New Shows Come to Broadway for the Fall 2023 Season

After some pretty dark days during the COVID-19 pandemic years, Broadway is seeing a rebound. Many Broadway shows are making their mark for the fall 2023 season and are expected to be met with success.

Fashion Reverie has grouped together shows we are excited to see and performances we can’t wait to experience. We took the time to gather some of our favorite selections so we can present for you a roundup of must-see Broadway experiences for the fall 2023 season.

Image courtesy of playbill.com

Merrily We Roll Along

“Merrily We Roll Along” is the story of how a composer’s idealism and friendship were corrupted by success. Not only that, but now the composer must tell his story backwards, starting with a tale that’s down and depressing, and ending with the optimism that came from his college years.

This is a fantastic show to add to your fall 2023 list, as it tells the story of a group of friends who are all artists gaining fame and how things eventually fall apart between them all. This musical was first directed by Maria Friedman at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory. The show is scored by Stephen Sondheim and has a book written by George Furth. The show will begin performances on Sept. 19 at the Hudson Theatre on 139–141 W. 44th St. “Merrily We Roll Along” features actors Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas, Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard, Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn, and many others.

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Danny and the Deep Blue Sea

Featuring esteemed stars Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbot in John Patrick Shanley’s play, “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” is a portrayal of the near-indistinguishable space between joy and pain. The setting of this show takes place in a rundown bar in the Bronx, where two societal rejects, Danny and Roberta, hit things off after conversing over their drinks. Danny seems incapable of tender love and resorts to violence. Roberta is recently divorced and ridden with guilt over a teenage son she feels is too far gone to be fixed. Roberta naturally isn’t trusting or fond of men, as a sexual incident with her father happened to her in the past. Yet, these two find a way to connect and show compassion to one another while forgiving the wrongs of the world around them and choosing to be less bitter and lonely.

This drama is coming to New York for a limited time only this fall at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Manhattan’s iconic West Village. With the show’s powerfully enduring message of human connection, it will surely be a show that is sought out.

Image courtesy of broadwayhereandthere.com

Purlie Victorious

If you love Broadway revivals, then you will love “Purlie Victorious.” Tony & Grammy Award winner and Academy & Emmy Award nominee Leslie Odom, Jr. will star in a new Broadway production of this classic American comedy. Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch is the rousing, laugh-filled comedy by Ossie Davis that tells the story of a Black preacher’s machinations to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church. Preview for “Purlie Victorious” opens September 7.

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Is It Thursday Yet?

“Is It Thursday Yet?” is co-created and co-choreographed by Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh. Performances come solely from Freeman, while it is directed entirely by Tayeh. Through dance, live music, and home video footage this show invites you into the unique complexities of a dancer and choreographer (Jenn Freeman) while she goes through her life following her autism spectrum disorder diagnosis at the age of 33. Since her original diagnosis, she has been able to examine memories from her childhood with a new lens and understanding.

Live music from composer and vocalist Holland Andrews and a set by Rachel Hauck, who won a Tony Award for “Hadestown,” make this show a must-see. It’s a testament to the abilities of the everyday human and is truly liberating. The show will take place at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) from Dec. 8-23.

Image courtesy of brooklyn-theater.com

Waiting for Godot!

Michael Shannon as Estragon and Paul Spark as Vladimir will be leading the cast and starring in this classic. Shannon has played multi-award-winning roles in hit movies like “Knives Out” andBullet Train.” In this show, two wanderers are waiting by a lonely tree to meet up with Mr. Godot, whom they believe holds the power to change their lives for the better. Keep in mind that the two men are supposed to have troubled lives, so they believe in their lives changing for the better when they finally meet Mr. Godot. While they wait for the man, they fill their time playing games.

Jeff Biehl will be featured as Lucky, with Ajay Naidu as Pozzo. The show is by Samuel Beckett and will be directed by Arin Arbus at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn, NY. The show takes place starting Nov.4 and runs until Dec. 3.

Image courtesy of tdf.com

Jaja African Hair Braiding

This world premiere welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon in Harlem where every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish, and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmer below the surface of their lives and when it boils over, it forces this tight-knit community to confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

Image courtesy of spamalotthemusical.com

Monty Python’s Spamalot

This is a hilarious musical comedy based on the classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” film and is making a return to Broadway. The show includes everything from flying cows to killer rabbits. The musical follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail.

Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, the show will begin performances on Tuesday, Oct. 31, ahead of the official opening night on Thursday, Nov. 16. The work features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, which are rip-offs from the iconic 1975 film. Jeffrey Finn, the artistic director of the series, will produce the revival happening on Broadway.

