Tag: Chinatown

Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear Play Review

Shakespeare is one of the writers whose work remains relevant because his characters, at heart, deal with the human condition, warts and all.

Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear, by Alex Lin, is an adaptation of King Lear. A-Poh/Margaret Choy (Wai Ching Ho) is the owner of a Chinese restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown whose heyday is long gone. Wesley Chiu (Daisuke Tsuji) is a developer who wants to buy the building. Before making a decision, A-Poh brings in her three grandchildren for a family meeting. Amy (Cindy Cheung), Steven (Jon Norman Schneider), and Lai-Fa (Amy Keum) all want a piece of the final sale. On top of this major decision, A-Poh starts to exhibit signs of dementia, making them even more cutthroat.

At a crisp 90 minutes, this play is to the point, stripped down, universal, and brilliant. A-Poh is a woman who has worked hard to keep her business going and support her family. Knowing that is all in the past makes the downfall that much harder for all involved.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear is playing at 59 E 59 Theaters in New York City until tomorrow. Check the website for tickets and showtimes.

It Finally Happened: POTUS Invaded NYC

When an authoritarian shows you who they are, believe them.

After invading Los Angeles and Chicago, POTUS sent ICE into the Manhattan neighborhood of Chinatown. They were supposed to be cracking down on vendors selling designer knockoffs. Instead, they arrested four American citizens. Normally, this would be a job for the NYPD to handle. But you know, he needs to show that he is in control. Not the Mayor, the Governor, the Police Commissioner, or any other government official who is responsible to local voters. Just him and him alone.

On top of that, he has had the East Wing of the White House destroyed so he can build a fancy ballroom for his supporters and yes people. Previous men in his position have made changes to the property. But not to this extent. I can’t think of a better allegory of what he and his administration are doing to the country.

This is while millions of Americans will shortly lose access to affordable healthcare and food. Nice to know where his priorities are.

Happy Friday.

The Best Places to Eat in New York City

It has been said that New York City is foodie heaven. Whatever you are craving, there is always a restaurant to satiate the appetite. When you’re coming from out of town, the obvious places to eat are the national chains that everyone knows. There is nothing wrong with that, but when you are in the greatest city in the world, why not try something new?

L&B Spumoni Gardens

Located in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bensonhurst and Dumbo, this old-school Italian restaurant is a local favorite. Every dish is delicious and the portions are huge. I have rarely left this place without a doggie bag and a full stomach. If you’re not going to stay for a traditional entree, at least try the pizza. I guarantee you’ll love it.

Max Brenner

If you’re a chocoholic, you’re going to love this place. Walking into the Union Square restaurant is akin to walking into chocolate heaven. Whether you are there for a meal, dessert, or just a sweet treat, it is the perfect break from a busy day. There are also two other locations: a retail store in Times Square and a sister restaurant in Philadelphia.

Coney’s Cones

Summer is nothing without ice cream. Located on the Coney Island Boardwalk, Coney’s Cones sells the most delicious, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth gelato. Selling half a dozen flavors, the choices are as simple as a scoop in a cone or a cup or as complicated as a full-on dessert. This is one of my personal go-to places on the boardwalk.

Buddha Bodai

NYC is if nothing else, a city of immigrants. This often leads to a melding of dishes that otherwise, would not exist. Located in Chinatown, Buddha Bodai’s dishes are based on traditional Chinese food that is also kosher and vegetarian. I have never been in there when it is not packed or at least partially full. The food is mouthwatering, filling, and has a wide appeal.

Junior’s Cheesecake

Every culture and every city has certain fare that it is known for. One of the dishes that New York City is known for is cheesecake. There is one restaurant that makes the best cheesecake in the city, Junior’s Cheesecake. It has both retail and restaurant locations. All but one is in the city. It is perfect for a meal, a post-theater snack, or just because.

Readers, what do you think? Do you have any other recommendations to add to this list?

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The Murder of Christina Lee Scares the Shit Out of Me

One of the rights that a woman should have is the ability to be outside after dark without fear of being attacked or killed. That right is still being fought for, even in 2022.

On Sunday, Christina Lee was heading home to her apartment in New York City‘s Chinatown. Unbeknownst to her, a man was following her. He is accused of killing her in her own home.

As of yesterday, the murder is not based on Ms. Lee’s Korean-American heritage. But that does not mean that the police will find evidence to prove otherwise.

What scares the shit out of me is that this is every woman’s worst nightmare. Ask any female and she will tell you the same story. Carry your keys in your hands, mace in your bag, be aware of your surroundings, walk-on brightly light streets with lots of other people, etc. We shouldn’t have to follow these rules, but they could mean the difference between life and death.

What is even scarier is that this is not the first time that the accused (who shall not be named here) has gone after a random stranger. Last September, he punched another man for no reason at all. According to reports, he has a history of mental illness and should not have been on the streets to begin with.

One of my concerns is that this one heinous act creates a perception of an entire community. Like millions of others around the world, I live with depression. The difference between this man and myself is that I have access to getting the help I need. I am lucky enough that I have health insurance via my job which allows me to see a therapist and take medication. Not everyone has the same opportunity. This creates a vacuum and opens the door for people like the accused to hurt and kill others.

My heart breaks for those who knew Ms. Lee. No one should know this type of grief. I can only hope that this unnecessary loss of life spurs those in power to do something (and not just throw someone in jail, which is another topic for another time).

May her memory be a blessing. Z”L.

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