On Broadway, The Children, by Lucy Kirkwood, at the Samuel Friedman Theatre is a production of the Manhattan Theatre Club. It takes place in a small English coastal village, in the kitchen of a cottage where two retired nuclear engineers (Deborah Findlay and Ron Cook) live. An uninvited guest (Francesca Annis) appears with a strange request. The three of them had worked together in the nuclear facility many years ago. For almost two excruciating hours without an intermission, they utter a barrage of cliches about marriage, children, adultery, old age, radiation and cancer. It is a grim, depressing tale, that has a gruesome, unbelievable ending. The three fine actors are directed by James Macdonald. The highlight of the tedious play is when the three characters, recalling their younger days, perform a step dance.

Off-Broadway, Describe the Night, by Rajiv Joseph, is a production of the Atlantic Theater Company. It, unfortunately, is indescribable. The convoluted plot jumps from year to year in no particular order, beginning in 1920 for about 90 years. The seven member cast, directed by Giovanna Sardelli, scream and yell repeatedly. Also, the sound design and music is loud and painful on one's ears.
 

Every year Susan L. Schulman makes a special Chicken Liver party in her home. It is one of the loveliest parties of the year. Guests like Kathleen Chalfant, Penny Fuller, Lee Roy Reams and many more come to enjoy her delicious food and drink wine, sherry and stronger drinks, while chatting with all the guests. Since the tradition began ages ago, I have never missed one. I'm already looking forward to next year!

 

 

I attended the opening night party of Cruel Intentions: The Musical, at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. It is the musical version of the 1999 film, with a talented cast. I photographed the curtain call and the cast (photo below) afterwards. The party was wonderful, and the venue is a large space, with tables and a long bar, where one can enjoy the performance, while imbibing one's favorite drink. It is a delightful room.
 

Heather Headley (photo below) was honored at the 10th Annual Broadway Dreams Supper at the Plaza. Among the guests were Jerry Mitchell, Rob Ashford, Wayne Cilento and Denee Benton. Every man looked elegant and every lady looked beautiful in their lovely gowns. It was a wonderful affair. 

 

I attended the opening night party for Bulldozer: The Ballad of Robert Moses at Deacon Brodies, 370 West 46th St, where I congratulated the star Constantine Maroulis. It was a lively party and I enjoyed chatting with the director, the composer and many of the creative team, while drinking a delicious Sauvignon Blanc and munching on mozzarella sticks, sliders and tatas. 
 

I attended a concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall A Middle Eastern Christmas: From the Mediterranean to the Americas, starring the Lebanese-American tenor Amine J. Hachem, backed by eight excellent musicians, conducted by Brian Holman at the piano. The varied program included opera arias, Italian folk songs, a Christmas Medley, with a choral group and a special appearance by Omar Rahbany at the piano leading the musicians in his own composition Zook: The Power Station. It was an interesting evening, and the packed house gave the performers a rousing ovation.
 

I photographed the cast of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Shetler Studios. the cast is headed by Robert Fairchild and Paul Wesley. It opens at the Pershing Signature Center on December 27, and my review will be in my column after the opening, which I will attend.