—Ryan Salfino

 

 

 

BAAND Together Dance Festival Is a Celebration of the Future of Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Company in “Dancing Spirit”/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

In this third season of BAAND Together Dance Festival at Lincoln Center, dance companies Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (AAADT), American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), New York City Ballet (NYCB), and Ballet Hispanico presented dance works that demonstrated the breadth and depth of the respective companies.  “The BAAND Together Dance Festival is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of the New York City dance community. We are thrilled to be returning with a spectacular program that features the city’s most internationally revered repertory companies. This year’s program highlights the innovative visions that have made New York City our nation’s dance capital,” as stated by organizers of BAAND.

BAAND Together Dance Festival was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to spark continued interest in dance in New York City as dance performances were shut down due to the pandemic. This five-day, free dance festival, held at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, has grown over the past three years with attendance increasing every year.

This season ABT, DTH, NYCB, AAADT, and Ballet Hispanico performed works that not only define these esteemed dance companies but project the next iteration of these dance companies. Ballet Hispanico, Alvin Ailey, and New York City Ballet scored the bonafide hits of the evening, with American Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem performing to lesser effect.

Ballet Hispanico in “Linea Recta”/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

Ballet Hispanico opened the evening with Anabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “Linea Recta.” Though this masterpiece is set to flamenco music Eric Vaarzon Morel, Lopez Ochoa goes beyond traditional flamenco steps and choreography to interpret Morel’s music.

As one of the most popular choreographers on the dance scene, Lopez Ochoa demonstrates in “Linea Recta’—which has been Ballet Hispanco’s repertoire for a few years now—why she is at the top of her choreographic game. With Lopez Ochoa there is also something unexpected. And with this element of surprise, Lopez Ochoa whets the appetite just enough to keep audiences wanting more and more.

In “Linea Recta” there is very little reference to Spanish dance or movement. This dance work is heavily intertwined with Graham contractions and high leg extensions and undulations; movement that at times is a far cry from traditional flamenco dance. Yet, Lopez Ochoa finds a way to make it work and work brilliantly. And Lopez Ochoa expertly uses the red ruffled train to grand effect as a prop and exclamation point to the sharp, dramatic movement.

What stands out most about this ballet is Lopez Ochoa’s intricate partnering where the male dancer is so much more than a porter presenting the female dancer. The dancers weave themselves around, dramatically punctuating the strong flamenco music in the background.

New York City Ballet in “The Times Are Racing”/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

Another strong work of the evening was Justin Peck’s “The Times Are Racing” with music by Dan Deacon. This sneaker ballet, slightly reminiscent of Jerome Robbins’ “N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz” from the late 1950s, uses casual streetwear and sneakers, not unlike Robbins’s work. Still, Peck’s work is a lot less binary than Robbins’ work. Men partner men, women partner women with the real star of Peck’s ballet being the ensemble, who though dancing as a unit, each individual dancer stands out and has their moment in the sun.

Gone are the pointe shoes, tutus, and even the black and white unitard and tights ala Balanchine abstract ballets of the 20th century. In its place are urban streetwear garments that can be seen on any young consumer. Also absent is the stylized ballet lexicon. But who needs that ballet reference for this modern-day urban hodge podge of dance idioms.

What is taking place on stage is a commitment and focus by each dancer on an expressive interpretation of Deacon’s rock-inspired music. And this focus presents the New York City Ballet in a new and streamlined projection toward the future.

Peck proves in this work that this is the New York City Ballet of the 21st century. Just as Balanchine pushed the proverbial dance envelope in the 20th century, Peck is pushing that same envelope in the 21st century. And evolving ballet in a way that can be more appealing to younger audiences.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Company in “Dancing Spirit”/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

The highlight of the evening was the Ailey Company’s “Dancing Spirit,” choreographed by Ronald K. Brown with music by Duke Ellington, War, and Wynton Marsalis. If you are not familiar with Ronald K. Brown, you should become acquainted with his work.

What is so endemic of Brown’s dance works is the dancers’ abilities to dance with their entire body. Everything needs to be aptly coordinated with the music. And the Ailey dancers rise to this challenge, ever surpassing this requirement. In other words, they brought the party to BAAND!!

As with most of Ronald K. Brown’s choreography, Brown borrows heavily from African dance styles, house club social dancing, as well as the modern techniques of Horton, Dunham, and Graham. All combined into a magical frenzy of rhythmic interpretations of the music and human experience.

The Ailey Company proves with this work they are as relevant as ever, and that are continuing to evolve the black dance experience for young audiences. Ailey artistic director Robert Battle has continued to demonstrate modern dance as seen through lens of the black experience is a valid and ever-evolving commentary on world culture.

The two disappointing performances of the evening came from American Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Both outstanding companies failed to deliver noteworthy performances for different reasons.

Dance Theatre of Harlem in “Nyman String Quartet No. 2″/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

In DTH’s case, it was the choice of Robert Garland’s choreography, “Nyman String Quartet No. 2.” At first it seemed that DTH’s new artistic director Robert Garland was creating a work to the abilities of his dancers. However, at further examination it was obvious that Garland’s choreography missed the talent and depth of DTH’s current crop of performers.

