This week on Broadway | NYC Fashion Blogger Samantha Angelo

 It was a week filled with entertainment, on Wednesday night we went to the premiere, Of Mice and Men, James Franco's Broadway debut.  And on Saturday night seven of us went to A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. This was my sister's first Broadway show, ever!! I was thrilled to have a hand in making that happen.

Both shows were spectacular and had outstanding performances. The level of talent in these productions was absolutely superb. The gold star goes to... Of Mice and Men, our favorite of the two shows.

Of Mice and Men

 I'll  keep this brief since we've all read the novella. first of all you can't go wrong with John Steinbeck's classic tale that we all vividly remember reading in high school. During the performance, Peter subconsciously recounted the novel word for word, like one does with a song listened to over and over again at one point in life, and then hear again many years later.

The chemistry between Franco (George) and O'Dowd (Lennie) was a thing of beauty, they were perfect and they brought the story to life. The New York Times referred to their chemistry as a "Broadway Bromance" and I would have to agree. They acted the story the way it should be imagined. It was so much fun to watch the two of them interact, Peter and I left Longacre Theatre thoroughly impressed. This is one of the best plays I've seen on Broadway in awhile, I highly recommend it. Great cast! The stars of the show include three Broadway newbies James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester, and one Broadway veteran, Jim Norton.

Best Performance:
The over all chemistry between Franco and O'Dowd was my favorite part of the production, by the end of the play the two of them had me in tears. However, my favorite all around performance goes to Chris O'Dowd (Lennie), he completed nailed it.

Seating Recommendation:
I would recommend getting a closer seat in the orchestra for this show. It would make a big difference, because you'll be able to pick up on the most subtle of facial expressions and nuances that will really add to your over all enjoyment of the production.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, (based on a novel by Roy Horniman) is a light hearted comedic musical. One review said that A Gentleman's Guide was the funniest musical since Book of Mormon...I wouldn't go that far. It was fun and cute, but NOT a gut buster as some reviews stated. From a laughter stand point I wouldn't say it was funnier than Book of Mormon or Kinky Boots. My favorite tunes/scenes were "Better With a Man" "I've Decided to Marry You" and "I Don't Understand the Poor". I really appreciated the thought and creativity that was put into the staging of this musical. We all left the theatre humming/singing the finale tune.

Synopsis:
The story of a man (Monty Navarro) who discovers that he is heir to the D'Ysquith throne and fortune. The only thing that stand between himself and becoming the Earl is seven D'Ysquith's, and in the funniest way possible he creatively picks them off one by one.

Best Performance:
Jefferson Mays was outstanding and impressive as he played 8 different roles (The entire D'Ysquith family)!!! He was a master at the quickest costume/character changes, which was extremely entertaining.

Seating Recommendation:
Walter Kerr theatre is very tiny and quaint, yet surprisingly had the most leg room that we've seen in awhile on Broadway. The only seats that were available for 7 people happened to be very back row of the orchestra, which wound up being quite close to the stage due to the intimate size of the theatre. You really can't go wrong with any seat in the house, since it's such an intimate setting. 

 "Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never get to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head." - John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

"Inexhaustible variety of life"

Living next to this park is like winning the entertainment lottery and having a little piece of Paris right at your fingertips...

Photo courtesy of Gawker.com

I'm taking full advantage of these next two months living in this location and taking in as much of WSP and its people as I possibly can. With the opportunity and privilege to spend a chunk of my time at WSP everyday, I would like to share with you my personal observations. 

On Sunday I met Lily in Washington Square, where we were entertained by the crazy piano guy who rolled out a baby grand and performed Rhapsody In Blue (twice as requested by princess Lily, as he called her.)  He also performed Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy with a very special commentary (which I loved), I caught it on my iPhone. 

 I adore how he screams,"Yay!!!", after everything he plays. Colin literally would push this piano through the streets of NY to get it to the park, now apparently he uses a Uhaul, but I like to believe that he pushes the piano everywhere he goes. It seems more whimsical that way. Also, can we please push another baby grand into the park and invite the crazy piano lady, Annamaria Mottola, to show him how its done. I don't think I can rest until I see AM playing a baby grand in WSP. PLEASE!! Crazy Piano showdown!!

