.*Even Miracles Take A Little Time.* A Beyond Birthdays PTR ~Complete~

[PlutosRHM55]

ALL ABOUT MY LOVE OF THEATER AGAIN!

Wow, once again I'm falling behind on updating... I feel like I just can't maintain a consistency when updating on here Oh well, but I have big news on my NYC trip I talked about on my last double update! I'm sure you know how I seemed to not be able to make a decision easily from my long comments on why I think the show is great, but I finally narrowed it down four and then two, which ended up being AGAIN Wicked and The Lion King yet another standstill by yesterday afternoon. At this point now I had discovered I couldn't decide on my own, but I needed some outside help. My family was obviously split and my friends weren't helping so... where do I go?

Fast forward to last night... my mom and I had both decided to buy tickets to see Legally Blonde the Musical since it was playing in a local professional theater about a half-hour away. Last night, we went and we ended up getting there very early and I'm talking empty lobby early. We were about to go to a restaurant but I said to just stay at the theater. We walked around a bit then sat down with this lady who we talked with for a bit. She told us her son was the male lead in the show. After that, we began talking a bit more about theater since I've been really into it for the past few years as has the rest of my family. Somehow, my mom ended up bringing up my Sixteenth birthday trip and we told her about the shows I was interested in which somehow included Godspell... think it may be because I mentioned it to my mom when we were driving since I was complaining again about how I couldn't pick a show... can you say hash tag weird driving conversations?

Anyways... she told us that she had seen all of them. She thought Godspell was good, but didn't seem too enthusiastic. She liked The Lion King and mentioned how it is very extravagant with birds flying through the audience and such, but at the end she highly recommended Wicked for the music. My mom and I seemed to agree that sounded more appealing than birds flying over the audience, then I just brought up how I've seen the stage online and how I thought it looked so great. And then, by the time we had finished talking, they were letting people in so we went our separate ways.

Well, I guess I shouldn't leave you all hanging by a moment and just announce.

I'm seeing Wicked in NYC!

Yup... I know seems a bit kinda hypocritical for a Disney fan, but I don't think seeing The Lion King musical is going to make me love it more. I've basically heard all the songs and the movie is great on its own, but Wicked is all musical all the time and I had interest in that LONG before Disney so it seemed obvious that would be the choice show. Oh, I'm so excited right now!

Oh and in case anyone was wondering, Legally Blonde was AMAZING! I didn't have high expectations because I wasn't a big fan of the movie, but the musical was great! The music is great (and extremely catchy), the singing was pitch perfect, the acting was great and... I just can't say enough about it! It is just such a fun show and is a lot more sophisticated then you can believe, everything was done so well and cleanly might I add. It's a shame it wasn't on Broadway for long and didn't win any of those Tony Awards. But, I think the show itself is really starting to re-emerge in smaller productions so if you get the chance, I highly recommend seeing it well worth the extra buck!

Okay, a bit off-topic there, but I think I can try and make a smooth change back into what we were talking about before and that seeing Wicked is only part of my big news. When my dad and I were looking through shows and such, he said "Well, maybe the next day we can see a matinee..." And for those who don't know what that is, it is an afternoon show basically and... I'm seeing TWO shows when I go to NYC While I don't know what the second show is, we are just going to get our tickets the day of for the second show but we may buy tickets beforehand. We still have another month until it will actually happen so we are just trying to really think everything now before time is up.

Well, that is all that I have to tell for now so...

Have a Magical Day!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Yay, I'm so excited for you! You made a great choice. And don't feel like you're cheating on Disney. I still haven't seen the Lion King either.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Yay, I'm so excited for you! You made a great choice. And don't feel like you're cheating on Disney. I still haven't seen the Lion King either.

Thanks Danielle! I'm so excited! I'm so glad to know that. I was watching the two actresses playing Galinda and Elphaba on YouTube today and they were both fantastic (and yes, the songs I watched were Popular and Defying Gravity, don't judge! ). And I don't really feel like I'm cheating on Disney because well... if I do then I'm going to be all over the place as well as Stephen Schwartz composed the score and music for Hunchback of Notre Dame. There is nuff said there, so in a weird convoluted way I'm not cheating out on Disney! And who knows, maybe the second show will be The Lion King (though I think Phantom is actually topping that list )

 

[marDgreen88]

You already know how I feel about Legally Blonde hahaha. Oh twitter. But you completely have reminded me of my love for that show (even though I've never seen it in person) so thank you!

