My trip to NY (A brief accounting of my overall visit)

[beacon1]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:32pm

Okay...I actually got a request for this one. Possibly folks are interested (and possibly Mister Wilson is trying to verifying the tracking technology his security team used.)

Fri 3/31 Arrived at LaGuardia and took a shuttle into Mid-town to the Belvedere. Met the gaggle of Mister Wilson's fans who were gathering for fun, frolic, and Barefoot in the Park. Dropped off luggage to storage (room not ready). We hopped in cabs and sped off to Central Park. After resolving some logistical problems we all took horse-drawn cabs rides through a section of the park. Then we walked through the park to the Bethesda Fountain.

As a huge fan of "Angels in America" I just had to see Prior's favorite place in the park and sit where they sit at the end of the HBO adaptation. It was fabulous/surreal. :o)

Then, we walked out past Strawberry Field and outside the park cabbed it back to the hotel to do official check-in. And then over to Cort for Will-call tickets for that night (a spur of the moment decision had been made to see it twice) and grabbed a marvelous buffet dinner from Smiler's Deli on that same block. Incredible fruit.

That night, off to sit in the nosebleed section of the Cort and watch "Barefoot." The first time I heard Mister Wilson's voice (calling from off stage) I nearly leaped out of my seat. It was HIM!

Part of the gang had 2nd row center seats so we could see them thisclose to where Mister Wilson was performing. The show was a riot and Mister Wilson was PERFECT.

However, the crowd around us must have been a couple of high school field trips because they weren't the best behaved and had cellphones going off. I stifled the desire to hurl a couple of them over the rail. Are ya proud of me.

Afterwards, watched the Stagedoor process but didn't go up. (I figured Mister Wilson needed one more good night's sleep.) He was looking fabulous, friendly and oh-so-unsupecting! Jill Clayburgh smiled and waved at folks and Tony Roberts was really friendly as was Adam Z (the telephone guy.) Amanda made a bee-line for the car.

A couple of teen girls were there with Phantom CD inserts and roses for Mister Wilson. They were afraid he wouldn't sign their POTO stuff and I told them he was a good, friendly guy and would. I also offered one of their mom's a sharpie from the stash I was carrying. And I told another couple of girls to just stand right up at that barricade and that he would be very nice to them and would take pictures with them.

See, I'm SUCH a girl scout. :o)

Then, back to the hotel for chat with Mister Wilson's fans and to bed.

Saturday a.m.--met Addy, Undi, Liotte, and Emcee for brunch and it was fabulous. They are a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful bunch of ladies and my travel buddy & I had a great time asking them all sorts of questions about shows, getting tickets, etc.
They had great tips and I really appreciate the time they took out of their busy day to spend time with us.

Saturday afternoon--Tried to see about discount tickets for Sweeney Todd (no balcony available when Emcee led us to the theater) and at TKTS the line was too long...and cancelation tickets for Pajama Game weren't available when we went to the box office. Bummer.

We walked over and around Times Square, took touristy photos and bought a slice of cheesecake to split, walked around some more and then back to the hotel. Changed clothes and back out to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefellar Center (watch the ice skaters), by Radio City Music Hall and just looked around the area---taking tourity photos and calling friends to tell them where we were standing. We should have been wearing neon signs--"Just visiting the Big City."

Sat pm. See https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=5&thread=891998&startthread=2052199&boardname=off (Scroll down for an account of Mister Wilson finally meeting Beacon1)

After the show we gathered at a small bar near the hotel and talked/unwound. Then back to the hotel for more chatting.

Sun a.m. more chatting. Off to Lincoln Center to the LDS Church building (same building as the temple) to attend a broadcast of the bi-annual General Conference (from Salt Lake).
Then back to the hotel to pack, say some good byes. My travel buddy and part of the fan group saw the "Barefoot" matinee...I stayed and chatted with a couple of the gals from the group and had a leisurely lunch. (I'd seen "Barefoot" twice and figured Mister Wilson would cry if I showed up a third time.)

5:45pm Met a wonderful group of BWWers at Luxia's and EDDIE VARLEY sang in my ear! I am a fan for life! I met some dear, dear folks who I enjoy posting with--it was fabulous. And I can say that Cookie and DG give super hugs.

7pm Off to the Airport for some bad pizza from Sbarro and then home (on a flight with no working lavatories.)

Mostly a trip to see Poor Mister Wilson and some sightseeing--definitely recon for my next visit which will be in a few months. I can not wait. the list of shows is growing and I want to go to lower Manhattan to see Ground Zero and also go to Ellis Island.

Anyone in NYC wanna adopt me? I'm clean, I'm quiet, and I'm not scary (just ask Mister Wilson.)

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:45pm

New York was as bright as I've ever seen it when you came to visit.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:56pm

New York's waiting for you to get back, beacon!

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:56pm

What a wonderful trip Beacs! And to think - Walker inc. was not even needed...this time around. I think it was wonderful that you included the LDS as part of your trip - I too am planning on visiting St Pats to light a candle.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:09pm

omg, beacs was on lsd while here???

[DG]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:28pm

Beacs - I wish you could have those hugs whenever you wanted! I so enjoyed finally getting to meet you. I know we didn't really have any time, but it was enough for now just to see in your eyes that you really are as special as I thought you were.

And hugs go both ways - so we just do it well together

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:29pm

*hugs*

[beacon1]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 7:50pm

You guys are so great to me.

I've got tears in my eyes.

Thanks to you all--and hugs, too! (even to Mister Wilson!)

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 9:25pm

It's been a bit of a let down since this all ended!!! So much fun that weekend! I'd adopt you, but I'm in the process of trying to get my friend's mom to adopt me!!

Can't wait for you to get back, beacs! We (and NY) need you here all the time!!