Norma's Weekly Member Snapshot: 
Ice Skating Rinks... Hot Chocolate Drinks
Rockefeller Center


This time of year, I'm making my list and checking it twice to find handpicked events and finds for the upcoming holiday season. From seasonal markets to performances, my snapshots and holiday gift guide will provide both savvy New Yorkers and visitors a quick glimpse of what to do and how to make the most of this festive time in NYC.

This week's 
Special Feature focuses on the best ice skating rinks and options for a Hot Chocolate. Of course, Rockefeller Center is iconic, but there are also other great rinks in the city to glide on the ice.
  
         
Visit my recent seasonal Snapshots
 
 
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GeneralGENERAL EVENTS
Holiday Train Show 
November 14  Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life 
Hearst Tower (300 West 57th Street)
Join celebrities such as Stacy London and Rachel Platten in a day of conversation and connecting at Cosmopolitan Magazine's live conference.  

November 14  14th Annual Holiday Train Show
Grand Central - NY Transit Museum Gallery Annex
Metro-North, New York Central, and subway trains depart from a miniature Grand Central Terminal in this annual exhibit. Through February 21st.

Through November 15  Cider Week
Various Locations
Just in time for fall, check the calendar for cider tasting events throughout Manhattan.  

Through November 16  Canstruction 
Brookfield Place New York Winter Garden (220 Vesey Street) 
An annual design competition - architects, designers, and engineers collaborate on the intricate construction of large sculptures of canned food for both competition and a food drive.        

November 18  2015 WLE NEW YORK CONFERENCE
MetLife Building (1095 Sixth Avenue)
Attend the Women's Leadership Exchange to learn new strategies, new tactics and new resources that didn't exist a few years ago. Speakers include Susan Lucci and business leaders.
 
November 20  Cocoa and Carols or Holiday Jazz Cruise
Pier 62 (West 22nd and Hudson River)
90 minute festive cruise on the Hudson to see all of NYC's lights. Live music, beautiful views, and warm treats. Various dates through December 30th. 

Through December 2  Holiday House 
The Academy Mansion (2 East 63rd Street)
This is how I like to kick off the season of giving.  Holiday House returns - all proceeds support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Renowned designers decorate the rooms of this mansion with decor that will complement everyone's tastes. Holiday House is all about the celebration of life; each designer selects a holiday or a special moment in life as the inspiration for their design.  

ON THE RADAR: 
 
Holiday Train Show

November 21  Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Gardens
NYC's favorite train show!  And don't miss Bar Car Nights to sip a cocktail under holiday lights, see model trains circle a miniature New York, and watch ice carvers.  The first is November 21st, check website for full schedule.

Starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, 
Ends at 34th Street Herald Square  
This year I'll be staying local and heading out to watch the parade.  I'll share more information as we get closer to the event. And don't miss the balloon inflation the night before on the 25th... watch giant balloons slowly fill with helium near 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.
 
November 30  An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber
The TimesCenter (242 West 41st Street)
Purchase tickets for this event as part of the TimesTalks series, conversations between New York Times journalists and 21st-century talents and thinkers.  

Astor House (130 East 80th Street)
Shopping, mingling, food samplings and entertainment.    

December 4  Friends of St. Jude Winter Gala
The Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery)
The St. Jude Winter Gala exists through the funding of all of its supporters.  Music, dancing, cocktails, and tastings from many of the city's finest restaurants.  


December 5  29th Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue
Multiple Locations
Visit the website for all of the participating stores.  A portion of all the proceeds will be directed to Memorial Sloan Kettering.  Up and down the Avenue, carolers sing holiday favorites, refreshments are served, and goodwill is felt all around.
CutluralCULTURAL PURSUITS
Looking for a new way to see a museum?  Check out Museum Hack, guided tours (up to 9 people) of the Met and the American Museum of Natural History. Led by experienced guides well-versed in art history, it's a way to see the works through a new lens.
CLOSING THIS WEEK:

THE CYNTHIA CORBETT GALLERY  (109 Norfolk Street)
Through November 22
Presents work which reread masterpieces from the past.

