Billy Elliot

Last Friday (holy crap, why am I only just now getting to writing this??), I saw the best thing on Broadway right now (with the possible exception of South Pacific). I say that with confidence even though I haven't seen everything on Broadway.

Last Friday was the annual support staff outing for the law firm. All of the partners' were out of town for their annual meeting, which meant we could go party while the associates fended for themselves! (Okay, so there were 5 staffers on, just in case). The partners generously treat all of us non-attorneys to dinner, drinks and arcade games at Dave & Busters in Times Square followed by a Broadway show. Each year there are 5 choices for shows, which we rank in order of our preferences, and preferences are recognized in order of who responds first.

Since the support staff outing was within 2 weeks of Mr.'s next shelf exam and coming along would mean violating his 2 week rule, I made plans to bring my work friend who recently left the firm to have an actual career instead. As soon as the list came out, she and I figured out our preferences. Most of my coworkers were remarking that they hoped they liked the show they were seeing. I was confident Billy Elliot would be phenomenal, and it didn't disappoint.

The opening number, admittedly, is a little weak vocally, and this is not a show you see for the brilliant singing. However, the music is catchy and enjoyable. It's hard to go wrong with Elton John (well, except he does take the melody from the bridge in 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Miserables and put it into 'The Letter' in this show. Oh well, it's a good melody).

The story, as those of you who saw the movie (I did not) already know, is heartwarming and perfect for the stage, despite being a little predictable. I won't go on about the plot because I'm assuming everyone knows the premise.

So yes, this production has triple-cast the physically challenging title role with three brilliant young men. I had the privilege of seeing Kiril Kulish perform the role. I was completely captivated. He totally blew me away with his dancing talent. He was performing choreography that would be impressive for an adult professional dancer. And he's barely 14. When I got home that night, I looked him up on youtube to watch his past competitions because I couldn't believe it. I also discovered a video of him playing a difficult Chopin Fantasie on the piano and became angry at myself for not being more dedicated to dance and piano when I was his age.

I realize I'm totally rambling, but go see it. Soon you will not be able to get tickets because I have a feeling it will sell out very quickly. Go. Seriously, go now. If you have any appreciation for dance whatsoever, you have to see this show.

On Calls and Curtain Calls

It's a quarter after midnight, and I just got home.  Mr. is not yet home.  He was on call today, and it looks like it's a late night.

As you see, it was also a late night for me, but for a much more enjoyable reason: I saw Boeing Boeing on Broadway!  Ah, the rough life of being married to a guy who's never home, always having to find ways to amuse myself...

Okay, really a sorority sister wanted to take advantage of her employer's theatre discount, so a few of us headed out after work tonight to see this brilliant comedy revival.

Boeing Boeing is about a man with 3 fiancees, all flight attendants, and the hilarity that ensues when an old friend stops by for a visit.

The show was great, but it has only a little to do with the writing and much to do with the acting, timing, and staging.  This production features respected performers Bradley Whitford, Christine Baranski, Gina Gershon, Kathryn Hahn and Mary McCormack, but the man who made the show with his deadpan delivery was Mark Rylance, playing the friend.

Far more seasoned critics have reviewed this piece, so I'm not going to do so here.  I just want to give it a thumbs up, declare it a must see, and to remind anyone who might be curious to always try to see a show with its original cast.  It truly makes a difference.

Mr.'s home now, and I'm ready for bed.  Good night!  

Hold That Line

Last night I went to the workshop of a new musical, Cheer Wars at my alma mater.  A friend of mine had one of the larger roles, and I was excited by what I'd heard of it.

While the music wasn't necessarily as strong as that from last week's production, it was catchy and sufficient.  The story was great, and I was literally laughing out loud at a lot of it.  I'd like a little more character development, better costumes and much stronger choreography.  But, this is why we workshop pieces!  Kudos to all involved; I really enjoyed myself.  And I've had one of the songs from the show in my head all morning... Hold that line; hold that, hold that line...

I had hoped Mr. might join me, but he had to work.  In fact, because he got to drain a patient's peritoneal fluid (or something like that), he didn't get home until 8:30.

No worries, though - that's what gay boyfriends are for!  My gay boyfriend from home moved to the city earlier this year, so he came with me to the musical.  I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it much more than Mr. would have, anyway. 

Golden Weekend: Saturday

This weekend, Mr. had a 'golden weekend', meaning he wasn't on call on Friday but also had Saturday and Sunday off.  Of course, I didn't realize this until Friday evening after making plans for a packed Saturday in Manhattan.  I suppose it was good for him, though, to not have me around while he was studying.  Since we live in a studio, I've found it hard to entertain myself without distracting him.

So, I left for Manhattan at 11:00am, while he was still asleep (apparently he slept until 2:00pm) after making a post office run.  I was running early to meet my friends when I was one stop away on the subway and the train was delayed due to a signal problem.  Since I was early, I figured I'd just sit it out.  15 minutes later, though, the conductor made an announcement that they didn't know how long it would take, so I made a couple of transfers and was only 5 minutes late or so.  My friends had been on different stops on the same line, though, so they each took cabs to Around the Clock, where we had brunch.  It's an East Village staple that I definitely recommend.

After brunch, we walked around the block to NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing building where a friend of ours was performing in a new work.  The actors were good.  There was very little dialogue... or story... or clear objective.  But the music was great, the voices were great, and it was under 90 minutes.

Next weekend another friend is in a different new work (which honestly sounds much better) in the same program.  I'm looking forward to it.

After the play, I met up with an old friend whom I'd only recently reconnected with at a mutual friend's wedding in May.  Before that, I think the last time I saw him was 8 years ago, maybe?  He moved away after my 8th grade year but came back to visit once when I was in high school.

Anyway, I found out via text while I was stuck underground that he was in town for the weekend before jetting off to Europe, so we walked around the village, down the middle of a street fair and then settled in Washington Square Park to talk about life.  He's in medical school as well in a D.O. program in Ohio, so I was curious to hear how the programs differ.

After that, I headed uptown to meet with a few church buddies regarding the direction of our 20s/30s group.  I have a big to-do list now, but am super-psyched about all of our ideas!  Mainly the retreat we'll have sometime next spring.  Woot. :)

I'm about to run to church, but I just had to post because I realized this morning that Mr. did a fair number of the dishes and also took out the kitchen trash that had been staring me down the past couple days.  Since he cares about things like clean floors, I wouldn't be surprised if he did that as well.  When I get home (since he's still sleeping right now), I'll have to thank him.

Thank you, Mr.!!