The week I splurged...

In the process of transplanting from the midwest to New York City, I had to get acclimated to a number of things. Since I lived in the city for a few weeks over the summer, the travel, the smells, the living in the city - those pieces were easy to accept. Oddly enough, the part of the city that I am having the hardest part accepting is choice! In the midwest, even on the weekend, there are only a set number of things you can do on any one evening - further than that, there are only a set number of FREE things you can do...ever! The pure number of options you have when you walk out the door in the morning are exciting and a smidge overwhelming.

So, for the first week I lived here, I decided that I got to splurge. I could do whatever I wanted. I discovered that almost every night, I wanted to go to a Broadway show! Shocking, I'm sure. In this week, I experienced a number of rites of passage. The first came when I went to see Nice Work If You Can Get It.

This show was the first time I saw a celebrity in a musical in New York (Matthew Broderick), it was the first show I saw when I officially lived in New York City, and it was the first Broadway show that I  saw on my own. Another rite of passage - I walked 10 blocks in the wrong direction trying to find my way home afterwards. Starting to feel like a real New Yorker.

The next day, I decided that I wanted to be entertained all day - I would see two shows in one day. Another first! I grew up listening and singing along to Phantom of the Opera, but I had never seen it onstage. That afternoon, I saw it for the first time. 

Yes, the synth is cheesy, but it completely knocks me out. Yes, I cried. It's what I love - music that entirely envelopes you. No, I will probably never be cast in this show. I'm not an operatic singer, but I love it, nonetheless. After Phantom, I had another plan. I wanted to go to a sweet, happy, uncomplicated show. What could that be? Cinderella! 

A fairy tale story, Rodgers and Hammerstein's music, and some fine, family fun. It was perfect.

The magical set and costume changes mixed with the sweet story and SPECTACULAR leading lady made for the perfect end to the evening. It was beautifully done. It's not the kind of musical that changes my life, but the kind that made me extraordinarily happy that I was in New York.

After three consecutive shows where I reveled in the magnificence of ensemble work and the delights of the Broadway musical, there was one more show that I had to see: I'll Eat You Last, the one-woman show about Sue Mengers starring Bette Midler.

Of all the divas I worship on the theatrical scene, Bette Midler is probably my number one.

I do love my "Ett"s: Bette, Bernadette, and Carol Burnett.

As one of the primary reasons why I moved to New York, this was the only time I waited by the Stage Door like a foolish fangirl to catch a glimpse of the Divine Ms. M.  And I did!

It was the cherry on top of the perfect theatrical week. It was a week to financially and theatrically splurge.

Now, I'm poor.

And I will live on Ramen until I get a job. That is my next adventure: getting hired in New York City. It's not the easiest task, but if I want to be able to continue such adventures as these, employment is a key factor.

See you in the city,
-C