Reviews

On May 4, 2012 we attended Press Night of “Hairspray” at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.  Set in the 1960’s when integration of the races was not permitted in social settings, Hairspray brings music dancing and comedy to bring this era to life.  You can’t help but be taken in by the vibrant colors of the set and the soulful sounds.
Tracy Turnblad played by Erin McCracken, a bigger boned girl has dreams of dancing on the “Corny Collins Show.”  She yearns to meet the dreamy Link Larkin played by Tripp Hampton.  In a turn of events, Tracy is chosen to be on the Corny Collins Show.  Her spitfire personality shakes everything up as she brings integration to the Corny Collins Show.  Instead of having “Negro Day” one day per month, Tracy makes it that way everyday.
Another actor who stood out to us on the stage was “Seaweed” played by Elgin Giles.  He brought some quick moves, a nice voice, and great energy to the stage.
Hairspray is a lot of fun.  Families can bring their teens to watch and enjoy the music, plus enjoy a nice dinner we had and recommend the eggplant.  Hairspray will be at the Westchester Broadway Theatre until June 3rd.  Call (914) 592-2222 for tickets.

A staple holiday show, which transcends the decade, is the story of a girl and her doll come to life.  The music is recognizable by any age and puts you into the Christmas spirit almost automatically.  We had the opportunity to visit a gem of a theater hidden in the beautiful suburbs of Connecticut.  This hometown theater is quickly building to attract larger names such as Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Kevin Costner band.

On a wintry cold night we felt the Christmas spirit so we entered the theater to see The Nutcracker.

The stage was set beautifully as a cast of local children led by the lead role of Clara entered the scene.  The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance relayed the story solely through dance, song and expression leaving the audience mystified.

The young cast brought their beautiful ballet moves to the stage in a number of scenes.  The girl who played, Clara, we could tell had extensive dance training, which you could see in dance structure and elongated arms.

One number which stood out to us was the snow dance scene.  The two adults dancing brought a lot of excitement to the stage.  Their moves told a story filled with emotion and the colorful set was a scene to be remembered.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a beautiful theater and has shows year round.  If you are in the Connecticut area, definitely visit this theatre.  www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

You could feel the holiday spirit the moment you walked into The Westchester Broadway Theatre located in Elmsford, New York.  Beautifully decorated for the holidays, the lobby was filled with a widespread Thanksgiving buffet selection.  The buffet was complete with your choice of turkey or ham, an antipasto platter, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cornbread stuffing, and more.  The chef did an outstanding job.

The play was “My Fair Lady” and the stage was set.  The opening scene was set in England.  The star of the show, Eliza Dolittle (played by Jennifer Babiak) was a young and unpolished flower girl trying to sell goods on the street corner to the wealthy class.  Eliza notices some wealthy men and tries to sell the flowers to them.  One of the men, Professor Henry Higgins (played by Tom Galantich) can’t help but notice Eliza’s poor grammar and speech.  He begins mocking the girl to another wealthy man he meets on the street.  Eliza being innocent and naïve continues to talk to him even though he is mocking her.  The show continues with Professor Higgins’ apartment where he decides to take on a challenge in transforming Eliza into a lady with proper etiquette and speech.

My Fair Lady is filled with musical numbers that will be sure to have you singing as you leave. “Wouldn’t it be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” were key songs we had in our heads all night.  Jennifer Babiak brings a special energy and endearing qualities to the role of Eliza Dolittle.  Her voice is strong and beautiful.  William McCauley brings a humorous side to Colonel Bickering.  His happy-go-lucky attitude had audience members laughing.  Finally Joe Chisholn who played Freddy Eynsford – Hill brought innocence and a nice talent to his “On the Street Where You Live” scene.

One problem we had was the fact that the “street” English accent was so strong in some of the actors we had a hard time understanding a number of scenes.

The Westchester Broadway Theater (WBT) puts on beautiful productions that could easily match those of Broadway.  Go to this theater during the holidays and you will truly feel the joy of the season with all the special decorations.

“My Fair Lady” will be back at the WBT starting on December 28^th through January 29, 2012.  For tickets and more information, visit broadwaytheatre.com or call (914) 592-2222.

On August 25th Feeling the Vibe Magazine had the opportunity to view a rather rare event. Two legendary bands would be taking the same stage on the same night! The Boys of Summer were in the house but the east coast was beginning to receive it’s wallop of bad weather, an earthquake that shook the coast and the Beach Boys occurred earlier and then heavy downpours found their way to the Mount Laurel theater in Bushkill, Pennsylvania, right around show time.

