Due to insane fans and compulsive ticket buyers, 'Rent' has been extended through September 7. Great news, but you have to wonder—are they going to keep pushing back the final perf date in an effort to get people to run out and urgently buy tix? That's proving the show has fans, so why not just stay open?

This little scare tactic seems to be a favorite of Broadway classics on their way out.

Soon, we'll be seeing signs saying "RENT CLOSING! FINAL PERFORMANCE AUGUST 2012!"

And people will RUN to the box office.

If you were one of the believers that 'Rent' was actually closing on June 1st, you do have the option of exchanging your tickets, so as to catch it in its "final" week(s).

 Playbill.com tells you how, and fills you in on the full extension story.

-Perrie Samotin

Photo by: Bryan Bruchman

It's a cult-y thing, a Mountain Goats show. And I'll admit this up front: I've been a believer since 1993, since back when the Mountain Goats catalog was mostly just John Darnielle bashing a guitar and singing into a four-track. In recent years, as Darnielle has moved toward cleaner recordings and more complex arrangements, more devotees have found their way into the fold—and this can only be a good thing. Fellow fanatics would agree, it's not about old-schoolers vs. newbies. It's about winning as many converts as possible, and coming together at the show to celebrate our common ground.

So the Music Hall of Williamsburg was packed on Wednesday, and Darnielle (despite being "sick in about seventeen different ways") was able to offer something for everyone, plus plenty of his trademark patter. The first half of the set was just him and his guitar; he dug into his 500-song repertoire for old favorites like "The Recognition Scene" and "Against Agamemnon," which was prefaced, as is not unusual for Darnielle, with some snappy discourse about mythology. Requests were shouted out, as they always are, and when he obliged with "Going to Port Washington," several audience members made sounds rather like the sounds teenagers used to make at the Beatles. (To the girl who jumped when I screamed in your ear: sorry!)

For the second half Darnielle was joined by his touring band—longtime bass accomplice Peter Hughes and drummer Jon Wurster, on loan from Superchunk—and ventured into newer territory, including a blistering rendition of "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" from his new record, Heretic Pride. The Mountain Goats as full-on rock band, who knew?

Though the crowd had sympathy for Darnielle's illness and creaky vocal cords, there was no way we were letting him leave without an encore. He came up with a compromise: he'd do "No Children" and "The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton," but he'd let us do the singing. Not a problem. Mountain Goats fans know the words. Moments later, 550 people were grinning and chanting the "Death Metal Band" chorus - "Hail Satan!" - at the top of their lungs. At the risk of sounding, well, heretic, it felt like a religious experience. —Mary Phillips-Sandy

(Courtesy of Evisu)

Known for their high quality denim, Japanese label Evisu's winter collection is up to 50 percent off online. Top pieces include a pumpkin-colored chunky obi cardigan ($163), suave backless waistcoat ($318) and men's double stitching regular jeans ($138). The best part about this online sale? Evisu's giving free shipping on all purchases.

(Evisu is also available at Atrium, Bergdorf Goodman and Macy's.)

The world's most successful composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber needs to chill with the reality TV. First, he made the decision to choose an unknown to play “Sound of Music” leading lady Maria, via BBC reality show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" Then he appeared on BBC One's "Any Dream Will Do!" and attempted to find a new Joseph for his revival of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Last but not least, he appeared as a guest judge on the biggest mockery of musical theater known to man NBC reality camp-fest "Grease: You're the One that I Want," to help find Broadway's new Sandy and Danny.

And now, as Seacrest informed us last night, it's "American Idol." If it’s a matter of gaining more mass appeal, I don’t think the Kelly Pickler-loving 'Idol' audience is the right target, Andy.  

And conversely, I don’t really feel like hearing the contestants wreck theatrical classics that I happen to appreciate. I’d rather not listen to David Cook’s cocky rock version of Gethsemane from "Jesus Christ Superstar," Frampton-esque voice box and all. Or Kristy Lee Cook’s bluegrass rendition of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. Thanks, but no thanks.

Below, some offhand predictions for Lloyd Webber week, with the Top 10 sure to make his songbook "their own" and, in turn, as over-commercialized as humanly possible. If that's even possible.

