Spotlight | Nur Thai

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With summer in full swing, Broadway Stages is featuring and celebrating exceptional people, businesses, and organizations that make New York City a great place. This week, we go to Nur Thai in Queens!

Nur Thai in Queens prides itself on providing its customers with incredible Thai cuisine and outstanding service. In all, it is a one-of-a-kind dining experience. There are two locations in Queens: one in Rego Park and one in Astoria. The Rego Park location is described as a more casual standby for traditional Thai dishes, while the Astoria Park location offers a more intimate atmosphere offering modern Thai fusion dishes. For a complete listing of what Rego Park has to offer, click here, and for Astoria's menu, click here.

Speaking of the Rego Park Nur Thai, one customer on Google Reviews raved, "Nur Thai is one of the BEST Thai food I've ever eaten. The staff are always super friendly and helpful...This cozy restaurant has delicious dishes, beautiful presentations, a variety of drinks, and amazing desserts. It's also kid friendly and the best part is it's HALAL. I eat here at least twice a month. Our waiter Rafat is always AMAZING. Great personality and always recommending new things to try, and it's never disappointing. Overall, my experience here has always been pleasant. I highly recommend this place to everyone. Can't wait to go back again.”

One Yelp user said of their Astoria Nur Thai experience, "WOW!!!!!! That's the word to best describe this place and what I couldn't stop saying while eating here. I came here with my family for dinner on a Saturday night, and everyone enjoyed themselves…Aside from the great food and amazing ambiance, the service here was great. Our waitress was extremely attentive and did a great job at suggesting menu items based on our preferences. Jashim & Razib, the owners here, were extremely friendly and welcoming."

Jashim Ullah and Razib Hasan, founders of Amani Hospitality Group, opened Nur Thai in 2013 in a space that was formerly a laundromat. Of all the cuisines they'd spent their whole lives picking off the halal menu items from — dishes solely using seafood and vegetables — they loved Thai food. "It's that flavor profile," says Ullah. "The spice levels, the sweet, sour, salty."

With strong customer support they were able to move to the current Rego Park location in 2014. And as the customer support only grew, they expanded to the second location in Astoria in 2023.

Recently, the Astoria location was recognized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce as the inaugural winner of the "Queens' Best Halal Restaurant.” Halal refers to any food that is permissible to be eaten based on Muslim tradition and rules. At Nur Thai, this includes fresh-butchered Zabiha-certified meats, hand-crafted mocktails, and a variety of spices.

Sazzad Hossain, director and COO of the Amani Hospitality Group, which operates Nur Thai, told Eater New York, "We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, including our talented chefs, skilled waitstaff and hardworking kitchen team, for their hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their passion for bringing our customers authentic flavors and exceptional service truly sets us apart."

You can feast your eyes on the chefs' colorful creations on Instagram and check out Facebook for menu updates and special offers. For reservations for Rego Park, click here, and for Astoria, click here.

Broadway Stages is driven to provide unparalleled service to our customers. We are inspired to see that others, like the management and staff of Nur Thai, are similarly inspired. From the kitchen to the front of house, they do their best to ensure the customer is satisfied. We encourage you to pay them a visit today. And when you do, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Peter Cooper and The Cooper Union

In their 2024 Best Colleges edition, U.S. News and World Report has ranked The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, better known as Cooper Union, number 2 in the category of Regional Colleges North. Its alums include notable individuals including Thomas Edison, 39 Fulbright scholars, a Nobel Prize winner, three MacArthur Fellowship recipients, and more. It is clearly an institution to be marveled at. Its founder, Peter Cooper, would be proud!

Born in New York City in 1791, Peter Cooper was both a thinker and a man of action. As an industrialist, he purchased his first factory when he was thirty. As an inventor, he designed and built a steam engine, and, with his wife, they invented Jell-o.

As a politician, he was active in the anti-slavery movement and later ran for president in 1876, but he lost. In this capacity, he was outdone by his son and son-in-law, both of whom served as mayors of New York City.

