Becky Shaw: Way More Than a Chick Play

If you judge a play by its title and think the new production of Becky Shaw at Actor’s Express is just a chick play, well you’d be so wrong. And may miss one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time.

Yes, there is a woman named Becky Shaw in the play, and yes, she’s a single woman set up on a blind date. But she doesn’t even show up until the second act and the date is just a catalyst for the madness, mayhem and miscommunications that revolve around four other characters.

The play, which was a finalist for a Pulitzer in 2009, was written by Gina Gionfriddo, who has also written for “Law and Order.” And while there is no murder in this one, there is plenty of intelligent, witty dialog and situations that aren’t always so clear.

I’m not going to talk about the plot much. For the same reason I’ve given up reading book jackets. I enjoy finding out what is going to happen rather than reading about it beforehand and some of the enjoyment for me is not knowing what is going to happen. Like the believable movie “The Hangover,” where we follow along as the characters find out what they did the night before.  (Did it bother anyone else that they never explained the chicken?)

But I’ll sum up the relationships between the five characters in
Becky Shaw in two words borrowed from Facebook and a popular movie: It’s complicated.

As is often the case, much of the humor arises from these complications. And a lot of it also comes from characters expressing things we wish we could say, but would never have the nerve, particularly from the sarcastic and sardonic Max. At least I wouldn’t. Maybe that is why I seemed to be laughing at just about every line.

The play is very funny. Here are just a few lines from it. When rich money manager Max finds out his blind date doesn’t have a cell phone, he says, “Is my date Amish? … Fifty bucks says she thinks 401k is a band.” Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on September 1, 2010
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Final Fry at Varsity Jr.

Buddies Tom Calk, Chris Schroder, Steve Massell and Tom Murphy prepare to consume their massive order of fried and grilled delights at the Varsity Jr.

Crowds packed into the Varsity Jr. on Lindbergh yesterday, patiently waiting to get their final F.Os, naked dogs and chili cheese steaks at one of Atlanta’s favorite fast food spots. The crowd was a mix of people who weren’t even born when the burger joint opened 45 years ago, along with many who had most likely been coming every decade since it first opened.

A beloved little sister of the multi-roomed and much larger Atlanta landmark The Varsity, which first started asking Atlantans and out-of-towners “What’ll ya have?” 82 years ago, the Varsity Jr. fell victim to its inability to meet the city’s zoning requirements. One of these mandates indoor bathrooms.

Like any of us cared about walking around the outside to use the facilities after downing a gallon-sized Varsity Orange or washing the grease off our fingers after an overflowing order of French fries? Read the full post »

2 Comments by admin on August 23, 2010
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Come Dunce with Me

I'm already laughing just seeing this photo of actor Aaron Muñoz portraying Ignatius J. Reilly in Theatrical Outfit's production of "A Confederacy of Dunces." (Photo by James Bullins)

Hey, I admit it. I’m deeply shallow when it comes to the theater. I go to a play to be uplifted and want to leave after two plus hours feeling upbeat and happy, not wallowing in the angst and hopeless despair of the human condition. I can get that from reading a few depressing status updates on Facebook.

So I can’t wait to go see A Confederacy of Dunces at the Theatrical Outfit this weekend. This production is a world premiere of an adaptation by Tom Key, so you already know it’s going to be amazing. Plus it’s directed by Richard Garner, co-founder of Georgia Shakespeare.

Take these two talented theater people, add in one of the funniest and most memorable books I’ve ever read, and you’re got the makings for unforgettable theater.

If you haven’t read the book, add it to your wish list. Just the way the book got published is a story in itself. In 1969 the author killed himself at the age of 31. His mother found a copy of the carbon-smeared manuscript, and certain it was a Great Novel, convinced Walker Percy to take a look. In a twist that sounds like only-in-the-movies, the book wins a Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1981. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on August 10, 2010
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Taking a Chance Again – on Cats

Cats is playing at the Fox Theatre August 4-8. Photo by G Creative.

“Where’s the plot? Where is the dialogue?” I kept wondering as I sat through song after soaring song of the production of “Cats” in Chicago. When I finally read the program and saw it was based on a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot I felt a bit better about my inability to discern what was really going on beyond the fact that a bunch of crazy-wild costumed characters were dancing and singing in a junkyard.

