Summer in the City

So this post is really late, but I definitely wanted to fill you all in! Last week mom and I went back to New York City and we had a blast. We arrived late on Tuesday evening (about 4 hours later than planned) and went straight into Times Square. We stayed at the Belvedere Hotel on 48th and 8th, so it was a very short walk to Times Square. We got some ice cream and people watched for about an hour and then went to bed.

Mom in the middle of Times Square

On Wednesday morning we went to see the live recording of Sirius/XM live on Broadway. Unfortunately Seth Rudetsky (the normal host) was out of town, but it was still neat to see how it all works. Come to find out, nothing is ever really live.

Heather Laws, Derek Keeling, and substitute host Julie James at Sirius-Live on Broadway

We left the recording a bit early to get over to see Hair. We went to the matinee and again had a blast! There was an understudy for Berger, one of the main characters, and we were pretty bummed, but he was phenomenal! I love that show and I would see it again and again! After the show we went to the stage door, but because it was a matinee most of the "leads" didn't come out. We were slightly bummed, but we saw the whole cast a few months ago, so it was fine.

2009 Tony award winner for Best Revival. Such a great show!

The cast members loved my tie-dye!

We had just a few hours before the next show, so we had a great Italian dinner and then went to see In the Heights. This show won the 2008 Tony for Best New Musical. It was another great show. The music was so different from anything I have ever heard and it was a very nice change! There was another understudy for the lead, but again, he was phenominal. It was only his fifth time playing the lead role, but it seemed like he had done it every night.

With my signed playbill. I love the stage door experience!

While we were standing at the stage door for In the Heights we saw one of the Billy's from Billy Elliot just standing around. He was just too cute so I wanted to get a picture with him.

David Alvarez - one of the 3 Billy Elliot's

We also went to the stage door for Billy Elliot to see who we could see. We found the second Billy - Trent Kowalik. Later in the week we also saw the third Billy walking on the street - unfortunately we were unable to get a photo with him.

On Thursday, we went to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). We only spent about 4 hours there, but it was enough to see what we really wanted to see.

Van Gogh - Starry night

Andy Warhol

Modern Art at its finest.....



.....a room full of visitor's height measurements.

Thursday night's show was my first straight show on Broadway - God of Carnage. This is the show that we saw all of the famous people at last trip during the Opening Night. See here for more details. The show is about 2 couples who meet to discuss a playground fight between their sons. "At first diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses and the rum flows, huge tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving more than just their liberal principles in tatters." With a cast made up of Marcia Gay Harden, James Gandolfini, Hope Davis and Jeff Daniels, the show was bound to be good - and was great! We also sat about 4 seats away from Jane Krakowski! It was very exciting. I tried to get a picture after the show, but didn't have much luck.

Hope Davis


2009 Tony Award Winner for Best Actress - Marcia Gay Harden

Jeff Daniels

James Gandolfini

The final God of Carnage poster.

After God of Carnage we went back to the stage door for Hair and to the stage door for Next to Normal. We saw Alice Ripley from Next to Normal and she was the most genuine person we had ever seen. Mom took her picture with Alice Ripley that night so I could take my picture on the following day after the show.

Mom and the very talented Alice Ripley! 2009 Tony Award Winner for Best Actress in a Musical.

On Friday we took the subway down to SoHo and Greenwich Village. It was pretty hot out so we left a little earlier than planned. We went up to The American Museum of Natural History for a few hours to get out of the heat and then we went to see Next to Normal. Next to Normal was absolutely incredible! I think it is definitely one of my new favorites!

While we were down in the Village, we went to Washington Square Park.

The American Museum of Natural History

Just inside the Main Entrance of the Museum.

That is one big whale!

This show was phenominal! I can't wait to see it again!

J. Robert Spencer - Origianl Nick Massey from Jersey Boys and Dan the Father/Husband in Next to Normal.

The brilliant Alice Ripley again! She was the most genuine person I have ever met. Example: the night before when mom got her picture with Alice my hair was curled under. Alice asked me on Friday night if I got a haircut! It was just amazing to me that she would remember that! Words just cannot describe how incredible this woman is as a person and performer! She certainly earned her Tony!

We left to come home on Saturday. Three planes and many hours later we made it home. We had another incredible trip and I look forward to returning in the future! I feel like I belong in the city, and will take any opportunity to get back there! Mom is a great person to share all of these experiences with!