Israel Oka, Max Cameron, Rouge Status, Champ Robinson and DaddyHunt Sex God Dirk Caber… I just blew my load saying all those names!!! My Boner Brigade for HustlaBall NYC is going to Turn out every onlooker and will be talked about for years to Cum!

Hustlaball, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Hustlaball

HustlaBall is known for its extravagant live shows, what are you and the team going to do to keep the crowd going?

This year, the lineup of DJs is out of control: MensRoom (Chicago), Luther (World Wide), and Donkey (NYC). I guarantee the crowd won’t stop moving to these beats. Accompanied with Ryan Rose’s Hot Body all over Colton Grey’s thick cock, Brent Corrigan and Nick Capra taking command. Mix in Some Sexy Daughters of Devotion NYC nightlife magic and Big Daddy Dirk Caber… If that’s not enough refer to question number 1.

This event takes place in 3 different locations, what makes NYC so special?

Sure, there’s Vegas and London, but there is NO place like NYC. The energy alone is incendiary! Columbus Day weekend is a huge party weekend for NYC alone, with us throwing in this Unique Super Sexy Musical of Live shows. We have what no one else has: The Ultimate Uniqueness.

Any surprise guests or unexpected things planned?

We have many past performers always showing up, but that’s what makes it a surprise, right? This year, we have some special guest hosting from Tommy Defendi, Austin and Tyler Wolf, Eli Lewis, Leo Sweetwood, Nubias and the Phenomenal Director of the Year and Porn Mom Mr. Pam hosting the VIP room.

What kind of booths are at Hustlaball?

As always we will have our Rentboy HustlaBall NYC photo booth with Dick Mitchell, and I’m excited to announce our DaddyHunt booth with Featured Daddy Hosts: Hot Hung Newcomer Rocco Steele, Dolf Dietrich, Cole and Hunter (Maverick Men) and Diesel Washington.

What is Boomer doing, or who is Boomer doing that night?

I am the Stage Daddy(mom)/Manager for this year’s HustlaBall, and this year, I brought out Industry favorite and Sex GOD Jesse Santana to plow the night away… BOOM!

What is your overall hope for this?

I want this year’s HustlaBall to embody the essence of NYC: a fairytale (satyr) Empire State of mind.

Sounds like a pretty fucking good time in my book, emphasis on the word fucking. Tickets are still available via the official website, so make sure you stop by and enjoy yourself this Sunday night. Guaranteed to have a great time.

Theater Review: “The Money Shot”

by Ryan Leeds

The Money Shot. Photo courtesy of Sara Krulwich

Newton’s third law of physics indicates that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. To paraphrase Sir Issac, this reviewer’s law of theater might observe that for every die-hard fan of Neil LaBute, there is usually an equally opposite reactor. Count me among the dissenters who fail to see what the big hullabaloo about this Tony and Olivier nominated playwright is all about. His dramatic voice is relatively unmistakable (although it does draw a close resemblance to David Mamet at times), and his dialogue is razor sharp. At the same time, it is vapid and cruel and falls incredibly short on the redemption factor. If this is desirable theater for you, then you will love The Money Shot.

The setting for LaBute’s latest ode to cynicism occurs in the Hollywood home of Karen (Elizabeth Reaser) , an “out” lesbian who is quick to remind everyone around her of the career she used to have. Now, she is struggling as an actress and coupled with her lover, a headstrong film editor, Bev (Callie Thorne) . Their banter throughout the entire evening shifts between affection and accusation, a distinct contrast between their visitors, Steve (Fred Weller) and Missy (Gia Crovatin)-a couple so incredibly dense they make a cheese sandwich seem intelligent. Still, they’re too self absorbed and smitten with one another to even notice or care.

Enter the dramatic tension : In order for Karen and Steve to recharge their careers, they must act out a sex scene in the current film they are shooting-a film which may re-position( no pun intended) their star status. The conversation evolves around what they will and will not be permitted to in their intimate screen moment. Missy and Bev observe from the sidelines and offer their opinions and allowances. Bets are placed and a wrestling match later ensues between an exhausted Bev (frustrated by Steve’s oblivion) and a testosterone laden Steve. In typical LaBute style, nothing is left to imagination about the sexual proceedings that will ensue. All four carry the piece in brisk, witty fashion under Terry Kinney’s sharp direction and there are some laugh out loud one-liners showered throughout this MCC production. A particularly hilarious scene includes Missy re-enacting a scene from her high school production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. In the end though, the play feels as empty as the characters themselves.

Are blatant descriptions of coitus and misogynistic epithets considered quality play writing? Like any art, this is a matter of subjectivity. Perhaps the interactions in LaBute’s world may generate conversation about how we interact with one another in our real worlds. Yet even if the questions are asked and answered, The Money Shot doesn’t forge any new ground in the “lambasting and lampooning of LA” drama genre. Commentaries on the superficial landscape of Hollywood have been around since…well…Hollywood started making movies.

