New York Week

To finish off my Birthday month Gary and I took off for NYC to see the shows. We had a lot of fun even on the soggy days. Below is what we saw.  

The biggest question asked to us was "Did you see/are you going to see The Book of Mormon musical?" NO! First:  Just because we are Mormon doesn't mean we want to see the musical. Second: I don't enjoy South Park so why would I enjoy something written by the South Park creators? Now I am not judging those who have or want to see it, but it just isn't something that has any interest for me.....there are all kinds of things I choose to and not to see, read and do that most people don't care about so why should this be any different?  Enough of my rant.

Over all we had a great time and saw some really great shows.....that was the point of my trip to see a few good shows.

 We Started off with the 2010 Tony winner. It still had the original cast and was very good. Boy can they sing and dance. It is always sad to see the racism that has exited as part of our history, and this was based on several stories. The Costumes were beautiful. The set very creative. The thing I noticed is becoming more and more of a trend is video projection as part of the show. They used live for the TV show segments and also real news photos and stories.

 So why did we see this...Gary's choice, but I am glad I went. It is a spectacle. It was a 3 hour Cirque de Soli...as long as you understand that the story is one you know, and the music is not really hummable, but a U2 sounding concert, which was enjoyable, you should be okay with it. The little boys in the audiance seemed to like it. Patrick Paige as the Green Goblin was fantastic, but then he is a fantastic actor. The Set was done in comic book style as were the costumes....they literally had the "inked" shadows on them. The flying and acrobatics were awesome. The did a great job combining the low tech old school ways of doing things with the new tech advance stuff.

 Loved, loved, loved this show. It was done as a 1960's style musical TV show that would have been done by Frank or Dean. Big band in a bandstand on stage, costumes and dance stylized 1960's. Even the music was in that cool Frank and dean style. Aaron Tivit who plays Frank Abignal Jr. is fabulous and runs through the whole show. Tom Whopat plays his dad and his tale is heart breaking. Mr. Hanratty the FBI agent is Norbert Leo Butz. (I think it could be the best musical for this year as long as everyone doesn't get overcome by the BoM musical). Over all the music was wonderful and hummable, there are several tunes that are still coming to my mind. It was a visual treat; the dancing, lighting, costumes and limited set. And the TALENT was OUTSTANDING!

 So fun to see an old dog do new tricks. We were in the new Neil Simon theater. Sutton Foster - Reno Sweeny and Joel Gray- Moonface Martin were the stars along with Jessica Walters and John McMartin (Into the Woods story teller).  Sutton seemed to have such a fun time in this roll....more character and less ingenue. And Joel Grays comic timing was superb.
Kathleen Marshall always does such a great job with theses old classics. Of course the dancing was unbelievable. the tapping of Anything Goes was 7 minutes of wonderful. And Blow Gabriel, while not a favorite of mine was very well done. Both numbers involved the entire cast singing and dancing. The costumes were beautiful and elegant. The set very simple but perfect for the show. In fact it is a set design that is usable by most theater companies.

We finished off Monday night by seeing this campy disco, drag queen/gay romp across Australia. (Not a lot available on Monday night, but it was something we knew would be fun to see). This show is loosely based on the movie and has been playing in Australia for 45 years. Tony Sheldon the original Bernadette in Australia is playing the role here as well. We had fab seats that were front row on almost on the stage. Because of this we had an up close and personal view of the costumes and theater magic. The quick change on stage into drag make-up was so fun to see. If we had sat any where else we would not have seen how it was done. You have to be comfortable with men in drag, and the gay references in this show and sitter where we sate you could see those who were and those who weren't squirming in their seats. The leading player was Will Swenson; he did a great job. It is always fun to see a local boy making a name for himself. the third member of the traveling gang was Nick Williams, wow what a little firecracker. He is a great dancer. The songs are well known disco tunes. The LED curtain and LED bus/motor home/caravan was so much fun.

So the trip was/is a fun tradition....we have gone at least three times now in the first part of April....I guess we always do it now.  It is so much fun to see the shows and get ready for the Tony awards. I love my musical theatre.

