Broadway | Living on Love

Living on Love, A New Comedy with Music
Playing at Longacre Theatre
Musical or Play? Play
Rush? No
Best Place for Discount Tickets: Today Tix App (From $25)
Official Website: livingonlovebroadway.com

Renée Fleming makes her Broadway debut in the new comedy Living on Loveby two-time Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, based on the play Peccadillo by Garson Kanin, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall.

World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming takes to the stage as celebrated diva Raquel De Angelis. When Vito, her larger-than-life maestro husband, becomes enamored with the lovely young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, Raquel retaliates by hiring her own handsome, young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown, and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this brand new hilarious comedy.

REVIEW

I'm not usually a play person, but when I had the opportunity to go see Living on Love for a discounted price, I decided to take a chance. I'm so glad I did! This comedy is one-of-a-kind. First and foremost, it's simple in that there is a very small cast of six characters, and the entirety of the show takes place in the same location – an upscale Manhattan apartment. Unlike other plays I've attended, Living on Love is also a short two hours (intermission included), which is quite manageable even for novice theatergoers. 

Moreover, Living on Love is unique in that it is a comedy with music, as the tagline suggests. The storyline focuses on a famous married couple. Maestro Vito De Angelis is set to narrate his autobiography to a ghostwriter, who ended up taking the job simply to meet the Maestro's wife, opera singer La Diva. Of course, things go wrong – the Maestro and La Diva's marriage is falling apart and they're running out of money. What follows is a hilarious family drama filled with ridiculousness, love, and opera. Yes, opera. Acclaimed opera singer Reneé Felming makes her Broadway debut as La Diva, and lends her voice to the show. It may sound weird, but it works.

I was definitely surprised with how much I enjoyed Living on Love. While the story is very predictable, it's still laugh-out-loud funny. The cast works flawlessly together, and each has great comedic timing. I really loved the incorporation of music into the show, as it fit perfectly with the storyline. Plus, it helped drag a musical lover like me to a play, thus making Living on Love accessible to a wider audience. 

I didn't try for the Stage Door after Living on Love, but I remember from a past experience at the Longacre a few years ago that barricades weren't set up until 10-15 minutes after the show. If you're interested in meeting the stars, I recommend asking an usher for more information. 

All in all, I'm glad I took the time to see Living on Love. I'm not sure that I would go see it a second time, but I do think it's worth seeing, especially if you're looking for a comedy. While the show is geared for adults, there is nothing inappropriate about it, and I would recommend it for families with children middle school age and up. If you'd like a light and quick Broadway experience, Living on Love is definitely the show to see. 

Broadway | Honeymoon in Vegas

Honeymoon in Vegas starring Tony Danza officially opened on Broadway this month, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the show with all of you. I attended a preview performance of this musical on the second day of previews, so keep in mind that the show may have changed a little, and I'm sure it will be more polished now that the actors are familiar with it. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Honeymoon in Vegas and am highly recommending it!

Honeymoon in Vegas is a musical comedy centering on Jack and Betsy, a young couple living in New York. They've been dating for a while, and despite wanting to tie the knot, Jack is haunted by a curse put on him by his late mother telling him never to get married. In an effort to save his relationship, Jack decides that he and Betsy should travel to Vegas to finally become husband and wife. Of course, things go wrong along the way, and casino owner Tommy Korman, played by Tony Danza, tries to steal Betsy away from Jack. Despite this somewhat-complicated plot, Honeymoon in Vegas is downright hilarious. It has surprise elements, and always kept me wanting more.

My only disappointment with the show is that the vocals are not very strong. As I mentioned before, I saw Honeymoon in Vegas on the second day of previews, but several of the lead actors were struggling to hit their notes in many of the songs. I hope this improved at the time of opening, but even though the vocals were a bit lacking, I still had a great time during the performance.

I also want to mention that Honeymoon in Vegas is playing at the Nederlander Theatre. My friend and I rushed the show, and got tickets in the Front Mezzanine for $32.00. The seating is extremely squished, with no leg room whatsoever. I was uncomfortable during the show, but this is an old theatre and unfortunately bound to happen more often than not when attending a Broadway performance. I point it out because if you need space or have a bad back, you will want to contact the box office to see if they can accommodate you.

Finally, if you want to rush Honeymoon in Vegas, I recommend getting there about an hour before the box office opens. We were there an hour and half early, and no one else showed up until closer to opening time. However, that may have changed now that the show is officially open! Rush tickets are cash only, so run to the ATM before getting in line.

In the end, if you are looking for a super fun musical to attend on Broadway, I think Honeymoon in Vegas is a perfect choice. It's great for families or date night, as it includes elements that everyone will love. You can visit the show's official website HERE for more information. As always, if you've seen this show please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Broadway | Side Show (+ 2 for 1 Coupon Code!)

Today I am very excited to share my thoughts on the Broadway musical Side Show with all of you. I had the amazing opportunity to attend the show yesterday specifically so I could review it. I honestly had no idea what to expect from this show. All I knew was that it chronicled the life of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. I had no idea how incredible the performance would be!

Side Show is, in fact, based on the real lives of the Hilton sisters. As the show opens, the sisters are performing in a side show run by Sir, their abusive legal guardian. The opening number, Come Look at the Freaks, is haunting and mystical, and I was captivated right away. I have to give a major shout out to the makeup artists and costume designers for Side Show. They do an amazing job transforming the performers into their characters.

