Jude- No Tragedy Here.

Jude Law has proven all his critics wrong in his latest endeavor of playing Hamlet on Broadway.

When walking into this show, I am guilty of thinking- "Jude Law + Shakespeare...eye candy and brilliance- can't go wrong." Not knowing how I could possibly get past Law's charming looks and see past his usual romantic comedy roles, I was intrigued to see how Jude would handle the role of Hamlet.

Hamlet is arguably one of the most drama filled characters created of all time. He is quirkly, quick to contradict himself, reckless yet cautious, heartfelt but immature, fiesty yet smart. He is clearly consumed of hatered in learning that his father's death was no accident. This role, is one of the most layred, complicated masterpieces of all time. Jude Law needed to respect William Shakespeare all the while stepping away from the big screen and translating Hamlet on the big stage on Broadway.

Well he certainly did that. A long 3 hour production that highlights this tragedy of Hamlet in a modern day light. Law and the rest of his cast were wearing jeans, sweaters, leather jackets and boots. The casting ranged of different ethnicities showcasing an interesting interpretation of the orignal Hamlet. This unique Broadway production is a must-see. Make sure you are mentally prepared to be swept away into Shakespeare speak. Great Sunday show...

While the first few moments of Law taking the stage definitely caused the theater to flutter, it was soon outshined by his raw pure talent. From that moment on, Jude embraced his role making the audience laugh and cry in his journey with Shakespeare. The cast included some great breakout roles, but Jude certainly carried that "star quality" and truly deserves a Tony this year. Simply flawless.

Watching this show alongside my best friend from LA Sonal and dear friend from Chicago Shrujal, I felt lucky to experience this amazing New York City moment amongst the rest of the Theater. Congratulations to Jude Law and the entire cast of Hamlet for truly serving the master Shakespeare right. No easy task.

Mr. Ray

Soulful. Chilling. Beautiful. Tear Jerking. Brilliant. All words that come to my mind in regards to my experience in watching Ray Lamontagne at The Beacon last night.

I took a dear friend from High School (Naperville!) who has never seen Ray live and mid show- she leaned in and whispered- "Thank you for inviting me."

Thank you Ray- for having such an amazing energy that pulls you in. Its one of the voices that you imagine a rainy night, a bottle of wine, tunes and candle light. Tears are likely to be caused listening to his beautiful lyrics and story- beware.

Yes, Ray has quirks. He silences the crowd. He mumbles into the mic when speaking to us. He has an insanely dark dry sense of humor that the crowd crumbles at. One moan show- Cabbie lid- interchanging between guitars of choice- this man has found his own mastery.

Ray was introduced to me years ago when I lived in CT by an amazing group of friends in a room we referred to as "The Record Room." He is fitting for the wee hours we worked in CT. The beers. The company. Ray carries a "right in your own living room" feel which he carried at The Beacon standing on his "stage" which was an old dirty living room rug.

I am wearing his adorable concert series shirts that reads "Mr. Ray" that are a part of the smiley face series with a smiley face adorning a full beard. New favorite Tshirt!

PS. Ray has officially made it onto my Top 5 shows of the year:

1. Wilco @ Coney Island

2. Ray Lamontagne @ The Beacon

3. Depeche Mode @ MSG

4. Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ Terminal 5

5. Kanye West/ NERD/ Lupe Fiasco @ MSG

6. Mew @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

7. The Killers @ MSG

8. MGMT @ Prospect Park Band Shell

FOR THE FANS

It starts off with

"FOR THE FANS..."

And it truly was.

For those of you this week who have been too busy caught up with Halloween or watching the World Series--please do not forget to see this very important film.

The morning after watching this movie, I awoke with a meloncholy feeling of realizing we will never be able to see Michael perform again.

Yes, I am a die hard fan, but how can you not be? I will be the first to admit that he was a quirky, fragile plastic surgery mess- but beyond that I still will always respect him as The King of Pop. Nobody- NOBODY- can do it like he did.

This film brought out a side that has never been shown to the average eye. One can see his brilliance behind his music. He is not overcasted with an entourage- or is not advised by an assistant or creative director- everything MJ did was his own creation.

There are moments in this movie where the crowd will clap, yell for him and constantly bop their heads- but most of all the fans are able to relive MJ and appreciate him one more time. His 50 shows set to kick off was his "final curtain call," but he was not going to go quietly. The film lets you relive every favorite from "Bad" to "They Don't Really Care About Us" to "Billy Jean." Not for one second did the fan feel that he was washed up- the man was brilliant. He knew his music to the beat- to the tone- to the breaks...He stopped practice when there wasn't enough funk - he stopped practice when the music moved too quick- he stopped practice when it just wasn't good enough. "I want to hear it the way I wrote it," said Michael to his keyboardist.



