My Trip To NYC: June 6-9, 2015

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 11:27pm

Hello folks.  I've been getting my show schedule together.  My flight arrives by 11:00 a.m. on Sat. June 6th, so I hope my hotel , the NY Inn on 8th Avenue will allow me to store my luggage early so I can see my 2 p.m. show.  They had better.  This is what I have so far:

"An American In Paris" on Sat. June 6th at 2:00 p.m.

"Chicago" on Sat. June 6th at 8:00 p.m. ****

"On The Town" on Sun. June 7th at 3:00 p.m. (I hope that show is not cancelled due to the Tonys.)

**** I really want to see "The Visit", so I'll have to switch "Chicago" to Monday, June 8th  and see "The Visit" on Sat. June 6th at 8 p.m.  

I could have seen a Sunday evening show, but I don't want to miss the Tonys on tv. I want to find a place that is showing the  Tonys.  Will Marie's Crisis be having such an event?  I'm open to suggestions.  Maybe I can meet some of you at a Tonys event?  

Roman in Austin, Texas

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 10:50am

Have you stayed at the New York Inn before?  I always do a search for lowest price hotel in Times Sq on hotels.com and New York Inn comes up first, but it also has a poor rating and some terrible reviews.  Have you stayed there before?  Now I'm not snobby about my hotel---I've even stayed at Hotel Carter a few times--but New York Inn sounds especially bad.  

 

The other thing is your flight.  11am is too close to the 2pm curtain for me. Couldn't you fly in a few hours earlier and check your bags at your hotel?  I do that every time I do a theater weekend and usually my room is ready ahead of time so they let me in.  If there is any kind of airport delay, you stand a very good chance of not making your 2pm curtain.  

 

The final thing is the Tony Awards.  I could totally understand wanting to see them, but you can DVR them and watch them anytime.  A Broadway show is a far more enriching and rare experience than anything on television. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 11:15am

Agreed on the landing time vs. curtain.

Also, there will be a viewing party at 54 Below, benefitting Broadway Cares. (Wish I could go; I'll be out of town!) https://broadwaycares.org/tonyawards 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 11:39am

Oh heavens yes, this is about my seventh time visiting NYC.  I think I will have sufficient time to get from the hotel to the theatre.  I am seeing AAIP and then The Visit on June 6...then On The Town on Sunday, followed by Chicago on Monday June 7.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 12:16pm

You will have sufficient time to get to the hotel if you flight does indeed land at 11am.  However, if your flight is delayed at all, it could make for a stressful situation trying to race to midtown.  I think it would be worth leaving earlier so that you are far less likely to have to rush in case a delay inevitably happens. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 12:43pm

 But since he's already booked his flight, it could be costly to change.  Besides, he didn't ask about his travel plans.

 

Also...if you do run late, you likely can check your bag at the theater...either at the coat check or the box office.  The ticket taker usher can help you with that.  You certainly won't be the first tourist to do that.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 10:29pm

Can anyone guess what is the common thread with these three shows I'm seeing : "An American In Paris", "On The Town" and "The Visit"?   It's probably too easy, but just curious just the same if someone can figure it out.  

[itsshowtime]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 11:07pm

Is it that the main character(s) are visiting a different city than where they are from?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 11:35pm

Well, I didn't think of that...I guess that's true.  But I'm thinking of another reason...relating to cast members.   

[Mr Kelly]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 4:53am

In 2012, I watched the Tony awards from times square- there was a free broadcast with lots of seating. I found that a good way to meet some other theatre fans (I was travelling by myself) 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 6:55am

Thanks Mr. Kelly, I did not know that.  As long as I can sit down somewhere, I'm not much for standing only.  By the way, "An American In Paris" has Nathan Madden and Michael Cusumano.  "On The Town" has Tony Yazbek.  "The Visit" has Chris Newcomer and Matthew Deming (and I forgot...Chita).  What do they all have in common?

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 11:52am

They're all Chicago alum.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 11:54am

Cupid figured it out! 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 11:58am

Do not miss The Visit. It is a once in a lifetime experience.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/9/15 at 7:02am

I was checking Max Von Essen's bio and didn't know he had done a tour of Chicago in 1999.  Sometimes, I could kick myself for not even giving Chicago a second thought during that period.  OH well.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/6/15 at 3:46am

I'm getting ready for my 6:00 a.m. flight to NYC.  Does anyone have any Tony Awards watch party suggestions?  Last time (2013), I went to the Stonewall, but it was waaay crowded. I hope to meet some of you there.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed about arriving on time to see "An American In Paris" at 2 p.m.  That's followed by "The Visit" later in the evening, "On The Town" on Sunday and "Chicago" on Monday.  Later...Roman in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/6/15 at 10:45am

Hello NYC and JFK.

[vfd88]

Posted: 6/6/15 at 10:49am

Enjoy your time here! And I agree with Roxy, definitely do not miss The Visit.

