W42ST Daily 5/23/2020
I’ve been dreaming a lot about poop lately, I told my daughter on a recent phone call.
Interesting, she said, and we were both quiet for a moment. What could it mean, our silence seemed to ask the universe? We both have a passing interest in what our subconscious might be trying to tell us while we slumber. And, since I’m one of those people who rarely remembers their dreams, the fact that these specific dreams had been so very lucid was quite remarkable.
I told her I’d googled it and, like most dreams, it could have multiple meanings.
One: I’m in a very stressful situation. To see a toilet overflow or flood, I told her, can indicate that the dreamer is filled with negative energy, or has some difficult people in their life.
A pause.
And what’s the second interpretation, she asked?
I’m coming into a shit-load of money.
We laughed for – I’m not even kidding – about 10 minutes solid.
I mean, really, which one seems most likely to you?
Anyway, have a beautiful long weekend. Today’s due to be crappy, but Sunday and Monday will be glorious. Is the lottery still a thing?
NEW YORK STORIES
It was recently revealed that Trevor Noah was paying the salaries of 25 furloughed staff out of his own pocket. Good guy points for the man who calls Hell’s Kitchen not just his workplace but his home.
Since production ceased at the 11th Ave studios, Noah has been producing The Daily Social Distancing Show from his home in Stella Tower, on W50th St – 9th/10th Ave. And it’s proved so successful – the episode featuring an interview with Anthony Fauci had 43 million views – Comedy Central has increased the run time to 45 minutes.
And, while we’re waiting for normal service to resume, let’s revisit that time we went behind the scenes, with set photographer Sean Gallagher …
CROWD CONTROL
Phil reported during the week that a restaurant in Virginia was filling empty seats with impeccably-dressed mannequins as the country begins to gradually open in the era of social distancing. We’ve also told you about a German cafe that is issuing customers with pool noodle hats. All very creative. But the booby prize goes to FC Seoul, which filled the empty seats in its stadium with sex dolls. They were fined $82,000 for leaving female fans “deeply humiliated” but the soccer club, in its defense, said it hadn’t realized those “premium mannequins” it had ordered online could be used for other – ahem – purposes.
EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT
This video of Andrew Scott reading Derek Mahon’s poem has basically just impregnated the internet. You’re welcome.
How should I not be glad to contemplate
the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window
and a high tide reflected on the ceiling?
There will be dying, there will be dying,
but there is no need to go into that.
The poems flow from the hand unbidden
and the hidden source is the watchful heart.
The sun rises in spite of everything
and the far cities are beautiful and bright.
I lie here in a riot of sunlight
watching the day break and the clouds flying.
Everything is going to be all right.
DO THESE THINGS
Watch a TV legend
Morgan Fairchild stars in Mélange, produced by one of our favorite neighborhood people, Tom D’Angora. You’ll also spot Alex Newell and Perez Hilton in this pilot centering around a fight for ownership of a historic gay watering hole. It was shot in and around Hell’s Kitchen – naturally. Watch it here.
Turn the beat around
Relive the joy of On Your Feet with a 54 Below show from Mauricio Martinez, who played Emilio Estefan in the Broadway musical about the Miami Sound Machine. Stream it tonight here.
Stream some opera
The Met’s nightly operas continue with Gounod’s Faust tonight, starring Marina Poplavskaya, Jonas Kaufmann, and René Pape. Watch it here.
Listen to a Rolling Stones photographer
Ethan Russel has shot some of rock history’s most iconic moments, including the cover of The Beatles’ Let It Be album and the notorious 1969 Stones tour. He goes live tomorrow to share stories, imagery, and answer your questions. Watch him here.
NAME GAME
OK, I’ve told you mine – it’s your turn. What’s your name, and what have you been dreaming about lately?