I wouldn't say it was cheating on Disney hahah. Walt Disney himself might have chosen Wicked over Lion King for the same reasons! I'm completely jealous and I bet you're going to have an awesome time! Now I have to dig around and find my Legally Blonde and Wicked soundtracks... they're here somewhere!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

You already know how I feel about Legally Blonde hahaha. Oh twitter. But you completely have reminded me of my love for that show (even though I've never seen it in person) so thank you!

Oh Twitter lol I actually watched the whole MTV movie they made of Legally Blonde the Musical and absolutely loved it, but I still recommend seeing it in person if you ever get the chance. I know it is Off-Broadway but it's been two years and if a professional theater is already seeking the rights again... who knows, maybe it is coming back? If it is, I would jump at the chance, it is amazing in person and I saw a show that wasn't even as technically amazing as the Broadway show and I still think they were equals. It is that good! Oh, I can't say enough about it. SO GOOD!!!!

I wouldn't say it was cheating on Disney hahah. Walt Disney himself might have chosen Wicked over Lion King for the same reasons! I'm completely jealous and I bet you're going to have an awesome time! Now I have to dig around and find my Legally Blonde and Wicked soundtracks... they're here somewhere!

Yeah, true that, but I think I'm getting past that now. I just keep on watching videos on YouTube of all these shows I may see along with Wicked (and Legally Blonde, of course, because I can't get enough of those songs!) and I just couldn't be happier with my choice to see Wicked. And you have the Legally Blonde soundtrack? I'm so jealous now! I've watched So Much Better probably sixty times over the last three days, that song should win a Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy and an Oscar... it's so epic!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

AT LONG LAST! BUT THREE DAYS PAST...

It seems once again school has postponed my plans for DIS postings. Sheesh! The day school is over, I swear I will make the deepest breath ever! I'm so done at this point, but it's school, muy importante Anyways...

I'm guessing you're wondering, "Why does he have plans for the DIS?" Well, three days ago it was... MY BIRTHDAY!!! And I meant to leave you all a nice little update on all the festivities because well, this PTR was originally about all my plans for this day (all of which have been changed about 3 times), but I guess mother nature had other plans for my birthday and I can now understand why some people HATE their birthdays or feel a birthday is bad luck because that's how it turned out this day. I still had a great birthday no doubting that, but it was definitely one of the more uh... unique birthdays for me and I will explain.

It sort of started the day before. I woke up and my throat was feeling a bit scratchy. I didn't think much of it since I sleep with my mouth opened sometimes and it feels gross in the morning and after drinking some water it would go away. Fast forward throughout the day and the feeling hadn't gone away and it started feeling a bit more on the flemmy side and I felt a bit worn down. I still wasn't fully assured for some odd reason that I was coming down with something, so I went home, did homework late into the night and went to bed, thinking I would be better.

Now, here comes my birthday! I still wasn't feeling good and was about to kick the idea of going to school to the curb, but then I saw on Facebook a friend of mine bought an ice cream cake for her and I to eat, just us. I couldn't miss that, so I went to school, feeling very crummy and it seemed I felt progressively worse throughout the day. I even tried to lay down and became all stuffed up and watery eyed. I drank water, but it was hard to hold down, which usually is a sign of post nasal drip and I was fully assured that I was sick. When I got home, I passed out on the couch and slept for a long time. When I woke up, it was already getting late and with the amount of homework I made there was no way I was going to bed before midnight. Then, along with the other surprises my family had in store for me, there was no way I was going to school and I didn't take long after those to go right to bed. The only downside of this was I had to postpone an interview I was supposed to have for a summer job I applied for awhile back, which I'm sure I lost based on how my mom never told me the interview was rescheduled... oh well, I'm going to apply at other places soon enough and I'm still awaiting a response from another place I applied to so... it ain't the end of the world... yet.

Alright, enough of the downsides, now onto what happened on my birthday. I went to school and got a lot of Happy Birthdays from all my friends! Then, my best friend, Jocelyn (who was last featured in my most recent TR) gave me a huge card and a beautiful birthday cake just for us, which we practically licked clean off the cardboard it was on top of. My advisory also gave me a small little card and cake as well, but with how gross I was feeling I didn't touch it, no matter how delicious it must've been, but everyone enjoyed it and I liked seeing that! Rewind to the morning before all this, my sister woke me up with a hug and birthday wishes. After my morning return, I came downstairs to find she also made me 16 different Birthday cards, it was insane and she gave me different names on each card as well as different people writing them to me, it was insane, but I enjoyed it! Now, back to after school, as you know I fell asleep when I got home, but once I woked up, I got some gifts. My sisters gave me $30 in iTunes Gift Cards (which I used up on Broadway Show Tunes within 3 days, no surprise there) as well as some candy (which I ate up whilst I moped around sickly the following day, probably a bad idea then). Then, my mom gave me $80 in cash for my NYC trip. As all birthdays go, we had cake after (I did eat it and it was another deliciously delectable ice cream cake! ) and then I rushed myself right into bed to get some sleep (which evaded me, but at least I wasn't forced into school, which would've made me sicker instead of easing me out of whatever bug I had). Then, last night we had a special birthday dinner since my mom didn't make beef stew, my favorite homemade dinner, on my birthday so we went to a nearby Hibachi restaurant, something none of us had ever seen before. I did have high expectations and was sort of disappointed, even if it all was still cool, but I just couldn't get over how tiny the onion volcano was.... I guess I know what my first ADR next Disney trip will be

