WEST SIDE STORIES
“Hell’s Kitchen is a Celebration of What Makes New York the Greatest City in the World” — Will Nunziata’s West Side Story
Theater, TV and film writer, director and creator Will Nunziata started out as a singer and has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for more than 10 years, six of them with his husband, Joseph. This is Will’s…
“Hell’s Kitchen Consistently Maintains an Energy” — Michael Danz’s West Side Story
Advertising agency art director, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus member and “professional amateur dancer” Michael Danz moved to Hell’s Kitchen from Long Island seven years ago. This is his West Side Story. So, what’s your…
“The Freedom We Have to be Who We Want to be is My Favorite Thing” — Cecilia De Bucourt’s West Side Story
Argentinian model, fashion designer and photographer Cecilia De Bucourt has called New York home since the 1990s. She lives in Hell’s Kitchen and loves the diversity of the neighborhood. This is Cecilia’s West Side Story. So,…
“Hell’s Kitchen Feels Like a Little Family” — Adriana Greaves Shares Her West Side Story
Personal trainer, fitness instructor and vlogger Adriana Greaves arrived in Hell’s Kitchen from Massachusetts in the middle of the pandemic and feels right at home in the neighborhood. This is Adriana’s West Side Story. So, what’s…
“I Even Miss the Grungy, Drug-Infested, Sex-Worker Vibe of the Old Hell’s Kitchen” — Jon Spano’s West Side Story
Actor and writer Jon Spano moved to New York right after graduation, almost 45 years ago — and in that time has worked briefly with a young Madonna and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jackie…
“The Heart of the City is Alive and Well in Hell’s Kitchen” — Ignacio Orellana’s West Side Story
Photographer, videographer and thrash metal drummer Ignacio Orellana is spicing up his life with a new venture — Aceite Diablo chili oil. Here, Hell’s Kitchen resident Ignacio shares his West Side Story. So what’s your New…
“Dad Said I Could Move If I Had an Apartment and $200” — Marietta LaFargue’s West Side Story
From Beauty Contests to Broadway: Actress Marietta LaFargue’s journey has shaped her love of Hell’s Kitchen. She has lived at Manhattan Plaza since it opened in 1977. This is her West Side Story. So what’s your…
“It’s Been an Experience to See the Neighborhood Grow” — Amanda Meehan’s West Side Story
Amanda Meehan, a Hell’s Kitchen resident for 13 years, balances her role as a credit analyst with her passion for volunteering for the Blue Hill Troupe, where she currently serves as the Production Stage Manager for…
From Acting to Music: Erin Lee Kelly Helps Kids “Find Their Voice”
Erin Lee Kelly is a Canadian transplant who came to New York to start her acting career and fell in love with the city. From theater tours to nurturing young talent, she’s now a musician and…
“9th Ave is an Edible Version of the Diversity Found in Hell’s Kitchen” — Jeff Karliner Shares His West Side Story
Currently retired “at least this month” jewelry designer, teacher and photographer Jeff Karliner is known as the “mayor” of the Hell’s Kitchen building where he lives with his husband. This is Jeff’s West Side Story. So,…
“I Loved Hell’s Kitchen Instantly” — Artist Nicolae Rita Shares His West Side Story
Freelance hair and makeup artist Nicolae Rita arrived in the US from Romania in 2005 and has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for 17 years. This is his West Side Story. So, what’s your New York story?…
“I Love the Neighborhood’s Scale and Size” — Richard Marans Shares His West Side Story
Richard Marans has lived in the same Hell’s Kitchen building since the mid-1970s. The semi-retired real estate attorney and sometime rockin’ piano player is still involved in the local community, especially through the W47th/48th Streets Block…
From Judy Garland to the Early Days of Theatre Row, Sit Back and Enjoy Dancer Nat Horne’s Exceptional West Side Story…
Nat Horne has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for over 60 years and is often to be found shooting the breeze with neighbors on the stoop of the apartment that has been home since the 1950s. Here,…