Michael Johns: Oh, What a Circus (Evita)
David Archuletta: Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Christy Lee Cook: U-N-C-O-U-P-L-E-D (Starlight Express)
David Cook: Heaven on Their Minds (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Brooke White: Take That Look Off Your Face (Song and Dance)
Chikezie: Magical Mr. Mistoffelees (Cats)
Jason Castro: Love Changes Everything (Aspects of Love)
Carly Smithson: As If We Never Said Goodbye (Sunset Blvd.)
Syesha Mercado: Only You (Starlight Express)
Ramiele Malubay: Close Every Door (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

-Perrie Samotin

The premise behind Antik, a new cocktail lounge on the Bowery opening this weekend is such a good idea, I wish I thought of it. Similar to an actual restaurant, patrons make reservations ahead to time and are seated at loungey tables, where they're served drinks by waitresses (all of which seemed to have passed a 5”10+ height requirement).

The best and most interesting part? There's no bar, it’s all seated service. Genius! Not only does that eliminate the utter chaos that going out can bring, but it also keeps out the riff-raff. And by riff-raff, I mean post-college transplanted kids who, a year or two ago, would never have dreamed of setting foot in the East Village, let alone on the Bowery (but that's another story for another post).  

Sound snotty? It's not. I'm 28 years old and spent my whole life in New York City and I feel entitled to going out with friends on the weekend and not have to worry about the circus-like fanfare that comes with it.

The decor of the semi-private, intimate lounge (it only holds 74) looks a bit like it was ripped off from nearby Bowery Hotel's lobby bar, with patterned scarlet wallpaper and under-lit palm trees, but it works. A full bar is on hand, but the specialty cocktail menu is fabulous, you'd be remiss not to try at least one (or, in this particular case, four). Standouts include the White Lotus,  a sweet blend of vodka, St. Germain, Negori sake, plum wine, lime juice and cloves and the Moscow Mule, a more straightforward mix of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice.  

I truly hope Antik does well. I got a good vibe, which almost never happens, since a good deal of New York nightlife has gone the way of a college campus (and one big Wall Street social, but who knows how long that'll continue). Hopefully, it'll mange to remain what it's setting out to be.

-Perrie Samotin

Starting on Wednesday, March 19th and continuing untilApril 1, Japonica will celebrate 30 years with a special AnniversaryPrix Fixe Menu spotlighting its best savory dishes, an assortment of fresh sushi and sashimi, and a dessert oftraditional Japanese mochi – all for $65.

Established in 1978 by owner Shingo Yonezawa; Japonica wasone of the first restaurants in Manhattan to feature Japanese cuisine and introduce sushi to New Yorkers. Needless to say, it was a good idea. How many times a month do you eat sushi? 

Sake flights are avail for $10 when ordering the anniversary menu.  

go for it, again.

site is live as of 10 am this morning. by 10:01 it crashed, but is coming up every minute or so when people give up. but reservations are being taken.

good luck!

reservations.momofuku.com 

the lucky few who were able to log on to the momofuku ko reservation website that briefly went live on friday  afternoon and actually make a reservation at the highly anticipated ko were met with this email the next day:

hello

during testing today the location of our development server was discovered and inaccurately publicized as the authentic momofuku ko reservation system.

the reservation and user account you made was made on that development server and therefore it not valid.

an opening date for the restaurant has not been set yet.

the reservation system for the restaurant is not online yet.

when the momofuku ko reservation system is put online we will personally notify you via email.

we apologize for any confusion.

we appreciate your support.

we look forward to seeing you. 

so not only were diners who showed up at ko  with their confirmation emails in hand s.o.l, they have to join the rat race again this week when the site does go live.

 many a foodie will be stationed at their desks today for the long haul...chinese takeout is definitely on the horizon for lunch.

it is live people. the 14 seat momofuku ko site is up and taking reservations

http://reservations.momofuku.com

you have to register to activate your account, and note, yahoo, gmail, hotmail accounts are delayed in getting activation emails so best to use a work one.

