#imbible

After flying from Sydney to Houston, having our flight delayed, boarded and de-boarded twice, then cancelled, trying to get on a standby direct to La Guardia and then having to get standby to Denver and then onto Newark we finally arrived in New York, a mere 38 hours later, at 6.30am we checked into the hotel.

Enough on that because it’s too soon to laugh about it, but I will add our bags did not make the flights with us and were still in Houston.

First up after a quick nap was the Disney on Broadway tour, I’d really wanted to do this last time I was here so I was really keen for this and I was not disappointed! We started off in Times Square in the rain sheltering under marquees as the guide, Colin, talked us through different theatre history and about his personal experience being in the original cast of Matilda on Broadway.

After working our way around some of the theatres we arrived at the New Amsterdam, the second oldest operating broadway theatre, where Aladdin is playing for an onstage behind the scenes tour. Starting onstage getting an up close look at the wings and stage marking my first time on a Broadway stage too!

Taking us into the auditorium to take us through the history of the theatre, from the opening being a gigantic flop production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream through to the Follies, the depression and now under Disney ownership the art nouveaux theatre being the only one in its style on Broadway.

The tour ended with a hands on prop/costume session with some of Disney’s most iconic shows. Such a great start to our time in NYC.

Heading from the tour to the first show of the week, Pretty Woman, this show was a bit of a gamble. Not having heard much from it and not really knowing what to expect, except a great cast led by Samantha Barks, Orfeh and Andy Karl.

I was really blown away, the show was really tight, it had a good book, and I didn’t find myself missing the movie soundtrack. The performances were all fully committed and the scripting allowed the characters time to grow and let the audience connect with them. I found this show to be in a similar being to Legally Blonde and Ghost. The design of the show was simplistic but gave the look and feel that you needed to transport you to Los Angeles. I really enjoyed this show and it was a great first show!

Keeping to our tight schedule heading up to the New World Stages for The Imbible: a Spirited History of Drinking, a show set in a bar that went through the history of alcohol, complete with cocktails. It was really funny, clever and just a really good time. The four bartenders wove together the history associated with making alcohol from the cavemen to Egyptians and onto the modern post prohibition era, the songs were a mix of originals and farmiliar tunes with related lyrics. Overall a really enjoyable time, and great drinks too.

The Bands Visit was our last show for the day. Again this show is so moving, nuanced and just beautiful. Everything about this performance is just beautiful.

Heading up to Characters on 54th st to meet Sean from a course I’d done a couple of years ago who was great to catch up with. We are seeing the show he has been Production Manager for on Friday.

Last up for the night was Davyd Reddyk and Ethan Krupp at 54 Below. They are a composing duo from Chicago I had not heard or so just to check it out really and hear some new music. I really enjoyed the songs they had, especially some of the ones they called bad idea shows - ha.

All in all a really great first day in NYC, a long day. A super exciting day of theatre!