Woman Around Town’s Editor Charlene Giannetti and writers for the website talk with the women and men making news in New York, Washington, D.C., and other cities around the world. Thanks to Ian Herman for his wonderful piano introduction.
Make your next excursion memorable and visit an area that is fashionable with a top destination for dining, a luxurious overnight stay, shopping, history, and more. We were enticed to visit Westchester County when celebrity chef, David Burke opened his new restaurant, Red Horse by David Burke White Plains at the The Opus Westchester in White Plains. This is a great time to plan a mini-vacation that includes marvelous experiences.
The Gallery at Red Horse (Photo courtesy of Red Horse by David Burke White Plains)
Red Horse by David Burke White Plains – Celebrity Chef, David Burke’s new restaurant is truly the talk of the town. Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch, it is centrally located downtown at the sleek luxury hotel, The Opus Westchester.
Dining Room (Photo courtesy of Red Horse by David Burke White Plains)
Red Horse is spacious and elegant with floor to ceiling windows. The stunning décor is primarily white with bold red accents making the venue bright and airy. There are tables for all size parties, an expansive bar, and private dining space. The service is very attentive ensuring a wonderful dining experience.
Popovers (Photo Courtesy of Red Horse by David Burke White Plains)
Stop by for a drink at their Happy Hour and stay for dinner. Burke’s modern American cuisine has Asian touches that enhance the menu. You’ll want to start your meal with Chef Burke’s light, delicious popovers, crispy Clothesline Bacon for the table, and a delectable appetizer such as the light, perfectly seasoned Lobster Dumplings or a Caesar Salad prepared tableside.
DB Roasted Chicken with Mushroom Farotto (Photo: Marina P. Kennedy)
There is an excellent selection of sushi that is ideal for sharing. Continue your meal with a hearty entrée. We savored the Bison Short Ribs with Chow Fun Noodles and a signature item, the tender DB Roasted Chicken with Mushroom Farotto. Additionally, Red Horse features a complete menu of steakhouse selections and generous side dishes.
Tableside service (Photo by Marina P. Kennedy)
Red Horse has an exquisite beverage program. Whether you wish for a craft or classic cocktail, wine, beer, or spirits, it will be easy to pair your meal with the perfect drink. Dessert is a must. Indulge in the triple chocolate mousse cake aptly named Tiny Dancer, the tasty Sugared Donuts and Macarons, Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee and other scrumptious delights.
After just one visit at Red Horse by David Burke White Plains, you will surely be making another reservation for all the good times ahead!
Entrance to The Opus Westchester (Photo by Marina P. Kennedy)
The Opus is a new luxury hotel, part of the Autograph Collection. It is an elegant, independent hotel with modern appeal that has been carefully designed for an extraordinary guest experience. Rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed with all the amenities you could ask for.
The Opus Spa on premises has been designed for women and men to rejuvenate in a tranquil environment. Full services include Massage, Facials, Signature Body Treatment, Healing and Wellness, Salon Services, Nail and Waxing, and so much more.
The hotel’s huge heated indoor swimming pool on the 10th floor overlooking the city is open until 9:00 pm, perfect for families and for taking a late swim. And if you’re planning to keep your exercise schedule, there’s a state of the art fitness center with Peloton bikes.
Entrance of Red Horse by David Burke White Plains (Photo by Marina P. Kennedy)
Red Horse by David Burke is the newest dining option at The Opus that has guests and locals coming back again and again. In addition, the hotel houses the The Opus Lounge, Kanopi Restaurant and private event spaces for your next special occasion or business gathering.
You’ll appreciate the efficient on-site valet parking that allows you to come and go at any time. The Opus Westchester is a sophisticated, stylish hotel that guarantees guests a relaxing, purely pleasurable stay.
History and More – The trip to Westchester County allows guests to explore the greater area with its many attractions such as famous estates, local theatres, hiking, sprawling parks, charming downtowns, farmers markets, and special events galore.
Photo by Marina P. Kennedy
There’s fascinating Revolutionary War history in White Plains. The Battle of White Plains Park is one of the Revolutionary War Heritage Trail Sites. During the Battle, American troops under General George Washington were forced off Chatteron’s Hill after inflicting heavy casualties on British troops, checking their advance into Westchester. This park, along with many other green spaces in White Plains makes being outdoors in the city very enjoyable.
Spring and summer are some of the prime times to visit Westchester County. We hope that our suggestions give you that special break from the everyday that you deserve.
Before we’re welcomed by its principals to the latest production of The Cornley Youth Theater, technicians and cast anxiously attempt last minute fixes. On the Darling family bedroom set, Robert tries in vain to get sconces lit, hooks up wires that fizzle, makes theater lights flicker and eventually blows a fuse. At a loss, he rolls in a large wheel of cable which, unspooled, is passed by audience hand over hand from the stage to the rear of the theater where there’s ostensibly another outlet. Dennis retrieves cable and cow-tows to instructions from Trevor who also barks at backstage tech and poor, browbeaten Gill. We all look under our seats for a missing hammer. Music indicating high adventure adds to cheerful chaos.