METROPOLITAN PAVILION (125 West 18th Street)
ARTWALK NY
November 17
This year's 21st anniversary walk, benefiting The Coalition for the Homeless, will honor Alec Baldwin and Richard Gere.

THE MUSEUM AT FIT (227 West 27th Street)
Through November 14
Seventy objects representing the history of the world's prominent fashion capitals such as Milan and Paris.  

PARK AVENUE ARMORY (Park Avenue at 67th Street)  
The Salon Art + Design
November 12 through 16
Hosts the world's finest galleries in historical, modern and contemporary art and design.

PIER 94 (711 12th Avenue)
Pier Antique Show
November 14 & 15
Hundreds of exhibitors featuring quality antique furniture, jewelry, decorative and fine arts.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS:    
John Walker: Looking Out to Sea 
ACQUAVELLA GALLERY  (18 East 79th Street) 
Riopelle | Miró: Color
Through December 11
Exhibit features the painted bronze sculptures by Joan Miro and paintings by Paul Riopelle.  
  
ALEXANDRE GALLERY (724 Fifth Avenue)
John Walker: Looking Out to Sea
Through December 22
A British born abstract painter displays his works.



AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY  (Central Park West at 79th Street) 
The Secret World Inside You 
Through August 14
The exhibit takes visitors on a tour of the human body.

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean
Through January
Take a breathtaking journey around the underwater world as Cousteau introduces 30 species shown for the first time on film... created over a three-year period.     

The Butterfly Conservatory
Through May 29
The butterflies are back! Enter a room filled with beautiful butterflies of many different species... great for all ages. 


CENTER FOR ITALIAN MODERN ART (421 Broome Street)
Giorgio Morandi
Through June 25
An annual installation dedicated to one of the best known Italian artists of the 20th century and focuses on the artist's rarely seen works from the 1930s.
 
 
Pixar: The Design of Story
COOPER HEWITT  (2 East 91st Street)
How Posters Work
Through January 24 
Dozens of designers collaborate to convey their ideas and constructions.
 
Through August 7
Pixar fans, such as myself, will enjoy this exhibit which traces the creation of the rarely seen sketches, paintings, and sculptures of Pixar's popular characters.

CRAIG F. STARR GALLERY (5 East 73rd Street)
Christo: Show Windows and Store Fronts, 1963-67
Through January 23
An intriguing exhibit of store windows and store fronts

DI DONNA GALLERY (981 Madison Avenue) 
Through December 18
Major exhibition will feature over six dozen artworks, including those by Dali, Picasso, and Magritte.

DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE (226 West 44th Street) 
The Hunger Games
Through January 3
The world premiere exhibition is open! Katniss fans will go wild for authentic costumes, props, and highly interactive hands-on experiences exploring the world of Panem.   

DOMINIQUE LEVY GALLERY (909 Madison Avenue)
Robert Motherwell: Elegy to the Spanish Republic
Through January 9
One of my favorite artists, Robert Motherwell, is on display at the Dominque Levy Gallery... a collection of abstract expressionism.

Peopling of America Galleries

ELLIS ISLAND
Ongoing
Life-size historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants are displayed on the south side of Ellis Island. 

Ongoing
Tells the story of immigration to America before the processing station opened in 1892 and after it closed in 1954.




FOLK ART MUSEUM (2 Lincoln Square)
Art Brut in America: The Incursion of Jean Dubuffet
Through January 10
The first major U.S. exhibition to explore the introduction of art brut to America with nearly two hundred works of art on view.  

THE FRICK COLLECTION
(1 East 70th Street)
Andrea del Sarto: The Renaissance Workshop in Action
Through January 10
Del Sarto is known as the artist who ran the most productive workshop in the Renaissance city of Florence. 

GAGOSIAN GALLERY (980 Madison Avenue)
Francis Bacon
Through December 12
Famed 20th century artist devoted to figuration and portraiture. 

Jeff Koons
Through December 23
Each of the works has a blue glass gazing ball that sits on a painted aluminum shelf attached to the front of the painting. The viewer and the painting are reflected in the gazing ball.

THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
(1071 Fifth Avenue)

Alberto Burri: The Trauma of Painting
Through January 6
Showcases the works of this Italian artist and pioneer.     

