Good afternoon, this is W42ST Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling with “Make Way For The Weekend” — your curated guide to the best of New York events in one convenient newsletter!
The longest day of the year may be behind us 😭 — but at least for now, we still have summer sunsets that seem to stretch on forever, making way for weeknights that feel like weekends. My weeknight adventure of choice? Catching up with one of my oldest friends over happy hour on a patio (in the this case, the excellent Greek fare and serene vibes at Molyvos) and then seeing one of the best new plays of the season (in this case, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s phenomenal The Comeuppance — Signature Theatre [and Jacobs-Jenkins!] don’t miss, y’all!!). Get out there and carpe the night.
…when you can only think as far ahead as Monday!
🎭 why so blue, hamlet?
You’ve already heard me wax poetic about how fantastic Fat Ham (playing now through July 21) was. If it has left you interested in revisiting the source material, why not take part in the very New York tradition of camping out for tickets to Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park now through August 6. Bonus: you may see a cameo appearance from a Central Park squirrel…or a very Shakespearean rat lol.
🖼️ à la carte
There are two kinds of people in this life: those that show up to the restaurant ready to wing it, and those who have been studying the menu for days. For the latter category, may I present a new exhibit on the evolving menus of the American restaurant at A Century of Dining Out: An American Story in Menus now through July 29 at the Grolier Club. Admission is free — which will offset the pain of seeing a hamburger cost 50 cents sigh sigh sigh.
🍕 gimme pizza
Yes, yes — advocating for a pizza festival in New York is predictable content but LOL WHO CARES WE ALL LOVE PIZZA AND WE NOW HAVE A MULTI-MONTH SUMMER FESTIVAL TO PROVE IT. Take the 7 train over to Long Island City to experience a robust offering of every kind of ’za at the new New York Pizza Festival June 24 through September 3 (weekdays 4 to 10pm and weekends 1pm to 10pm) and be sure to stick around for live music and pizza-making class announcements soon!
🎭 let’s get some shoes
I am super interested in seeing more immersive theater on the ol’ Broadway, and therefore am super intrigued to check out Here Lies Love, the Disco-dreamlike story of the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos now at the Broadway Theatre. Featuring a historic, completely-Filipino cast and music and lyrics by David Byrne, will this be a Talking Heads-esque answer to Evita?? I’m excited to find out.
🎭 the beauty is
When will I learn to become a City Center subscriber?! Encores is on a roll these days!!! While I’m unable to attend the first revival of the romantic quasi-opera The Light in the Piazza now through June 25, you should do everything in your power to go. From the looks of the preview videos, Tony Award winner Ruthie Ann Miles and newcomer Anna Zalveson are the ideal duo to carry on the treasured musical’s legacy.
🏳️🌈 pride weekend is here!!!
It’s the official PRIDE weekend, y’all! There are so many incredible places to celebrate across the city, but allow us to highlight a few here 😊:
Signature Theatre’s Sig Space hosts SERVE: Pride Prism on June 23, featuring performances from drag artists Isaac Miss Isaac, The Illustrious Pearl, Klondyke and Angel Au. Listen to live music from up-and-coming queer artists “and a sprinkling of gay icons” at the Ladyland Festival in Brooklyn on June 23, or you can spend the whole weekend at PRIDE in Times Square, which launches on June 23 at a kickoff featuring Tony-nominated performer L Morgan Lee and veteran performer James T Lane (currently starring in a solo show at Theatre Row) as well as performers from current hits & Juliet, Hamilton, SIX, Some Like It Hot, Shucked.
June 24, the plaza hosts Breaking the Binary Theatre, showcasing the work of transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ composers and a concert from the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus. Later on, there’s a free Big Broadway Disco dance party! And further uptown you can also boogie the night way to show tunes at the PRIDE-themed Broadway Silent Disco at Lincoln Center June 24.
If you’re hoping to stay outdoors, check out Rainbows on the Hudson on June 24, where you can see a full rainbow regatta from the Knickerbocker Sailing Association (promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in water sports). Sprint for PRIDE at the NYC PRIDE Run June 24 in Central Park or camp out at PRIDE Island to see Christina Aguilera June 25 or head to see The Ultimatum: Queer Love star Natasha Sebastiani at HK Hall on June 25. And of course, there’s always the option of joining the NYC PRIDE March June 25. And if somehow you still have time on your hands, you’ll find more at our full list of PRIDE celebrations in Hell’s Kitchen for the entire weekend!
…what’s happening before and just after I hit your inbox next!
🎬 i hate the way i don’t hate you
Let’s be real — in the same way that Wishbone taught many of us classic literature, early-aughts teen comedies taught us Shakespeare lol. See Julia Stiles and the late, great Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You at Midtown Rooftop Cinema Club June 26.
🎭 we’re going back
When my brother was little, he told people that he wanted to grow up and buy a DeLorean. I’m sorry to report that he has yet to purchase one (who wouldn’t want a car with 1985 safety features lol) but he could potentially live the dream at Back to the Future, the new musical adaptation beginning previews on Broadway June 30. I heard Christopher Lloyd stopped by and gave it his blessing so I am intrigued!
…for when you need to secure those hot tickets before they sell out!!!
🎤 this is thriller
Best-selling novelist and political correspondent Jake Tapper appears in conversation with fellow political writer and Pulitzer Prize finalist Maggie Haberman to discuss his new 1970s horror novel, All the Demons are Here July 10. My only disappointment is that All the Demons are Here is not just about going to an acting industry showcase.
🎹 this girl is on fire
Famous Manhattan Plaza resident Alicia Keys plays the Barclays Center July 12 — here’s hoping for a preview of any tunes featured in her upcoming musical, Hell’s Kitchen.
🎶 journey to the past
HOW many times did you play Broadway great Liz Callaway singing Anastasia as a kid? Want to relive it?! Callaway performs songs from all of your favorite movies and movie musicals at Screen Gems 54 Below July 6-11!
🔥 Hot tip
My dad and I used to have a tradition of going to a run-down mini-golf course in my hometown that we lovingly described as “apocalyptic”. While the apocalypse did indeed hit and it’s no longer there, maybe we’ll try the slightly more aesthetically pleasing VALE(mini)GOLF course now open for the summer at the William Vale Hotel.
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
Lincoln Center Jazz opened up their season tickets!
There’s a Theory sample sale now through June 25
Green Room 42’s rooftop is screening Cabaret June 26
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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