VILLAIN: DeBLANKS

Bebe Neuwirth, Tony Sheldon & Brenda Braxton star in comedy benefit for ACLU

Bebe Neuwirth, Tony Sheldon, Brenda Braxton and more in Villain: DeBlanks benefit for ACLU Proceeds to benefit ACLU After a sold-out benefit performance in March, audience-favorite "Villain: DeBlanks" is back for another round of shenanigans on May 31, with 100% of proceeds going to the ACLU! The one-night-only cast features two-time Tony winner and two-time Emmy winner, the phenomenal Bebe Neuwirth (Madam Secretary, Chicago); hilariously unpredictable Tony-nominees Brenda Braxton (Chicago, SMASH) and Tony Sheldon (Amelie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert); from three-time SAG winning Orange is the New Black, the wonderful Dale Soules (Hands on a Hardbody, HAIR); cabaret-royalty Ben Rimalower (Patti Issues, Bad With Money); and the fabulously funny Stephen Wallem (Showtime's SAG-nominated Nurse Jackie, HULU's Difficult People). You’ll laugh your (BODY PART)______ off! A Time Out NY Critics’ Pick written by Billy Mitchell, Villain: DeBlanks is the uproarious improvisational comedy where the cast says words you put in their mouths. The audience provides nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc. (the wilder, the better), and the actors provide the laughs—uncensored and unrehearsed—as they enact the story of Philip DeBlanks’ untimely demise. It’s “Clue” meets adult “Mad Libs,” and it’s never the same show twice! "Villain: DeBlanks" plays Feinstein's/54 Below on Wednesday, May 31 at 9:30pm. Doors open 8:45pm. Tickets are $25-$35, premium $60, and there is a $25 food/beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4 pm are only available by calling (646) 476-3551. Presented in association with La Vie Productions/R.Erin Craig.

The writing on the wall

Industry City

A trip to Brooklyn found us in Industry City, a complex of converted warehouses that now play host to artists, artisans and an impressive food hall.

This is a natty idea for displaying your indoor plants

I confess I specifically brought us here to find the only avocado bar in NYC. Everything avocado!!
And it was yum.

I love this piece of art on the walls that depicts the metropolis as a giant pizza.

More wall art

And at the subway station in Brooklyn

Irving Penn at the Met

For TT's birthday this year one of his surprises was a quick trip to the Metropolitan Museum on 5th Ave for a look at the work of photographer Irving Penn

Perhaps best known for his work with Vogue magazine

but also for his portraits of French and English workers

and the indigenous people of Cuzco in Peru.

We took TT's birthday portrait against Penn's preferred background.

Woolworth Building

One can take a tour of the lobby of the famed historic Woolworth Building down near City Hall in Manhattan.

and outside, in the immediate vicinity....