Dining at the River Tavern and the Theater

Dining out, while taking in a night at the theater will give anyone a thrill if you are a person of culture. I can hop on a train, go into Manhattan, and head straight to Broadway and Restaurant Row. Living and growing up in a quaint small New England town, I can tell you that you can summer on the coast of Connecticut and enjoy these same joys, and not have to hop a train or travel to the city.

My Mother and I were ushering at the Ivoryton Playhouse, but before that, dinner at the River Tavern in Chester, was definitely going to be a treat. My sister-in-law recently celebrated her birthday there. It is her favorite place to eat.

River Tavern
23 Main St
Chester, CT 06412
(860) 526-9417
www.rivertavernrestaurant.com

The River Tavern is part of the Farm to Chef Program. Jonathan Rapp is Chef and owner.

The restaurant gets local produce from Four Mile River Farm in Lyme, White Gate Farm in East Lyme, Old Maids Farm in S. Glastonbury, Stanton-Davis Farm in Pawcatuck, Barberry Hill Farm in Madison, Scott’s Orchard in Deep River, Soeltl Farm, in Salem, and Hay House in Old Saybrook.

The table is very simple. The little bowl of coarse salt, and pepper mill is actually quite cute on the table.

We were the first to arrive at the start of dinner which is 5pm.

Chris Flahaven is Executive Chef, and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.

Here are the menus for the evening we dined. The menus change daily.
We decided to dine from both menus.

From the Bar menu:

Local ricotta with heirloom tomatoes, fried parsley, croutons, pine nuts & balsamic reductions

Salad of local greens, apples, feta cheese, walnuts & poppy seed-buttermilk dressing

The salads were light. I had never tasted ricotta cheese that tasted so fresh. The Balsamic reduction and tomatoes had the perfect blend of flavors, and the pine nuts were not to missed. The apple salad was just as heavenly with the walnuts. Perfect for autumn.

From the Dinner menu:

Seafood stew with monkfish, scallops, calamari & mussels with confit tomatoes, fregula, saffron & grilled bread
Note: This seafood dinner was split into two meals.

We loved stew. The scallops  and mussels were excellent. I loved it, although my mother did not care for the monkfish.

No time for dessert, time to rush off to the theater. What is playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse?

I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change

Image Courtesy of the Ivoryton Playhouse

 The show runs through October 13th.  It is pure fun, with lots of love.

Plenty to do on the shoreline.

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Why Alton Brown was Right About Cucumber Water

This picture may not look like very much, but this is my homemade cucumber water. The thought came to me recently when I was listening to the Alton Brown Podcast.  Alton confessed his love for lemonade to quench his thirst, but his true love of cucumber water.

I became very curious of cucumber water since I have drunk lots of glasses of lemonade, and wanted to see what makes cucumber water so special.

Cucumber water is actually crisp and refreshing to drink. If you want you can stick in a piece of cucumber and a piece of lemon, and some ice cubes. You can even add mint. I keep my water in the refrigerator when I am not chugging away.

There are a many recipes for cucumber water on the internet.

I have a water container in the refrigerator so that I always have cold water. I took a medium sized cucumber and scrubbed it well, and took off about half the skin and cut it into slices. I then took the pieces of cucumber and put them into a cheesecloth type piece of fabric and stuck that into the water container, and placed the cover back on top and placed it in the refrigerator. You can throw out the cucumber the next day.

Within an hour my water tasted like cucumber. I was drinking more of it than regular water.

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Here Come New Ideas for Volunteering

Many of us can profess to leading busy lives. Between working full time, taking care of the family, cleaning the house, and running errands, you probably hardly have any time for yourself.

The Ivoryton Playhouse, Ivoryton, CT

One way to get some time to yourself is to do some volunteer work. I volunteer at the local theater, The Ivoryton Playhouse, as an Usher.  I also help them with some online marketing whenever I can. I enjoy this kind of volunteer work because I love the theater and it is a way to make new friends. My interest in the theater came from my Grandmother, now I continue on the tradition with my Mother. We usher together.

Another way I found gratifying to give back to the community was to volunteer as a Friendly Visitor for the local Assisted Living/Convalescent Home. As people grow older they find many of their friends and relatives pass away over time. Older people also develop more health problems and they need some support or friendship because they become lonely.  This program was created to help give them a better quality of life. Someone other than their family they can turn to talk to and have some fun. They bring in a Friendly Visitor.

I was vetted through an agency in my local, and matched with a person in the Convalescent Home. I told them my likes and dislikes. The Home gave me the rules. I follow the dress code, and follow some safety and cleanliness guidelines. More or less I am there to be a friend for someone who needs a friend.

