West Side Wine

One of the most interesting things about being the Wine Guy is the people I’ve encountered across the counter. Back when I was a TV exec, I had an assistant guarding the door at all times. Now I’m vulnerable to literally anybody who comes across my threshold. But, fortunately, most of the time that’s a good thing. Where else would I have met the organist at St. Patricks, who exhaustedly complains that Easter is killing him as he pays for his bi-weekly bottle of vermouth, grousing about the upcoming papal visit as he goes out the door? Or the stinging wasp expert from the Museum of Natural History, who patiently explains things to me like how cicadas are buried alive by wasps as future food for their offspring? How about John McEnroe desperately seeking Fernet Branca, unscrewing the cap right in front of me and downing a gulp to calm his agitated stomach?
And, of course, this being New York, there are the theater folk. Thursday night Ellen and I attended the first preview for the new run of Ethan Coen’s trio of one-act plays packaged as ALMOST AN EVENING, at the Bleeker Street Theater. Just as we were entering the theatre a couple approached us. “I know you,” the woman shouted above the crowd. “You’re our wine guy!” Then she said, “We’re the producers of this show. It’s so great to see you!”
I’ve never had quite such a welcome to a show before.
Anyway, if you get the chance, catch the show. All the Coen dark, sick, intelligent humor that we love. Add to that pitch-perfect casting and acting from the likes of F. Murray Abraham and Mark Linn-Baker, to name a few. The direction by Neil Pepe is effortless. Cheers to the producers!