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Review: Seeing Stereophonic is a Sound Decision
May 1, 2024, 5:42.53 pm ET
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By Brian Scott Lipton

“Art isn’t easy/Every minor detail/is a major decision/Have to keep things in scale/have to keep to your vision.”

Unsurprisingly, the late, great Stephen Sondheim summed up in mere seconds what David Adjmi takes over three hours to say in “Stereophonic,” now at the Golden Theatre. Still, there’s no denying this overlong but compelling new play about a mid-1970s pop band (clearly based on Fleetwood Mac) struggling to complete their newest album – and not lose their hearts and minds in the process – is its own work of art.

By sticking surprisingly close to what happened to the members of Fleetwood Mac -- Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and John and Christine McVie – the play can feel a bit predictable to those who know the band’s history. Conversely, those who know nothing about these people, and especially, the torturous making of the group’s landmark album “Rumours,” may actually miss some of the nuances in the play.

Either way, however, Daniel Aukin’s production of the work could not be more immaculate – from David Zinn’s unbelievable re-creation of a California recording studio (aided by the superb sound design by Ryan Rumery) to the stunningly authentic costumes by Enver Charkatash (flares, flares, everywhere), to the deeply-felt performances by a mostly little-known, seven-person cast.

Even the few musical numbers composed by Will Butler, formerly of the Grammy-winning band “Arcade Fire,” seemingly aspire to the Fleetwod Mac’s signature sound. The best example is “Bright -- the stunning 6 ½-minute song written by lead singer Diana (a strong-voiced, heart-wrenching Sarah Pidgeon, beautifully embodying the struggle of a woman to be taken seriously in the male-dominated music world). The song’s length leads to several fights with Diana’s controlling, seemingly egomaniacal boyfriend Peter (a superb Tim Pecinka), who ends up taking over the role of record producer.

While the ever-evolving Diana-Peter relationship gets the most attention here, Adjmi does build up solid-enough stories for his other characters; the mercurial bassist Reg (an unrecognizable Will Brill) who transforms from a drug-addicted, alcoholic mess to a health-obsessed vegetarian (who still drinks now and then); his deeply shy, but sometimes strong-willed wife Holly (a very fine Juliana Canfield), the group’s keyboardist; and the flamboyant, often exasperated drummer Simon (a magnetic Chris Stack.

Moreover, all five musicians are natural perfectionists who are forced to make personal and professional compromises – big and small – just to get the project finished. And as obnoxious as they can be, we do feel for their plight, especially as Adjmi leaves no doubt that the pressure to put out an album so full of expectations is overwhelming.

Still, the quarreling quartet doesn’t always engender our sympathies. As a result, viewer interest often drifts to the show’s “minor” characters, Grover (a wonderful Eli Gelb), the nerdy engineer who has embellished his resume to get this gig and, at least initially, ends up way over his head, and his more experienced and even dorkier colleague, Charlie (Andrew R. Butler, essentially serving as the work’s comic relief).

Bit by bit, though, these seven folks do eventually put their record together (not that we hear the finished product) enduring personal and professional triumphs and downfalls along the way. Indeed, as Adjmi implies, true “artists” may really have no choice but to pursue such a tricky path.

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Shedding It All in Times Square to Benefit the Fight Against AIDS
May 1, 2024, 5:25.44 pm ET
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Photo: Broadway Bares

BIKE Athletic invited some of Broadway's finest men to Times Square to shimmy and shake, dance and disrobe down to their jockstraps in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Jockstrap and Jockstrap Appreciation Day. These talented men are dancers from Broadway Bares, the annual, larger-than-life burlesque production that’s produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway Bares will host two performances on Sunday, June 23 at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The annual fundraiser helps provide meals and medication, healthcare and hope for those living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. Donate to the dancers and get Broadway Bares tickets now.

NYC’s Newest Taqueria is Esse Taco
May 1, 2024, 12:53.10 am ET
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Photos: Esse Taco

The Casamata Restaurant Group is launching Esse Taco led by chef Enrique Olvera. The taqueria is the hospitality group's latest project, joining a collection of contemporary Mexican restaurants ranging from bicoastal ATLA to World’s 50 Best honorees Pujol and Cosme.

Located in a bright, casual, all-standing space on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg, Esse Taco offers a menu focused on simplicity and the best ingredients, such as tortillas made from fresh masa, nixtamalized and made daily in-house from heirloom corn.

Tacos feature classic fillings such as ribeye steak and citrus-marinated grilled chicken thigh, thinly sliced instead of chopped to put flavor and quality front and center. Other offerings include mesquite smoked oyster mushroom tacos and pork loin “Al Pastor” with pineapple butter.

Visitors can also enjoy favorites like a corn husk meringue sundae, inspired by Cosme's iconic dessert, and a range of beverages including tequila and mezcal margaritas, beer and refreshing agua frescas.

Esse Taco is located at 29 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY. For more information, visit essetaco.com

Cocktail Time: Nami Nori Launches Exclusive Cocktails at its Williamsburg Location
May 1, 2024, 12:23.59 am ET
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Photos: Nami Nori

Nami Nori, the Japanese temaki restaurant specializing in open-style hand rolls, is launched a new cocktail program exclusive to its Williamsburg location featuring spirits-based cocktails for the first time.

The new cocktails include:

• Parkside Spritz featuring Roku Gin, grapefruit, miso honey, Campari, sesame and Maison Foucher Cremant

• Golden Colada with Ypioca Cachaca, pineapple, lime, Denizen White Rum, Falernum and coconut

• Matcharita 2.0 with Mijenta Tequila, matcha, agave, yuzu, Hana Makgeolli Hwaju 12 and egg white

• Island Life transporting guests to a tropical vacation. It features Denizen White Rum, Ten to One Dark Rum, strawberry, Yakult, Hana Makgeolli Takju 16, lychee and vanilla.

• Nori Highball, a classic Japanese highball, with Mars Iwai Tradition Whisky, nori syrup and yuzu.

In addition to new cocktails, the beverage program also has a new dedicated Japanese whiskey selection, including Hibiki Harmony, Yamazaki 12 and Nikka 21.

Bar Blondeau and Le Crocodile's Spring Offerings in Williamsburg
May 1, 2024, 12:02.35 am ET
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Photo: Le Crocodile

It is Apero Time at Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg from 5-7pm on weeknights at the bar. Guests can enjoy select cocktails, glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres starting at $9.

Bar Blondeau’s Terrace will open for the season on May 9th. With lush planters and oversized umbrellas to shade against the sun, the wrap-around terrace offers unparalleled views of the New York City skyline and Brooklyn.

Photo: Bar Blondeau

Sunset Hour at Bar Blondeau features drink specials starting from $9 Monday through Friday from 5-7pm. On select Mondays, Bar Blondeau will also co-host a special “Sunset Hour Spotlight” service in partnership with a local spirits producer.

In the coming weeks, Le Crocodile and Bar Blondeau will roll out new dishes, cocktails and wine selections for Spring.