NYC Day #2 - Parades and Phantoms

Well, today didn't quite start out like I had planned.  Plans were to meet Ashley, Meena and Hannah at 6:00am near Lincoln Center to get a spot to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Well, I pretty much didn't hear my alarm this morning so I woke up at 7:20am, and paniced.  Of course I had a few text's and a phone message for Hannah, who was there pretty much on time.  I took a quick shower and grabed a LYFT and made it up to Lincoln Center and somehow, found Hannah and Ashley.   Meena turned out to not being able to join us.  We watched the parade from beginning to end.  I've never been so happy to see Santa in my life!!!  

After the parade, we caught up with Meena and her friends and had lunch at the Cosmic Cafe, and we talked and talked - and when we thought we were done talking, we talked some more!!   It was great seeing friends from home when you are away from home for Thanksgiving.

After we parted ways, I took the subway back to the hotel and took a nap and watched some TV.  

I took the subway back to Times Square and went to Roxie Diner for a quick dinner before Show #3.

I've seen "The Phantom of the Opera" 13 times.... but never in NYC, so this was like the first time all over again.   What a glorious show it still is.  The original production is in great shape, with a BIG orchestra and all the special effects.  After the show, I hung out at the stage door (once I found it) and waited for Jeremy Stolle, an actor I did a show with at BBBay a few years ago,  We caught up and then he had to run to get on a plane to California for Thanksgiving with his family.  I then waited for the conductor, Kristin Blodgette to come out, as I wanted to introduce myself in real life as we are Facebook friends.  That was a really cool to get to meet her and say hi.

I took the subway back to my hotel and here I am.

Just a few thoughts about Thanksgiving and the whole shopping thing.  I'm a little sad that Thanksgiving seems to be less and less important in the retail world.   All afternoon, I saw commercials about stores opening on Thursday at 6:00pm. and most of the stores in Time Square were open as well.  

I guess things are getting less and less sacred.

Tomorrow, meeting a few friends, and 2 more shows.

NYC Day #1 - The Ham and I

Hello!!!

Let's catch up.  The flight to NYC was quick, quiet, and uneventful.  I took a LYFT from the airport to the hotel... I don't reccomend that to anyone.  I think it's cheaper to take a cap.   I got early check in a the hotel (Grand Hyatt) and took a nap.  I got up and headed out.   I walked to the Broadway and walked around and oriented myself again, it's been 9 years since my last visit.  I got some lunch at the Cranberry Deli, recommended by a local, and was good, cheap and fast.

First show of the day was "Hamilton" at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.  The last time I was at the Richard Rodgers theatre was in 1999 to see "Footloose" and the outside of the theatre was green.  Lots of shows have been through those doors since then including "In The Heights" - the first musical by the creator of "Hamilton".   Upon first listning of "Hamilton", I was quite underwhelmed as it sounded way to much like "In the Heights" and I was having issues with the "old" story and the rap/hip hop music.  Modern lyrics coming out of these historic figures mouth.   Couldn't get passed that.  Until I saw it.

Everrything works.  The music, the lyrics, the staging, the costumes, everything.  That's not to say it's perfect.  Because it's not.  The music is still quite repetivtive, and I know, you can say the same for Sondheim and Lloyd Webber, but it was, and I guess it works. The lyrics are clever and sometimes brilliantly funny.  If you listen carefully, you can catch some other musical theatre references.  The costumes were a mix between period and modern that made it look like they were period.  I can understand why there is such a hype for this show as the storytelling is top notch and it's history told in a modern way and I guess people that don't normally like musical theatre music can "relate" to this style of music.

After "Hamilton" I headed over to TKTS and got a ticket for "The King and I". I went back to the hotel to drop off my "Hamillton" swag and then walked to Lincoln Center.  It tuned out to be quite a long walk.  I walked up 5th Ave, which may have been a mistake because there were a lot of people on Fifth Ave.

I made it to Lincoln Center and took my seat for "The King and I".   First of all, the show had a FULL orchestra using the original orchestrations.   No keyboards to be found - and they were amazing.  I finally got to see Kelli O'Hara in person, and she did not dissapoint.  In fact, it was a perfect production. The sets and costumes were top notch.  The cast was incredible.  I wish this current King was their oriignal king when the show opened because the chemistry between the King and Anna was perfect.

I walked home a diffeent way this time, hoping it was be quickier, but it wasn't. And so, here I am.

I must end this quickly as I have to be up at 5:00am to get to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route by 6:00am.  I'm hopong for a nap tomorrow.

Matt

I'm gonna be a part of it......

I finally got to the blogger - with not much time to write.

I'm here at Oakland Int Airport, waiting for my JetBlue flight to NYC.  A whirlwind trip of about 3 days and probably 5 shows and the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I'm excited to get waway for a while before the Christmas season begins.

For those who will ask, I'm seeing "Hamilton" tomorrow afternoon, "Phantom of the Opera" on Thursday and "Fun Home" and "School of Rock" on Friday.  I have one slot open tomorrow night to see something else if I'm up to it.  I'd love to see Kelli O'Hara in "The King and I" but I worry that I may be too tired to stay awake.  At least I know my limits.

I hope to see a few friends and eat a few good meals, also.  So who knows what might happen!

More tomorrow!  It's nice to blog again.