@ the stagedoor: CLAY AIKEN, star of Monty Python's Spamalot on Broadway

 

Youtube video by Yollie950

Joining the list of American Idol alumni who become celebrated Broadway performers is recording-artist, CLAY AIKEN. He made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin (among others) in Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street). He will be with the production through May 4, 2008. I made pictures of Mr. Aiken signing autographs for enthusiastic Idol-worshipping Claymates at the stagedoor of the Shubert Theatre after this evening's performance. 

Directed by Mike Nichols, who won his eighth Tony Award for his direction of the new musical, Monty Python's Spamalot has a book by Eric Idle, "lovingly ripped-off" from the screenplay of the Pythons' best- loved film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The music is by Eric Idle and John DuPrez. The show was choreographed by Casey Nicholaw while sets and costumes were created by multiple Olivier Award-winners Tim Hatley. Hugh Vanstone is the lighting designer.

Clay Aiken, probably one of the few successful American Idol contestants, has sold more than 6 million albums, co-wrote a best-selling book, and, played six sold-out concert tours. He gained fame when he won second-place in the second season of the hit FOX television reality show "American Idol."

Winning more awards than any other show in the 2005 Broadway Season, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Cast Recording, Spamalot has set box office records since opening on Broadway to critical acclaim in March, 2005 at the flagship Shubert Theatre.

FROZEN

Youtube video from Improv Everywhere

This is another Improv Everywhere stunt. On a cold Saturday in New York City, the world’s largest train station came to a sudden halt. Over 200 Improv Everywhere Agents froze in place at the exact same second for five minutes in the Main Concourse of Grand Central Station.

Celebrating the NEW YORK GIANTS' SUPER BOWL victory

This was the scene at Foley Square yesterday at 10:00 AM, an hour before the start of the ticker tape parade to celebrate the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory. Large crowds wearing blue and white began to descend to Lower Manhattan near the City Hall where a ceremony was held after the parade.

SUPER TUESDAY

Today is "SUPER TUESDAY" when a large number of states hold presidential primary elections. I voted early this morning and I was reminded of how antiquated the voting system is. My polling place still uses LEVER MACHINES. A voter enters the machine and pulls a lever to close the curtain, thus unlocking the voting levers. The voter then makes his or her selection from a list of switches denoting the appropriate candidates or measures. The machine is configured to prevent overvotes by locking out other candidates when one candidate's switch is flipped. When the voter is finished, a lever is pulled which opens the curtain and increments the appropriate counters for each candidate and measure. The results are then hand written by the precinct officer at the conclusion of voting. New York and Connecticut are some of the few states that still permit the use of these machines.

I am for OBAMA....as HILLARY'S Vice Presidential running-mate, that is.

CYCLING IN THE CITY

These are DKNY.COM's bright orange painted bikes which caught my attention while walking on 42nd Street last Saturday. DKNY suports the city's initiative to help cyclists explore the city. New York's high population density and flat terrain make it an ideal city for cycling. NYC promotes cycling as an environmentally friendly and healthy way to get around since it is non-polluting and is a good form of cardiovascular exercise. The city is rapidly buiding a far-reaching network of innvatively designed bike lanes and new parking facilities. 

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

LIVE or DIET ad on a taxicab on Sixth Avnue in front of the 

Bryant Park Fashion Week Tents 

The MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK has just started and above are photos of the iconic tents at Bryant Park. This season, the tents take a Greco Roman "Temple of Fashion" design. To showcase the Fall 2008 Collections to fashion-lovers are new designers as well as well-established American designers like Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Diane Von Furstenberg among others. The collections debuting inside the Tents include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Iódice, Araks, Mara Hoffman, Rubin Singer and Malan Breton. Additionally, Angel Sanchez, Verrier and R. Scott French return to the runways of Bryant Park. The Fall 2008 Collections will be presented to the press, buyers, fashion insiders and celebrities who come to New York for the eight-day long event celebrating the best in fashion. 

Over 100,000 guests are expected to attend, including some 3,000 members of the press and fashion industry from around the world. The journalists, photographers, broadcasters and bloggers convening in the iconic tents. Fashion week rus from February 1st through 8th.