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They say the neon lights are bright . . .
. . . and they're not wrong.
We spent 15 years of wedded bliss celebrating with one of the most passionate couples in pop cult history.
But first . . .
Wednesday (Nov. 10) evening we were pretty well on wiped out by 10:30pm. Lots of walking, lots of excitement, lots of people, lots of languages.
Thursday (Nov. 11) was our 15th anniversary (and Veteran's Day). After getting up and moving, we walked a couple of blocks to B&H, the largest camera store I've ever seen. There Geo and I bought each other new digital cameras for our anniversary. One of the gifts for fifteen is crystal, so I figured cameras, which contain crystal lenses, would be appropriate. I'm hoping that now I'll be more inclined to taking photos of more than just the cats around the house. Heh.
We came back to the hotel for brunch, then headed out on the subway to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island. We weren't the only tourists in our car. There was a family from Seattle who seemed very impressed with the size and scope of NYC.
The line to the ferry was rather a wait, and security was akin to airport security, both at the dock and on the island. We managed to get a good spot on the second level of the ferry, and we had a really good view of the statue as we approached the island. George made an interesting comment that it's not actually as big as you're led to believe in pictures.
We had tickets to go up to the pedestal level on the statue. We opted to walk the 153 stairs, which was quite a bit of exercise. We didn't spend much time in the museum part. I'd have liked to, but I was concerned with our schedule in the back of my mind. The pedestal has very pretty views of the skyline.
The ferry also stops at Ellis Island, but we didn't get off to see. We'll have to do that some other time.
I started getting ready for the show when we got back to the hotel. Oh! The hotel. Let me digress just a moment. We stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, which was built in 1919, and until 1927 was the largest hotel in the world. It was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad right across from Penn Station. And yes, its phone number is Pennsylvania 6-5000. It is in fact the Pennsylvania 6-5000 of Glenn Miller fame.
Now, where was I?
We finally touched base with Adam, one of the actors from the independent movie Geo and I worked on several years ago. It was so great seeing him again. He's doing really well in NYC (and not too bad in Chicago, apparently). He's not acting at the moment--he's writing. I had no idea.
Geo and I had dinner reservations at Sophia's right next door to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. It was delightful and delicious. Oh my word. And the prices were reasonable, as were the portions (not so incredibly huge you couldn't finish, but enough to fill you up without making you feel stuffed).
I'd like to take a moment to again comment on something about NY. New Yorkers have this reputation for being rude and unaccommodating. Thing is? Everyone we interacted with was perfectly delightful. True, they were all in customer service, but I was very pleased and impressed that I went in with the wrong perception.
Now. The central highlight of the trip, The Addams Family. It was thoroughly delightful, and there were portions wherein I felt like a little kid I was so excited to be there. I would very much have liked to have seen the show from orchestra level, but we had an unobstructed view from the back of the first level of the mezzanine. The music was a lot of fun, and my word Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane were a delight. The little gal who played Wednesday had a phenomenal voice, as did the boy playing Lucas. And I've listened Terrance Mann's voice for years--Rum Tum Tugger from Cats and Javert from the Broadway recording of Les Misérables. When he started singing, I recognized the voice right off. (I knew going in who he was, of course.)
The sets were so much fun. Tech Director back home would have loved them, I think. Lots of rolling pieces. And fantastic stage curtains and use thereof.
Even Thing and Cousin Itt made appearances. And Cleopatra! I think I squealed and clapped like a little girl when they showed up.
And I had forgotten that Bebe is a dancer. Morticia and Gomez had a tango number (of course), and she was pretty darn fabulous.
The whole cast was great. We had Lurch's understudy for our performance, but that was fine. He was great, too.
It was just a delightful evening. (Even if the champagne from dinner was making me a little sleepy by Act II.) I'd love to see it again now that I'm more familiar with the music. So much to see, so much to notice.
And yes, we collapsed when we got back to the room.
Friday (Nov. 12) we spent in Macy's and the J.C. Penney at the Manhattan Mall. The JCPenney made me jealous. Their shoe department was the size of our entire store. And we spent a great deal of time carefully selecting our souvenir Christmas ornament (which is a tradition for our trips).
The train left Penn Station around 12:45pm, and we were home around 6:30pm.
What a fun whirlwind trip. If it weren't so expensive, I'd love to go back sometime soon.
There's something about big cities that I find fascinating. Not that I want to live in one. NYC and L.A. are nice places to visit, but I don't think I'd want to live there. But big cities have a certain mystique that makes them exciting. You know?
We spent 15 years of wedded bliss celebrating with one of the most passionate couples in pop cult history.
But first . . .
Wednesday (Nov. 10) evening we were pretty well on wiped out by 10:30pm. Lots of walking, lots of excitement, lots of people, lots of languages.