We play game like scrabble and rummy. You can be matched up with someone who shares you interests. Many people need letters written for relatives for them, or just someone they can talk to. It is a way to pay it forward, perhaps you might have your own Friendly Visitor in the future. It is a way to give back.

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Review: Other People's Money at the Ivoryton Playhouse

Image courtesy of the Ivoryton Playhouse

Other People's Money, the last time I heard those words uttered concerned the movie which was released originally on October 18, 1991 starring Danny DeVito. It was based on the play written by Jerry Sterner, which is the play being performed right now at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

Edward Kasser* (pictured above) plays Lawrence Garfinkle, a Corporate Raider interested in Rhode Island's New England Wire and Cable.

Gary Allen Poe* is Andrew "Jorgy" Jorgenson,the owner Rhode Island business

Dennis Fox* plays William Coles, the President who runs the company

Denise Walker plays Bea Sullivan, Jorgy's assistant

Elizabeth Donnelly*(pictured above) is Kate Sullivan, Bea's daughter

The story involves issues of ethics as well as social and economic justice versus objectivism or capitalism.  This is a game of strategy and power and money. Jerry Sterner, the man who wrote the play, spent much of his life in business before play writing that is why this story is so interesting.

Maggie McGlone Jennings directs this production.

See the world of business from the top down. The actors performed their parts to a tee; the stage fit the scene, and the actors were fitted to fit their parts. I personally would love to own the shoes worn by Ms. Donnelly. The only message left is to go and see the show!

Review: Life Could Be a Dream at the Ivoryton Playhouse

Rob Rodems* as Wally, Sheila Coyle* as Lois  and Matt Densky* as Eugene

Life Could Be a Dream takes place in Springfield and croons its way into audiences' hearts from Denny's basement where he is planning for his future. Wally and Eugene, his friends, reminiscence about school. It is not until they meet Lois and Skip that everything starts to come together.

Life Could Be a Dream is written and created by Roger Bean Musical arrangements by Roger Bean and Jon Newton. Additional musical arrangements by Steve Parsons.

Doo-wop and  sh-boom are just a few of the musical sounds you'll hear in this fun, slightly romantic, musical. Denny, played by Aaron Catano* is the driving force, Rob Rodems* is Wally the church goer, and Matt Densky* is Eugene, who is slightly emotional. In enters Sheila Coyle* as Lois, who assists with the group, and Evan D. Siegel* as Skip, who is a auto mechanic.

The cast was terrific and the singing was out of this world, especially when they performed the angel song music mix which included such songs as "Earth Angel". That was my favorite! I loved the way the songs were put together.

The choreography was smooth, and the acting and the singing was terrific. The show is worth a standing ovation. If you haven't bought tickets to see the show at the Ivoryton Playhouse you should. This is a show for the family, just as the Jacqueline Hubbard says.

This show is directed by Jacqueline Hubbard. The Choreographer is by Schuyler Beeman and the musical direction was done by Jason Wetzel.

This show will leave you bopping in the streets.

Photos courtesy of Anne Hudson and the Ivoryton Playhouse
* member of Actors Equity

Sh-boom, Sh-boom - Life Could Be A Dream

Press Release

February 15, 2013

Sh-boom, Sh-boom - Life Could Be A Dream

The award winning ‘60s doo-wop musical

At The Ivoryton Playhouse

 Ivoryton: It’s been a long hard winter in Ivoryton. I think we are all tired shoveling and plowing and we are ready for spring and the first show of our 2013 season. And what better way to open our doors and welcome you back than with a trip down Memory Lane and the great classic doo-wop songs of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

 

Sh-Boom! Take a trip to Springfield and meet the Crooning Crabcakes, as they prepare to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time! Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the boys. Denny and Wally fall in love, Eugene falls apart, and along comes handsome heartthrob Skip to send the whole situation spinning. The '60s doo-wop songs say it all: "Fools Fall in Love," "Tears on My Pillow," "Runaround Sue," "Earth Angel," "Stay," "Unchained Melody," "Lonely Teardrops," and "The Glory of Love." Winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Best Musical Award, Life Could Be a Dream will leave you laughing, singing, and cheering—let’s hear it for the boys!

 

Pictured: Sheila Coyle and Christopher DeRosa*     Photograph by Anne Hudson

The cast features some exciting young talent – Evan Siegel*, Aaron Catano, Matt Densky* and Rob Rodems as the fabulous boy band - and we are thrilled to welcome back Sheila Coyle* who was such a hit in Ivoryton in last season’s Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. The show is directed by Jacqueline Hubbard, musical director is Jason Wetzel and choreographer is Schuyler Beeman. Set designed by Dan Nischan, lighting design by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Kari Crowther.

