Here is an omnibus update from the last couple days:
Coney Island is another place I've never before visited as all my previous NYC visits were during fall or winter. Google said that the quickest route from where I had breakfast was to catch the F train. Half-way through the trip the train stopped moving, and didn't go anywhere for at least 30 minutes. After maybe 10 minutes they did come on the speakers & explain that something was wrong with a switch somewhere, & we couldn't move as other trains were also stopped ahead. I had a few emails & things that I had been ignoring, so took the opportunity to catch up with those, and by the time I was finished the train started moving again!
Honestly, I was surprised at how small it all was. I always imagined Coney Island to be much bigger.
On a Monday there weren't any crowds, but I imagine that the beaches must have been packed on the weekend with the extreme heat.
The Cyclone didn't seem to be running, but I took a ride on the Wonder Wheel.
Then I walked up the boardwalk towards Brighton Beach. It was cloudy out so I didn't really feel like hitting the beach, even though I brought a towel & beach mat.
Once I was in Brighton Beach proper I found a couple restaurants open onto the boardwalk, & decided I could do a light lunch. I should have done more research! I was expecting them to be primarily seafood places, but they were more Russian places with seafood on the menu. Prices were crazy as well, but I guess it is prime real estate. Anyways, it turned out to be a wise choice to take a break at one of these restaurants, as about an hour later the weather took a turn, & just when I was thinking I might ask for the bill, a rain storm rolled in. Everyone out on the beach started making a mad dash to get to cover anywhere. (Later on the 11 o'clock news they showed footage of some of the big lightening over the city.) I figured I'd be staying put so ordered coffee & dessert & watched the weather. As equally entertaining was the table near me of a group of ladies in their 80's from Brooklyn celebrating one in the groups birthday. "Margo! Don't fall asleep! Margo! Are you asleep? Or did you drop dead? Oh, you fell asleep! Do want another martini?" I wish I could make this stuff up.
The storm passed, it was about 4:30. Google said there was a different train line close to where I was that would get me back into the city, so I saw a different set of people's back yards.
I had time for about a 40 minute nap once back at the hotel, then got ready to head out for Phantom!
This was my first time ever seeing Phantom. I've always avoided it, based on criticism I'd read growing up of Andrew Lloyd Webber 's work, & the fact that those shows of his I had seen didn't do much for me. I saw the film when it came out, but can't remember much, and have never listened to the cast recording.
I was pleasantly surprised, & enjoyed it. Don't know if I would go again soon, but it was good. My only disappointment was that Jordan Donica was out on Monday night. The replacement looked like Christine's Grandfather, not someone she knew from childhood.
The audience was all very well behaved, despite being a packed house of mainly tourists. Everyone paid rapt attention, & waited for music pieces to complete before applauding. The Locals who filled the audience at the Sunday matinee of Into the Woods could learn a lesson.
Running out of time, as on my way to a Hamilton walking tour this morning, so maybe will have to write up Tuesday later?
Actually, the only thing of interest to this site from Tuesday was that I saw Six. Courtney Mack as K.Howard was the only substitution. For this show I have listened to the original UK album. I liked the bits & pieces between songs that bind it all together that aren't on that album. The cast is all very good. But yeah, despite some good songs, I see why this didn't take the Tony: it is both too short & too lightweight. If I knew folks who were making a trip to NYC, & who were only looking to see one or two shows, I wouldn't recommend this to them.
More later....
...