Photo credit: Bryan Bruchman

Tired? Cold? Soul worn down by an 11-hour work day? Head fogged by the mid-week blues? Me too. Good thing there was a cure in town on Wednesday night: Los Angeles-based Dengue Fever, touring in support of their excellent new album “Venus on Earth.”

U.S. soldiers brought psychedelia, garage and surf rock to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war; Cambodian singers borrowed from these styles to create a vibrant fusion that flourished until the brutal advent of the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Ethan Holtzman (keyboards) discovered cassettes of pre-regime pop on a 1997 trip to Cambodia, and with his brother Zac (guitar and vocals) formed Dengue Fever: part homage, part re-invention.

None of this would be possible without Cambodian frontwoman/superstar Ch'hom Nimol, who's begun singing in English as well as Khmer. "Tiger Phone Card," from the new album, is a joyously sappy duet between Ch'hom and Zac Holtzman—and it was even better live than on the record, mostly because of the way Ch'hom emotes lines like "You only call me when you're drunk." She could sing in any language she wanted, and chances are you'd know exactly what she means. With her expressive voice, go-go boots and lip gloss Ch'hom is a true heiress to Nancy Sinatra's throne, queen of the accusatory finger-point followed by a forgiving shimmy.

At Southpaw the rest of the band was in fine form too: Zac Holtzman and bassist Senon Williams spent much of the evening pogoing in unison, even after Holtzman's pants ripped down the leg. Trumpeter Omar Akil (on loan from former tourmates Cordero) sat in on several numbers, swapping horn lines with saxophonist David Ralicke. The long set included old and new material, starting with "New Year's Eve" from the band’s 2003 self-titled debut; that meant Ch'hom had plenty of opportunities to do the twist, but perhaps the night's most riveting moment was the a capella intro of "Hold My Hips," a powerful display of her vocal capabilities. By the encore the floor was shaking from moving bodies and bass and everyone on stage was sweaty—you could call it a world music dance party, or you could just call it a dance party. —Mary Phillips-Sandy

(Photo by Scott Ogle)

Gary Gygax, the creator of the popular (and awesome) role-playing game "Dungeons and Dragons," died today at the age of 69. If you ever played...well, you were a social outcast, yes, but you also were a leg up on the Internet masses and their MMORPG obsessions (don't know what MMORPG is? Then you are not a dork!)

Sadly, nobody's made the expected "ran out of hit points" joke, but you can show your support by joining a local D&D club! We did some research, and we only found one...which has a total of three participants, none of whom are confirmed for the event on Thursday.

Dungeons and Dragons creator dies [CNN.com]

Join the New York D&D club [citycita.org]

Has the end of Barneys Warehouse Sale got you down? Barneys feels your pain. Or at least that's what we thought when we received an email from the lux department store announcing their online clearance sale. The timing couldn't be better. Simply go to Barneys.com to enjoy up to 70 percent off certain clearance items from their women's and men's departments as well as selections from their home, baby and left-over "green-holiday" items.

(Photo by Alex Kim)

Hanging out in Hoboken on the weekend has long been an exercise in frat or flight. You either celebrate Milwaukee’s Best and meat on the bone with as much pride (and after 13 pints vitriol) as humanly possible, usually while packed in the back of farty bar surrounded by blasting plasma screens. Or you catch wind of the scene sometime around 1st Street/Washington Ave. and get the hell back to Manhattan. And then there’s ‘Boken St. Patrick’s Day, an annual tradition on the first Saturday in March where bars open at 9 a.m. and house parties spill out into muddy backyards. Aerosmith is usually played in a loop.

Such was the setup for Saturday (a longtime friend was throwing his first party and had procured 6-feet of hoagie and a keg of, what else, the Beast). For most of the afternoon the streets were tame. I didn’t see fighting (the last Hoboken trip provided a pleasant show of fisticuffs, including a head stomping) and generally was not afraid (the Jersey cops, presumably called in from around the county, packed 3 foot billy clubs that looked more like Kendo sticks). The party was fun, if not tiring (drinking beer at 2 p.m. is strictly a summertime activity). The parade? I guess there was one, but nobody seemed to care. What, with Guitar Hero to play inside. –Matt Rodbard