However, Cooper's enduring legacy, aside from Jell-o, is Cooper Union. For much of his life, he was very interested in adult education. He had served as head of the Public School Society, which ran New York City's free schools using city money. This experience made him aware of École Polytechnique in Paris and its practice of offering free practical education to adults.

With this inspiration, he opened Cooper Union in 1859. In a progressive move for the day, the school was open to both men and women, although initially, 95% of the students were male. Discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or sex was expressly prohibited.

The first open-admission night class boasted 1400 students. Unlike other libraries in the city, the school's library was open until 10:00 at night so that working people could use it after work hours.

The tradition of free tuition was continued until the fall of 2014. The change was necessary because of the financial impact of construction loans taken before the Great Recession. That said, about half of the current students still attend tuition-free, and the college is currently implementing a financial plan to restore full-tuition scholarships for all its undergraduate students by 2029.

With an eye on elevating the entire community, the school's Great Hall, located on the basement level of the Foundation Building, has served as a platform for some of the greatest names in American history. The list includes hallowed names such as Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony, Edward Kennedy, Joseph Campbell, Ralph Nader, and many more. Moreover, it has hosted eight U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln.

Today, Cooper Union consists of three schools: the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering. And the school has received A+ grades for academics and diversity from the college ranking website Niche.

Even today, 141 years after his death, Peter Cooper's name is a part of New York City. It can be found in many places throughout the city. From Cooper Park in Brooklyn to Cooper Square in Manhattan. But no memorial serves this man's legacy better than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and its mission to inspire our students to achieve their full potential and apply their expertise and leadership for the benefit of society and humanity.

Broadway Stages encourages the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs and values diversity and inclusivity. We are excited to highlight this institution that offers all of these things and more, and is located in our own backyard. Explore The Cooper Union and all they have to offer today. 

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NYC Bird Alliance 2024 Fall Roost | October 1

The NYC Bird Alliance will celebrate its 2024 Fall Roost gala on Tuesday, October 1, at Tavern on the Green. Broadway Stages is proud to be a major sponsor of this event and advocate for the NYC Bird Alliance. Our own Gina Argento (Broadway Stages' president and CEO) is proud to be part of the organization’s leadership team as a member of the board of directors. We encourage you to get your tickets for this fun and worthwhile event today at this link.

The NYC Bird Alliance works hard year-round to protect wild birds and their habitat across the five boroughs of New York City, and the Fall Roost raises critical funds to help make that happen. In addition to raising funds and awareness, the Fall Roost is an opportunity to meet other like-minded birders in a "buzzy and birdy" atmosphere. The occasion is not a seated dinner but rather a fun cocktail party with passed hors d'oeuvres, food stations, and an open bar — perfect for mingling with the flock of supporters.

The NYC Bird Alliance's Immediate Past President, Karen Benfield, will be honored for her service in furthering the organization's goals. Dr. Claude Bloch, MD, a member of the NYC Bird Alliance Advisory Council and past Board Member, will also be recognized for all he has done to protect the birds of New York City and their habitat.

Broadway Stages is committed to supporting environmental sustainability in the boroughs where we operate and throughout the City, a core value with the NYC Bird Alliance. They have worked tirelessly to protect wild birds and habitat in the wetlands, forests, and grasslands across the City for more than 40 years. Please consider pledging your support for this great organization and its mission by clicking here.

Take a Virtual Vacation With These Comedic Films

Before you know it, the days will begin getting colder, and the leaves will be falling. There's still time, however, to squeeze in one more summer vacation. If you can't get out of town but want to relax and get away, check out one of these comedic films. 

"National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983)

One of the most infamous films in the road trip genre, "National Lampoon's Vacation" follows the doggedly determined patriarch Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) who is dead set on taking his wife and two kids on an unforgettable family vacation. Nothing goes according to plan, of course, as the Griswolds take the station wagon from Chicago to southern California in search of Walley World, "America's Favorite Family Fun Park." Directed by Harold Ramis and with a screenplay by John Hughes, the film delivers lots of laughs as the family overcomes calamity after calamity during their disastrous cross-country trip.