Thanks Gary, Love Ya!

MCC

it's a sad day for america....and other things

TV personality and late show host Craig Ferguson will often say "it's a great day for America" and tell us what is so great....to day I have to say it is a SAD day for America....congress passed the health care reform bill....bring on the socialism. Health care plans like this seem to be working so well around the world, NOT! What have we done? The majority of the those who passed this bill have admitted to not knowing what was in it or how it would even work....and they want the IRS to run it....like they know what they are doing.....so it is a SAD day for America. I can't wait to see how this all works out, because medicare is working so well....once again those of us in the middle will get nothing but gouged by the rich- insurance companies and the the poor, who know how to work the system.


Also sad for me today is the major tooth ache I have, necessitating a quick trip to the dentist for pain meds (which aren't really working against the pain. They are however making me a bit dizzy) and a x-rays and now an appointment to have fillings removed and replaced to hopefully stop the pain......what a great birthday week!?!?!?!

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On the brighter side, there is no place like home. The faux life was nice, but being with ALL of those I love who are at home is the best.....not saying that being with Gary wasn't home....he is my home as long as he is there....



Sunday Gary and I went to Highline Park in the meat packing district of NYC.....It is an elevated park made on top of the old elevated train tracks, and it is beautiful. The crocus were popping up and a the pussy willows were beginning to bud....spring was springing forth. It was remarkable to be about 1 and 1/2 stories above the ground and see NYC from that vantage point. the park itself weaves through the old warehouses in the area, just like the train tracks.....it was nice to see something old recycled and made new again. They have one area that has a stadium area with benches that look out through a glass panel to the street....the little kids loves this. there is a great view of the Statue of Liberty. One warehouse tunnels windows have been replaced with different colored glass in each pane making a beautiful piece of art. They have made a stream in one part and sitting in the stream are permanent lounge chairs that people were sunning themselves on....it looked like fun.


After my NYC trip I have become really comfortable with the lower west side.....I think I have walked most of it....or at least the parts I wanted to see. I can take you to the real Chinatown, find the best gelato and cannoli's in Little Italy, and the best shops and museums in SoHo. The other parts of the west side are really just more of the same.

It use to be that the time spent in NYC was great for more than seeing good theatre, and museums...the shopping, sight seeing, etc... wasn't to be missed, But with the Internet the world is much smaller, you can shop for anything from anywhere and get it with in a few days. the wonders of the world and not to missed events can be seen online as well....and sometimes even in live time.... I will still go out and adventure, but will have to find more reason and purpose in my journeying....still there is no place like home.

Faux Life

Mom called my time here in NYC my fake life, and I guess it is pretty fake or faux to sound more fake. No everyday hassles, no house to clean, no meals to fix.....what ever. The worst part about it is that my faux life doesn't include all those I love living a faux life as well.
Anyway for my last full day living the faux life I got to do my thing until 7:00, then it was back to being the VPs wife...tonight was a bit better since it was a dinner at an Italian restaurants. Food was okay....I think we all develop tastes for different things and If I were living my faux life I am not sure this restaurants would make my list of favorites.....but it is one of Sam and Holly's....thought do people like this stuff because of the wine they are drinking?....all I wanted was a diet coke and couldn't get one at the restaurant, but got one on our way back to the hotel....maybe the food would have Bern better if I had a diet coke to wash it down with.
Back to my day of shopping and seeing In the Heights. It was very good. There were a few actors still in it who originated their rolls but the 3 big leads were all gone....and it was still good. Sometimes you wonder if a show is good only because of the talent and when they leave the show closes....this is what will happen to the Addams Family if it lasts even that long.
Sunday....sleep in and relax. We will spend half of the day flying, but it is time to be home , back into my real life.
MCC

A Beautiful Day

I want Spring/Summer to be here full time. It has been absolutely gorgeous here in NYC. I love 70 degree days. When packing I over packed knowing that the weather can change here quickly. Two years ago, this same week we were here with the family and a huge snow storm hit....the only thing that saved us from having to purchase heavy coats was that Hay and Nel were flying in after the rest of us....I called and made them pack a coat, etc... For each of us. The other funny thing about that trip was my brother Adam was in NYC for business and with the snow flights out were canceled and delayed. Adam ended up bunking with us for a night until he could get a flight out... Hay and Nel's flight made it in that morning so that night we had a very full room.... Lots of wild times.
Anyway I over packed with jackets, sweaters, warm winter coat and boots. There is a UPS store across the street from the Hotel and so I am looking at shipping things home...,,giving me more luggage room to fill with the stuff I am buying.