Lily and I, per usual, made a scene in the middle of the park as we hugged and jumped up and down in each others arms, which lead an NYU orthodontist student to tell Lily that she has the most "infectious smile he's ever seen." That's one of the reasons I opted for adult braces, so that I can have a smile more like Lily's :-) 

Yesterday morning I was walking through WSP on my way to Soul Cycle and all of a sudden I found myself in the middle of a Pharrell Williams Happy flash mob, everyday should start exactly like that. It made me smile. That's not the first time I'v seen New Yorkers on the street dancing to Happy, a few days earlier a woman was dancing and belting out the viral tune in Hudson River Park. I love seeing people so happy that they feel the need to break out into song and dance. Which brings me to the throughly entraining scene outside my front window on Saturday night, who needs a TV when you have a huge Juilet balcony that opens onto a bustling West Village Street? It was a warm one so you can just imagine how happy people were, literally every other person walking down my street was singing or humming a tune, groups of people singing together, it made me happy!!

An hour later I was walking through the park to get home and bumped into my new friend Dusty, who I had met a few days earlier. He had walked up to me in the park while I was taking in the varieties of life and asked me if I could call his friend for him, since his phone ran out of minutes/batteries.

Dusty is strictly a street musician, he plays tenor sax, so of course I helped him out! We chatted with his friend on speaker phone, and at the same exact time there was a man teaching a group of teens how to get a pigeon to land on their head...

This time I finally had the opportunity to hear him play. I sat on the steps of the statue as he serenaded me. Dusty insisted I bring my clarinet next time to so that we can jam together. And then right beside us...

Later that day I came back through the park for a third time and it was the most packed I had ever seen it, of course it was, its the warmest day of the year so far AND it's still light out at 5pm, which = pure unadulterated New York joy. I sat and watched...

The students. more specifically the girl next to me that was sitting with her mother we must have been visiting with her thick southern accent. 

The Asian man with a shaved head, headphones in and pad in hand sitting with his legs crossed with perfect posture, taking notes every few moments. Eventually he puts his pen behind his ear, puts his bag over his shoulder and walks away with intent, wearing all brown. Analyzing him made me feel like I should sit up straighter. Maybe he realized that I was taking notes of him taking notes. Pen to paper. 

And then there's the man walking briskly, wearing a teal V neck sweater, holding a thick novel and talking to himself. 

Followed by the old Rabbi with his grey curls and his endearing walk that’s really more of a side to side movement than a forward motion. 

Straight ahead there are two young men, born agains, walking around the circle with their yellow sign that reads,"Why are we here?" And as if timed perfectly the skater boys come out and start doing their tricks, as a little boy so desperately tries to emulate them but keeps falling and getting back up, falling and getting up.

Just as i'm watching the little boy my ear is drawn to the right corner of the park where a man begins playing bag pipe, glad I wore my all tartan outfit today! By this point I was feeling as though I had enough amusement for one day and I got up and started to leave..and was instantly drawn in again by the sound of classical guitar and the sight of a man that I recognized rolling a glass globe beautifully from one arm to the other in sync with the strumming of the strings.

" The following day it was rainy and cold and as I walked through the park I felt the stark difference and lack of life that made a statement almost as powerful as when the park is completely over taken by people. I stood in the middle of the park with not so much as a sole insight and it was profound, where there was music there was silence, where there was motion, stillness. Its emptiness made it seem larger than life. The love bubble had been washed away as if it had never been. I looked around on the exact benches and grassy patches where there was so much noise and movement,and there was nothing..." - S

NYC Hunt: Lofty Dreams | NYC Fashion Blogger Samantha Angelo

Bowery Hotel, View from Room 809

They say that making a joke of or laughing at a stressful situation can be very therapeutic. That is the point of this post. I hope you enjoy this comedic breakdown of the realities of apartment hunting in Manhattan. 