"What About Bob?" (1991)

Bill Murray plays the titular Bob in this farcical comedy directed by Frank Oz. Richard Dreyfuss co-stars as Bob's self-absorbed therapist Dr. Leo Marvin who goes on a month-long vacation with his family to a lakehouse in New Hampshire. The doctor's vacation is interrupted when Bob unexpectedly shows up at the lakehouse. While his family embraces their phobia-riddled houseguest, the stressed-out doctor teeters toward a mental breakdown.

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008)

Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is madly in love with his longtime girlfriend, television actress Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). When she breaks up with him, he heads to a Hawaiian resort to try to get over her. Unfortunately, his vacation is ruined when he runs into her and her new rockstar boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), at the resort. Things turn around, however, as he spends time with resort employee Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis). Will Peter get back with Sarah or fall for Rachel? Watch this hilariously raunchy comedy to find out.

"Midnight in Paris" (2011)

During the day, screenwriter Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is on vacation in modern-day Paris with his materialistic fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. But after midnight, everything changes. As Gil goes off on his own to wander the streets of Paris after dark, an antique car pulls up and whisks him away to a party where he meets F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, and other luminaries of the Lost Generation. Gil suddenly finds himself on a new vacation – in 1920s Paris.

"Girls Trip" (2017)

Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah play four longtime gal pals (known as the "Flossy Posse") who travel to New Orleans together to attend a music festival and reconnect after years apart. With the support of their friends, they overcome even the most unpredictable and hilarious situations thrown at them in the Big Easy. Co-written by Tracy Oliver ("Harlem") and Kenya Barris ("black-ish"), "Girls Trip" is the perfect escape from the daily grind.

We hope you enjoy “getting out of town” with these films. And in case you missed it, check out our blog from last month with recommendations for summer romance-themed films.

Discover Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island is in a prime location in New York City, with Manhattan to the west and Queens to the east. In recent years, this tiny island has become a quick escape for those on both sides of the East River.

The Island has extensive greenspace, a stylish hotel with an incredible rooftop bar, and some of the City's best views of the Manhattan Upper East Side from the impressive aerial tram.

One of the gems on this Island is Four Freedoms State Park. Located at the southernmost point of the Island, the park is a four-acre memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Architect Louis I. Kahn's design is inspired by FDR's 1941 State of the Union Address and the Four Freedoms (Freedoms of speech and expression, Freedom of worship, Freedom from want, and Freedom from fear) that he outlined in it. The park's event season runs from May to October. It includes yoga, book readings, kite flying, public talks, and music performances.

For those looking to spend a night (or more) on the Island, The Graduate Hotel offers an astonishing view of Manhattan from within tranquil surroundings. For bibliophiles, this place is a haven. The name refers to a line in "The Great Gatsby;" the first-floor lobby is lined with more than 10,000 books, and each room has a copy of the aforementioned Four Freedoms speech by FDR. And no stay there would be complete without at least one drink in the Panorama Room rooftop bar.

Another unique experience the Island offers is a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tramway. Connecting the Upper East Side of Manhattan with Tramway Plaza on the Island, the ride only costs a single MTA swipe each way, but the view is worth much more. A voyage on the most modern aerial tramway in the world even gives the Staten Island Ferry a run as one of the best ways to see New York's sights without breaking the bank.

Only a 20-minute stroll from Tramway Plaza is the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. Built in 1872, this octagonal Gothic-style lighthouse stands 50 feet tall. It is a landmark designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed from granite quarried from the island itself, the Lighthouse is shrouded in mystery and legend. There are many stories, but it is said that the Lighthouse was constructed by one or possibly two people housed in the "New York City Lunatic Asylum." One name attached to its construction was John McCarthy. At one time, there was a plaque at the base of the Lighthouse reading, "This work was done by John McCarthy, who built the lighthouse from the bottom to the top all ye who do pass by may pray for his soul when he dies." The plaque mysteriously disappeared in the 1960s. Today, the Lighthouse is an excellent place for fishing, barbecuing, or just lounging on the shaded lawn.

