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By Eric Shwartz.

Having seen the original Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg production twice and this production on a previous occasion, I knew what to expect as I sat in the mezzanine of the Broadhurst Theatre for an evening performance of the Les Miserables revival. I was eager to experience the revival for a second time for one simple reason: Lea Salonga’s return to Broadway! Salonga came on to the international scene when she won the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her portrayal of Kim in Boublil and Schonberg’s Miss Saigon. I am happy to report that she does not disappoint in her recent return!

Les Miserables is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. This complex epic weaves several storylines into one grandiose operetta. The escaped convict Jean Valjean strives to start a new life under a new identity while the righteous police inspector Javert peruses him. Fantine, the mother of the illegitimate Cosette, is forced to prostitute herself to support her daughter. Marius falls in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter Cosette while Eponine, the young daughter of the Thénardiers, is obsessed with Marius. The Thénardiers are always looking to exploit others with their devious shenanigans. All of these subplots play under that of Enjolras and his fellow students who are fighting for freedom for the oppressed lower class of France.

Alexander Gemignani plays a very serviceable Valjean which blossoms in the second act. Although he is the youngest actor to ever play this coveted role, he excels while portraying Valjean in later years. The very talented Norm Lewis is horribly miscast as inspector Javert; he is stiff throughout most of the show, although he does make strives later in the second act. Lea Salonga shines as Fantine, replacing the very controversial Daphne Rubin-Vega. Her “I Dreamed a Dream” received the loudest ovation of the evening. Perhaps the most notable of all the performers is Celia Keenan-Bolger as the unfortunate Eponine. She has truly taken an innovative approach to the role by showing the driving obsession behind her character.

Aside from this “multiethnic” cast (the producers of the show have made a huge fuss over this point), the revival of is essentially a restaging of the original which closed in 2003, only three years prior to the opening of this production. There have been very minimal alterations to set, lighting, and costume design, mostly for the best. The only change that may disappointment those that love the show are the scaled back orchestrations. Still, those who failed to see the musical during its initial sixteen year run should definitely catch this “limited engagement” (as expected, the producers have extended their initial run as will most likely extend again). For those who have already seen the show during its original Broadway run, or one of the many national tours, I can only recommend visiting this revival for the performances of Lea Salonga and Celia Keenan-Bolger. Still, Les Miserables proved to be moving, rousing the members of the audience to their feet at the curtain call.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

Les Miserables is currently playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on 235 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue). The show runs 2 hours 55 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. $26.25 student rush seat, available at the box-office two hours prior to performances on Tuesday through Thursday evenings. When the show is sold out, standing room tickets are available on the day of the performance at the box office for $21.25 ($26.25 for Friday and Saturday evenings).

By Ellysheva C. Zeira

“‘Mix ups, mayhem and a gay wedding!’ Well of course the phrase gay wedding has a different meaning now.” The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical for people who understand and love musicals. This was also roughly the tagline for 42nd Street but this is far different from 42nd Street. Instead of going behind the scenes of a musical, it is more of a satirical view of old 20s musicals from the perspective of people who love them.

It is hilarious if you have seen, been in, or heard old musicals. It is witty and fun. The main premise of musical surrounds a man who is feeling “blue” so he puts on his favorite musical to make himself feel better and it unfolds in his one room apartment. He constantly talks with the audience about the musical, his life, and exterior knowledge (which is surprisingly not annoying).

The singing, dancing, plot, and acting are all typically 20s. If this is understood one can see how wonderful it is. The script is not supposed to be good, the lyrics are not supposed to be deep, the plot is campy; it was all about entertainment. It is exaggerated to get the laugh, to show that no matter how extraordinary a musical is it still has the ability to touch someone. The superior writing however does show itself through the Man in Chair (Bob Martin).

The lavish costumes and sets, which work in to the apartment, are all very visually pleasing. The cast was amazing, especially Sutton Foster, who is truly a crowd pleaser, and Bob Martin, who develops such a rounded character that one could believe that he actually exists. Although this stunning musical would be more appreciated by someone who knows about 20’s musical theater, any viewer can appreciate the entertainment factor if they keep in mind that this is sort of spoof on some of the ridiculous aspects of musical theater.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Click here for the official website.