The Money Shot plays off Broadway now through Oct. 19th at The Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, slightly east of Hudson Street). For tickets and more information, visit http://mcctheater.org/

Best of Manhattan Brunch Series: Harding’s NYC

by Ryan Shea

Vanilla Bourbon Battered Toast? Oh yeah, Harding’s got that

After running this site for the past year and a half and talking about so many different hotspots that Manhattan has to offer, something that went completely over my head was where the best brunches were! I mean, millions of Manhattanites freaked the F out a couple of months ago when there was going to be an apparent ban on the endless brunches that many restaurants have to offer, so I knew this was something that Manhattan Digest had to offer. Now that the summer is over (kind of but not really) and we are bracing ourselves for the crisp & chilly fall weather, many of us are searching for that one place to get together with loved ones on the weekend and dish about the night before and the week ahead. So where to go to enjoy all of this?

Harding's, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Harding’s

In Manhattan Digest’s latest series, “Best Of Manhattan Brunch”, our first stop is Harding’s NYC located in the heart of the flatiron district. I have had friends go there in the past to rave reviews so when the idea to do a brunch series came up, I knew this was one of the stops I had to make. Yesterday, me and a friend stopped by there to see what all the fuss was about, and got a good vibe as to why we should include Harding’s on the list.

Harding’s itself may look small from the outside, but it iis quite different upon arrival. It has a very large seating area, with a spacious bar in case you are a table of one or just looking to grab a Bloody Mary with your buddies. The wood finishing and the varieties of browns throughout scream fall in many ways, and the overall setting was quite pleasant and fun to enjoy. There is also quite the American history feel to it, as we sat beneath an oversized, century-old American Flag and exposed brick wall which made the whole rustic feel to it that much more intensified. As delicious as the food can be, the service is also a big part of the overall experience and if bad can make the entire trip not worth going. The service, from the waitstaff to the management was impeccable and they were eager and helpful throughout the process which made it that much more wonderful.

Of course we have to discuss the food as this is brunch! A brunch just wouldn’t be a brunch without an alcoholic beverage of sorts. If you want a Bloody Mary they have three different types available at your disposal- the classic, the Balsamic (with balsamic-vinegar tomato juice as opposed to the regular) and the Dill Bloody Mary (with pickle juice added in). They also have the classic Mimosa as well as one with Grapefruit Juice, both quite yummy. As for the brunch itself, I would highly recommend the two options that me and my friend tried out yesterday. The actual Harding’s omelette- comes complete with fresh vegetables like corn, broccoli and roasted tomatoes and filled with cheddar cheese. The mixture of all of them combined into one hearty omelette worked really well together and was quite tasty. On top of that, the four words I am about to write do exist and are spectacular- VANILLA BOURBON BATTERED TOAST. Das right, Harding’s did quite the stellar job with this dish which is totally delectable with the challah bread, whipped orange pecan butter and of course the Vermont Maple Syrup dolloped on top. For the first dish I would recommend getting a side dish of fruit salad to couteract with the heaviness of the home fries and omelette, and for the toast I would recommend a side of their country bacon. Why? Because its bacon, it needs no explanation.

So I would highly recommend Harding’s as your next go to place for Brunch. You will find yourself in a quite aromatic and pleasant setting, and leave full and satisfied. Check out their official website for more information.

Harding’s

32 East 21st Street (Between Broadway and Park Avenue)

212-600-2105

Farmbox Direct: A Fresh & Yummy Idea For Manhattanites

by Ryan Shea

With the winter season rapidly approaching, many of us New Yorkers are looking forward to the hearty and comfort type meals we will be eating for the holidays and beyond. Naturally many of us are weight conscious and even in the cold weather are looking for ways to keep our weight down and our figure looking good throughout. So when I got news of this hot new delivery service that sends the freshest produce straight to our door at a great cost, I had to learn more. This service is called Farmbox Direct, which is located in the East Village between Great Jones Street and Bowery.

The new subscription based service that brings 100% USDA certified organic seasonal, and pesticide-free produce to singletons, families, couples and friends from New York to Washington DC. For those who are looking to embark on a healthier, cleaner lifestyle, Farmbox Direct offers seasonally selected produce perfect for those who don’t have enough time to shop for food that’s good for their mind, body, and soul. Farmbox Direct provides customers with the highest quality seasonal produce with boxes assembled and delivered weekly. Farmbox Direct gives families the opportunity to rediscover what a seasonal and local diet is with all of the produce’s health benefits.

I was fortunate enough to sit down with founder Ashley Tyrner about her burgeoning business, why after all these initiatives there is still a healthy epidemic in this country, and what her hope is for Farmbox Direct in the future.

Farmbox Direct, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Wunderlich PR

Hi Ashley, thanks for taking time to talk with us. First off, how did this concept come about?