Side Show continues with the sisters being discovered by Terry Connor and his friend, Buddy Foster. They convince Daisy and Violet to leave the side show life behind so they can become Vaudeville performers. The story chronicles what that transition is like, and the trials and tribulations the twins must face on a daily basis. The audience also learns of the girls' horrific past, and their desire to just be normal. Side Show is thus emotionally charged, and lives up to its tagline of "It will never leave you."

I highly recommend Side Show, especially if you are looking for a different kind of Broadway musical. Side Show is truly unlike any other show I've ever seen, which is quite refreshing. I was blown away by the talented cast, and even got choked up several times by the beyond incredible vocals behind each song. (Honestly, every time Jake sang I got a bit watery-eyed.) However, Side Show  is inspiring and definitely has scenes that are laugh-out-loud funny. It is a delightful combination of elements that builds up to a powerful Broadway production.

If you live in New York or will be visiting soon, I am excited to announce that I have a coupon code to share with you! From now until January 4, 2015, use the code SS241RSH on the Telecharge website HERE and you will receive two tickets for the price of one! That is an amazing deal, and I highly recommend you take advantage of the savings while you can. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed Side Show, and I think it is a must see. In fact, this is a show I would see again in a heartbeat!

I am also really excited for the Cast Album! Feel free to preorder it on Amazon HERE. Of course, if you've seen Side Show, please share your thoughts in the comments!

I received a free ticket to Side Show in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Broadway | On The Town

I am so excited to tell all of you about On The Town, as this was truly a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience for me. On The Town officially opened on October 16, but I rushed to the theatre during previews because one of my best childhood friends is in the show. I couldn't wait to see her perform, and it was a dream come true! We met as dancers growing up, and it was surreal to see her onstage in a classic musical. Thus, despite me being a bit biased about the show, I still wanted to share my thoughts on On The Town!

On The Town is now playing at the Lyric Theatre (formally the Foxwoods Theatre), and is revival of the classic musical that first performed on Broadway in 1944. The story follows three sailors who dock in New York City and have just twenty-four hours before they take off again. What plays out is a funny and romantic tale that takes the audience around New York in the span of two and a half hours.

I saw the show in previews, and as my friend explained, changes were being made on a daily basis. At the time, the show did feel a bit disjointed, but it was overall a joy to watch. Leonard Bernstein's score is recognizable and cheerful, and the well-known New York, New York! was stuck in my head for days. The entire cast was excellent, and I really appreciated the dancing. The strong dance numbers were not only entertaining, but they gave me the opportunity to see my friend onstage for most of the show! I should also mention that the set and costumes are amazing. I loved the bright colors and how seamlessly the stage was transformed in each new scene. I never knew what was going to happen next!

I do want to make a quick note in this review based off of my personal experience as an audience member. I attended a Saturday matinee, and the majority of the audience was made up of senior citizens who presumably wanted to view a favorite show of theirs. Yet unfortunately the crowd around me made some comments (in the middle of the performance, mind you) that need to be addressed. If you buy a ticket to On The Town expecting the movie starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, try to keep an open mind. The actors in the broadway show are incredible, and deserve to be respected in their own right. It's unfair to compare them to the greats of the past, and downright rude to comment "They're not as good," or "It's definitely not the same," both things I overheard from my neighbors in the middle of the show. Please, if you go see On The Town, keep your comparisons to yourself and don't spoil the performance by adding your own soundtrack.

Last but not least, I want to mention the Stage Door, which is located on 43rd Street. The actors did come out and sign autographs, and barricades were set up. I didn't get my Playbill signed this time around because I was getting a behind the scenes tour with my friend! I think that was definitely worth foregoing the autographs. Plus, there is always next time.

Overall, On The Town was a lovely experience. It's a show that's perfect for families, as younger audiences members will not catch on to the cheeky jokes that adults will love. I was luckily able to score an amazing seat in the orchestra thanks to the $20 lottery system (all details on that in THIS blog post). In fact, now that the show is officially open I plan on going again at some point in the future. I think that proves that On The Town was a great show, and I highly recommend it! Please let me know in the comments your thoughts on On The Town!

TodayTix App Brings the First Mobile Lottery to Audiences of On The Town!

If you've been an OpenLetter2NYC reader for a while, you'll know that I never attend a Broadway show at full price. Whether I wait in line for rush tickets, score a discount seat on the web, or enter the ticket lottery, I'm always on the hunt for the most affordable seats. I've been stalking the On The Town website recently, as one of my childhood friends is in the show and I just had to see her onstage as soon as possible. Imagine my surprise when I saw that On The Town is offering the first mobile lottery in Broadway history!

The TodayTix app makes entering the On The Town lottery super easy. All I had to do was download the app for free in the App Store on my iPhone (also available on Google Play and Amazon) and enter the lottery directly from my phone! Each day, I simply enter the On The Town lottery for free, and a few hours before the show I'm notified via email whether or not I scored tickets. For someone who lives in Downtown Manhattan, this app is absolutely perfect – I can enter the lottery no matter where in the city I am, and I don't have to wait in any lines at the theatre. Talk about convenient!

TodayTix is also a great app even if you're not looking to see On The Town (which you should, by the way!). The app allows you to get discounted tickets for many other Broadway shows, and is currently offering free tickets to the preview performances at The Public this season. There is no reason to stand in line out in the elements when you can buy discount tickets directly on your phone. With the time (and money) you save, you can enjoy New York City and pick up your tickets at the box office come showtime!

