Inception's December 2023 Broadway trip

I've never really visited Hudson Yards, so the day I see Here We Are I have penciled in some sight seeing there.

You ARE aware that Hudson Yards is just a mall with shops and restaurants? Aside from the huge landmark structure (permanently closed for walking on it), there’s zero to do there or see unless you’re meeting friends for dinner or plan on doing some mall shopping.

People being snotty to someone trying to figure out things to do. BWW, you're a gem.

One thing that's worthwhile in Hudson Yards is The Edge observation deck. It's easily better than Empire State Building and Top of the Rock.

I personally despise Hudson Yards, but I despise your snotty attitude and constant misinformation a lot more.

If I was a native, I wouldn’t like Hudson Yards and its strange opulence. But as a tourist, walking on the High Line and checking out an unfamiliar part of Manhattan that has plenty of places to eat made for a fine if unusual afternoon/early evening. And The Shed itself is worth checking out before the escalator ride up to the theater.

I’m glad you enjoyed I Need That. I have come to the conclusion that seeing a light comedy on one’s first night in New York City, especially if you are arriving that day after a long flight, is my preference. Sometimes that’s affected by what is available, of course.

Walked past the Met Museum just before 10 & decided I didn't want to get in the huge lines. Walked over to the Neu, but they don't open until 11. Did some window shopping on Madison Ave, and ended up also some real shopping. Saw two very interesting free exhibits I recommend to art lovers. At the Gagosian "Lee Miller & Friends" with photographs by and works by people she was friends with including Man Ray, Picasso, and Jiseph Cornel among others.

Galerie Gmurzynska has a showing of works by German artist Christian Atersee. Many from the early 70's that feel very contemporary. A very exciting discovery.

I had hoped to see the Tracy Emin show at White Cube, but they are already closed for the holidays, re-opening in January.

After 11 I made in back to the Neu Gallerie and the Max Beckman show was really worth seeing. The info card for one portrait if young girl he did in the 20's noted that 20 years later she died in a concentration camp. This really felt in theme with Harmony which I would be seeing shortly.

I enjoyed Harmony. But, in the first act I thought they leaned into too many dumb jokes. It felt corny. For me the show improved as it went along. I liked the production numbers, the costumes, and I also liked the set. Late in the second act when Sierra Bogges reads from the Book of Ruth and goes into the song "Where You Go" the tears were just running down my face.

Definitely the show ends stronger than it starts. But unfortunately there are other Broadway shows, films, and books that have told stories from that era in a more compelling way.

I had just under two & a half hours until my next show at 7. I managed to cross some of my other shopping off my list & get to my hotel & drop off bags before....Gutenberg!

Like Natasha Lyonne says in those Old Navy commercials playing non-stop: "Wowsa!" Within minutes I had a grin on my face that wouldn't go away. My cheeks hurt from how wide I was smiling & how much I was laughing.

At intermission two very bitter queens walked by me and one said, " I don't understand how this got to Broadway? I mean they are both very talented...but their talents are just wasted on this" And bitter queen 2 replied, " I know! And for some reason the audience all just loves it." Yes biatch, because it is frigging funny!

I hope they got both got tit by a hruck.

I've still got more to see in the next couple days, but this might have been the highlight already.

Afterwards, I walked over to see the Dior display at Saks, had some mediocre dinner at Havana Central, then went back & got in a huge line at Krispy Kreme. I don't know why when I started my day avoiding the line at the Met?

Saw Merrily last night and was relieved that entire cast was in. They all elevate this production, compared to the cast from the UK filmed version, but I still don't like the book of this show. If it were me, I'd cut the whole book & just have a concert of the songs.

But, it was very interesting to hear reactions from audience members who aren't familiar with the show & don't already know any of the big reveals in the plot. At certain points it felt like the whole audience was going "Ohhhh!" & "Ahhhhh!" or "Uh oh!"

Thanks for the comments bear. Yes I get how without the context the songs mean less. It is a lot to chew on.

Here is less to chew on: Hell's Kitchen

This is a sumptuous show full of hit songs, sung beautifully with lots of exciting dancing. The set is all Michael Greif scaffolding as predicted, but the use of projections works well to provide a sleek New York of sexy skyscrapers. You won't want to sit too close when you see this on Broadway in order to take in all the exciting choreography and the full stage pictures. This a song & DANCE show! The ensemble is putting in the werk! The costumes are all Fubu & Fila & Hilfigrrrrrr - taking me right back to my 20's in the mid-90's. It is a thrilling theme park ride of New York City - like something you might find in Las Vegas. The show places you right in the action, so much so that you forget the desert is right behind you.

I could really feel how they took LMM's In the Heights as somewhat of a template. In that show Usnavi narrates his life for the audience. In similar fashion here, main character Ali is onstage for 90% of the show telling us her story. Ali is always riding the elevator from her apartment down to the lobby, and then from the lobby back up to her apartment. We meet people of the apartment. Some of the characters are tissue thin, but the gravity of the actors portraying them makes the feel full bodied in the moment. The entire cast is exquisite, but this is really a show of moments and surfaces. We go up & down the elevator with Ali, but she never goes to the basement. Nothing gets really deep, or really feels really real.
But in the moments when the cast is hitting the notes and the dancers are popping & locking it is a thrill. Like a theme park ride in Las Vegas, I would get back in line for another go.
It was a blast. But I also know it isn't the real thing

I just want to write a brief wrap up. I flew home on the 25th. It was a long trip as I flew Westjet using some Delta credit I had & neither airline has direct flights between Vancouver & New York. From the time I picked up my bags in mid-town to driving into my building's parkade was about 12 hours. Gross.

The whole trip went smoothly. I managed to spend under $500 on shopping, but did have to pay for extra checked baggage on the trip home.

I was really happy with all the shows I saw. I think only Harmony was really weak. I enjoyed I Need That which got pans here - I guess I've got tourist tastes.

The best show I saw was Here We Are. I had recently watched The Avenging Angel so knew what I was getting into. I appreciated the changes which made it a more charming re-telling. I see it almost as a companion piece to Into The Woods - a sort of Communist fable. I think it is easily the best new musical since Hamilton.

I did make it to the Met Museum on Sunday, but waited until 11am when the line from opening had dwindled. The special exhibit was still busy, but in other galleries I was alone with a security guard.

I'm not a big foodie, & NY diners are a novelty as we have nothing comparable so I always try to visit a few of my favorites. But definitely the best meal I had was at a place I first visited in 2022 - Pasta Eater near Union Square. Wonderful Italian.

I don't know what 2024 has in store, but I have penciled in a trip back to NY for next November. I'll try to shut up on here until that gets closer.

Updated On: 12/27/23 at 09:54 AM