Manhattan Digest

All you need to know about Manhattan culture and so much more...

Vineyard Theatre’s ‘Do You Feel Anger?’ is a Cautionary Toxic Tale

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Sofia (Tiffany Villarin) “once taught a broker without tear ducts how to cry out of his mouth.”  Certainly this earnest corporate coach can soften the hearts of the bad boys at Cash Flow Accounts, right? Not likely considering that Jordan (Ugo Chukwu), Howie (Justin Long) and their boss, Jon (Greg Keller) think that empathy is a type of bird. Eva (Megan Hill) can’t seem to define it either–perhaps it’s because the men around her have subjugated her to nothing more than an object.

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AI is Taking Over Online Customer Service, But Limitations Remain

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The ability to create more intuitive artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled a growing number of businesses to cut down on the need for human customer service. In particular, AI is being used on many companies’ websites to provide a live help service and chat function, and we have also seen easy-to-program chatbots replying to simple user queries on social networks. This allows business to answer common queries with far more efficiency, with the added benefit that AI doesn’t need to sleep or take breaks. However, persistent worries that AI cannot react effectively to more nuanced situations mean that customer care is arguably not set to be completely taken over by this tech. [Read more…] about AI is Taking Over Online Customer Service, But Limitations Remain

Wet Pants and Walls: An Interview with Playwright Nassim Soleimanpour

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Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour was once given the gift of a wet garment. Yet random presents are requested from audience members during his latest off-Broadway play, Nassim. This deeply personal and profound theater experience from the author of White Rabbit Red Rabbit is a 75 minute interaction between the playwright, the audience, and a new actor at every performance.  To describe it in detail is to reveal too much. It is best experienced with an open mind and a tender heart. [Read more…] about Wet Pants and Walls: An Interview with Playwright Nassim Soleimanpour

Travel Idea! Why Philadelphia is a Great Place to Visit in Spring

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Philadelphia has a lot going for it when it comes to being a Manhattanite. It’s a city that is quicker to get to than most (90 minutes via Amtrak), has a great culinary, fashion and LGBTQ scene, and mimics a lot of what NYC has to offer and then some. Why are we not visiting this iconic city more? Here’s why you should. [Read more…] about Travel Idea! Why Philadelphia is a Great Place to Visit in Spring

‘Alice By Heart’ is a Spellbinding Ride

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There’s a new drug on the market. MCC Theater is peddling the mind-altering substance in its’ impressive Hell’s Kitchen home. It’s called Alice By Heart and it comes in the form of musical theater. Side effects include visions of hookah huffing caterpillar, an overbearing queen (redundant for Hell’s Kitchen), a jabberwocky, mock turtle, march hare, and a magpie. Such side effects are not fatal and last for 90 minutes. Still, it’s one of the safest and more enjoyable trips you’re bound to take. [Read more…] about ‘Alice By Heart’ is a Spellbinding Ride