Last weekend I paid a quick, but wonderful, three-day visit to New York City. I flew in Saturday morning and flew out Monday afternoon. I stayed in midtown’s theater district near Times Square, but I ventured to a couple of other spots in Manhattan. I had the airport shuttle drop me off at the Empire State Building so I could finally admire the view from its observation deck. I also hoofed it to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to admire Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Both were incredible experiences.
I spent the majority of my time in the theater district though. I saw three spectacular shows: two Broadway musicals and one Off-Broadway musical. I’ve been wanting to see the revival of Little Shop of Horrors ever since it opened in 2019. After five years, it’s still running strong, and a wide variety of extremely talented actors have stepped into the roles of Audrey and Seymour. On my last visit to NYC in 2019, I saw Corbin Bleu in Kiss Me Kate, and he knocked me off my feet. I learned he planned to return to play Seymour, which he’d done before, this spring. Then I found out Jinkx Monsoon, who recently made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago, planned to play opposite Corbin as Seymour’s lady love, Audrey. That did it, so I got my ticket.
I’ve never had much interest in seeing Sweeney Todd live, but Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster are Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, so I had to see it. I saw Aaron in Boston, then again in NYC, back in 2018 and 2019 when he originated the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge. I’ve never seen Sutton live, but I desperately wanted to change that.
I decided to cap it off with a third and final show, Chicago. I’ve seen Chicago many, many times. It’s my favorite musical, so I was excited to see it on Broadway. Its current revival has been running for 27 years since opening in 1996. It was as good as ever and I was very happily surprised to learn Max von Essen currently stars as Billy Flynn while Max Clayton stars as Fred Casely.
Chicago was great. Roxie, Velma, Mama, Amos, Billy, and the entire cast was wonderful. Max Clayton as Fred and Michael Scirrotto of the ensemble, who played the jury, provided yummy eye candy. Sweeney Todd was great too. The production was top notch, Aaron still has the voice of an angel, and Sutton’s singing prowess is matched by her comedic prowess, which was highly entertaining.
Little Shop stole the show though. I sat in the second row and such close proximity to the cast is something I’ve never experienced. Corbin and Jinkx knocked it out of the park. James Carpinello as the dentist was over the top in the best way. Stephen DeRosa as Mr. Mushnik, plus Tiffany Renee Thompson as Crystal, Morgan Ashley Bryant as Ronette, and Khadija Sankoh as Chiffon, were icing on the cake. Since I attended on my own, I chatted up folks next to me. At intermission I strolled up the stairs to one of the ushers. I learned his name is Andrew, and he excitedly answered my questions about the show, and the theater, and provided thoughtful insights about its run. He’s there every night, the lucky SOB.
I’m still riding a high from my visit and can’t wait to head back. I 💖 NY!
Feed Me
Inspired by the incredible cast of Off-Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors
I’ve heard it said
Two days stand out
As most important
Days gone by.
The first being
The day we’re born,
And second, the day
We learn why.
I haven’t learned
For sure, just yet,
Why I was born
Onto this Earth.
But I know trapped
Inside of me
Are talents that give
My life worth.
A recent visit
To New York
Quite helped me fill
My fuel gauge.
My spirit soaked in
Nourishment
From magic that
Occurred on stage.
The actors bared
Their souls to all,
Leaving their hearts
On full display.
Their noble act
Renewed in me
My wish to live
My dreams each day.
