`

WPCNR's THE REAL DEAL. By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings. July 3, 2008: July fourth falling on a Friday more often than not guarantees the holiday festivities will begin on a Thursday, and continue well through the weekend.  So those guests who usually only drop by for the day of barbeque could be staying a while longer.  It seemed only appropriate that we assist you in whipping up a few extra, sure to wow (except maybe the Jello) dishes, that can be easily doubled or tripled to feed the masses while still looking unique. 

WPCNR View from the Balcony. Minute Review by John F. Bailey. June 26, 2008: Rent, the Pulitzer Prize Tony-touting operetta of the streetpeople that focused national attention on AIDS and the homeless in the mid-nineties written by White Plains High School graduate Jonathan Larson  played at the Stamford Palace Theater this week. The operetta still makes you walk out feeling like you want to do good!

This Rent is powerful, exuberant, uplifting, gripping and downright everything theater is supposed to be. It is the work of a lifetime in the very short life of White Plains High Hall of Fame writer, Jonathan Larson, who wrote the book, the music and the lyrics.  You got to see this book, lyrics and music performed. Recalling Jesus Christ Superstar in pace, message and listenability, the work is amazing.

Being that today is HIV Testing day -- Rent's appearance this week was very timely -- for it is the musical that cries out to your compassion.

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. June 22, 2008: As food prices and restaurant prices start to rise, and when it's late at night and you're ready to go out, what's a hungry teenager gonna do? You go to a diner? Preferably an economical one. So what's the best diner for that late night snack?  Tell us your favorite diner in the poll on the right!

The Corner Nook Is Gone -- But White Plains Diners Serve On Where the hamburghers sizzle on an open grill night and day -- what's your favorite?

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. June 21, 2008: Deborah Villalba, aspiring lyrico-spinto soprano and 2008 Honor Student at White Plains High School and Michelle Altmann dancer,  2008 graduate of Port Chester High School each received the second annual $1,000 Sonny Katz Scholarships today at a brunch ceremony at The North End Restaurant in White Plains.

Last year’s Sonny Katz Scholarship honorees, Kirsten Smayda (far left) and Helen Hess (far right) of White Plains presented the awards to Ms. Deborah Villalba of WPHS 2008 , second from left, and Ms. Michelle Altmann,  of Port Chester High School 2008 (second from right). "The First Lady of White Plains Theatre," Susan Katz, center, presides.

WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik, of Cap and Gown Weddings. June 21, 2008: To insure or not to insure, a common question in this day of $100,000 plus events.  But even at $20,000 dollars, families and couples are spending more and more of their relative income on large affairs and with that comes the fear of losing it if the unexpected happens.  Common concerns include weather related disasters, illness of an important family member or cancellation of the event for any reason. 

The primary question is whether or not to insure yourself against any of these things from happening. Depending on the range of insurance that you choose to buy, costs can range from $200-$1200, but the average tends to be between $400-500.  A popular company from which to purchase wedding specific insurance is www.wedsafe.com.

WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings, New York, June 14, 2008: When inviting friends and family to share in a special celebration or occasion, should it involve travel on the guests’ part, even in the age of priceline.com and thousands of miles and points, there are a few rules that every host should follow. This column explores how to arrange travel to an event for out of town guests, and provides two suggested itineraries of things to do between when they arrive and "the event!"

Do you like the song “Send in the Clowns”?

If so, you’ll love the Armonk Players’ dazzling presentation of the Stephen Sondheim musical “A Little Night Music” at the North Castle Public Library. Remaining performance are at 7:30 pm Thursday June 5, and at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, 2008.  “Send in the Clowns” is one of the musical highlights of this tale of the romantic lives of several couples.

The period (Sweden, 1908) costumes and scenery are creative and colorful, and among the cast members are the multitalented Lynne Barasch, Beth Brandon, Christine Colangelo, Christine DiTota, Judith Pennyfeather, Davina Porter, Larry Reina, and Anthony Valbiro. George Puello, a 30-year veteran of the Westchester Broadway Theatre, is the director and co-choreographer of  “A Little Night Music,” which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Tony Award for Best Musical in the early ‘70s. George Croom is the music director.

For more information, check out www.armonkplayers.org  and www.northcastlelibrary.org (for directions), or call  914 273-2165.

WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings with Elizabeth West. June 1, 2008: Last week we gave you the rules of thumb for a successful rehearsal dinner. This week, contributor Elizabeth West is going to offer some creative ideas and real world examples that readers can easily implement into their own rehearsal dinner design concepts.  Here's Liz...

Many brides are faced with the challenge of designing a creative and fun wedding without turning it into a sweet sixteen or an over-the-top Bat Mitzvah. With all the coordinating napkins, invitations, bubbles, and favors available, the wedding can quickly go from chic to something that looks like it came out of a Hello Kitty™ store.  And while I can appreciate a clever and whimsical idea, I usually tell brides that the best place for those ideas is at the rehearsal dinner.  Since everyone is usually a bit nervous with anticipation of the big day, it’s the perfect time to create an event that’s fun, relaxed, and personal.

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Pia Haas. May 27, 2008: The sun sits low on Midsummer’s Eve and Fredrik Egerman waits for his young wife to warm up to him. Then his former mistress proposes a weekend in the country—and hearts and eyes, spouses and lovers, wander to a series of matchlessly witty waltzes. Featuring his most famous song, "Send in the Clowns," Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning score elevates musical theater to new heights of sophistication and proves that love can make glorious fools of us all. Literate and stylish, A Little Night Music is also disarmingly warm, funny, charming and very human. Its well-constructed book is one of the best ever written, featuring a strong ensemble cast of vivid, memorable characters that span all age groups. It opens this weekend  in Armonk Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday  and plays the weekend of June 6,7 and 8

WPCNR'S The Real Deal  -- Weddings by The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik, Cap and Gown Weddings. May 24 , 2008: Often in this column, we refer to the “olden” days of weddings – when things were relatively easier, the guest list was shorter and the costs much lower.  Rehearsal dinner planning is the quintessential example of how things have changed from then to now.  

The Weddding Jeannie

Jeannie Uyanik

Wedding Planner to the World

 In the good old days, when few guests could or did travel for weddings, the rehearsal dinner was not only a time for everyone to gather after practicing the run through for the wedding the following day, it was also a way to reward the guests who were participating in the bridal party for their dedication to the wedding and to thank those who had traveled from so far away.  Generally, the rule of thumb for who to invite was clear; bridal party, immediate family and out of town guests. 

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. May 20, 2008: White Plains Susan Katz, the indomitable impresario and a pioneer of children’s theatre in Westchester County was honored with a 2008 Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement  Monday evening at the annual Cab Calloway Awards Extravaganza at Westchester Broadway Theatre.

White Plains Susan Katz was honored with her late father, Seymour “Sonny” Katz, entertainer, raconteur and humanitarian, Monday evening, receiving the crystal Calloways with  Alan Bramson founder of the Bramson School of Music, John B. Coppolla  New Rochelle Community Theatre Founder, the late Sir Mort Clark Professor of Speech & Theatre at Westchester Community College, Phil Gaberman, music teacher and musical director; Barry Liebman, founder of Yorktown Stage; Joan Morenstein, music teacher, Port Chester Middle School, and Jo Robbins, dance instructor at Westchester Community College.

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Cappelli Enterprises (Edited) May 15, 2008: Via Quadronno, one of the most distinctive dining destinations in New York City offering a unique Italian café fare, today opened its newest restaurant at Renaissance Square in the heart of downtown White Plains. The Bar Building sidewalk cafe/coffee bar/eatery adds White Plains to its exclusive other locations in Miami, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

WPCNR'S The Real Deal By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings. The Mother's Day Column May 10, 2008:

I have an almost two-year old son. He does not sleep, never stops moving, and more often than not, unlike my friends with little girls, needs to be constantly entertained.  I am told though that while the first few years with a boy are harder, I will be laughing through the teenage years and wedding planning while those with girls struggle.  While I am far from knowledgeable about children and teenagers, I can impart wisdom about mothers and daughters during the wedding planning process; from what I see and have learned personally, it might just rival moments with a teenager and for many of the same reasons.

Much like turning 13, planning a wedding is a milestone in a woman’s life.  She needs the support and love of her mother, but has her own ideas about what to do and how.  While the everyday guidance of a mother to a bride is not as essential as it might be for a teenager, the approval and tacit support is, even in just the assurance that disapproval is not soon coming.  Hopefully this column will serve to provide a backbone of a few do’s and don’ts because at the end of the day, a mother/daughter relationship is more important than any venue, florist, caterer or schedule.