By Nicholas M. Voelker

If you’re looking for a show that’s easy access and full of entertainment then Tarzan is exactly what you’re looking for! This Disney production is based on the classic tale of a boy orphaned on an island and adopted by a family of gorillas. When he meets his first humans his whole world is turned upside down.

Most of the original cast can still be found on Broadway including Josh Strickland (who you might remember from American Idol season 2) as Tarzan, NYU Alum Jenn Gambatese (TSA) as Jane Porter, Merle Dandridge as Kala, and Chester Gregory II as Terk. Gregory keeps the young crowd full of excitement by swinging through the audience and belting some impressive vocals while upside down.

But don’t think just because Tarzan is a Disney production that it’s for the younger crowd only. Josh Strickland boasts impressive vocals and joins the ranks of Frenchie Davis (currently starring in Rent), Diana DeGarmo(two time performer in Hairspray), and Jennifer Hudson (Oscar winner for Dreamgirls) of former American Idol’s to prove that not winning the show doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. Strickland and Dandridge shine in their duet of “You’ll Be in My Heart”, a recognizable song from the Disney movie, written like the rest of the musicals songs by Phil Collins. But the show is stolen by Jenn Gambatese as the nerdy and infatuated Jane. The audience is swept off their feet by her performances in “Waiting for This Moment” and “For the First Time” as well as tears of laughter with her quirky accent and facial expressions.

Tarzan is a musical for all ages that will leave you, if not chest pounding, toe tapping out of the theater. The Richard Rodgers Theater on 226 W 46th Street has a student rush, valid with a student I.D., tickets are sold for $20 2 hours performance (better to get there 3 hours before 3 ½ on weekends). Tickets are sold at a first come first served basis, and the closer to the front of the line you are the better the seat. So what are you waiting for, swing down to the Richard Rogers to see Tarzan today!

Rating 4 out of 5

By Nancy Bruckman

Do you remember being a little kid and wishing your next babysitter had a magic bag that contained everything from a lamp to a coat rack? Or one who would give you that “Spoonful of Sugar” when you were sick so your medicine wouldn’t taste so bad? If so, Mary Poppins is the musical for you. Mary Poppins opened last fall to raving reviews and is located at the New Amsterdam Theater on 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, Mary Poppins is the story of two spoiled children, Jane and Michael Banks, who drive off nanny after nanny until Mary Poppins, who is “practically perfect in every way,” arrives in town. Mary Poppins introduces the children to a world of imagination and instructs them on becoming better people.

Mary Poppins transports its audience to a whimsical world filled with color and excitement, fun and adventure. Classic songs from the original movie like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidotious” and “Step in Time” are show stoppers with brilliant choreography and new songs like “Treacle and Brimstone” and “Terror Terror” help the musical become more than just the stage version of a classic movie.

The set and special effects of Mary Poppins are nothing short of superb. The main set is a cut out version of the Bank’s Household, where new rooms on other levels of the house come into view as stairs to other floors are climbed. Statues and toys come to life in an instant, furniture appears underneath sheets and actors magically fly into the audience or dance upside down atop stage. Each of the cast members shine in their roles, especially Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee, as her Chimney Sweep friend Bert. The spectacle that is Mary Poppins entertains, enchants and engrosses its audience.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Check out the website.

By Danush Parvaneh

Let’s face it – not everyone was blessed with milk and freshly baked cookies at grandma’s house when they were little tikes. Fortunately for those of us who did not have such a luxury, Milk & Cookies Bakery is open to all. Enjoy homemade Oreos, cookie cakes, hot chocolate or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can ‘DYOD’ – design your own dough! Maybe you’re just looking for a little bit of comfort and memory with a glass of milk and some cookies – in which case you have a scrumptious list of cookies and different kinds of milk to choose from. There’s something here for any cookie lover.

This quaint bakery, located near campus in the West Village at 19 Commerce St. (between 7th Ave. and Bedford), will take you back to Grandma’s house with its old-fashioned wallpaper and homely furniture. Prices are slightly steep from a student perspective. Regardless, Milk & Cookies serves great as an occasional treat.The bakery is usually not too crowded and has fast service that makes it easy to enjoy some Milk & Cookies in between classes.