“I Finally Feel Like I’m Home” — Why Hell’s Kitchen Means So Much to Dale Aucoin
Canadian Dale Aucoin is a Solutions Engineer for a tech company, but his superpower is to look at a room and visualize the best furniture layout and storage solutions. He has lived in lots of places…
“I Love the Diversity More Than Anything Else” — Ryan Raftery Shares His West Side Story
Writer and performer Ryan Raftery was born in Brooklyn and now makes his home in Hell’s Kitchen. He’s currently performing three of his self-penned celebrity bio musicals at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. This is…
“A Place Where You Can Be Whoever You Want to Be” — Dancer Lillian Colón Has Her Feet Firmly in Hell’s Kitchen
Dancer Lillian Colón was the first Latina Rockette – and she’s turned author to share her experiences in a new book. She has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for 30 years and can’t imagine living anywhere else.…
“It’s Like the Smallest Town in One of the Biggest Cities” — Why Hell’s Kitchen Makes Comedian Neil Frias Smile
Comedian and avid hiker Neil Frias is a self-confessed travel junkie but happy to call Hell’s Kitchen his home. He took time away from his fledgling video production company to share his West Side Story. So,…
Would-Be “Biscuit Boy of Broadway” Jonas Cohen Shares His West Side Story
Actor Jonas Cohen loves to step into another role — as baker and co-founder of Drop Everything Biscuit Company. The Manhattan Plaza resident is currently appearing in Deadly Stages on Theatre Row. This is his West…
“Hell’s Kitchen is Such a Special Place for Me” — Food Blogger Alice Wang Reveals Why the Neighborhood is to her Taste
Michigan transplant Alice Wang works in finance — with a side order of eating in and exploring the city she has called home since graduating college almost a decade ago. She even got engaged on a…
“I’m Within Walking Distance of Just About Everywhere I Need to Be” — David Perry Shares His West Side Story
Freelance journalist, gay travel influencer and former go-go boy David Perry has been all over the world but feels right at home in Hell’s Kitchen. Here, he shares his West Side Story. So, what’s your New…
“I Love Hell’s Kitchen Because of How Connected Everyone is” — Gordon Acha Raises a Glass to the Neighborhood
“Wine is my passion and I love sharing that passion with everyone,” says Gordon Acha, who is Enterprise Account Executive for a tech company by day, wine educator at night. Gordon has lived in Hell’s Kitchen…
“Like Hell’s Kitchen, I am Always Up for a Challenge” — Darius Rose AKA Jackie Cox’s West Side Story
Darius Rose wasn’t born in Hell’s Kitchen, but his alter ego Jackie Cox was. Darius worked a string of corporate jobs in retail until he quit and ran away to the circus to pursue Drag full-time!…
“Great Bars and Places to Eat” — Why Photographer and Chef Steve Hill has Stayed in The Kitchen
Chef and professional food photographer Steve Hills has lived in Hell’s Kitchen since the 1980s — “I doubt I could live anywhere else at this point,” says the native New Yorker. This is his West Side…
“There’s Always Something to Discover, No Matter How Long You’ve Lived Here” — Jill Sammak Shares her West Side Story
She’s from a little farming town without even a traffic light, but psychotherapist Jill Sammak moved to Hell’s Kitchen more than 20 years ago and feels right at home here. This is Jill’s West Side Story.…
“The Openness, Kindness and Pride of All People is a Joy” — Why Carliss Retif Finds Hell’s Kitchen to Her Taste
Culinary consultant and food book author Carliss Retif is from New Orleans, but found her safe haven in Hell’s Kitchen — using the neighborhood as a muse for her work. This is Carliss’s West Side Story.…
“Hell’s Kitchen isn’t pretty… but it is real, raw and ready” — Carey Davis Shares His West Side Story
Radio sales manager-turned-business broker Carey Davis arrived in Hell’s Kitchen from the Midwest more than 40 years ago — and has been here ever since. This is Carey’s West Side Story So, what’s your New York…
