We made a big mistake on Saturday and went to the Roxy Deli in Times Square, which was just such a wannabe deli. So two days later we made a pilgrimage through the streets of Manhattan and finally found the Carnegie Deli, where we shared an amazing melt-in-your-mouth Reuben, pictured above. This was our second visit to the home of the “Big Pickle.” I have a feeling this will become a regular thing when we’re there.

The Museum of Modern Art

Something seems to be missing here.

Here too…

The view from the road out of town.

The icons of the New York City streets.

Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple” opened officially a few days after we saw it Sunday afternoon. It was a good show, but we were left wishing it had more of the emotional impact of the movie. It was very “Broadway.” We enjoyed it but it wasn’t as original as we had expected. Oprah’s show opened across the street from “The Late Show” with David Letterman, who brought in huge ratings when Winfrey appeared on his show to promote the musical.

In NYC, bobbleheads are everywhere.

Speaking of Broadway… I had one of the most incredible nights of my life in any theatre when we saw the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece Sweeney Todd on Saturday night. The musical was stripped bare to its essentials, brought to life with simple staging and grand imagination. Michael Cerveris as Sweeney Todd is terrifying and Nazi-like. Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett brings a sexuality to the role and this is the first Todd/Lovett pairing I’ve seen that would be hot in the sack.

Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris in Sweeney Todd (Photo © Paul Kolnik)

The musical takes you through one third of the first act before catching its breath and allowing the audience to even applaud a song. This builds an immense amount of suspense and emotion in the audience which is then finally released after Anthony sings “Johanna.” The chorus has been replaced by a tight ensemble of only the main characters, making the carnage that much more apparent by the show’s end.

Two songs for which I had little appreciation previously were stunningly performed and brought to new life. “The Tower of Bray” became a tense game by the brilliantly played Beadle, and “Johanna” as sung by the judge was terrifyingly relevant. The usually difficult-to-watch act of self-flagellation is replaced in this production with only musical self-awareness and sharp angst. The scene with the judge, therefore, is stripped of its over-the-top presentation and delivers a direct emotional punch to the audience. You recognize the creepy man before you in the hypocracy and sexual superiority rampant in today’s religious and political leaders.

The small ensemble cast also brilliantly works triple duty as the on-stage orchestra. This never intrudes on the story, but adds to it. The cast earned a long-lasting explosion of a standing ovation at the conclusion of the show. Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, indeed! This was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had in the theatre.

The snowflakes hanging on the walls of Saks Fifth Avenue perform a light show to Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas music.

Macy’s First Floor

Macy’s

A Wooden Escalator at Macy’s

Dave and I saw The Odd Couple with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick and a fantastic supporting cast. Next to the theatre, you can warm up with an odd couple of drinks.

Times Square Friday Night

Bonus Photo from Lucky Cheng’s. I told you those waitresses were dirty.

Late Friday, after dinner at Lucky Cheng’s, we stopped at Greenwich Village watering hole, Ty’s. This seems to be the best place that we fit in. Here’s the face of your local neighborhood bartender.

Today, I’ll post some of my favorite shots from Thanksgiving Day.

A young paradegoer views the procession from within the MTV studios building.

This is the M&M baloon that sheered off a light fixture and knocked two women from Brooklyn on the head about a block from where we were (in Times Square). Lucky there were no serious injuries.

“You walk the path like Charlie Brown/ Full of hope with your head down”

American Idol 2005 Carrie Underwood

Santa arrived to usher in the Christmas season. Ho ho ho!

Something to be thankful for after the parade… Thanksgiving breakfast: New York style pizza, served by Italians.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Sardi’s.