It’s officially the beginning of the end, of the year that is. Hallmark Christmas movies adorn television sets around the world, mega stores are stocked with holiday cheer and secret holiday gift exchanges are being planned. There’s no escaping it, it “tis the season.”
My husband and I, along with my Orlando roommate, make a list of the gifts we would like every year. It’s usually full of little things and a couple of big-ticket, dream items. This year’s list for me is a little more modest. I’m at a point in my life where socks and underwear are the perfect gift. It’s been a good year, so I’m not tempting fate by asking for more. I got married, I got vaccinated and I got to see “Hadestown” on Broadway. As the Gershwins say in “Girl Crazy,” “Who could ask for anything more?”
The return of Broadway is the perfect curtain call for 2021. I’ve been a fan of Broadway since I was in high school but wasn’t all in until I got out of college. When I was younger, all I knew of musicals was “Oklahoma,” “Carousel” and “Hello Dolly.” The scores to these shows didn’t really do it for me. Then came “Miss Saigon.” I happened to be watching the Tony Awards in 1991 as Jeremy Irons introduced the hit show, and I was hooked. As I have written before, it was Lea Salonga and her character Kim that had me glued to the production. I ran out and bought the two-disc soundtrack and it was all I listened to.
When I was in college I got a job at the local Subway as a sandwich artist, which was legit what they called us. It wasn’t my first job, but when the following January rolled around, it was the first time I would receive a tax return. It was $900. In the early ‘90s to a college student, I just won the lottery. So, what does one do with this unexpected treasure? Invest? Save? No, I decided to plan a trip to make my obsession a reality.
This all happened in 1995 and I was driving a 1983 two-tone blue Ford Escort. I named her Jello because she shook, a lot. I knew she wasn’t going to make it long distances or through mountains, so I enlisted the help of my theater family. I told my friends I would buy them tickets to see “Miss Saigon” if they got me there. So there was me, the driver, the guy who had family in Jersey to give us a place to stay and the guy who didn’t understand my passion for the show. I wanted to show him the light.
We were all pretty excited, so we got into the city fairly early. We hadn’t been there before and we didn’t really know what to do to pass the time. We ended up at the Time Square movie theater and saw “Outbreak.” I’m pretty sure I was exhausted and slept through it, which is great because I got some much-needed rest. When the movie ended it was time for the real show.
As we walked down Broadway, past the Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman did his show, I saw the lit-up posters of “Miss Saigon.” We had reached the Broadway Theatre and I was walking into my first Broadway show ever. It was unlike anything I could have imagined. It was beautiful and everyone involved was an expert in their field. It’s hard to explain how important that was to me, but it must be like hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth for ball players or rolling a natural 20 for Dungeon and Dragons enthusiasts. It was special and that’s all I can say.
I got to see “Miss Saigon” on a few tours over the years. My obsession switched to “Rent” when it came out. That is the show I have seen more than any other, probably 20-30 times. I do what I can to see as much theater as possible.
I remember when I first began working at Watermark how jealous I was of the publisher who received media tickets to see every Broadway show that passed through Orlando. Now I am the lucky recipient of those media tickets, and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s probably the real reason I purchased the paper in the first place, top three at least.
Thank you to the local venues that open their doors to Broadway touring companies. Thank you to local theater companies that keep us entertained. Welcome back! Now go enjoy the Broadway series, see as much local theater as you can. Just remember to unwrap your candy before the show begins, turn off your cell phones and keep your mouth shut during the performance. Now enjoy the show!
We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.
