Nobody Does It Better: Christmas in NY

After Nashville, I hit NYC for a few meetings and to catch up with a couple of old friends.  It's been such a busy month that Christmas has barely registered on my holiday meter--until I hit the Big Apple.  It was exactly what I needed to put me in the holiday spirit:  carolers on the street, an explosion of Christmas decorations, and the chaos of Rockefeller Center.  It was a great reminder, no one does the holiday season better than New York City.  Come join me for a quick tour in pictures:

The show isn't that good anymore, but people still camp out in 20 degree weather to wait for Saturday Night Live tickets. Jeff Bridges was the host this week:

The hustle and bustle around the Rockefeller tree:      

     

I'm home!  Times Square:

Believe it or not, this show is selling out:

Thanks to my friend, Ken, I was able to take in Colin Quinn's one man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld. It was an uneven performance with the best material saved for the last twenty minutes of the show.  The show is running through February 2nd.  My recommendation?  Save your money.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral always has the prettiest manger set up each holiday season.

My real church is Sak's Fifth Avenue's 10022.  Here is their holiday window display:

With a divine pair of Jimmy Choo sparkly silver shoes that are perfect for New Year's Eve:

Ugh, the crowds:

I didn't have a chance to see the Radio City Christmas Show, but just the sight of the theatre makes me excited for the holidays:

A magnificent view from the upper level of the Time Warner Center overlooking Columbus Circle.  For you SATC fans, the center fountain is where Aidan and Carrie realize that their wedding will never happen despite the picture perfect moment and outfit.  

Don't forget to enter the Holiday Makeup Giveaway.  You have until 11:59 PM PST tonight.  Happy Holidays!

The 64th Annual Tony Awards

It's that time of year again.  Yes, a time of singing, dancing, and channeling your inner theatre geek with the 64th Annual Tony Awards.  If I could move Broadway to Los Angeles, I would.  That's how much I miss the rich theatre scene in New York.  However, LA is starting to step it up their relevance in the theatre world and I am going to throw a few of my hard earned dollars at Reprise's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying this week starring John O'Hurley, Ed Asner, Vicki Lewis, and Simon Helberg. Run by Jason Alexander (Yes, George Constanza runs a theatre program.), the organization does a great job of breathing new life into "rarely revived" musicals and enhancing the LA theatre world.  If you're like me though, you want the glitz and glam of award show season and The Tonys rarely disappoint.  I don't know how they will top last year's fun with host Neil Patrick Harris, but here are a few opportunities to participate in some of the fun:

Macy's wants to send you to the Tony Awards!  Instead of just an "enter and win" scenario, Macy's is going to make you work for it.  Show off your talent and you could be on your way to the Big Apple and hobnobbing with Broadway's elite talent.  Here's how it works, head on over to the Tony Awards page at CBS, sing your heart out, record it, vote, vote again, and hopefully win!  Simple right?  Here are the details:


Macy's Invites You to Sing Your Way to the Tony Awards

Upload a video of yourself singing one of the following songs and you can be in the running to win a trip to the 64th Annual Tony Awards on Broadway.

96,000, In the Heights 
Gimme, Gimme, Thoroughly Modern Millie 
Good Morning, Baltimore, Hairspray 
I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa my Hair, South Pacific 
Lonely Goatherd, The Sound of Music 
Maybe, Annie
One, A Chorus Line
Stars, Les Misérables 
Ya Got Trouble, The Music Man

MUSIC CLEARANCES FACILITATED BY MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, THE RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN ORGANIZATION, AND TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY. SONGS PROVIDED COURTESY OF COPYRIGHT HOLDERS.

Get Started:
1. Upload your video by May 27th noon PT
2. Vote on yor favorites from May 27th to June 1st to help determine the top 5 videos.
2. Return on June 3rd noon PT to view and vote for your favorite of the top 5.

There are some great songs listed.  I am a bit partial to "Good Morning, Baltimore" from Hairspray, but we all know what a winner Annie is, you can never go wrong with that little redheaded mop top.  Good luck!

If you are already going to be in NYC on June 13th, then this is a great affordable excuse to go to a Tony Party.  Broadway producer, Ken Davenport, in conjunction with BroadwaySpace.com is throwing a fun viewing party at Blondies on the Upper West Side.  The night promises unlimited food, contests, raffles, Broadway karaoke, and two Broadway stars from Hair hosting the event all for $25 if you grab your tickets now.  Since Ken is a pal from my NYU days, I know you won't be disappointed.     So, at least there is a Plan B if you don't win Macy's Ticket to the Tonys.  It might not be a seat in Radio City Music Hall, but you still get to hobknob with a few Broadway stars!