Now, I've gotten today with enough time to write an update about all of this. I would post pictures, but I think you'd get bored with all the uninteresting, unDisney things I received for my birthday, but the NYC trip will definitely get a good deal of spotlight. Speaking of which, I think I'm going to actually stop my whole crazy Quebec TR. I'm sorry to say so, but usually when I write TRs it's to remember and reaffirm how amazing the trip, but I don't need that for the Quebec Trip, it is best kept as a long string of pictures and little memory tidbits in my mind. TRs are for Disney trips, not trips out of the country! Also with the planning for my NYC trip, I'm just a bit too lost in that and getting it altogether. I think I may do a mini-TR for that since it will be a short trip and personally, I'm a lot more excited for NYC then Quebec and will probably be going crazy about how much I miss it when I get back. But back to Quebec... I will start by posting some of my favorite pictures from the trip with little captions to help you along, but that's it. I also will give little anecdotes since that's really all I think is worth telling since all else that happened is best shown through pictures.

Now, since that is straightened away I want to get into some more plans for my week with Broadway.

First up, I wanted to show you the hotel we are staying at. We haven't booked a room yet, but we know where we are staying so I'd like to show you a picture. It's in Times Square by the way!

Cool, right? So excited! Okay enough of that little announcement, more important matters to discuss...

Next, I need your help, Disers, again. My dad an I are looking at tickets currently for Wicked, but they are selling out fast and are stuck with StubHub since they are too expensive elsewhere. So I wanted to ask those who have seen Wicked at the Gershwin Theater (the theater where it is on Broadway), where you can find the best seats since I'm only used to small theaters where sitting anywhere is good and the front is best, but based on Legally Blonde, you can't always have a great view :/

Lastly, I have another decision to make in which I need your help with too. As you know, Wicked will be my first show, pre-bought, but the following day my dad are going for the morning face value lottery matinees. I did originally have one in mind I wanted to see but now I'm bouncing around other shows in my head I would enjoy seeing so I've compiled a list in order of which I seem to be leaning towards to at the moment (emphasis on "at the moment") with why for each.

1) RENT

I've known about this musical since my middle school chorus sang Seasons of Love in 7th grade. I didn't pay much notice to it then, but now, being the theater freak I am, I have become interested. First, I discovered Idina Menzel was one of the original cast members (Maureen) and I love her. I also found out that Take Me or Leave Me was from RENT through Glee. Then, talking with the lady I mentioned on my last update that we met at Legally Blonde said how it was her favorite show. I also got a lot of strong recommendations from one of my friends. I also ended up listening to more songs and really liked the whole Rock musical vibe to it, which I've had an aversion to ever since I saw part of the Jesus Christ Superstar movie (Rock Operas... eck!). Also, when I looked up the production going on, I saw one of my favorite Broadway actresses Annaleigh Ashford was in it. She sadly has left, but I saw her performance for Over The Moon and wasn't stunned (I prefer Idina Menzel), it felt weird, not my style, and the new actress seems more classic Maureen and has been in a similar role before so I guess it may be promising (though I will still miss Annaleigh). This show is my top choice since it will be easy to get tickets for an Off-Broadway show than a Broadway show and this is the only Off-Broadway show I'm interested in (the other partly being Avenue Q). I am iffy about it though since it did get some bad reviews when it first opened, but I've seen some very sparkling reviews, but some of those are from people who saw the original Tony-Award winning production, which is different to this, especially in terms of how this one has been updated to be a bit more flashy costume and set wise. But at this point, I feel it seems like the best show for a matinee.

