Author Archives: Raphael Shapiro

The Broadway musical. It’s a truly American art form, like jazz, or apple pie. Or NASCAR. Since the beginning of the last century, hundreds of thousands of Americans, and foreigners, have journeyed to the Great White Way. Many see it as a place where dreams can come true, while others see it as something to »

The time was midnight. The place was Branford common room. The show was “Where the Wilde Things Are: The Importance of Being Furriest.” The Players were Exit. A raucous Friday night improv crowd welcomed the Exit Players onto the stage. This one guy in front was particularly excited (read: drunk). The Players made fun of »

I had a really great burger in Silliman the other night. When I arrived in the dining hall, the patties were already prepared — not like the ones you have to order at the grill. And they had blue cheese and sautéed onions on them, which are pretty much my favorite burger accoutrements. And as »

Louis’ Lunch. You’ve all heard the stories. The birthplace of the hamburger. No ketchup allowed. A late night eatery? Maybe not. More undergraduates than one would think have never been to Louis’ — perhaps the small brick building’s Crown Street location is just outside of an average Yalie’s campus bubble. The fabled restaurant remains part »

What is Momofuku? In Japanese, it means “lucky peach.” In music, it’s an Elvis Costello concept album. In history, it’s the name of the inventor of instant noodles. In New York City, it’s a culinary sensation. Most people writing an article on the Momofuku franchise choose to do a profile of the brilliant and charismatic »

I like getting to movies a little early. To find a good seat, sure, and to leave myself some time to stand on the concession line in case I’m in the mood for some popcorn or candy. (I prefer Junior Mints.) But there’s another reason. For me the experience starts just as the lights dim, »

Consistency has never been a word one could use to describe Neil Young. His music is often political, frequently exquisite and has been profoundly influential, but the man himself rarely finds something and sticks with it — his in-and-out track record with Crosby, Stills and Nash is just one example of this pattern. With “Fork »

Barack Obama is our president and Hillary Clinton LAW ’73 is his secretary of state. That’s how things are now. But think back to just over a year ago, to the presidential primaries. Obama and Clinton were running a close and contentious race for the Democratic nomination. With a woman and an African-American man emerging »

It’s tough to maintain “indie cred” when a band’s vocals are too refined, too mellifluous. How can you stay on the cutting edge of the alternative rock scene when you sing well? Such successful front men as the whiny Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, the ever-cracking Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade, or the high-pitched Alec »