Today was the beginning of being the VP's wife.....I hate this part. Too many people I don't enjoy that I have to make nice with, and I am not a cocktail party person....I don't enjoy all the drinking and the bad appetizers like sushi, and antipasto, and weird cheeses....not my kind of food. The most interesting thing about the night was that I had to step up and figure things out for the other guest since the staff was too busy playing games....what ever. At least I have a break from it all until tomorrow night.
Tomorrow I plan in doing my own thing... Yeah shows and shopping. I shopped today at Century 21, finds! Tomorrow it is Macy's ( I love Macy's in NYC) and the 5th Ave crawl.
MCC

Hot feet

Walked my feet off discovering SoHo.... Yes I had Bern there before, but this time we are staying in SoHo at the SoHo Grand - a great artsy in an old industrial look.
SoHo is all about the high end brands and designer boutiques, salons, galleries and restaurants.
I also hiked to the Doughnut Plantation....it was good, but just a doughnut.
And I spent time in the REAL Chinatown, not the touristy place and in Little Italy....can you say gelato? Yummmm, I am glad it was a warm day.
It was Play night. Gary and I try to see at least one play when in NYC....tonight's play 'God of Carnage'. This was the 2009 Tony winner for best play. I loved everything about it, the script, the acting, the direction, etc...
We saw Jeff Daniels playing the other guy part. Originally he played Allin and James Gandolphine played Michael, he left the show and came back two weeks ago as Michael. The other treat was seeing Janet McTeer as Veronica. She played the roll in the original London Production.
I mention the direction simply because of the mirroring and some of the crazier bits....all fab and really moved and enhanced the story. The other exciting thing about this play was the design as in the set and lighting....awesome! The most amazing thing was the lighting change that takes place by the end, it literally looks like black, the color, was used and I know that that us impossible....I decided that they did either deep blue or purple gels or cast shadows.... What ever they did it was amazing!
Off to rest the feet and gear up for a few more days of exploration.
MCC

NYC

I am so excited to be back in New York....thank you Gary.
I am a theatre geek so I have been to three shows in the two days I have been here.
The Addams Family was a disappointment overall...with it's all star cast I was expecting so much, but even the best sometimes can't do much with nothing. It was a bunch of songs that had lots of promise that seemed to be kluged together in the arraignment of the week....and the story was so week.
Billy Elliot was a best musical. I am glad that it won this Tony honor. The story is compelling, the staging and choreography was excellent. Of course the Elton John score was great. And how the moved the set and used it was fascinating. I was glad I got to see it.
My third show was Sondheim's A Little Night Music with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Landsbery. It was directed by Trevor Nunn. For an old dog it was definitely a new well done production. I was pleased with the enunciation, diction and attention to the innuendo. It was beautiful to look at as well as to listen too. The stars were fab....Catherine Zeta-Jones reminded me of Judy Dench.....
Erin Davies played the Countess and she was excellent. I saw her in Grey Gardens and Curtains and she is becoming a favorite....
Another fun thing that I did today was attend the Seth Rudetsky sirus xm radio show in the Times Sq. Visitors center. His guest were Jennifer Cody, Jennifer Lewis and Michael (played the Croc) all Broadway people who worked on The Princess and the Frog. It was an hour of fun. After the show I met Seth and told him about Megan and Hayden's love of his de- construct videos. He then wrote a note saying Hi to them and we took a picture.
I am worn out, miss my theatre buddies, but will be ready for more tomorrow.
MCC