Broadway Stages loves that New York City is so full of exceptional places and things to do. Around every corner lies a new cuisine, experience, or friend. Sometimes, when you live in the City, you get caught up in the race of everyday life. But treat yourself to a local adventure this week. Roosevelt Island is a great place to start! And when you get there, let them know Broadway Stages sent you!

Spotlight | EZ Pawn Corp.

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With summer in full swing, Broadway Stages is featuring and celebrating exceptional people, businesses, and organizations that make New York City a great place. This week, we visit EZ Pawn Corp., which has locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx!

Many of us are familiar with pawn shops from reality shows like “Pawn Stars.” But you may have seen EZ Pawn Corp (EZP) on productions that film at Broadway Stages such as “Elsbeth,” “FBI,” and “Jessica Jones.”  But what do you really know about pawn shops, and what services do they provide? 

Licensed and bonded since 1996, EZP is a financial institution that will give a customer a 4-month loan with a low monthly interest rate of 4%. The size of the loan depends on the value of the collateral (the item the customer is pawning). Customers who are not interested in a loan can also sell their items for a fair price.

The process is simple. Just bring an item of value to an EZ Pawn location, and a knowledgeable and friendly loan officer will appraise the item for its loan value. To sell an item, you must provide a form of state-issued identification proving that you are 18 years or older and that the item belongs to you. Before you know it, you can walk out with a loan agreement and cash in hand!

Typically, people pawn property like jewelry, watches, electronics, musical instruments, etc. But if you have something else in mind or just want specific product information, call them at 1-877-4-EZ-PAWN to speak to one of the managers.

For your convenience, EZP has 19 locations (4 in Manhattan, 5 in Brooklyn, 8 in Queens, and 2 in the Bronx). You can find hours for each location here. You can also shop for items online or make payments using the MobilePawn App. The whole process is designed to be easy and efficient. Their Instagram and Facebook pages also often post information about sales.

As one customer on Yelp noted, "It's been a great experience doing business here. I've received reasonable quotes in regards to pawns and will continue to do business here as it's simple and easy to get just what I need during tough times."

EZ Pawn Corp is an industry leader in the collateral loan sector. Its founder, David Kaminsky, built on his father's knowledge. 

Based solely in New York City, EZP has built its reputation on fast, non-recourse customer loans. The business prides itself on providing outstanding customer service and ensuring reliable, trustworthy, and honest transactions for all its customers. Founder David Kaminsky learned the tools of the pawnbroking trade from his father, Martin, who had opened Brooklyn-based Gem Pawnbrokers in 1947. From his father, he learned the heart of the pawn business is to be a helpful hand and assist those in financial distress.

David has watched his childhood dream become a reality, running his business with the same integrity and credibility as his father. In addition, EZP strongly values the importance of community and loves giving back to it! Every year, they partner with different charities, such as the Kiss Cares Coat Drive, New York City AIDS Walk, and many more, to help improve our community and its people.

Broadway Stages is grateful that we can film at local businesses with strong community ties and solid reputations with their customers. Don't be surprised to see EZ Pawn Corp. on one of our many productions. If you need some extra cash or are shopping for a deal, find your way to one of EZ Pawn Corp's locations. And when you get there, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Liberty Illustrated at the City Reliquary Museum

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's great work, "Liberty Enlightening the World," is an enduring icon of New York City. We know it better as "The Statue of Liberty." Since 1886, it has served as a symbol of freedom and a beckoning call to the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free." And many have paid homage to this icon by getting a Liberty-inspired tattoo.

credit: Time Out

Now, The City Reliquary Museum and Daredevil Tattoo are sharing the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos through a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art. The exhibit, Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing, premiered this past April and will continue through January 12, 2025.

credit: Time Out

In 2002, Dave Herman founded the City Reliquary Museum in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is one of New York City's hidden gems. While the City has many spaces that share treasures from around the world, this unique nonprofit traces the history of New York City's five boroughs with its exhibitions of cultural ephemera and relics. Here, you can find a shrine to baseball legend Jackie Robinson only a few feet away from an interactive exhibit on burlesque star Little Egypt.

