If you're in NYC long enough...

Okay, I know I've only been here for just over four months, but there are certain things I've been able to witness already that are basic milestones in the theatrical season. I've posted about getting to see the Tony Awards rehearsal...


And a Sardi's caricature unveiling (Kevin Chamberlin's likeness as captured by Sardi's resident artist, Richard Baratz)...






Well, this evening I finally made it to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 49th to see Fela! And in addition to the performance being the amazing Lillias White's penultimate as Funmilayo (before she hands it over to Patti LaBelle), it was also the performance taped for the Lincoln Center archives (Photo: The archivemobile).


Lincoln Center has been documenting almost every Broadway show since the 1970s. The recordings are kept on file at the Lincoln Center Library. Such an amazing resource! (Photo: a technically illegal photo in the theatre... with a glimpse of one of the cameras at far left).


BUT WAIT... Something even more rare is the renaming of a theater. In March, Roundabout Theatre Company announced that Henry Miller's Theatre on 43rd would be renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. I just had to drop by on Wednesday when the new marquee was lit. After speeches from Roundabout folks, John Weidman, Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, and an emotional Mr. S, the switch was flipped. Pretty wonderful!


AND AN EVEN BIGGER BUT... I'm so incredibly astounded to say that in the place where this crazy theatrical world and my own world intersect, there is a significant convergence happening as I type. As I may have mentioned, I've been working with the great organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to design the poster for their annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction. I also did the work to put my doodles on street pole banners. I knew they were going up this week. I just didn't know how many. They are EVERYWHERE!! Along 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th Streets, and up and down Times Square. I think there are 35 or so. It makes me giddy and a little dancy to see my scribblings all over the center of the theatrical world. I'm so thrilled and grateful!



AND... I know I've blogged and posted about it incessantly, but I was also fortunate enough to see my work in the New York Times in an article heralding some of the folks considered to be "the Line King's heirs", folks carrying on the traditions of the late, great Al Hirschfeld who drew for the Times for decades and carved a big ol' niche for himself in pop culture. I'm happy to say that my Flea Market art will propel me into the Times for a second time within a month. Ads run sometime this week and the day of the event!


If you're in the NYC area on Sunday, September 26, the Broadway Flea Market will be in high gear from 10am to 7pm, and I'll be there selling prints, drawing quick-sketch caricatures, and wandering around and taking it all in. Come on down!

I'm so incredibly grateful to feel welcomed and embraced in this Broadway community. Sometimes it just takes a little glimmer of a sign to let a person know their decision was the right one. I've been blasted with signs the magnificence of the jumbotrons in Times Square (the ones lighting up my banners for the next couple weeks). Well, that's it for now! More later. Peace and love, all!

Remembering... and looking ahead.

Yesterday was a beautiful, clear early autumn day in NYC. I had made plans to take a bus trip out of town (to Downingtown, PA, the home of Victory Brewing and a really super tour... see below). But once I returned to the city, I wanted to go downtown to the World Trade Center site to look around and reflect.

[Note: Click on the pictures and they'll get bigger.]


[L to R:] 1. As I emerged from the C train station at Chambers Street, I caught my first glimpse of the powerful lights aimed at the sky to represent the twin towers. 2. Numerous portions of the fenceline were decorated with flowers and notes. 3. The construction is beginning to pick up in pace and the first tower being built was well-lit this evening. 4. The tributes along the walls were numerous. Numerous listings of all the names, some with notes written near them. 5. A firetruck made its way through the crowd, and I think the photo that I took looks a bit ethereal. 6. The flag still waves proudly as a nation remembers.


As I mentioned above, I took a bus trip to Pennsylvania for a brewery tour (through a great Midtown beer bar, Rattle & Hum). It was a beautiful ride southwest to Downington. I love that there is so much to see so close to my city. Here are a few glimpses into that adventure:


1. The banners upon entering Victory's brewpub. 2. On the tour, the creative mind behind Victory, Bill Covaleski, in the hop freezer. 3. Such and amazing sight... full-flower Simcoe hops. 4. The pig after roasting. 5. Toast! 6. A tasting of all sorts of treats. There was a beer that smelled like an herb garden (Saison du Buff), a rauschweiss (or smoked wheat beer... Scarlet Sunset), a single hop pale (Pursuit Simcoe), and many more wonderful brews.


Today, the weather was a bit drippier, but it couldn't douse the spirits of folks in Times Square as we celebrated the start of the new theatre season with Broadway On Broadway, a big concert and event featuring the Broadway casts, celebrities, give-aways, booths, etc.:


1. The ubiquitous Chicago pamphlet girls. (Very focused trainer to trainee: "Whenever they take a picture, they MUST get a pamphlet!!) 2. The stage right at the crossroads and all the jumbotrons which were all tuned into the event. 3. The loft of pigeons that seemed to be trained to fly en masse at dramatic moments, like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and when Marin Mazzie changed keys in "I Miss the Mountains." 4. More crowd. Lots of folks. 5. Some Wicked fans. 6. Confetti! AT&T obviously sponsored this part because the confetti included little logos and ads.


As I was standing in Times Square, I occasionally noticed a familiar doodle pass by. Broadway Cares was promoting the upcoming Flea Market with a visor. They told me it would be happening, but I just didn't know it was for this event. Cool!...




1. Close up of the visor and my logo. 2. The Wicked fans with their visors. 3. A lovely lady who was putting hers to good use. 4. A stack on the newspaper machine. I think a distributor was taking a short cut. 5. And, yes, many free things end up tossed to the curb. Still kind of neat to see my art littering Times Square. 6. Me with my visor in the falling confetti.

It was a really great weekend. Now, this coming week will be full of hard (but intriguing) work. I feel so blessed. Take care, all! Peace and love.