Broadway

 When we went to NYC in May, Aliza realllly wanted to see a Broadway show. Financially and logistically, it just wasn't possible then. I started looking into possibilities and asked Janell if she and her girls would be interested in joining us for a girls trip. She was in and we started looking at shows. The DREAM was to see Hamilton. I didn't think we could make it happen, but with an educator's discount card, Hamilton was just $45 more than the other show we were considering. I decided that amount of money was worth making the dream come true. It was very fun to tell Aliza and Anna that we were going to Broadway on Aug 27 to see HAMILTON! 

We booked a hotel, made a game plan of what we were going to do in the city and took off! I was designated as the city driver and, thankfully, it was a smooth drive in and out of the city. We arrived before we could check in at the hotel. We parked, checked our luggage in and set off to explore the Times Square. (All of our Times Square adventures will be in the next post!) This is Janell and my face when we realized that we were an easy 5 blocks with just 1 turn away from the theater. (The theater is in the very background of the picture.)  

 

Everyone was very exited about seeing the theater and since it was mid afternoon there was no one around. Of course that meant we needed to take pictures. There was some discussion about whether pictures should wait because we were not dressed in Broadway attire yet.

After some shopping and walking, it was time to check in to our hotel. The girls thought it was amazing that the bellhop brought our luggage to our room. The room was appropriately New York City small, but we happily squeezed in. The girls got started on hair and makeup and I laid down until the last minute. 

We ate supper at Applebee's and waited in line for just a few minutes before the theater doors opened. More pictures were taken. 

We went straight to our seats which gave us a few minutes in an empty theater because most people were buying merch or drinks. Our seats were at the top of the theater which was on a steep incline. My legs just about touched the seat in front of me. I could not cross my legs. 

The theater itself was very ornate and felt time period correct to the musical. During the show we could see the top of a man's head right at the edge of the middle of the stage. We realized he was conducting the orchestra that was under the stage which added a level of interest for me. 

Aliza was in her element. She just absorbed every aspect of the production from line delivery to choreography, to set changes. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out why I find this musical so interesting. It's not the set or the costumes...or maybe it is the LACK of a complicated set or colorful costumes. I do enjoy the music and am amazed at the diction of the actors to make all of those words understandable. Regardless, I enjoy Hamilton. 

As we sat there, Janell and I exchanged a grin and sigh of relief that we pulled this off for our girls. It's a memory that they won't forget and neither will I.