Herman told Time Out, "Soon, using indelible ink and electricity, sailors' bodies were being emblazoned with permanent souvenirs from their days on the streets of New York. What better way to prove that than with the image of the newly built colossal statue of 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' which shone down upon our harbor?"

This exhibition is curated by Michelle Myles, tattooist and co-owner of Daredevil Tattoo Shop & Museum. She has packed the space with an impressive collection of antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, stencils, paintings, and other related objects.

The items on show represent some of the most legendary tattooers of the early twentieth century, including Charlie Wagner, Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, Dainty Dotty, and Lou Normand.

Myles told Brooklyn Magazine, "The draw to the image is the idea of liberty. But, for a lot of people, Lady Liberty is also the symbol of New York City, so she becomes a souvenir of sorts. To some people, it's a symbol of America, so Europeans come and get her tattooed."

The Museum is open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is only $8 for NYC residents or $10 for visitors from outside the City. The Museum has several events and exhibitions that may interest you, so it would be wise to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date. A trip to the Museum will never disappoint or leave you bored.

Broadway Stages loves that there are places and people who treasure and preserve the history and culture that make New York City great. And nothing represents that greatness as much as Lady Liberty herself. So, stop by the Museum this weekend to visit this gem and maybe be inspired to get some Liberty-inspired ink yourself. And when you go, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

St. George Theater on Staten Island

The St. George Theater is a cultural and performing arts center providing community outreach programs, educational programs, and public performances for Staten Island and all of New York City.

Mrs. Rosemary and daughters. Photo Credit: Staten Island Advance.

In 1928 the theater was built in St. George, on the North Shore of Staten Island. Solomon Brill, who owned several other theaters on the Island and 15 in the greater New York area, promised to bring top-of-the-line vaudeville to the borough for 75 cents a ticket. The theater opened on December 4, 1929. A few years later, a movie theatre chain, Fabian Theatres, bought it. They owned and operated the St. George Theatre as its flagship on Staten Island for more than three decades beginning in the 1940s. In 1978, the St. George Theatre ended its life as a movie house.

Several entrepreneurs tried to revive it as a dinner theater, a nightclub, and an antiques showroom, but none were successful. In 2004, Mrs. Rosemary Cappozalo, a prominent dance educator, with her daughters, Luanne Sorrentino and Doreen Cugno, started a not-for-profit organization to save this historic theatre from being torn down. With the support from the community, business leaders, elected officials, and their board of directors, the St. George has been transformed into a beautiful, thriving, majestic theatre for Staten Island and all of New York City.

Since the theatre reopened in June 2004, over 1000 events have taken place there. The St. George has hosted performances from the likes of Sly Stone, Tony Bennet, the Jonas Brothers, Chris Rock, Steve Martin, and Staten Island natives Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. The site has even been used for filming movies like The School of Rock and TV shows like Gossip Girl. If you are interested in catching a performance, you can check out their calendar HERE and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

As mentioned, the St. George has thriving outreach and education efforts. Included in these efforts are the 2023-2024 Arts-In-Education Performance Series, the Summer Dance Theater, and Literacy Free Outreach Program, the Performing Arts After-School Master Series, Career Paths in the Arts, Community Outreach Initiatives, and The Scouts Experience.

The St. George Theatre, is a thriving, majestic Staten Island performing arts center. As you might expect, maintaining the facilities, providing outreach and education programs, and ensuring quality programming is a costly undertaking. Your support helps fund our community programming and restoration efforts. Consider making a donation here.

