Veteran actor to host cultural tour to NY

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Haldun Dormen

Turkish veteran actor Haldun Dormen is set to lead an eight-day culture trip to New York City with visits to see world-famous musicals, explore museums, experience a cruise tour and indulge in some shopping in one of America’s best cities. The tour is limited to 25 people and those interested in participating have only a week to submit their applications. The tour starts on Oct 12. Following legs of the Interstar’s thematic tours will cover Paris, the Amazon region, and sets of famous American TV series lead by similarly high-profile stars.

Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News Dormen expressed his excitement to be able to visit the Big Apple again after leaving the city four years ago. “I lived in New York City for a year after I graduated from Yale Drama School. I think New York is the only city I would live in aside from Istanbul.”

Dormen’s tour of New York City includes trips to see a selection of musicals he selected. The trip program also includes a trip to the Metropolitan Opera to see the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” and a boat cruise around Manhattan. “We will eat and dine at famous restaurants that used to be frequented by the Broadway actors in 50s, like Sardi’s and Joe Allen. In the 50s and 60s, these two places used to host the post-premier extravaganza. They are not quite the same anymore, but nothing is. You still can see Broadway actors there though,” he said.

The veteran actor is also planning to take tour participants to jazz clubs if they are interested. The trip program includes visits to the Guggenheim and Metropolitan museums, as well as the New York Hall of Science. And one day is allocated for shopping at famous New York City outlets. “I don’t think I can spend the whole day there shopping, but I am definitely interested,” Dormen said.

“The trip program blends tourist and the cultural interest well. As all the tickets are already purchased, participants should not fear any bad surprises. They can also be sure that they will be able to show off a great deal about their New York trip upon their homecoming,” Dormen said.