Local Legend: Broadway Star Liz Larsen Says The UWS Is Family

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Liz Larsen needs no introduction in the world of Broadway. The Tony-nominated actress has appeared in such hits as "The Most Happy Fella," "Hairspray," and currently features in "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical."

But Larsen's musical career is only one part of who she is as a person, the actress says. Another critical piece is her Upper West Side neighborhood where she lives with her husband (and fellow Broadway legend) Sal Viviano, and her two sons, Andy and Joey.

Larsen gave a snapshot of her life in the neighborhood as part of Patch's Local Legends series, where people who make New York City great discuss the neighborhoods they call home.

Last week, we talked to Gastor Almonte about why East New York is the perfect neighborhood for up-and-coming comics, and next week we'll explore how the stench of the Gowanus Canal inspires music producer Martin Bisi.

Here's what Larsen had to say about the Upper West Side:

Describe your neighborhood in three words.

Diverse. Liberal. Family (a noun I realize).

Describe your perfect day in your neighborhood.

The best day I could possibly have in my neighborhood would be to get up and go running in Riverside Park with my doggie, watch my sons play baseball then get dinner outside at Ellington In The Park on West 105th Street in Riverside Park.

What food can you only find in your neighborhood?

Mama's Pizzeria is on our corner and we practically lived there when the boys were growing up. Now their son Franco has opened his own gourmet pizza shop (Mama’s TOO!) and the lines snake around the block. It is the most delicious pizza I’ve ever eaten. The pear and Gorgonzola is my favorite.

There is an excellent bagel place around the corner (Absolute Bagels). When my sons were still in strollers we would stop in on the way to the park and they always wanted an egg bagel with cream cheese. The boys are now 19 and 22 and whenever I go in they say, “Where are the boys? How many egg?”

What’s your guilty neighborhood pleasure?

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream cake. The one with cookies and cream and chocolate fudge brownie.

What do you think makes the Upper West Side New York’s best neighborhood?

It is a combination of young and old. Families with great-grandparents, parents and children live here together and there are Columbia students sprinkled throughout most buildings on my block. The apartment below ours has a group of music students so we get to hear classical art songs when they practice quartets.

What’s your best neighborhood story?

After 9/11, no one knew how to process this insane unsafe feeling, how to continue on and, in some cases, how to leave their apartments. On the Friday after it happened, we heard there was a city wide moment of silence at 7:30 pm.

Crowds of us gathered in Strauss Park with candles, set them down and stood there. After about five minutes no one knew what to do. Do we leave? Do we talk? My husband spontaneously started to sing "God Bless America" and hundreds of people joined in and there we all were, singing and sobbing together.

The next morning the wax from the candles had dripped onto the pavement in the park and there were about 20 of us who came out with butter knives and just started scraping and cleaning it up. We all chatted about our fears and our kids and I will never forget how it soothed me and helped me continue to go to work and get on with living.

Who is your favorite neighborhood character?

My favorite neighborhood character is definitely Radames, one of the doormen at the building next door. He remembers everything my sons are doing and he’s genuinely proud of their accomplishments.

He's always outside entertaining a crowd of residents. When I get home after a show, he’s there, leaning against the building ready to have an in-depth conversation about my day.

About six years ago my friend Timmy, who lived in my building tragically died suddenly of a heart attack. I was singing at his funeral and I looked out and there was Radames sitting right up front.

What’s life like on your block?

I LOVE my block. When the weather is nice I love sitting on the stoop and neighbors will stop and sit and chat for a bit. Our downstairs neighbor plants sunflowers in huge pots every year and they are now taller than me and just smiling up at the sun right now.

It is a double wide street so when the boys were young they could toss a ball for hours and not get in anyone’s way.

I’ve watched our neighbors bring their new babies home (as they have watched me bring mine). A group of us took our kids to the West Side Coop Preschool together, played West Side little league together, played safe haven basketball together.

I've watched them go to different high schools and colleges and I see them come home and get jobs, and come back to our house and watch ball games in our living room and nothing in this world could make me happier.

Want to read up on past Local Legends? Here's where to look:

• Broadway Actress Susan Heyward Flies Broomsticks, Loves Flatbush
• Colin 'The Piano Guy' Plays Washington Square Park
• Culinary Writer Joe DiStefano's Food Haven Is Forest Hills
• Attorney General Tish James Was An Impromptu Blackout Traffic Cop
• Music Producer Martin Bisi Says Gowanus Made Him a Mutant
• Broadway Star Liz Larsen Says The UWS Is Family
• Gastor Almonte Says Great Comedy Starts In East NY

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  This interview was lightly edited for style.