Broadway’s ‘New York, New York’ sticks the landing with a thrilling finale
Bad show, catchy hook
New York’s had homelessness, taxes, poverty, pandemic, migrants, rats, crime. Still, it beats B’way’s new musical “New York, New York.”
But, it has the finale. The entire cast — plus the whole St. James Theatre audience — standing and shouting, screaming, singing, stomping, applauding our city’s anthem “New York, New York.” Thrilling. Fabulous. But first you must sit through that show.
Opening night guest — Anna Wintour. Standing alone near the ladies’ room looking as if she needed to go. Glum, staring at her phone. Like maybe one invitee couldn’t get out of Guantanamo to attend her Met party.
And it’s not just onstage that what’s old’s retold. Jude Law’s now Captain Hook in “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
Jude: “We dig deeper. A backstory tells he’s a real person not just a villain. Scary yet sympathetic and at times funny. Aging face, graying hair and battle wounds gave me something to work with.” Yeah, like by hook or crook.
Little house on the Potomac
Why’s it called the White House?
Irish architect James Hoban — under George Washington’s direction — designed the President’s House. 1800, first occupant John Adams. Twelve months later the exterior needed a wash and Thomas Jefferson got it a white paint coat.
Brits during the War of 1812 set fire to the President’s House. James Madison repainted the limestone walls white. 1901, Teddy Roosevelt’s executive order designated it as the White House.
Starry sights
LaGuardia. Sunday morning. Off a plane. Fashion plate Tracy Morgan. Gucci black-and-white sweatsuit, Louis Vuitton cap and sneakers. Being pushed in a red wheelchair. Boombox on his lap. Paris Hilton couldn’t have looked dressier . . . So we lost Jerry Springer whose first showbiz shot was being a ball boy in Forest Hills’ 1962 tennis open. Last thing he told me was his plan for a Father’s Day special. “Six hookers and a drag queen singing ‘I Gotta Be Me.’ ” . . . John Fogerty, anti-Vietnam War in the ’60s, his band was Creedence Clearwater Revival. Now 77, absent from today’s scene, BUT he just sold out Radio City Music Hall. His encore? Newsman Lester Holt onstage plinking a guitar.
Lookin’ down
Thiscolumn began and ends with New York. We’re top of the world — including we have Earth’s highest private club.
Floor 100 of the tallest residential building is 10 Cubed. Overlooks Central Park. Grand ballroom, private bar, Michelin-star restaurant, wine and cigar lounge, 360-degree glassed-in views with a view as far as Malawi.
If you look to get in: Mark Carroll’s management. Andrew Booth, general manager. Chefs Alfred Portale, Laurent Tourondel, Gabriel Kreuther, executive chef Nduvo Salaam. Maitre d’ is Louis. Music: Paul Errico, Boris Crochessco. Owner/builder of this 217 West 57th with its tower is Extell Development’s Gary Barnett.
The club’s only for residents and their guests. But John and Margo Catsimatidis’ smarts managed to get it. One small party: them, our governor, our mayor, our Cardinal and me.
Anthon Weiner’s looking to be further out (forget how far out he’s been). Back to power and politics. Great. Because he knows how to go hard on everything.
Only in New York, kids, for sure ONLY in New York.
