ROOMIE SEZ

33 Variations

By now you might have heard the buzz that Jane Fonda has returned to the Broadway stage for the first time in 46 years, at the age of 71, and man does she look good. She hasn't missed a beat! Carly and I had the pleasure of seeing her in action before the play officially opened this past Monday.

Fonda plays music researcher Dr. Katherine Brandt who goes to Bonn - that's in Germany - to understand why Beethoven would spend so much time on Diabelli's waltz. Similarly Brandt is suffering from a progressive illness that brings her story to perfectly parallel the big wig composer's. The play cuts back and forth between Beethoven who is going deaf and working on not one, not seven but 33 variations of the piece, and Fonda's Katherine who is trying to find meaning behind the music and complete her final book/presentation before illness takes over.

Yes, Fonda is the star and deserves all the hype but so do her amazing cast mates:
- Samantha Mathis plays Clara, Fonda's not so warm daughter
- Colin Hanks plays Mike Clark, Fonda's lovable male nurse who becomes Samantha's boyfriend
- Susan Kellermann plays Greta, the German curator of Beethoven’s music archive who turns into Fonda's right hand research buddy
- Zach Grenier plays the dynamic master Ludwig von Beethoven
- Don Amendolia plays Anton Diabelli, music publisher and writer of the waltz that consumes Beethoven

An added bonus to the ensemble is Diane Walsh on piano. Her music really guides the play and perfectly enhances the storyline.

Overall this play was fantastic. My only complaint is that I think Samantha needs to get comfortable in her role and work on her delivery. It seemed to me that she was over compensating and over projecting which made her character awkward and the strain between her and her mother feel forced.

However, anything that may have seemed out of place was saved by the performance of Colin Hanks. He was a natural in his Broadway debut. His character provides wonderfully quirky comic relief, a shoulder to lean on.

Regardless, 33 Variations is one thing from beginning to end, moving. And speaking of the end, there is a wonderful moment where all of the characters come together to waltz. It seriously brought a tear to my eye. Bravo!

Don't want to take my word for it, need more variation? Check out a bunch of reviews and get general information on the play here, at NewYorkology.

DC in Newark

Who's going to see Dane Cook in Newark on May 2? ME and am so pumped I could burst!! That's right Dangel, suit up, Heather's coming!

Isn't it ironic: Last year I had to go see him in Gwinnett while I was in Atlanta. This year I have to go to Newark while I'm in New York City. Oh how you make me work, DC.

ROOMIE SEZ

And what an HONOR it was.

Last night I went to the legendary Carnegie Hall for the first time in my life. Very exciting!! Best known for its classical music offerings, I got to see something with a little more flavor - HONOR: Blues, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, And Beyond - on opening night.

Their website describes the show as: “Paying tribute to the great African American popular music artists of the past, the brightest lights in blues, rhythm and blues, soul, and jazz, as well as today’s daring innovators, gather for a magical evening of music. Each presentation will parallel an event in the bountiful history of performances by African American artists at Carnegie Hall.”

While that is all true, I would describe the show as simply AMAZING. It kicked off with music from the creators and the songs they sing which brought Ashford & Simpson to the stage of the massive Stern Auditorium. From the get go, it was everything I could do to not sing along to “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Ain’t Nothing but the Real Thing.” Moving on to the blues, Toshi Reagon joined Vernon Reid and James “Blood” Ulmer to jam. If you’re not familiar, Google Toshi and you can thank me later. From there it was time for jazz, both traditional and modern, where James Carter tore up his saxophone. He was feeling it so much that they had to bring that section’s moderator – the cool, Chuck wearing (that’s right, I can spot them from the balcony) Corey Glover – to have them wrap it up. However, James kept at it but then ended by turning his sax upside down and giving it a kiss.

After a short intermission, which was much needed to stretch the legs, it was time to rock…literally. From rock n’ roll to 1960s rock to r&b and soul; it was time to get down. With roof raising performances by Leela James, Kem, Anthony Hamilton and Freddie Jackson, the crowd definitely got into the groove. However, my favorite part of the evening - surprise, surprise - was the tribute to hip-hop. The one and only, MC Lyte took the stage with style in skinny leather pants (the girl is tiny!) and a smooth swagger. She broke into “Cha Cha Cha” before bringing it home with my favorite flashback “Ruffneck.” Following her was the master himself, Doug E. Fresh!!! He took us through the history of hip-hop and rap with about a 10 minute medley, ending in signature style by beat-boxing vs. the drummer. AH-MAZ-ING!!

Such a great show, who knew you could hoot and holler in Carnegie Hall? haha. If you are in New York from March 4 – 23, do yourself a favor and check out HONOR. I definitely walked away thinking there ain’t no MTN high enough. ;) ;)

From Snow to Sludge

How the Roomies Roll

What to do this Wednesday night in New York City, what to do?! The options are always endless...shall we see a show, check out a new restaurant, attend a fabulous party?? Well if you live a glamorous life like the roomies do, you will be spending this Wednesday night in front of the T.V. watching the season finale of Top Chef New York! That's right people, Bravo.

We're so Carla, we can't stand it.

Hootie Hoo!

Jack Goes Boating on 5th Avenue

So I subwayed today because I was running late -- my earbuds finally went kaput and I couldn't leave the house without my music so I searched for a pair of airplane headphones to get me through. TMI? I don't think so, very important business.

Anywho, on my way in to work I passed a bunch of movie trailers on 52nd between Madison and 5th. One of which had the character name Jack on it. I had remembered seeing No Parking signs for something called "Jack Goes Boating" put two and two together and IMDB confirmed that "Jack Goes Boating" is indeed an upcoming 2011 flick starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Jack. The Plot? ... "A stoner limo driver looks for different ways to improve his skill-set as a way to attract a girl." Probably explains why they are filming at Cartier but come on IMDB you can do better then that. Apparently it is an adaptation of an Off Broadway play by Bob Glaudini which will actually be directed by Hoffman. To continue with the theater fun, also in the cast of characters is Daphne Rubin-Vega a.k.a the original Mimi in RENT. She will be reprising her role from the stage production along side John Ortiz.

Happy Birthday Roomie!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROOMIE!

Well it was a weekend to remember and all thanks to the birth of my best Roomie! Thank you for being born on this day, allowing for a weekend of shopping, movies, good food, alcohol, and of course, boys!