Those of you who saw 2017’s Murder at Haversham Manor (The Play That Went Wrong) may think this will be old hat. (Directors of what was formerly The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society apologize for that production.) Though the same ersatz-bumbling genre, Pan is fun because of familiarity with a source we know and love. Additionally, audiences are encouraged to respond. “Boos,” sympathetic “aws,” even a called out offer of help emerge. The undoubtedly black and blue cast is so game and gleeful, “accidents” so cleverly staged, one can’t help but have a rollicking good time.
Stage right, Francis slides on seated. When not battling the mechanically challenged chair with Chaplinesque determination, he reads narration from an oversized storybook. Wendy, Michael and John Darling are being put to bed by their parents and nursemaid, the dog Nana (Robert in a wonderful costume). Wendy, oddly the only one not dressed for sleep, accompanies her lines with gestures like a drunk Isadora Duncan. Michael is enthusiastic and sweetly shy. John is so helpless remembering lines, he wears large, old fashioned headphones with antennae into which dialogue is piped. The actor parrots what he hears verbatim which includes stage directions and errant radio announcements including “Your Uber is here” and “Thank you for listening to WQXR.”
Nancy Zamit (Tinkerbell), Matthew Cavendish (Michael), Jonathan Sayer (John), Charlie Russell (Wendy), Bianca Horn (lost boy), Ellie Morris (Lucy)
Despite talk of a nighttime visitor, Mr. Darling decides Nana should be tied in the yard. Robert’s natural girth gets wedged in a pet portal. The hapless actor has to be sawed out forcing Mrs. Darling to belt her lullaby over the sound of power tools. Peter Pan somersaults in, ripping off half the window, careening into walls. He retrieves his shadow played by Robert in a black unitard. (The two couldn’t have more different bodies.)
Wendy descends from a three tier bunk to help Peter. Two tiers collapse trapping her brothers. Extricated, the children are instructed to think happy thoughts. Cue Trevor and Gill who hook each actor into dual flying cables which summarily yank up removing clothes, exposing knickers. Undaunted, they “fly.” Peter crashes into Big Ben.
Ellie Morris (Lucy), Jonathan Sayer (John), Charlie Russell (Wendy), Henry Shields (Hook), Henry Lewis (Starkey), Matthew Cavendish (Michael)
Precisely timed disasters, a hallmark of this company, follow a long tradition of physical comedy based farce. None of it would work, however, without wonderful facial expression, infectious good humor, and credible off-stage relationships to which we’re privy. Max (Michael), hired only because his uncle backed the show, pines for Sandra (Wendy) who, in turn, is having an affair with Jonathan (Peter Pan). Robert’s niece Lucy (Toodles) has such stage fright, she can hardly get words out. Literally pushed into speaking, she ends up crushed by a fallen tree, the first of several causalities. Unwittingly left on in the sound booth, a microphone (too frequently) reveals embarrassing information.
The cast is marvelous. Henry Lewis (writer, Nana, Peter’s shadow, the pirate Starkey) expressively employs his size for consternation comedy. Jonathan Sayer (writer, John Darling, Smee) delivers credibly obtuse recitations and ineptitude of the classically stupid pirate. Henry Shields, who reminds one of John Cleese (writer, Mr. Darling, Captain Hook), executes several nifty pratfalls and, as the story’s villain, manipulates audience with skill and charm.
Harry Kershaw (Cecco), Charlie Russell (Wendy), Greg Tannahill (Peter Pan), Henry Shields (Hook), Jonathan Sayer (Smee), Henry Lewis (Starkey), foreground, Matthew Cavendish (the crocodile)
Nancy Zamit is a constant delight as Mrs. Darling, the maid Lisa, pirate Curly, and silent, shimmying, wide-eyed Tinkerbell. Playing Michael and the crocodile (on wheels) Matthew Cavendish creates an appealing, empathetic hero. Standing in for Neil Patrick Harris, Harry Kershaw creates engaging portrayals of the obstinate storyteller and absent-minded pirate Cecco, who inevitably finds what’s required too late.
Director Adam Meggido helms bedlam with a sure hand losing neither on or off stage plots nor distinctive characters, creating an embodiment of esprit du corps.
Inspired work by Simon Scullion (set) and Roberto Surace (costumes) create an illusion of community theater while maintaining vivid imagination and visual treats. Matthew Haskins’ lighting and Ella Wahlstrom’s sound enrich.
NOTE: Be sure to read Cornley Youth Theatre material in the middle of the Playbill, especially the crocodile Memoriam.
Photos by Jeremy Daniel Opening: Harry Kershaw (Cecco), Chris Leask (Trevor), Henry Shields (Hook), Nancy Zamit (Tinkerbell), Greg Tannahell (Peter Pan), Henry Lewis (Starkey), Jonathan Sayer (John) background Charlie Russell (Wendy)
A Mischief Production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong Based on the play Peter Pan by JM Barrie By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields Directed by Adam Meggido