Photo-Poetics: An Anthology
November 20 through March 23
More than seventy works by ten artists examining an important new development in contemporary photography.


HAMMER GALLERIES (32 East 67th Street)
Matisse & Picasso
Through January 20
Two of my favorite artists' works on display.

HUNTER COLLEGE (680 Park Avenue)
Boundless Reality: Traveler Artists' Landscapes of Latin America from the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection
Through January 23
A selection of rarely seen paintings, works on paper, photographs, and books that describe the beauty and complexity of life
in Latin America.
 
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM  (Pier 86 - West 46th Street & 12th Avenue)
On the Line: Intrepid and the Vietnam War
Now open
A major exhibition exploring the events and impact of the Vietnam War through the lens of the Intrepid. 


THE JEWISH MUSEUM (1109 Fifth Avenue)
Unorthodox
Through March 27
An exhibit showcasing the impact of unorthodox concepts on orthodox systems.

MADISON SQUARE PARK
Through Winter
500 feet of sprawling sculptures made of golden canopies suspended above the park's pathway.  An eye-catching exhibit.
  
MARIANNE BOESKY GALLERY (118 East 64th Street)
Thornton Dial: Works on Paper
Through December 19
An eclectic display of dense chaotic wall reliefs by Dial.

  THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (1000 Fifth Avenue)
Through January 24 
230 powerful and compelling masterworks from the transformational era... the unification of Egypt.

Fashion and Virtue: Textile Patterns and the Print Revolution, 1520-1620
Through January 10
The exhibit will combine printed pattern books, drawings, textile samples, costumes, paintings, and various other works of art to evoke the colorful world in which the Renaissance textile pattern books first emerged and functioned.


Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style
November 19 through February 21
An exquisite exhibit from the Costume Institute; a retrospective of a Parisian aristocrat

MICHAEL WERNER GALLERY (4 East 77th Street)
Peter Doig
Through January 16
The inaugural United States exhibit of his paintings.

MITCHELL-INNES & NASH GALLERY (534 West 26th Street)
Karl Haendel Organic Bedfellow, Feral Othello
Through December 5
Multi layered exhibit featuring large pencil drawings within monochromatic installations

MNUCHIN GALLERY (45 East 78th Street)
Carl Andre: In His Time
Through December 5
An exhibition of his early sculptures and the contemporaneous masterworks by leading figures of the period.

THE MORGAN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM (226 Madison Avenue)
Ernest Hemingway: Between Two Wars
Through January 31
I have been awaiting this exhibit, in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Library. This is the first major museum exhibit devoted to the works of the iconic Ernest Hemingway.

Graphic Passion: Matisse and the Book Arts
Through January 18
The exhibit embraces the printed book as a means for the artistic expression of Matisse.

 
THE MUSEUM AT FIT  (227 West 27th Street)
Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch
Through December 5
Eighty looks from this underground fashionista's personal collection. 

THE MUSEUM OF ART & DESIGN (2 Columbus Circle)
Wendell Castle Remastered
Through February 28
An acclaimed figure of the American art furniture movement.






MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK (1220 Fifth Avenue)
Jacob A. Riis: Revealing New York's Other Half
Through March 20
Features photographs by Riis and his contemporaries, as well as his handwritten journals and personal correspondence.

MUSEUM OF CHINESE IN AMERICA (215 Centre Street)
Chinese Style: Rediscovering the Architecture of Poy Gum Lee, 1923-1968
Through January 31
Lee's modernist influence is seen in the development of NYC's Chinatown.
Ocean of Images: New Photography 2015

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART  (11 West 53rd Street)
Through March 20
The 30th anniversary will feature 19 artists from 14 countries. 

Through April 10
Exhibition of past three decades of 30 international artists whose works range in their approach to political, social, and cultural flux of our global landscape.

Through January 31
Digital age design encompassing fashion and furniture. 

Picasso Sculpture
Through February 7
See Picasso from a different perspective. His sculptures, which he adored living with and rarely showed, are the focus of the exciting new exhibition.   
 
