My adventures in Brooklyn

Apparently we are in for a long, cold, snowy winter.  I am turning over a new leaf.  I am not going to hibernate on the Upper West Side until spring.  I bought myself some sensible boots (OK, they still have wedge heels, but are 100% waterproof – that is a BIG change for me) and it’s off on an adventure I go.  I have to say I am totally enjoying my winter treks to Brooklyn.  I am finding some great new spots!  So hopefully I have inspired you to see a show at BAM.  (Once the subways and buses are back to running normal that is.)  Now you need somewhere to go for drinks or dinner before or after the show.  I had wine and appetizers at this delightful place right around the corner from BAM called Stonehome Wine Bar.

The next time I go I am going to get there in time to have dinner, not just apps.  The menu is small with additional daily specials and it looked fantastic.   We ended up getting some meats and cheeses with our wine.  

The portions were large and prices were very reasonable.  Most of the wines by the glass were in the $8-$11 price range and they had a great selection.  I was surprised to see one of my favorite’s by the glass Argiolas “Perdera” from Sardinia.  But the list was full of great things that I want to go back and try.

The inside was cozy and warm, they played great music and the staff couldn’t have nicer and more helpful. 

 They also have a patio in the back, so in the nice weather it must be great to sit outside.  I highly recommend Stonehome Wine Bar if you like good wine, great atmosphere and terrific prices to boot.  With great places like this, I may just head out to Brooklyn more often. 

There's no place like home

For the last few years I have spent much of my time in Boston taking care of my mom who has Alzheimer's.  Things are a little more settled and I am now getting back out there enjoying New York again.  In a way, I am rediscovering some place that I haven't been to in a while, much like a tourist.  Last night I went to Brooklyn Academy of Music and it was like visiting an old friend.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed seeing theatre there.  I don't think there is a bad seat in the house.  I sat in the rear mezzanine and my ticket was $25.  I am trying to keep to a budget so that I can get out there and see and do more, so $25 is right up my alley.  It was a great seat and I got to see Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan on stage together doing a production of John Garbriel Borkman.  There are not too many places where you can see that kind of cast together on stage.  What an amazing treat!  Next up they are doing Diary of a Madman with Geoffrey Rush.  Last year they had Cate Blanchett in Streetcar Named Desire with her company.  

BAM brings in mounted productions from the RSC, The Abbey and many other overseas companies to their stage.  So unless you happen to be in London or Dublin or Sydney, this is your chance to see it.  What I also like is that is accessible to most people.  Unlike Broadway where the lowest ticket price can be as high as $75 (and for that you are sitting in the nosebleed section with not a great view) their lowest ticket is $25 and because it's an intimate theatre there is no bad seat.  If you haven't been out to BAM, treat yourself.  It's worth the trek, even for Upper West Siders like myself.  Tomorrow I will tell you a great place you can go before or after the show for dinner or drinks.

Sometimes "Off" is the way to go

When visiting New York, one of the things that probably tops your list of things to do is to see a Broadway show.  There are many fantastic shows to see that range from the massive (yet seemingly dangerous) Spider Man, to shows that have big stars like Daniel Radcliff in How to Succeed in Business and then there are the shows that have been around for years like Chicago that are long-timers for a reason.  But if you want to treat yourself to something intimate and new, go see an Off-Broadway show.  There are so many theatres to choose from how do you know which one to go to?  Well topping my list of favorite companies is The Signature Theatre Company on West 42^nd between 10^th & 11^th.  I saw their production of “Angels in America” (Part I) last night, and what a great experience it was.

First, the theater is so intimate that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.  The acting was superb and the sets were amazing.  3 hours at the theatre flew by without once thinking that this was long.  The Signature dedicates a season to one playwright and this season they have brought in Tony Kushner.  They keep extending Angels, so try and get a ticket if you still can.  I can’t wait to see Part II next week.  

There are many great companies out there.  Here are a few of my favorites:  Playwrights Horizons, Keen Company, Barrow Street Theater, BAM, St. Ann’s Warehouse (more of a venue, but they often bring in really interesting shows and companies) and the Mint Theatre Company, just to name a few.  There are many more, but here is a place for you to start.  If you want to get a first rate theatre experience for a fraction of the price of a Broadway show, go see an “Off-Broadway” show.  You won’t be sorry you strayed.