We Have Come Full Circle

Well folks, the time has finally come. After 111 blissful days in the Big Apple, I must return home. Our plane flies out of LaGuardia this afternoon, so I will soon be back home in Lansing.

The past few days have been pretty wonderful - with an overabundance of full circles bringing this semester to perfect completion. It all started on Sunday morning, when Kelly and I attended mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I first came to this church 5 1/2 years ago on Palm Sunday, during my first trip to New York. Attending an Advent mass has now brought my St. Patrick's experience FULL CIRCLE.


After picking up our final student rush tickets (FULL CIRCLE), Kelly and I attempted to eat lunch at the always-delicious Hale and Hearty Soups. This restaurant has eluded us in the past - for some reason, we can never manage to see it (even walking directly by it) and have walked blocks past it several times. Today, we attempted to eat at a location we had ne'er before been to - bad idea. We walked directly next to it, did not notice, and proceeded for 5 blocks before turning around. FULL CIRCLE. When we finally did find it...it was closed. So we sadly went to Pax Wholesome Foods instead, where I ate my final delicious chicken Caesar salad. FULL CIRCLE.


Sunday night, Kelly, Amy, and I made our final excursion to see improv at the Upright Citizens' Brigade. We waited in the cold for a solid hour and got into the show. Sadly, there was no one of great importance there, but the show was still solid. FULL CIRCLE.


Monday was a day of reminiscing and relaxation. During the day, we just kind of sat around and maybe even did a little packing. Come nightfall, Amanda, Sally, Kelly, and I ventured to the legendary Ziegfeld Theatre to see Nine in limited release - that's right, it isn't even out in Michigan yet! The film was decent - Marion Cotillard was great and "Cinema Italiano" will be stuck in my head for weeks (Guido Guido GuidoGuidoGuidoGuido!). I remember seeing this theatre when I first came to New York, so it was just lovely to finally be able to visit. FULL CIRCLE.

Tuesday was chock-full of full circles. My first order of business was to bid my final farewells to MTC and Theater Mogul. Of course, my goodbyes were long and drawn out, as I was more than heartbroken to leave these places I have loved so much. Before I left, Debra remarked that I was one of the 5 best interns she's ever had - she quickly switched that to one of the 10 best (3 of them were in the room...), but I'll still take the compliment. I reassured everyone that I would visit them during my next trip to New York - which will be no later than May. It was lovely to visit these beautiful places one last time. FULL CIRCLE.

Tuesday night, almost on a whim, Kelly and I decided to attempt the Hair lottery...again. It would be such a fitting end to our trip to see Hair one last time. Of course, my expectations were very low, given our dismal lottery record. We showed up to the lottery, and were delighted to find that there was barely anyone there! About three people in, they called out Kelly's name! They even picked me a few people later - we didn't need 'em. We got our tickets, and headed over to grab some quick dinner at the Sbarro at Times Square - where we ate our first dinner in New York at the beginning of the semester. FULL CIRCLE. Around 7:30, we entered the theatre only to find that our seats were even worse than the two times before. Fabulous.  I suggested we ask an usher if we could move - but I hate confrontation, so I made Kelly do it. The usher was surprisingly empathetic, and said we could move when the lights went down. So the show began and we sneaked to the middle of the mezzanine - absolutely perfect! We finally got to hear and see the show in all its glory. After one final dance on the Al Hirschfeld stage, we left the theatre on a high from the ultimate FULL CIRCLE.

After the show, Kelly and I wandered around Times Square for a while and said our final goodbyes. We visited the Colony one last time, purchased our final Jamba Juices (Peanut Butter Moo'd of course - hold the banana), and reminisced nostalgically atop the TKTS steps. FULL CIRCLE. This has been a semester of incredible opportunities, wonderful theatre, delectable food...and a whole lot more.

What more can I say? Some come to work; some to play. I was fortunate enough to manage both, and even learn a little in the process.

Money Well Spent

I wasn't necessarily what one might call "frugal" this weekend, but I would like to think that my money was spent wisely.

Friday: Kelly and I ventured to The Colony - the world's great sheet music store. I resisted temptation to buy anything in the store, although I did fall prey to the homeless organization asking for money outside - I forked over $10. Yup, that one better come back around. And for my final smart purchase of the night: a Mango-a-go-go at Jamba Juice.

Saturday: Another mornin', another show ticket line. This time we got in line around 8:45 to get student rush tickets for the matinee performance of Hamlet, starring Jude Law. The cost was $35, and I got more than my money's worth. For starters, the show is over 3 hours. And what's more, Jude Law was surprisingly great, the whole cast (with the possible exception of Ophelia) was wonderful, the lights were stunning, the costumes were modern and sleek, and it steadily snowed! The day was capped off with hours of sing-along time in the "305" piano lounge - and that is always fun and free.

Sunday: The day started with a trip to the annual Broadway Flea Market. The place was stuffed with thousands of people clamoring for tons of Broadway memorabilia. I spent $8 here (for charity once again) and got a couple posters, some old-time Playbills, and a souvenir program or two. Not to mention that we spotted Seth Rudetsky (again), this time in the company of Audra McDonald(!). More creepy stalker pictures were a given. Later in the day I made the best purchase of the weekend: complimentary tickets to Off-Broadway's A Boy and His Soul, graciously provided by fellow NY Arts intern Edward. The show was very entertaining and moving - I feel like I actually made money from seeing it.

So lots of great purchases all around. You may also have noticed a great addition to the blog - a list of links to blogs kept by other members of the New York Arts Program this semester. Feel free to compare and contrast our experiences at your leisure.

In the morning, I'm off to work at the Manhattan Theatre Club. I am excited beyond belief right now. I'll probably be letting you know how it goes, as is my way. Just you hold tight...