“Manhattan Plaza is an Oasis from Everything Down Below” — Billy Hipkins Shares His West Side Story

Theater dresser, playwright and performer Billy Hipkins has lived in Hell’s Kitchen since the late 1980s. You’ll find him at his favorite neighborhood haunts — and on his own YouTube channel. This is Billy’s West Side Story.

So what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I grew up in New Jersey, so I was never that far away from Midtown. I came to acting school here just out of high school. I didn’t do so well so I ended up back in Jersey, licking my wounds for a few years, then moved to Hell’s Kitchen permanently in 1987 and started my acting career for real. After bouncing around through a few apartments, I landed in Manhattan Plaza in 1991. What a gift! And the next time I move, it will be in a pine box!

What was your first job? What do you do now?
My first job during acting school was working as a page in the stacks of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. After many years as a performer in all of the unions, I fell into wardrobe work, which I did often between acting jobs. That led me to IATSE and Wardrobe Local 764. My dream was to work on Broadway — which I did actually, for 10 whole weeks in the musical Anna Karenina , remember that one? Of course you don’t, no one does!

It turns out that wardrobe work on Broadway was much easier to find than acting work, so I gladly made the switch. I am currently dressing the stars of Back to the Future , my 32nd wardrobe credit on Broadway.

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
One pouring rain summer night many years ago I was on the M11 bus heading down Columbus Avenue. One of the restaurants had outside seating with those huge umbrellas. A few blocks below that restaurant I noticed a man who had clearly stolen one of these huge eight-foot in diameter umbrellas and was happily laughing, bone dry, walking in the pouring rain. That was a special New York moment, illegal though it was.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
Manhattan Plaza! This is an oasis above and away from everything down below. Hell’s Kitchen has gotten a lot tougher to navigate over the years, arguably because of the success of Manhattan Plaza. Used to be that tourists never had a reason to go west of 8th Avenue and were kind of afraid to do so.

Honestly, I miss those days. I now feel that 9th Avenue is the New York pavilion at Epcot. So many restaurants and bars to saunter around in large slow moving clumps and I’m just trying to get to and from my stage door every day. But I do love my local Dunkin’ Donuts, Amy’s Bread, UT47 and a few other places that I stop into almost daily where they know me by name. That still gives me a neighborhood feel in the madness of Hell’s Kitchen.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I am a playwright/performer with three solo shows. The reason that’s a hidden talent is that it has been near impossible to get any of that work produced or seen by the general public. My large circle of friends and community at the Emerging Artists Theatre have been endlessly supportive, but I still long for a chance to share these shows with a bigger audience.

My second solo, Prince Charming, You’re Late , played on Theatre Row two summers ago, but was tragically under attended. As the playwright and the performer, there is only so much energy I can put into advertising the show. Oh well. Still waiting for Prince Charming…

My first solo, The ALSO-RAN , is available on my YouTube channel . It’s about an actress who was at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC the night that Lincoln was assassinated. She was set to star in a benefit performance the following night, which was canceled. So what happened to that young actress? And why does it matter so much to me to find her and tell her story? It really is a universal story about how guns go off, life shifts, and we all find ways to carry on. Give it a look, please! And… I will be performing that show one more time in late September at Emerging Artists Theatre. Check them out for details and please come see me!

What else should we know about you?
I have a small but mighty following on YouTube , the channel is modestly monetized. I have also appeared on Jon Barr’s Here Be Barr channel a few times. We did a video about my favorite places in Hell’s Kitchen . It has also led to me being recognized on the street more than a few times by visiting tourists and locals. It’s kind of fun to feel like a local celebrity or legend, even though neither of those things is actually true.

I’ve also spent a lot of time over the years volunteering with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs. Especially with the annual Easter Bonnet Competition, though that event now seems to be permanently in the rearview mirror. It is a huge joy in my life and a great way to give back to my community.

Billy’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

UT47 — 358 W47th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
This place is unique. Their menu, their calm atmosphere, their wonderfully friendly and warm staff. It always feels like a luxurious break to stop in and get a bite to eat or a coffee here.

Amy’s Bread — 672 9th Ave (bw W46/47th St)
I don’t think there has been a matinee day in many years when I haven’t stopped into Amy’s beforehand to get a sandwich and/or something sweet to bring to the theater with me. The trick is to catch them before a crowd of tourists clogs the place since it is rather small, but always worth the wait.

Delphinium Home — 353 W47th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
I’m thrilled that they are still thriving after so many years! They originated in the space that is now UT47 don’tcha know? If I’m looking for a gift for someone, a small treat for myself, or a card that I can’t find at CVS this is the only place to go.

Vanilla Gorilla — 332 W44th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
They have a great tuna sandwich on a ciabatta called the Poseidon. I have it at least once a week!

Dunkin’ on 10th — 595 10th Ave bw W43/44th St
Again, I wouldn’t consider heading off to my theater without an iced coffee in hand. I walk through that door and I feel like Norm on ‘Cheers.’ They all know me there and know exactly what I want. It’s kind of nice to get that kind of service with a smile every day.

Cubby’s — 630 10th Ave bw W44/45th St
I just tried their peach ice cream and I’ll definitely be getting that again.

W43rd Street (bw 9/10th Ave)
The little concrete park on our block between 9th and 10th Avenue is a small oasis for me. As soon as it’s warm enough and until it gets too cold to stand, you will find me sitting out there for a little while almost every day.

You can watch Billy’s solo shows on his YouTube channel . If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations .

You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App .

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