Thursday (Nov. 11) was our 15th anniversary (and Veteran's Day). After getting up and moving, we walked a couple of blocks to B&H, the largest camera store I've ever seen. There Geo and I bought each other new digital cameras for our anniversary. One of the gifts for fifteen is crystal, so I figured cameras, which contain crystal lenses, would be appropriate. I'm hoping that now I'll be more inclined to taking photos of more than just the cats around the house. Heh.
We came back to the hotel for brunch, then headed out on the subway to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island. We weren't the only tourists in our car. There was a family from Seattle who seemed very impressed with the size and scope of NYC.
The line to the ferry was rather a wait, and security was akin to airport security, both at the dock and on the island. We managed to get a good spot on the second level of the ferry, and we had a really good view of the statue as we approached the island. George made an interesting comment that it's not actually as big as you're led to believe in pictures.
We had tickets to go up to the pedestal level on the statue. We opted to walk the 153 stairs, which was quite a bit of exercise. We didn't spend much time in the museum part. I'd have liked to, but I was concerned with our schedule in the back of my mind. The pedestal has very pretty views of the skyline.
The ferry also stops at Ellis Island, but we didn't get off to see. We'll have to do that some other time.
I started getting ready for the show when we got back to the hotel. Oh! The hotel. Let me digress just a moment. We stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, which was built in 1919, and until 1927 was the largest hotel in the world. It was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad right across from Penn Station. And yes, its phone number is Pennsylvania 6-5000. It is in fact the Pennsylvania 6-5000 of Glenn Miller fame.
Now, where was I?
We finally touched base with Adam, one of the actors from the independent movie Geo and I worked on several years ago. It was so great seeing him again. He's doing really well in NYC (and not too bad in Chicago, apparently). He's not acting at the moment--he's writing. I had no idea.
Geo and I had dinner reservations at Sophia's right next door to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. It was delightful and delicious. Oh my word. And the prices were reasonable, as were the portions (not so incredibly huge you couldn't finish, but enough to fill you up without making you feel stuffed).
I'd like to take a moment to again comment on something about NY. New Yorkers have this reputation for being rude and unaccommodating. Thing is? Everyone we interacted with was perfectly delightful. True, they were all in customer service, but I was very pleased and impressed that I went in with the wrong perception.
Now. The central highlight of the trip, The Addams Family. It was thoroughly delightful, and there were portions wherein I felt like a little kid I was so excited to be there. I would very much have liked to have seen the show from orchestra level, but we had an unobstructed view from the back of the first level of the mezzanine. The music was a lot of fun, and my word Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane were a delight. The little gal who played Wednesday had a phenomenal voice, as did the boy playing Lucas. And I've listened Terrance Mann's voice for years--Rum Tum Tugger from Cats and Javert from the Broadway recording of Les Misérables. When he started singing, I recognized the voice right off. (I knew going in who he was, of course.)
The sets were so much fun. Tech Director back home would have loved them, I think. Lots of rolling pieces. And fantastic stage curtains and use thereof.
Even Thing and Cousin Itt made appearances. And Cleopatra! I think I squealed and clapped like a little girl when they showed up.
And I had forgotten that Bebe is a dancer. Morticia and Gomez had a tango number (of course), and she was pretty darn fabulous.
The whole cast was great. We had Lurch's understudy for our performance, but that was fine. He was great, too.
It was just a delightful evening. (Even if the champagne from dinner was making me a little sleepy by Act II.) I'd love to see it again now that I'm more familiar with the music. So much to see, so much to notice.
And yes, we collapsed when we got back to the room.
Friday (Nov. 12) we spent in Macy's and the J.C. Penney at the Manhattan Mall. The JCPenney made me jealous. Their shoe department was the size of our entire store. And we spent a great deal of time carefully selecting our souvenir Christmas ornament (which is a tradition for our trips).
The train left Penn Station around 12:45pm, and we were home around 6:30pm.
What a fun whirlwind trip. If it weren't so expensive, I'd love to go back sometime soon.
There's something about big cities that I find fascinating. Not that I want to live in one. NYC and L.A. are nice places to visit, but I don't think I'd want to live there. But big cities have a certain mystique that makes them exciting. You know?
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And I'm looking forward to seeing photos from your new cameras. What kind did you get?
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I have to admit, I was a bit concerned about your staying at the Hotel Pennsylvania. It's got terrible ratings at TripAdvisor, and a couple of people have warned me to stay waaaay away from it - but it sounds like you made out OK. Good to know!
Looking forward to seeing some of the photos you take with your new camera!
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I think I read that Nathan Lane will be leaving the show in March, to be replaced by Roger Reese. Bebe will still be with the show, though. But if you do get a chance, I highly recommend seeing this cast. They're such fun!
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I felt the same way about New Yorkers. I love it when my preconceived notions get squashed. That'll learn me!
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But what fun!