I also want to mention the great customer service I experienced with TodayTix. This past Saturday I entered the On The Town lottery, and figured I didn't win when showtime was getting close. Then my phone rang, and it was TodayTix! The original lottery winner cancelled, so they called and offered the ticket to me! I was so excited! I headed to the Lyric Theatre, handed my $20 in cash to the box office, and enjoyed the show from my orchestra seat. It was awesome!

I will have a full review of On The Town up on my blog once the show officially opens in October. For now, I definitely recommend that you take advantage of the TodayTix app. If you sign-up for TodayTix, please use my referral code, as you and I will both get $20 off our next ticket purchases through the app. Simply click HERE to be directed to the TodayTix website. I hope to see more Broadway shows using this app for their lottery systems soon!

Broadway | The Cripple of Inishmaan with Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe has returned to Broadway to star in The Cripple of Inishmaan, and I couldn't wait to see the show. If you've followed OpenLetter2NYC since it's early days, you'll know that I saw Daniel in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying twice because I absolutely loved his performance. The Cripple of Inishmaan is nothing like How to Succeed, but if there's a chance to see DanRad onstage, I will be there.

This play takes place in rural Ireland in the early 20th Century. Daniel is Billy, a young man born a cripple who lives with his two aunts. When the town gossip Johnnypateen tells Billy that a film is being cast on a nearby island, Billy joins his neighbors in traveling to the set in an attempt to be cast in the film. In order to not spoil the plot, I'll end my summary of the show there, but know that this play is a great, dark comedy that will make you laugh and touch your heart as well.

The Cripple of Inishmaan has an unpublicized, general rush policy with tickets at $37 each. My friend graciously waited in line at the theatre for us, and we scored front row seats! I happened to be sitting in seat 102, which meant that Daniel sat directly in front of me for much of the show. It was great! I recommend getting to the theatre by at least 7:00am on show day if you want a chance at the front row. It is definitely worth the wait! Be aware that the stage at this play is quite high, so you will have to crane your neck a bit, and you might miss out on some of the action. I love being up close and personal with the actors, so I don't mind the somewhat-partial view. Note: if you don't want to get any raw egg on you, the front row is not the place for you!

As you may have imagined, the Stage Door experience was absolutely crazy. The barricades were completely filled up by the time we made it out the doors of the theatre, but I was still able to snap a couple photos of Daniel as he signed Playbills and took selfies with those at the front of the barricades. Yes – the man took selfies. By the time my friend and I fought our way to the front, Daniel signed one more autograph and got into his patiently waiting car. I may or may not have screamed "NO!!" when he got in the car..... alright, I was disappointed. But hey, at least I live in NYC and can head to the theatre again before the show closes. For those of you wondering, third time is not always the charm!

While I'm not usually a huge fan of plays (musicals are just my thing), The Cripple of Inishmaan was a wonderful Broadway experience! The entire cast puts on an amazing performance, and it really is an honor to see Daniel Radcliffe in person. In addition to the general rush policy, The Cripple of Inishmaan is offering $27 tickets as well in order to give more people the opportunity to see a Broadway show. All details can be found on the show's official website HERE. The Cripple of Inishmaan is playing at the Cort Theatre until July 20, 2014.

P.S. I'll be back for my selfie, DanRad. I'll be back!

Broadway | If/Then with Idina Menzel

This past weekend I had the opportunity to see the new Broadway musical If/Then starring Idina Menzel. My friend and I entered the lottery, and though we lost out for $30 tickets we were able to get $50 seats in the front mezzanine. I knew nothing about the show, but thought anything with Idina and fellow RENT alum Anthony Rapp would be amazing. Luckily, I was quite right.

If/Then is truly a new musical. Idina is our protagonist, Elizabeth, and the show follows her life as she moves back to New York after leaving her first marriage. Elizabeth meets up with two friends, Lucas and Kate, who each invite her to join them on separate adventures. Instead of choosing just one path, If/Then shows Elizabeth's life from two points of view – we get Beth, who chooses to join Lucas at his protest, and Liz, who decides to hang out with Kate. The musical evolves into these two story lines, and the audience gets to see how each choice in Elizabeth's life, whether seemingly big or small, plays an important role in her destiny.

If you're confused by my If/Then summary, that's okay. I was definitely confused when the show first started, but slowly began to see the separate lives that Beth and Liz lead. While the show is certainly funny at parts, be aware that If/Then deals with serious topics (I highly recommend you bring tissues). The story is absolutely beautiful, and I say it is truly a new musical because it represents our society as it is today. The choices that Elizabeth must make, and the people she interacts with, are the people of 21st century America. For example, this is the first Broadway show I've seen that portrays homosexual couples as normal, everyday people, and not as over-the-top drag queens (not to bash those that do – you all know I loved Priscilla). I'm very impressed with If/Then being able to change the status quo of Broadway while using familiar Broadway faces to get the message across.

My Stage Door experience for If/Then was unfortunately a bit of a downer. Despite the beautiful weather we'd been experiencing, it was pouring rain when we exited the theatre. Many thanks to Anthony, James, and Jason, who still signed our Playbills in the rain. I know Idina does come out to sign autographs at the show, but we weren't so lucky. As with any Stage Door experience, hope for good weather!

Overall, if you're in New York, then you should see If/Then. The cast is brilliant, and it was such a privilege to hear Idina sing live. Keep in mind that this show is recommended for ages 12 and up, as it deals with some adult themes and the F-word makes several appearances. More information about the ticket lottery and If/Then can be found on the show's official website HERE. It is currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Pre-order the Original Broadway Case Recording on Amazon HERE.

