Broadway Baby!

If you can make it there...

You know what I just realized!? In all the years I've been blogging, I've never done a post about one of the absolutely greatest and most unique things about NYC - Broadway!! I love going to the theater, whether it's a play or a musical and there is nothing that brings tears to my high school-thespian eyes like curtain call after an amazing performance. Living in NYC means having access to an overwhelming number of shows... from the off broadway find to the celebrity-cast long running favorite, there is a show for you in NYC. 

First of all, you need to know what's playing. Broadway.com is great (and always updated) resource for what's currently open on the Great White Way. HERE is a list of the most popular shows and below or some Merry Meri recommendations and wishlist items:

Recommended:

* Book of Mormon - Crude, hysterical, modern, offensive, amazing.

* The Lion King - Stunning sets and costumes combined with Disney classic tunes will keep even the tiniest tykes engaged (also, the level of decorum in this theater is a bit more kid-friendly thanks to their target audience skewing so young)

* The Phantom of the Opera - A total classic and one of the only shows on Broadway I've seen multiple times. Recently started debating going for round 3.

* Les Miserables - Another classic. Though I haven't seen this latest revival, the music, staging and costumes from my viewing 15+ years ago left a big impression

* Jersey Boys - Saw this last night (hence this post!) and loved it. Songs you know and love telling a story you (probably) never knew about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

* Motown - Another show filled with radio hits that's sure to have you dancing in your seat. A Dr. H personal favorite

* Cabaret - Love love this iconic show playing at the iconic Studio 54. A limited engagement with the truly fabulous Allan Cummings (and now Emma Stone) this one is not to be missed

* Chicago - Simple Broadway goodness, from the sets to the dancing and songs

* Once - A unique stage setup, simple sets and a stunning score will make this musical memorable for sure (another Dr. H favorite)

* Rock of Ages - Saw this one in the standing room section (yes, you can stand at the back of the orchestra section for some shows) and it felt like a concert. Raunchy broadway rock music fun.

On my list: Hedgwig and the Angry Inch; Kinky Boots; Aladdin; Matilda; If/Then

"But what about the cost!?" you ask? While I do not deny that Broadway tickets are super pricey these days, there are some great ways to score deeply discounted seats:

* TKTS - This discount box office has 3 locations in the city, one right in the heart of Times Square and the others at South Street Seaport and in downtown Brooklyn. These box offices post shows with available tickets daily and individuals waiting on line can score tickets at up to 50% off their original price. Same-day and next day performance limitations apply and don't get your heart set on a certain show (since it may not be "up" on the board) but TKTS is an amazing way to get a last minute deal for some of the best Broadway has to offer. To learn more, click HERE.

* Goldstar - Simple as can be, no membership fee required, Goldstar is a discount website which allows individuals with an account (just sign up, it's free) to score discounted tickets to Broadway shows (sports events, concerts, exhibits and more). I check Goldstar frequently just to see what performances are available and to learn about cool events happening in the city. Check it out HERE.

* TDF - The Theater Development Fund is an amazing non-profit membership organization which allows select groups (teachers, students, military, retirees, etc) to purchase deeply discounted tickets for Broadway shows in advance of the actual performance date. Though you cannot guarantee what shows will be listed or where your seats are, I can personally vouch for the amazing selection and seats consistently available through TDF which make the membership fee more than worthwhile. To learn more, click HERE.

* Rush Tickets - Every theater has a different policy for "rush tickets", but most have some sort of opportunity to score amazing unsold seats at deeply discounted prices, on the day of the actual performance. Ranging from waiting on line at 10am to putting your name in a lottery, I recommend calling the theater box office for that "show you just can't get tickets to" (particularly helpful with limited engagement celebrity casts) and seeing if they have a Rush Tickets policy. Scoring a hard to get ticket at a discounted price? Doesn't get much better than that!!

(Wonderful) Weekend in Review

Hiding from Monday!

There are few things more fantastic than a weekend's worth of plans turning out just as fabulously as you'd built them up in your head to be. So in an attempt to roll around in the awesomeness that was my weekend for just a little while longer (and because if it made me merry, I bet it will make you feel that way too!) here's a recap of my 2 days and 2 nights of weekend glory!

* Dos Caminos Soho

Dinner under the stars...

There are several Dos Caminos restaurants throughout NYC, but the W. Broadway & Houston location is my personal favorite. Nestled into an otherwise bustling corner with a large gated outdoor seating area, you get to enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine with an awesome outdoor ambiance. Far and away my favorite Mexican chain in the city (yup, I'd choose it over Rosa Mexicana) head to Dos Caminos Soho for your next evening of tequila, guacamole and al fresco goodness.

* Annie on Broadway

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!

