Larry “The Soup Nazi” Thomas (Photo: Rob Scher)
All of those years spent perfecting your Kramer entrance are about to finally pay off. You can now manically slide your way into an exact replica of Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment at Chelsea’s Milk Studios. And if that’s not enough slap bass for your face: in some sort of act of cosmic alignment, the famed Soup Nazi from Season 5 is also out and about around Manhattan today.
“You want me to say, ‘No soup for you’? Well I say, ‘Soup for you!” shouted Larry Thomas, the actor who played the ladling lunatic. He was standing beside a SoupMobile, parked outside 120 Wall Street, as Seinfeld fans gathered for pictures.
“It’s all about the soup,” said Thomas, in response to why he thinks his character has endured throughout all these years. “It’s a great thing to have been involved with. It’s going to go on forever, it’s kind of a timeless show.”
If you weren’t able to catch the Soup Nazi for lunch, he’ll be doing a second shift, from 4:30pm to 6pm, at The Original Soupman store on 259A W. 55th Street.
On your way over there, you might want to stop into “Seinfeld: The Apartment,” a 3,500-square-foot set built by promotions agency Magnetic Collaborative in just six weeks.
“But, why? Who would go to such an effort?” you can practically hear Costanza whining. “Well George,” Jerry would patiently explain, “there’s this website called Hulu and from Wednesday every one of our episodes will be available for streaming. It’s just a bunch of marketing.” To which Kramer would likely chime in: “Hulu Jerry? Streaming? It all sounds like some kind of sex thing.”
Fortunately, for all our benefits, Michael Richards will not be performing any sexual acts at “Seinfeld: The Apartment.” Based off of screen grabs from Season 8, photos from the show’s set designer and consultations with Seinfeld reps, the exhibit also features a memorabilia gallery containing actual items from the set including the Tom’s Restaurant booth, the happy-face oven mitt from “The Puffy Shirt” episode, and Jerry’s superman figurine (on display in its original position on set.)
“Seinfeld: The Apartment” will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through June 28 at Milk Studios, 451 West 14th Street, in Chelsea.
