Making Maisel Marvelous Exhibit The Paley Center for Media

Is there anyone not watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon? Well, if you are not, you are missing one heck of a show. It takes place in the best city in the world (NYC), an Upper West Side housewife (Rachel Brosnahan) with impeccable fashion sense in the 1950's (best era I think) loves being funny. She finds herself doing stand-up after her husband leaves her, and gains a very skilled manager named Susie (aka Alex Borstein from Family Guy & MADtv). It's first season began November 2017, and after hearing so much about it, I decided to check it out. I fell completely in love  along with everyone else. Midge's (the housewife) father is the fantastic actor Tony Shaloub (Monk) and her mother is Marin Hinkle (Two & a Half Men). 

The show is just so different on so many levels. The writing is fantastic and the comedy is golden. Then there is the fabulous era of the 1950's in New York City, the vibe - the cars - the home decor - the shopping - the music - the FASHION - 

This past Saturday, the Paley Center opened a FREE exhibit about the show. I never stand in lines for anything but I stood for this, only about 25 minutes or so, on a very HOT day in August (I never visit in August) in New York City. It did not disappoint.  If you are a fan of this show, and you can get to this exhibit, do so. You will have a smile on your face from the time you walk in until the time you leave. It is truly MARVELOUS! 

My first time here, as I say, so much to do in this city and never enough time 

The line to get in of dedicated fans, some who were dressed in vintage styles which was so darn cool 

The Arthritis Telethon where Midge does her comedy bit is the first part of sets you see. It is done with so much detail.  

You can pose here and show up on the telethon tv - not my cup of tea but many did and it was fun  

The fashion. Costume designer Donna Zakowska who is from Brooklyn, is a pure genius. 

Zakowska said she leads a crew of at least 25 people on set to dress the principal players and the extras in hundreds of costume changes. She pays strict attention to detail, even for day players, who often wear 1950′s outfits found in vintage stores or the internet. But most of the clothes worn by the principal characters are designed by Zakowska. One of the most important accessories on the show is the underwear, which has to be tight and supportive to pull off these amazing looks. 

Pearls and a little black dress are classic and timeless  

Colors are used for each character depending on their storyline, brights for happy and darks for sad times. Color has a big tie to emotions.  

I loved that the show was playing in the background and we had great 50's music to listen to as well while going through the exhibit.  

Rose's apartment in Paris which is such a most wonderful episode of culture, and fashion.   

You can sit in the chair and get your photo taken.  

 

The switchboard where Midge is sent to after working the cosmetics counter. You can sit here and take a photo, there were actual people talking in the headphones. Brilliant!  

Fabulous Elizabeth Arden make up counter where Midge gets her first job. I would love to know where they found all these vintage pieces! Everyone was in LOVE!  

 

The hair salon from their vacation in the Catskills. Perfection. That is all. 

Color does make me smile!  

 

I just loved this armoire of shoes, clothes and hats! The show was playing in the background and kept changing scenes. Glorious indeed! 

RUN to see this if you are a fan. You will so enjoy it. 

Making Maisel Marvelous Exhibit

Tickets are FREE but you should RSVP in advance 

The Paley Center for Media New York 

25 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Exhibit Hours:

Wednesdays to Sundays, noon to 6:00 pm; Thursdays until 8:00 pm

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

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The Front Page on Broadway

I am very picky about Broadway shows. I have not been to many of them, I like to go when actors I enjoy are performing. My list of attended shows are: Mamma Mia, The Producers, The Odd Couple, Chaplin, The Lion King, Sylvia and It's Only a Play. I really enjoy Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, separate and even better, together. When I heard about The Front Page opening with the cast of many of my favorites, I knew I had to go.  

Walking through Times Square is so not a favorite of mine, and luckily I was there on a Wednesday afternoon, which made it a little less crazy.  

The fabulous play Matilda, from the Ronald Dahl book, is a favorite with the younger crowd.  

That is some line-up, no? I was really thrilled to see all these talented folks in one show. For sure worth my admission ticket! 

Here is some info about the play which was written in 1928:

The classic comedy The Front Page hits Broadway once again in 2016, boasting an incredible cast of theatre and movie royalty. Directed by three time Tony winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, Henry IV), this revival is headlined by Broadway darling and two-time Tony winner Nathan Lane (The Producers), last seen on The Great White Way in the similarly starry It's Only a Play. Joining him in the cast are screen legend John Goodman (10 Cloverfield Lane), John Slattery (Mad Men) and Tony winners Jefferson Mays (A Gent's Guide to Love & Murder) and Rosemary Harris (The Lion in Winter).

First produced in 1928, The Front Page set the template for all wisecracking, rapid-fire comedies that followed. Written by former Chicago reporters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, this witty escapade follows a court reporter who must ask the assistance of his tyrannical editor when he stumbles upon the story of a lifetime. A big hit in its day, it has been been adapted for the silver screen multiples times, most famously as His Girl Friday, with Gregory Peck and Rosalind Russell. 

In addition to the legends above, I also enjoyed seeing Dylan Baker (Colin Sweeney on The Good Wife), John Magaro (Lorna's husband Vinnie from Orange is the New Black), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore), Dann Florek (Law & Order) and Micah Stock who was in It's Only a Play. There is no shortage of talent here whatsoever!  

The Broadhurst Theatre is very lovely, this was my first time seeing a show here. 

The Broadhurst opened on September 27, 1917 with George Bernard Shaw's Misalliance, the first New York production of the philosophical 1910 comedy.  

The ladies sitting behind me were pretty interesting. Older ladies, who had no clue

what the play was about, or who was in it. I find that rather sad, they may have 

gotten tickets for free, or just go to many shows and not really look at the 

information about them. I am very particular about what I go to see. The lady sitting next

to me didn't seem happy about the play, how could you not be? Asking how 

long it was, and after the 2nd intermission, left and didn't come back. Sad.  

One day I would love a balcony seat!  

The first act of the play was kind of slow. The big names were not in the first act at all, which was kind of disappointing. After that however, I felt it really become very good. John Slattery was quite a main character, and his Mad Men-ish attire had me very happy. He looks great in a hat! John Goodman was really funny, he looked great and pretty trim. When Nathan Lane came into the play, people really started roaring with laughter. He is such a comic Broadway legend, if you have never seen him in a play, you need to do so. It is worth every penny. I was also really amused by Micah Stock, who was in It's Only a Play with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. He is a really funny guy, and his scenes had me grinning from ear to ear. Robert Morse was really great as well, just perfect in his character. I would highly recommend this show, if you like comedies, you have your best performers here.

The Front Page 

Broadhurst Theatre 

235 West 44th Street 

Opens October 20, 2016 to January 29, 2017

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