Once you were inside, thoughts of rain and earthquakes were left at the door. Summer was in full swing inside, complete with a beach ball bouncing around the crowd during the show. The concert was complete with a variety of Beach Boys hits. Randell once again shared his blessing of a talent by performing “Don’t Worry Baby” in the high register for everyone. Tim Bonhomme dazzled the crowd on the keys in his many piano solos, particularly notable was the one on “Help Me Rhonda.” Scott Totten, music director, perked the ears of the audience as he strategically and easily played his guitar. Scott’s solo in “Barbara Ann” always causes the audience to take notice.

After a full 90 minute set by the Beach Boys, most would have felt they saw a complete concert. Not so on this night! It was only the first half! Next up Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They entered the stage with a big presence. Besides Frankie and his Four Seasons, they were joined by an 8 piece band! The sound was incredible as they were spot on in their hits. The females loved songs such as “My Eyes Adored You” and “Who Loves You Pretty Baby.” The Four Seasons were dancing and performing to screams from the crowd. Resident drummer, Craig Pilo kept the rhythm in check with his quick moving wrists on those drums.

The Mount Laurel Center hosted an incredible evening of legendary music. The theater is great for summertime shows with the ability to be outdoors while watching a concert. Nestled atop a mountain near the Poconos, a ski resort section of Pennsylvania, this is a gem of a concert hall. Visit www.mtlaurelpac.com for more information on upcoming concerts.

Last year, October of 2009, we had the fantastic opportunity to interview Yankees great, and accomplished jazz musician, Bernie Williams in Ridgefield, Connecticut.  Almost exactly a year later Bernie and his band performed at the Ridgefield playhouse in Connecticut again.  The crowd loved the show last year and requested him back again. 

So after the band warmed up with a..game of catch outside the theater, it was time to hit the stage.  I think this group could make a nice team of their own..on the baseball field!  Multitalented.

Opening:

Bernie Williams and his band took the stage in front of an eager Ridgefield Playhouse audience, opening with the title track to his cd, “ Moving Forward.”
We noticed this song had a nice cohesion amongst all the musicians right off the bat.  Definitely noticed the nice drum rhythms of Joel Rosenblatt, well known talented drummer.  (He wasn’t at the last Ridgefield show as someone was sitting in for him that evening).

Brassy

The brass team of Richie Cannata and Don Harris are quick attention grabbers.  Between their stellar playing and the entertainment value (yes, they even have their own moves on the stage) you will really enjoy them.  At this show they were firing on all cylinders.

What a Team

Bernie Williams, the front man, and Julio who is well known for his time in “Spyro Gyra” which Joel also performed in, have a great chemistry with each other on stage.  At times they will play together and it’s almost as if they tell a story with their music.

Bernie Talks..and Sings?

Bernie addressed the audience at one point.  In his shy way you can just tell how he is taking everything in and is so humble about it all.  He let the audience know that he was feeling a bit nervous for that particular show because a very special person was in the audience.  It was his beautiful wife, Waleska who, he told everyone, bought him the shirt he was wearing.   Nice choice! 

So yes, the singing part, we didn’t forget.  When the song, “Just Another Day” started up you knew Eren Cannata would grab the microphone, and he did.  He was singing it with some fantastic vocals when you suddenly noticed another voice.  Eren looked to his left and smiled, Bernie was singing too in the chorus of the song.  He sounded great!  Who knew, the man can sing too.  Richie was smiling too and the crowd erupted into applause as everyone came together on the song. 

Getting back to Bassics – (no we didn’t spell it wrong)

Gene, the bassist of the Bernie Williams band had his moment in the spotlight as he played his solo.  The sound was crisp and clear, very nice fingerwork!

Bernie and his band are coming into their own as they continue to sharpen their skills.  The show has a cohesion, entertainment value, talent, and most importantly, fantastic music, that you can’t find anywhere else.  This is Bernie Williams unlike you’ve ever seen him.  If you loved him on the field, you’ll love him on the stage even more.  You get to see Bernie’s personality shine through and wow does it shine. 

Watch for Bernie’s new official website coming soon.  Visit www.bernie51.com to be placed on the announcement list!

