So Wednesday, June 13th I awoke to hear nothing but rave reviews of our hotel's breakfast- especially the oatmeal- from my father-in-law. According to him, you did not need to eat anything else the entire day it was so delicious.
Since we had originally planned to go to Top of the Roc in the morning (and had changed it because of weather and the early hour), we instead had students (and any adults) who needed help getting tickets for a show of their choice for the Wednesday matinee.
Other than two of my students getting surrounded by hoodlums who forced them to buy a cd of their music (we found out about this after the fact- they were ok- and learned the lesson of moving like a shark on the streets of NYC- don't stop- ever...), we had students pick up lottery and rush tickets to:
Harvey (starring Jim Parsons from Big Bang Theory- rush tix for $29)
Ghost (front row lottery tickets for a ton of kids for $29)
Wicked (an alumni that said she never won anything won front row lottery tix for $30)
One Man 2 Guvners
Spiderman
Potted Potter
Other Desert Cities
All great (and cheap) tix. After everyone got squared away, we were off to Nougatine with Brent and Amanda Cox. After making a quick reservation (and killing time in the Time Warner Center waiting for lunch to open) we sat down (for our first time at a table instead of the bar...) and had their awesome $30 3 course lunch. My meal was pea-themed (except for the strawberry dessert) and was awesome. Jackie had shrimp and all of it was so pretty we didn't want to eat it. We also got words of wisdom from our waiter after seeing him almost (but not) drop expensive looking wine glasses, explain it with the phrase "everything's an almost".
Then it was off to see One Man 2 Guvners. In short, it was brilliant. From the 60's style costumes, sets, band (that opened the show and played music in between scene changes to the plants in the audience and the improvisation with the real audience...it was in short one of the best plays we've (and I think I include Jackie) seen. Not to be missed is James Corden's Tony-winning performance as the lead character who just wants to eat. Also brilliant is Tom Edden (as the 80 year old waiter) and Oliver Chris as Stanley Stubbers (who has great one-liners).
Floating on clouds of laughter, we were off to the East Village to Ed's Lobster Bar. I had heard about this place online and thought it was a New England style lobster place (standing at a bar). While it was decorated with nautical themes, it was NOT a cheap eat at the counter kind of place- instead it was expensive--but throwing caution to the wind, Jackie and I shared a lobster bisque and a lobster roll- both were awesome. We also all loved Amanda Cox's lobster galette. Everything is better covered in potato.
Then it was off to the not as awesome Evita. Now, I've seen the live show before at PTC and really enjoyed the staging of it. When we first arrived at the Marquis, I surprised by the line at the ticket booth- everyone must be wanting to see Ricky Martin. Then we learned that Ricky was sick that night--so everyone (and I mean pretty much everyone in the balcony which is where we were) went and exchanged their ticket. After being assured by our sassy usher that we were seeing the better Che and Eva (Elena never performs Wednesday nights- but I don't think our usher meant better than Mandy and Patti), our group pretty much sat by ourselves in the balcony.
Positive things: That set was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life. Seriously it looked like a million dollars up there.
As for the rest, it felt like the Cliff's Notes version of the show-though some dance moves were cool, I never felt emotionally involved (or even why I should care) with the story. And heaven help you if you weren't already familiar with the story. But our usher was hilarious and fun with our group.
After that, it was off to Top of the Roc. Now, having done both Empire State and Top, I always recommend Top of the Roc. I think the views are better because it's less crowded and you get awesome shots of the Chrysler Building, Central Park, bridges, Empire State and Jersey. At night it was fun to see the lights of the Freedom Tower all lit Red, White and Blue. I prefer it during the day, but going at night was pretty spectacular.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
NYC 2012 Day #1
It's that time of year--a recap of our adventures with 60 people on the island of Manhatten.
Our adventure begins Monday, June 11th around 9:30pm at the SLC airport, JetBlue terminal.
No matter how early Jackie and I arrive to check off everyone that's flying with us, there is always someone that gets there earlier (there are also students that start packing 3 weeks before we leave. Jackie and I packed an hour before we left...).
As Jackie checked everyone off as they headed to security (where for the first time in a while, no one was detained...) we waited for our flight (11:35pm) to JFK.
We loaded and I was seated next to a father and daughter going to the city for the first time. Jackie was on the other side of the plane next to the Coxes (chaperones since 2006...one day they'll get sick of it...that day may have already arrived...).
Even with a melatonin and an Ipod sleep app, I only lightly dozed...but we landed without incident (that came later) at JFK before 6:00am.
The weather looked cloudy with a potential of rain, but we were excited to go into the city, drop off our bags, meet up with other people (including Jackie's parents who had arrived from Portland a day earlier) and walk the Brooklyn Bridge before it rained on our heads.
