Gay of A Certain Age - Old in New York

Boy Howdy, did I have a nice time in New York!  Even though it felt like I flew in, saw 5 shows and flew back 2 days later, I knew that 60 hours is plenty of time to do that.  At least it used to be!  Maybe it's that I didn't get as much sleep as I needed, although I got a good amount.  I never used to feel this jet-lagged before.  Granted, this trip was one day shorter, but I stayed one night longer.  My IN on Thursday at 4:00pm, OUT on Sunday at 8:00pm  sure feels a lot nicer than my IN on Friday at 4:00pm, OUT on Monday at 7:00am.  I guess that Friday with no matinee to get to helps in recovering from the early morning flight out of LA.   The morning flight out of JFK was no nap in the park, either.   When I got home from LAX a little before noon, I thought to myself, "I have the whole rest of the day!"  Then unwillingly fell into a sleeping heap on my big chair until after 5:00pm, feeling groggy the rest of the time before I went to bed at 11:30pm.  Sad.

Despite the lack of sleep and rushed feeling, I had a great time seeing shows, hanging with muh DAB, Rich and meeting up with new LA to NY transplant Matt Crabtree.  THAT'S ALL I DID!

Also, my Fitbit, (which I now keep in my pocket all the time to avoid wrist-rash) was very happy.  My best day was over 13,000 steps!  And since nobody's been flooding up my email and text space with questions demanding to know, I'll tell you! I really enjoyed FALSETTOS

and NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812!

Other than that, I spent a lot if time people watching.  People can be very interesting, if you give them a chance...  

See?

As a Gay of A Certain Age, who love to have his theatre trips, I've learned that I need that open day after flying to recover and fully enjoy my shows and not feel rushed enough that I can plan to get more friend visits in.  I don't think I'll be doing much Friday flying in the future.

Getting Out - Blue State to Blue State

After completing my last show for Chico's Angels' November run...

I hopped a plane and headed to New York!  I needed a little break from the tension of the election madness and knew that a few Broadway shows would hit the spot.

I contacted muh DAB, Richard, and asked him to join me for a TKTS night.  That's the half price ticket booth and I've taken to doing that the day I fly in ever since I missed SOUTH PACIFIC because of a delayed flight.  That was $130 I didn't get back.  To be clear, I rushed home from my theater, got a few hours sleep, rushed to LAX, flew 5 hours, got in a cab, hit my resting place, rushed to Times Square, got out Tix, rushed to a quick dinner and rushed to the theatre to see FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

It beat out newer shows that were available because it is closing soon and I've never seen a big time production of it. (Not since April, anyway)  The performances were really good, but while the production itself was very good, it didn't offer any surprises or special thrills.   Richard & I had a fab time.

Today, I brunched with Richard, then headed to my Matinee...

I saw NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET of 1812.  It was delightful!  The Imperial Theatre has been remodeled to accommodate audience members on stage and bring the playing space further into the house, for a more immersive experience.  It reminded me very much of the For The Record productions that I've been enjoying for the past few years (Remember SCORSESE?)  As for the show itself, I enjoyed it very much and bought the Original Cast Recording as I left.  I didn't realize, of course, that the CD I bought didn't feature Josh Grobin and Denee Benton, whom I had just seen and were awrsome.  So I'll hold on to this one, but look forward to a Original BROADWAY Cast Recording.

I had three hours to kill before my next show, so I went over to the 42nd Street movie theaters, but nothing line-up time-wise (Really Marvel, super hero movies at 2 hours +? ( I don't mind when I'm not on a shedule))  So I went to Times Square to people watch...

Sometimes just watching folk ain't so bad, right?

Then, as I was walking around, I saw Hair & The City and decided to get a much need buzz.

I may be going to the theatre alone, but I'll be looking snazzy doing it!

Speaking of going to the theatre, I made it to my seat with plenty of Instagram viewing time before the start of this evening's show, THE FRONT PAGE

I came to this show despite my aversion to Nathan Lane- one of the ickiest people, ever.

I enjoyed the show and am glad I got to see a play this outing, I always try to throw a play in amongst all the musicals.  The performances were enjoyable, Jefferson Mays was very, very good and one of a number of stars that seemed too large for their roles.  With a huge, talented cast like this one, you can't go wrong and the show is worth seeing- especially because Nathan Lane doesn't come in 'til well into the second act!

I have one more day and two more shows and while I am seriously underdressed for the weather and haven't been hit on once, I feel great with my new head buzz and inspired by the shows I've seen.  My only regret is that I haven't seen many of my NY Friends- and even though I had about 3 hours to kill today, it all seems so crammed together.  I guess that's what coming in on a Friday, instead of a Thursday does to me, but I will make an effort to see some the New Yorkers I love.  It's not always so easy getting out!