When looking for an apartment in Lower Manhattan always remember the following:

You're paying for the lifestyle, not the space that you're living in. The coolest people in the world live in Soho & The West Village, and the rent you pay to live in these areas is like the membership fee for being cool. It's the prestige and accomplishment that comes with that location. You could basically put it on your resume as one of your greatest accomplishments. It's impressive. Ironically, it has less to do with the outrageous amounts of cash you must fork over and more to do with the perseverance that it takes to get exactly what you want. THAT is the true resume builder.  

Our very simple and realistic parameters:

- Nothing above 14th Street.

- Nothing on or below Canal Street, unless it's on a non-desolate street in TriBeCa.              

  I take that back, nothing below Broome Street.

- Nothing that is actually in Washington Square.

- Nothing on the eastern side of the Bowery.  

- Nothing on Broadway.

- In a perfect world, anything between Houston & Broome St. on the following streets:

   Wooster, Greene, Mercer, Spring, Prince, Mott, Elizabeth, Lafayette, Mulberry.

- Chinatown and Little Italy, you're out!

           

The Rules 

Rule #1 Never look up what you could afford in another city for the amount that you plan on spending on rent in Manhattan. Just don't do it. 

Rule #2 Whatever the top of your budget is for rent, add about $2,000 to that amount and then you'll find the place that you thought you deserved for the original amount that you wanted to pay.


Rule #3 Prepare yourself: almost every apartment in lower Manhattan will require first and last months rent, plus security deposit. Oh, and a broker fee equal to 10% of the first year's rent. (upwards of 40K just to move in!)

Rule #4 Whenever you feel like you're spending a mil and should at least be able to get a washer/dryer in your unit... Think again! I guess they think if you can blow this much cash on an apartment than you can pay someone to fluff and fold... or you can buy a new pair of Thom Browne boxers everyday....or you can just go commando, cuz you're that cool.

Rule #5 If something seems like it's a good deal, you should be very skeptical. There's no such thing as a good deal. Renting in Lower Manhattan is like gambling in Vegas, the house always wins. If you feel like something is a good deal: 

1) There will most likely be construction on every side of the building, about 4 feet from the window of the apartment, they start at 8am every morning, sound good? 

 2) If there happens to be no construction than there will probably be no light, the windows if any will be on the interior of the building. Time to get a sun lamp! 

  3) If the light is not a problem than it will probably be a Canal Street walk-up, you're view         being the flashing red 'check cashing' lights, and when you exit the apartment building    you'll have to swim through piles of knock off Louie's, Rolex's and cheetah print crop tops with matching mini skirts (I'm literally describing what I saw). BUT just one block north and you're in Soho...right?...

Rule #6 Don't give up! Again, this takes perseverance. Why do you think Lower Manhattanites wear so much camo and black, you have to be tough to make it here folks. Finding a place to rest your head is the first test, if you pass that, then you're half way to be coming a true New Yorker. 

Rule #7 Hire Ben Scheck as your broker, because he's awesome at his job and a pleasure to be around, not to mention he's dealing with us..so he must have the patience of a saint. We love you, Ben!!

Rule #8 If you're not refreshing Street Easy at least 100 times a day, you're not trying hard enough. Refresh more!

Tales From Our Apartment Hunting Journey...

Just when you think you've found the perfect place (two bed, two bath, light filled, gorgeously renovated corner unit, over sized wrought iron windows, Italian marble fireplace, chef's kitchen) and above a Soul Cycle to boot!! Ok, ok , so with all of these positives you're willing to forgo a washer/dryer in the unit. Fine. In the excitement of the moment you put in an application, only to realize when you return later to measure the place for your furniture that there are actually no closets...

Then you'll find an older spacious corner unit (Lafayette St.) in the heart of Soho, and it will have bizarre built in platform beds made out of plywood that the owner will refuse to remove...

Or the place that's a half block from the highline with a private patio that's larger than the apartment itself, which by the way is the most modern design I've ever seen, with black and white striped walls. The bedrooms are on the basement level, but they do have skylight windows, so that all the surround apartments can look down and see everything  you're doing...