I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the products I talk about easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Broadway | Bronx Bombers

It's rare that I see a play on Broadway (though if you're a new OpenLetter2NYC reader you may have been deceived by my recent No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot post). Nonetheless, I had the opportunity to catch the show Bronx Bombers yesterday, and wanted to share my thoughts as soon as I could since it's closing this Sunday, March 2nd. If you're able to read this post before the show is closed, I hope you find it helpful!

Bronx Bombers is a play all about the New York Yankees. A mix between reality and fiction, the story centers around Yogi Berra and journeys through the Yankees organization from the days of Lou Gehrig to those of Derek Jeter. Peter Scolari plays Berra, and is joined with a great cast of other actors including his real life and onstage wife, Tracy Shayne. If you are a Yankees fan, baseball fan, or simply a fan of the theater, I think you would have a great time at this show! It's funny, touching, and a solid play.

I did enjoy my Bronx Bombers experience, though I can understand why the show has had such a short Broadway run since opening on February 6th of this year. The story is a bit confusing. Maybe it's because I'm not a native New Yorker and thus not well-versed with all things Yankees, but I felt a bit lost at times despite the great acting. I think the show also struggled because the diehard Yankees fans that would enjoy the show aren't usually the first to head to a Broadway play. I will mention that the audience was an interesting conglomerate of retirees and teenagers, but perhaps that's the normal Wednesday matinee crowd.

If you have the chance to catch Bronx Bombers this weekend, I would recommend doing so, especially if you're a Yankees fan. (I know I've repeated that already, but it's true!) The show is good, and I'm really glad I had the chance to see it. Bronx Bombers is playing at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where every seat is good, and you're never more than a few rows away from the action. For more information about the show, check out the Bronx Bombers official website HERE.

Broadway | Chicago

For whatever reason, I've never been too excited to see Chicago on Broadway. Maybe it's because the movie wasn't my favorite, or because it's one of those shows that will most likely be running until the end of time. That all ended this past weekend when I got the opportunity to sit in the third row and enjoy the action up close and personal. I'm so glad I finally saw this Broadway classic!

Most of you probably know a bit about Chicago already, but for those of you who don't, it's a musical set in the 1920s that tells the story of two murderesses both hoping to break out of jail and make it big as vaudeville dancers. Filled with big dance numbers, catchy show tunes, and scantily clad performers (leave the kids at home, folks), Chicago is lots of fun. I highly recommend it for NYC newbies who are looking to get the full "Broadway experience" for the first time. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my night at the Ambassador Theatre, but Chicago isn't the best Broadway show I've seen. It has that razzle dazzle (see what I did there), but there's just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on. I will say that Bianca Marroquin, currently starring as Roxie Hart, is phenomenal. She is truly hilarious, and has a great interaction with the audience. The rest of the cast, including Bebe Neuwirth, is wonderful as well. Like I said, Chicago is a great Broadway experience, but now that I've seen it, I can cross it off my Broadway bucket list. 

I have no stage door tips for you this time, as it was just too snowy and cold the evening I attended. The door, however, is conveniently located just to the left of the main entrance to the Ambassador, which is definitely on the small side of all the Broadway theaters I've been to (with the exception of the Helen Hayes, where Rock of Ages plays). 

Chicago does have general rush at $37 per ticket, but this time around I actually stood in line for TKTS. You'll definitely get a better deal if you're up to the rush line, but I can't shed any light on where your seats will be located. I loved my third row seats! Any time I can hear the actors singing without the aid of microphones I get really excited! 

Overall, Chicago is a staple Broadway experience, and I recommend everyone see it even if you didn't enjoy the movie. You can get more information on the show's official website HERE.  

Broadway | No Man's Land & Waiting for Godot

It was back to Broadway for me this past weekend when I finally saw my first shows of 2014! My friend was in town, and we made plans to rush No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot at the Cort Theatre to see none other than Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart on stage. Our rush experience was interesting – read all about it HERE – but we were able to snag front row seats to both shows. Was it worth the three hour wait in the cold? You bet! 

It might be helpful to explain a bit about how this Broadway experience differs from other plays. Instead of performing the same show eight times a week, the cast is putting on "two plays in rep" and performing No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot four times each per week. Audience members can catch both shows in one day on Wednesdays and Saturdays by attending both the matinee and evening performances. So if you're in town for just the weekend, have no fear – you won't have to choose one play over the other! 

On Saturdays, No Man's Land is up first for the matinee, with Waiting for Godot on at night. Both plays are quite different, yet have parallel themes running throughout. They're mysterious, they're funny, and they make you think. The experience of seeing McKellen and Stewart perform together live is truly magical. Along with cast mates Billy Crudup and Shuler Hensley, they put on a performance that demonstrates the art of acting to the fullest. 

I won't say much about each show as I don't want to divulge much about the story lines, but I will say that you will leave the theatre entertained and wanting more. Being in the presence of such renowned actors is a privilege, and I will always cherish my memories of seeing these shows from the front row, just feet (sometimes inches!) away from McKellen and Stewart. 

If you're wondering about the Stage Door experience, here's the good news: the actors all graciously come out and will sign Playbills. McKellen will pose for a picture with you (and Stewart allows you to take photos of him). The bad news is the barricades get filled up quickly, and if you've rushed the show you may have to sacrifice an autograph for the front row. Unfortunately we missed out on Crudup's signature, but got autographs from the rest of the cast. 