MGM Grand, the well known hotel and resort from Las Vegas is now on the east coast. It is in Connecticut, to be exact, up near the Rhode Island / Massachusetts / Connecticut border right next to the popular Foxwoods Casino (http://www.mgmatfoxwoods.com ).  It sits on a very picturesque part of the countryside in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  One great feature of this hotel is that you can walk from MGM to Foxwoods without having to step foot outside (helps in those cold winters!).

We arrived in the evening to the MGM and were met by a number of valets outside and a large circular lobby inside.  Let’s take a look at the MGM and see, does it live up to its name and should you check it out?

The Lobby: When you enter, the lobby is very dramatic. It’s a good spot for some pictures. Unfortunately, when we checked in, the staff was quite disorganized and not clear in explaining how to use the facilities. We wish they were more attentive and polished.
　

The Rooms: The rooms are a nice size, not too big, not too small. They offer a mini bar section with food and drinks. The beds were comfortable and the bathrooms are somewhat spa like with a modern appeal which we liked! Oddly, it seemed as if the doors to the rooms were somewhat older (strange since the MGM is pretty new?) or perhaps just not properly shaped?  We had a hard time opening and closing it.  If you are on a high floor, look out the window. It’s a pretty view.
The Theater: 4,000 seat theater is new and clean. The seats are comfortable and the sound system is loud and crisp.

Restaurants/Clubs: If you are looking for nightlife, they have a couple clubs to pick from, some smaller and also ones on a larger scale. If you’re there on a Friday or Saturday night, be ready for there to be lines outside the doors late at night. Many choices of restaurants inside as well to pick from. The marketplace offers a fun casual dining atmosphere with a few different food options to choose from with American/ gril style, Italian, Asian, and more.  Most everyone can find something they like in there. 

The Pool / Spa: The spa is on a floor all its own. You enter a tranquil environment when you walk through the glass doors leading to the spa. They offer various spa treatments and facials. The indoor pool is right behind the front desk of the spa, offering a very calm and relaxing environment. Outside the windows of the spa, there is a great view of the big outdoor pool. On this particular day the sun was shining bright so the pool looked quite inviting. However, if you are looking to do a lot of swimming, this pool is only a wading pool since it doesn’t go any deeper than 3 feet.

The elevators/conceirge: At a certain time of the night, there is a security guard standing outside the hotel elevator area checking for keys. This gives the guests a sense of security which we liked. The concierge area is comfortable and relaxed with plenty of cushioned seats and couches. 

The price: Depending upon what day your reservation is, this hotel can range from $199 – $500 per night.

Since MGM and Foxwoods are connected we were rarely left without something to do.  Of course, since it is a casino, it is best if you are 21 years of age or older so you can have access to everything.  However, if you need to bring someone under 21 there are also other areas to go to for all ages.  You can take a nice long walk and even enjoy some gelato as you cross over from MGM to Foxwoods.  Try it, even if for just one night, you can have a fun getaway.

Backstreet Boys Concert Review – June 22, 2010

Colorado – Broomfield Events Center

by, Lisa (FTV Intern)
June 22, 2010 was the day I was going to see the band that I have loved since I was 5 years old (now 18), The Backstreet Boys! They performed at the Broomfield Events Center in Broomfield, Colorado. Their entrance was AMAZING! First Brian’s son Baylee came out and introduced them. He was soo cute!! Then there was scenes of all the guys on the screen and after a while they jumped out of the screen singing “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” They sang their old classics like, “Quit Playing Games With My Heart,” “The One,” “Larger Than Life,” and of course “I Want It That Way.” They also sang their newest hits like “Bigger” and “Straight Through My Heart.” My favorite song they performed was “Shape Of My Heart” because I just love that song! Even though the Backstreet Boys have been around for a while now, they still perform with all of their dance moves that everyone loves. They have even created new ones! They are very talented and great entertainers. I really like how they include the audience when they sing. They also talk to the crowd alot which I also love because it shows how much they appreciate everyone. They really put on an amazing show that everyone enjoyed!

The Springhill Suites Orlando Airport property is located within minutes of the Orlando airport. It is in a busier part of town due to it’s location.

The Pool/ Recreation/ Fitness Center: This hotel has a more basic rectangular pool which is located outside on the side of the building. The night we were there it was too cool outside to try swimming. The next morning was also a bit chilly and we had to leave for the airport anyhow so we weren’t able to test it out, same for the fitness center.