Though some of Garland’s choreography sat well on the women of the company, unfortunately the men looked like unwanted guests or crashers at the party. And the sight level of the Damrosch Park stage didn’t help matters, preventing audiences from seeing the footwork of the dancers.

Another distraction was the costumes that did not show off the dancers’ bodies to good effect. In years past, DTH dancers were known for having some of the most beautiful bodies in the dance world with great stage presence to match.


American Ballet Theatre in “Other Dances”/Photo Credit: RICHARD TERMINE

American Ballet Theatre performed Jerome Robbins’ iconic “Other Dances,” set on ballet legends Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. While the ABT dancers performed the pyrotechnical aspects of the ballet well, many of the Russian/Slavic folk dance steps—mazurka, czardas steps—were lost on the dancers.

What fit so beautifully on Baryshnikov and Makarova looked dated and forced on the current crop of ABT dancers. While it is laudable that ABT’s new artistic director Susan Jaffe is giving her dancers this great jewel of a work, some education and better coaching would have served this performance well.

—William S. Gooch

 

Love Is in the Air in Some of These 2023 Summer Reads

With summer in full swing, something about the warm weather makes you want to dive deep into a book with hopes that it may be your new favorite read. You can just get lost in the pages of a book for hours while sitting by the pool or on the beach. Fashion Reverie has curated a list of titles that we are excited to share. From a groundbreaking memoir from an Academy Award-nominated actor to a novel based on the life of a remarkable Black woman from history, you are sure to find your next summer read here.

Pageboy by Elliot Page

In this non-linear memoir of actor Elliot Page, he divulges never-before heard details on gender, love, mental health, relationships, and Hollywood. As one of the most famous trans advocates of the current times Page tells intimate stories of his life from childhood to present time and how thirteen years after his Oscar nomination for Juno, he came out as a trans man. He also eloquently sends home the message of the contentious experience of living a life as a trans man.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

The newest book from New York Times best-selling author Emily Henry, tells a story of a couple who have been together for months and have yet to tell their friends. They end up having to fake their relationship during their annual weeklong summer vacation with their friend group in Maine.

It is hard for the couple, Harriet and Wyn, to deny how desperately they still want each other while simultaneously lying through their teeth as the cottage is being put up for sale their last week in Maine. Make sure to add this vibrant novel to your summer reads list as Emily Henry always produces a fantastic summer read,

 The Whispers: A Novel by Ashley Audrain

Ashley Audrain’s page-turning thriller perfectly depicts the experience of four women and what occurs the following week after a horrific accident that happened to one of their children in the middle of the night.  This novel explores many themes revolving around motherhood and the quiet sacrifices, complexities of friendships, and what happens when intuitions are silenced.

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende presents a gripping novel that traces two stories, past and present, through war and immigration. In 1938 Vienna, six-year-old Samuel Adler was put on the last Kindertransport train going to the United Kingdom the day after Kristallnacht after the disappearance his father.

In Arizona in 2019, Anita Diaz, a blind seven-year-old girl, boards a train with her mother as they are fleeing from the impending danger in El Salvador. This is at the time of El Salvador’s new family separation policy, and Anita finds herself alone without her mother at a camp in Nogales. Through these two stories that are testaments to the sacrifices that parents make and the unfathomable dangers that these children survive, Allende creates another gripping novel.

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

This is the ultimate summer nostalgia read with the backdrop of the main character’s Sam’s parents’ beach house on Long Island. Sam is an engaged women to a successful doctor with a great job in Manhattan. She finds out that Wyatt is vacationing in Long Island—the Wyatt she spent every summer with from five to seventeen years old until he broke her heart. The presence of Wyatt makes her question everything about what happened between them in the past, and about herself in the present, including her engagement.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

This new novel comes from New York Times Bestselling Author of the Dead Romantics. Ashley Poston has created a story of love and what happens when your perfect plan gets derailed. The main character Clementine, who is an overworked book publicist finds a strange man standing in her late aunt’s kitchen with a kindness that she can’t quite explain, however the catch is that he lives seven years in the past. Just her luck! The novel shows how they navigate their love for each other while not living in the same time period.

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley is a tale of a remarkable black women of history who was Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid.  Coidavid escaped a coup during the Haitian Revolution and then goes on to build her own royal court in Regency Era Italy. She manages to flee to Europe with her daughters. By finding their place and acceptance in society, they discover more about themselves and their blackness, and what they can possess in world that is European and male dominated.

Images courtesy of amazon.com

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

In the newest novel by New York Times best-selling author Ali Hazelwood, theoretical Physicist Elsie Hannaway finds that experimental physicist Jack Smith, who ruined the career of her mentor, is standing in the way of her dream job at MIT. As she is vying for her dream job, she finds herself not having to be anything but her true self with Jack. Those long looks from Jack that she receives as she is preparing for scholarly sabotage may mean more.

