I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Theater Thursday - Goddess

We received complimentary tickets to Goddess for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.


What: Goddess 

Where: The Public Theatre 
              425 Lafayette St. 
              New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 5 and Up

When: Through June 8, 2025 



Goddess is a dynamic new musical about the goddess of music, Marimba, who brings music to the earth and falls in love with a mortal. Amber Iman, in the title role, is absolutely stunning. Her voice is so potent that at least one song, the soaring power ballad  "Fire," feels as if it alone could literally raise the roof. The music, a mix of jazz, pop, Afrobeats, and more,  is generally effervescent and delightful. It makes you want to get up out of your seat and dance even if you've never had the inclination to do so before. The number "Boom Boom", in particular, is a showstopper. However, plenty of other incredible songs worth listening to again populate the exuberant score. Among them are the opening number "Mombasa, Mombasa" and the opening of the second act "The Fate of Madongo," to name just a couple.



Iman is not the only one who particularly stands out in the cast. Nick Rashad Burroughs is an irresistible joy in the role of Ahmed. His efforts to win over the reluctant Rashida, played with snarky delight by the equally brilliant Arica Jackson, are a highlight of the show. Although these three especially shine, the entire cast, including the small but lively and energetic chorus, is terrific. You won't want to miss this jubilant new show!



And that's our view. For more about Goddess or to purchase tickets, visit publictheater.org/productions/season/2425/goddess/

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday.

Photo credits:
All Goddess production photos by Joan Marcus

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us hereand we will look into the matter.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Rolling Stone Presents Amplified:The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience

We received complimentary tickets to Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.  


What: Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience 

Where: Artechouse
             439 W. 15th St.
             New York, NY

Who: All ages



If you are a rock and roll fan, you are definitely going to want to catch the new exhibit, Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience, now at Artechouse at Chelsea Market. This extremely comprehensive exhibit offers an overview of the entire history of rock. It covers the basic aspects of the genre, including what a band is, the function of the recording studio, and more. It also covers more peripheral elements, including the fans, the indisputable connection between cars and rock and roll, and hair as an expression of artists' personalities.



Numerous pictures, videos, Rolling Stone covers, and rock and roll posters flash across floor-to-ceiling screens throughout the 60-minute experience. These include rare live performances, backstage footage, exclusive portrait sessions, and more, which are the work of more than 500 photographers and film directors. A vast selection of songs covering every era of rock plays as a soundtrack to this visual display, along with some narration from actor Kevin Bacon.



Obviously, due to the nature of its subject matter, the exhibit is quite loud. There are also numerous flashing lights and rapidly changing images.  Thus, if you have a particular aversion to any of these things, you are going to want to avoid it. Otherwise, if there is any aspect of rock and roll that interests you or if you want to know more about it in general, you won't want to miss this new and exciting exhibit!



And that's our view. For more about Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience or to purchase a timed ticket to visit, go to www.artechouse.com/program/amplifiednyc.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own. If there is a problem with any image, contact us here and we will look into the matter.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Nobody in Particular, So Happy Together, & The Ghostwriter; Movie: Dahlia and the Red Book

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Nobody in ParticularSo Happy Together, & The Ghostwriter

 

Me - Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales is a very cute young adult romance between a princess and an American commoner.

Both main characters, Princess Rose and Danni, were well-developed and easy to root for. The two of them grew so much as well, with Danni becoming more confident and Rose becoming more open with her feelings by the end. The side characters, such as their friends, Eleanor and Molly, weren't as fleshed out and had almost non-existent personalities, but they were also enjoyable to read about.

Friendship was a big theme throughout the story. While Danni's friendships with Molly and Eleanor were pretty instantaneous and would've benefited from developing at a slower and more natural pace, they were still sweet. The most compelling friendship was that of Rose and Molly, who are estranged best friends in the beginning and slowly work their way back into each other's lives. Gonzales really took the time to let readers understand the conflict between them and feel for both characters, making it all the more satisfying when they finally worked things out.

However, the relationship that truly stole the show was the romance between Danni and Rose. From the start, their chemistry and banter were great, and it was so much fun watching them come into each other's orbit and develop feelings for one another. They communicated well, supported each other, and treated each other with care and respect. I also loved that the story's conflict largely came from outside of the relationship, meaning we got to see them work together rather than against each other when things got difficult. So often in romance books, the third act conflict involves a huge miscommunication/fight/breakup/etc, but that wasn't the case here, and it was so refreshing.

This book does get emotional at times as some of the characters are dealing with grief, among other issues, but for the most part, it has a lighthearted tone and features plenty of Gonzales's signature snarky humor.

Whether you're a fan of Sophie Gonzales, royalty romances, or young adult romances in general, I'd definitely recommend this book!

Me - Today, I am talking about So Happy Together by Emma Worley. At first, this book seems like it is going to be about this horrible, unlikable main character who is stalking this poor guy whom she briefly dated and now is convinced is her soulmate. However, it turns out to be a lot more complicated than that. This book has so many twists and turns that you never know who to root for from one moment to the next. That keeps it exciting, but also a bit exasperating. 