Then we met the best bus driver we have ever had (and we've had some doozies...). First, he was 45 minutes late picking us up. He then yelled at Bob Guymon (our travel cordinator) when Bob asked him for help. Then he refused to help load luggage. Then his bus smelled like pee mixed with tree freshners. Then he tried to play chicken on the freeway with a lady in her Range Rover. Then he hit her. Then he tried to talk to her but she refused to roll down her window to speak to him. She called the cops. Our driver stayed off the bus and refused to tell us what was going on. 45 minutes later, a cop arrived. Took statements (all the while we are trying to call dispatch to get them to send another bus...) took our flight list which had everyone on the bus and their ages, was told by the cop to exit the freeway, wait another hour until we finally headed into the city. Luckily, most people napped on the bus- but he was awful.
We arrived at our hotel on 8th and then me and every adult male (except our bus driver) risked life and limb unloading our luggage on the side of the street (our friendly driver told us that the compartments on the side of the sidewalk were locked and that he didn't have a key...).
We met up with our other travelers (esp. Ray and Renae who looked fresh as morning daisies not having just arrived on a red eye) and we passed out our Metrocards and we were all off on the subway (60 total people).
We invited 2 fellow Salt Lakers that had been on our flight to tag along with us because we had extra tickets to the 9/11 Memorial. We didn't have time to do the Brooklyn Bridge, but we made it in time to enter the Memorial.
The 2 fountains are huge and beautiful- and the museum looks like it'll be great when it opens. After about 30 minutes, we met up and took everyone to St. Paul's Chapel (where George Washington worshipped). After that, I volunteered to take adults to the Seaport TKTS so they could pick up their tickets for Wed. matinees a day ahead. Jackie and Amanda Cox were off with students and others that already had their tickets to Grand Central Station for lunch.
Of course it began pouring rain the second we arrived at TKTS- and I also encountered the longest line I've ever seen there. But, we made friends with the people in front of us (hope you made it to London friendly mom from Boston who got tickets to Spiderman for her 11 year old whose passport was expired so they couldn't leave the country...) and Kelly DeHaan shared his umbrella and songs with everyone in line.
After scoring our 50% off tickets for 1 Man 2 Guvners (and convincing a lot of people in our group to get them as well), we were off (soaking wet) to meet up at Grand Central.
Of course by that time, Jackie's group was done, but Jackie and Amanda graciously said they would take the group up 42nd St. to look at the NYC Library and Times Square while we ate (yummy chedder tomato soup). After eating (and a nice cupcake from Magnolia thanks to Brent Cox) we were going to walk our group the same way Jackie and Amanda...until we saw the sheets of rain pouring down.
After that, it was the subway all the way to our hotel.
We arrived to find Jackie and Amanda's group (mainly students) looking like drowned rats. Amanda and Jackie had taken control releasing luggage and rooms as they became available. After looking at Jackie and realizing she was completely sleep deprived, we shipped her off to her room for some R & R so she could enjoy the show that night.
After a much needed shower and power nap, we were off to Peter and the Starcatcher. We were excited because Christian Borle had just won the Tony for Best Supporting Actor 2 days earlier- a title well deserved.
The play was charming- a fun and theatrical retelling of the origian of Peter Pan. There was a moment in Act 2 involving Mr. Borle (playing Black Stache- a precursor to Captain Hook) involving a trunk that was one of the funniest moments of acting I have ever witnessed. It was a perfect way to start the week (and wash off the nastiness of our awful bus ride).
After being stuffed like sardines (both physically and stomach wise- really John's Pizzeria? Our whole group upstairs in a very tight confined space? But we forgive you because your cookies were delish.) We walked around a slightly drizzly Times Square, changed our reservation for Top of the Roc from the morning to the night (we couldn't face an early morning after our red eye) and went to our hotel to fall unconsicious until Wednesday morning. NYC 2012 had officially begun.
Our adventure begins Monday, June 11th around 9:30pm at the SLC airport, JetBlue terminal.
No matter how early Jackie and I arrive to check off everyone that's flying with us, there is always someone that gets there earlier (there are also students that start packing 3 weeks before we leave. Jackie and I packed an hour before we left...).
As Jackie checked everyone off as they headed to security (where for the first time in a while, no one was detained...) we waited for our flight (11:35pm) to JFK.
We loaded and I was seated next to a father and daughter going to the city for the first time. Jackie was on the other side of the plane next to the Coxes (chaperones since 2006...one day they'll get sick of it...that day may have already arrived...).
Even with a melatonin and an Ipod sleep app, I only lightly dozed...but we landed without incident (that came later) at JFK before 6:00am.