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart signing Playbills

For more information on No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot, visit the official website HERE. The show is finishing its limited engagement on March 30, 2014.

Lesson 8: The Rules of Broadway Rush in the Winter

Until yesterday, I considered myself a Broadway rush expert. I've rushed several shows, and was only unsuccessful once.... for Once, coincidentally. I know what research to do regarding when to show up at the theater, how many tickets the show has available, and even where the seats are located. But all of my rush experiences differed in one significant way – I had never rushed a show in the winter.

The goal: get rush tickets for both No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot. Thanks to the helpful broadwayspotted.com, I knew that 7:00am was the time I needed to be in line. My friend and I woke up bright and early on a Saturday morning, and headed to the Cort Theatre. We arrived with a few minutes to spare before seven, and ended up fourth and fifth in line respectively. After just minutes had gone by, I knew my boots, scarf, hat, earmuffs, and gloves would not cut it. Plainly put, it was freezing. Literally.

I made an emergency trip to Walgreens, grabbed some hand warmers and blankets, and that helped. A bit. But I learned my lesson big time – there is no messing with Mother Nature when it comes to waiting in line for three hours in an NYC winter. So if you're heading to the box office this season, here are the things I recommend bringing along with you for the wait.

Hand Warmers

HotHands Value Pack of 10 [BUY]

My biggest recommendation is to pick up some hand warmers. Not only are they super affordable at around $1 each, but they last for several hours and will really keep your fingers feeling toasty. Hand warmers are perfect for waiting in the rush line, and double up at the stage door after the show. Yes, they'll still be warm!

Sleeping Bag / Warm Blankets

Coleman Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag [BUY]

Some of my line-mates were smart, and brought a sleeping bag along with them. I definitely had a "why didn't I think of that?" moment when I saw them. The sleeping bag will provide you with something to sit on, and something to keep you warm. If you don't own a sleeping bag, definitely take a fleece blanket. When you're standing/sitting for a great deal of time, you'll feel much comfier with something to wrap around you.

Wool Socks

Wigwam El Pine Socks [BUY]

Make sure to keep your feet warm! I was actually starting to get nervous about frostbite since my feet were truly feeling that cold. Wear wool socks, and warm snow boots if you have them. Don't take your chances in the freezing cold! 

Water / Snacks

Camelbak Eddy Bottle [BUY]

It's extremely important to stay hydrated in the winter. Your skin will be depleted of moisture while you're out in the frigid temperatures, so keep water with you, as well as some snacks. If you have a buddy with you like I did, take turns heading to Starbucks for a warm beverage, as well as some time in a heated location.

Tissues

Kleenex Pocket Packs [BUY]

Even if you aren't feeling sick, pack some tissues! I'm really glad I had a pocket pack in my purse. I ended up really needing them. The wind did not like my nose!

Entertainment

Kindle Paperwhite [BUY]

Let's face it. You won't always have a friend rushing with you, so grab a book, your eReader, or your iPod to keep you company. The hours can go slowly if you're just standing there! Of course, don't forget to be friendly to those standing in line with you as well – you'll probably be sitting next to them at the show!

Hat, Gloves, Scarf....

Isotoner Smartouch Gloves [BUY]

Last but not least, don't forget your gloves, a hat, and a scarf at the bare minimum. Make sure to bundle up. Wear long underwear if you have to! Seriously, you don't want your day to start off miserably. You'll have a great time no matter what Broadway show you see, but make your rush experience a fun part of your day as well.

Lesson 8: You can score amazing deals on Broadway shows by waiting in line for rush tickets, but make sure to dress the part in the winter to stay warm and comfortable.

Do you have any additional tips for rushing Broadway in the winter? Leave them in the comments! Stay tuned for my thoughts on No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Broadway | Soul Doctor

While Broadway is known for its huge productions and large theatres, sometimes it's nice to experience something a little bit different. I'd never attended a show at the Circle in the Square Theatre until today, when I caught a Sunday matinee of Soul Doctor. I had no idea what I was in for, but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless. And let me assure you, I was one of the youngest and least Jewish audience members.

Unbeknownst to me when I sat down to enjoy the show, Soul Doctor is a musical based off real life rabbi, Schlomo Carlebach. The show follows Schlomo from Vienna, to New York, and around the world as he discovers how to live through music as an Orthodox Jew, and tries not to disgrace his family in the process.  Audience members will travel through time from World War II through to the 1960s, and meet a diverse cast of characters along the way. 

Thanks to the small venue of Circle in the Square, there truly is no bad seat in the house. The farthest away that you can be is twenty rows from the stage, and the seating is in the form of a U instead of the typical theatre set-up. This format allows the audience to really connect with the cast, and allows the performers to dance down the aisles during many parts of the show. If you love to feel like a part of the show, Soul Doctor is perfect for you! 

As I mentioned before, I did not fit the average Soul Doctor audience member. Most of my seatmates were older, and I'm pretty sure the majority was Jewish as well. But if you fit neither of those descriptions, that doesn't mean you won't enjoy the show! I really liked the music, and the vocals were incredible. Plus, Soul Doctor does a great job of telling an emotional story while still being a feel-good show. Definitely join the Rockstar Rabbi, and I'm sure you won't regret it. 

For more information visit Soul Doctor's official website. General rush is available for this show.

Broadway | Let it Be

I can never say no to a Beatles show on Broadway. A couple years back, I saw Rain and loved it. When I had the opportunity to see Let It Be recently, I jumped at the chance. My friend Gina and I ended up with great seats in the mezzanine of the St. James Theatre, and we thoroughly enjoyed our Monday night Beatles concert! If you love the Beatles, this show is a must for you.

