Every day is opening night.

When the calendar flips and the fireworks start, most New Yorkers are fighting for some elusive combination of warmth, champagne, and cabs that haven’t been claimed by tourists. But not this weary wanderer. I spent the last days of 2025 under the spell of Mexico City—where the past dances with the present, and the tequila is taken seriously (as it should be). The air was sweet with roasted corn and revolution.

The capital, dear readers, is having a moment. No longer just the city of murals and mole, CDMX is now an effervescent cultural cocktail — shaken, stirred, and served with a side of political pride. You feel it walking through Centro on New Year’s Eve, where I rang in 2026 surrounded by fireworks and margaritas (made the Mexican way) so strong they nearly fogged up my glasses. In attendance: a glamorous coterie of transatlantic theatricals — Sonia Friedman Theatricals’ own Kash Bennett (Paddington was on everybody’s lips), the ever-brilliant Kristin Caskey (able to quote Broadway grosses and MLB stats in the same breath), Broadway soldier Jillian Robbins, producer Amanda DuBois, and the National Theatre’s Director of Commercial Producing, Tim Levy.

Days were spent strolling, sipping, and sampling. The food scene? Positively unhinged in the best way. I devoured a street taco so good I briefly blacked out.

I stopped eating long enough to catch the Spanish-language Phantom of the Opera. It’s que rico, my darlings.

We made a pilgrimage to Casa Roja and all left feeling like Frida Kahlo was our very own Tia Friducha.

Meanwhile, back on Broadway, Alex Timbers made history before the holidays as only the fourth director to have four shows running simultaneously on the Great White Way. The latest jewel in his crown? ALL OUT: Comedy About Ambition by Simon Rich — a high-octane romp that skewers contemporary work life with a rotating cast of comedic heavyweights.

And lest we forget — Alex is already plotting his next magic trick: a stage musical of EUROVISION in cahoots with the film’s creatives and producer Lia Vollack. Expect sequins. Expect smoke machines. Expect belting.

No longer the jeune fêtard who could turn the Carlyle’s Empire Suite into his personal discotheque on TONY Sunday, Timbers has evolved into a bona fide theatrical statesman. With his signature blend of spectacle and soul, he reminds us that theater can still dazzle — even when the world seems dim. Brava, darling.

Tidbits from around town…

Spied Hugh Dancy offering his seat to an elderly straphanger on the downtown F train.

Caught recent West End stars Rachel Zegler and Lucas Hedges sharing a friendly chat in front of Brooklyn Heights’ perennial hot spot Noodle Pudding.

Overheard Martha Raddatz declaring her New Year’s resolution over pasta at Via Carota: “Less cardio, more carbs!”

As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours — and go Bills!

Kisses,