—Phoebe Howard

Music and Fashion Will Come Together in These 2023 Summer Concerts

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The hot weather of summer is officially upon us and with it comes an amazing lineup of show-stopping musicians. To embrace the intersection of music and fashion, Fashion Reverie has curated a list of musicians going on tour in the upcoming months that are known for both their talent and style.

As with most art, different mediums can be intersectional. Fashion and music, however, can be a balance that is extraordinarily hard to strike without a professional stylist’s help. While most of these musicians now have stylists that help them put together outfits for their performances, the image that they cast is quite obviously them.

What is the easiest way to tell that someone is being their authentic self? Look at their fashion.

 Over the years, there has been a progression in how musical artists’ dress. Some of the artists picked for this round-up that have some of the hottest upcoming summer tours are still relatively new to the industry, but others have become akin to the deepest roots in music and fashion. Scroll down to see the musicians Fashion Reverie cannot help but admire for more than just their talent.

Taylor Swift

The Taylor Swift Eras tour needs no introduction, after plenty of hype on social media and then plenty of issues revolving around purchasing tickets few have been left unaware of the upcoming Taylor Swift concert. With ‘Swifties’ everywhere uniting to create the perfect ‘Eras Tour outfits and Swift herself stunning in modified versions of her favorite looks over the years this tour is sure to not only shake up the music industry, but also the fashion world’s thoughts on concert outfits.

Taylor Swift’s performances began in the U.S on March 18th and will end on August 5th of 2023.

 

 

Beyoncé 

Queen Bey needs no introduction; her skills often extend outside of music and well into fashion. After dropping her “Renaissance” album, the next logical step was a tour. Performing in eleven different countries over the next few months, Beyonce is ready to serve up looks that will become cult classics. From custom items created by Alexander McQueen, Loewe, and Balmain, the ‘Beyhive’ is sure to follow her lead and add more metallic twists to their fashion choices this summer.

Beyoncé performs in the U.S. from July 12th to September 27th of 2023.

Harry Styles

Vogue’s first solo male cover star, Harry Styles has been shaking up fashion’s gender norms since he branched out post-One Direction. Often employing details and embellishments that are considered feminine, Styles uses this to create outfits that are not only stunning, but a way to make a statement about gender fluidity.

When it comes to dressing for a Harry Styles’ concert, most pay attention to the same fashion statements that Styles pays attention to, and that is fabrications and embellishments. So, whether you have a ticket for his upcoming tour or not, consider sequins, lace, frills, and plenty of sheer fabric.

Harry Styles performs in the U.S. on October 3 and October 15 of 2023, most of the Styles’ summer tour takes place in Europe.

Janet Jackson

This is the tenth tour by the American institution Janet Jackson. Long-time fans of this pop icon are certainly getting excited. Making her debut in ‘The Jacksons’ TV show in 1976, Janet would go on to appear in multiple other shows through the rest of the 1970s. By the early 1980s, Janet discovered the talent that she would become known for, her music and fashion taste. Signing with A&M Records in 1982, turning out albums and hit singles would prove to be her strength, just as much as her punk princess style.

The ‘Together Again’ tour is another chance for the world to see how her style has evolved over the years and given the all-black outfit and sheer top we saw her wear at Christian Siriano’s fashion show back in 2022. There is certainly reason to get excited.

Janet Jackson performs in the U.S. from June 9th to October 27th, 2023.

Images courtesy of the respective musical artists

Lana del Rey

This is the first time that Lana del Rey has performed in years, while the upcoming shows are all performances at different music festivals throughout North America, fans are purchasing tickets simply to see her. The release of her new album “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” earlier in 2023 has reintroduced her to the spotlight, and with that we are seeing new and more mature versions of her previous fashion sense that was so popular a few years ago.

Well-known at the start of her career for calling upon style inspiration from the ‘60s and ‘70s, del Rey seems to now be invoking nostalgia from the 2010s with her fashion choices, With all that said, Lana del Rey still calls on ‘the freedom land of the 1970s’ for a bit of added support.

Lana del Rey performs in the U.S from July 9 to October 1, 2023.

Sydney Yeager

American Ballet Theatre’s “The Dream” Has Charm, and Vibrancy but Lacks Nuance and Intention

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American Ballet Theatre (ABT) performed Frederick Ashton’s “The Dream” and Alexei Ratmansky “The Seasons” for ABT’s last day of the fall season at the David Koch Center for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. And this glorious fall season, ABT proved that the company dancers and the company at large are in good form after a challenging downtime period due COVID-1. While when the company first came back after COVID, some performances were not quite up to ABT’s high standard, but that all seems to be in the past now.