Perhaps my confusion is a bit more forgivable if I tell you this was way back in the early 1980s, not long after Cats opened on Broadway in 1982 and well before it become a musical theater phenomenon and later the longest running musical on Broadway, a record it achieved in 1997.

The national tour of Cats is playing at the Fox Theatre August 4-8, presented by Theatre of the Stars.  This tour, the only one sanctioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, recently celebrated its 27th year.

And I’ll be there tomorrow night. After all these years, it’s time for me to revisit the junkyard and become reaquainted with Mr. Mistofelees, Grizabella the Glamour Cat, Rum Tum Tugger, the mysterious Macavity and Shimbleshanks the Railway Cat. This time I’ll know what to expect.

For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.

1 Comment by admin on August 3, 2010
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Save Money – Join the Mob

Scoutmob has changed the way some people in Atlanta go out to eat. And shop.

“When we’re deciding where to eat, many times we will check out Scoutmob, hoping to find a new favorite place, and at a discount,” said Buckhead resident Deborah Gleeson. “And not just restaurants, stores too!”

At this point you’re either nodding your head in agreement or you’re slightly confused and panicked over your lack of knowledge about what this thing called Scoutmob is.

Simply put, it’s a website where you can download deals to get meals at restaurants, services at salons or merchandise at stores for 50% off. A new deal is introduced each day, but you can only get it for a limited time. Sign up for the daily email, and if you like the deal that day, send it to your phone. The deal is good for three months.

One of the things I love about Scoutmob is you don’t have to pay a thing up front – only when you use it. So there are no prepaid deals nagging at you to use them, or in some cases becoming worthless if a restaurant or store closes down. I also enjoy the copy that goes with the deals. You really learn more about the business and the owners – the faces behind the scenes. Read the full post »

2 Comments by admin on July 30, 2010
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Book Now! – Atlanta Downtown Restaurant Week

It really doesn't matter what else is on the menu at BLT Steak as long as these popovers make an appearance. I have the recipe but haven't attempted them yet, partially out of the fear that I would break my own bread-eating record, which is an entirely unnecessary endeavor.

If I had unlimited money (and a faster metabolism) I’d go out every night of the Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. My budget and my belly may not be able to afford that much, but I’m heading downtown for a least a few nights for these great deals.

Here’s how it works – from July 26 to August 8, close to 30 restaurants are offering three-course meals for $25 or $35. Generally it’s a set menu with a few choices for each course. It really is a fantastic way to affordably check out a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite.

I checked out the list and there are a few restaurants I’ve never heard of, including the ones in hotels. Sear is in the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Terrace on Peachtree is in The Ellis Hotel and I know nothing about those. I imagine they are frequented primarily by out-of-town guests, as is one of the oldest, and quirkiest restaurants in Atlanta – Pittypat’s Porch. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on July 23, 2010
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Hankering for Hankook

At just $2.25 each, the tacos at Hankook are one of the best deals in town.

It’s nothing to look at, the location is out of the way and the décor is more blue plate special than Blue Ridge Grill. But the food? That and the amazing value are what make Hankook Taqueria one of the hottest new places in Atlanta.

Located in Westside Atlanta, on Collier Road, Hankook is the creation of Tomas Lee, formerly with Buckhead Diner and Corner Cafe so he knows his way around the kitchen.

The menu is blessedly short (for indecisive people like me) with your choice of five different types of Korean BBQ tacos: chicken, beef, pork, fish and tofu. They all come with lettuce, green onion, green cabbage tossed in soy sesame vinaigrette, yellow onion, cilantro and lime juice.

You can get your tacos from the Yumbii food truck too. Follow it on Twitter to find its next location.

At just $2.25 each you’ll be tempted to order several tacos, but I’ve found them so large that’s it’s pushing it for me to eat two. And you’ll want to save room for a few tastes of the Street Snacks, like the fried dumplings, tempura fried Korean sweet potatoes or sesame fries. Hankook also serves burritos and quesadillas and features a few specials each day.

