27 December 2014
Reading this document:
I suggest reading this document the first time through on the
ATTACHED pdf. Then I’d read the e-mail version online so you can
click and play and have all the fun.
PreTravel:
Please pack a comfortable, casual-chic outfit for all day on Dec 27.
When you leave your hotel early in the morning, you won’t be back
until the 28th, i.e., after midnight when my birthday is officially over.
The weather should be cold, you may wish to have a small umbrella,
and you definitely want to be sure that whatever shoes you wear are
super comfortable for a day of walking. Casually elegant dress will be
appropriate as you’ll be outside, inside, through nice hotel lobbies,
outside amidst hundreds of people, and also in two different NYC
historically restored landmark theaters.
Gifts:
I repeat that I would love 50cents from each of you to make a
contribution of one penny for each year of my life.
FRIDAY
Arrival
When you arrive in NYC, please take a taxi to the hotel from the
regular taxi stand and not accepting any offers for taxis from the illegal
men inside of the airport. There is a FIXED RATE from JFK to all NYC
city hotels. You add the tolls and the tip. You should already have
received money from me for this.
Taxi Info: from the government’s website:
Flat Fare from John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport: For trips between (to
and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is
$52.00 plus any tolls using Rate Code 2 on the meter. A NY State Tax
Surcharge of $.50 will be added to each trip. Add a 15% tip.
Hotel:
Paramount Hotel, the official hotel of the Tony Awards. The rooms are
comfortable, tiny, and the lobby is really cute.
Website: http://www.nycparamount.com
Hotel Address:
PARAMOUNT HOTEL 235 W 46TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 764-5500
Friday Lunch or Dinner Pre-Party:
Everyone is on his or her own on Friday night unless your flight
allows you to join me for lunch or dinner on Friday for a Pre-Party Kiki. I
know your flight itineraries, and I’ve contacted you separately if there’s a
chance that your flight schedule on Friday allows you to join us.
Otherwise, you’ll grab dinner when you are in the hotel and charge it to
your room.
When you are NOT with me (i.e, on Friday night and on Sunday
breakfast before you depart) eat anywhere in the hotel including room
service and charge it to your room. All meals and incidentals, room and
tax are going to the master account, which means “sign it to your room”
and I pay.
I will try to touch base with each of you individually during Friday
afternoon and evening but know that my first priority is Mom and Billy’s
arrival into the City, getting them settled, fed, and resting to be ready for
Saturday.
Contact Me: For those of you arriving by plane, I ask that you please make
2 contacts to me even though I’ll be tracking your flights:
1. When you arrive and actually LAND in NYC, please
call/text/Voxer/WhatsApp me so that I know you are in NYC to
917.873.5683
2. Also please confirm AGAIN with me when you are in your hotel
room safe and sound.
SATURDAY
Saturday is a full day and you’re “mine” for the entire day. Should
you face any travel irregularities, just plan to catch up with us based on the
following program;
Option A:
Wake up in time to depart your hotel at 7:45AM and take a taxi from the
Paramount too meet for coffee/tea about 8AM.
If you are up in the wee morning hours because of
jetlag and don’t wish to sleep in until the last moment
possible, come to Soho where at 8AM I’ll be enjoying
my favorite tea latté in the whole world…. Moroccan
Mint Latté at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Soho, a
short walk to where we ALL meet at 9AM.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Address: 189 Bleecker Street
Telephone: +1.212.673.0050
From here we will walk to 9AM brunch together about 845AM.
Check out this link beforehand: http://www.yelp.com/biz/thecoffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-new-york-4
Option B:
Take a taxi from the Paramount to:
9AM-11AM
Laduree Soho
BIG BIRTHDAY BISCONTINI BRUNCH
Check out this link beforehand:
https://www.laduree.com/en_int/#!brand/history
Address: 398 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Telephone: +1 646-392-7868
You HAVE to watch this scene from my favorite Paris restaurant, shot in
Paris, that we will recreate in NYC, complete with DOG:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGMOfrw7vXA
11:30-1:00PM
Rockefeller Center Christmas Spectacular Show
http://www.radiocitychristmas.com
From our brunch, we’ll grab taxis and head north to Rockefeller Center….
all taxis will know where this is from Laduree Soho to Rockefeller Center
1PM-1:30PM: Shopping at Maison du Chocolate, Teuscher, and
meet under the world famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for
photographs and fun.
Inclement Weather Substitute: Sak’s Fifth Avenue Lobby Level—
across the street from Rockefeller Center on 5th Avenue
From here we walk together to the 2PM event, approximately 20
minutes by foot. Alternatively, you can also from here pop back to your
hotel briefly if needed, although I’d not suggest it. Should you choose not
to come to the outdoor event in the cold, you’ please meet us at the 2PM
event.
2-5:00PM
Waldorf=Astoria Hotel Towers Official Birthday
Party:
Theme: C5:
Canapés, Caviar, Cake, Cabaret, & Champagne
Meet in the Towers Suite, which will be revealed at brunch
WWW.WALDORFNEWYORK.COM
The Towers Of The Waldorf Astoria
100 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
Check out this link beforehand: http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/aboutthe-waldorf/hotel-history.html
You can enter through the massive hotel lobby which you have to see
because of how impressive it is, or you can also enter through the private
entrance to the “Waldorf Towers” with private elevators on 50th Street
5:30PM
Relais de Venise L’Entrecote NYC Brasserie, a short, close walking distance
from the Waldorf.
Telephone: +1 212-758-3989
This restaurant is one of the most unique restaurants in the world
serving only ONE thing. They are aware of those of you with special
dietary restrictions. The original is in Paris; they have one in London, and
this in NYC.
Check out this link beforehand:
http://www.relaisdevenise.com/newyork/
8:00PM
Broadway Theater
We will be going out “on the town” together to the newest Broadway Show
hit:
Here’s a review:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/theater/in-on-the-town-the-cityis-candy-colored-heaven.html?ref=arts&_r=1
11:00PM Birthday Mass at St. Malachy’s The Actor’s Chapel
This is my favorite church in the USA and the one I attend when I’m
in the city. Founded for and by theater people, you never know whom
you’re gonna find inside in the line next to you during communion….
Check out this link beforehand:
http://www.actorschapel.org
11:45-12:15
Times Square
Walk to Times Square and say “goodbye” to the end of Lawrence’s 50th
year and “hello” to the start of year number 51 with a special..
SUNDAY
 Please plan on breakfast on your own at the hotel and charge it to
the room.
 Please notice your departure airport: in some cases it’s different
from your arrival airport.
 Check-out: please notify the front desk of your check-out and
confirm they will email receipt of the final bill to
[email protected]. I will follow-up on Sunday
evening with the hotel for the check-out of each of you.
 If you want to store your luggage while you explore the city with
a late flight, you can give your luggage to the bellman downstairs
for $2.00 per bag tip.
GENERAL
 I’ve NOT hired a professional photographer for the day; instead
I’ve just created a SHARED folder with MAC for us to share
photos we all take from the day. I’ve invited you and you just
accept the invite coming via email. Then during and after the
event, we can all share our pictures on the shared album. Feel
free to post anything about our celebration on social media
EXCEPT: 1. a complete list of names of who is all invited (even
group pictures are okay) and 2. the fact that Dec 27 is my
birthday. I always tell people my birthday is Dec 25 for security
reasons to confirm credit card, passport, travel and other
personal information. There are many quacks out there
(including convention stalking attendees) that should NOT know
the REAL day of my birthday. Feel free to say “we are celebrating
Lawrence’s birthday” but not “today is REALLY his birthday.”
Lawrence’s Mobile #:
+1-917-873-5683