Of the three main characters, Jane, the stalkerish main character; Colin, the object of her affection; and Zoe, his current girlfriend, Colin is the least well-drawn and the most mysterious. He is mostly seen through the eyes of the other two. Thus, the surprising friendship between Jane and Zoe, who seemingly should be rivals for Colin's affection,  plays a central role in the plot. However, nothing and no one is quite what they seem in this very dark and gripping story. Even in the end, you are not sure who to root for. If you like a book where nothing turns out to be what you thought, and there is no fine line dividing good from evil, you should enjoy this. 

Mom again - Today, I am talking about The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. On the verge of bankruptcy, ghostwriter, Olivia Dumont, is hired to write a book for the great horror writer, Vincent Taylor, who is actually her enstranged father. Perhaps, haunted by his childhood in which his two siblings were murdered and many people suspected him of the crime, although he was never charged or tried for it, Vincent was never much of a father. Now, he is finally ready to talk about that night, and Olivia is determined to uncover what actually happened.

This is an enthralling story that slowly unravels piece by piece. It has some unexpected twists and turns, and refreshingly doesn't always develop as you think it will.  However, it is hard to reconcile the dichotomy of some of the characters. Like the character of Danny, Vincent's murdered sibling, ultimately, you don't know whether to hate him or feel sympathy for him. While normally this would be a good thing because it would show that the character has shades of dark and light, thus rendering him more realistic, in this case, the two sides are too extreme, so you don't know how to feel, and that is true of other characters as well.

The ending of the story is also less than satisfying. A major part of the resolution is not actually played out in the story, even in flashback; it is just meant to be inferred from what the characters say. This makes the reader feel cheated because no one wants to read a book where some of the important action takes place off the page. Show, don't tell, isn't that one of the golden rules of writing? 

However, overall, the plot is still exciting, and the characters are interesting. Therefore, it is still possible to enjoy this intriguing book even though it is disappointing in some ways.

Movies: Dahlia and the Red Book

Today, we are recommending the film Dahlia and the Red Book. This is a story about a young girl learning to unleash the creativity within. When Dahlia's father dies, she finds his red book full of mysterious writing, and she is transported into the story and tasked with completing it. This is an exciting story that is perhaps too scary for young children, but should appeal to those from about age 8 to age 12. Although some parts of the story don't always make sense, and the resolution is not completely satisfactory, overall, it is fun. 

And that's our view. So Happy Together and The Ghostwriter will both publish next Tuesday. June 3. Dahlia and the Red Book is available for streaming on Apple +.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us hereand we will look into the matter.

Monday, May 26, 2025

More Theater Monday - Rhynceron & The Harlem Doll Palace

We received complimentary tickets to Rhynceron for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.


What: Rhynceron

Where: Puppetopia
             HERE Arts Center
             145 6th Ave.
             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 8 and Up

When: This event took place from May 21 - 25, 2025


Clara the rhinoceros was an Indian rhinoceros famous for being toured around Europe in the mid-18th century. Rhynceron is a puppet show about Clara, although her name is never mentioned in the show. Although this may sound like a fun and interesting subject for a story, don't be fooled. The show's overall tone is much darker than you might think. The show is more about highlighting man's exploitation of nature through the story of this rhinoceros than a light and breezy entertainment. This is not to say that the entire show is heavy and dark; there are some very humorous moments, but overall, the focus is on relaying a serious message about the need to respect the natural world and its creatures. 


Despite its heavy-handed messaging, the show is extremely creative. It is put together quite uniquely and incorporates several different types of puppetry. They include paper puppets, shadow puppets, rod puppets, and more. Most impressive of all is the final life-size rhinoceros puppet. 


And that's our view. For more about Rhynceron, visit www.ktshivak.com/rhynoceron. For a novelization of Clara's story, read Jillian Forsberg's captivating book, The Rhino Keeper. For more about that, see our previous post Tips for Tuesday - The Rhino Keeper

XXX

We received complimentary tickets to The Harlem Doll Palace for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Harlem Doll Palace

Where: Puppetopia
             HERE Arts Center
             145 6th Ave.
             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 8 and Up

When: Through June 1, 2025


Lenon Holder Hoyte, affectionately known to all as Aunt Len, was a beloved educator, collector, and proprietor of a Harlem doll museum. The Harlem Doll Palace is based on her story. It is a little bit dark; it starts with her death and goes off on several tangents, but overall, it is a fascinating story. 



Aunt Len is played by a human being, Alva Rogers, who also wrote the show. The rest of the cast,  made up of dolls, is portrayed by puppets. The story revolves around the dolls not wanting to let their beloved owner go and reliving some of their times with her upon her death. Not all of their memories are happy, however, and they include times when some of the dolls were stolen and when a major flood destroyed many of them.  Both of these events were based on true incidents. They also go off onto several tangents, which raise issues like the subjection of women by their husbands and the legacy of slavery. While these are important issues, they are beyond the scope of this show, and there isn't really time to significantly address them. Thus, they just convolute the plot and make it harder to follow.


There are also several songs in the show. They would not be that fun to listen to out of context. However, in terms of the show, they further the plot by explaining things or telling the story of one of the dolls, except for the final song, which does neither.


The puppeteers all cover a variety of roles, including a rare black skinned Thomas Edison talking doll, a French doll, a Grace Kelly doll, and some slave dolls. They are are all quite talented. The actor who plays the French doll puppet sings one of the songs, and her singing is quite beautiful.