2) Sister Act the Musical

I am a huge fan of the movie. Of course, I fell in love with the sequel, but I'm sure anyday you get Whoopi Goldberg all 70's upped and then shoved into a nun outfit, it's going to be epic! Also, the first movie is always better than the sequel in most cases, especially when the movie wasn't well-received by critics. :/ Anyways... the musical has received good feedback and the music is awesome from what I've listened to, but what can you expect from Alan Menken? He's a genius, I tell ya! The sad thing is the recordings on my iPod feature the original cast, which is mostly gone including the original Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg part) Patina Miller who was nominated for a Tony for her role. But guess who is in her place? Get ready for some early 2000s nostalgia here... RAVEN-SYMONE! I'm sure most who weren't part of my era so-to-speak wouldn't understand my love for Raven, but I absolutely love her and when I heard she was in the show I know she would be epic. I've listened to recordings of her and videos. Apart from her amazing weight loss, she has a stunning voice as well as some great comic timing, which is something you'd expect from her after her iconic role as Raven the psychic from That's So Raven. The only thing I'm worried about is I've mostly listened to the notable songs that the musical is associated with, not the little filler songs, which I'm worried won't be to my liking, but still it's Raven and Alan Menken... I don't think you could go wrong there. Also, I'm not sure my dad would enjoy this and I'm already going all crazy radical, modern, unclassic Broadway with Wicked (he kept on bugging me about Porgy and Bess), but if I end up being unsure about RENT this will definitely be the one I will see.

3) Newsies The Musical

Initially, I was iffy on this one. When I first heard about this show, I learned it was a movie, which didn't seem to get great reviews from the critics and won a ton of Razzies, so I gave it no thought. Then, everyone in theater began talking about how much they loved the movie and how they wanted to see it on Broadway badly. Also, the same friend I mentioned earlier who recommended RENT said she would die to see this. Then, I heard about how many great reviews this show had been getting and I got interested again. I watched a performance they did prior to going officially on Broadway on The View and I was completely wowed. The singing is amazing and so is the choreography! They do friggin' pirouettes on newspapers, eeeppp! Also, I recognized an actor from the movie Joyful Noise, which I saw recently and didn't enjoy, but I liked his voice along with his potential acting skills! He is the lead Jack Kelly so I think with that said, this seems like a good contender to batter down Sister Act and RENT.

4) Memphis

This show originally got me interested in going to seeing a Broadway show for my sixteenth birthday. My old advisor saw this show last year and raved about it! He isn't exactly the theater going person so I thought maybe I should take his word for it, especially since he did see the original cast too I checked out the music then when I started making plans for this and it sounded fairly good. I also read about the story and enjoyed it too, but just wasn't taken with it, especially when the music is more post-Motown southern rock-n-roll which I'm not a huge fan of, but I liked two of the songs from the track, one of which is now on my iPod, but they are both the big dance numbers so... it may not suffice for all those filler moments and such. But as I mentioned before, the original cast is not wholly there, but that is just the original male lead gone and now there is ADAM PASCAL! For those of you Rentheads, I'm sure you know the epicness that is Adam Pascal. He is such a great singer and from what I've listened to... is a ton better than the original male lead! I also like his rugged appeal that he adds to all of his performances which the original Huey lacked as well as the rock edge too. With that alone, I would love to see it. Also, the female lead has a stunning voice too. I'm just not sure if I will enjoy the music and that's a major part of what I deem a good show and I'm... quite picky.

5) Ghost The Musical

Now, about my Whoopi Goldberg obsession... yes, there is yet another Whoopi Goldberg movie-turned-musical on Broadway! But seriously, she deserves all the recognition, what a legend! I haven't seen all of Ghost though, but it is the only movie in which Whoopi has won an Academy Award (though I think she totally deserved one for The Color Purple) and makes a great musical. I haven't heard much about it, but from the previews I love the style of music and the cast as a whole have amazing voices, especially the Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg character) actress, you can't go wrong with those characters! Also, the set is very unique to most Broadway sets and I heard they have some fantastic stage illusions, but I feel the spectacle is all I'll get and I'm not just about that. I mean, it is great eye candy, but to make me stand up and clap, cry, whatever at a show, the acting has to be endearing and really connect with the audience as well as the singing portions. When that doesn't happen, I just get a bit too lost and it isn't good, but... this will be my third Broadway (Yes, Legally Blonde is counted) show and maybe I'm not as cynical as the critics though I'm already a pretty tough critic. This would've definitely been my second show when I first learned about it when they were bringing it over from London and I was looking for my first show, but now not so sure. Still, I'll keep it on the list since my interest isn't entirely lost.

I'm sure you understand my predicament once again. I'm pretty sure I could just close my eyes and point and get to see a fantastic musical either way, but I want to see the best of the best when I go to see a Broadway show, no regrets that's all I want! So I'd love to hear your opinions. And if you are going to base your opinion on the RENT movie, don't because they cut a lot out that was originally in the musical. Thanks! And I hope this will be my last decision-making update so I can get into what I will do while walking around waiting to see these amazing shows. Broadway shouldn't be the only thing I do in NYC, right?

