It has been a whirlwind few weeks of travel for this Numad, back and forth and back and forth and back and forth on Amtrak between Boston (home) and New York City (work). In fact, I know the travel is more than usual when the conductors and food service attendant recognize me... and a couple have even come to know me by name.
I do love a train, zooming down the coastline of New England, the vast waterways and wooded areas giving way to the skyscrapers of New York and Boston.
There have been a number of really exciting things happening in the city as of late. At the beginning of the month, we got to team up with Blue Flame Events and Arc3Design on the production of MCC Theater's annual gala, Miscast, which once again raised more than $1 million for their youth company and education programs.
The event was incredible, and an absolute joy to work on. It stretches creative muscles I don't always get to work. I had plenty of "pinch me" moments throughout the days leading up to it as we sit in tiny rehearsal rooms with some of Broadway's biggest stars as they prepare for the event. I mean, before Cynthia Erivo blew the roof off of the Hammerstein Ballroom, she did the same at Telsey Studios. Watch below to see what I mean.
The other big highlight and surprise of the night was the appearance by Tina Fey. Yes, Tina Fey. Watch that moment below. The roar of the crowd when her name appeared on the screen was pretty fun. As a friend who attended said to me afterward, "I clutched my pearls when she walked up on stage."
A week later found me back in the city for opening night of Exit Strategy at Primary Stages, a riveting and important new play about the chaotic final days of an urban public school in Chicago. Ike Holter wrote an incredible script that has gotten an absolutely wonderful production at Primary. Hats off to the entire cast and production team. Take a sneak peek one of The New York Times ads we designed promoting the show.
And then finally, the next day I was back in the Primary Stages offices to meet with a small team of people lead by Casey Childs, executive producer, to move along an exciting new website project that will document the Off- and Off-Off-Broadway theater movements. The designs and technical specifications are heading toward a great place, and we'll begin development soon. The New York Times featured the project a couple of years back. We're having a blast bringing it to life.
I'd give you a peek at the site, but I can't. Top secret, you know.