#theatregroup

After seeing Lady Liberty we re-boarded the ferry for a short ride to ELLIS ISLAND, the restored immigration depot through which 17,000,000 people passed between 1892 and 1954.

We had some students who had ancestors come through Ellis Island so it was a real treat for them to get to look up their family history. Definitely want to spend more time on my next visit. So much to see!

After Ellis Island we boarded the ferry back to Battery Park and then walked to Zucotti Park where we had lunch. Everyone had a something different....from Pizza, to sandwhiches and of course cheesecake.

We then walked to The National September 11 Memorial where we took time to remember those who died during the tragic events of that day & gaze upon the Survior Pear Tree which still grows strong.

Before heading to the ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY our awesome Tour Guide Penny found Anne Frank's famous chestnut tree!

We had dinner at Virgils Real BBQ and man was it delicious! We had pulled pork, chicken, cornbread, mac & cheese, homemade apple pie AND homemade whipped cream!! It was amazing.

Then we walked to the Schoenfeld Theatre to watch our second show Come From Away; Come from Away is a Canadian musical with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is set in the week following the September 11 attacks and tells the true story of what transpired when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon. The characters in the musical are based on (and in most cases share the names of) real Gander residents as well as some of the 7,000 stranded travelers they housed and fed.

A powerful, moving story that kept our attention the entire time. To top it off as the students were getting autographs the REAL Beverly Bass was there watching the show!! Beverly was the first female pilot for American Airlines and who was a big part of this story. Incredible night. Ahh if only we could watch the show again!!