When I saw Hello Dolly. . . .

If someone told me "That production of Hello Dolly was the last Broadway show you will ever see again" I would be perfectly fine with what I have seen in my past, and having this be my last Broadway show.

When I received my Hello Dolly Tickets for Christmas I was shocked. In my family, you know when the gift is special because people pull out cameras. I hadn't really asked for anything big for Christmas, In fact I don't think I asked for anything. I wasn't really expecting a camera worthy gift. My family shocked me with 2 tickets.

I try not to be the type of person that only wants to see one performer in a show. Of course I wanted to see Josh Groban perform in "Great Comet", but if I had seen Dave Malloy, or any of the other people that would have played Pierre, I would have been happy. Yes, when we saw Come From Away I wanted to see Jenn Colella, but I had other reasons for that. Normally, I look forward to seeing anyone in a production, I am there to see the entire production, rarely am I there to see one person.

Early in my theatre going experience I saw an understudy that was amazing. When we went to see Rent, Anthony Rapp actually didn't go on. We had all slept out overnight for our tickets and he came to those of us on the evening line and said that he wouldn't be able to perform that night. I saw Giles Chaisson perform Mark. He was absolutely wonderful. Many years later I met Giles through my current job. I told him that I saw him go on for Mark. He only went on 2 or 3 times. It made an impact.

So, let's start talking about Bernadette, that's really why you are here right?

When I learned that Hello Dolly was being revived in 2017 I was thrilled. I love Hello Dolly. How can you listen to it and not be filled with joy. I dare you to listen to "Put on your Sunday Clothes" and not smile. I dare you to listen to "elegance" and not start walking to the beat. Go Ahead, just do it.... I'll wait. You did both right? I knew it. One day last year my coworker and I were both just having a rough day. We had both had a bunch of "stuff" happen. He said "I'm in a mood, I'm listening to Dolly." It worked, just listen to Dolly.

When I heard Better Midler was going into the role I thought that is incredible. Then, I found out Bernadette would be taking over the role when Bette left the show. I think I cried. I think I cried real tears. Bernadette is one of those performers that I adore. I remember watching Annie as a little kid sitting in my grandmother's station wagon in my brand new baby doll pajamas at the Drive in movie. Yes, I liked watchng the villains (Until that whole train bridge thing, that freaked me out).

I've seen Bernadette in concert, I've listened to soundtracks, I've watched the videos of Sunday in the park more times than I can count. Seeing her play Dolly, this is something I could not have imagined I would get to do.

I chose to take my aunt Christine with me to see the show. I know she loves the show, I also haven't been able to enjoy a show with her in years. I also think she was the one that orchestrated that trip to the drive in. It seemed appropriate.


We decided to only head in for one show that night. We took in a nice dinner and then headed over to the theatre. Of course it was raining, but no big. I got our tickets from the Today Tix Concierge and we headed in.

Just seeing her name on the Marquis gave me chills. I had to mentally prepare myself in case she didn't go on for some reason (I know she is human, I know things happen, I know there are understudies, I know that understudies are wonderful.... But this would be me seeing my queen Bernadette)

Our seats were way up in the balcony (Note to people afraid of heights, don't sit in the balcony at the Shubert in New York) Chris and I are both balcony lovers, so we were fine. In fact, it was great to see the show from above. The only thing that you "miss" is some of the action on the far downstage apron that goes in front of the orchestra Pit. If this bothers you, don't sit there. If you don't care (like me) or if you know you will be seeing the show again (like me) you have nothing to worry about.)



The overture started and I got chills. First things first, I LOVE overtures. I have a playlist that is only overtures. I realize what they are for (To let people get to their seats and to tell people the show is starting). To me, it's like previews at the movie theatre, miss them and you missed something important. The overture for dolly does not disappoint. It is perfect, like everything for the next 2 hours and 40 minutes of your life.

