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Romance is in the eye of the traveler

By Marilyn Loeser

Half way through dinner Rich, our waiter, asked if this was our anniversary.

Actually our anniversary is months away, but he was right about one thing, this was a celebration of our marriage, a romantic winter getaway. We just decided to forget work, cell phones and computers to simply concentrate on each other for a few days.

So, here we were at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, NY — focusing on each other instead of our normal daily lives — and looking forward to the weekend ahead in Westchester County.

Performing Arts

Westchester County offers an abundance of live theater. Because we both enjoy live theater — and couldn’t predict winter’s weather shifts — we decided to see two theatrical productions during our visit.

The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College is home to a concert hall, recital hall and the Pepsico Theatre where, this evening, L.A. Theatre Works docudrama The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial was presented.

Edward Asner, James Cromwell and Sharon Gless headed the all-star cast taking the audience back to 1925 when Darwinism challenged religion.

The L.A. Theatre Works production — based on the original court transcripts — is being staged in 23 cities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the historical Scopes monkey trial over the right to teach the theory of evolution in public schools.

Purchase College hosts cultural events throughout the year including ballet, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Shakespeare productions. For more information check the website at artscenter.org.

We also had the privilege to attend Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. The touching love story opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in March of 2000 and ran in New York for more than four years, playing 1852 performances and winning four Tony Awards.

The story is based on a legend that inspired Giuseppi Verdi to write an opera of the same name. The Broadway version has an entirely different sensibility, along with a number of plot changes. The musical adaptation of Aida is a passionate love story accompanied by a brilliant score by Elton John.

Filled with romance, conflict and rebirth, the story centers itself around the strength of love and its compelling and healing powers.

What a perfect production, filled with the complexities of love and hope, for Mark and I to be pulled into as we entered the world of ancient Egypt and the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess; Radames, an Egyptian captain; and his betrothed, the beautiful Egyptian Princess Amneris.

Rozz Morehead-Santos stars as Aida, Eric Sciotto as Radames and Stephanie Youell as Amneris. Together with a talented ensemble cast, they sang and danced and, in the end, brought the audience to its feet.

Admission includes a three-course meal with a choice of several entrees. Guests arrive around 6:30 p.m. for dinner and stay in their seats for the play. The food and service are excellent.

Aida runs through April 29, followed by Barnum from May 4 though July 8. Hot Mikado will appear at the theatre from July 13 through September 9 and The Full Monty from September 14 through Nov. 18. Other shows appear weekdays.

For a complete listing and additional information check the website at broadwaytheatre.com.

For additional information on performing arts in Westchester County, check the website at westchestertourism.com, click on night life and then performing arts. Dozens of theaters, musical groups and performing arts center links are available for further exploration as you plan your Westchester weekend, getaway or vacation.

History Abounds

Numerous historic — and romantic — attractions also are located in Westchester County.

Who can forget Ichabod Crane and his affection for Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and only child of a wealthy Dutch farmer in the The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? And Legends author Washington Irving’s romantic retreat — Sunnyside.

In 1835, Irving purchased a simple 18th-century cottage and enlarged and remodeled it to its present appearance. Sunnyside and its romantic landscape are presented to visitors by guides dressed in the costume of the mid-Victorian period.

The National Historic Landmark reopens for the season weekends in March and daily in April.

Nearby is another National Trust site overlooking the Hudson River open to visitors year round — Lyndhurst.

Although it was chilly and threatening rain, Mark and I were taken both aback at the mansion’s visual appeal, and long and interesting history.

We first watched a video presentation on its history before heading to the house and our guide Julia who took the facts we had just learned and wove them into the tapestry of the house itself.

Considered the finest example of Gothic Revival in the United States, the mansion was designed in 1838 by Alexander Jackson Davis. Nestled in its park-like landscape, the approach is one of wonder and imagination.

The original house was smaller than the present day mansion and was built by former New York City Mayor William Paulding, was later owned by merchant George Merritt and finally railroad tycoon Jay Gould.

Julia explained how each family changed, added to and updated Lyndhurst, evolving it from a country villa to a Gothic mansion.

The 19th century was a period of political and technological change in America and Romanticism dominated the arts. The Hudson River Valley became the center of romantic painting and architecture.

At first the romantic style was considered fanciful, but fascination with the property grew as did the estate. In 1864-65, the house was doubled in size by its second owner George Merritt.

The final residents were Jay Gould and his family when Gould purchased the estate in 1880 for a summer home and country retreat. Upon his death in 1892, Gould's daughter, Helen bought out her sibling’s shares of the estate. She later married Finley Shepard, adopted four children and was involved in numerous philanthropic works including inviting the community’s youth to the property for retreats and educational pursuits.

After her death in 1938, her sister, Anna, Duchess of Talleyrand- Perigord, returned from France and maintained Lyndhurst until her death in 1961 when the 67-acre estate passed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Julia pointed out family heirlooms, interesting architectural features and historic antidotes.

As much as the house was owned by the very wealthy and is filled with art and antiques of the finest quality, there is a feeling of peace and family here. It is easy to imagine generations of adults and their children enjoying their lives here.

Sunnyside and Lyndhurst are just two examples of the variety and richness of what can be found in Westchester County. For more information check the website at hudsonvalley.org/index.html.

If you go:
Located just north of New York City, Westchester County is easy to reach by car or rail. From cultural and historical attractions to the performing arts and the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley, guests are sure to find great diversions whether you’re looking for the romantic or bringing the whole family along.

Mark and I stayed at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, just minutes from all the attractions we chose to visit. Add to this the recent multi-million dollar renovation, two restaurants and an indoor pool and fitness center, and you’ve got the perfect base for touring the area or New York City for that matter.

For more information check the website at marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=NYCWE.

For information on other attractions, accommodations and restaurants check the website tourism.westchestergov.com/.

Photos by Marilyn Loeser, John Vecchiplla, and L.A. Thheatre Works.

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