In addition to the puppets, many dolls are part of the set dressing. They are not from Aunt Len's collection; the remainder was auctioned off for charity after her death. However, if you are a doll lover, it's still fun to look at all the dolls on the set, including the puppet dolls. 

And that's our view. For more about The Harlem Doll Palace or to purchase tickets to one of the remaining performances, go to here.org/shows/puppetopia-2025.

Photo credits: 
All Rhynceron production photos by Richard Termine
All The Harlem Doll Palace photos by Richard Termine

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us hereand we will look into the matter.

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Sunday Scoop Week of 5/25/25 What's Happening This Week and More

A) Beginning Performances 

In New Jersey

1) Word on Front: Return to the Harlem Renaissance

In New York

2) A Special Relationship

3) Carmen.maquia

4) The Counterfeit Opera 

5) Drunk Romeo & Juliet

6) The Glitch

7) In a Grove

8) Love You More

9) The Next Step Festival

10) Nine Moons

11) Not Not Jane's

12) Pride & Prejudice

13) Sentinels 

14) Stuy or Die

15) Workplace Injuries

B) Cast Changes 

In New York

16) Hadestown

C) Run Extensions 

In New York

17) Lights Out: Nat King Cole

18) The Death of Rasputin

D) What Else is Happening

In New Jersey

19) bergenPAC to Hold 3rd Annual NJ High School Music Awards
6/2

20) Nai-Ni Chen Dance Co. presents Shapes of Water
Montclair Dance Festival 5/31

21) NJPAC Upcoming Event: 
Ledisi "Love You Tour" with special guest Marsha Ambrosius 6/1

22) West Windsor Arts Presents ArtWalk
5/31 THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 6/1

In New York

23) Ballet Hispanico En Familia Matinee
5/31

24) Bloomingdale School of Music Performathon
5/31

25) Ellen's Stardust Diner Teams Up with Broadway Inspirational Voices
for a Pride Partnership & Performance Throughout June

26) Jazz at Lincoln Center Celebrates Fats Waller & Duke Ellington
6/1

27) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park presents American Ballet Theater Studio Company
5/31

28) Lincoln Center Upcoming Event: Voices of a People's History
5/29
 
29) One Body: Dispatches From Idaho Documentary Play
Theatre 555 6/2

30) PAW Day at Schwartzman Animal Medical Center
5/31

31) South Street Seaport Free Monthly Sing-Alongs, Sea Chanteys &
Maritime Music

32) South Street Seaport Museum Free June Family Activity Weekends

33) South Street Seaport Trivia Aboard a Tall Ship
5/29

In Pennsylvania 

34) Bucks County Playhouse presents Well-Strung Quartet
5/31 & 6/1

A) Beginning Performances 

In New Jersey

1) Word on Front: Return to the Harlem Renaissance

Passage Theatre Company will present its second annual spoken word and music festival, WORD on FRONT: Return to Harlem Renaissance.This festival will open both days with a free staged reading of Muleheaded by David Robson, the true story of the relationship between Langston Huges and Zora Neale Hurston. This year's festival will be located on Saturday at the Mill Hill Amphitheater, under the bridge in Mill Hill Park with live music, live poetry, and food. 1911 Smokehouse food truck will be on site for both days.

Saturday, May 31 Mill Hill Amphitheater
(under the bridge in Mill Hill Park, E Front St. & S. Broad St., Trenton)
Event will kick off with the staged reading, followed by showcases from featured artists, Blaq Mel, Ronnie Riggles, Brittaney Delsartè, and DJ Itsjustahmad, hosted by Tony Goggles with the end of the night featuring a headline hip-hop performance from Trenton’s own living legends, Poor Righteous Teachers.

Sunday, June 1 Mill Hill Playhouse (209 Parkway Ave., Trenton)
Second performance of the staged reading, followed by performances from Todd Evans, Nikki Powerhouse, Evonda Thomas, and David B. Ross.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.onthestage.tickets/show/passage-theatre-company

In New York

2) A Special Relationship

Two nations divided by a single language, brought together by holy matrimony. 

It is the morning of their children’s wedding and British dad Monty is hosting American dad Pete and his family. Everyone else has gone to the church for the rehearsal but they’ve been left behind to put up a gazebo in the garden. Communication proves challenging and not just because the instructions are in Chinese.

Can these headstrong men from opposite sides of the pond forge an alliance long enough to set up for the wedding or will the thin veneer of international détente collapse with the first gust of wind?

59E.59 Theatres (59 E. 59 St.)
5/29 - 6/29

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.59E59.org.

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

3) Carmen.maquia

Ballet Hispanico celebrates the 150th anniversary of Bizet’s beloved classic opera Carmen with a reimagining of Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s Picasso-inspired, contemporary version, CARMEN.maquia. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco. 

New York City Center (130 W. 56th St.)
5/29 - 6/1

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/ballet-hispanico.

4) The Counterfeit Opera 

World premiere of a new adaptation of John Gay’s ballad opera  of 1728

The Amph at Little Island (10th Ave.)
5/29 - 6/15

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://littleisland.org/event/the-counterfeit-opera

5) Drunk Romeo & Juliet

This spring serving the greatest love story ever told—on the rocks. One actor downs five shots of whiskey and dives headfirst into the world’s most iconic tale of star-crossed lovers – Romeo & Juliet. Passion flares, swords clash, and cocktails flow as The Drunk Shakespeare Society brings its boozy brilliance back with Drunk Romeo & Juliet, a bold, iconic tale where love is intoxicating, sword fights are sexy, and tragedy has never been this hilarious. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or just here for the happy hour, Drunk Romeo & Juliet delivers Shakespeare like you’ve never seen—or slurred—it before.

