“The Merchant of Venice” in NYC

December 23, 2024December 23, 2024 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to check out “The Merchant of Venice” in NYC as a member of the press. ARLEKIN & MART Foundation in association with Jadow Productions presented “The Merchant of Venice” in residence at Classic Stage Company (CSC), the Off-Broadway theater company known for its intimate productions and commitment to exploring and reimagining classic works. William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is a play that has sparked debate for centuries due to its portrayal of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. While often categorized as a comedy, the play delves into uncomfortable themes of anti-Semitism, revenge, and the nature of justice.

Igor Golyak, the director of this production, reimagines the play as part of a live television show, with the audience attending the play as the live studio audience. A central focus of this reimagining is the character of Shylock. Golyak’s production aims to present a more nuanced portrayal of this complex figure, moving beyond stereotypical interpretations to explore the motivations behind his actions. By humanizing Shylock, “The Merchant of Venice” encourages audiences to confront their own biases and consider the devastating consequences of prejudice.

The show features a stellar cast led by Richard Topol as Shylock, Alexandra Silber as Portia, and T.R. Knight as Antonio. The production also features the talents of Gus Birney, Tess Goldwyn, José Espinosa, Stephen Ochsner, Delilah Napier, Noah Pacht, and Elan Zafir, each bringing their unique energy and skill to this dynamic ensemble.

“The Merchant of Venice” ran from November 22 to December 22, 2024 at Classic Stage Company – Lynn F. Angelson Theater, 136 East 13th Street, New York, NY 10003.

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Hilarious Comedy “The Z Team” on Theatre Row in NYC until November 23

November 12, 2024 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

I had the opportunity to attend the opening show for “The Z Team” on November 10th. “The Z Team” is a hilarious new off-broadway play, written by Jeff and Jacob Foy, a father and son playwright duo. They’ve always wanted to write a pure comedy together, and “The Z Team” is the result!

The play follows a failing advertising company’s creation of the Z Team, a team tasked with creating a commercial for a truly terrible product – the Bend and Blend (it’s a yoga mat with a blender stuck to it). The boss of the company, Jerry, assembles a team of the worst employees from each department to create the commercial. What ensues is a chaotic and hilarious journey filled with mishaps, misunderstandings, and unexpected camaraderie.

The show has a clever script, strong performances, and fun direction. I laughed out loud many times during the show, and the message of finding strength in unlikely places and the power of human connection resonated with me. I was also thrilled with the queer representation in this play. The ending was also super cute and fun (and with a sapphic surprise) — but I won’t say any more details since I’m keeping this spoiler free.

Don’t miss your chance to see this show!

“The Z Team”

Venue: Theatre Row (41o W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036)
Run Dates: limited engagement November 8 – November 23, 2024
Director: Jeff Whiting
Writer/Producer: Jeff Foy and Jacob Foy
Cast: Allie Trimm, Tyler Cruz, Ze’ev Barmor, Jakob Martinez-Cooper, Kaelee Albritton, Darby McDonough, Joe Mucciolo, Drew Starlin, Daniel Arana, Gabrielle Filloux

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Top 5 J-Beauty Products: Haircare Edition

April 16, 2024 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

In today’s post, I’m going to go over my top 5 J-Beauty haircare products! Everything in this post I’ve personally used and consider part of my holy grail list. You can buy any of these from YesStyle – be sure to use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order — yes, you can layer this on top of any ongoing sales and discounts! And YesStyle always has sales going on.

Shiseido – Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask – I first discovered this product when I went to Japan in 2023. This hair mask is the holy grail of hair masks. It makes my hair soft, even if the starting point was really rough and crunchy and dry. My hair is damaged from bleaching, and I noticed that this hair mask works even better than Olaplex for restoring softness.

ViCREA – &honey Creamy EX Damage Repair Hair Oil – This hair oil is so rich and nourishing! I love using this before and after I blow dry my hair to protect my hair, plus add additional moisture. It smells just like honey too!

ViCREA – &honey Melty Matomake Stick 4.0 Super Hold – I love using this for my bangs! It helps my bangs stay in place. The easiest way to style your bangs when you don’t have time to use a curling iron or hair roller. The applicator resembles a mascara wand. And it smells like honey!

DARIYA – Momori Peach Moist & Cohesive Hair Cream – This is another product I discovered during my first time traveling to Japan! I use this hair cream on the mid-lengths and ends of my hair after I finish shampooing, and I leave it in my hair when I blow-dry. The cream also doubles as a hand cream, so rub it into your hands too! It smells like peaches.

Mandom – Gatsby Moving Rubber – When I had short hair, this was my holy grail for hair styling! My favorite is the Air Rise Green version. Perfect for defining short layers, adding volume, and making short hair more fluffy. I also use this to style some of my cosplay wigs! It smells like green apple. Spiky Edge Pink is great if you want spiky hair, and Loose Shuffle Orange works well for messy-on-purpose looks.

Have you tried any of these products? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to ask me any questions you have. If you shop on YesStyle, use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order. Happy shopping!