“Walking the NYC Streets is Always an Adventure” — Hairstylist Frank Zarcone Shares His West Side Story
Master hairstylist and hair colorist Frank Zarcone has been a part of the Hell’s Kitchen community for almost 30 years. This is his West Side Story. So, what’s your New York story? Born here, or just…
“Manhattan Plaza and Hell’s Kitchen Give Flight to Those of Us Determined to Share Our Art” — Christine Cirker’s West Side Story
Theater producer Christine Cirker has lived in Manhattan Plaza since 1990 — and even witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” from her apartment window. This is Christine’s West Side Story. So, what’s your New York story?…
“Hell’s Kitchen has Always Felt Like Home” — Marie Gabrielle Shares Her West Side Story
Musician and actress Marie Gabrielle is New York born and bred — and the founder of a non-profit empowering young girls and women to play the guitar. This is her West Side Story. So, what’s your…
“I So Enjoy Having All of NYC at My Disposal, Anytime, Any Season” — Steve Warren Shares His West Side Story
Radio broadcaster Steve Warren arrived in New York in the 1970s and has lived in Hell’s Kitchen since 1999 — you’ll often find him food shopping or eating out on 9th Avenue! This is Steve’s West…
“I Love the Raucous and Libidinous Hell’s Kitchen” — Author Dale Corvino Shares His West Side Story
Author and sales rep Dale Corvino moved to Hell’s Kitchen in 2010 and feels right at home in this “noisy and convenient” neighborhood. Here is Dale’s West Side Story. So, what’s your New York story? Born…
New York is the Muse for Hell’s Kitchen Artist Jo Mar — Here’s His West Side Story
Colombian-born artist Jo Mar has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for the past 10 years — you might have seen his “Street Commotions” on the wall at FLEX. This is Jo’s West Side Story. So, what’s your…
“I Love Being Immediately Swept into the River of Humanity” — Susie Mosher’s West Side Story
New York felt like the Emerald City to musical theater actor Susie Mosher — and it worked its magic for this Broadway performer, who can be seen in her own show each week at Birdland. This…
“This Neighborhood is Home Now and It Always Will Be” — Why Tap Dancer Cesare Vangeli Took Steps to Stay in Hell’s Kitchen
Cesare Vangeli has lived in the neighborhood for four years, but his love affair with Hell’s Kitchen has gone on for much longer. The Italian tap dancer and chef combines his two passions in Foodance. This…
Food Critic Ryan Sutton Finds Plenty to Love About the International Cuisine of Hell’s Kitchen
Meet Ryan Sutton, the camera-shy critic who launched his own food media site after layoffs eliminated his job at Eater, all while teaching at CUNY and exploring the Hell’s Kitchen culinary landscape. This is his West…
“Every Time I Come Back to Hell’s Kitchen, It Just Feels Like Home” — Jesse Rodriguez Shares His West Side Story
Jesse Rodriguez is Vice President of Booking & Editorial for MSNBC and a familiar face around Hell’s Kitchen – he’s lived here for almost 17 years, after all! This is Jesse’s West Side Story. So, what’s…
“I Love Living on the Same Street as the Brill Building” — Why Hell’s Kitchen is Music to the Ears of Meredith Benson
Theatrical dresser and costume designer Meredith Benson has lived in the same Hell’s Kitchen apartment for over 20 years — and worked on Broadway productions for 19 of them. She is also a huge fan of…
“It Feels Like Home and I’m Grateful to Live Here Every Day” — Lauren Cagnetta Shares Their West Side Story
“Pink Person” Lauren Cagnetta arrived in New York for a college internship and fell in love with the city — and Hell’s Kitchen in particular. The multi-hyphenate performer and dance teacher is also the proud co-owner…
“I Tell Everyone That This is Just a Small Town in The Big City” — Joe Sallabi Shares His West Side Story
Comedy show producer — and familiar face at Rudy’s Bar & Grill — Joe Sallabi started coming to Hell’s Kitchen in the 1980s, and now is proud to live and work in the neighborhood. This is…