Ruby Theatre (35 W. 39th St.)
5/30 - 9/20

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit a.drunkshakespeare.com/romeojuliet

6) The Glitch

Amy has found the perfect man. He dreams of five kids, but she’s not even sure she wants one. In search of clarity, she visits a futuristic lab where advanced emotional AI generates a holographic teenager based on her and her partner’s DNA. However, when a glitch in the system reveals something impossible, the actual spirit of her future daughter, Amy must decide whether to listen to the voice reaching across time or retreat to the life she thought she wanted. 

When Amy walks through the door, ​ Wyatt, the lab’s brilliant but reclusive founder who hides behind a false identity and a lifetime of guilt, is forced to confront a childhood tragedy, the possibility of redemption, and the stunning truth that love, memory, and forgiveness are more intertwined than ever imagined. 

Blending humor, heartbreak, and sci-fi intimacy, The Glitch explores the nature of connection in an increasingly synthetic world. It dares to ask: what if the AI you feared could help you become the parent you always wished you had? What if it could connect you with the one person meant to guide you there? 

Gural Theatre at A.R.T. (502 W. 53rd St.)
5/28 - 6/6

Returning to the Jerry Orbach Theater (The Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St.)
September, 2025

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theglitchplay.com

This show is part of the Next Step Festival. For more, see below.

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

7) In a Grove

Join Opera Saratoga in the Ferndell Pavilion with a site-specific installation version of a new opera, In a Grove, composed by Chris Cerrone with libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann featuring Chase Sanders (Leona), Chuanyuan Liu (Priest/Medium), Sadie Spivey (Leona’s Mother), Shavon Lloyd (Luther), Randy Ho (Ambrose), Wagner Mauricio Pastor (Policeman), and Geoffrey Schmelzer (Woodcutter). This site specific installation will feature sound design by Sam Torres and will be conducted by Luke Poeppel. This operatic adaptation of Akutagawa’s classic short story “In a Grove” which inspired the plot of Kurosawa’s renowned film Rashomon, offers a searing investigation into the impossibility and elusiveness of truth. 

Ferndell Pavillion, Saratoga State Park (N. South Rd., Saratoga Springs)
5/28 & 5/29

For more information or to purchase tickets. visit 

8) Love You More

Do you have siblings? Are you the favourite? No? Are you sure? A play about 3 sisters, but actually only 2 sisters, being sisterly, and figuring out what that means when you're all that's left (in under 90 minutes too!).

The Tank's 56 Sea Theater (312 W. 36th St.)
5/29 - 6/19

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thetanknyc.org/calendar-1/love-you-more.

9) The Next Step Festival

The festival will feature original works from an exciting slate of playwrights, performers, and production teams hailing from across the country—each presenting unique, powerful perspectives across drama, comedy, musical theatre, and staged readings.

The Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at ART/NY  (502 W 53rd St.). 
5/27 - 6/8

Tickets for the shows are $29. The readings are free, with reservations required. For more information, visit www.nextsteptheatrefest.com.

Courtesy of Off Off PR

10) Nine Moons

In Nine Moons, the archetypes that Shakespeare gives us of Othello, Desdemona, Cassio and Brabantio, gather in our version of Venice to explore the realities of a family full of secrets, powerful friendships, and a story of unknown and ungovernable passion. Nine Moons is a narrative that we all can recognize and be touched by. We transform alongside these people to navigate the depths of our own humanity as we witness January through September in a stifling house of secrets. 

Theater for the New City (155 First Ave.)
5/30 - 6/15

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit BlessedUnrest.org

11) Not Not Jane's

A young woman gets a grant to start a community center—but at her mom’s house. A play about being at the whim of billionaires, pornos-with-no-sex, and trying to get a piece of the pie.

the wild project (195 E. 3rd St.)
6/2 - 6/13

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ci.ovationtix.com/36616/production/1237213

12) Pride & Prejudice

This “uproariously funny” and “pleasingly faithful” new adaptation of Jane Austen’s much-loved tale of Ms. Bennett and Mr. Darcy’s courtship comes to New York with the original cast after sold-out runs in London and on tour in the UK.

Pride & Prejudice is the quintessential British romantic comedy and a blueprint for so many other stories. A cast of three effortlessly bring to life a host of unforgettable characters in this “sparkling” 5-star production.

59E59 Theatres (59 E. 59 St.)
5/30 - 6/29

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 59e59.org/shows/show-detail/pride-prejudice

Courtesy of Off Off PR

13) Sentinels 

We've all heard about the all-male "secret society" at Yale. But, what if there was an all-female secret society that makes its home out of an abandoned dome room at a university in Milwaukee? Since 1945, this group of brilliant, courageous college women have made it their goal to ensure women are at every table where important stuff happens. From their refuge overlooking the campus, they've been involved with such monumental events as the first Black woman to star at the Met Opera, the election of the first female leader of a Muslim country, and the discovery of polio vaccine. Facing the dissolution of their society we see the developing sisterhood among the Sentinels of each era as they experience the societal sea changes of those periods. This is their story. The Sentinels.

