(MY FIRST SELFIE OF 2015!)
I find it very hard to pick THE best in any topic except maybe
theatre and “A Chorus Line” tops that but how do you compare it to “A
Streetcar Named Desire” or “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe?” In any
case here are lists of my favorites of 2014 not in any particular order
within each category.

Television Shows Scandal, Nashville, Bates Motel, The Affair,
Homeland, Suits, Covert Affairs, Under The Dome, How To Get Away With
Murder, Fargo, True Detective, The Oscars, The Tonys, The Kennedy Center
Honors, White Color, PBS Friday Night Theatre Performances, The Normal
Heart, Bill Maher, Big Bang Theory

Movies “Belle” and “Beyond The Lights”--both good movies but were
made excellent by newcomer Gugu Mbatha-Raw whose name I hope won’t be a
hindrance to her career. “Whiplash”, “The Theory of Everything”, “The
Hundred Foot Journey”, “Chef”, “Gone Girl”, “The Fault In Our Stars”,
“Draft Day”

Restaurants Went to about 2 dozen new restaurants but only returned
to two The Brazilian Restaurant and Laspada’s Hoagies otherwise went to
favorite restaurants like Café Vico, Big Louie’s, Quarterdeck, The
Cheesecake Factory, Subways, IHOP, Smokey Bones, Sweet Tomatoes

Concerts Not quite concerts more of a talk and sing show. Seth
Rudetsky sat on stage with a Broadway star speaking with them and then
playing piano while they sang, mostly the hits they are identified with.
It is a rare opportunity to see these stars as most don’t tour with
their Broadway shows. This year he had Megan Hilty, from “Wicked” and “9
to 5” on stage and “Smash” on television, who was an absolute delight.
She was followed by Meagan Mullally, mainly known for her role as Karen
in “Will & Grace” but has also done a lot of Broadway work, who
really didn’t leave an impression. The third was Patti LuPone who
originated the role of Eva Peron in “Evita” and has had many successes
on the Broadway stage. She was funny, not hesitating telling stories
that didn’t put her in a good light and when she sang you heard and
listened to every word. His new series will start January 8 with Audra
McDonald who I am dying to see and am calling every and anyone I can to
get tickets.

Theatre Of the 16 shows I saw no way could I pick a favorite and no
way would I tell you the ones I wanted to walk out on--just read my
reviews. For me there is a certain magic in the theatre that doesn’t
happen anywhere else. For being able to see these shows I would like to
thank Corine Cohen, Charlotte Vermaak, Charlie Cinnamon and Savannah
Whaley.

Here’s to new shows, restaurants and movies in 2015.