OMG - Today!

Today started out kinda normal.  I had to run a few errands around 10:00, Walgreens and the TKTS Booth.  Once I got in line at TKTS, I was in the "Play" line, not the "musical" line so I had to change lines, and of course the musical line was longer.  I ended up getting what I wanted which was a ticket for "Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812", and I went back to the hotel and had breakfast and wrote yesterday's blog.

After that, I did some shopping and picked up School of Rock swag that wasn't ready the last time I was here.  So, I have my program and hat to add to my collection.  I walked around some more and went back to my hotel room and got ready to head to "Natasha, Pierre. And the Great Comet of 1812. When I walked into the Imperial Theatre I new this would be an experience.  This did NOT look like the Imperial theatre I remember from 2003 when Raegena and I saw The Boy From Oz

It reminded me a lot of Teatro Zinzani, at least the theatre did.  There were ramps everywhere, and stairs to go up to the mezzanine.  The band was sorta spread out, etc.  It was really cool.  At the beginning, the cast came out and threw periogi's at everyone.  I didnt' get one, but it was really cool.  Then Josh Groban openined the show center stage with just him and an accordion.  The actors played instruments, and the action really never seemed to stop.  The story is based on "War and Peace" which of course, I've never read.   At intermission and got a shot or 2 of vodka, because after all, we were in Russia.  

It's a really great show.  I'm glad I got to see it.  It's totally Tony worthy.  We'll see how it fairs in June.  It's a very environmental, interactive experience (at one point, I was playing an egg shaker along with the show) and I know this sort of experience isn't everyone's cup of tea - "Keep the actors out of the audience!" - people say.  But I really had fun.  Lots of accordion music, which I love. 

Afterwards, I met Peter for dinner at Oceana Restarant on West 49th Street.  It was a great dinner - I had swordfish ceviche, ran cakes, a lovely grouper, and some great dessert and really great wine to pair with everything.  I loved the experience of the seafood restaurant.  Something that I've never really done before.

Then it was time for Hello, Dolly! With Bette Middler and David Hyde Pierce.  This is the first Broadway revival of the show that didn't star Carol Channing and didn't have the original Gower Champiopn direction.  On Bette's entrance, well... I think the applause is still happening.  After the first scene, the show came to a grinding halt with a sound system issue and the main curtain came in and the show was stalled for 10 minutes or so.  Hey, it gave me time to go to the men's room!   Anyway, the show continued and it was quite lovely.  I love this show quite a lot, and it didn't disappoint - too much - I think Bette sounded vocally tired tonight, but she pushed through.  Some cool little nuances that they added were fun, but the script/songs were pretty much the same.  Of course, during the title song, everyone clapped every time they started singing and dancing - and the song got a standing ovation.  Something I've heard of mid-show but have never experienced.  Man, this was great.  It was nice to see a revival that wasn't really tampered with.  Also, it was great to be at the Shubert`Theatre!

After the show, Peter went his own way and I joined Donna and Anthony at Carmine's for a drink while they had their after show dinner.  It was quite a coincidence that their vacation was also in NYC and they are staying at the Row as wel!!   I work with Donna at OLA.  

Tomorrow, one show, some meet ups with friends and a cousin.  A show, and then another steak dinner.   That's what we do when I come to town, I take care of the theatre tickets and Peter takes care of the food!   It works well!  

And it's late, but I didn't want to wait I until tomorrow to write this because to day was SO GOOD!!!