WHAT A WEEK
Comments(17) OK, FIRST OF ALL my husband Tim, his parents, Jessie and Tony, and sister Dorothy came last Saturday and stayed till mid day Wednesday. Tim,s mom and dad are in their early 80′s and have never been to NYC. They came to the show Sunday and were treated like royalty by the cast, especially JLY and Christian, Daniel and probably Bobby, and the rest but I only witnessed the previous. Then some of our great JB fans recognized them and treated them wonderfully. They loved the show, and I warned Tony about my swearing before hand. Tim called me at intermission and was so moved and said he had never sat that close up before (house seats) and he thought I was a really good actress. Thank goodness, because being away this long may make some sense.
After the show, and thousands of photos with cast, all five of us crammed illegally in a cab with this great Hungarian driver who ended up being a wonderful character actor in some great films we’ve all seen. He showed us his book, with photos with Robert DeNiro and Matt Damon, Brad Pitt..Law and Order etc…needless to say the 40 minute ride was very entertaining. This remarkable man had beaten colon cancer and just recently tested the waters of acting and continues to consistently work.
We then went to Nolita and ate PEASANT. This was amazing. Frankie DeCarlo (recognize the family name Gyp DeCarlo???) owns and is head chef of this rustic, charming, delicious restaurant. I spoke to him before sitting down, and he told me how he grew up with Toni and Francine Valli and the Gaudios and DeVitos and how seeing the show brought him back 20 years and how the music overwhelmed and moved him…almost as much as his generous food and appetizers and desserts that graced our table, unordered by us…we were humbled by his graciousness and 2 and a half hours later managed to part from his warm home. Well fed, and happy we strolled Little Italy catching the last hour of the St Gennaro festival and then went home.
Too sum up other things we did, the next day, (and I highly recommend this one), we went to the WTC Museum near Ground Zero. I could have spent hours there. It was so moving and whoever put this together…words can’t describe what you go through as you walk with those who were there…and those who didn’t make it. A fallen firefighter’s mother was on hand giving tours and pointing out photos of her son and telling personal stories of other “faces” on the wall…it was beautiful and haunting…we did other things there…but I’ll jump to the evening Harbor Light Cruise off of pier 42…a 2 hour guided tour in the boat circling our beloved NY…gorgeous.
The next day, I had an audition for Gossip Girl (a sassy, unamused waitress) and than joined the team at the MET for a few hours of culture and then Central Park…the weather was unbeatable every day…I went to the show then…and after the show Tim came alone and took me to Top of the Rock…gorgeous, romantic, breathtaking,..and so was Top of the Rock.
The next morning we met for breakfast, said goodbye…I did two shows and came home to an empty apt.
Next day I ordered 1,000 postcards for my cabaret…(100 is the same price as 1000) so if you see me after show passing out postcards just humor me…NOVEMBER 11, 9:30 SUNDAY NIGHT…THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE /42ND AND 9TH.
Ok, at Friday’s show the automation stopped working which means no elevator, no microphones popping up, no 4 Seasons rising out of the earth, etc…which also means 4 great looking swings, dressed in black manually setting up the microphones. Michelle Bosch our stage mgr was all calm and orderly..the show was delayed 20 minutes, the audience patient and wonderful..and again the swings saved the day…thank you Heather, Dominic, John and Graham.
Alright one show today…some surprises for fans…also thank you Irene, Wanda, Kathy, Howard for the bday cards…I’m not opening them till Tuesday….LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN.
Hi, Jen,
As always, you were fantastic both Friday and Saturday nights. And when you left after the show yesterday, you looked absolutely gorgeous in your hat. My Samantha and my daughter, Jennifer, think you are such a sweet and wonderful person. I know I am a little crazy about the show but it is really more the cast – everyone is so gracious, kind and giving – JB has become my NY home away from home.
Have a HAPPY, HAPPY birthday.
I can’t wait to read about the surprises at the show today. Oh, and I was at the Friday show – and you guys “performed like
troopers” despite the technical malfunctions!
Love, Irene
What a great post, Jen, and what a wonderful memory of a wonderful weekend for Tim’s parents. Sounds as if you did about three years worth of activities in three days!!
So many things to comment on, but I love the parts about the restaurant (Mr. DeCarlo) and the Hungarian taxi driver. It’s always thrilling listening to people who knew the Four Seasons from the “old neighborhood”; I always enjoy Jim Petrecca (who has the 4 Seasons store) and David Cace (who knows Tommy & went to the Hall of Fame) go on and on, and it’s never enough. BUT–when I did finally meet the REAL Tommy after hearing all the REAL stories–well, I knew I’d better watch those P’s and Q’s–or else I’d be in Vegas!!!