I had the chance to see Carol Channing play dolly back in 1995. She was wonderful. She was funny, she was, and is, Dolly Levi. However, all I remember is her being funny. Maybe it's because I was only 18 and wasn't looking at everything about the character and the show. Dolly Levi is more than a comedic role. Bernadette brings so many layers to the performance and it is perfection. I was bought to teas not only because I was watching her, and couldn't believe my luck in life. I was brought to tears barbecue I truly saw who Dolly is and what she is looking for. She has many fiends, but she is truly lonely. She misses her love so much.

Now, I have only been gushing about her. Let us discuss everyone else and their perfection as well. I cannot end this ridiculously endless post (you're still with me and that is shocking) without mentioning Kate Baldwin. Her performance is wonderfully Sassy and fabulous and I completely understand her Tony nomination. Again, I saw a character that I had never noticed in the past. He portrayal of Irene Malloy is one to be studied. Gavin Creel..... Oh Gavin Creel. . . . I left the show remembering so much, but the line.


Even if I have to dig ditches for the rest of my life, I shall be a ditch-digger who once had a wonderful day.

His physical and comedic timing is amazing. His performance is absolutely flawless. Charlie Stemp is absolutely adorable and Molly Griggs is hilarious and wonderful. This cast is a true ensemble. From the principals to the chorus it is a seamlessly perfect production.

Now, of course you know that I cannot end this post without talking about the technical aspects. One of the things that made this production even more perfect was the costumes and set. A friend mentioned that this show brings back to the true golden age. Yes, they could have used many fancy technical tools to create the set, instead they used classic drops that looked absolutely beautiful.

This is a production that is not to be missed. If you aren't sure if you like Hello Dolly, see it anyway. This is musical theatre at it's best. The show is a truly joyful experience that everyone should see.

What I learned from Come from Away

Recently a post was put on Twitter "What has Come From Away" Taught you. This show has taught me so much. Seeing this production was overwhelming.

What have I learned?

1. Be Kinder than you need to be.

2 Where you are is where you are meant to be.

3 Tomorrow may not be promised, so enjoy each moment that you have where you are.

4 Live in the moment.

5 If you think about someone, tell them.

6 It's amazing what some spare bedding can mean to someone.

7 There can be too much toilet paper.

8 Don't forget about the animals.

9 Some places are better than Disneyland

10 it's over 20 ft to jump from the door of a plane.

11 Fish CAN be cooked with cheese

12 someone needs to clean the bathrooms

13 the moose will move when she's good and ready

14 Take lots of pictures

15 Always share your vodka

16 It's okay to steal someones grill

17. let the puppy sleep

18. Do not judge a person by their looks

19. Love more

20. sometimes, just go to the bar.

21. Newfoundland has it's own timezone

22. What Toutens are

23. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, you'll find your heart.

24. What an ugly stick is

25. Why rush tickets cost $38 (yeah, I should have figured that one out sooner)

26. That Come From Away fans are all wonderful

27. The Come From Away Cast is the kindest Cast on Broadway

28. That even before you visit Newfoundland the people are welcoming (I have been offered places to stay, places for dinner, and personal tours of Gander already)

29. If you knit for the Cast, they will wear your handknits (thank you Astrid)

30. I learned who Beverly Bass is

31. I learned that Jenn Colella is just wonderful, and why a wonderful friend admired her so much.

32. The CFA Cast will help You give back to others (thank you Petrina)

33. That trees will sprout leaves even after they are cut down.

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38. I have learned what I want to be when I grow up.




To say I'm a Fan is an understatement. To say that I love the show is the tip of the iceberg. To say that the show moved me brings me to tears.

Before I saw Come From Away (Because it needs come context)

During that "week of Shows" in June I saw Come From Away. I want to give you a bit of background on me before I saw this show, and what lead up to it, so that you understand why so much of what I say about the show is so emotionally driven.