Broadway Stages has a soft spot for reborn community theaters. After all, we got our start in one located in Astoria. With strong, caring leadership, we know the future is bright for the St. George. Staten Island is lucky to have this grand resource in their backyard. Schedule a visit and when you get there, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

Spotlight | Staten Island Restaurant Week

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With summer in full swing, Broadway Stages features and celebrates exceptional people, businesses, and organizations that make New York City a great place to spend the warm weather and sunny sky season. This week, we tell you about New York City's Restaurant Week on Staten Island!

New York City's Restaurant Week is back, and people all over the city are enjoying prix-fixe menus at some of the city's finest dining establishments! Due to popular demand, this has be come a month long celebration of food! more than a week.

The event runs from July 22 through August 18 (with some restaurants offering their menus through September 1). But be aware that Saturdays are excluded from NYC Restaurant Week, and Sundays are optional. Deals include 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners at $30, $45 and $60. Details are specific to each restaurant and subject to change. Please confirm with the restaurant using the links below before booking.

Today we are focusing on one of our favorite boroughs… Staten Island. This borough is a melting pot, and with such a diverse population comes incredibly delicious food.

In the neighborhood of Stapleton Heights, there are three options to choose from. First, you can enjoy New American dishes like the short rib mac and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken, and unique cocktails at The Richmond through August 18. Vinum Wine Bar has shareable small plates, fine Italian food like pan-roasted duck, and vintage wines through September 1. And Brigitte Harris's food truck, Bridge's Kitchen, is ready to serve authentic Liberian food Thursday to Monday through September 1.

In Rosebank, family-owned Maizal serves everything from traditional Mexican dishes like classic pozole to crowd-pleasers like nachos. Meanwhile, Chef Joe Salimeni recreates classic American dishes using fresh local ingredients with a focused seasonal menu at J's On The Bay. And Chef Massimo Felici brings you classic Italian fare inspired by his old neighborhood, Little Italy, in an old-school elegant atmosphere at Don Cheech. J's On The Bay is participating through August 18, and both Maizal and Don Cheech through September 1.

As you might expect, Staten Island has several other options for Italian food in the mix. For instance, in Bloomfield, Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret, inside the Hilton Garden Inn, serves modern Italian and American dishes through August 18. And Max's Esca is a premier destination for exceptional dining, perfect for romantic dates and family dining in Todt Hill. If you're looking for a go-to destination for authentic and innovative pizza creations, you can do no better than PieZano's Pizzeria. Both Max's Esca and PieZano's Pizzaria are participating through September 1.

Broadway Stages loves that our has so much to offer, from business opportunities to cultural exchange and, of course, great food. NYC Restaurant Week is held twice annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. It is an excellent opportunity to patronize high-end restaurants at a bargain price. Often, you'll pay about half of what you'd pay at regular prices, and it helps these small businesses reach customers who may have never tried them before.

So, help your local economy and satiate your appetite at the same time by visiting one (or more) of these restaurants today! And when you get there, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

NYC Bird Alliance August Update

If you read our recent blog on the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, you know that its marshland, fresh and brackish water ponds, and grassy fields are a haven for New York City's shorebirds. August is a perfect time to explore the Refuge and take them in! On August 24, the NYC Bird Alliance, the American Littoral Society, and Gateway National Recreation Area are partnering to bring you the 19th Annual Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay, This family-friendly experience will give you a chance to learn about these beautiful birds and explore the natural habitat of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Come see the bay through the eyes of a shorebird!

But that’s not all the NYC Bird Alliance has to offer this month! They have a full slate of bird tours and outings. And best of all, they’re all free (including the Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay). Listed below are upcoming tours and outings. 

• Governors Island Bird Tour (8/10) 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Wildlife Outing at Madison Square Park with Efua Peterson (8/15) 8 to 9 a.m.

• Accessible Birding in Carl Schurz Park with Alex Wang (8/17) 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Governors Island Birds & Bees Tour (8/17) 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Governors Island Bird Tour (8/24) 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park with Alex Wang (8/31) 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Governors Island Bird Tour (8/31) 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Governors Island Bird Tour (9/7) 2 to 3:30 p.m.

