Phantom of the Opera: Always a Classic

Phantom of the Opera is one of those shows that only gets better with age--and it should know, having been an esteemed presence on Broadway for 26 years! I was recently invited back to see the show (my 4th time!) to check out Norm Lewis, of Scandal fame, as the production's first African American Phantom.

What can I say other than he was fabulous? Seriously. Lewis brought swagger and strength to a role I usually associated with more of a wimpy figure. This was highly noticeable in the most vulnerable moments of the show. Leading lady Sierra Boggess (Christine Daaé) was breathtaking as well, and I highly recommend a trip to the theater to see both of them, even if you've already seen it before. That "Masquerade" scene gets me singing every time!

To celebrate 26 years on Broadway, the show is hosting a contest! To enter to win one of 5 pairs of tickets to the show, you can decorate and submit your own Phantom mask--make it creative because the top 26 masks will be featured in a miniature exhibit hosted at a pop-up shop at the Paramount Hotel and auctioned off to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Enter here through Sunday 8/24 and get your friends to vote through 8/31. Good luck!

The Funnier Side of NYC Etiquette

Proper behavior in public always seems to be a no brainer, but how many times have you walked down the street in a hurry only to be blockaded by a couple taking up the entire sidewalk, leisurely strolling hand-in-hand? How many times have you wanted to hold a subway hold at shoulder level only to be forced to grab the ceiling handle because a selfish straphanger decided to drape his body like a Gumby doll all over the vertical pole? As a New Yorker, you are faced with bad behavior on a daily basis, so just to put it all out in the open, take a look at these helpful, but damn hilarious, GIFs from Nathan W. Pyle (author of NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette).

Click here to see more.