How did I hear about Come From Away

I follow a number of blogs and one of them is OnStage. I enjoy the opinions of others, and blogging is a great place for that. Well, April of 2016 I read this As I read the article now, I realize that I probably should not have been as angry about it as I was in April of 2016. But when I read this, I was angry.

I was not in New York on 9/11. I was in North Carolina. I had never felt so alone in my life, and yet I was embraced by the people that were around me at the time. All of us were away from home, we were nomads working a summer Shakespeare Festival. I had also never heard this story of Gander. I was intrigued.

In April of 2016 when I read this article I was angry. I was angry because I have heard so many people say "you weren't in New York, so you did not experience 9/11" I will NEVER diminish what it must have been like that day in New York. I will never even try and imagine it.

Okay, so we have established..... the blog post made me angry. So, as soon as I read that post I wanted to know more. I read up on the show, I saw where it was, how it was doing. I found out more about Gander, and I made plans to see this show early. I was actually planning to see it during previews on Presidents Day weekend. My friend and coworker, a fellow theatre junkie like myself, decided to make a weekend of it. We had been trying to do this for years and never had. She knew someone in the show, I wanted to see it, and we had a long weekend. So, we decided we would see it.

Why Previews didn't happen

President's Day Weekend previews did not happen. Not only because plans fell through, but because I lost that Friend on January 16th. The day that we should have been sitting in the Schoenfeld, I was watching her memorial service via a facebook live feed.

But here is the thing, in the sadness and loss, I had actually forgotten about us making those plans. I forgot until I was actually in New York. I was working out of our New York office. I had been listening to the soundtrack, and of course to Jenn Colella. For some reason, the name started to ring a bell. I looked at her bio and I saw that Jenn had been in Chaplin. Cristin LOVED Chaplin. She's actually possibly the only person that I know that saw Chaplin.

I spoke with a coworker about this, and we found this picture on Cristin's Facebook:

Immediately so many things came back to me. How much Cristin admired Jenn. How she had worked with her on a show at the York Theatre, how she had gone to see so many of her shows. I hate that I couldn't see this with Cristin.

I made a couple of decisions there and then.
1. If there is a performer that I know Cristin admired, not only will I find a way to see their shows, I will be sure to thank them for bringing so much joy to her life.
2. If there is a performance that touches me, I will make sure that the performer receives a note as to how much their performance touched me.

So, that's my BCFA post. I hope that when you read my post about my reactions to the show, this will make sense.

Oh yeah, see come from away! you won't regret it.

So Much Theatre, Decent amount of knitting

The past month or so I have seen SO MUCH theatre. It's sort of unreal.

I have seen

Hamilton
Come From Away
Indecent
Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Falsettos
Angels in America
and
Beauty and the Beast.

it's also not over because I'm planning to see High Fidelity this weekend.

I've had so many thoughts about all of these shows, and I will tell you about all of them. I promise.

I will also tell you that there WILL be spoilers. So, if you don't want to know about a show, don't read the post. I will try not to give away too much, but some things I just can't censor. Yes, I will also tell you what I know while I was at the theatre, because there was a LOT of knitting at the theatre.

A lot is happening, and by the time these posts are over, I hope to be able to share more with you. For now know that I will be sharing lots of thoughts. Lots and lots of thoughts.

I'll try and post one show a week so as to not bombard you... But I'll share some pictures so that you can get a sneak peek!!

One thing that I will say is that all of the shows are equally brilliant. If you ask be for a favorite, I won't be able to choose. To compare any of them would be like picking which child is the favorite. I think that is what makes theatre experiences so incredible. Each one is unique. Each one involves so much, each one is it's own moment.

Only pic for now, it properly combines knitting AND theatre. Yes, I made hats for the Cast of Come From Away

Two of the lovely cast members (Petrina Bromley and Astrid Van Wieren kindly modeled the hats ! They, along with the rest of this cast, should be given awards for being the Kindest Cast on broadway. But more on them later.