A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd St.)
Free staged readings 6/1 & 6/4


This show is part of the Next Stage Festival. For more, see above.

Courtesy of DD PR


14) Stuy or Die

Stuy Or Die follows three AAPI students navigating the relentless pressure of New York City’s Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) culture. It’s a serio-comedic reckoning with education, identity, and mental health—a story for anyone who’s ever felt like their future hinged on a single test. 

Wednesday, May 28 11:00 AM – Dweck Cultural Center @ Brooklyn Public Library 

Sunday, June 29 3:00 PM – Bronx Music Hall 

Saturday, July 12  2:00 PM – Speyer Hall @ University Settlement 

Saturday, July 26 7:00 PM – Flushing Town Hall (Finale Performance + Filming) 


Fot more information or to purchase tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/stuy-or-die-tour

Courtesy of Spincycle NYC

15) Workplace Injuries

Paradise Factory present​s WORKPLACE INJURIES, the World Premiere of three one-act plays by Eric Maierson, Joan Mathieu and Grant James Varjas (HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES) all of whom studied with Tom Noonan, iconoclastic actor, writer, director and founder of Paradise Factory. 

WORKPLACE INJURIES is:
• BOOKSTORE. It's just before closing time at a bookstore in Beacon, New York, when one last customer arrives to challenge the store's owner.
• THAT PICTURE OF YOU. A college professor faces a reckoning.
• DIET COKE FOR THE DEAD. Two park rangers spend the night watching over the body of a hiker who has fallen to his death

Paradise Factory (64 E. 4th St.)
5/29 - 6/8

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.paradisefactory.org

B) Cast Changes 

In New York

16) Hadestown

Merle Dandridge will take her final bow as Persephone 6/1

Lana Gordon will rejoin the cast as Peresephone 6/3

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. 

Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hadestown.com

C) Run Extensions 

In New York

17) Lights Out: Nat King Cole

Despite being the voice that built Capitol Records, Nat “King” Cole's groundbreaking television show was rejected by Madison Avenue, unwilling to sponsor one of America’s first black television hosts. Now, on the night of his final broadcast, Nat must grapple with the complexities of his psyche, personified by his best friend and alter-ego, Sammy Davis Jr., and decide whether to quietly step out of the spotlight or go out with a bang.

New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th St.)
Now closing 6/29

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  NYTW.org

Courtesy of Print Shop PR

18) The Death of Rasputin

Whispers in the candlelight, shadows in the corridors— The Death of Rasputin is no mere play; it is a descent into decadence, a fever-dream of power, prophecy, and betrayal. This debaucherous satire unfolds as a lavish, unholy revel, conjuring the espionage and mysticism that danced at the edges of the Romanov dynasty in its twilight hour. Here, every character claws for dominion, every ambition is laced with poison, and every grasp for power pulls them closer to the abyss.

With history and legend entwined, and the specter of Rasputin looming large, this production dares to reclaim the grand spectacle of immersive performance, shattering the mold long held by the few. The revolution is here. The prophecy is written. Will you heed the call?

LMCC's Arts Center at Governor's Island (110 Andes Rd.)
Now closing 6/15

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit deathofrasputin.com

 

D) What Else is Happening


In New Jersey


Courtesy of Prana PR

19) BERGENPAC TO HOLD 3RD ANNUAL NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL AWARDS
 
Monday June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
bergenPAC
30 North Van Brunt Street
Englewood, N.J.
www.bergenpac.org

For the third consecutive year, bergenPAC's Performing Arts School proudly presents the High School Musical Awards Ceremony. This distinguished event celebrates and showcases the exceptional talents of students and staff involved in musical theater from high schools across New Jersey.
 
This year, 51 high schools submitted their musicals to be recognized and celebrated alongside their peers! The ceremony was created to honor the dedication and exceptional talents of high school theater performers and crew members within the community. Attendees can also look forward to live performances from select nominees.
 
Students from throughout New Jersey will gather at bergenPAC, eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winners. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at bergenPAC, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, on Monday, June 2nd, at 7:00 p.m.

For more information and tickets, visit www.bergenpac.org

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

20) Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

announces

Shapes of Water

at the Montclair Dance Festival

May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm

Kasser Theater


The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is excited to announce their performance of Shapes of Water in the Montclair Dance Festival on May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Kasser Theater. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.montclairdancefestival.com/kasser.


Join Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company as they perform Shapes of Water at the first Montclair Dance Festival, to be produced by Freespace Dance Inc! Music for the piece, titled Yuryung, is written by Pat Metheny and written for Ahn Trio. Shapes of Water depicts a night life in a metropolitan city, people are drifting like ghosts. They are like the shapes of water flowing in the ever changing river.


The evening will also include performances from Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Freespace Dance, Jason Samulson Smith, Leanna Cotton, Nai-Ni Chen, New Jersey Ballet, Nimbus Dance Works,

Roxey Ballet, Sukayana & Dancers, and Umoja Dance Company.


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21) NJPAC 
Upcoming Event:
Ledisi "Love You Tour"
with special guest Marsha Ambrosius

Grammy-winning vocalist, actress, and songwriter Ledisi is set to embark on her highly anticipated "Love You Too Tour" following her stunning performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Super Bowl LIX's pre-game ceremony.

Coming to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m., the tour will bring her signature powerhouse vocals and soul-stirring music to cities across North America. Ledisi will be joined by the incomparable Marsha Ambrosius on select dates, making this an unforgettable celebration of R&B and soul music.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit NJPAC.org or call 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey or visit www.ledisi.com.

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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 6/1
22) West Windsor Arts Presents 
Popular ArtWalk Fundraiser on May 31
All are invited for an evening of art, community and healthy family fun

West Windsor Arts invites the community to lace up their sneakers and get ready for ArtWalk 2025, a popular annual family event and fundraiser happening on Saturday, May 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. This year features a new early evening start time, a festive carnival atmosphere, and more wellness-focused and hands-on activities than ever before.

The event begins at 4 p.m., when participants can pick up a map and a goodie bag and then set off on a one-mile Family Fun Walk featuring a scavenger hunt. Along the way, they can collect tokens, which can later be redeemed for art projects, games, face painting and prizes back at the arts center.

The festive summer vibe continues with live music curated by Vasanti Anand, a popcorn machine, and a variety of fitness challenges led by local instructors including F3 and dancer Shivani Badgi. Those looking to relax and unwind can choose to enjoy meditation, massage therapy courtesy of Hand and Stone East Windsor, or henna designs from local artists.

Activity stations include painting Kindness Rocks, decorating sneaker keychains, and contributing to a collaborative graffiti mural with artist Mikel Cirkus. What’s more, medical students from Robert Wood Johnson will be offering free blood pressure screenings and education, encouraging health awareness as part of the event’s wellness theme.

The Silent Auction—featuring exclusive offerings from local restaurants, shops and service providers—is another highlight, offering attendees a chance to score great finds while supporting a worthy cause. Plus, several community sponsors will be on-site with activities and information to share.

For more information or to register, visit www.westwindsorarts.org/event/artwalk-2025.

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In New York

23) Ballet Hispanico 

En Familia Matinee

May 31

Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latinx/Latine/Hispanic cultural organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, offers their signature annual event, En Familia Matinee, a special program for young audiences and their families curated and hosted by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro. Tickets for the Saturday matinee are $25 (fees included) are available here, thanks to the generosity of the RBC Foundation USA, the charitable arm of RBC Capital Markets, and New York City Center.

The Ballet Hispánico 2025 En Familia Matinee offers a journey through Latin American culture and traditions for the second year in Ballet Hispánico’s history, as Vilaro leads the audience on an interactive and fun-filled afternoon featuring excerpts of classic pieces from the Company’s repertory. With cultural and historical content and movement exercises for the whole family, the audience will experience a performance to remember. After the show, young audience members will have the opportunity to meet the dancers for a photo op, learn dance moves, and enjoy Caribbean beats from musicians throughout the theater!

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ballethispanico.org

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24) Bloomingdale School of Music’s 25th Annual Performathon on May 31st

Students perform in support of music education for all!

 

Bloomingdale School of Music presents its 25th Annual Performathon, a student-driven performance and fundraising campaign supporting Bloomingdale’s Scholarship and Financial Aid Program.  Performathon, a 3-week event, culminates in an all-day live musical event featuring student performances, arts and crafts and fun!  Performathon performances are free and open to the public, tickets for arts and crafts and community lunch will be available for purchase.  Bloomingdale’s mission is to provide open access to quality education, and the annual Performathon is a way for students to share music with family and friends and raise funds to support their peers.  


For 60 years, access to music education has been the hallmark of Bloomingdale, and over the past decade alone, Bloomingdale has awarded more than $2 million in tuition assistance and aided thousands of families.

 

Bloomingdale School of Music (323 West 108th Street, Manhattan)

Saturday, May 31, 2025 12:00pm to 6:00pm


Musical performances are free, please RSVP at https://www.bsmny.org/performathon-2025/


Tickets for arts and crafts and community lunch available to purchase in person on the day.            

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Pride will take center stage at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in true theater fashion by teaming up with Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV), a nonprofit and renowned choir composed of diverse Broadway performers changing lives through the power of music and service. Throughout the month of June, 20% of sales of Ellen’s Pride-themed menu items including its signature rainbow cake ($12) and a special limited-time “Over the Rainbow” milkshake ($22) purchased at the diner will go to BIV to help the organization continue programming focused on community outreach, music education, and collaborative projects that bring the joy of music and the arts to underserved populations.

Located at 1650 Broadway, Ellen’s Stardust Diner is open 365 days a year from 7 am to midnight every day.


For more information on Ellen’s Stardust Diner, visit www.ellensstardustdiner.com


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Songbook Sundays 

at 

26) Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club 

hosted by Deborah Grace Winer 

 

Fats and The Duke featuring

Karrin Allyson, Allison Blackwell, Benny Benack III

 

Sunday, June 1st, 5 PM & 7:30 PM 


Songbook Sundays, created and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer celebrating the American Songbook will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club with Fats and The Duke on Sunday, June 1st, at 5 PM and 7:30 PM  

 

Fats and The Duke is a Battle of the Giants as Songbook Sundays celebrates two legends—Fats Waller and Duke Ellington.  This evening stomps and swings through some of their most famous songs, from Honeysuckle Rose and Sophisticated Lady to Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues, Mean to Me and more.

 

Hosted and curated by leading American Songbook expert Deborah Grace Winer, the set features five-time Grammy award nominee Karrin Allyson, Broadway’s starry Allison Blackwell, and JALC favorite Benny Benack III.  


To reach Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, enter at Columbus Circle at 60th Street and Broadway, take the Jazz elevators to the 5th floor for Dizzy’s Club as well as The Rose Theater and The Appel Room.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Jazz.org/dizzys


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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

27) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park

presents

American Ballet Theatre Studio Company

Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7pm

Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2pm

Black Box Theater, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park


Experience the next generation of ballet stars with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company on Saturday. May 31, 2025 at 7pm and Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2pm at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park’s intimate Black Box Theater. ABT Studio Company presents a dynamic program featuring both classical and contemporary works. The company’s spring 2025 repertoire includes selections from the following: pieces by renowned choreographers Jerome Robbins, Gerald Arpino, Yannick Lebrun, and ABT Principal Dancer James Whiteside; original commissions by Houston Thomas and ABT dancers Madison Brown and Brady Farrar; and iconic works such as George Balanchine’s Tarantella and the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, staged by Kaatsbaan’s co-founder, Artistic Advisor, and Board Chair, Kevin McKenzie. Seize the chance to see these exceptional, talented young dancers. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $25 for students with ID, and can be purchased at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36035/production/1236711.

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28) Upcoming Event at Lincoln Center

Voices of a People’s History 


Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 pm
 
David Rubenstein Atrium 
Free  
The works of Brooklyn-born author and historian Howard Zinn (1922–2010), particularly the classic bestsellers A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People’s History of the United States, continue to shine a light on the extraordinary history of those engaged in struggles for freedom and justice in America. Since 2014, Lincoln Center has collaborated with Voices of a People's History, a non-profit organization of artists and educators who seek to keep Zinn's message of grassroots egalitarianism alive. The heroic voices featured in Zinn's books will be brought to life in performance by a chorus of young student activists who have been mentored by artist-activists to find personal meaning in these timeless texts. Using the words of the rebels, dissenters, and visionaries of our past and present as a blueprint, this evening will inspire us all to take collective action to shape our future. 

For more information, visit Voices of a People’s History 


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Courtesy of Richard Hillman PR

29) KELLIE OVERBEY TO PORTRAY OVER 40 CHARACTERS
IN
"ONE BODY: DISPATCHES FROM IDAHO”
A NEW PLAY WRITTEN BY JIMMY MAIZE (TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT)
AND THE PRO—VOICE PROJECT
FEATURING TRUE STORIES FROM THE FRONT-LINES OF IDAHO’S ABORTION BANS
A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY CIVIC EVENT IN NYC

JUNE 2, 2025
AT THEATER 555, NEW YORK, NY

Kellie Overbey (Coast of Utopia, Present Laughter) will star in One Body: Dispatches From Idaho, a new documentary play from Jimmy Maize and The Pro-Voice Project, featuring the true stories of people on the frontlines of reproductive rights. The play is constructed from interviews with women, doctors, politicians, and activists on the vanguard of America’s reproductive rights battles, and features one actress portraying over forty characters.The new play will offer an intimate exploration of the real-world repercussions wrought by abortion bans in deeply conservative states, weaving narratives of pain, resilience, and hope into a cautionary tale of a bellwether state—and what it foreshadows for us all.

Follow the “lone abortion activist in North Idaho,” as she seeks to break through partisan echo chambers by harnessing the power, nuance, and complexity of telling one’s own story.

This one-night-only, civic event will feature a 60-minute excerpt of the play, with 30 characters being played by one virtuosic actor. The event will be hosted by the Obie-award-winning performer Amanda Duarte, and is free and open to the public. The performance will be followed by a salon-style gathering of conversation, connection, and collective strategy.

One Body: Dispatches From Idaho will be presented on June 2 at Theater 555 (555 West 42nd St and 11th Ave), and is co-conceived by Jen Jackson Quintano and Eric Krebs, and produced by Eric Krebs Theatrical Management.

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30) Schwarzman Animal Medical Center 
Brings Back PAW Day
Pet Health and Wellness Fair 
for a Full Day of Tail-Wagging Fun for All

Saturday, 5/31 from 11am-4pm

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) is closing out National Pet Month with the return of their signature PAW Day Pet Health and Wellness Fair, held this year as part of the First Avenue Festival on the Upper East Sideon Saturday, May 31 from 11am to 4pm. Organized by AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Educationthe free street fair will take place on 1st Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets, filling the entire block with a variety of pet-centric, family-friendly activities and helpful pet health resources. Pet parents, families, and community members of all ages are welcome to participate in a paw-fect day of fun with their four-legged companions. While AMC has hosted smaller pet fairs in the past in NYC parks, this is the first year that the event will be part of a larger community street fair.

Attendees will have the opportunity to pick up valuable pet health information from the Usdan Institute and speak directly with AMC veterinary staff across several specialties, including Avian & Exotic Pet, Behavior, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Primary Care. The event will also feature a “Kid’s Zone” with fun and educational activities for children, including a toy-making station, an x-ray craft, face painting, and a stuffed animal exam station for aspiring little veterinarians. Additionally, curious canines can engage in a stimulating scent challenge led by AMC’s Behavior Team. Local animal welfare organizations will also be on-site to share information and resources, including Animal Care Centers (ACC), PAWS NY, and The Good Dog Foundation.

