A late summer trip to New York City turned into a weekend of
theatre – four Broadway musicals in four nights.
Hooking up with Jen Lucas from Vancouver, who was in NYC to
catch early action at the US Open tennis, we had only booked one show in
advance of the trip.
On my first night, I got a discounted ticket at 6 p.m. for Pippin (Tony winner, best musical
revival, 2013). It’s a colourful and entertaining show that’s easy to watch.
Friday’s show was Kinky
Boots, winner of six Tony Awards last year including best musical – a great
choice for Jen’s first Broadway show. It’s an engaging show with great costumes
and big musical numbers.
Since I had a ticket from tkts from my first
show, we skipped the line at the half-price booth at Times Square and picked up
tickets for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The show won four Tony Awards this year
including best actor in a musical for Neil Patrick Harris. His run ended on
Aug. 17. Andrew Rannells stepped into the role on Aug. 20, so it was great to
see him perform this demanding role in his first two weeks.
Capping off the weekend was yet another discounted ticket
(and skipping a long line again – keep those ticket stubs!) for Rock of Ages. Now in its fifth year, I can just describe
the show as a fun party with all those 1980s songs.
“I love the variety,” said Jen as she summed up her first
exposure to Broadway theatre. "For a Broadway newbie, what I found most interesting is that most of the theatres are fairly intimate. You are not that far from the stage. Also I am constantly amazed by people go to a show and don't know how to act. Show up on time, don't use a flash or your cell phone during the performance! These people work hard putting on a show and it's disrespectful."
Other highlights of this trip:
The United Nations. With
all the current conflicts around the world, a tour of the UN is a reminder of
all the important work this organization does.
A leisurely morning coffee visit on the concourse at Times
Square – great place to catch up if you can get a table. Lots of food and
coffee trucks to choose from.
Lunch at Sardi’s. In my NYC searching before the trip, the idea
of lunch at this institution popped up. Much to our surprise, when we arrived
for our 11:45 reservation, we were the only people in the restaurant for 45
minutes. Our waiter, an aspiring actor from Tennessee (yes, he just moved to
the Big Apple a few months ago) said it was very unusual for it to be so
quiet. Later during the weekend, we did
see more people in the restaurant.
Sunday morning walk in Central Park with all the walkers,
joggers, boaters and cyclists.
9/11 Memorial Museum. Just opened this spring, the museum is carved
out of the lower levels of the World Trade Centre. The timeline of the events has a full
accounting of what happened on that day.
A trip to the observation deck of the iconic Empire State Building and a walk on the
Brooklyn Bridge – nothing but Manhattan skyline views.
And, of course, a quick stop at Macy’s on 34th
Street, the largest department store in the world, for a bit of shopping to cap
off the weekend.
