The Love Letter I’ve Been Meaning To Write To ‘The Love Letter You’ve Been Meaning To Write New York’

Dear The Love Letter You’ve Been Meaning To Write New York:

I came to see you two weekends ago. I knew about you because I’m in touch with the New York hip hop scene, and since you have folks like Dramatic Dyalekt in the cast, and feature a guest MC every performance, you were already right up my alley. Since I had a planned date night with my wife (which doesn’t happen often enough), I thought it would be a great show that we’d both love, based on the descriptions I’d heard. We definitely appreciate the more creative forms of theater. Shows like Fuerza Bruta and and hip hop-fused theater efforts like Tah Phrum Duh Bush and Coole High’s Future Insomniac show, so you had a shot to impress us.

Not that you were all about hip hop. In fact, it was only a small part of your whole vibe. But what a vibe! I’m no theater critic, but really, I thought you were great. The way you turned our observing you literally inside-out, sitting us inside, watching you do your thing out on the street, was brilliant, and perfectly suited for the story you wanted us to hear. Well done Jonathan Solari. Well done!

I mean, from the story to the dialog, the spoken word, the dance, the puppets (!)the meandering of non-participants wandering into, through and past the “set,” was all so New York. Such a mix of script and spontaneity. Not always “expert,” but always honest, the cast was fantastic. Energetic, engaged, emotional… Oh, and we was told beforehand not to worry that it was going to rain. That despite being staged outside, the rain added to the ambiance. So true. The way the cast adapted was great. Kudos all around!

One always has to be vary of creative ideas that sound exceptional on paper, but you lived up to it. Although the audio during the opening montage should have been a lot clearer, and the worst thing that could happen (one of the wireless microphones malfunctioning), happened. Though luckily, it was fairly short-lived, and some of the voice was picked up by the other actor’s mic, but it was a bit painful to watch, and disappointing, since the dialog is so important.

But overall? Loved you! I just realized that you’re leaving soon. Sadface. I already told some people about you, but hadn’t gotten to post something on my site. I’m on it! But where are you going? Are you coming back? I hope so.

For now, seems like you’re closing this week, with shows Wednesday through Sunday (Oct. 12-16), over at the 3LD Art & Technology Center at 80 Greenwich St. I see from the flyer below that you will continue to have guest MCs and live performances after each show. That’s great! I’m telling everyone who reads this that I recommend seeing you! I’m sure creatives, musicians and artists will love you, regular theatergoers will love you, tourists will love you and regular New Yorkers will love you too.

My wife and I included.

In any event, I hope we cross paths again soon, and I wish you all the best.

Talk soon.

– Manny

P.S. Oh, and give our regards to Vinyl!