Have A Magical Day!

 

[marDgreen88]

Hahha, my 'favorite' (NOT) birthday was my 19th. I was in my freshman year at school and I had flown home for fall break, but my birthday was the Sunday we had to go back. So I had to fly by myself and then I got a HUGE headache. And then my ride back to school from the airport got lost and made me pay her $20... BUT anyways... this is not about my birthday haha! I know I already said it on twitter but happy late birthday!

All I know is, I LOVE Rent the movie, but ehh whatever. But I beg of you, DO NOT listen to the bad reviews of the Newsies movie. I'm actually shocked that you haven't seen it. It's amazing. Did you see the song they performed on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade? It wasn't identical to the movie (it was actually super different) but it was still awesome, and I basically would adore seeing it on Broadway. MY TWO CENTS! The end.

 

[MeMom]

I think the whole atmosphere of seeing a show in NY - as opposed to the ones that travel around the country - would make any of them fun to attend. I would probably choose on of the first three.

So sorry you were feeling crummy on your birthday.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Hahha, my 'favorite' (NOT) birthday was my 19th. I was in my freshman year at school and I had flown home for fall break, but my birthday was the Sunday we had to go back. So I had to fly by myself and then I got a HUGE headache. And then my ride back to school from the airport got lost and made me pay her $20... BUT anyways... this is not about my birthday haha! I know I already said it on twitter but happy late birthday!

Oh gosh... that sounds worse than mine. I mean mine wasn't exactly bad it just felt so weird getting sick on my birthday :/ And thanks again!

All I know is, I LOVE Rent the movie, but ehh whatever. But I beg of you, DO NOT listen to the bad reviews of the Newsies movie. I'm actually shocked that you haven't seen it. It's amazing. Did you see the song they performed on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade? It wasn't identical to the movie (it was actually super different) but it was still awesome, and I basically would adore seeing it on Broadway. MY TWO CENTS! The end.

Oh, I only said to not tell me what you thought of the movie not just because it does remove certain songs, but because people I've heard generally didn't like it. The stage production though most enjoy Nope, I have not seen Newsies. I think my generation became the generation gap and nobody my age ever saw Newsies. I know it was Christian Bale's first movie and that it's about the news boys strike in New York. I did not see that performance, but the one on the View was stunning! I can only imagine how cool it must look with a set. Thanks for your two cents, Marissa, seriously, I need all the help I can get lol

I think the whole atmosphere of seeing a show in NY - as opposed to the ones that travel around the country - would make any of them fun to attend. I would probably choose on of the first three.

Yeah that's why I'm so excited. I mean, the only difference are just the bigger theaters and more sophisticated sets while with traveling sets they are modified at times and the costumes sometimes change a little. That's why Broadway is so superior because that's where they truly put out the best in show business And thanks for your input! Those are my favs right now, well... maybe Memphis and Newsies have changed positions... oh geez...

So sorry you were feeling crummy on your birthday.

Thanks MeMom! It wasn't all bad, but it just didn't let me enjoy it as much as I could've. It just turned out to be a dull birthday. This is what happens when you plan the real Birthday gift aspect a month after the actual day :/

 

[Tink2Day]

Happy Belated Birthday Timmy!

I remembered last year but have been so busy I've not been on the board too much of late.

Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned to NYC, good for you, next best thing to Disney.

I wonder if it's stress causing the Bday illness?
I was very ill for mine as well and it carried over a couple weeks intio Christmas and New Years, totally ruined the BDay and Holidays

Anyway, I'm glad you decided on Wicked, the cast has appeared on some TV shows and they were excellent.
I'm partial to Whoopi as well! I had the chance to meet her many years ago as she was appearing at a local venue. While walking through the venue she stopped to visit with me and was so wonderful, very friendly and down to earth.

Imagine my luck, meeting Walt and Whoopi in one lifetime! Met a few others too, always so much fun but I'm not one to be too starstruck.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Happy Belated Birthday Timmy!

Thanks Tink!

I remembered last year but have been so busy I've not been on the board too much of late.

Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned to NYC, good for you, next best thing to Disney.

I'm so excited! I think this might as well be the next best thing to Disney. The anticipation is killing me and I'm just imagining everything we are going to do there, just like I did on my first trip to Disney, hopefully though this will be more re-occuring.

I wonder if it's stress causing the Bday illness?
I was very ill for mine as well and it carried over a couple weeks intio Christmas and New Years, totally ruined the BDay and Holidays

I think it may have been because I was also feeling tired and worn down more than actually sick. It is still a bit there, but I think with the school year about to end, everything's starting to catch up with me. I'll definitely need the NYC trip by that point.