What about the lovely Greene Street apartment, currently being used as a pied-a-terre by a couple from LA? Of course, the place gets little to no light and the kitchen is 5x5 feet... better used as a coat closet...

Then FINALLY you think after all of this searching, we've found it!! 99 Spring Street: the holy grail of Soho lofts. Complete with a large and open loft floor-plan, exposed brick, several skylights, 2 fireplaces AND the kicker: the top floor of the building is your very own private roof deck!!! The size of the entire apartment. Ahhh!! And just as you're ready to touch your pen to your check book and stroke a check for the first and last months rent, security despot and broker fee. You ask if a 24 month lease would be possible because you love the place so much, at which time you're told that the building is being torn down in 12 months to build a Niketown. A part of you dies...

In your weakened state you decide to look at a fairly priced apartment in the heart of Little Italy: vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, keyed elevator into the unit, view of the freedom tower, waterfall showers, and a positively delightful 1800 square feet. But don't forget!! Every time you walk out of the apartment a man wearing a faux goat hair coat will be standing there heckling people into trying his ravioli, lasagna, linguine and clams, or maybe a little margarita pizza pie, at his fine Italian dining establishment...deal breaker...

Hopefully not to be continued...

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."           - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

New York Kinda Town | NYC Fashion Blogger Samantha Angelo

S+P - Summer 2013 - Photo by Alyssa Lina

A few months ago, when Peter and I found out that we were moving to NY, my father decided to make us a NYC soundtrack of all of his favorite songs about the big apple. We all know that there's no lack of music and songs based on the empire state,  just another accolade to the city that never sleeps, no place in the world like it. It's not just the music that's written about NY, it's the plays, TV shows, movies, and art that are all centered around life in the big city, there's no two ways around it, NYC is the greatest city in the world.

I'm trying to take advantage of these next couple of weeks and obsess over New York as a outsider, while I still can. New York has always been such a big part of who I am, and now I must say goodbye to that chapter of my life as a Non-New Yorker and step into the comfortable walking shoes of a NY resident/city dweller, which means I can't listen to songs about NY anymore, and I have to sell my huge canvas print of Lower Manhattan...I'm not complaining!

Track 1:

My first visit to NYC with the parents in 1997. Yes, I'm wearing a pleather jacket, don't judge!

  
My very favorite New York song has always been Sunday In New York by Bobby Darin, my dad got me hooked on this tune years ago and I always think of him when I hear it.

     "If you've got troubles,

Just take them out for a walk.

They'll burst like bubbles

In the fun of a Sunday In New York!

You can spend time without spending a dime,

Watching people watch people pass!"

 The thing that I love about NY is that you  have absolutely no clue what you might see, who you might meet, an interaction you might have, or what crazy things could be happening right outside your door. Everyday that you're there is a day that could change your life or influence you in a way you never knew possible. NY is like jazz in that way, it's totally improvised and never the same, because it's a city of people, and people are constantly changing and evolving.

 I love just staring out the window and trying to comprehend all of things that are going on at that exact moment, it's just like being back in Tanzania looking up at the Serengeti ceiling trying to understand the universe, with all of its flickering lights and wondrous complexities. 

Track 2:

Then we have the classic tune Manhattan by Dinah Washington, how can you not love this song! 

"The great big city's a wondrous toy

Just made for a girl and boy --

We'll turn Manhattan

Into an isle of joy."

  I'll never forget my friends telling me, years ago, about how different I am when I step foot on Manhattan, like a light switch, I start walking faster and standing taller. I always laughed and thought it was cute, and so true! The energy in NY infects me.

  Track 3:

Top of The Standard, ladies night!! Summer 2011(Lily, Sam, Amy)

Just last week I fell in love with this tune: New York City Blues by Peggy Lee. If you only listen to one of these songs, let it be this one!!!

"They say it's a great place to visit, but my heart tells me it's a better place to live."