 AMC spokespeople will be available for interviews during the event from 11:30am to 1:00pm.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

31) South Street Seaport Museum

Announces Free Monthly Sing-Alongs

Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music

Aboard the Tall Ship Wavertree

May–October 2025, 2–4pm


South Street Seaport Museum announces the full schedule of the monthly Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music program aboard the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16seaportmuseum.org/chanteysing


Returning to the deck of the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, the monthly sea-song sing along, will be hosted by a local artist who will lead the group through a variety of traditional maritime work songs and ballads. Throughout the in-person only event, attendees of all skill levels are welcome to take the stage for this round-robin where you will be able to sing and share the chantey of your choice. Attendees will be encouraged to sing along with the chorus or just sit back and enjoy each performance. Singers of all levels, as well as listeners, will be welcome to participate in this free event where you will be able to lead or request a song during the round-robin or simply listen.


2025 Schedule

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2–4pm

Sunday, June 1, 2025, 2–4pm

Sunday, July 6, 2025, 2–4pm

Sunday, August 3, 2025, 2–4pm

Sunday, September 7, 2025, 2–4pm

Sunday, October 5, 2025, 2–4pm


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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

32) South Street Seaport Museum

Announces

Free June Family Activity Weekends

June 7–June 30, 2025 | 11am–4:30pm


South Street Seaport Museum announces free June Family Activity Weekends program on Saturdays and Sundays, from June 7 to June 30, 2025, from 11am to 4:30pm.

seaportmuseum.org/family-activity-weekends


June 2025: Cyanotype Printing

Inspired by the Seaport Museum’s impressive collections of glass plate negatives, families who visit the Seaport Museum on weekends throughout June can learn about the history of photography and create cyanotype masterpieces using specially treated paper infused with light-sensitive chemicals.


To enrich your printing experience, visit the new exhibition Maritime City to see examples of historical and contemporary photography in New York City and the Seaport, as well as glass plate negatives in the Thomas W. Kennedy Photograph Collection and George P. Hall & Son Photograph Collection.


The activity will take place on the cobblestone street in front of 207 Water Street but may be moved indoors in the case of poor weather.


Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, June 7, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Sunday, June 8, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Saturday, June 14, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Sunday, June 15, 2025; 11am–4:45pm; Father’s Day

Saturday, June 21, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Sunday, June 22, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Saturday, June 28, 2025; 11am–4:45pm

Sunday, June 29, 2025; 11am–4:45pm


About Family Activity Weekends

Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Timely hands-on activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit to the Seaport Museum’s galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose. Activities and their locations change each month to highlight various aspects of maritime history, New York City’s beginnings as a port city, or the Museum’s collections and offerings. seaportmuseum.org/family-activity-weekends


Enjoy More That the Museum Offers

Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets, available Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in. Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street. Admission tickets also include entry to the new Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street. seaportmuseum.org/admission


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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

33) South Street Seaport Museum

Trivia Aboard a Tall Ship

Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 6:30pm | Wavertree | 


South Street Seaport Museum announces Trivia Aboard a Tall Ship on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 6:30pm, aboard the 1885 tall ship WavertreeAdmission is $20. https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/trivia/.


Come aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree to enjoy a delightful evening of New York City trivia with the Seaport Museum and the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). Prepare to immerse yourself in an enthralling exploration of the city’s history as you engage in a friendly competition against professional tour guides and devoted trivia aficionados.


Bring your family and friends to form your own team of 4–6 people or come solo and get paired with a group of fellow trivia buffs. Our GANYC host will take the helm and guide us through a series of questions about New York History with many focused on Lower Manhattan and the South Street Seaport Historic District. Beyond the thrill of victory, each member of the triumphant team will be awarded a prize!


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In Pennsylvania



Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

34) VISITING ARTISTS SERIES 

WELL-STRUNG, THE SINGING, STRING QUARTET

RETURNS TO BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE

FOR 2 SHOWS MAY 31 AND JUNE 1

Popular quartet blends classical music and pop hits in
a uniquely entertaining concert experience


The genre-defying string quartet Well-Strung returns to Bucks County Playhouse with two concerts on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, both at 1:30 p.m. The group last performed to a sold-out house at the Playhouse on New Year’s Eve 2021.

Well-Strung features Edmund Bagnell (violin), Christopher Marchant (violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (violin). This acclaimed ensemble merges classical string performance with pop vocals, creating a sound that spans Beethoven to Taylor Swift. Known for their charisma and crossover appeal, the group presents classical repertoire while singing hits by artists such as Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and more—offering audiences a fresh and dynamic concert experience.

Well-Strung appears as part of the Playhouse’s Visiting Artists Series, which features nationally acclaimed performers and complements its year-round Mainstage programming. This year’s Mainstage season includes “The Apple Boys,” running May 2–25, and “Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical,” running June 20 through July 20, as well as “She Loves Me” running from August 15 – September 14, and finally, “Elf: The Musical” from November 21 to January 4.

Tickets for Well-Strung start at $55 and are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 215-862-2121.

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday.

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