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN   (Broadway & Bridge Street)
Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family
Through January 10 
Glittering World presents the story of Navajo jewelry through the lens of one of the most celebrated jewelry making families of our time.    

NEUE GALERIE NEW YORK MUSEUM FOR GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN ART (1048 Fifth Avenue)
Berlin Metropolis: 1918-1933
Through January 4
Complex paintings, drawings, and architecture from Berlin.

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN (Bronx, NY)
Close: A Journey in Scotland The Photography of Allan Pollok-Morris
Through March 16
Inspirational landscapes from famed Scottish photographer.
 






NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY (170 Central Park West)
Superheroes in Gotham
Through February 21
Terrific exhibit on the birth of the history of comic books.  

Silicon City: Computer History Made in New York 
Through April 17
There is sure to be plenty of interest in this exhibit with all of the buzz about the Steve Jobs movie.
 
Holiday Express
Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection
Through February 28
An ageless and spectacular exhibit of toys and trains from a bygone era from the renowned Jerni Collection.   


PACE GALLERY (534 West 25th Street)
Robert Rauschenberg:
Anagrams, Arcadian Retreats, Anagrams (A Pun)
Through December 12
Works from his first three exhibitions will be on display at Pace.

PAUL KASMIN GALLERY (293 10th Avenue)
David Hockney: Early Drawings
Through December 1
Early works of the artist.

RANDALL'S ISLAND
Through November
Annual summer art exhibitions on the shoreline of Randall's Island.

ROBIN RICE GALLERY (325 West 11th Street)   
Tina West: You Are Still a Work in Progress
Through December 20
A photographic exhibition showcasing the maturity and wonder of her still lives.

SEAPORT CULTURE DISTRICT  (Multiple Locations in Seaport District)
Seaport Culture District
Through December
Installations, exhibitions and over 100 events presented by eight of our city's cultural institutions.
 
SKARSTEDT (20 East 79th Street)
Willem de Kooning
Through December 19
Exquisite sculptures from 1972-1974 are on view.

THE SKYSCRAPER MUSEUM  (39 Battery Place)
Ten Tops
Through November

Focuses on a group of the world's tallest buildings 100 stories and higher.  A perfect exhibit for this museum!  
 
 
 
Rachel Rose: Everything and More 
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART (99 Gansevoort Street)
Rachel Rose: Everything and More
Through February 7
Enlightening video installations merging images and sound.

Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist
Through January 17
The first exhibition of his paintings in two decades.



Frank Stella: A Retrospective
Through February 7
Minimalist paintings by this acclaimed artist. 
 
ON THE RADAR: 
 
Jackson Pollack
November 20 through 24  New York Art, Antique & Jewelry Show
PARK AVENUE ARMORY (Park Avenue at 67th Street)
Purchase tickets to have access to view pieces from over 80 exhibitors.

November 21 & 22  American Fine Craft Show
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
This annual two-day event presents an incredible selection of handmade works in ceramics, jewelry, glass, and more by 90 of the nation's finest craft artists. 

November 22  Jackson Pollock: A Collection Survey, 1934-1954
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (11 West 53rd Street)
Previews of one of my favorite artists, Jackson Pollock. Through March 13th. 
CurtainCURTAIN UP
FILM:
 
Through November 12  Cinematters
JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Avenue) 
Their 9th annual film festival:  Other Israel.
 
November 20 through 22  7th Annual In French With English Subtitles Film Festival
Florence Gould Hall (55 East 59th Street)
Tickets are now on sale for this 3-day festival including world premiere movies and one-time only screenings and Q&As.

Through January 15  The Contenders
The Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street)   The Museum's selection of influential, innovative films made in the past 12 months that they believe will stand the test of time. Each is a contender for lasting historical significance; Many screenings include post-production discussions with cast and/or crew. This week's pick is The Hunting Ground, a documentary about campus sexual assault.  
 

MUSIC & DANCE:
 
Mondays 
Rainbow Room
Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza)
Don't miss Max Weinberg for dinner seatings on Mondays in November.  Also, I love that they are serving a special Sunday brunch and dinner & dancing on Friday nights. It's an iconic spot and a must see!

Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Jazz Nights
The Lambs Club (132 West 44th Street)
Live jazz from new and up and coming performers. 
  
Friday Nights  Friday Nights to Remember
The Regency Bar & Grill (Loews Regency Hotel - 540 Park Avenue)
Quincy Jones recording artist, Michael Fredo performs every Friday at 7:30pm... get the feel of old school New York jazz with a new twist.
 
Ongoing  New York Live Arts
New York Live Arts (219 West 19th Street)
Chelsea based programs feature the most innovative movements. Check the website for performances. 
 
Fall/Winter Season   New York Philharmonic  
Avery Fisher Hall (10 Lincoln Center Plaza)  
Visit the schedule for upcoming concerts through the rest of the year.

Fall/Winter Season  New York City Ballet
Lincoln Center Plaza
Get your tickets for one of the upcoming ballets. 

November 13  The New York Pops: Sophisticated Ladies
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue)
The orchestra celebrates Billie Holiday and other groundbreaking icons of American popular song, from Ella Fitzgerald to Sarah Vaughan to Dinah Washington.
 
Radio City Christmas Spectacular 
November 13  Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall (1260 Avenue of the Americas)
Purchase your tickets to see the world famous Rockettes...a quintessential NYC holiday experience! Through January 3rd.          

Through November 15  New York Comedy Festival
Multiple Locations
Comedy events throughout the city including Lewis Black at 92Y, A Conversation with Billy Crystal at Town Hall, Sarah Silverman at BAM, and Judd Apatow and Friends at Carnegie Hall. 



November 15  Triptych: A World Without End Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue) Part of the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International series in Stein Auditorium.

Through November 19 
DOC NYC
Multiple Theaters
 
A documentary film festival featuring over 130 films and events... America's largest documentary film festival.

November 17 through 22  Twyla Tharp 50th Anniversary Tour
David H. Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center Plaza)
50th anniversary celebration where two major new works are introduced.
 
Through November 22  White Light Festival
Lincoln Center
Complimentary events at Lincoln Center throughout the month to lighten your soul... abstract musical events that illuminate our lives.    

Through November 28   John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey
Cafe Carlyle (35 East 76th Street)
American jazz guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey deliver entertaining performances.

Through December 1  Tosca
Metropolitan Opera House (30 Lincoln Center Plaza)
Puccini's opera is filled with Italian passion, love, lust, and intrigue. Through December 1st.

Through December 20  BAM 2015 Next Wave Festival 
Brooklyn Academy of Music (30 Lafayette Avenue - Brooklyn)
Avant-garde music, theater, opera, and dance.
 
Through December 21  Works & Process
Guggenheim Museum (1071 Fifth Avenue)
An exhilarating performing arts series. 

Through March 3  Truffles: A Murder Mystery Jazz Dinner
Duane Park (308 Bowery)
Great jazz coupled with whodunnit? 



THEATER:
 
39 Steps
Through January 3
Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street)
The energetic production has returned to NYC! A comedic spoof where 4 actors portray over 150 characters.
  
A View from the Bridge
Through February 21
Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street)

Electrifying performance of Arthur Miller's classic.

Allegiance
Through September 25
Longacre Theatre
(220 West 48th Street)
Based on a true story, a multi-generational tale of one Japanese American family's love, optimism, and heroism. Starring 
George Takei of Star Trek fame. 
 
An American in Paris
Through July 3
Palace Theater (1564 Broadway) 
American Stage debut of the story about a young artist who discovers life and love after returning from the war.    
 
Through May 29
Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43rd Street)
This musical follows the legendary songwriter from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager to well-known hits as a top recording artist.
  
China Doll
Through January 31
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street)
What do you get when the leading man is played by Al Pacino and the playwright is David Mamet?  Perfection. Tickets will be selling quickly for this story about a wealthy man, his young fiance, and an airplane! Now in previews, opens November 19th through January 31st.  



Clever Little Lies 
Through January 3
Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street)
A comedy of love and secrets starring "That Girl" Marlo Thomas!
 

Colin Quinn The New York Story
Through January 31
Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street)
Directed by Jerry Seinfeld, the play returns!  Quinn bemoans the rise and fall of his hometown city (formerly known as New York).  It's Quinn at his satirical best... depicting NYC as the crossroads of the world.  