Only once in all my years in NYC and all the cab rides did I knowingly have an actor/actress as my driver. After my friend Jana Robbins’ recent cabaret show, the driver heard my friend Jessica and I talking about Jana and “Gypsy”, and this driver (now in her 60′s) knew Jana and also was in “Gypsy” in several incarnations. And poor Jessica had to tolerate our duets on “Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone”, “Small World”, and “If Momma Was Married.”
Thanks for sharing everything. And please don’t forget to remind Tim that he promised to try “The Original Pantry” on 9th and Figueroa in LA!! And that he has to finish the ENTIRE breakfast!
And have a wonderful, wonderful birthday.
I am so incredibly happy that you enjoyed your time with Tim and family. It sounds like you all had a magnificent time in NYC. I was wondering all week how you and the family were doing. I am so glad to know now!
Cab rides are crazy, but glad you had such a sweet driver.
Top of the Rock…I always wanted to go there! Glad you had some time with Tim up there.
A surprise for the fans tonight…hmm, wonder what this surprise is…
Have a magnificently wonderful and charming birthday. Wish I could be there in person to wish you a happy birthday (look for an ecard from me in your email inbox on the 2nd!)
Hope you are healthy and happy,
A
Those pictures were awesome!!! I loved the one with you and Tim in C. Park looking to your left…very cute:) His parents and Dottie look really good also:) I’ve never heard of Top of the Rock? I thought you two went rock climbing again….
Hey Jennifer! I’m so glad you had a wonderful weekend last week. It all sounds like such fun.
And I just wanted to send a big happy early birthday to my ‘birthday twin’. I hope you have a great one and enjoy it!
Best Wishes,
Devon
Hi Jen!! Just got home to see this great post of yours (which I didn’t see yesterday cuz I was with you!!) How awesome is that?!! Love the pictures, especially the first of you and Tim! So glad the time with the fam was great! All the birthday “stuff” was incredible, Michele’s and yours! YOU are one HELL of an actress and singer, my friend, don’t ever, for one moment, doubt that!!! So great to see you!! You’re the best!!! Love ya, Wanda
Happy Birthday Sweetheart (My Hon Bun)…
Just know that I am so proud of you in everything that you do. You are remarkable / incredible and you truly Rock!!! Can’t wait to see you in November for your Cabaret. Everyone attending are definitely going to be in for a treat.
Thank you for making my 50th Birthday the best birthday ever and making my sister and parents feel so special and loved. You are truly one of a kind. Have you taken down the 50th BD sign in your apt yet?
Honey, may this day bring to you many happy surprises and be filled with good friends and lots of Love…. I Love and miss you dearly… Your Number 1 Fan on the West Coast.. Tim
PS: And thanks to everyone that made my parents feel so welcomed. They can’t stop talking about their NY experience and all the wonderful people that they met. And also a special thanks to those who wished me a happy birthday.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SWEET FRIEND!!! May you have the most wonderful day and year ever!! Thinking of you! Love you Jen!!! Wanda
PS That sweet husband of yours made me cry when I read his post!! Tim, you are something else right along with your wife!! Can’t wait to see you in Novemeber!! Wanda
Hi Jennifer,
Just wanted to say Happy Birthday and many more. You are a lovely person, and have made my Jersey Boys experiences even more special. Thanks for always taking the time to say hello and chat. Great pictures of you, Tim, and family. Have a great day and always.
Pamela
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, older sister:))) On the Feast of the Guardian Angels…(Aren’t you the lucky one). I see you have many friends wishing you a wonderful day! Gifts in the mail, LOL. Happy Birthday, Hi TIM-o:)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!!!
I love sharing the birthday date with you. 
My belated 10/2 birthday present is going to be seeing the show on Tuesday, 10/9 (Packy surprised me with tickets!) He says he has a… special surprise for me to be delivered that night after the show?? Trying not to let my brain run too far ahead… but you *did* say to let you know when I’m engaged, didn’t you? lol! Here’s hoping!
All the best! See you soon!
Kay
Hello Jennifer,
) Hope you enjoy your day to the fullest… Libra’s Rock (I am a libra too)
Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful Happy B-Day. I am Tim’s co-worker –
Happy Birthday!
Jen, life is all about living our dreams, and you did just that this past year. Life is full of miracles, and may you and Tim have many more in this new birthday year to come. Have a wonderful day!
HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER,,,Hope you enjoy your day and best wishes.
As Always Your #1(Long Island) FAN,
Mack
Hey Jennifer!!!
Happy Birthday to you!I hope you had the best day ever!
Love,Christina
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENN!
I hope your day was amazing.
See you soon!
Love, Elle
Jen,
Tim’s comment was so adorable. That was very kind of him. I am glad you had a great birthday Tim and that your parents felt welcomed in NYC!
-A