The Best Piano Man Show EVER

As a blogger, I am invited to a lot of events. Of the ones I attend, they are not always great, but usually I can at least go home with a couple glasses of some good wine and some hors d'ouevres in my stomach. But last night, I went to an INCREDIBLE show and had one of the best times I've had in a long while. Bonus...I got to bring a friend along for the ride.

The premise of Vintage Live is similar to a "piano man" kind of show where you can request songs and the pianist will play and sing them...or try to. This specific show is currently playing at Le Qube--a unique take on a cabaret set on Pier 97 in the Hudson River (@57th Street). The location alone is pretty breathtaking, especially with the gorgeous weather we've been getting blessed with lately.

Upon arriving, you fill out the back of your ticket with a song request, and I spent a good long time trying to figure out something unique enough that might stump him, but not embarrassing enough for other people to have to listen to. I went with "I Want You" by Savage Garden aka: the chika cherry cola song (hey! I'm a 90s girl!).

You then use your smartphone to go to log onto their online system and take a brief quiz about your music preferences and even order drinks--how very 2015! 

When the band came out, I was impressed. Not only was Gregory Charles (the aforementioned pianist) going to roll off the cuff all night, but so were a drummer, guitarist, bassist, female singer, keyboardist, and a 3-man wind section. 

The first half was a good mix of classic rock (Scorpions' Rock You Like a Hurricane and U2's Beautiful Day) and modern tunes (Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk). He even did an amazing job mashing up random but surprisingly complementary songs so that the audience would hear a maximum variety. You could chat with him and make requests using the app, and while my friend had 2 of her songs chosen, sadly none of mine made the cut.

The second half of the show was devoted to everyone's hand-written requests, which Charles arbitrarily picked out of a box. The first was a 1931 classic called Minnie the Moocher, which we all were dumbfounded with at first but soon realized we all know it (think, hidy hidy hidy ho). The gentleman who requested it was sitting right behind us and LOVED every minute of Charles' and the band's rendition). 

We were also super impressed when one of the selections was Muse's Supermassive Black Hole, which no one except Charles knew. He proceeded to basically teach the song to his amazingly talented band in about 3 minutes. I have no idea if the performance was accurate, but it was incredible to watch.

They ended the show with medley's chosen by the audience responses--Queen and then a 70s mix. Everyone was up and dancing in the aisles and having the best time. The last song was Celebration by Kool & the Gang, which is the best song to end any party if you ask any bar mitzvah kid.

You can catch Vintage Live every night through May 2 at Le Qube, and I highly recommend that you do. To get BOGO tickets, use the code VINT2F1 here. If you miss them this time around, they travel the world, but definitely find a way to catch one of their shows. Be prepared to have the BEST time. The only person who wouldn't like this show is someone who doesn't like music, and let's face it, you don't want to be friends with that person anyway.

Disclosure: I received free tickets from Yelp NYC for this event, but I was not required to write a post or even tell you guys about this. It's just that good. So go!

Better Than All The Rest

The best. It's what everyone strives to be, right? So would a celebration of the best be, well, the BEST thing ever? 

Join Thrillist in toasting to the Fest of the Best, a tasty event featuring the best of NYC restaurants in 2014. Participating restaurants include: Bacchanal, Blenheim, BLT Fish Shack, Blue Water Grill, Crave Fish Bar, Emily, French Louis, Margaux, Monarch Room, Randolph, and Seoul Chicken.

It's al going down ​on Saturday, ​December ​6th from 1-​4​ PM at Villian (50 N 3rd St between Kent and Wythe, Brooklyn). ​Samsung will be on hand to host a "Food Porn Lounge," complete with food stylists who will teach everyone how to properly style their #foodporn shots. Guests will additionally enjoy unlimited specialty cocktails provided by Grey Goose. At the end of the night, one restaurant will be crowned with the People's Choice Award for "Best of 2014."

Early bird tickets are available at this link for a discounted rate of $55 (for a limited time)​. General Admission tickets will then go on sale for $65.

Don't Hyde From Broadway's Latest Thriller

Broadway's Spring 2013 season is chock full of surprises, but nothing I've seen has been as thrilling as the revival of Jekyll & Hyde. Starring Constantine Maroulis of American Idol fame and the powerful R&B artist Deborah Cox, the show transcends typical theater boundaries while telling the story of a scientist struggling with the duality of life's good and evil aspects. Maroulis plays a suitable Dr. Jekyll but is transformative as Hyde and almost seems to present himself as two different people. Meanwhile, when Cox sings just about anything, you feel yourself unable to even thing about anything else, her voice is just that good.

I had the pleasure of being invited to see the show a few weeks ago with a reception at The Paramount Hotel beforehand. While I wouldn't recommend this show to everyone (ie: children and people looking for a traditional la-dee-da musical), I was definitely entertained and left with much to talk and think about once the curtain fell.