Awwww... I'm sorry to hear about that. I couldn't imagine being sick for that long. But at least you did get over it.

Anyway, I'm glad you decided on Wicked, the cast has appeared on some TV shows and they were excellent.
I'm partial to Whoopi as well! I had the chance to meet her many years ago as she was appearing at a local venue. While walking through the venue she stopped to visit with me and was so wonderful, very friendly and down to earth.

Imagine my luck, meeting Walt and Whoopi in one lifetime! Met a few others too, always so much fun but I'm not one to be too starstruck.

I've been a fan of the music forever yet I never got the chance to ever see it. Sadly, the original cast that did perform on TV is no longer there, but from what I've seen the new cast is just as good

Wow, I can't believe you got to meet Whoopi too! She does seem very down-to-earth. I would love to meet her, but I would be totally starstruck like I'm the crazy fan kid who cries randomly or freaks out. Okay... maybe not, but who knows what would happen if I met a celebrity lol

 

[Nermel9]

Happy Belated Birthday, glad you had a good day even though you didn't feel great!

Your NYC trip sounds great, but I am not the person to ask about Broadway! I've been to NYC SO many times, but I've never been to a Broadway play. Isn't that sad? Actually, I went to see Le Misearables in high school, but I'm not sure if that was on Broadway or not...I want to see one of the Disney musicals someday!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Happy Belated Birthday, glad you had a good day even though you didn't feel great!

Thanks Jen! A shame I wasn't healthy for my birthday, but it still managed to be a good day

Your NYC trip sounds great, but I am not the person to ask about Broadway! I've been to NYC SO many times, but I've never been to a Broadway play. Isn't that sad? Actually, I went to see Le Misearables in high school, but I'm not sure if that was on Broadway or not...I want to see one of the Disney musicals someday!

Oh wow, that is shocking! But they are expensive and take a lot of time so I'm sure it is hard if you have other plans. I can't believe you've seen Les Mis though! I'm a HUGE fan of the show, but that's just through the concert shows we have watched still... LOVE IT! If that was still on Broadway I would be there, totally. And, if this trip goes over well, I will get my chance to see a Disney show

 

[PlutosRHM55]

COUNTING DOWN...

Wow, I feel as if it is nearly impossible for me nowadays to keep a consistent update schedule. I'm sorry the DISers who are still following this PTR, I promise I will get this together soon. But for now, I'm putting together a double update for y'all since I need to get some of those Quebec pictures up!

But news on the NYC trip, I only have 23 DAYS NOW!!!! CHYEAH!!!!! So exciting! Currently, everything is booked. We bought our tickets a few weeks ago and no sooner UPS had dropped them off! We had a little drama with those though because my dad and I were so back-and-forth about where we wanted to sit during the buying process. We didn't end up buying from StubHub but from a smaller ticket site and got great seats front and center in the balcony for a great price (Word of Advice for those wanting to see a Broadway show, check on the smaller, not very commercial sites, you can find much more reliable information on your seats as well as better prices). They are a bit off-to the side but I'm sure that won't be an issue. I heard great things from a friend about these seats so I'm excited.

My dad also booked our hotel. We didn't end up staying at the Hilton I originally showed you. We are still near Times Square and very close to Broadway, but just not the Hilton we originally looked at. Instead, we have a booked one-night stay at...

THE SHERATON HOTEL ON 7TH AVENUE

I'm very excited to stay here. It's close to everything and the place itself looks fantastic. Also, while my dad and I were picking hotels we had trouble finding decently priced double beds (I don't like sleeping with other people) and this one gave us a nice deal.

Okay, I'm sure most of you are wondering which show I picked for our second show and if it was so. Well... I did. Yup, I did. With some push and pull from other people, I decided on...

RENT!

It was my first choice and after listening to some of the songs over and over again, I couldn't wait to see how the show would be re-imagined. I'm still weary of how people have been rating it lately, but there seems to be a lot more RENTheads who enjoyed it, those more open to the idea of the show being back but semi-different. I also kept getting attacked with spoilers from friends who enjoy the show so... it was obvious it would be the show for me to see then. I am still open to going to two "Real" Broadway shows, but we'll have to wait and see.

We still need to get tickets for our train ride on Amtrak, but after the catastrophic results of asking my dad earlier than expected about the tickets and our hotel, I'll wait it out. But the school year is almost over and I'm slowly counting down to our trip so... it's gotta happen soon now.

