I was sitting in Midtown the other day and looked up and this was what I saw. Towering skyscrapers and clear blue skies. Operative word: blue. I love blue.
A good blue pair of jeans. A good pair of blue chinos. A good blue jacket. Blue outfits are deliciously sexy.
Express Jeans. Burberry Trench Coat. American Apparel Belt. J Crew Utility Shirt. Reebox Shoes. Superga Shoes. Topman Chinos.
A group of aliens from a faraway planet are stranded in New York City after their spaceship crashes. These aren’t your stereotypical scary extraterristials with a mission to kill or disturb peace and harmony. No, Voca People are dressed in non-threatening all white pantsuits (but not in a Celine Dion all white outfit Monistat kind of way)* with bright red lipstick and no agenda to harm anyone or anything. They remind me of jovial mimes, but with the powerful gift of song. Wanting to return home, they sing to gain energy and refuel their depleted spaceship.
In their words, “Musica is life! Life is musica!”
While the premise of the show isn’t highly original, the music and performance more than makes up for it. The performers are quite talented and can really sing using their voices to mimic and mirror percussions, guitars, trumpets, drums and even bagpipes. More than 60 snippets of songs are performed acapella style (without the usage of any musical aids/instrument) during this 90 minute show on a bare bones stage decorated with nothing except for a faux spaceship. In fact, they cover everything from major artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Queen and to the obscure and one hit wonder like the Baha Men (Who Let The Dogs Out?) with such ease, style and quirky charm making the covers their own.
The history of American music is played out from themes such as cinematic songs (My Heart Will Go On), the evolution of man (The Circle of Life), love and romance (My Girl) to the differences between men and women (Barbie Girl).
While kids will certainly enjoy this show for the cute, kitschy factor and mainstream, relatable songs, adults will also maintain interest as the show interjects doses of wit, humor and double entendres. During the set of the differences between men and women, brains of two people are analyzed. One woman’s brain is revealed to be focused only on marriage (Here Comes The Bride) while one man’s brain is passionately focused on coitus with a repetitive chanting stuck in his head (sex, sex, sex, sex!)
Audience interaction is very much encouraged, so if you are scared of going on stage or being used as a prop (especially if you are bald, be prepared to have your head rubbed for an effect), don’t sit near the aisle. Halfway in, I was one of three men (I know, I’m giving myself too much credit) grabbed onto the stage by an alien with an incredible vocal prowess. Yes, I was sitting near the aisle and one of the gals (Soprana) singing eyed me early on. The three aliens danced and serenaded us on stage as we attempted to have some sort of stage presence. I was half nervous and half enjoying the experience, but she made me at ease as she spooned me compliments in between singing, “You’re so cute!” I’m sure the audience members were laughing at the three of us (instead of at us) as we attempted to dance and not seem like total geeks onstage. Plus, I am sure nobody thought this boy with cuffed pants and a Mr. Rogers cardigan was anywhere near heterosexual.
My favorite scene neared the end when the group sang Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody with such ease and humor. It was so entertaining it had me singing along and tapping my foot.
If you are looking for a in-depth story with substance, something that will make you think about the world critically, this isn’t it. This is pure fun and frills.
Voca People is best enjoyed by those with an open mind, a vast knowledge of music and songs, those won’t aren’t afraid of an interactive show or those who want to simply entertained. Who doesn’t want a group of quirky people dressed in all white singing to them for an hour and a half?
*Monistat does not endorse this
PS: Kids go free with a regular ticket priced at $79.50
Dates: February 16, 2012 – May 6, 2012 (now open run)
Price: $79.50 (make sure to utilize discounts such as 30 Under 30)
Entertainment: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5
New World Stages
340 W. 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
www.voca-people.com
Because sometimes buttons and zippers aren’t enough — a toggle sweater is the best alternative.
Sometimes, it’s all in the details. I love the belted trench coat look.
During the autumn and winter, I like to eat. A lot. Let’s be serious. I like to eat period, but during these seasons, I gorge. I think of myself as a bear hibernating for a short period. Part of this fantasy scenario requires that I eat copious amounts of food to gain a few layers of fat to shield myself from the frigid temperatures.
I’ve found cupcakes are the perfect food to eat during the winter. They are portable. They are sweet. They come in a variety of flavors. They’ve been trendy for the past decade. And they are packed with calories. Perfect!
Midtown East Location – 501 Madison Ave (between 52nd St & 53rd St)
Founded in 2003 in the Upper West Side of New York City, Crumbs Bake Shop is now the largest cupcake chain in the United States with over 35 stores in the country. There are plans to expand to over 300 stores by 2014. Holy cannoli!
What’s the big deal with this joint? Unlike the name of the shop, it’s not because of anything miniscule or small. Crumbs specializes in gourmet, super sized cupcakes. The sizes are humungous and can feed up to three. Think one “normal” cupcake multiplied three or four times. It’s like GMO cupcakes gone wrong. Crumbs boasts huge cupcakes and they are proud of it.
The cupcake chain is so proud of this that they list calories for each and every cupcake on display. The usual suspects average 400-500 calories per cupcake and can go up to 800 calories. Compare this with other cupcakes which can run the gamut anywhere from250-350 calories.
The ‘classic’ cupcake at Crumbs measures around 2 inches and weighs over 5-6 ounces.
A variety of cupcakes with calories listed
A single cupcake packaged in a plastic container
Of course nobody needs to consume a mini couch of a cupcake, but because I’m an American and enjoy gluttony, I consume the whole thing in one sitting. I prefer the Red Velvet or Cookie Dough cupcake. No, I don’t feel bad about this and neither should you. When I go to Crumbs, I know what I’m getting into. Even though it’s a full serviced bakery, I don’t go here for coffee, cookies or any other baked good. It’s all about the 600 calorie cupcake. No apologies.
Crumbs is a great stop for anyone who is looking to gain a few pounds, satisfy a sweet craving and possibly eat all their daily recommended caloric intake. Don’t worry, just eat a salad for dinner. It all balances out.