As always, the success of NYC Bird Alliance’s mission depends on the many dedicated and generous supporters. Whether you are a veteran birder or an interested newbie, there are many ways to get involved with NYC Bird Alliance. Click here to learn more about the opportunities to help keep NYC safe for our feathered friends! You can also give your financial support by clicking here. Stay abreast of all the events the NYC Bird Alliance has to offer by checking their calendar and following them on Instagram and Facebook.

This is an excellent time of year to get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The tours and outings hosted by the NYC Bird Alliance are a great way to do it. Broadway Stages encourages you to add one or more to your August plans.

Inside Broadway Stages | What's Filming

We’re excited to welcome new productions to our stages, and remain thrilled that longtime favorites will return with new episodes! Read on to find out more about what's happening at our facilities.

Guest Stars Announced for Second Season of "Poker Face"

Peacock found a winning formula with its case-of-the-week murder mystery series "Poker Face," which debuted in January 2023. The show follows human lie detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) as she drives across the country solving crimes while hiding from casino bosses and others on her tail. In season two, Charlie will find herself in New York City, and she will have all new mysteries to solve, which means a lot of new guest stars.

Giancarlo Esposito, Gaby Hoffmann, Katie Holmes, and Kumail Nanjiani are among the big names attached to season two. Esposito can currently be seen on the MGM+ drama "Godfather of Harlem" and Prime Video's "The Boys." Hoffman co-stars in the Netflix miniseries "Eric" and recently appeared on HBO's "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty." Holmes ("Dawson's Creek") has several projects in production, and Nanjiani ("The Big Sick") most recently co-starred in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire."

The upcoming season will also have a new showrunner, Tony Tost ("Damnation"), who is following in the footsteps of Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. The sisters will remain executive producers alongside series creator Rian Johnson ("Knives Out").

"The Terror" Returning to AMC Following a Five-Year Hiatus

In 2018, AMC launched the first season of its historical horror anthology series "The Terror," based on Dan Simmons's 2007 novel of the same name. The second season, "The Terror: Infamy," followed a year later. Back in February, AMC announced that at long last a third season was in the works. It will be called "The Terror: Devil in Silver," and it will include scenes filmed at our facilities!

The new season is based on the 2012 Victor LaValle novel "Devil in Silver," which follows Pepper, a man who finds himself wrongfully committed to a psychiatric hospital where a devilish creature wanders the halls at night. Dan Stevens ("Legion") will star as Pepper, and joining him is a who's who of television stars including Judith Light ("Who's the Boss?"), CCH Pounder ("Avatar"), Aasif Mandvi ("Evil"), and Stephen Root ("Barry").

Viewers who missed the first two seasons won't have to worry about catching up since each season of "The Terror" features a whole new cast and story. But for those who are curious, the first season tells a fictionalized account of Sir John Franklin's lost expedition to locate the Northwest Passage in the 1840s. The second season jumped ahead 100 years, focusing on a haunted Japanese internment camp during World War II. Both are available to watch on streaming services.

CBS Announces Fall Lineup

Many CBS programs utilize our facilities, with some going back well over a decade. We are thrilled that so many of these shows will return in the fall, beginning with season seven of "FBI" at 8 p.m. ET and season six of "FBI: Most Wanted" at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 15.

On Thursday, October 17, "Elsbeth" will return for a second season at 10 p.m. ET. We recently learned that the popular series and its predecessor "The Good Wife" have been picked up by the British broadcaster Sky. "Elsbeth" is also available for viewing in France on TF1.

Friday, October 18, will be a bittersweet day, as "Blue Bloods" will start airing the second half of its 14th and final season at its usual timeslot, 10 p.m. ET. The show is the longest running series using our facilities, and we will miss the entire cast and crew immensely.

Lastly, "The Equalizer" will return for its fifth season on Sunday, October 20, a week earlier than previously announced. The premiere will air at a special time, 9:30 p.m. ET, before returning to its regular 9 p.m. ET timeslot on November 3.

"And Just Like That..." Filming Season Three in New York

We are so excited to add "And Just Like That..." to our list of productions! The latest season of the sequel to HBO's iconic series "Sex and the City" (1998-2004) began production in New York City in May.

Rumors are running rampant that Kim Cattrall, who reprised the role of Samantha Jones in a brief cameo in season two, will return. She has publicly denied all rumors. We can, however, definitively name others who will appear in the new season when it returns next year.

The three leads Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis will return as Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte. Nixon has spent the summer simultaneously filming season three of "The Gilded Age," also filmed at our facilities. Mario Cantone will be back as Charlotte's friend Anthony, and Sebastiano Pigazzi, who plays his boyfriend Giuseppe, has been bumped up to a series regular. Also promoted to a series regular is Dolly Wells, who plays Miranda's colleague Joy. Others returning include Sarita Choudhury, John Corbett, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, and Nicole Ari Parker.

Two cast members who will not be returning: Karen Pittman, who played Columbia Law professor Nya Wallace, and Sara Ramírez, who played comedian Che Diaz.

We can also announce that Mehcad Brooks ("Law & Order"), Jonathan Cake ("Desperate Housewives"), and Logan Marshall-Green ("Big Sky") will appear in recurring guest roles. Cheri Oteri ("Saturday Night Live") and comedian Rosie O'Donnell have also joined the cast.

If you need to catch up on the first two seasons, you can watch "And Just Like That..." on HBO's streaming service Max.

HBO Comedy Pilot "The Chair Company" Adds to Cast

Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, the creators of Netflix's sketch comedy series "I Think You Should Leave" and Comedy Central's "Detroiters," have a new project, and we are thrilled to be a part of it! HBO ordered a pilot episode of the series "The Chair Company" co-written by the pair and executive produced by Adam McKay ("Anchorman" and "The Big Short").

The show will star Robinson as a man who suffers an embarrassing incident at work that leads him to investigate a far-reaching conspiracy. If "The Chair Company" is anything like the pair's previous offerings, it will be jam-packed with cringy and absurd moments. And of course it will be hilarious!

Other series regulars will include Lake Bell ("Childrens Hospital"), Sophia Lillis ("It"), Will Price ("Goosebumps"), and Joseph Tudisco ("Law & Order"). Lou Diamond Phillips ("La Bamba") will appear in the pilot as a guest star.

We will let you know once we find out more!

"The Better Sister," Starring Jessica Biel, Filming in New York

Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks will star as sisters in the new Prime Video series "The Better Sister," an adaptation of the Alafair Burke novel of the same name.

Biel will play Chloe, a successful publisher who is married to a handsome lawyer named Adam (Corey Stoll). Meanwhile, her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) struggles to stay clean and eke out a living. When Adam is murdered, Chloe is shocked to learn who the prime suspect is.

Other cast members include Gabriel Sloyer ("Grisdela") as Jake Rodriguez, a colleague and friend of Adam's; Matthew Modine ("Stranger Things") as Bill Braddock, the law firm's commanding founding partner; Kim Dickens ("Fear the Walking Dead") as Nancy Guidry, a detective investigating Adam's murder; Bobby Naderi ("The Beekeeper") as Dickens' partner; and Maxwell Acee Donovan ("That '90s Show") as Ethan, Chloe and Adam's teenage son.

Rounding out the cast are Gloria Reuben ("ER") as the outspoken lawyer Michelle Sanders and Lorraine Toussaint ("The Equalizer") as the influential publisher Catherine Lancaster, who is a mentor to Chloe as well as her boss.

Olivia Milch ("Ocean's 8") and Regina Corrado ("Mayor of Kingstown") will serve as showrunners and executive producers. In the director's chair (and also serving as an executive producer) is Craig Gillespie ("I, Tonya" and "Pam & Tommy").

Be sure to check out all of the productions above, and follow our blog and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of updates on all of our productions.