Thursday in NYC- Thoroughly Busy!

Woke up earlier than I have been.

Took the bus in to Manhattan- I'm getting so good at it!

Got off by the Metropolitan Museum of Art- went in and checked out the foyer (huge and amazing) and the store (huge and amazing).  There were so many books, jewelry, pieces of art that I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  So, I left and will definitely go back.  Actually, Lock and I are going to go there, and I'm also going to go and see the Costume Collection.

Walked through Central Park- I have never walked in this part of the park before and it is beautiful and amazing.  Gorgeous old trees, lots of walking and biking paths, playgrounds, softball fields, and lots of people waiting in line for......

 Shakespeare in the Park!  I sauntered into line at noon for the 1:00 ticket giveaway.  Ha ha ha!  I wasn't even close to getting a ticket or a voucher- BUT, I got to sit on the grass in Central Park with other like-minded people (apparently, people line up outside the park at 2:00 a.m. for tickets.  Um. No way Jose.) who spend their time:
1. Sleeping on blankets or cardboard
2. Reading
3. Playing video games
4. Eating
5. Talking to friends
6. Making friends with others in the line
Etc.

The tickets are for "Into the Woods" with DONNA MURPHY as the Witch.  Holy &(*&(*&*&^*(&(!!!!  I GOTTA find a way to get a ticket.  I did hear the sound check of Glenn Close as the Giant, so that was cool.  There is a short line for seniors, and I'm almost ready to ship my mom out here to get in that line so we can both go!

Got a little lost trying to get to Columbus Circle but with the help of my trusty iPhone I made it.  I now understand the layout of New York, but the problem is I have NO sense of direction in the city.  I know I'm supposed to go North, for instance, but I can NOT tell which way North is.  Arg!  But I've got 2 1/2 weeks to figure it out.  Walked to Carnegie Deli for a freakin' HUGE "Woody Allen" sandwich of pastrami and roast beef that was so huge I could only eat half of it.

So that I would have room for CHEESECAKE!!!!  That was one expensive meal,

but worth it for the PICKLES!  YUM!

Walked over to Carnegie Hall, but nothing going on there until the fall, and museum closed due to renovation.  Still neat to see it.

Wasn't going to go to another show, but was feeling low about "Into the Woods," so went back to Times Square and got a ticket to "End of the Rainbow" which is about the concerts in London at the end of Judy Garland's life.  Before the show, took the subway to Lincoln Center and watched a dance rehearsal outside of Avery Fischer Hall, soaked in the heat (dang, it was hot) and the artistic ambiance, checked out the Performing Arts Library, got to the Juilliard store right as it was closing so I'll go back.

Subway back to Times Square for the show at the Belasco (some trouble with my lack of sense of direction).  The show was good, the leading lady- Tracie Bennett- was OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Tony award nominated- AMAZING!  What an incredible physical and vocal portrayal of Garland.  She absolutely nailed her frenetic physical and mental energy- you absolutely couldn't look at anyone else!  Befriended the lady next to me, who turns out to be the mother of the Chancellor of NC-Chapel Hill.  Guess he's a big shot superstar- gotta Google that.  She was very sweet- she told me she has directed Porgy and Bess with a mix of professionals and people in her community and it was a unifying event. 

My illicit picture of the stage that I pulled down into my lap when I realized that the flash was on! And I got busted!

Still carrying my pound of uneaten pastrami, I made my way to the bus stop on Madison Avenue- easy ride home, super tired so fell directly asleep.

I LOVE NYC!!!
More to come-

My camera died right before Tracie came out, but I did get her autograph!  This guy plays the jerk fiance.