Bound for Broadway?

I got an end of the year bonus today - sort of. I was able to leave the office at noon. Bonus! I’m also off work Monday so I’m excited to have three and a half days off work. Wish I’d known about this afternoon before this morning. With advance notice I think I might have been headed to the airport instead of the grocery store. Ah well, never look a gift horse blah, blah, blah, right? I was able to cruise the aisles and stock up on some fun foods for the weekend without battling the late day crowds. I’m now ready to make black eye peas and also bought some shrimp and plenty of fresh produce. I’m all set for a healthy and yummy New Year’s weekend.

Just back from New Orleans and Las Vegas, I’m thinking about my next getaway. Last year I said I’d go to New York City and I didn’t. Why? New job, no real oomph. Those reasons are as good and as bad as any. This year I want to do it. I want to: walk, shop, dine, shoot (my camera), and see (A show. Two? Three?). No particular order to the list. I want to stay in a fantastic hotel room and share cocktails with friends and/or strangers in fairly dark venues with lovely music.

As far as entertainment goes, today I watched a documentary called “Show Business: The Road to Broadway”. It’s from 2007. It follows four new musicals from prior to their Broadway openings to the Tony Awards. The shows are: “Wicked”, “Taboo”, “Avenue Q”, and “Caroline, or Change”. The film was a good way for me to spend a little time unwinding (while working a jigsaw puzzle – guilty pleasure).

I vaguely remember the controversy around Rosie O’Donnell funding and overseeing production aspects of Boy George’s “Taboo”. Although I wouldn’t likely be interested in seeing that particular show, it made me a little sad to see the energy invested in what seemed to be a doomed endeavor from the start. I can't imagine seeing "Avenue Q". I can barely handle the Muppet ad that comes on at the movie theatres. Blech. "Caroline, or Change" seemed to be something I would have liked - in a burn through half a box of Kleenex way.

Now to what gets me going: as the documentary opened, my interest was sparked (ignited?) at the possibility of seeing and hearing Idina Menzel in the role of Elphaba. I’ve seen “Wicked” here in Houston and love, Love, LOVE the play. I wish I’d seen it on Broadway with Menzel. I recently watched “Rent” on DVD with the cast that closed the show. Same thing, wish I’d seen it with Menzel as Maureen.

That’s what this piece is about. I wish to go to New York and see the play (or plays) I want to see. I don’t want to say, “Sure wish I’d seen that in New York like I wanted instead of waiting for the touring production."

So I’m going to start researching. So far “Memphis” is topping my list. Suggestions are welcome. Whether or not I’ll heed them is another issue entirely.



©Michelle Scofield, December 30, 2011 All Rights Reserved