Results tagged “wicked”

The Empire State Building started celebrating Halloween a little early today, as Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz and Kerry Ellis (aka Elphaba, pictured) came to light the ESB green. This is all in celebration of the show's 5th anniversary on Broadway. Variety recently noted that "after five years on the Gotham boards, the perennial top dog of Rialto sales has racked up the kind of numbers that make Hollywood sit up: Universal Pictures, the studio that first optioned the 1995 novel and one of the producers of the tuner, says Wicked counts among its most profitable properties." The flagship New York show itself has weekly tallies that often surpass $1.4 million! Guess they have a lot to celebrate.

We've been monitoring how I am Legend, the big budget post-apocalyptic zombie movie set in New York, will be portraying the Big Apple ever since filming took place on the Brooklyn Bridge (it eventually gets blown up). Now, with reviews starting to pop up, we're hearing mixed things about the movie but raves about how a futuristic people-less New York City looks. The Observer's Sara Vilkomerson was freaked out, noting how the city is...

When the stagehands’ strike ended late Wednesday night, the general consensus was that not all Broadway productions would be able to pull it together in time for Thursday night re-openings. But as it turned out, all 27 strike-darkened shows were up and running last night, despite the challenges that larger productions faced after 19 dormant days. Chicago, for instance, had two stars joining the cast – Vincent Pastore and Aida Turturro of “The Sopranos” –...

The Wizard of Oz has really been updated for current times. Now, in addition to Toto, Dorothy carries a bag from the 5th Avenue Apple Store with her. At least that's what Dorothy, played by Ian Kennedy, did as part of the Yankees' rookie hazing tradition where green players dress up in crazy outfits. We expect this version of The Wizard of Oz to come to an off, off, off Broadway location in the post-season.

The NY Times has a nice profile of Amanda Burden, the influential Department of City Planning commissioner whose policies will shape the city for years to come.

The Holidays have fallen upon us like a pack of ferocious ice weasels, so we'd feel appropriately guilty if we didn’t suggest some relevant theater options. Of course, if you’re seeking a diversion for out-of-town visitors, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is (literally) a no-brainer, provided they’ve got deep pockets: Tickets to the glorified burlesque show can cost up to $250 - per rube.

A look at some noteworthy programs this week:

- Thing you've got bocce balls? Then you should test your stuff this weekend at the 12th Annual Citywide Bocce Tournament. Over 200 bocce enthusiasts from around the New York City area will compete Saturday and Sunday to see who's got the best. The tournament is free and open to adults of all ages. The prelims are in four of the five boroughs (sorry Manhattanites) with the finals to be played Sunday in Pelham Bay Park.

A few times a week, Gothamist publishes music reviews by our contributor Jeff Baum. The opinions below belong entirely to the author.

Drew Prochaska, Founder, SPOILER

NY Times food critic Frank Bruni's review of Japanese eatery Ninja made the downtown sub-basement restaurant sound so awful that Gothamist is tempted to go there ourselves. Instead of shelling out $110 for a ticket to see Wicked on Broadway, you can travel through a warren of Shoji screens and have ninjas wait on you hand and foot! Bruni writes, "Each party of diners receives its own nook, which quickly takes on the aspect of a jail cell as the ninjas, delivering and removing dishes, laboriously slide the latticed doors open and closed, closed and open, ad infinitum." It's just like going to Japan, except without the geishas or jetlag! Sure, the sushi isn't that great, but don't you want your servers to be screaming in your ears for a purpose? And don't you want to have a dessert in the shape of a bonsai tree? We'd splurge on an insane night of dining because we're never going to save enough to be rich for the rest of our lives. Admit it - you're intrigued now as well.

Dan Gregor, Comedian, Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz

-Screening of Bomb the System and music videos from Culturama, Mockumentaries from Prince Paul

Three times a year, comedians and comedy writers gather before a live, drunk audience to showcase 5-minute film shorts. SPOILER, a film project run by a creative bunch of rowdy, young filmmakers and emerging comics, feels more like a party than it does a festival. This SPOILER's theme is "Action" and features standup by Slovin & Allen (SNL writers) and Andrea Rosen (Comedy Central's Stella), films by Aziz Ansari (Comedian, Filmmaker), Late Night Ritalin, The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz & more as well Mr. Move as a musical guest. Tonight April 18th @ 8pm at the Knitting Factory [74 Leonard Street], ADV $5, Door $7

Foodies have been flocking to DUMBO for quite a while now. It's no surprise. Who can resist the siren's call of the spicy, New Mexican-inspired breakfast burrito at Superfine? Or a piping hot pizza pie with house-roasted peppers at Grimaldi's. Or the Curried Mussels at Five Front? And, then there is the biggest temptation of them all - Jacques Torres Chocolates, chocked full of decadent, Wonka-like confections for children and adults alike. But is Jacques really the biggest foodie draw in the 'hood?

Tomorrow brings a few exciting but very different activities to partake in: First, there is Broadway on Broadway, a live free outdoor concert in Times Square, hosted by Wayne Brady (soon to be seen in Chicago) and Christy Carlson Romano (Beauty and the Beast), to celebrate the musicals and plays the Great White Way has to offer. Some of the participating shows: Avenue Q, Brooklyn, The Musical (who knew?), Chicago, Golda�s Balcony (which means the awesome Tovah Feldshuh, aka attorney Danielle Melnick from Law & Order, will be there), Hairspray, La Cage Aux Folles, Little Women, Mamma Mia!, The Producers, Rent, Wicked and Wonderful Town.

Are you tired out from the onslaught of summer theatre festivals? Still got enough to juice for a closing song and dance number?

Gothamist is intrigued to�hear that Brooklyn's in da house, not once, but twice in the upcoming Broadway season.�

Say the word "chocolate" and Gothamist swoons with thoughts of deep, dark rich pleasure. Mention the name Jacques Torres and we're lost in memories of his decadent, gourmet chocolates, hand-crafted in his DUMBO factory and retail shop, Jacques Torres Chocolates.

And as reader Brian Van points out, since favored musical Wicked did not win, we'd like Times public editor Daniel Okrent to make good on his claim that "if [Wicked] loses the Tony I'll eat my black satin jacket from the road company of Jekyll and Hyde." You name the venue, Daniel!