We leave for NYC with our group of 72 (don't you wish you were going with?) in 4 days. I also should be currently cleaning my drama room for end of year check-out, but I don't want to. However, I was dusting some posters up in our room from past NYC trips and it provoked memories.
1st Broadway show EVER in New York City:
Oklahoma! Some people may poo-poo this show, but our entire group (we had 20 including me and Jackie) fell in love with this version that came in from London. It was beautiful- and it was great that the dream ballet was danced by the actual leads. We had front and center seats in Gershwin theatre (which is where Wicked is currently playing) and we all loved it. This same version was released on DVD with Hugh Jackman playing the lead. It's not as good as it was live, but it's pretty much the same show we saw. It also makes me laugh whenever parents come up and say, "why don't you do something high school appropriate like Oklahoma!?- because Oklahoma has an attempted rape, murder, and drug induced dancing.
On our trip we also saw The Producers- which, while being very funny, was most memorable for the steep stairs in the balcony causing a gentleman to fall into my lap before the show began and for our opera student tour guide- while being very nice (and trying to figure out what Mormons from Utah were doing in NYC), had the LOUDEST laugh I ever heard in my life. He was getting more laughs than the actors were on stage.
We then saw what turned out to be everyone's favorite show of the trip Metamorphoses. This play has a huge pool of water as the set, and I had heard there was some brief, partial nudity. Well that brief partial nudity turned into full frontal male nudity (although, since he a Cupid, he was wearing wings...) and he walked very slowly right to our section of the theatre. As I had visions of my teaching career going down the toilet, one of the parental chaperones on the trip turned to me and said, "that's one naked gentleman"- and I knew I was safe. The show was FANTASTIC and everyone's favorite (right Arianne?)
We then saw Chicago for 1/2 price (I liked it, but my favorite was a junior male student of mine was in the front row- right in front of all of the ladies doing their Fosse splits right in front of his face...), and we saw Urinetown with the original Broadway cast- and it was hilarious!
Our last show was Noises Off with Patti LuPone- which had our entire group laughing until we were weeping- except for Jackie. It's becoming a running joke that every NYC trip I take everyone to a comedy that everyone loves... except Jackie.
We also got to see Vanessa Williams as the Witch in Into the Woods- however, the guy that stole the show was the actor that played Milky White the cow- he was out there dancing away on his little cow legs- and that same actor is nominated for a Tony this year as the lead in Memphis.
Since this was our first trip there, it was memorable for:
The viewing platform of the World Trade Towers- which were still smoking and you had to stand in line to pay tribute.
The backstage Times Square tour- we got to go into a few theatres and get some history on them. This tour is no longer offered so it was pretty cool.
Eating way to much food at Carmine's Italian restaurant (and Jerry Hunt getting sick).
Our group tour of the Met Museum- with focus on the phallic fertility canoes on special display.
Did I forget anything Jackie?
6 comments:
I don't think you forgot one thing. Oh - except how you really wanted a certain kind of bagel because the guidebook said it was the best. So one morning you walked really, really far to find the place and bring back bagels. We all decided they were exactly like the ones across the street.
And I did like Noises Off. However, I did not laugh out loud much. I liked the stage manager, and the crazy girl who lost her contact. I don't find farces laugh out loud funny....very often. Except Boeing, Boeing. That was.
How about a review from our trip in 2006? My favorite was sharing a room with you and Jackie and watching all the student drama unfold--plus getting way too many cupcakes in Greenwich village.
Can't wait for the fun to begin this year.
There is no such thing as too many cupcakes. And that cupcake place now has a spot at Rockefller Center.
Well, 2002 was a fun trip. And I walked to that bagel shop with you--you said it was only a few blocks. Then, a mile later, you said "I think avenues are longer than blocks..." Yes. They are. We're excited to meet up with you in a week!
Personally, I think you should have mentioned the drama that surrounded "Urinetown." We got lost on the subway getting back from Chinatown--Remember? And we got to the theater and Josh had left the tickets at his place--Remember? And our seats were seemingly in the light booth--Remember? Still--one of my favorite shows of the trip.
And yes...WOW are avenues farther apart than blocks! That was a Looooong walk for a bagel.
Seriously Tara, how do you remember these details? I completely forgot and still don't remember Josh forgetting tickets and getting lost on the subway. I do remember sitting in the lighting booth at Urinetown however. Good times.
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