HANDS ON A HARD BODY

A large group of us went to see Hands on a Hard Body on March 6th.  I LOVED IT!!  Apparently, the critics and a lot of New Yorkers did not as the show closed on April 14th.  We sat front row and tapped our feet to each and every song.  Amanda Green (composer & lyricist) and Trey Anastasio (composer & orchestrations) did a great job!!  We were all baffled when we had heard the show was going to close and we had planned to see it the last week of April.  The songs were FANTASTIC!!  I will most certainly purchase the cast recording.  Norma Valverde was my favorite female performer and I really liked Sutton Foster's brother Hunter Foster and Keith Carradine.  Jacob Ming-Trent had a wonderful voice as well!!

CINDERELLA

Me, Jen and my #broadwaybuddy Jill went to see Cinderella in late February.  We were super excited to see Laura Osnes in action.  She did not disappoint.  She was a typical fairytale princess with a beautiful face and lovely voice.  However, we were totally bummed that this version of Cinderella did not have the classic songs.  I guess we should've done our research!!  The fairy Godmother played by Victoria Clark was my second favorite role and I rather liked one of her stepsisters played by Ann Harada.  I would recommend this version for children and families.  The kids laughed up a storm!!  If you're going to spend full price on a ticket, I'd go to Lion King!!  I can't thank Audience Rewards enough for our discount tickets.  It pays to play trivia every week to earn points!!

Nicoletta - East Village

I had been passing Nicoletta (160 Second Avenue) on my bus ride downtown for months.  I finally ate here after seeing Emeli Sande at Webster Hall.  It was well worth the wait!!  In fact, I went back 4 days later to have dinner with friends.  The pizza is worth every calorie and the salads are great.  On Thursday, we shared the tartufata and their salad special.  On Monday, three of us split the tartufata & calabrese as well as a salad and brussel sprouts.  DELICIOUS!!  For people that are gluten free, they've got g-free pizza.  Plus, it's open till 3AM on Fridays & Saturdays.  Enjoy!!

Idina Menzel at Carnegie Hall

After a hurricane and a snowstorm, Jill and I were finally able to see Idina Menzel at Carnegie Hall.  She was brilliant.  Having been lucky enough to see her a few years ago, I knew we were in for a magical night.  She sang such hit as "Defying Gravity", "Take Me or Leave Me", "What I Did for Love", "At the Ballet" and "Roxanne".  She laughed, she cursed, she told personal stories and she just exuded life.  I can't wait to see her again!!!
Check out a performance here:

Emeli Sande at Webster Hall

Jill and I went to see Emeli Sande at Webster Hall on January 17th.  FANTASTIC concert!!  Her voice & look are powerful, sexy, fresh and fun.  I liked every single song and she had some major fans in the audience that sang along & danced to every song.  Keep your eye on her!!

Here's an acoustic version of my favorite song ("Next to Me") as well as her most popular hit:

Aly Tadros at Rockwood Music Hall

Aly Tadros performed at Rockwood Music Hall on January 15th.  What a show!!  I had previously heard Aly sing at a YPC (Young Professionals Committee) event for Musicians On Call and everyone fell in love.  Her voice is mesmerizing.  The show at Rockwood was a free CD release party but I would've paid full price!

Here's her song "Sweet On Me":

FOREVER DUSTY

I went to see Forever Dusty all by myself two weekends ago.  It was my first show alone and not only did I get an autograph, I got a picture with Kirsten (see above).  I only paid $20 for my ticket having arrived 20 minutes before the show for Off-Broadway's 20at20 promotion.  My seat had a partial view of the stage but there wasn't anyone next to me so I was able to see perfectly by leaning forward.  Kirsten Holly Smith (Dusty) was wonderful and and Christina Sajous (Claire) was magnificent!!  Legendary songs such as "Wishin and Hopin", "Tell Him", "The Look of Love", "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", "Son of a Preacher Man" and "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" were all part of the show.  Superb voices!!!

Go see it if you get a chance!!