The weather looked cloudy with a potential of rain, but we were excited to go into the city, drop off our bags, meet up with other people (including Jackie's parents who had arrived from Portland a day earlier) and walk the Brooklyn Bridge before it rained on our heads.
Then we met the best bus driver we have ever had (and we've had some doozies...). First, he was 45 minutes late picking us up. He then yelled at Bob Guymon (our travel cordinator) when Bob asked him for help. Then he refused to help load luggage. Then his bus smelled like pee mixed with tree freshners. Then he tried to play chicken on the freeway with a lady in her Range Rover. Then he hit her. Then he tried to talk to her but she refused to roll down her window to speak to him. She called the cops. Our driver stayed off the bus and refused to tell us what was going on. 45 minutes later, a cop arrived. Took statements (all the while we are trying to call dispatch to get them to send another bus...) took our flight list which had everyone on the bus and their ages, was told by the cop to exit the freeway, wait another hour until we finally headed into the city. Luckily, most people napped on the bus- but he was awful.
We arrived at our hotel on 8th and then me and every adult male (except our bus driver) risked life and limb unloading our luggage on the side of the street (our friendly driver told us that the compartments on the side of the sidewalk were locked and that he didn't have a key...).
We met up with our other travelers (esp. Ray and Renae who looked fresh as morning daisies not having just arrived on a red eye) and we passed out our Metrocards and we were all off on the subway (60 total people).
We invited 2 fellow Salt Lakers that had been on our flight to tag along with us because we had extra tickets to the 9/11 Memorial. We didn't have time to do the Brooklyn Bridge, but we made it in time to enter the Memorial.
Of course it began pouring rain the second we arrived at TKTS- and I also encountered the longest line I've ever seen there. But, we made friends with the people in front of us (hope you made it to London friendly mom from Boston who got tickets to Spiderman for her 11 year old whose passport was expired so they couldn't leave the country...) and Kelly DeHaan shared his umbrella and songs with everyone in line.
After scoring our 50% off tickets for 1 Man 2 Guvners (and convincing a lot of people in our group to get them as well), we were off (soaking wet) to meet up at Grand Central.
Of course by that time, Jackie's group was done, but Jackie and Amanda graciously said they would take the group up 42nd St. to look at the NYC Library and Times Square while we ate (yummy chedder tomato soup). After eating (and a nice cupcake from Magnolia thanks to Brent Cox) we were going to walk our group the same way Jackie and Amanda...until we saw the sheets of rain pouring down.
After that, it was the subway all the way to our hotel.
We arrived to find Jackie and Amanda's group (mainly students) looking like drowned rats. Amanda and Jackie had taken control releasing luggage and rooms as they became available. After looking at Jackie and realizing she was completely sleep deprived, we shipped her off to her room for some R & R so she could enjoy the show that night.
After a much needed shower and power nap, we were off to Peter and the Starcatcher. We were excited because Christian Borle had just won the Tony for Best Supporting Actor 2 days earlier- a title well deserved.
The play was charming- a fun and theatrical retelling of the origian of Peter Pan. There was a moment in Act 2 involving Mr. Borle (playing Black Stache- a precursor to Captain Hook) involving a trunk that was one of the funniest moments of acting I have ever witnessed. It was a perfect way to start the week (and wash off the nastiness of our awful bus ride).
After being stuffed like sardines (both physically and stomach wise- really John's Pizzeria? Our whole group upstairs in a very tight confined space? But we forgive you because your cookies were delish.) We walked around a slightly drizzly Times Square, changed our reservation for Top of the Roc from the morning to the night (we couldn't face an early morning after our red eye) and went to our hotel to fall unconsicious until Wednesday morning. NYC 2012 had officially begun.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Things I've Learned...
So I'm playing Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music at Hale Center Theatre (T, Th, Sat. 4:00 and 7:30pm casts). Here is what I have learned so far:
1. If my Nazi uniform is period correct (and I believe it is), Nazi's were always grouchy and mean because a) their uniforms are SO UNCOMFORTABLE and b) you cannot sit down in them. Or pee.
2. It's fun to be in a musical where you never sing. I do dance, but there is no singing required. Except for after the bows, but I make up my own words.
3. When a theatre puts live fish in the pond, they will all be dead by the end of the week. Except for one brave soul that's half dead, lying on its side flapping one little flipper (to heaven. It was dead by The Lonely Goatherd).
4. Our green room is very interested because you will find half dressed nuns (well, they're not wearing their headdresses) playing cards with Nazi officers- along with a kid or two wearing clothes made out of the nicest set of curtains you've ever seen.
5. When you get a sun burn in NYC, a nice nun will let you borrow powder to tone down the red a bit.
Over all it's a great show! Come see it (in July- I think everything is gone for June). Up next, blog posts from NYC 2012- still tired but we had a lot of fun. Save the date for 2014!
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