 

Life Could Be A Dream opens in Ivoryton on March 13th   and runs through March 30th . Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org  (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

 

Members of the press are welcome at any performance.

Please call ahead for tickets.

*member of Actors Equity

 

Generously sponsored by Essex Savings Bank

 

Jacqueline Hubbard

Executive/Artistic Director

Ivoryton Playhouse

P.O. Box 458

Ivoryton , CT 06442

(860) 767-7318

 

www.ivorytonplayhouse.org

A Child’s Christmas In Wales…Past And Presents

Tis the season for Christmas Cheer...Come and attend A Child’s Christmas In Wales…Past And Presents at the Ivoryton Playhouse. The last show is on December 16.

The press release for this show which can also be found at this link


A Child’s Christmas in Wales…Past & Presents
A new adaptation by the National Theatre of the Deaf
at The Ivoryton Playhouse
December 6th –16th

Ivoryton: The National Theatre of the Deaf takes a nostalgic journey back into time through the eyes of poet Dylan Thomas. Based on Dylan’s classic poem of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales ,”this new adaptation has been expanded into a very special evening. Performed in both the beauty of American Sign Language and spoken word, it will prove to be “poetry for the eyes and heart.”

Holidays are filled with our childhood memories; family gatherings, games with friends, the excitement, the anticipation and the special quiet moments. Dylan Thomas captures the magic of the season in this beautiful story filled with crazy aunts and uncles, snowball fights and sibling rivalries and one very special gift that changed his life.

The evening will also include stories and songs of the season, games and a whole lot of family fun! Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear this holiday classic in the historic Ivoryton Playhouse.

Directed by Brian Jennings and Betty Beekman, the cast includes Christina Stevens, Joey Caverly, Christina Cogswell and Taylor Curtis as well as a chorus of local singers. Production designed by Marcus Abbott.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales opens on Thursday, December 6th and runs thru December 16th for 2 weeks. Performance times are Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Sponsored by Citizens Bank.

Tickets for press are available – please call for details (860.767.9520)

The Blues Brothers Funky Chicken

Who doesn't remember that 1980's flick, The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. They just perform a little Jailhouse Rock. They sing with soul.

The Very Best of The Blues Brothers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And according to TBS Dinner and a Movie, they can't do without soul, even at the dinner table. 

You can see there is plenty for everyone!

Here is the recipe...and you can also find it at TBS. 

Blues Brothers Funky Chicken 

Even servants of God have to eat from time to time. We bet that when Jake and Elwood get hungry, they tear into this tasty chicken. It's genuine soul food!

Ingredients:

10 chicken thighs, boned

8 garlic cloves, chopped

4 sprigs thyme, chopped

1 tbl tabasco sauce

3 cups buttermilk

2 cups ice

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked

2 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

canola oil, for frying

1 large scoop soul (or soul substitute)

Directions:

1. If the thighs aren't already boned, remove the thigh bone or cook them with the bone in. (Feel free to substitute white meat if desired, you can always pretend that it's dark.)

2. Mix the garlic, thyme, tabasco, buttermilk and ice cubes in a bowl.

3. Cover the chicken with the buttermilk mixture and set aside.

4. Mix the flour, corn meal, salt, pepper and paprika.

5. In a large, cast-iron skillet heat canola oil (about 1 1/2 inches deep) to 360 - F - 370 - F (you can check the temperature by dropping a small piece of bread in the hot oil; it should take just under half a minute to brown.)

6. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shake off excess flour, dip into the buttermilk again, then again into the flour. Repeat two more times until well-coated.

7. Lay the chicken in the hot oil without crowding or touching (frying too many pieces at one time will cause the oil to cool down and you'll end up with greasy chicken). Fry for about 10 minutes, turning until all sides are golden brown.

8. If frying more than one batch, keep the cooked chicken warm on a baking sheet in a 250 - F oven.

Fun tip: You can be the Godfather of Soul Food! After wowing your guests with one funky dish after another, drape your apron over your shoulders like a cape and have someone lead you dramatically out of the kitchen. (For added effect, mop your forehead while declaring, "I can't cook no mo.") Do this between each course until it's time to do the dishes, then disappear completely. Whoa!

If you are looking for a bit of soul, this is a meal to dip into.

Tonight I am off to the theater. I am going to see Oliver! at the Ivoryton Playhouse. R. Bruce Connolly directed the play. 

Consider yourself at home!

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