I’ve never been one for backyard fireworks.

I remember all those Independence Days as a kid where my friends would whip out some sparklers, a lighter, and a twinkle in their eye, only for us to act out that scene from Hot Rod and stare at a flickering dud until we lost interest (Language rules restrict me from linking to it on YouTube, where I searched “Hot Rod fireworks” and clicked the third one down). But it didn’t take many major disappointments for me to realize the iridescent box of colors in which the sparklers were contained was an empty promise. I quickly gave up the practice.

“Oh, you bought $400 of Roman Candles? Good idea.”

Macy's Fireworks 2010 - photo by Barry Yanowitz

I guess I was spoiled as a kid, though. Instead of wasting our money on some overpriced birthday candles, my family decided to invest in the Disney Vacation Club– a timeshare, similarly overpriced, that pretty much locks up your vacation destination for the next four decades. Since I was five months old, I’ve not gone on a family vacation outside of Orlando. I used to be like this, now I feel like Charlie bit me. Not until I rebelled and went to college all the way in Tampa did I explore other parts of Florida.

(Now we have a house in Celebration, FL, about 30 seconds from Disney World, and I’ve fallen back into that funky Floridian pattern. Help.)

The reason I have no interest in those sparklers, though, is because Disney does do one thing right, and that thing is fireworks. Music synchronization, laser shows and spherical TV screens fashioned to look like a globe accompany the wonderfully choreographed fireworks, and I make sure to catch at least one show every time I go. Heck, I was just there two weeks ago, staring up at the sky with twinkles in my eyes (literally) and getting my ears blasted by incessant explosions.

Perhaps the only fireworks show that I’ve seen that rivals Disney’s expertise, though, is Macy’s Ignite the Night Independence Day fireworks. And fortunately for us, they’re in two days.

Assuming you aren’t blind –not really sure what you’re doing here if you are– the only flaw to a great fireworks show is an obstructed view. So, fortunately for you, fair reader, I have compiled a list of optimum viewing areas (anywhere with a clear view of the Hudson) for this year’s 36th annual Ignite the Night in hopes of sparing you from a strictly-audible fireworks show on Wednesday, which is not nearly as fun.

The barges that set off the fireworks float along the Hudson, between 18th and43rd St, and this means that any of the following spots are a good spots:

-        The West Side Highway, of course – anywhere on the water along the highway is probably the best place to be. There will be plenty of fellow viewers, and everyone will be watching together

-        Riverside Park – host of Hudson Warehouse’s wonderful Shakespearean plays, the park has plenty of great seats and views of the skies. Some of the walls get pretty high off the ground, though, so I wouldn’t recommend making them impromptu seating

-       Hoboken- Except for some really cool, shape-specific versions, fireworks are, for the most part, enjoyable from all angles, so Hoboken is just as good a spot as any

-        Pier 84

-        You can purchase access to the U.S.S. Intrepid for an Independence Day party and a perfect spot to see the show

-        A friend’s place. Obviously the best, least hectic, and most comfortable. If you don’t have one in the neighborhood, it might be worth making one, even if only to use them for their view.

Bad spots:

According to the Macy’s website, East River Park, Battery Park, Battery Park City, and all piers except 84 are not viewing spots for the fireworks show, so, of course, avoid those.

I recommend checking out the official website, as Macy’s provides a ton of information regarding the event. They’ve even gone as far as creating a Macy’s Fireworks App, which purports to make your viewing as seamless as possible.

I’m thinking I’ll be at Riverside Park.

–Nick Gallinelli

The Town of Ephesus is Possessed in Comedy of Errors - photo courtesy of Hudson Warehouse

It’s that time of year again, where people are filled with joy, the trees are covered in a shine of green, bottles (and people) are covered in sweat, and Riverside Park is filled with tragedy.

This tragedy, though, is the re-arrival of The Bard on the Upper West Side. For the 9th-consecutive year since its founding in 2004, Hudson Warehouse and its collection of passionate artists is performing Shakespeare at the beautiful north patio of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park.

This year the Hudson Warehouse, which dubs itself “the other free Shakespeare in the Park”, is performing Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, Richard III, and the lesser-known The Rover by Aphra Behn throughout the summer.

“When you see the audience leave with the big smiles on their faces, I don’t know what is more satisfying or more thrilling”, said Susane Lee, Hudson Warehouse’s Assistant Artistic Director. “I really think art should be for everybody… and it should be accessible.”

A typical Hudson Warehouse performance is in about as casual as it gets — in front of of an audience seated on the monument’s steps and fashioned with cushions.

“We want anyone to stop by, sit down on the steps, and watch theater. And we want to be as high-caliber as possible. We’re out there and are free theater, but we want to knock peoples’ socks off.”

This past Sunday’s show, directed by Lee herself, was a rendition of Comedy of Errors. Under skies that were cloudless and pink at showtime, Lee and her clan of actors, ranging from ages 20s to 40s, performed an updated, nuanced, and idiosyncratic version of the slapstick comedy. These idiosyncrasies are what make their version stand out.

“This space makes me feel very creative”, Lee said at the end of the performance and in the midst of disrobing and dressing actors. “I feel like this space inspires us to be more creative and think outside the box, and I love that.”

It is in this setting that makes Hudson Warehouse flourish. With actors jumping around the audience and milking the monument’s patio for all it’s worth, along with a 1 hour 35 minute run-time, the theater company keeps the audience engaged and laughing throughout the entire performance.

Hudson Warehouse performs at 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Sundays through August. Comedy of Errors is the featured play this month, followed by Behn’s The Rover in July, and Richard III in August.

“There is no angst-ing about tickets… if you come we take you in. We invite everyone… you’ll see great theater,” Lee said.

–Nick Gallinelli

You can follow Hudson Warehouse on Twitter for heads-ups about their performances and events– @HudsonWarehouse