Through May 1
Bernard B Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street)
Tickets are now on sale for this Broadway revival starring Jennifer Hudson and Danielle Brooks of Orange is the New Black. Now in previews, opens December 10th, through May 1st.  
  
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 
Through May 8
Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) 
Now a Tony Award Winning play!  The lead actor, a recent graduate of Julliard, is brilliant. The story unfolds with a mathematically precocious adolescent with behavioral problems uncovering truths and secrets.
  
Dames at Sea
Through March 6
Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street)
A story about a young girl stepping out for her first Broadway role.   A dazzling golden age tap dancing musical. 

Eclipsed
Through November 29
The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street)
Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave) makes her theatrical debut in NYC. Story revolves around distinct women who must discover their own means of survival during the Liberian Civil War.   
   
Fiddler on the Roof
November 20 through February 28
Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) 
The acclaimed show returns to Broadway, a favorite of mine! Previews start November 20th, opens December 20th through February 28th.
 
First Daughter Suite
Through July 3
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street)
The amazing story of how Peter became Pan.
  
First Daughter Suite
Through November 15
The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street)
Focuses on American's best known daughters, those of the President, as they strive to live meaningful lives in the public eye.  



The Flick
Through January 10
Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street)
Set in a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, this is
Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.     

Through December 13
Manhattan Theatre Club (261 West 47th Street)
Sam Shepard's landmark myth starring Sam Rockwell tells the story of two former lovers struggling.

Fun Home
Through June 5
Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street)
Performance brings the actors and audience within close proximity. Tony Award Winning play about seeing your parents through adult eyes.    
Hamilton

The Gin Game   
Through January 10
John Golden Theatre
(252 West 45th Street)
Broadway reunion starring award winning actors Cecily Tyson and James Earl Jones.   A heartwarming story about two lonely nursing home residents, drawn together over the game of Gin Rummy.

  
Hamilton
Through October 30
Richard Rodgers Theatre
(226 West 46th Street)
A show stopper that got its start at the Public Theater earlier this year.  An inventive musical about a young immigrant who changed America... Alexander Hamilton.     
 
Henry IV
Through December 6
St. Ann's Warehouse (45 Water Street - Brooklyn)
A raw experience of incredible acting; a Shakespearean play opens their inaugural season. 

The Humans
Through January 3
The Laura Pels Theatre (111 West 46th Street)
Roundabout Theatre Company presents this show about how your fears can change you when faced with unexplained occurrences.

Important Hats of the Twentieth Century
Through December 13
New York City Center (131 West 55th Street)
Manhattan Theater Club presents a fashion forward comedy where back to the future meets millinery!
Now in previews, opens November 23rd through December 13th.

Incident at Vichy
Through December 20
Signature Theatre Company (480 West 42nd Street)
Revival of Arthur Miller's harrowing wartime drama.

Invisible Thread
Through December 27
Tony Kiser Theatre
(305 West 43rd Street)
Second Stage Theater presents a rousing new musical that infuses a pop score with African beats, focusing on the journey of a few people changing the world.

Through May 1
Lincoln Center Theater (150 West 65th Street)
The revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's play, starring Tony Award Winner Kelli O'Hara.

King Charles III
Through January 31
Music Box Theatre
(239 West 45th Street)
When Prince Charles finally becomes King of England, he learns that his new role is not exactly what he expected as a multitude of problems confront him.    
Misery
    
Misery 
Through February 14
Broadhurst Theatre (Broadway & 44th Street)  
Much-anticipated thriller based on the Stephen King novel (and movie starring Kathy Bates). I was petrified reading the book, the movie brought it to life, and the on-stage show starring Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf is sure to have you on the edge of your seat!  Now in previews, opens November 15th through February 14th.  

Night is a Room
Through December 20
Signature Theatre Company (480 West 42nd Street)
A searing exploration of love's power to both ruin and remake our lives.

Nora 
November 14 through December 12
Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street)
Ingrid Bergman's adaptation of A Doll's House... a tale of gender and society.   
 