And oh did he move. These dancers- who were clearly the cream of the crop- were hand picked by Michael. The film reflects on their appreciation of doing a dream job. Throughout the film, one can feel their energy even just merely watching The King of Pop perform in practice. They clapped, they honored and though they were working for him could not help but pinch themselves- that yes, they were dancing for Michael Jackson.

If you are a MJ fan, if you are a dancer, if you enjoy his music, if you appreciate film, if you enjoy a live show, if you questioned MJ's ability to return, This is it.

One of my life "to-do's" was to watch the King of Pop perform. Now that I have come to terms with the fact that this is no longer possible, I walk away in peace after seeing this film.

I love you Michael. Rest in Peace.

1 1/2 weeks left- buy your tickets: http://www.thisisit-movie.com/

Escape To The Island: Governors Island

We jumped out of the cab and ran through the hubbub on Old Fulton Street. We would have preferred to be on our own two wheels but the construction on every single subway line in the system forced us to take a cab, jump on the ferry and rent bikes when we got to the island, Governor’s Island.

The ferry ride was beautiful, with scenic views of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and especially amazing, views of our wallets still holding every penny it arrived with... because the ferry ride is free. That’s right, FREE! P and I soaked in the view and before we knew it, arrived at the dock on Governor’s Island and began marching off the ferry.

As we walked off the ferry, we tried to acquaint ourselves with our new surrounding and figure out where to rent bicycles. We followed some signs along a path and suddenly, we were absorbed by a colony of gnats. We dubbed this area “Gnatville” and avoided it at all costs from that point on. After a quick trudge through their colony, we reached clearer pastures and the bike renting area.

The bike rental area was fairly disorganized. After a few questions and run-arounds, P and I figured out the form filling-out/waiting procedure and found a place in the 40 minute line. We eventually, received two halfway decent bikes that were functional enough to ride and see more of the island.

In the future, P and I both agreed that it would be worth taking the extra time and energy to bike from home to the ferry or if the subway was working, take our bikes on the subway and proceed from there. The extra time and cost of renting halfway decent bikes (albeit, a reasonable $12) was not worth it if you have other options, which we do.

Finally, our feet were off the ground, the scenery was flying by and we were making laps around the island. It felt amazing to explore a whole new place that is so close to home.

Governors island seems like it should be a major tourist destination, with some of the most breath taking views of the Statue of Liberty, lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. At other moments, parts of Governors Island can seem like a strange suburbia with tree lined streets and quaint houses, or a military installation with castle like fortifications, or an Area 51 like place with fenced off portions containing people in hard hats examining lost hamlets or finally, a close, convenient place to visit, picnic and bike. All of the above are true.

P and I had an amazing day of biking in and around Governors Island. We explored, we discovered and even had some time to take advantage of the strong, island winds to fly our kite. I highly recommend jumping on the Governor's Island ferry, with or without a bike and check out this unique destination (next season that is. Governor’s Island is closed for the winter).

HAPPY DIWALI FROM THE PRESIDENT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuiAW_6XKVM&feature=channel

A Painfully Heart Warming Journey with Olive Kitteridge

10-7-09.

Olive Kitteridge may be a quick read, but it is full of depth and growth. Olive Kitteridge is introduced within a vignette of several short stories based in a homey town in Maine. She is introduced as a painfully grumpy woman who leads an unhappy life, but by the end you truly feel her emotion and her growing pains.

She plays a key role in each of these stories- one based at a wake of a man who's infedility is revealed at the reception. Another explores a troubled lounge pianist who is surprised by an ex lover. Switch gears- one is how love comes out in the most painful ways when you think you are about to lose it permanently which is highlighted in a hostage-taking within a hospital. Most of these stories are woven with the misunderstood Olive Kitteridge and her relationships she has formed in her community based off of her and her husband's long stint in the area.

The most painful for me was to watch her unappreciative son deal with his hardships growing up in a house where he was not loved for and reading him take out his anger on Olive years upon years later. There were moments of anger and disbelief.

And then I felt like I needed to call my Mom right away to tell her I love her.

Olive by no means was considered a kind soul. One person refers to her as "absolute without apology." Olive's son told her even worse things when referencing her as a terrible mother that drove him and her husband crazy.

With age and experience, Olive learns and reflects on her relationships and what her true meaning of love and family are.

Slow beginning, heart wrenching end.