There's honestly not too much I can say about Let It Be. You will literally spend the entire show seeing an amazing concert of all Beatles music. The four guys who play the British lads are fantastic, and interact really well with the audience. Speaking of the audience, Let It Be is a show for everyone, though let's be honest, the crowd is mostly 50+. But hey, Beatles music is captivating for all ages, and you're sure to have a good time. The show features some of the most well-known Beatles songs, and tells the story of the band from beginning to end. I highly recommend this show! There's just nothing bad I can say about it. 

For more information, visit the official Let It Be website HERE.

Broadway | Annie

Welcome to the new home of OpenLetter2NYC! With my old blogging platform calling it quits, I've transferred my content and set up shop with a goal of bringing you more NYC on a regular basis. Make sure to head on over to my new Facebook Page as well!

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During New York's intense heat wave my friend Casey was in town. We had tickets for the amazing Justin Timberlake and Jay Z concert at Yankee Stadium, but in order to beat the heat during the day we decided to catch a show. At the last minute, we headed to Times Square in hopes of seeing Annie. It was already past 1:00pm when we got there, and the show was to start at 2:00. The line for the TKTS booth was ridiculously long, and let's be real, there was no way I was going to stand outside in the heat. I grabbed Casey, headed into the Palace Theatre lobby, and snagged us tickets to the matinee for $59. Regular price? $118. In other words, we got the same exact discount as everyone wasting away in line at TKTS just by heading directly to the box office. Lesson of the day for all you Broadway-bound tourists: skip the TKTS booth and just go the box office. They're selling the same seats for the same price, and even if the tickets end up a bit more expensive, at least you won't have to wait in line!

As for the show, Annie was great! I've always been a huge fan of the movie. In fact, my mom actually put limits on how often I could watch it when I was younger. Unfortunately, we did miss seeing Jane Lynch as Miss Hannigan (her short stint ended earlier in July), but overall the show was everything I could have wanted. Our $59 seats were smack dab in the center of the mezzanine, so we could see all of the action quite clearly. Plus, I just loved singing all the songs in my head while the girls were belting them on stage. Annie is such a feel-good musical, and it was the perfect choice for a hot, Saturday afternoon.

I definitely recommend Annie, especially for fans of the movie. Keep in mind it is a family show -- the theatre was crawling with little girls (see what I did there?). Granted, we did go to a matinee, so head to an evening show for a more grown-up crowd. While it may not be the show to see on Broadway, it's an uplifting production that reminds you the sun will come out tomorrow. 

For more information, check out the official Annie website HERE. 

Broadway | Newsies

I only lasted a few days back in NYC before heading to a Broadway show! I don’t plan on going every weekend like I did during my internship. One, I will have a much heavier workload, but I also need to be more frugal this time around. Last time I didn’t know if I would ever be returning to NYC, so I lived more in the moment. Now that I’ll be here for the long haul, I have to be more practical with my spending. But since this was my first weekend back and I’m stuck at home without any Internet or cable, I decided to treat myself. After a quick search on one of my favorite websites BradwayInformer.com using the Internet at gold old McDonalds, I decided that this was the day I would win the Newsies lottery! Boo. I didn’t win. Luckily, Newsies is one of the most popular shows on Broadway right now and has sell-out performances. That means they offer Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets for just $30. Yes, that is what it sounds like. With SRO tickets you must stand for the entire performance. At first I was pretty bummed, but it actually wasn’t all that bad. I got to stand right behind the orchestra seats that people pay a ton of money for. There was even a half wall with numbered areas. That means I got my own little space to lean on. This comes in handy for certain parts of the show. Even though I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be in SRO seats (or stands? Bad, I know), I was super excited to be seeing Newsies. I adore the movie, and I even went through this phase in high school where I listened to the soundtrack on repeat. I had heard from multiple friends that Newsies was amazing, and it definitely is! Of course, there are a few key differences between the show and the film, but I really didn’t mind them. The rewrite worked perfectly, and I enjoyed the new characters. I don’t want to say too much and ruin anything, but the news writer in this version is a young woman! Makes for some interesting twists and turns. All in all I thought Newsies was fabulous! The music is so catchy, the dancing is phenomenal (including a tap number!), and the cast is just awesome. The young men that perform in this show do an amazing job. You can tell they are having a great time as performers. They are full of smiles, and that just made me as an audience member have an even better time. There were a few spots that I found to be a bit slow, but they picked up again soon enough. My one complaint with SRO was that there were points in the show where I couldn’t see all of the action. The Newsies set is comprised of moving staircases, and when actors are on the top level, their heads get chopped off from view some of the time. If you’re lucky, you may be able to lean down on the ledge in front of you to get a better view. Being short like me really came in handy! At the end of the show I did go to the stage door to get autographs from the cast. You will want to exit the theater as soon as possible, as the barricades get filled up quickly. Just follow the exit signs that light up after the show. This stage door was very organized, and the actors came out rather quickly. I do have to say that part of it may be that these actors do not have to take off crazy costumes or makeup. Whatever the case may be, guys started coming out after about ten minutes, including the three lead males: Jack, Davey, & Les. None of the “older” actors or the lead female Katherine came out, but I was happy enough with the guys. They were all very gracious and posed for photos with anyone who asked. No need to bring your own Sharpie this time, as everyone had his own. I definitely suggest seeing Newsies! To enter the lottery, go to the theatre two and a half hours before the performance. Names are drawn a half hour after that, and tickets are $30 cash only and with a valid photo ID. SRO tickets are also $30 cash only. Look for the small sign that reads “Standing Room Line Forms Here.” You can enter the lottery while you are standing in line. The staff is very helpful and will repeat things if you cannot hear them from the line. Currently the show offers 28 lottery seats and 24 SRO tickets if the show is sold out. I can’t verify if this is true, but other Newsies fans that were standing in line with me told me SRO is actually a better view than lottery seats, which were on the outer edges of the orchestra. Truth be told, standing wasn’t bad at all and the view was better than many rush/lottery seats I’ve had. For $30, I am not complaining! Make sure to head over to the Nederlander Theatre to catch Newsies when you can!

