New York Sights And Whole Food Delights

Autumn and winter danced the waltz on a gentle breezed New York centric Saturday.

Thanks to an anonymous Twitter friend, I was fortunate to catch Tom Pelphrey in Sharyn Rothstein's "By The Water" which runs through December 7, 2014 at Manhattan Theater Club's Stage II at New York City Center. This is a first time premiere production of a new partnership out of The Writer's Room, MTC and Ars Nova "designed to commission, develop and support playwrights in the process of creating new work for the stage."

So ummm.... someone not only screen capped, they also pasted a pink arrow near Tom's picture. Cool beans! Still, overall, the whole cast brought generous food to the table. Outstanding team right there!

Between love, loss, disappointment, and betrayal comes "By The Water," a harrowing tale about a family trying to fix broken pieces together after Hurricane Sandy hits near Staten Island, New York. However, it isn't just storm damage that needs repairing. Some notions cannot be easily remedied. Misplaced emotions run high. Marty (Vyto Ruginis) and Mary Murphy (Deidre O'Connell) are a sweet committed couple devastated to find their home in ruins, but cling to each other, devoted and loving. Both are each strong willed, determined characters and sometimes that can make or break a relationship. They also have raised Cain and Abel like sons. Sal (Quincy Dunn-Baker) is the savvy, rich, married businessman who lives in an expensive Manhattan apartment. His wife Offscreen Jen is never seen, but mentioned repeatedly and becomes an important character in her own right. Brian (Tom) is the former drug dealing bad boy thief who spent twenty-nine months in prison. He is on the clean up and up as an Olive Garden cook. Marty wants to stay in the torn, dilapidated chaos, but Mary secretly wants to move along with the rest of the neighborhood hoping for government buyout. It's a complex brewing conflict threatening husband and wife, emotionally strained brothers, and parents versus offspring. Rendered better than a dying daytime serial, I was on the edge of my seat entire way through and won't confess further. The cast put on an amazing performance. Terrific considering that there is no intermission. There will be cursing, some thunderous yelling declarations and minor electronic cigarette smoking. Please don't let that deter you from coming out and supporting Rothstein's heartwarming vision. I sat in the E section-- very top row that feels like an eloquent balcony position. Viewers can see stage from above (good job set designers!!) and still experience intimate closeness of all the flawless acting. Couple next to me appeared genuinely touched too. Husband tried hard to keep tears at bay and the wife exclaimed her joy. I asked if they liked it.
"Yes!"
Passion, fire, despair and regret. Stubborn father like stubborn son. Another son desperate to not become father or brother. Mother standing beside husband without losing her own ground.
"By The Water" teaches audience that animosity shouldn't run so deep when forgiveness is at surface level.
Also I do believe I spied Rothstein, sitting on top of chairs, looking quite relaxed and proud.
Lord knows I was.
Might have to see it again if time allows. Live theater is truly a treat worth experiencing on repeat.

Afterwards, stirred and moved, I walked around breezy chill, taking photographs and admiring architecture. It's quite beguiling if you stand a certain way or zoom at a beguiling angle, the most intriguing narratives come into images.

I wanted to go to MOMA so bad. Terribly bad. But the line was a fifteen minute wait. At least the outside of the building garnered attention. Outside looking in at something profound. One day, I'll be in there amongst the masses. Maybe even have an actual piece inside. Then again, that might be too much to hope for. For now I remain a tiny diligent seed engorging vast amounts of water nourishment yet to fully blossom.

Henri Matisse and his fantastic cutouts. It'll be gone soon. I have to see this show. I have to! Matisse is one of those artists that utterly fascinates my eye.

Centered in a finely crafted floral arrangement and abstract curvature beauty played a circular shaped video of composed moving images.

I almost got hit by a car taking a shot. Then again the bike rider from a few months ago was the worst near transportation accident.

New York located Whole Foods Market (the one at Union Station) has a better, much larger variety than Philadelphia. I understand why. It takes time for these wonderful innovative vegan products to get evenly dispersed country wide-- longer still for it to appear around the globe. So it's best to hold tongue and make due with periodic upper east coast ventures every now and then. I know that in coming home for Daytonian Thanksgiving there won't be certain food items available that Philly Whole Foods has. Plus massive fun creating what one does not have anyway.
I'm obsessed with Whole Foods Market's falafels shaped like tater tots and herb seasoned potatoes served in their breakfast station. I don't drink much soda, but Sipp's is a real treat bottled nice and fancy. Yet I admit coming solely for the Field Roast Chao Slices.  Pretzilla and Abe's were pleasant bonuses.

 

Scored the other Field Roast Chao Slices, Pretzilla's infamous Soft Pretzel Burger Buns, and Abe's 100% Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice and Coconut Cake Cake Mini-Muffins!

The Starbucks are terrible. Just terrible.
Thankfully I've been recommended other comfortable places to enjoy vegan beverage whilst writing blog posts and stories. A writer deserves that.
After all, it's NaNoWriMo month.