Last year’s return to Broadway was a bittersweet one, as it marked the first time Mom and I would be spending our Mother’s Day weekend in New York since we lost Dad. This year was a little lighter, a little sweeter, and a whole lot brighter, as far as the spectacular roster of shows we would see.
We began in slightly misty fashion, and though that Friday threatened to be consumed by rain, we escaped most of it, as the heaviest part fell while we enjoyed dinner. In between, we managed a quick jaunt through Bryant Park and did a brief bit of shopping along Fifth Avenue.
A Greek dinner at Kellari proved a delight, and I jinxed us by mentioning that I hoped Audra McDonald would be at that night’s performance of ‘Gypsy’ for which we had front row tickets. We got in the longest line right before showtime, before overhearing someone state that this was the cancellation line. Jinx confirmed, Audra was out, and it was too late to come up with another plan, so we filed into our seats – the first time that I’ve been in the front row of any show and not had anyone on either side of us. In fact, the bulk of the front section was woefully empty.
No matter, the show must go on, and the rest of the company was enthralling, including understudy Tryphena Wade, who absolutely nailed the iconic role of Rose in a way that all too often gets overshadowed by whatever fabulous baggage a more well-known leading lady can often carry. A toast to the understudies then – they keep the theatrical fires burning.
A misty walk back to our hotel revealed the magic of a spring night in New York, which turned directly into a glorious spring morning.
And a hint of that evening’s show…
… but that happy ending would have to wait until after we took in the single greatest performance I have ever witnessed on any stage, Broadway or otherwise.