My Return to the City!

I have exciting news! I will be attending law school beginning this coming August, and thus moving back to New York City! I am absolutely overjoyed to be returning to Manhattan, especially since I will be living downtown and won't have to commute to and from the Bronx. But have no fear, Full Moon, I will definitely be returning to the old neighborhood for some pizza! 

Law school, of course, will not permit me to see Broadway shows every weekend, but I am still looking forward to finding great little restaurants, going shopping (when I have the money), and exploring the best city in the world! I hope you will all continue to read my blog as I depart for this next adventure in NYC.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding my move to NYC! 

Broadway | Priscila Queen of the Desert

During my stay in New York City last spring, I attended a CD signing for the soundtrack release of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. (Learn more about that event HERE). Ever since then I've been dying to see the show. While walking through Times Square with my friend Lisa last weekend, I saw the Palace Theatre and had a great idea. It was about 5 minutes of 6:00PM on a Friday night, and if any of you are big broadway fans you know that means we had literally 5 minutes to enter the lottery at Priscilla. Lisa and I entered our names and about 20 minutes later we were holding in our hands front row tickets to see one of the biggest shows currently playing on broadway. We couldn't believe our luck! Not only had Lisa never been to a broadway show before, but this was the first time she had ever entered a lottery. We were definitely meant to have those tickets!

As 8:00PM rolled around, Lisa and I sat anxiously in our seats with our newly purchased pink boas. When the lights went down, the magic of Priscilla began. The story revolves around three drag queens that take a road trip from Sydney, Australia to Alice Springs so that Tick, played by Will Swenson, can meet his son for the first time. Their journey west is sometimes rough-- their bus breaks down, they get lost, and they're even tormented for being gay. Yet the serious moments of the show only compliment the rest of the lively and upbeat music and dancing. If you enjoy disco and eighties music, this show is for you! From Girls Just Want to Have Fun to Like a Prayer, you will definitely be dancing in your seat. I know we were!

Priscilla also features some amazing costumes. They're brightly colored and change throughout the entire show! I would love to have the Barbie jacket that Nick Adams wears. And speaking of Nick Adams, the cast of this production is one of the most talented I've seen. Tony Sheldon, Will, and Nick are such a wonderful team. It also doesn't help that all of the boys in the cast are extremely good looking. If you're not drooling simply by looking at Mr. Adams, there are plenty of other lovelies for you to stare at! By the end of Priscilla, our cheeks hurt from smiling so much, our voices were sore from cheering, and our hands a bit tired from clapping so hard. What was left for us to do besides run to the stage door?!

For those of you that haven't been to this theater before, the stage door is located to your right once you exit from the left side of the theater. Barricades will be set up. This was definitely the best organized stage door I've ever experienced! The security people had a bag of black sharpies for the stars of the show so you don't have to worry about bringing one. Also, the performers were out the door signing and taking pictures within 10-15 minutes! I would say that Iusually have to wait a half-hour before anyone comes out. Considering all of the make-up and fancy costumes this cast is getting out of, I was really surprised when they came out so soon. 

 

All of the stars were so nice and gracious. Tony Sheldon told me he liked my sparkly pink nail polish, one of the chorus boys asked us how the lottery seats were, and one of the divas, Ellyn Marsh, even recognized us from the front row! Apparently our big smiles and wide eyes let the actors know how much fun we were having. Of course, I had to snap a photo with the gorgeous Nick Adams and a few of the other performers. They were all so great both onstage and off!

If you're looking for a fun broadway show to go to, make sure to get tickets to Priscilla! The lottery begins 2.5 hours before each performance, and they stop taking names 2 hours before, as that's when the lottery takes place. You must have $40 cash only for each ticket. Although the seats are partial view, I would not have traded my front row ticket for anything! The amount of action you miss is minimal, and being up close is always exciting. Besides, the closer you sit the more likely it is that you'll catch a ping pong ball! Believe me, you do not want to miss Priscilla Queen of the Desert!

Missing NYC Life

I can't believe that I've already been home for a month! There are definitely a lot of things I miss about NYC, but it is great to be with my family again. I also started working, which is such a relief considering NYC drained my bank account an unbelievable amount. As soon as I can, I want to visit the city, though. Here are the top five things I'm missing the most.