Hello! Thanks for taking the time to try out my startup!

I am the farmers daughter, my dad is a large corn and soy bean farmer. I grew up working in the summers at my uncles compost in the Midwest, so I did have a bit of knowledge about farming and our food system. The actual concept is a product is a hybrid of myself being on food stamps while pregnant with my daughter and trying to eat healthy and organic for myself and my unborn baby on a food stamp budget, and my 3 1/2 year old daughter. She is a self proclaimed vegan since age 1, she refused to ever eat a piece of meat, so I thought to myself: if my daughter is only going to put fruits and veggies in her body, I want them to be the best I can get my hands on. I was a busy corporate working single mom here in NYC, so finding time to make the trip to my local farmers market was a hard task, and I soon learned not all the farmers at my local farmers market were using organic practices. I knew I was not the only person in need of a service along these lines, so I decided to step down from the corporate world and go back to my roots to start Farmbox Direct.

Do you think there is still an epidemic in our country with the lack of nutrition amongst young adults and adults?

There definitely is. I applaud our 1st Lady Michelle Obama for going into our children’s schools to ban junk food, and work to replace our kids meals at school with healthy alternatives. I do believe in just the last 3 to 5 years people have really began to pay very close attention to what is in the foods we eat, but society as a whole defiantly has a long way to go.

How do you organize each box? Can they be custom prepared to each clients liking?

I personally each week look over what different farms, and suppliers I deal when, will have harvested for that coming weeks farmbox. I price each box out, and try to design each box around different items to make neat interesting cooking ideas. I always say that designing each weeks farmbox is my weekly puzzle for my mind! I allow people to make 5 substitutions to give my customers the freedom to swap in and out items to their liking. I want people to have the advantage of having items they love and will enjoy in their weekly box. Farmbox direct is like a CSA, but we allow you to make substitutions to your liking, where a CSA your stuck with whatever that particular farm has harvested that week.

What is your most popular Farmbox so far and why do you think that is?

The most popular farmbox menu so far was actually just last week! I had only a 7% sub rate, people went crazy over the kiwi berries I was able to get my hands on! Before that in July we had a box that contained cherries, peaches, blueberries, along other great items and that week I only had a 9% sub rate.

As diverse as these boxes are, do you think it will pave way for other unique ideas for the Farmbox brand?

Of course! This Tuesday I actually will launch our kids lunch box option, which I have named “Harlow’s Harvest” after my daughter, Harlow. That add on to your weekly farmbox will have an organic lunch kit for your child’s lunch. As a working single mom, I know how hard it can be to pack my preschoolers lunch, let alone packing her an organic lunch. I decided to launch this to help parents take the stress out of planning their child’s lunch. We will deliver the kit for you each week. *Hint* there is even a chocolate milk that contains a whole days recommended veggies Intake hidden in the chocolate milk!

Further I am lunching around the holiday time, a dry goods once a month “switch” box to slowly turn your home to an organic household. The box will contain everything from laundry detergent, to popcorn, to cookies to help slowly transition your house to an organic household.

AND for pet lovers: I am paving the way for organic pet food farmboxes!

What have you learned throughout this experience?

I have learned this business was much more difficult to start and expand than I thought before I launched farmbox direct. Once I expanded outside of the NYC area, and began using FedEx PeriShip for my logistics, I learned totally on my own that there is a whole logistic, and engineering element that goes into getting that farmbox from my warehouse, to my customers door. You would not believe what it takes to get that box to someone’s door! Expanding to a larger scale, became a whole new game! I have also learned that it is very important to surround yourself with people who believe in you, and your concept. My board of advisors I have to say is very impressive, Richard Stomabck, Ernest Lupinacci, Michael Roth, Dennis Kneale to name a few have all joined by board of advisors. They all have totally different backgrounds but make a very wide, well rounded group to help guide me in my visions for expanding. I launched solely on my own the NYC and brooklyn market, deciding to take this to a national level meant bringing on a team to help implement that idea. Down to choosing a PR firm was critical, you have to have people that support you, believe in you, and you’re brand.

What are your hopes for the Farmbox brand in the future?

I hope my company can change people’s lives, their health, and their future. You are what you eat, I hope farmbox direct can educate people to eat for their health! I am already working to take this to a national level, maybe other countries could be in the near future, I actually have already have had a Venture Capitalist meeting about me taking this to the Asia market. People like to say “the sky is the limit”. I like to aim for the moon in my life. Elon Musk wants to put people on Mars, believe if he figures out how to get to Mars, I will then figure out how to get Farmbox Direct to Mars!

Take a look at Farmbox Direct’s sites for more info!

Farmbox Direct Official

Farmbox Direct Facebook

Farmbox Direct Twitter

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Vanilla Bourbon Battered Toast? Oh yeah, Harding’s got that

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