NYC Day 3 – Oct 25, 2009 (evening)

After returning to the hotel for a nap, we discovered our tickets were for 7:30 rather than 8, so we had a bit less time than we thought. No big deal. We slept for a bit, then headed to the Booth! The front row mezz seats we bought in advance were awesome. It’s hard to say if it was “worth it”. Broadway is insanely overpriced these days even with discounts – but that’s another rant for another day – I was thrilled with our seats, overpriced or not.

Although I could tell the two-show day was wearing a tiny bit on Alice’s voice, she was still mind-blowingly awesome. As was the rest of the cast. I can’t say anything bad about this show. I’d bought the cast recording quite awhile before the trip and was very, very familiar with the show, but despite knowing everything I did, it couldn’t have prepared me for what I saw. One spoken line in particular still haunts me to this day – “Four months for the life of my child.” Shivers up my spine. Amazing performances by all.

Speaking of performances, I’d overheard that it was the drummer’s last night. As such, he had a rockin’ solo after the curtain call, which was met with cheers from much of the audience.

We hit the stage door afterward, but sadly, Alice Ripley, Jennifer Damiano, and Aaron Tveit were no-shows. Ah well. (I’m an idiot when it comes to chatting at the stage door anyway. (I could know you for years and still sound like a fool after seeing your jaw-dropping performance; it’s not so much being star-struck as finding the right words so soon after an impressive display).

We were starving by then, so we headed west to Five Napkin Burger for dinner. I indulged in some beef despite the fact that my stomach despises it and loudly complains about it after eating. But sometimes you have to ignore the stomach’s ridiculousness to appease the tongue. And I was very glad I did. I got the “Original”. It’s not likely that I would agree one should ever pay $15 for a burger, but… this was… really good. And the wait staff was great, which always helps sooth price tag angst.

After that, it was back to the hotel to collapse into bed. Although I’d normally find it difficult to sleep after the euphoria of two shows in one day and seeing the magnificent Alice Ripley perform at all… exhaustion had me beat and I was out the second my head hit the pillow.

Edited: January 17th, 2010

NYC Day 3 – October 25th, 2009 (morning and afternoon)

This is beyond overdue. I told myself if I didn’t get all my trip recaps and photos online within two weeks, I would wait forever. Well, it’s not forever, but far longer than it should have taken. I know myself too well. ;) Without further ado…

Since L&J were due back to their apartment early, we got up early so we could head out and let the weary travelers sleep. We talked to them for a bit when they arrived, and headed out to start our day. Recalling from the previous day’s adventures that the MTA doesn’t want you to take the train on the weekend, we headed over to the 1 (RIP 9 train).

We headed over to the hotel we’d be sleeping at (for free thanks to an employee/friend with whom we’ll be staying later in the week), checked our bags, and headed out to Times Square.

Though slightly chillier than the previous day, there was not a cloud in the sky! Yay! A beautiful fall morning was ahead of us. We stopped at the Starbucks in Times Square. White mocha americano for me, cider for Rie, and a piece of pumpkin loaf for us both, which we enjoyed at the nouveau pedestrian mall that is Times Square.

Given the meager amount of people that actually sit at the tables on Broadway (which is now closed to street traffic), I think everyone is still confused about this. It certainly makes Times Square quieter, it’s kinda handy for walking around, it lightens the foot traffic, but it just feels and looks weird!

After getting some photos and video, we had time to kill, so we meandered up 7th St, feeling Central Park’s siren call beckoning us uptown. Unable and unwilling to fight its summons, we floated toward the park.

I could have so easily traipsed all the way to Central Park North, but we did have to head back down to the Neil Simon theatre (52nd St.) in time for the Ragtime lottery. As such, we stayed near the playground and baseball fields, people-watching, gazing at the fall colors, and reconnecting with one of my favorite parts of Manhattan.

After checking out some kind of protest on Central Park West, near the Trump building (nothing terribly exciting or interesting), we walked back down by way of Columbus Circle.

Although we did not luck out at the Ragtime lottery (I have horrid luck when it comes to those things for the most part), we took a look at ticket prices, feeling drawn to the $46.50 rear mezzanine seats. The number sounded familiar and I whipped out my iPhone to check my saved Playbill discount emails. Sure enough, there was a $46.50 mid-mez coupon (seats regularly $80-something). WOO! We went to the box office, the guy asked if we had a print out, so I slid my iPhone with the email on it under the box office window.

This was my proudest moment as an iPhone owner. The guy behind us (who’d merely written down his code) was impressed by my geekery as well. ;) We had a fun chat with him – I love bonding with people in lines.

We had about an hour to kill before the show, so we headed over to Hale & Hearty for some soup and half a sandwich for lunch. Ahh, I missed that little local chain.

Ragtime was incredible. A few weak spots and a sour note or two from Coalhouse, but overall well worth seeing (love the original Broadway cast recording and the Papermill cast). One thing I hate about LA theatre is that no one gives a crap about the orchestra. It’s all about who can get to their car fastest. And so I forgot that NY audiences are for more appreciative as a LOT of the audience stayed behind to applaud the orchestra after they finished. And they were so, so deserving. Full orchestras are where it’s at. Let’s make it the norm, Broadway!!