1. Broadway shows: I loved waking up on the weekends and traveling into the city to stand in line for rush tickets. I was so fortunate to see a number of amazing performances during my semester in NYC. Now I feel like I am missing out on them! There are so many that I haven't seen, and I don't know when the next time I'll be able to see another. Hopefully very soon!
2. Public transportation: Sure, busses and subways are not glamorous, but you can get anywhere you want to go just by swiping your Metro Card. During the hour commute from the Bronx to the city, I had plenty of time to read. Even though it is the summer and I have a lot of free time, I don't take time out of my day to read as often as I should. The subway was the perfect opportunity to relax with a book.
3. Arthur Avenue: More often than I should have I found myself buying pizza at Full Moon just two blocks from our house. Other times I ended up at the smoothie shop. Only once in a while did I end up in a bakery. No matter what treat I was enjoying, all I had to do was stroll down the street and the best foods were available to me. Believe it or not, I haven't had any pizza since I've moved back home. Ordering take-out requires more effort than walking down the street!
4. Random moments of awesomeness: One never knows what's going to happen in New York City. While walking down the street, riding the subway, or even just surfing the internet for NYC events, the unexpected will happen. During my first week, Mary and I ended up on an MTV show. While shopping in Macy's with friends we spotted Clinton Kelly. I even rode in an elevator with fashion designer Christian Siriano! These little moments are exciting enough to brighten up a day and make for great stories. In the city that never sleeps, there is always something out of the ordinary going on!
5. Forever XXI: I know, I know. I can shop at Forever XXI pretty much anywhere in the country, but in NYC the stores are bigger, better, and EVERYWHERE! Times Square? Check. 34th Street? Check. Fifth Avenue? Check. Union Square? Check. You get the picture! I would go after work and on the weekends to score cute clothes at reasonable prices. I could literally spend over an hour in the Times Square location. Even with all of the unique clothing shops in the city, I somehow always ended up at Forever. 

Stay tuned for more entries! 

Broadway | Twice as Nice [Wonderland & How to Succeed, Part II]

While there are currently a great number of broadway shows to choose from, during my last full week in New York City I decided to see two of my favorites a second time-- Wonderland and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I honestly didn't think I would see Wonderland again while I was here, but when I heard that it was closing I knew I just had to see it one last time. I tried for the lottery on Thursday evening, and I won! For $30 I was sitting second row center. During the entire show I was sitting there having a wonderful time, but I was also so disappointed. How could this great show be closing?! It is filled with catchy songs, great choreography, fun costumes, and some of the most talented actors on broadway. It's a true shame Wonderland won't entertain any more audiences. 

Not only was I lucky to win the lottery that night, but after the performance Janet Dacal (Alice) and Darren Ritchie (Jack) held a talkback session to answer questions from audience members. For those of you that haven't seen the show, Ritchie's character in Wonderland is the lead singer of the "boy band" The White Knightz. Their main number "One Knight" was definitely my favorite part of the show. It's an amazing song, but it's supposed to be funny, and I die of laughter watching these guys. Click here to watch their "music video." 

Anyway, at the talkback session, an audience member asked Darren if he tries to act like any certain boy band member in particular. His answer? "Football player Justin Timberlake." I have no words! To view the entire talkback, check out the YouTube Video:

On Saturday, I woke up bright and early to head over to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre to stand in the rush ticket line for How to Succeed. I got there two hours early, and got a great spot in line (about the 16th person or so). I politely asked the lady at the box office if I could sit on the right side of the orchestra, and she searched to get me the best seat there. My motives? I just HAD to get  a decent spot at the stage door! Last time I was seated on the left side of the orchestra and I nearly got trampled just walking out of the theater. I was going to leave as soon as the curtain call started, but didn't want to be rude and push the other girls sitting next to me out of the way. Instead I waited patiently, and as soon as the doors opened, booked it out of there. I got a good spot in the second row with enough room to stick my Playbill out to be signed. The problem? Daniel didn't come out! Apparently he doesn't come out at matinee performances. Understandable, since he has another show to do in a few hours, but I was still disappointed.

Even though Dan didn't come out I was still hoping to get some other autographs, but it seems the other actors have grown accustomed to just walking through the crowds as fast as they can. The smiled and waved, and kept right on going. I knew Christopher Hanke who plays Bud Frump sometimes signs, but he didn't even come out! Alas, I saw another great performance, but have another naked playbill. Hopefully my friends and I will be able to road trip it to NYC this summer so I can see the show again. 

Broadway | The Lion King

As many broadway fans know, getting tickets to see The Lion King at an affordable price is nearly impossible. Thankfully, my internship program gets the opportunity to do one "cultural" event during our semester, and we talked our residence director into bringing us to see the show. The Lion King is definitely what I would call "broadway royalty." The show has been playing forever, and since it's a product of Disney, you know it's going to be a lavish production. I was blown away by the intricate costumes and beautiful set. They were definitely the best I have seen so far. What I found shocking, however, was that I wasn't truly amazed by the performers.

During the first act, I felt a little disappointed. Many of the actors including Scar, Timon, and Pumba, had speaking voices that perfectly matched their respectable characters from the film version of The Lion King. The vocals, however, were certainly not broadway material. Likewise, I wished Young Simba and Young Nala had stronger singing voices as well. Sure, they're just kids, but a lot of broadway kids have amazing voices (think Carly Rose Sonenclar from Wonderland). I was much happier during the second act when Simba and Nala came out with great voices. 

All in all, I'm glad I got to see The Lion King without spending any of my own money! We were seated in the back of the center orchestra, and our tickets were $142! Outrageous! If you can afford to drop that much (and more) on a ticket, you won't be disappointed. Of course, this show is great for families with children of any age.

Can't afford tickets? Hakuna Matata! There are plenty of other shows that offer discounts at TKTS and have rush policies. Make sure to check out my other blog entries for more information. You can also view a great blog called Broadway Informer for more in depth info.