Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A: Is for ask any girl

Take the shallow pretext to the script of Mama Mia, add in those powerhouse women's ballads from yester-year, that when heard tug us back to the past. Hire a cast that are likable,strong singers and are able to pull off clique characterizations of the friends we all know and love and you have Girls Night: The Musical. A hit in the U.K. since 2003, think "Girls just wanna have fun" and so do theatergoers of both genders. The premise is a wild night out with five friends in their late 30's early 40s. They have come to throw a bachlorette party for their deceased friend (Sharon's) daughter. Sharon, (Renee Colvert), acts as our guide, ala Johnny Angel introducing us to party child, Carol (Carly Sakalove), confused and verbally repressed Liza (Sonya Carter), bi-polar Anita (Justine Hall) and Carol's tag a long drag of a sister Kate (Laurie Gardner). Flashbacks to teen years have them reveling what may or may not be so cliche. This show is frank, at times vulgar and funny. At the performance I attended it was packed with women of all ages cutting loose and enjoying themselves immensely and that is a delightful F.A.C.T.

F: Is for a Palace for dinning

Looking for the newest place to enjoy outdoor dinning? How about a palace? On June 5th, the Palace Gate opened its doors. Set in the Villard Mansion courtyard of The New York Palace, Palace Gate offers open-air surroundings under the stars in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Classic cocktails, modern libations and a menu of imaginative cuisine are set to entice. Suckling pig tacos, ($14) - with queso fresco, salsa roja and radish, tantalize. The Gilt burger, ($25) – adorned with aged cheddar, house-made pickles, crispy onion rings, and house cured bacon becomes a decedent meal. Dieting? Chilled Tuscan melon soup, ($14) with tarragon sorbet and honey funnel Cake may have you breaking that fast. A Peccorino cheesecake coated with apricot glaze and cracker crunch has my mouth watering. The prices may have you counting those hard earned pennies, but if you are up to feeling like a queen or king this may be the F.A.C.T. for you.