Scheduling Ashton’s “The Dream” as one of the last ballets at the end of the fall season was a great decision. “The Dream,” with all of its frivolity and charm, displays ABT’s fine qualities and leaves audience with rapturous fantasy with expectations of what this great American company will bring to its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House. And with the addition of some new principal dancers and newly promoted soloists, diehard New York audiences will undoubtedly thirst to see the development of these dancers in the upcoming spring season.

That said, Ashton’s “The Dream” is a very fine ballet that can show off some of ABT’s new talent and that the ballet did on this last day of their New York fall season. There are a few roles in “The Dream” that not only gives dancers the opportunity to show off their pyrotechnical skills but also their acting chops.

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

New ABT principal Daniel Carmargo replaced an injured Cory Stearns as Oberon. He was a fine Oberon, able to tackle the technical challenges of the role and fast allegro work aptly. And Carmargo did produce some of the soft, lilting quality that is so endemic to Ashton’ s choreography. Carmargo is a beautiful dancer with exquisite classical lines and big jumps and extensions. And he is the vein of taller male danseur nobles that are currently in almost every major ballet company. What Carmargo did lack in this role was Oberon’s mischievous, boy/king quality. Perhaps, Royal Ballet icon Anthony Dowell—Ashton’s original Oberon—should be called in to coach Carmargo and other ABT dancers so that they can capture the character’s whimsical qualities and boy/king precociousness.

Though Gillian Murphy still possesses incredible technical acumen after being at ABT for almost three decades, in the role of Titania she was miscast.  Murphy’s lines are beautiful, and her stage presence is a given, still, Murphy does not bring the melting lilt of movement that is so important to the role. This is not Russian Imperial Grand pas de deux; arms, legs, epaulement are much softer and curved.

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Herman Cornejo, one of the best Pucks ever, still has it. His technical prowess has not diminished, and he really understands the role.

Courtney Shealy and Claire Davison were well suited to the roles of Helene and Hermia. And Roman Zhubin brings, as always, his wit and great acting skills to the lover Lysander.

What also stands out about this production of “The Dream” is how much better the production works on the stages of Lincoln Center compared to the smaller stage of City Center. Lush productions like “The Dream” need the breath, depth, and width of big stage. In this case, bigger is better.

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

Sergei Ratmansky’s “The Seasons” to music by Alexander Glazunov missed the mark and would have looked better on a smaller stage. Though the Glazunov is quite glorious—several of the musical choices came from Glazunov’s “Raymonda”—overall this ballet falls short of ABT’s standard.

What did shine in this work, was Ratmansky’s use of some ABT’s male principals and soloists, that are in many ways so different, each bringing a unique way of interpreting Ratmansky’s choreography. And some of ABT’s newly promoted female soloists and corps de ballet ladies were put to good use.

With Susan Jaffe taking over the helm from the soon-departing Kevin McKenzie, Jaffe is inheriting a company that is quite diverse with a wealth of talent and promise. When it comes to talent, ABT, perhaps, has not been this rich since the lates 70s and 80s.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion Reverie’s Summer 2022 Music Festival Roundup

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With summertime in full swing, it feels like a music festival is happening almost every weekend which makes it hard to keep track of which one is happening and when. Because there are so many genres of music, everyone can find a music festival that they will enjoy. Fashion Reverie is here to give you a compact list of the music festivals that you should not miss.

Essence Music Festival June 30-July 3, 2022

The Essence Music Festival began in 1995 when Essence magazine was celebrating their 25th Anniversary. You can choose to purchase tickets for the concerts that take place at the Mercedes Superdome or choose to partake in the free activities that take place around New Orleans. Headliners for this year’s festival includes Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson, and New Edition.

Palomino Festival July 9,2022

The Palomino Festival is a one-day festival that takes place at the Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Musicians playing at the first-ever Palomino Festival include Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. There will be two stages, the Pancho and the Lefty Stages. This is a great festival for those who are country music lovers and are easing into the music festival scene.

Rolling Loud Miami July 22-24, 2022

Rolling Loud Miami takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. This festival has been taking place in Miami since 2015 when it was founded by two music promoters Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif. The Frontliners this year include some of hip-hop’s biggest stars, Ye, Future, and Kendrick Lamar.  If you consider yourself a lover of hip hop and rap music this festival is a great one for you!

Watershed Country Music Festival July 29- 31, 2022

The Watershed Country Music Festival at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington is a great festival choice for those country music lovers out there.  Spanning over three days, this music festival is great for those who don’t care to camp as it is set in a more rural location. The headliners this year are Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, and Kane Brown.

All images courtesy of their respective music festivals

Lollapalooza Chicago July 29-August 1, 2022

Lollapalooza Chicago is one of the most-known music festivals that happens every year. With Grant Park in Chicago, IL being the backdrop, this festival attracts over 400,000 attendees. Big names playing this year include Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole, Green Day, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, and Lil Baby. These names and many more will be playing over the span of 4 days on 8 different stages.