Through November 29  
Roundabout Theatre Company (231 West 39th Street) 
A Harold Pinter production starring Clive Owen in a play that focuses on the past you can't escape. 
 
Ripcord
On Your Feet
Through April 3
Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway)
A high energy performance about the lives of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Ripcord
Through December 6
New York City Center (131 West 55th Street)
Manhattan Theater Company's comedy revolving around a vicious battle of wits between two elderly women in a home. Directed by David Hyde Pierce, starring Holland Taylor, Marylouise Burke, and Rachel Dratch.


Ruthless
Through January 30
St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street)
Called "the mother of all musicals," I've seen it and can attest... it's a hilarious show starring 10-year old Tori Murray. 
 
School of Rock
Through June 12
I'm a fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber and I'm sure there will no exception to the quality of his newest musical based on the film starring Jack Black.  Now in previews, opens December 6th through June 12th.

Songbird
Through December 6
59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street)
A magical musical experience of dreams, ambition, love, and heartbreak.

Sylvia
Through January 24
Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street)
Starring Mathew Broderick, it's the story of a middle aged couple whose lives are turned upside down when the husband brings home an exceptional canine.   
     
Thérèse Raquin
Through January 3
Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street)
Starring Academy Award nominee Kiera Knightly and Judith Light. A tale of love, lust, betrayal, and guilt.  It's captured my attention!  

These Paper Bullets
November 20 through January 10
Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street)
A takeoff on Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing... set to music.

Travels with My Aunt
Through November 14
The Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street)
Cast of 4 inhabits the show's 25 characters... swapping costumes, genders and nationalities. A lighthearted humorous play.

ON THE RADAR:
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue) 
The American Festival Choir performs the world premiere of The Journey of Christmas, composed specifically for this Christmas in New York concert.

November 23 through 26  Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch in "Our Favorite Things"
Birdland (315 West 44th Street)
A reunion of two fabulous performers... I've already gotten my tickets. For more hot jazz spots, visit last week's snapshot.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
November 25  Ugly Lies the Bone
The Black Box Theatre (111 West 46th Street)
Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter, is sure to be fantastic in this production by Roundabout Theatre Company. It's a poignant story about a returning female war hero. Through December 6th.

November 28  George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
David H. Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center) 
The yearly anticipated Nutcracker by Tschaikovsky opens. I see the New York City Ballet's performance each year and this one will be no exception. Through January 3rd.



November 28  Arlo Guthrie: Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Show
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue)
Purchase tickets for this annual holiday concert.

November 29  Messiah...Refreshed! 
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue)
5th Annual presentation of DCINY's signature version of Handel's Messiah. 

November 29   Sondheim Unplugged
54 Below (254 West 54th Street)
Annual event features some of Broadway and cabaret's most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only, honoring the work of Broadway's master composer. Also December 27th.
A Christmas Carol

November 29  A Christmas Carol
The Players Theatre (115 MacDougal Street)
The classic story comes back to The Players Theatre. Through December 29th.

November 30  Winter's Eve
Lincoln Square
16th annual event at Lincoln Square is the largest holiday festival in the city, featuring artists, musicians, dancers and a great assortment of food.

December 1  Steve Tyrell
Cafe Carlyle (35 East 76th Street)
One of my favorite entertainers is back at Cafe Carlyle through January 2nd.

December 2  Alvin Ailey
New York City Center (131 West 55th Street)
One of my favorite dance troupes returns for their winter season. Through January 3rd.

Peter & The Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi 

December 5 through 13  Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi
Guggenheim Museum (1071 Fifth Avenue)
Order your tickets for one of the limited performances. I went last year and it was well worth it! 





December 13  TalkCinema
The Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center (165 West 65th Street)
General admission or season passes available; film series features new independent films... you won't know what you see until you arrive, but you'll be able to discuss the movie afterwards with directors, producers, distributors, critics and each other. 
FoodFOR THE FOODIE
La Pecora Bianca
It's all about sustainability!   This week I'm highlighting a new restaurant and a notable one in the Flatiron neighborhood. 