As a kid, Annie was on constant replay in my VCR, so when I heard that the show was returning to Broadway, I knew it would be a Meri must-see. Thankfully, little nieces are perfect companions for such adventures and in the end, I'm not sure which of us enjoyed the show more! The child actors were bursting with talent, Miss Hannigan was as hysterically cruel as ever and the sets and costumes were perfect. Sticking mostly to the original story line (a few changes at the end weren't bothersome) Annie on Broadway fulfilled all my redheaded orphan-loving desires. A must see for those who believe the sun will always come out tomorrow:)

* Keste

Can't go wrong with fresh out of the oven...

Tasty thin crust brick oven pizza, loaded with a variety of fresh toppings, in combinations beyond imagination. Salivating yet? Keste, located on Bleecker St in the W. Village is a fantastic lil pizza joint, with charming ambiance and a salad/appetizer menu that perfectly rounds out your meal. Now serving gluten free pizza so tasty that it's hard to tell the difference (seriously) Keste has something for everyone. (Note: Keste is prone to long wait times during peak dining hours. Consider early eats (we went at 5:30pm) and breeze right to your table).

* Pop Bar

Yum on a stick.

Only in NYC does "Handcrafted Gelato on a Stick" get it's own institution, but thank goodness it does. Pop Bar is a Merry Meri and Dr. H new discovery which continues to impress (the niece and nephew gave it 4 thumbs up). A ridiculous variety of gelato pop flavors are served plain or expertly dipped in fresh chocolate and other crunchy ingredients (pistachios, sprinkles, coconut, etc) to order. Located on Carmine St at 6th Ave (right around the corner from Keste!) I'm certain Pop Bar will be a frequent way to keep cool during the approaching hot summer nights.

* Alice's Tea Cup

For Birthdays and very merry unbirthdays alike!

Holy adorable overload, I am in love with a tea shop! The brilliant idea of a girl friend looking to mix up our usual "dinner and drinks" birthday celebrations, my party of 7 enjoyed unlimited tea, scones, cake, cookies and mini sandwiches in a sunny Alice in Wonderland themed "tea room". With three locations throughout Manhattan, Alice's is perfect for everything from brunch with the ladies (our unlimited menu was just $47 including tax and tip!) to a bridal shower or kid's birthday party (we were very jealous of the face paint jobs on the little ladies attending a party in the private back room!)

A plan to make NO plans!

The holidays are over, my hubby is home, I’m finally not sick and I am not going out of town. My plan for this weekend is to have NO plans... Ahhhh. Feels good. But...

I’m a do-er and a planner at heart. No plans means I have the freedom to MAKE plans and there are so many things to choose from!! I realllly need to clean out my closet (is doesn’t close). I want to go to for dim sum (it’s been over a month). That exhibit with the slide at the New Museum is closing soon (an indoor slide. for adults. seriously). I want to try out a new recipe and enjoy a nice bottle of wine (thank you Pinterest and wine of the month club!) There’s a jazz festival downtown!? (http://www.winterjazzfest.com/tickets.html) Is there ever such a thing as no plans? How can I do nothing when the world is filled with things to accomplish and experience and EAT!? I retract my statement. This weekend I have a plan to make perfect plans. I will strike a perfect balance between productive and fun. I will sleep late and accomplish something. Nothing is set in stone, I’ll do as I please. A plan to make vague plans?! Happy weekend merry readers!

P to the S: I went to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway this week with new leads Darren Criss and Beau Bridges. The show is beyond fabulous... if you are a lover of musicals I’d rate it as a must see (while dreamy Gleek Darren Criss is in it if you can score a ticket:) xoxo.

Image via Pinterest

Dream a little dream for..?

I spend a lot of time dreaming and scheming. I can’t help myself... on a daily basis I think about all the things in this world I wish I could do or be or visit. All of this dreaming makes for quite a mental “to do” list so I’m wondering - how do we know which of our dreams are worth chasing? Assuming we take the arguably downer, but (let's be adults here) realistic view of our personal dreams, we know that some are probably not going to pan out (be the first woman President) and some just might be within reach (see the northern lights). And once we've mustered up the courage to select that big dream worth chasing (be bilingual) when is the right time to go for it? I have so many more questions than answers!!

I think being a dreamer is a good thing, but maybe it leads to more disappointment than it’s worth. On my honeymoon, Dr. H and I hiked for 4 days to Machu Picchu which is something I’d dreamed of doing. It was a big dream, a big adventure and 4 of the best days of my life. On the flip side, I dreamed of being a Moot Court all star in law school and when I didn’t make the team I was devastated. In the end, I believe “you’ve got to play to win!” and I think that applies to dreaming big, but that’s just me. What about you? Do you place constraints on your dreams or is the sky the limit? Will you be chasing a dream this weekend?

Dream on merry readers!

(Image via Pinterest)