Rating – 4 out of 5
Click here for official website.

By Alexis M. Perlmutter

This converted church gymnasium is the center for all of the up-and-coming young designers in New York City. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 A.M. – 7 P.M., this craft fair is the location to see the anticipated fashions in jewelry, bags, accessories, and apparel. The principal appeal is the wholesale prices you will find as many of these designers are just looking to get their names circulating. Plus there is the tremendous satisfaction of supporting a local designer who makes the products you are seeing as she sits behind her display table. Better yet, the jewelry and purses in particular are so unusual and creative that you are bound to get comments everywhere you go, for you probably won’t find similar handiwork around. As for clothing, many of the designs have an Urban Outfitters/vintage appeal, but most of the time they only cost a fraction of the price and are available seasons before they will be mass-produced. A win-win situation, this place is definitely worth a look, even if you don’t buy something every time.

Click here for website.

By Cindy Nawilis

After a bite of one of Wawa Canteen’s tasty dishes, walking down Mercer and Waverly will never be the same: the enticing thought of eating Grilled Shiitake Salad or Kimchi Fried Rice will always draw you in to the modern food haven that is Wawa Canteen.

In New York City, it is hard to come by a Korean restaurant that is still within a college student’s budget. However, Wawa Canteen provides delicious and affordable Korean dishes in a location perfectly situated for NYU students. Every dish is $8 or less, except for the Grilled Salmon with Soy Ginger Glaze ($9.50), and always served abundantly.

Don’t let the word "canteen" fool you. Nothing about this place is military-like. Inside the restaurant, the ambiance suggests balance and harmony; the interior decoration is best described as the modernized version of the traditional Asian style. Guests seat themselves and pick up their food when ready, like any other fast-food restaurant.

Check out the menu! Give it a try by eating-in or delivery! I recommend their ramen or bulgogi rice dish. If you can’t handle hot and spicy, make sure you ask for mild, because Koreans love their kimchi spice.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

By Alexis M. Perlmutter

The perfect combination of a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and terrific food, Amici II embodies the great feelings of Little Italy. The staff immediately becomes like family; they are extremely attentive, and they always remember a returning face. Seating is generally not an issue, and reservations are rarely necessary. Of course, the best aspect is the food! For an extremely reasonable $10-$15, you can get the perfect serving of pasta or meat that is filling but not overwhelming. The Chicken Française and Penne Vodka are to die for, but this restaurant is also known for their seafood selections (especially lobster). In addition to the employees and the cuisine, the casual atmosphere of the quaint interior with its exposed brick and surplus of pictures of loyal customers make Amici II the ideal place for an Italian meal. The only word of caution would be to plan to make a night of it when eating here, especially if the staff knows you, as they do not work on the hurried American agenda.

By Dean Stattmann

Album: Sound of Silver
Artist: LCD Soundsystem
Label: DFA Records / EMI

When I first heard about LCD Soundsystem’s latest release, I immediately decided that I would not like it; not because I didn’t like the previous album, but rather because it was so good that the idea of replacing it with something better was offensive. In 2005, LCD Soundsystem, led by DFA Records co-founder James Murphy, annihilated the dance and pop charts when they launched their self-titled debut album, and who could blame them? The release had all the ingredients that an epic album of this genre requires: the song that everyone knows (“Tribulations”), the anthem (“Daft Punk is Playing at My House”), and the one that everyone calls a ballad, really isn’t, but still deserves the title (“Yeah”). It was bulletproof. And that’s why instead of seeing Sound of Silver as the armor-piercing, exploding round that it is, I prefer to look at it as a sentry that will forever guard the legacy that LCD Soundsystem has now created.

From the first track (“Get Innocuous!”), it is made very clear that Murphy is not playing games. What starts off as textbook progressive electro soon evolves into a full-fledged auditory invasion, with the unique combination of instruments that has become synonymous with the group. This surprise attack sets a clear message that echoes throughout Sound of Silver: “We’re doing this our way.”

