80 DAYS TO NEW YEARS! (#9)

It’s Show Time

It’s day three in New York and so far, so good. I couldn’t ask for better weather— it’s in the low 70’s and sunny, with blue skies.  If not for the air pollution, it would be perfect.

We left the hotel around 12:30 p.m. and turned left on 5th Avenue, walking in the direction of 124 West 43rd Street. There was plenty of time ahead of us. I made sure we took extra time—there is always something: a bathroom break, window shopping, coffee, etc. 

​If you’re not sure where I was heading to, the address above is where the Stephen Sondheim Theatre is located. This place opened in 1918 and named after the famous actor and producer Henry Miller. In 2010, it was renamed from Henry Miller’s Theatre to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in honor of the well-known composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim for his 80th birthday. ​

While New York City offers many famous sites, lots of attractions, remarkable museums, superb dining and memorable culture, it’s still the Broadway shows that are my favorite.  Whenever I visit New York, I go to see one Broadway show. This time I’m extremely fortunate, as I’ll be attending two Broadway shows during this five-day visit.
 
It is true that you don’t need to travel to New York to see a Broadway show, as some Broadway shows now travel around the country, bringing the theatre to a stage near you. In many cases, these musicals have been turned into movies where you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own sofa. Although these alternatives are often attractive and convenient, I, personally, prefer the original Broadway stage.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which I saw today, only reaffirmed my preference.  For me, there is nothing like seeing a show on the authentic Broadway stage. Maybe it’s walking down the overflowing sidewalks of Times Square— where the bright lights blind you and you can sense the anticipation hanging in the air— but there is something about the experience that just feels magical. 
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Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the story of the early life and career of well-known singer and songwriter Carole King. This bio-musical starts during the pinnacle of her career and then flashes back to her early days.  Sara Shepared’s performance, the actress who played Carole, left me speechless.  It wasn’t just the captivating narrative or the amazing music, but the raw emotion that she was able to portray as the show progressed. If some say that a picture is worth a thousand words, I would say that watching a Broadway show is worth a million words. 

Definitely add this musical to your bucket list.

Michelle