—Phoebe Howard

Last-Minute 2021 Summer Vacation Spots

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Remember last summer? Well it is encouraging to know that the world has improved since we were taken over by the COVID-19 pandemic. We now have COVID vaccines and we can travel and travel abroad!! With these fantastic vaccines we can experience a semi-normal summer; however, make sure you check what requirements are necessary to enter another country because you do not want to be delayed or denied entry. (Always have your COVID-19 vaccination card with or on your Smart phone.)

You still have time to take some last-minute summer trips and make some more 2021 memories. There are some great opportunities since most airlines are offering extra flexibility and there are deals to be taken advantage of. Fashion Reverie picked 5 most convenient options! 

Image courtesy of dreamof italy.com

Italy

This could be your last opportunity to fly Air Italia since the air company has been sold to ITA who is taking over in October. Best is to visit Rome for a few days and then go to your preferred destination. Most people prefer the Amalfi Coast, but we say why don’t you go another more exotic locale visit Sicily, which is still full of tourists, but perhaps just a little less crowded.

 Sicily’s unique culture, fashion, and food would truly be refreshing for any traveler, even those coming from the Northern part of Italy. Taormina is the most popular destination; however, Palermo is a great option, too. Make sure you try Cassata Siciliana, a delicious traditional cake. 

Image courtesy of travelagentcentral.com

Costa Rica

There is no better place to rejuvenate and rest than in this beautiful country known for its beaches, volcanos, and wildlife. There are no over-crowded tourist places but rather hiking, surfing and so many open-air activities. What is great is that this country focuses on eco-tourism, so why not support the effort. Costa Rica’s capital, San José, has some great historical and cultural monuments worth the visit. Spice up your vacation with some local history. 

Image courtesy of placesofjuma.com

Austria

This beautiful country should be on more people’s travel bucket lists. It is a place full of history, diversity, and OMG, the birthplace of Mozart and great chocolates. The capital, Vienna is a breathtaking place; however, Fashion Reverie wants to focus on Styria this time around and beautiful Graz.

About two hours away from the airport the small city, Styria, can offer rich history, beautiful architecture, shopping, and a view of the city from the town’s hill with the centuries’ old clock tower. Eggenberg Palace is a must-see. It is the Baroque jewel of the city.  If you are in the area, make sure you take a tour! 

Image courtesy of planetware.com

Puerto Rico 

Is a beautiful country and for those from the US mainland, Puerto Rico might feel like international travel without needing a passport, if you are an American citizen. Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and popular hotels and cafe strip in the capital, San Juan, can satisfy all the needs of a family with different interests. We hear local cuisine is amazing, too. So, pair dinners with some salsa and meringue (dancing) and you will have a blast.

Image courtesy of britannica.com

Iceland 

This Nordic island nation’s landscape is full of volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields. There are even massive glaciers!

Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik and if you are a spa lover there are some very popular spa junkie spots like The Blue Lagoon. You must experience it to believe it!! If you want to learn more about Viking history, there is no better way but to visit local museums. 

 

Bon Voyage!! 

—Tijana Ibrahimovic

Broadway Returns!!

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When the pandemic first began to rear its ugly head in March 2020, New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN ,“I don’t want to see Broadway go dark.” Sadly, the nature of the virus made it impossible to avoid shutting down Broadway. But that was 2020.

Now we’re in 2021. We have vaccines! With almost 60% of NYC vaccinated, the town is on its way to herd immunity. The city is slowly opening, but the development that Fashion Reverie is much excited about?  

Broadway is coming back!  Starting in August, shows will be premiering and reopening. Fashion Reverie has curated a list of shows to get ridiculously excited about.

New Shows 

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Diana the Musical 

Previews November 2 opening night November 17 at Longacre Theater 

Inspired by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, this biographical musical follows the tale of the shy kindergarten teacher who would marry Prince Charles and become the most famous woman on the planet while trapped in a loveless marriage.  If you don’t happen to live in NYC or are unable to get tickets, Netflix will be taping the show and releasing it in December.  

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Girl from the North Country 

Opens on October 13 at Belasco Theater  

Technically, this is a returning show. But since it only ran for a few weeks, Fashion Reverie is going to call it new. This musical is set at a guesthouse during the Great Depression.  The show uses the songs of Bob Dylan to illustrate a story of love and family in a struggling America.  

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Pass Over 

Previews start August 4; opening night on September 12 running through  October 10 at August Wilson Theater (Lincoln Center) 

Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu’s “Pass Over,” directed by Danya Taymor will be one of the first plays to open with previews starting in August. Inspired by “Waiting for Godot” and the story of Exodus, “Pass Over” centers on a city street corner where two men talk and dream of their “promised land,” when a stranger interrupts their meeting. Chinonye Nwandu says the play is about the reality of loss and tragedy woven into the African American experience.  