That's it for the NYC update. I have no new news on Disney trips, but I'm going to wait until after New York to see where that is going and if we may go back to Florida. That will probably be on the last update of this PTR.

But for now, have a magical day!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Chapter 3: We Are Professionals! The Tree-Hitting Expedition

It's about time, right? Without further introductions, I'll just get right into it with the rest of the Day One Pictures. So, giddy up and get ready for the round-up...

OUR ROOM

THE VIEW

OFF TO DOG-SLEDDING AND DINNER AT THE SUGAR SHACK

(STORY- When we went dog-sledding, on our first run Jocelyn mushed while I sat in the sled and she had trouble controlling the dogs and we ran straight on into a little tree on the trail. It was pretty funny. I did mush, yes, and the dogs got tangled and caught during my run. It was really fun though. They also had cute little puppies in a sled, they were SOOO cute! Don't worry I have pictures )

Aren't they adorable?

THE DINNER

(FOOD REVIEW- The soup was... meh, didn't really care for it, even with the maple syrup. It was bland. C- is my grade here.)

(STORY- While at the table, a French man came up and talked to me. It was a nice conversation, he welcomed me to Quebec! =D Then, it got awkward when he asked where I was from. I apparently had to make the decision whether I should say the U.S., New Hampshire or my full hometown. It was a strange pause and one of my friends jumped in. Yeah, can we start counting awkward Timmy moments now? That would be great! =P)

(He wanted some water)

(FOOD REVIEW: I'll go from the ham around clockwise. I'm not a big ham person so it wasn't my cup of tea. C for that one. The potatoes were fairly good, but I like flavor and taste and they were just cooked breakfast potatoes, but still moderately enjoyable. C for that one too. Then, we come to the meat pie. It was delicious, I don't know what it was called, but I really liked it. It had the home cooked vibe to it as well as great flavoring and taste. I don't think I'll have anything like it again. A- for that one.)

(STORY- Jocelyn would hate if I didn't mention this and I know some of you girl DISers have things for attractive waiters so I'll tell you that she saw one and was oggling over him the whole time. I just sat there and laughed especially when he cleaned up our table. Love having friends who are girls )

(FOOD REVIEW- Basic pigs ears (or is it feet? Please clarify), nothing new. C.)

(FOOD REVIEW- I don't believe I ate this, if I did though, probably another one in the low C range.)

(FOOD REVIEW- Of course, pancakes! Wait... were these pancakes? I forget, but they seemed to be in that context of food, so they will be pancakes here on out. They were very good and different from most pancakes I've had in my short lifetime. I was slowly brought back to days of old in EPCOT when I first tried crepes. I'm sure someday I will go to France and just eat their whole country up lol A- for this one too.)

TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[PlutosRHM55]

EIGHT MORE DAYS AND CHANGES CONTINUE TO BE MADE

Hello DISers!

Sorry once again for an absence, but this will be my last for awhile now. School is officially OVER for me! Yup, as if it didn't take so long. I finished my last final today (it was REALLY easy) and then what would decide if I moved on to Junior Year (I passed!) Now, I'm done and can dedicate more time to the DIS. I am taking an AP class next year so I will be doing LOTS of summer work. First, I must email the teacher, then I have to read a book and take notes, then read a text book (no surprise there) and take notes. The woman also gave a specific way of taking notes and... yeah, I gotta get started really working on it SOON. I'm also still looking for a job, so frustrating. But on the brighter side, nearly a week until I leave for NYC!!!

Speaking of which, I have some announcements. First, my dad was looking at prices for getting Amtrak tickets and we discovered it would be around $175. While that isn't bad, that's one ticket so it adds up. We then learned that parking at the hotel we are staying at only costs $50 for 24 hours. We are staying for one night so this would be a lot better and maybe could offer up the money needed for the second show. Speaking of which, I have another announcement about that.

As some of you probably know, the Tony Awards just happened this past week. I, of course, watched them late into the night whilst finishing up some final works (yeah, I'm productive ). Anyways, my dad watched a little too and before the show started, they had a little 60 minutes episode with Matt Winter and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park. These two are also the creators of the award-winning and incredibly famous Broadway shows Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was a show I had interest in early on when deciding what show I wanted to see since I heard great things and I LOVE comedy, but knowing my ultra-conservative father I thought he wouldn't like it, neither Avenue Q, which is playing Off-Broadway. My dad then said he thought it looked good and really funny. I was shocked, but he said he really wanted to see it and my interest piqued again, but I still wasn't entirely sure if that would be the show to see since RENT had been of strong interest for awhile. Then, later that night my dad and I saw this little beauty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3vtPAFA6sY

If you didn't watch the video or have been living under a rock, that my friends was the Tony performance of the Tony winning Newsies! I had seen some performances awhile ago but wasn't exactly amazed as I was watching this. It just looked so good and throughout the Tonys I was then pushing for them to win Best Musical the whole time (sadly they only one Best Original Score and Best Choreography, losing to Once the musical sadly), but besides the point... my dad found interest. So after some discussion, we decided on this that instead of seeing RENT (which has seen tumultuous reviews as a weird revival) we would now try to get tickets for... Newsies! This of course is if they are cheap enough, but I'm so excited. I'm seeing Newsies! The Musical, which I might add is a Disney musical so I'm not letting anyone down anymore. WOOT!