Flatiron District: 1133 Broadway
Italian Cuisine 
This new on the scene Italian restaurant translates to "white sheep" and is a welcome addition to the hip Flatiron district.  Market-driven Italian cuisine at its finest!  Housed in the St. James building, the décor is vibrant and chic.  Their regional  wine list is excellent, along with their Negroni cocktail, and a wonderful selection of aperitifs.  Each evening you can select from an assortment of whole grain pastas, locally caught fish, and pasture-raised meats.
 
ABC Kitchen
Flatiron: 35 East 18th Street
American Cuisine 
Housed in the ABC Home and Carpet building, ABC Kitchen is my favorite of the Jean-Georges collection. Outstanding farm-to-table cuisine comprised of seasonal ingredients.  I highly recommend the crab toast, homemade ricotta ravioli, and halibut.  Recycled building materials add to the charm of this incredible dining spot.  


EVENTS:

November 14 
Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival
Industry City (34 35th Street - Brooklyn)
Sample a curated selection of over 200 wines, complemented by artisanal fare straight from Brooklyn, and beyond.


Eataly
November 16  An Italian Thanksgiving
Eataly (200 Fifth Avenue)
Learn to prepare a Thanksgiving feast, Italian style at Eataly. Check the website for other amazing culinary classes.

November 17  Wall Street Taste of New York
Guastavino's (409 East 59th Street)
Sample cuisine from some of New York's finest establishments and participate in silent and live auctions, benefiting St. Jude.




ON THE RADAR: 
 
Grand Central Autumn Harvest 
November 21  NYC Autumn Wine Festival
Broad Street Ballroom (41 Broad Street)
A downtown celebration of over 200 wines and samplings of a light fare.
 
 
Grand Central Taxi Stand
Grand Central bakeries will be selling their amazing desserts for easy pick up before you head to your holiday destination. 
 

FeatureSPECIAL FEATURE: ICE SKATING RINKS... HOT CHOCOLATE DRINKS  
Bryant Park
In addition to the delectable hot chocolate spots below, check out Vosges, Grom, and Eataly's Lavazza!
Bryant Park (40th Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues)
Free admission, skate rental additional 
Open 8am - 10pm daily 
Through March 6, 2016
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  Max Brenner
Location: Holiday Shops in Bryant Park   




McCarren Park, Brooklyn (776 Lorimer Street)
$8 admission for adults, skate rental additional 
Open 11am - 10pm daily
Dates TBD; Check the website for updates
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  Van Leeuwen
Location:  620 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint
The Rink at Brookfield Place 

Brookfield Place's Winter Garden (250 Vesey Street)
$12.50 admission for adults, skate rental additional 
Open 10am - 10pm daily
November 14; closing date TBD
Nearby Hot Chocolate:   Financier Patisserie 
Location: Brookfield Place
Rockefeller Center (Entrance on Fifth Avenue, between 49th & 50th Streets)
$25-$32 admission for adults, skate rental additional
Open 8:30am - midnight daily 
Through April 2016  
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  Jacques Torres
Location: 30 Rockefeller Center (Concourse Level)

South Street Seaport (Corner of Fulton and Front Streets)
$10 admission, skate rental additional
Open Monday to Thursday 11am - 9pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm and Sunday 10am - 9pm
Dates TBD
Nearby Hot Chocolate:   La Maison du Chocolat 
Location: 63 Wall Street 
 
Chelsea Piers (Pier 61 - 23rd Street & the Hudson River)  
$10 admission, skate rental additional 
Schedule varies, check website for times
Open skating through December 20
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  City Bakery 
Location: 3 West 18th Street 
 

The Standard Hotel (848 Washington Street)
$12 admission for adults, skate rental additional
Open Weekdays 12pm - midnight; Weekends 9am - 1am  
Wollman Rink
November 24, 2014 Through March 2015
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  L'Arte del Gelato
Location: Chelsea Market - 75 Ninth Avenue

Wollman Rink in Central Park 
Central Park South (59th Street & 6th Avenue)
$11.25 admission for adults on Monday to Thursday; $18 Fridays to Sundays, skate rental additional
Schedule varies, check website for times   
Through Mid-April 2016    
Nearby Hot Chocolate:  Francois Payard 
Location:  3 Columbus Circle