Four star scale: ***

7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN WITH SCRUBS STAR SONAL SHAH

BrooklynPBJS had the honor to chat with up and rising South Asian star: Sonal Shah best known for playing Dr. Sunny Dey in the hit comedy "Scrubs." Born and raised in the heart of the midwest, still ipod-less living in the City of Angels, Sonal opens up about how she rolls...


PBJS: How can you not want to pass out everytime you see Zach Braff- he is just so darn cute?

SS: I do pass out every time I see Zach Braff. How did you know? Are you stalking me?? I hope so! Every time I see Zach Braff, my heart skips a beat and I forget how to breathe…and then before you know it, I wake up in a beautiful yellow meadow wearing a white dress. And Zach is there. Dancing.

PBJS: Tell us why you are the baddest of them all in regards to the up and rising stars of Hollywood?

SS: First of all…THANK YOU!!! To be honest, I think it’s because of my giant muscles. They are so big the Olympics won’t stop calling, and I’m gonna need to file a restraining order.

PBJS: Are you religious? What do you believe in?

SS: I believe in God. Yes, I’m religious and I am also spiritual. I believe religion is one’s personal way of connecting to God and having a community to share that with. I was raised Jain and I have a very close connection to the Jain community and I follow many Jain principles including that of observing a non-violent life. Hmmm…I’d actually say I believe in all religions and do not believe one is superior to another. I believe God can be found everywhere, within people, in nature… I will pray anywhere- in temples, in churches, on a mountain, in my room...I also believe that everything happens for a reason and we should always be compassionate and of service to others. Whew- That was a long-winded response…and I could still blab on and on about this subject, but I will stop...right...now.

PBJS: If you could have a tagline- what would it be?

SS: The little brown girl that could

PBJS: First names that come to mind: Hollywood Crush, Most talented woman in Hollywood *besides you duh*, and your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Go.

SS: Adam Brody, Kate Winslet, and Raphael because he is the “baddest”.

PBJS: You are vegetarian! (BrooklynPBJS LOVES THIS)- what is your favorite quick eat and would you be willing to share a recipe with your fans here?

SS: Yes, I am a veggie! I love making Indian food and everything I’ve learned is from my awesome mama… Saag Paneer is very easy and fast so I will share that (btw, did you know spinach has protein in it?!) I guarantee it will be yummy and healthy!! -throw a little oil into a wok; sauté 2 cloves of minced garlic, a little ginger, and a small amount of chopped onions (two boiler onions); then add the at least 10 oz of freshly washed spinach; add a spoonful of water; add ½ spoon of salt; let it cook for a few minutes (it will cook pretty fast…and yes, the spinach is supposed to shrink); add a pinch of tumeric, a ½ spoon of paprika, and a full spoon of coriander/cumin powder; add more spice to taste. After it is cooked, you can throw in cubes of frozen paneer (homemade cheese) bought at at any ole’ Indian store, or you can even just add cubes of a cheese of your choice (mozzerella works!).

PBJS: We hear that a staff member took you to a school dance- any details please??? We would love to embarrass “S”

SS: Hmm…I don’t recall such a circumstance (which could or could not be a good thing). Do keep in mind, I would love for a staff member to take me to a school dance. I’m as single as a horse galloping into the sunset…and I have no “game.” Every time I see an attractive dude, I get really nervous and run away. Earlier today, I tried to pick up a dude when I was jogging, and then I remembered I was wearing a visor.

PBJS: Have you had a “I Love LA” moment lately? Please share- we love our “I Love NYC moments.”

SS: Yes, it was just the other day because I was chillin at a coffee shop in West Hollywood (which is kind of a bustling part of the city), and 10 minutes later, I was hiking up a beautiful mountain, and then soon after that I was listening to jazz by the peaceful ocean! The city and nature are so close to each other and each part of the city has its own personality. I still get chills every time I’m on Hollywood Boulevard…or at a farmer’s market! Life here can be challenging at times… but it’s what you make of it and I’d rather choose to love it over hate it. I’ve learned so much being on my own and have made a lot of fantastic friends out here (nobody comparable to my best friend who lives in NYC. You may know her.)

PBJS: Good segway, when are you going to visit your best friend in NYC? :+)

SS: Immediately! I’m so proud of her! We both left Chicago at the same time and she moved to the east coast because she got a total badass position with ESPN, and I moved to LA to pursue acting. We are creating an East Coast-West Coast rap so get ready!

For some of Sonals work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN_m6HeFfz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7euub8HKOcQ&NR=1


Be sure to check Sonal Shah out in the upcoming episodes of SCRUBS next season on ABC. For more information visit: http://www.sonalshah.net/