On a recent Saturday, wandering the streets of Manhattan required the coolest of clothes as nearly hundred degree temperatures mixed manically with heinous humidity. Add impossibly tall buildings surrounded by endless concrete and most humans wither quickly. Despite these weather-induced challenges, the three of us welcome a day together.
Still somewhat fatigued from the previous night's birthday celebration as well as a modicum of jet lag, we'd set our ambitious agenda and were determined to enjoy it fully. First, the rental car is sequestered in a Hertz lot at 64th and 2nd. Very handy, given that one of Caitlin's favorite restaurants is a mere 10 or so blocks away. We walk, talk, reminisce about Carol's party. I don't think we realized how warm it was until we reached our destination.
EJ's is famous for its breakfast menu. So many choices are offered that making a final decision is really difficult. An egg white omelet? Regular omelet with feta, spinach and tomatoes? Challah toast? You bet. Multiple glasses of iced tea. A burger for Henry. If we lived nearby, we'd eat here often.
Now we are more than 20 blocks away from the theater where we'll be seeing a matinee performance of "Once." We start walking in that direction but soon realize that time and temperature are conspiring against this endeavor. A taxi whisks us to the Times Square area and provides a few minutes of much appreciated cool bliss.
Once is a new production which garnered multiple Tony Awards this year. Based on the movie of the same name, it traces the true story of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and their musical collaboration in Dublin. Inside the theater, we are intrigued by the lack of a curtain as well as the functioning bar on stage. Audience members freely climb the steps, walk to the bar and order drinks. Soon a group of musicians appears, people move to the side of the stage, and the theater resonates with Irish sounds. Though we've seen countless plays, this one is definitely unique in its remarkable creativity.
With no disruption at all, the musical begins. We learn quickly that the on-stage musicians are actually members of the cast. The main characters mingle, speak their lines, play the guitar or piano, sing their songs.
There's an iconic scene from a famous television show in which Lou Grant (Ed Asner) says to Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), "You've got spunk." She smiles that toothy smile. Lou finishes his thought, "I hate spunk." Well, believe me, Lou's character would have hated Ivanka, the female lead in "Once." She is spirited, resolute, supportive, and above all, supremely talented. Maybe Mr. Grant would have actually embraced her after all.
Ivanka reminds us of our new friend, and fellow Czech countrywoman, Vladka. She, too, combines those characteristics attributed to the musically-minded Ivanka. Perhaps it's a Czech thing.
Our first-row mezzanine seats offer an excellent view of the stage. During intermission, the bar is open again and thirsty patrons mingle where cast members
stood moments earlier. We're more enchanted with the play and its presentation than Caitlin but she enjoys the experience nevertheless. Beginning when she was just six and we sat in stage seats at a performance of Cats, she's been a devoted Broadway fan. An important legacy in her life.
By 4:30, the play has ended but the teeming streets are not much more inviting.
We detour to TKTS and with no lines at all, walk away with two tickets for the evening's performance of Nice Work If You Can Get It. Yes, we overdose on Broadway whenever possible.
Off to New York Public Library, we connect with Caitlin's "bestie," Weatherly. Confirming their schedule for later in the day, there's just enough time for a taxi to the stored car, retrieval of her all-purpose traveling bag, and another taxi back to the vicinity of NYPL. Hugs and she's gone.
Deli sandwiches (the very best anywhere are found in New York) sustain us through the hot,crowded streets to our second play of the day. We're excited about seeing the ever-adorable Matthew Broderick and his leading lady, the supremely talented, Kelli O'Hara. With music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, we know we'll be exceedingly entertained. An added bonus is the opportunity to see Estelle Parsons, famous for her role in the classic film, Bonnie and Clyde, as Broderick's character's mother.
The story is....stupid. Quite common for a certain genre of musicals. We're unfazed and chuckle at many of the antics and inane dialogue. Matthew Broderick delivers his lines with polished comedic timing. His shock of black hair behaves independently, enhancing his considerable charm. Kelli O'Hara, tall and slim, belts out her songs and is remindful of a glamorized Ethel Merman. It's a loose, light play, laced with timeless music, written by the master, Mr. Gershwin.
We scoot out of the theater while the talented cast is still bowing. The staff at the Hertz garage goes home for the night very soon and we can't chance having our rental car unavailable for the trip back to our hotel. Yet another taxi transports us to 64th Street. The late night crew seems happy to see us and the congenial employee who drives our car to the exit offers to park it across the street while we scour for a midnight snack. Because we're in Manhattan, food is never far away and restaurants stay open until the wee hours.
Hale and Hearty looks appealing. Henry's traditional turkey/swiss/honey mustard/whole wheat is prepared quickly. I'm weak from coping with the heat and succumb to a rather unseemly-sized slice of chocolate cake. Select a second for my equally famished husband.
Supremely comfortable in our air-conditioned vehicle, the miles to White Plains pass easily. No longer one bit hot, I devour my cake reward when we're in our hotel room and sleep with musical notes accompanying my dreams.
I'm very jealous of your breakfast at E.J.'s, as well as spending the day at the theatre! The day was murderously hot, and you all are real troopers for surviving it with those walks.
ReplyDeleteThe heat was a small price to pay for fine company.
DeleteIndeed.
ReplyDelete