The lobby: This lobby is also quite large but has more of a “business” feel than the Springhill Suites Seaworld. There is a small waterfall when you first enter for a calming effect. We can tell it would be very inviting to the traveling businessperson. There is a private business center off to the side of the lobby which is not a typical room but designed with a more modern flare with two computers and printers. We were able to take care of our airplane boarding passes on them. There is also a larger eating area for the complimentary breakfast in the morning.

The rooms: Springhill Suites offers all suites and this is such a nice perk. If you need an extra bed, the sofas come with a pull out too. This room did not have the spa type restrooms but the did separate the sink from the shower area. The shower area was nice and roomy. For someone traveling on business or just getting into the area from the airport, the rooms meet the needs, comfortable, relaxing, and roomy.

Pros: Friendly staff. We noticed this as soon as we checked in. We were welcomed by Daniel at the front desk who was very hospitable and had a nice smile to greet us with. At the time we needed to return our rental car and Daniel helped us setup the shuttle to the airport so we had transportation to take us back. The business center was private and easy to use and the rooms were comfortable. Complimentary breakfast in the morning everyday and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport in Orlando.

Cons: The pool was a bit small and since it was on the side of the building, this caused it to be in the shade for most of the morning.

Our travels took us over to the west coast of Florida, to Sarasota in particular.  The Hyatt Regency is located in Sarasota with a marina and boat rides nearby, a bike trail, and of course the Sarasota beach within walking distance. The hotel had a modern appeal and had a beautiful outdoor pool.

The Pool/ Fitness Area / Recreation: This pool is pretty impressive. There is a cabana at the pool which mostly offers drinks and snack foods. There is a waterfall at this pool and the entrance into the pool is also beach like. It is surrounded by wonderful palm trees and outlined with beach chairs. The fitness center, we never actually saw. We think it may have been in a room in which the lights were out.

The Lobby: The hotel certainly has a “beach / city” feel. The lobby has a few futon style couches with a number of colorful pillows. There was also a bar / lounge area and a restaurant on the premises.

The Rooms: We were in a room on the tenth floor with a king size bed. The view was of the pool, the marina, and the Ritz Carlton across the marina. The beach was to our right behind some larger buildings. There was a small balcony to sit out on as well and enjoy the view. The rooms were nice and clean but missing a bit of the comfort angle.

Pros: Beautiful views, a marina and walking trail encompass the property, beautiful pool with waterfall. The bar and lounge is a fun spot for people to meet. The proximity of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center to the hotel property is another big plus for those in town for a show, no need to drive there, just walk!

Cons: The restrooms. They are just too small. Everything feels very narrow, hardly enough room to move. The railing on the balcony seemed a bit too low and seemed to be a safety hazard.

Price: Average summer prices for this Hyatt property are $130 per night.

We hopped on the Monorail to take off on yet another adventure to Hollywood Studios, “formerly known as MGM.” (The monorail is yet another of Disney’s cutting edge transportation from park to park and the Disney hotels.) This is Disney’s tribute to the great movies, and wow is it something else. By the time we arrived it was starting to become dark. Mind you, this was in early April. The park, just like Epcot, closes at 9 pm. The most noticeable right away? The large blue hat with white stars in it from the Disney movie, ‘Fantasia” that Mickey Mouse wore. It’s fun to take pictures in front of it, creates the image that you’re actually wearing the hat.

We took in everything and decided upon checking out the “Great American Movie Ride.” While you wait you can watch a movie of a montage of all the movies over time. The ride takes you through an indoor maze looking at life size characters from movies starting with Gene Kelly types to westerns, and more. Then there’s a surprise where you’re actually in a movie on that ride. You’ll have to check it out to find out what happens.

Can you find your way out?

We’re sure you’ve seen the Disney classic, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Now you can actually feel like you were shrunk to miniature size by taking a journey through a huge playground of oversized grass, play doh, toys, rocks, and more.

Sing it!

As you all know, we have a fantastic competition, just winding down to the top contestants and well Hollywood Studios also jumped in on the singing game by creating an “American Idol” attraction. During the day you can audition as long as you are in the age limits of the Fox tv hit, “American Idol.” At the end of the day there is a singing competition where the audience votes for their favorite. If you win, you will receive a pass to get to the front of the line at any American Idol audition in the future. “Sounds” like fun!

It’s too bad..

This park needs to stay opened later, it closes too early with so much to do.  Why do they do that when most rides are inside?

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a great place for movie and television lovers.  Make sure you get there early enough and check out the listing of rides before you go so you’ll have a plan of where you want to visit first.