"I love the people, yes the people, and how they make that big town swing. In the autumn, in the winter, in the summer, in the spring... yeah the people are everything."
    
For most people, NY is an inspirational environment, even with millions of us crammed onto this tiny island, it never feels crowded (unless you're in a stampede at the NY marathon or in Times Squares for NYE...) because it's the millions of people of NY that make it what it is: the ultimate melting pot of people from all over the world (approximately 800 spoken languages!!), of ALL walks of life, doing entirely different things. It boggles the mind to think of the countless reasons why any individual would move to Manhattan, it's beautiful and compelling. And most definitely fascinating. Entire careers have been built off of revealing these individuals out of the millions, if you haven't already, check out Humans of NY. Along with several 'street style' photographers that also make a living off of the people of NY, just this past summer I was stopped and photographed by Mr. Newton, while perusing the Brooklyn flea.  

Track 4:

The Boathouse, Summer 2012, NY afternoon/night that went down in history as one of the best.

I'm not too embarrassed to admit that I've been driving around DC blasting this next tune, New York Afternoon by Rare Silk. I've been cranking it as loud as my speakers can handle, trying to get it in before I have to part ways with my car. This song sounds so 80's and dated that it's actually current, or at least in my world it is. Right around 1:45 min is when it really starts to get hot, your welcome in advance! Christmas came early this year, thank you dad, this is my new favorite song in the whole world. I love how happy and goofy it is, and then you're like, "holy crap they're KILLING IT on the vocals!" Simply amazing. I plan on making my own music video to this tune...

Track 5:

New York Stock Exchange, November 2013

What better way to end the soundtrack than with the most famous and stereo typical NY tribute, New York, New York by legendary swoon-er Frank Sinatra.

 "I want to be a part of it, New York, New York"

"These DC blues, are melting away. I'll make a brand new start of it, in ol' New York!"

New York is unique in that so many people come to this city on a dream, a dream often based on doing something creative and unique, something extraordinary, or simply to make a better life for themselves and their families.  

My grandfather, Sam Angelo, and my new family, The Ostrega's (Anka, Zbig, and Koralia) are in this category. They are my inspiration in so many ways, after leaving everything they know and love for the dream of giving themselves and their children a brighter future. It takes a lot of courage to do this. From the moment I met Peter and his family I had a completely fresh take on the place where I was born and raised. I learned to never take this life, and the opportunities that come with it for granted. 

 My father in-law told me one of his favorite stories of their arrival to NYC from Poland:

"Peter and his mother flew into JFK airport and we stayed in NYC for a couple of days to see my sister and friends as well as to do some sightseeing. One of the first things we did, was to go to the NYSE. We went to the gallery of the stock exchange and I told Peter to watch how money is being made so that he would know how to do it :-) He must have retained the lesson well, given his age (4 yrs, 7 months). We're very proud of the success he has had and that little story always makes me laugh, particularly since he is now in charge of business development for his firm's Wall Street office."

- Zbig 

Young P

 New York City is the heart and soul of the land of opportunity, dreams are made here and they do come true, like good old blue eyes said,"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."  The bar is as high as it gets, because the most talented and hard working people in the world live in this city, you either keep up with that NY pace/work ethic or wither.

Bonus Wild Card Track:

(Robert, Sam, Evan) Lombardi Hotel, December 2012

You may need to mentally prepare yourself for this one, many years ago Evan Hart turned me on to this crazy German opera singer, Nina Hagen, who had her hay day on VHI in the 80's, and is best known for her theatrical and outlandish vocals. In more recent times her music has focused on civil rights, anti-establishment, anti-war, and anti-nuclear power icons and movement, mixed in with punk gospel, needless to say she is very unique. Dad, you're going to hate this, but at least get a good laugh out of it! Enjoy this disco/punk/opera song, New York New York by Nina Hagen.

"New York City is the hottest place for a honeymoon in a hotel room."

"New York City is my favorite place cuz I know so many people with a gold face...AHaaa!"  

What's your favorite New York tune?

 "I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life."- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby