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Norm Lewis plays Russel Parker a former vaudevillian who is down on his luck as the proprietor of a failing barber shop in Harlem. The seldom-produced play was a riveting drama when it first appeared Off Broadway in the 1960s and now a short run revival is playing on Off Broadway again at the Theater at St. Clements.

Norm Lewis plays Russel Parker a former vaudevillian who is down on his luck as the proprietor of a failing barber shop in Harlem. The seldom-produced play was a riveting drama when it first appeared Off Broadway in the 1960s and now a short run revival is playing on Off Broadway again at the Theater at St. Clements. ( Photo: Maria Baranova)

Lewis chats with our resident theatrical columnist about how he came to star as Russel Parker in a dramatic revival of Lonne Elder III’s “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.” The critically acclaimed family drama is set against the backdrop of a failing Harlem barber shop in the 1950s.

Norm Lewis is Back Playing Off Broadway in a Revival of “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men”

30 Apr 2025 | 05:18

People often joke about already knowing the last line of their obituary. Norm Lewis has performed for decades and still one wonders: will he always be described as the first black man to be the Phantom on Broadway? Well, Lewis not only doesn’t worry, he just keeps on going. And now he is playing Russell...

Award-winning clown, Julia Masli, in her one-woman show “<i>HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.”</i>

Award-winning clown, Julia Masli, in her one-woman show “HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.” ( Courtesy of The Public Theater)

Got Problems? The Clown Therapist Will See You Now.

29 Apr 2025 | 07:41

“If we didn’t have problems, we wouldn’t grow,” says Julia Masli, before embarking on solving some doozies...

Taste of the upper west side that took place last year in O’Shea School Complex

Taste of the upper west side that took place last year in O’Shea School Complex ( Photo: https://www.tastewestside.com/summer-in-the-city)

Taste of the West Side: The Festival You Don’t Want to Miss!

30 Apr 2025 | 11:07

Marking its 15th anniversary, the present edition is accompanied by some very welcome improvements. What...

Months after the old time and temperature display stopped working, Apple Bank unveiled a brand new display at an April 28 ribbon cutting which also celebrated the bank’s 162nd anniversary. ( Photo: Kelly Garreau)

Digital clock Returns to Apple Bank Building on the UWS

30 Apr 2025 | 11:16

Residents on the UWS can once again set their clocks based on the digital time and temperature display...

David Barton’s Gym U NYC reclaims the former YMCA building in Chelsea that was made famous by the Village People’s anthem.

David Barton’s Gym U NYC reclaims the former YMCA building in Chelsea that was made famous by the Village People’s anthem. ( Photo: Deborah Fenker)

Feud is over between gym owner and landlord of famed Village People ‘YMCA’ building

28 Apr 2025 | 06:16

A simmering feud between David Barton, a pioneer of the gym-as-nightclub movement, and the landlord of...

Kayden Hern, who served as the poet laureate of Gov. Kahty Hochul’s administration, reciting a moving poem entitled “In My Mind” at an April 25 ribbon-cutting event for the new Davis Center.

Kayden Hern, who served as the poet laureate of Gov. Kahty Hochul’s administration, reciting a moving poem entitled “In My Mind” at an April 25 ribbon-cutting event for the new Davis Center. ( Photo: Patricia Burmicky)

‘A Restoration’: $160 Million Davis Center Opens at Harlem Meer

28 Apr 2025 | 05:32

The Davis Center, a remarkable multi-use recreational space positioned next to the Harlem Meer, is officially...

Family will be able to indulge in some free activities offered by Seaport Museum on weekends in May until June 1.

Family will be able to indulge in some free activities offered by Seaport Museum on weekends in May until June 1. ( Photo: South Street Seaport Museum )

Free Events Roll out for Family Weekends at the Seaport Museum

28 Apr 2025 | 12:30

This May, delve into the fascinating history of printing and its close connection to the maritime world....

Wanted for mugging a senior woman for her purse, Sixth Avenue and 16th Street, April 18, 2025.

Wanted for mugging a senior woman for her purse, Sixth Avenue and 16th Street, April 18, 2025. ( Photos: NYPD)

Woman Mugs Woman in Chelsea; Penn Station Stabber Indicted

Cops from the 13th Precinct are on the lookout for a suspected woman mugger who targeted a senior woman in Chelsea recently....

28 Apr 2025 | 10:12

Patrol Officers Wu, Altman, Smyth, and Wan.

Patrol Officers Wu, Altman, Smyth, and Wan. ( Photo: NYPD 9 Precinct X)

9th Precinct Cops Apprehend Armed Robbers on E. 14th Street

While criminal mischief and mayhem are staples of the tabloid press, there are times, perhaps less well covered, when police...

27 Apr 2025 | 04:41

Wanted for Assault: Two CitiBike e-bikers, both young women, April 17.

Wanted for Assault: Two CitiBike e-bikers, both young women, April 17. ( Photos: NYPD)

2 Young Women on E-bikes Assault 3 Pedestrians on 5th Ave

E-bikes—and e-bike riders—continue their reign of terror against the people of New York.

This time, instead of smashing into...

28 Apr 2025 | 02:29

Sarah Palin, for the second time, lost a defamation lawsuit she had filed against the <i>New York Times.</i>

Sarah Palin, for the second time, lost a defamation lawsuit she had filed against the New York Times. ( Photo: Bruce Tuten/Wikimedia Commons)

Palin Verdict Gives NYT Some Good News in Tumultuous Media Landscape

The embattled news media industry received a dash of good news on April 22 when a jury found that the New York Times didn’t...

27 Apr 2025 | 06:53

A memorial is growing outside the apartment building where beloved Harlem grandmother Excenia Mette was killed on April 22. She was caught in the crossfire by two men fighting on the street near her apartment on Lenox Avenue.

A memorial is growing outside the apartment building where beloved Harlem grandmother Excenia Mette was killed on April 22. She was caught in the crossfire by two men fighting on the street near her apartment on Lenox Avenue. ( Photo: Jack Ahern )

Beloved Harlem Grandma Momma Zee Killed in Crossfire

A beloved grandmother and community figure was gunned down on a Harlem street when she went to investigate the source of...

28 Apr 2025 | 03:13

Some state and local officials were coming up with plans on how to spend the money that the MTA could save now that the federal government is taking over the rebuilding of Penn Station. But the Trump administration is now saying they don’t plan to foot the entire bill.

Some state and local officials were coming up with plans on how to spend the money that the MTA could save now that the federal government is taking over the rebuilding of Penn Station. But the Trump administration is now saying they don’t plan to foot the entire bill. ( Photo: MTA)

Not So Fast: Trump Admin Says It’s Not Footing Entire Cost to Renovate Penn Station

When the Trump administration seized control of plans to renovate Penn Station, Gov. Hochul said New Yorkers had won a major...

28 Apr 2025 | 12:20

Kids at the Corona Park Aquatic Center will be among the beneficiaries of new swim program funds unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams last month, but a plan to get free swimming lessons for all 70,000 second graders in the city that was co-sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin.

Kids at the Corona Park Aquatic Center will be among the beneficiaries of new swim program funds unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams last month, but a plan to get free swimming lessons for all 70,000 second graders in the city that was co-sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin. ( Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Is This Enough of a Splash?

On March 25, the Adams administration announced a $5.5 million investment to go towards expanding free swim lessons, with...

25 Apr 2025 | 06:10

The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10.

The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10. ( Photo: courtesy Queer Urban Orchestra )

The Queer Urban Orchestra Has Created a Safe Space for Remarkable NYC Musicians

If you’re looking for an evening of enriching musical entertainment, you couldn’t possibly do better than attending a performance...

26 Apr 2025 | 06:14

The Wegmans supermarket chain, which opened its first NYC store on Astor Place (above) in 2023, will be getting some new sister operations: the Next Door sushi restaurant and an UWS location later this year.

The Wegmans supermarket chain, which opened its first NYC store on Astor Place (above) in 2023, will be getting some new sister operations: the Next Door sushi restaurant and an UWS location later this year. ( Photo: courtesy of Wegmans)

Wegmans Gets an UWS Sibling; Menin Gets a UES Competitor

A complete unknown

Hard to imagine that there would be any real surprises coming out of the local City Council District 4...

27 Apr 2025 | 07:34

Matthew Tirschwell (left) receives a Proclamation from Assemblyman Alex Bores on April 21 for his heroic intervention this past January when he saved the life of a man who lost his leg in a subway accident.

Matthew Tirschwell (left) receives a Proclamation from Assemblyman Alex Bores on April 21 for his heroic intervention this past January when he saved the life of a man who lost his leg in a subway accident. ( Photo: Instagram/@alexbores)

Volunteer EMT Receives Award for Daring, Life-Saving Subway Rescue on UES

Matthew Tirschwell, the volunteer EMT who jumped into action to save the life of a man who had tumbled onto the subway tracks...

25 Apr 2025 | 06:23

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