Trip Report December 2018

Sorry if there are typos, I didn't really proof read.
Sunday December 23rd:
The last show I bought tickets for was my Sunday matinee as dithered for months on what new show I wanted to see. I prefer musicals over plays & this is a season of plays with a lot if new musicals getting pans. Finally about a week before the trip I has to make a decision & randomly checked Ticketmaster for Frozen. There are 2 seats in row B of the balcony at the St James, one on either side of the theatre, right on the center aisle, marked partial view, that they don't seem to always put up for sale right away. I know 6 months ago those seats weren't available for sale but suddenly there they were & only $79.50. I checked that view from my seat site & someone has a picture there showing why they are partial view - the safety rail at the bottom of the stairwell can block sightlines from these 2 seats. I imagine that for a child these would be pretty lousy. But it was fine for me. When I showed my ticker on my phone to the queen ushering in the balcony, he instantly knew what that seat was - CHEAP! & the attitude he gave was me was nasty. There's a song in the new Mary Poppins film there that I think fits - " a cover is not the book" or whatever she says. I would rather stay cheap when I'm spending on myself, but splurge when I'm spending on someone else - none of my boys ever expect anything from me so it always a pleasure to surprise them. That usher revealed himself instantly as nothing but a gold digger. OK getting to far off topic.
I'm glad I saw Frozen. Disney puts on a good show. I really like their show programs, they are like picture story books & perfect for a child who perhaps can't read yet.
After Frozen I walked up to Central Park, & up to the Frick. Had about an hour until they closed, but they just have their permanent collection on view so it was enough time for me. Went back to hotel & changed as I was still in a suit since doing morning services at 10am before the 1pm matinee. I did stop at eat at a cafe on the upper east side before the show so wasn't in too rough shape.
Early 7pm evening performance of The Band's Visit. I wrote on another thread more thoughts, but basically enjoyed it- especially the shorter running time. Ari'el Stachel is a stud. And hot damn! Bill Army is a stud. Somebody lucky enough to be dating another cast member had his mother with him in the row in front of me. It was cute. Actually, you know, even Sasson Gaby is a stud. If anyone needs a reason to see this, all the men in the cast are easy on the eyes. Some woman sings too.
After I went down to I guess the Village? & went to see a stand-up show at Fat Black Pussycat. I needed to eat again, their bar menu was dismal but did it's job. They had beer from Deschuittes. That's probably spelt wrong. No big name comics showed up, but some of the ones on the bill were ok. If 54below had had a better offering I might have gone there instead. By 12:30 I was back at the hotel. The room next to me were some loud German kids - literally kids like 12 or 13. I don't know where tge parents were. Anyways I put in earplugs & zonked right out, but not before setting every alarm for 7am to f with them. I figured "let's see how happy they are when I make a lot if noise in the morning!"

Because yes, Monday Dec 24:

I started my day with the 1st boat to the Statue of Liberty! I've done it before, but earlier this year when a workmate planning a honeymoon in NY asked my advice on the best thing to do on a 1st trip to the city I said, "Definitely climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty." And then I thought to myself, "I should do that again" & book it ASAP.
Yesterday morning was chilly & drizzling rain but I still had fun. Seas were rough, but it was ok. I skipped Ellis Island due to time constraints.
I needed to eat & decided to just go to the 1st place in Times Square where I could get in, which turned out to be... Carmines. Yes on Xmas eve I was able to get in for lunch without reservations - they had one high top open. Honestly, I didn't even know what a big deal that was until after. I didn't realize their serving sizes were meant for a family. Anyways, food like that you can only get in NY. I ate what I could and then made my way over to the New Amsterdam.
Monday matinee xmas eve choices were few, & I was worried about my selection but Disney knows what they are doing!
Aladdin ended up being the show I had the best time at. It feels like the sort of show you would have seen in NY back in the 20's or 30's... but WOKE! Honestly there is nothing more beautiful than being in a theatre full of children who are POC who get to see others like themselves on stage. This may be the best musical in Broadway right now.

Had a nap, then went to join the posh set at the Met for Magic Flute. A truly gorgeous production that I'm so happy to have finally seen in person. Lady next to me slept through it. Well I guess that's a White Christmas Eve.

Walked in wrong direction after leaving Lincoln Centre, but was fortuitous and came across Westside diner & had another NY sized meal. At 9 is was empty, by 9:45 the place was packed. I sat at the window, & every group of tourists walking by & looking in was like "if that big fat queen is eating here the food must be good."

Walked in the right direction & found the right subway back to the Village for Chris Botti @ The Blue Note. Great show, got a great seat since I was a single even though I was at the end of the loooong like when they started seating at about 10:30. All the seniors whining about how long they had to stand in the cold. Like I said, great show, but probably he gets better audiences on nights other than xmas eve.

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Inception, as a fellow out-of-towner, it was fun reading about your trip. You've reminded me to make sure I eventually see Aladdin.

I'm doing a mini-trip on Thursday - Amtrak in the morning, Head Over Heels matinee, The Prom in the evening, crashing in the city, and then visiting with my grandmother and coming back the next day.

I also enjoyed reading your trip report so thank you for sharing. Glad to see that you loved Aladdin and Frozen. I love Aladdin too and am seeing Frozen in February unless I win a lottery sooner.

You have a way with words and I loved reading this.

I hope you will watch DEH again with a different cast as your experience may differ.