The first single off the new album (“North American Scum”) is possibly the most prominent landmark of the album, with Murphy’s personal voice dominating the track: “Oh I don’t know where to begin / We are North Americans / And for those of you who still think we’re from England / We’re like …no.” The track is patriotic and inspirational without sounding like some kind of defense, although it could just as easily be a response to “Two Nations," off The Streets’ latest release (The Hardest way to Make an Easy Living) in which Mike Skinner, after ranting about America’s faults, comes to the conclusion that the US is simply an unsuccessful version of Britain.

At first, the closing track (“New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down”) seems to be a simple critique of NYC; however, it is in this final stretch of the album that Murphy really showcases his lyrical ability. Following tracks like “Us V Them,” “Watch the Tapes,” and the title track, rather than a grand finale, “New York . . ." acts as the calm following the storm. With its insightful lyrics and calming piano riff, it is the perfect end to a perfect album. Sound of Silver contains nine tracks with the average track length spilling just over six minutes. This long track/short album approach is a refreshing change from the norm: however, every time the album ends I find myself wanting more.

Sound of Silver lights four torches without breaking a sweat.

By Kayt Conti

THE ATMOSPHERE:

With an impressive twenty five albums under their belt, the alternative rock group Sonic Youth has been going strong since 1981. They played a show at Webster Hall (11th and 3rd) on February 16th, and all were reminded why the band has had such success. Sonic Youth formed in New York City and was an influential part of the post-punk period of the 90s. They were one of the most highly regarded alternative bands of their day.
Their sound ranges from ethereal string plucks to weighty meshed chords. Expect picks grinding up and down fret boards, whispery vocals on some songs, and quick, catchy beats on others.

The crowd at Webster Hall that Friday was as diverse as Sonic Youth’s songs. While I did encounter fellow NYUers at the show, there were also thirty-something year olds with dreads, twenty-something year olds with flasks, and innumerable carefree people who didn’t care who the hell saw them dance to their hearts' content.

THE PERFORMANCE:

While each member of Sonic Youth possesses incredible talent, the most well known in the group are Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore.

Kim Gordon is 53 years old, but on stage she’s as energetic and passionate as a teenager playing New York for the first time. Dressed in a metallic silver shirt-dress and black leggings, Kim resembled a star bouncing around the stage. Intensely into whichever instrument she was playing (guitar or bass on any given song), Kim looked like she belonged on stage. When she wasn’t simultaneously playing guitar and singing, she was dancing around the stage, rhythmically flailing her arms and bopping her head. It was difficult to take your eyes off her; she seemed to physically embody the music that Sonic Youth was playing.

Sonic Youth’s other front person, Thurston Moore, 49, was equally as captivating. His hair just long enough to cover his eyes, Thurston addressed the audience as if they were some friends in his living room. After playing their opening song, Thurston spoke into the microphone, to no one in particular, “Thanks for comin’ out man. It’s great to be in New York.” He played most of the set bent over his guitar in a way that brings images of so many timeless rock stars to mind.

[Thurston Moore, r.]

WHAT TO CHECK OUT:

While Sonic Youth’s inventory of songs is almost too deep to delve into, classics worth checking out include “Silver Rocket,” and “Teenage Riot.” Impressive tracks from their newest album, Rather Ripped (released June 2006) include “Rats,” “Incinerate,” and “Or.” Keep an eye out for their next trip to New York--you don’t want to miss it.

By Gianna Toboni

J.R. Moehringer’s The Tender Bar presents a cast of characters so engaging you will want to jump on the next train to Long Island to hang out with them in their favorite pub. This memoir tells about a young boy’s struggle without a father and how a comforting and immensely diverse neighborhood bar takes him in. Growing up in Manhasset, J.R. lives from pay check to pay check, constantly feeling guilty for being unable to support his mother. Through writing this memoir, J.R. Moehringer contacted a number of old friends and got their stories, allowing this grand tale to come alive with the sounds, smells and laughs of Dicken’s – the bar next door. The second I finished this unmatched piece of art, I read every updated bibliography on Moehringer, sent the book home to my family with a post-it reading “READ THIS NOW,” and called a friend to tell him about it; my friend has never read a book in his life, and I called him the following day to hear him mumble “have to call you back, finishing up page 290.” You will cry a lot, laugh even more and want to pick it up again the second you finish it.

Best Book Ever… 5 out of 5