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Is This a Room 

September 24 – January 16, 2022 at Lyceum Theatre  

Tina Satter’s “Is This A Room” follows the true story of Reality Winner, a 25-year-old former Air Force linguist who is charged with leaking evidence of Russian interference in U.S. elections. The oddly named woman (recently released on parole IRL) would go to jail for exposing tampering in 2016, despite her actions ensuring a fair and safe presidential election in 2020.  

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MJ The Musical 

Previews begin December 6, 2021; opening February 1, 2022 at Neil Simon Theater 

“MJ The Musical” features an original book by Lynn Nottage, with direction and choreography from Christopher Wheeldon.  The musical follows Michael Jackson’s career from the Jackson 5 to his own musical superstardom and features all of his biggest hits like “Billy Jean” and “Thriller.” How will the show address the controversy surrounding allegations of sexual abuse? Producers and cast aren’t breathing a word.  

Returning 

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Come From Away 

“Come From Away” will reopen at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on September 21. 

This crowd-pleaser tells the story of a plane forced to land in Newfoundland on 9/11. The stranded passengers found themselves taken in by strangers and lifelong friendships would form. This tale of an international community who come together in a time of crisis will soon be coming to the big screen.  

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Hamilton 

Returns to Richards Rogers November 12  

The multi-Tony-winning blockbuster phenomenon has been delighting audiences across the globe since it opened in 2015. Do not throw away your shot to see this mega-hit.  

 

Off-Broadway 

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Morning Sun 

Manhattan Theatre Club previews beginning October 12; opening night on November 3  

Blair Brown, Edie Falco, and Marin Ireland are the powerhouse trio telling a story of a woman’s life over the course of 50 years in New York City. A tale of mothers, daughters’ beginnings, endings, and hope in this new play by Simon Stephens.  

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The Play That Goes Wrong  

New World Stages opens October 15 

This Broadway favorite begins again. The play introduces The Cornley University Drama Society who are attempting to put on a 1920s’ murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can wrong … does.

—Cameron Grey Rose

Fashion Reverie’s 2021 Spring/Summer Reading List

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Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” —Sam Keen

The light at the end tunnel is finally visible! With vaccination rates on the rise, many places are lifting mask restrictions and capacity limits. Time to head to the beach or the park, spread a blanket and tuck into a compelling book. Fashion Reverie has a list of titles we’re excited for our viewers to read. From hilarious essays on mental illness to engrossing thrillers, you won’t be able to put down, you’ll find your next obsession here.

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While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams 

You may be thinking “Oh, is this a book about the Jan 6th insurrection?” Nope! This is a work of fiction.

Using the pen name Selena Montgomery, Abrams—where else?—in Washington DC. Avery Keene, a brilliant legal mind serving as clerk for Justice Howard Wynn, is dealing with an arduous job with the court while juggling family drama. When the news breaks that Justice Wynn—the swing vote on many current high-profile cases—has slipped into a coma, Avery’s life is plunged into chaos.  Shocked to be told she has been left instructions as his legal guardian, Avery quickly discovers he was on the verge of exposing a conspiracy.  She must unravel it before she’s the next victim.

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You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lemarr

Disturbingly relatable and startlingly eye-opening, this book tackles modern-day racism with the perfect balance of levity and gravity. Chatting the way sisters do about tales of being mistaken for a prostitute or Harriet Tubman, Amber and Lacey lay out the painful yet sometimes hilarious realities of being in black in modern America and why the system must change.

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One Last Stop by Casey Mcquiston
Cynical 23-year-old August is moving to New York City, but she isn’t happy. She has too many roommates and a dull job as a server at a 24-hour pancake diner. She can’t imagine her daily commute will be anything but a sad trudge on a filthy subway. Then one day she meets Jane. Impossibly beautiful, interesting and beguiling is Jane, but August learns she has a terrible secret and desperately needs help. 

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You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes
Netflix’s popular “You” series will be dropping its third season sometime this year— although infuriatingly they haven’t given a date. But if you simply can’t wait to get more of Killer Joe, check the third in the literary installment the series is based on. 

Joe is determined to start a new life and leave killing behind. He heads to a sleepy Pacific Northwest island town and gets a job at a local library. It’s there he meets Mary Kay and starts to fall for her. But can a leopard ever truly change his spots?

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Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor

Eva is nervous about going away to boarding school and trying to fit in. Off to a rocky start, she is thrilled to be invited to join a secret society. Tasked with completing certain challenges before she will be allowed to join, Eva knows she’s in over her head when she uncovers a decades old secret and realizes certain people will do anything to keep it hidden. 