No alcohol is available but you can take your own with you. You order at the counter from some very friendly ladies and take a seat wherever you like on the diner-style tables covered with kitchen-motif tablecloths that may look familiar to any “I Love Lucy” fans. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on July 16, 2010
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Eclipse di Luna – Old Favorite Still Thrills

The paella at Eclipse di Luna

Sometimes it takes a nudge to revisit an old friend. Or an old restaurant.

That was the case with us when we visited Eclipse di Luna last week at the invitation of our friend Susan. It was her husband Tom’s birthday and several couples were gathering for a salsa lesson, followed by dinner at one of my old favorites.

We got in the mood with our lesson, where we all progressed as far at making one turn at about half the speed of the music, then found our way to the tucked-way-at-the-end of Miami Circle restaurant.

I’d kinda forgotten about this place, where the food is always good and the atmosphere lively. And as luck would have it, it was Monday night – all you can eat from the Chef’s Selection for $15.

Our friend Tom – who is in the restaurant business and orders liberally from any menu  in the name of “R and D” – kept the dishes coming. Because they are tapas and served on small plates, it is very easy to justify trying some of everything. Which I did. I have to do a little research myself, right?

Just to name a few of the dishes – we had pan catalan, grilled asparagus with Manchego cheese, calamari, fried plaintains with black truffle honey and Spanish style ribs. Oh, and somewhere in there were dishes of delicious potatoes. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on July 7, 2010
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Celebrate the 4th with Lenox Fireworks

This is the 51st year of the magnificent fireworks display at Lenox Square.

“That’s Grown-up Lemonade,” we were told every year of my childhood when we attended the annual 4th of July party at the Kelly’s house and saw the adults heading for the special punch bowl. After our annual bike parade around the neighborhood, we’d gather there for some great all-American fun.

We always wondered what was in that special lemonade that made the adults laugh so loud and not care at all how many hot dogs we had or whether Johnny had squirted mustard all over his little brother’s brand-new shoes.

The day ended as it always would – by groups of us piling into cars to go  see the fireworks at Lenox Square, a short drive from our Brookhaven cul de sac. Back in those days, we’d easily make our way down Peachtree, park and walk a few feet to a grassy hill to sit and watch the patriotic display.

Fast forward several decades, and the fireworks at Lenox, now in their 51st year, are a Big Deal. Now you can find a Kid Zone, live entertainment, food concessions and more people than the entire population of Atlanta back in the old days.

The stores at Lenox are open Sunday from noon to six, with the Kids Zone opening at noon as well.The music starts at 6 with City Heat, a cover band that will get you dancin’ with hits from Motown. After that Party on the Moon takes the stage at 7:30. Those of you who attended Donald Trump’s New Year’s Eve Party will recognize them from there. Fireworks began at around 9:40 p.m.

There are alcohol vendors as well, although no one sells the Grown-up Lemonade made famous by the Kelly’s 4th of July party. That recipe remains a secret, although I believe massive amounts of bourbon were definitely involved.

For more details visit www.lenoxsquare.com. And have a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

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No Comments by admin on June 30, 2010
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A New Swirl in Town

Swirlers at Pinkberry are trained in creating the perfect swirl so yours will look just as pretty. Until that first bite.

I’d been told that people are passionate about Pinkberry. But to stand in line for an hour and a half in the heat for a free scoop? Well that’s what they were doing for hours last night at the opening of Atlanta’s first Pinkberry location.

Less than five years ago, the folks at Pinkberry set out to sell their proprietary formula of premium frozen yogurt with fresh-fruit toppings. Now with locations across the country, the company has attracted legions of fans. Lots of celebrities have jumped on the Pinkberry bandwagon including Rob Lowe, Simon Crowell and Megan Fox who celebrated her birthday there.

I’ve been way in the loop with the whole Pinkberry explosion as my daughter got a job there for the summer. A recent graduate of Duke, she is heading to DC as a Star Fellow with Running Start in the fall. But faced with the double whammy news that the parental bank has now closed and that I need help around the house with such fun activities as refrigerator and attic cleaning, she immediately sought outside employment. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on June 25, 2010
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