Jekyll & Hyde is only on Broadway as a limited engagement so get your tickets now! Use the discount code HYDE to save up to 30% on tickets through May 26. For Monday - Thursday shows, orchestra/front mezz tickets will be $89 (reg. $125) and for Friday - Sunday shows they will be $99 (reg. $135 - $142). Use this discount by visiting Ticketmaster.com, calling (877) 250-2929 or mention this offer to the Marquis Theatre Box Office (46th St between Broadway and 8th Ave).

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Hands on a Hardbody on Broadway

How far would you go for the American dream? In the new musical Hands on a Hardbody, ten Texans test their endurance and stamina in the hot sun by seeing who can keep at least one hand on a brand new truck for the longest in order to win it. I admit, the plot line sounds a bit thin, but it's based off true events and I'm most curious to see how they've managed to turn this story into an entire musical.

The show features a book by Doug Wright (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by Amanda  Green (Bring It On: The Musical), and music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green. Directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-The-Plow) with musical staging by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), it is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S.R. Bindler, produced by Kevin Morris and Bindler.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Hands On A Hardbody! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know what you would keep your hand on for days on end in order to win. Get creative people!

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @hardbodymusical on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/WnQunP" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Friday 2/8. You have until Friday 2/8 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

We have a winner! Congrats to Theo for being the 43rd commenter and winning 2 tickets to Hands on a Hardbody! Thanks to everyone who entered -- I really enjoyed reading about all the things you'd keep your hands on. You are all so creative! Stay tuned for more contests for Spring 2013 shows :)

$29 Tickets for Leap of Faith on Broadway

It's not often that a leap day comes around, so of course it should be a reason to celebrate and give discounts! A new Broadway show is doing just that! Today only, you can get $29 tickets to the show Leap of Faith, which stars Raul Esparza as Jonas Nightingale, the lead singer of a performing troupe that's, let's just say, less than honorable. However, he'll tell the story of how he found redemption through a strong-willed woman and a spirited boy.

Discounted tickets are available for the first week of previews April 3-7, and to get them you must either visit broadwaybox or call 212-947-8844 and use code LF229LP, or visit the box office at the St. James Theater (246 West 44th Street) today only.

Spend more than $50 on Broadway? Puh-leeeease!

I cannot tell you the last time I spent more than $50, if not less, on a Broadway ticket. Honestly, between TDF's membership program, Yelp's Broadway Nights, lotteries and rush tickets, I laugh at anyone who spends more than a Ulysses S. Grant on a show. But alas! There's more! For those of us "young" theater-goers, there are several programs that you need to know about!

Roundabout's Hiptix
The Roundabout Theater Company produces some of the best shows on Broadway -- currently: The Importance of Being Earnest, Anything Goes and The People in the Picture. If you're between the ages of 18-35, you can purchase two tickets for each of their productions for only $20 each! They often run promotions for $10 tickets as well and throw parties for Hiptix members with free drinks and snacks. You have to order your tickets via phone and pick them up the day of the show with proof of age (your guest must also be between 18-35 and show proof of age as well). Signing up is free so what are you waiting for?

Manhattan Theater Club's 30 Under 30
MTC is another big name theater organization, currently producing Good People, Cradle and All and Master Class. If you are under the age of 30, you can purchase two tickets for each of their shows for just $30, pending availability. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone or online and your guest can be of any age (this is different from other young patron programs). Also, MTC offers additional perks like parties, readings and giveaways that you will have access to upon signing up for the program and receiving their emails.

Lincoln Center Theater LincTix
LincTix is a program I just discovered and I think it's pretty new. You can sign up for this program if you are betweetn 21-35 for $30 tickets to any show playing at the Beaumont Theater (currently the hit show War Horse), the Newhouse Theater and all shows LCT presents on Broadway (previously Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). While you can buy your tickets online the catch for this one is that you can only buy one ticket per member. If you'd like to go with another friend aged 21-35 then you can request to sit with that person by filling in their member number and phone number when buying your ticket, but that person will also have to buy his/her own ticket. Still, $30 for War Horse? I'm game.

So basically, if you're under 30 or 35, there's no excuse for you to be shelling out lots of dough for a show (with the exception of Book of Mormon - just pay the money and see this AMAZING exhibit of theater at its best). If you come across any additional programs like these, comment below so I can share with the rest of the Awesome in New York community.

Missed the Giveaway?

After the giveaway I held two weeks ago for Time Stands Still tickets, I felt badly that I couldn't award all of the entrants with tickets, as it's really one of the best plays I have seen in a while. Even if you didn't win (or even if you missed the contest entirely), I have good news.

Time Stands Still is offering discounted seats for as low as $43! Using the code TSAMC813 here, you can get what I call "rich (or lucky) persons" seating for just $79.50, rear mezz. seating for $60 and "poor persons" seating for just $43. This code is valid for all performances through 11/24, excluding Saturday nights. 


To save even more money, I often buy my theater tickets at the box office to avoid pesky ticket website fees. You can go to the Time Stands Still website to find more details on box office hours and the show itself. Believe me, you do not want to miss Laura Linney in this awesome show!