[fyeahmaria]

Posted: 6/6/15 at 11:43am

I heard Marie's Crisis in indeed screening the Tony's, but if you'd like a seat that's probably a long shot. I'm giving the Metropolitan Room a shot this year, went to the Brickyard Gastropub last year.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/7/15 at 4:49pm

Intermission at On The Town. Spotty Internet reception.  Kevin Corley is on as Gabey.  I do no knowcwhere to go to watch the Tony's.

Updated On: 6/7/15 at 04:49 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/7/15 at 5:04pm

Believe they are being televised in Times Square.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/15 at 8:59am

I'm finally recovering from jet lag to write my theatre experiences during my recent trip.  Sat. June 6th:  1st show:  "An American In Paris":  It was elegant and sublime.  The show included elements of ballet and musical theatre.  Both Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope were amazing.  I was especially impressed by Max Von Essen's performance as Henri Baurel.  His desire to follow his own dreams and not his parents' expectations were touching.  Veanne Cox's pointed barbs (as Madame Baurel)  were entertaining.  The entire ensemble was magnificent.  (Side note:  I made it inside the theatre by 1:58 p.m. after literally running from my hotel at 8th and 46th.  I was the last person dropped off by Super Shuttle at around 1:30 p.m.  Plus, I hadn't had a chance to eat lunch.  In the meantime, i was starving thru the first part of the show.  I scarfed down a packet of peanuts until I could eat dinner after the show.  

Saturday, June 6, 2015:  2nd show:  8 p.m.  "The Visit":  I had a front row seat.  The opening sequence was  rather suggestive and risque, which surprised me.  After I got over that initial "shock", the show itself was "different" from anything I had seen before.  It was definitely dark and macabre.  The populace wore drab and dreary clothing in contrast to the sparking costumes worn by Claire Zachanassian.  Although it was entertaining, I thought that this type of show would have limited appeal.  The dark mood of the show wouldn't really appeal to a more numerous crowd.  After the show, I waited by the stage door and spoke with some members of the cast.  Chita Rivera emerged after a while.  She signed Playbills for both rows of people that had assembled.  I managed to take a picture with her.  

Sunday, June 7, 2015:  "On The Town":  First of all, I was amazed at the interior of the Lyric Theatre.  Everything about it was beautiful.  The show itself was o.k.  Kevin Worley was on as Gabey.  He and his fellow cast members sang and danced their hearts out.  As the show progressed, I was becoming a bit restless.  I guess the show hadn't appealed to me as I thought it would.  Jackie Hoffman's "bits" were funny...but after the first few...it was becoming boring. All in all, it was "o.k."  

Monday, June 8, 2015:  "Chicago".  It was around 6 p.m. and I had finished dinner.  Since I had time to burn, I went to the theatre.  I didn't want to walk around too much so I just stayed.  After I arrived, Brandy Norwood arrived with Leslie Stifleman (the conductor).  She was taking a bunch of selfies.  I did ask Brandy to sign my programme and she was ever so nice about it.  They tried to access the stage door to go inside, but the door was having "techincal problems", so they went in thru the theatre. I noticed as various cast members entered. I did managed to chat a bit with  Terra C (Velma).  We talked every so briefly.  She mentioned that she had some friends visiting the show and that all that they could get was standing room.  Then, I caught the eye of a handsome blonde guy as he approached the stage door.  It was Jason Patrick Sands.  He recognized me and started a conversation with me.  I tried to keep my wits about me as I tried to not get tongue-tied.  He is that good looking and charming.... two qualities in a person which sometimes render me speechless.   After a while, he went in to get ready for the show.  Before I went into the show, I saw Richard Ridge of BWW.  I introduced myself and we chatted a bit.  He was waiting at the stage door with some friends.  He was very nice.  We talked about "The Visit" and how it was a shame that it was closing.  This evening's performance was practically sold out.  I had tried to get a front orchestra seat, but my seat on Row J was o.k.  The crowd was really into the show, especially Brandy.  I was very, very impressed by her performance.  She did most of the regular choreography, as it's normally one, with the exception of "Me and My Baby" and "Hot Honey Rag" (no cartwheel).  What can I say about Miss Terra.  She is a "totally fierce" Velma, dancing and singing her heart out.  She knows the role, inside and out.  Marco Zunino is an amazing Billy Flynn....especially with a very long "....the......." in "Both Reached For The Gun."  Sharon Moore was on as June, for an absent Donna Marie Asbury.   NaTasha Yvette Williams was a very good Mama Morton.  The ensemble played a very good peformance.  They did their roles with such energy and precision.  After the show, I wait by the "secondary" stage door, as had been suggested to me.  Brandy Norwood had a meet and greet at the main stage door, which brought a large crowd.  I did manage to speak with Terra C and Marco Zunino.  Then Jason Patrick Sands came around.  We spoke a little bit.  I even dared to ask him if he ever visited our merry little board (and Chicago-specific thread).  He said he did from time to time.  All in all, it was a fantastic "Chicago" experience.  

Updated On: 6/10/15 at 08:59 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/15 at 9:11am

 

Updated On: 6/10/15 at 09:11 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/15 at 9:12am

Updated On: 6/10/15 at 09:12 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/10/15 at 9:13am

Updated On: 6/10/15 at 09:13 AM