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The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

Lynette survived a massacre and is trying to keep her life on track. She leans on the women of the Final Girl support group, a secret club of women who were “Final Girls.” But when one of the women disappears, the remaining members fear that someone has discovered the group and may be looking to tear their lives apart.  This comedy horror gem will keep you guessing until the last second as it meticulously dissects misogynist horror tropes.

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The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. Their weekends visiting his Palm Springs home are just long enough for him not to get tired of them.  But when tragedy strikes his family, Patrick is forced to step up and become their primary guardian. It’s not long before he realizes he’s way in over his head and will have to make some adjustments if everyone is going to come out of this unscathed. Full of humanity and heart, it’s a tale of what it truly means to be a family.

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Broken by Jenny Lawson
 

From the Bloggess herself Broken is a new collection of essays about her constant battle with anxiety, depression, and other aspects of her broken brain. And it’s absolutely hilarious. These laugh-out-loud musings about her bizarre yet wonderful life will keep you in stitches. From her desire to leave letters with her neighbors telling them to pretend she’s invisible to her emails with a scammer promising her immortal life as a vampire, coping with mental health issues is never funnier than when Lawson does it. 

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What’s Done in Darkness by Laura McHugh

17-year-old Sarabeth feels stifled living in rural Arkansas. Forced to wear long dresses and follow strict rules, she longs to escape the farm. But she didn’t want to be grabbed by a masked stranger and held captive for a week. Even after she comes home, her family treats her like a fallen woman. Five years later she finds out another girl has been snatched in a case that’s oddly similar to hers. Will Sarabeth be able to face her greatest fear and save a life? 

—Cameron Grey Rose

“Mahogany” Draws Inspiration from Opera, Dance, and Art

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There are several classic films that come out of the archives folder during Black History Month. “Sounder,” “Claudine,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” and “Raisin in the Sun” are just few films that give voice to the African American experience resurrected during Black History Month. Most of us have seen these films countless times with some us able to recite lines word for word.

Of all these classic films that speak to the African American experience in the diaspora, perhaps, “Mahogany,” is one of the only films that speaks to navigating success in a white world and the cost of the success. Another unusual aspect of “Mahogany” is that it one of few films of the 1970s that uses fashion as backdrop for a storyline about the African American experience. And the fashion montages in “Mahogany” draw inspiration from theatre, dance, and opera.

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One of the most significant fashion injections in “Mahogany” is the charity auction runway scene that uses beautiful jersey and silk chiffon gowns designed by Princess Irene Galitzine. Princess Irene Galitzine is actually in the film. Princess Irene Galitzine came to prominence in the fashion industry in the mid-1950s, establishing her atelier in Rome in the late 1940s.  Galitzine saw the launch of her palazzo pyjamas which were wide-legged evening trousers made of soft silk. Evening pyjamas became a firm fixture of the fashion scene during the 1960s. Galitzine dressed many top celebrities, aristocrats, and society ladies of the 1960s—Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, Princess Lee Radziwill, the Duchess of Windsor, Marie-Helene de Rothschild, Claudia Cardinale, and others.

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“Mahogany’s” opening fashion montage contains a lot of fashion inspired by Asian culture. All of the garments in that opening fashion montage were designed by Diana Ross. (Special note: Pat Cleveland is one of the models in that opening fashion scene. In fact, Pat Cleveland coached Diana Ross on her runway walk for the film.)

In the photoshoot montage, it is very clear that the fashion references are based on opera, ballet, and art. Which is where most stylists and fashion photographers go to find incredible sources of inspiration.

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The Cleopatra/Nefertiti reference that inspired said look in the fashion montage, may have come from the beautiful costumes in Samuel Barber’s opera “Antony and Cleopatra.” This opera premiered in 1966 at the Metropolitan Opera House starring the great African American dramatic soprano Leontyne Price. It should also be noted that Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra” opened the new Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.

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The “Mahogany” costume and wardrobe department also looked to dance for inspiration. In 1967, the Joffrey Ballet premiered the ballet “Astarte” at New York City’s City Center. “Astarte” is the first multimedia ballet of its kind and referenced the sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, hippie culture of the late 1960’s. The unitard worn by ballerina Trinette Singleton in the ballet looks very close to the unitard worn by Diana Ross in the “Mahogany” fashion montage.

Modern dance pioneer Martha Graham was known for expanding the lexicon of modern dance. From her “Letters to the World” to “Medea” to “Appalachian Spring” Martha Graham has set a standard in dance world that cannot be surpassed.

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In Graham’s modern dance solo “Lamentations,” the dancer is enveloped in this very stretchable fabric as she goes through signature Graham emotive contractions. Ross is similarly attired in stretchable fabric and goes through familiar Graham movements.

“Mahogany” is, perhaps, the first film with fashion as a backdrop that draws heavily from the worlds of dance, opera, and art. And though this film was not recognized as a critical success in 1975, “Mahogany” is now a cult classic enjoyed by generations of viewers.

—William S. Gooch

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