Now, going to back of The Book of Mormon, I still really want to see (They had an AWESOME performance at the Tonys and I can't stop listening to the soundtrack, SO FUNNY). So... I looked up when it was touring and they said there is one supposed to start in 2013. I got excited and tried to find the dates and after some research, the show is said to be scheduled to arrive in Boston, the nearest Broadway Across America theater, next April. I asked my dad if we could see it together and he said, I quote, 'Sure'. So I will be seeing The Book of Mormon in the coming years! YEAH!

I also was looking at other great shows coming to Boston so... I think this may become a recurring thing. So glad I'm finding something to help lessen the blow of less Disney trips. Oh, life is great!

I want to ask now, since my dad and I are having a bit of trouble trying to figure out what to do in NYC in between seeing shows and travelling. We have the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum, Times Square, Chinatown Bartering and Ellis Island on our list of possible things to do, but since both of us don't know NYC well, we want to hear from those who have and what you have found are the must-dos. So can you please help out again?

Thanks everyone and have a magical day!

 

[marDgreen88]

Hey Timmy! First of all congrats of making it to junior year! And secondly...

OMG I'M SO JEALOUS YOU'RE SEEING NEWSIES. Good grief. Okay, so I don't know if you watch So You Think You Can Dance, but if you DO, there are at least two guys who have been on that show who are in Newsies on Broadway! (Ignore that if you don't watch the show... or better yet, start watching it! Hahah it's an awesome show.)

Anyways yeah. I'm really jealous. I hope you have such a great time! I unfortunately don't know much about NYC besides the things you mentioned, but those should be pretty time consuming! OH, and if you get a chance, make sure you go into the Toys'R'Us in Time Square! They have a ferris wheel... and it's fun!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Hey Timmy! First of all congrats of making it to junior year! And secondly...

Thanks Marissa! So excited I'm done with another year but that means I'm just that closer to graduating and bigger, better things all on my own... Uggghhh...

OMG I'M SO JEALOUS YOU'RE SEEING NEWSIES. Good grief. Okay, so I don't know if you watch So You Think You Can Dance, but if you DO, there are at least two guys who have been on that show who are in Newsies on Broadway! (Ignore that if you don't watch the show... or better yet, start watching it! Hahah it's an awesome show.)

Haha, I'm so excited! It looks like such a great show. And I heard about people from SYTCD on Newsies. I have watched this show for awhile, like when Lacey Schwimmer from SYTCD appeared on DWTS (Dancing With The Stars), I immediately recognized her but some of these people... not really. It's been awhile since I've watched the show. I must start watching it again then now that you've brought it up

Anyways yeah. I'm really jealous. I hope you have such a great time! I unfortunately don't know much about NYC besides the things you mentioned, but those should be pretty time consuming! OH, and if you get a chance, make sure you go into the Toys'R'Us in Time Square! They have a ferris wheel... and it's fun!

Awwww... thanks! I don't think we would be going to Toys 'R' Us though that Ferris Wheel looks really cool. The only store involving "toys" per say that I will be forcing my dad into is the Disney store. If we miss that... at least $20 will be wasted, maybe $80

 

[MeMom]

So after some discussion, we decided on this that instead of seeing RENT (which has seen tumultuous reviews as a weird revival) we would now try to get tickets for... Newsies! This of course is if they are cheap enough, but I'm so excited. I'm seeing Newsies! The Musical, which I might add is a Disney musical so I'm not letting anyone down anymore. WOOT!


I want to ask now, since my dad and I are having a bit of trouble trying to figure out what to do in NYC in between seeing shows and travelling. We have the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum, Times Square, Chinatown Bartering and Ellis Island on our list of possible things to do, but since both of us don't know NYC well, we want to hear from those who have and what you have found are the must-dos. So can you please help out again?

Thanks everyone and have a magical day!

I don't know a thing about NYC, but all of that sounds fabulous!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I don't know a thing about NYC, but all of that sounds fabulous!

Thanks MeMom! I'm so excited