Sorry it's taken so long to get this posted...
Ever since "Glee" premired on Fox last year, I knew it was the perfect show for me. It had comedy, singing and dancing - what more could I ask for? After the first episode aired, I had to wait the ENTIRE summer before the first season officially started. It became my favorite TV show. The day the CDs were released, I was at Target buying them and that was all I could listen to for weeks at a time. I was a Gleek and I was proud to admit it.
Fast forward to spring and Glee announced a four city tour. Although I really wanted to go the concert was in New York City and sadly the tickets sold out during the American Express pre-sale so I couldn't get tickets. My sister was so darling that she kept looking for tickets for us and ended up paying pretty much money for two tickets in the front mezz about 5 rows back. I was going to get to see Glee!!!
May 30th was the big day. We arrived at the bus station at 7AM and waited an hour until the 8AM bus left. We arrived in NYC about 9:40 and went right to the awesome McDonald's on 42nd Street. We had a quick breakfast and walked over to Time Square. I couldn't believe how many police officers were around after that attempted bombing a few weeks ago. The other really cool thing that they did was close off part of the street so you could now walk around. It made Time Square feel so much more open.
We made a quick stop at Toys R Us and then walked up to the Time Square visitor's center. They had the neatest thing - you could write your hope and dreams for 2011 on a piece of official confetti that will be released on New Year's Eve in Time Square. What a great idea!
It was such a warm day, we wanted to get up to the Radio City area (that was where the concert was held) so we walked up there. The Radio City store had Glee merchandise so we bought a shirt and the tour program. I was really excited that we were able to save some time by purchasing it before we got into the concert. We walked around and saw all of the teenagers camping out at the Stage Door. We stopped briefly but continued to walk to Rockefeller Center. We browsed in the NBC Store and the Nintendo Store before heading back over to the stage door. We were there maybe 10 minutes but got to see the actress who plays Quinn arrive so that was pretty neat.
We walked up to 57th Street and went for lunch at Benehana, a hibachi place for lunch. We had a lovely lunch of filet, shrimp, veggies, rice and green tea. It was very good and I will advise anyone to go there.
This was the soup and salad we had...both were very yummy!
This is the inside of the restaurant.
Our filet with veggies, shrimp and rice.
It was then time to go back to Radio City to get in for the concert. The line literally wrapped around the building. We walked to the back of the line and waited to get in. Once we were, I purchased a Glee tote bag and we went to our seats.
We had great seats - we could see everything. Next to the stage were two big monitor's that were showing quotes from the show followed by a picture of the person who said it. Glee music was also playing so that helped to pass the time.
The opening act was the League of X-Trodinary Dancers. They were interesting and I did enjoy it...however I really wanted to see Glee!
Finally it was time. The lights went down and screaming went up. The curtains opened and there were 7 people on the stage and the band started to play "Don't Stop Believing". One by one, they turned around with the spotlight illuminating them. Following that, the other supporting actors from New Directions came out and the show really started. They looked like they were having so much fun on stage. The crowd was on their feet clapping, singing and screaming. I had never been to a concert at Radio City before so this was something so new.
The second song was "My Life Would Suck Without You". My favorite part of the song was Kurt, Tina and Brittany doing the "Single Ladies" dance. The next song was "Push It" and it was very funny.
Brittney then did a funny little skit with a video of Mr. Shu asking who all of the people were who were sitting down - of course he explained to her that they were the audience and she was confused...I love that about her character. Following this Sue and Mr. Shu said that it was time for the kid's solos. First up was Rachel.
The music started and it was one of my favorite Glee songs - "Don't Rain On My Parade". She was walking down the aisle singing it - surrounded by a crazy amount of security - I didn't want to see them in their brown suits, I wanted to see Rachel singing. Almost three-quarters of the way through the song, she finally made it to the stage. Just like at sectionals, the rest of the cast entered from the back of the theater and walked up the aisles to the stage - and they were also surrounded by security. It was amazing. I love that song so I was so excited to hear her singing it.
Mercedes solo was next. She sang "Beautiful" and that was it - it was beautiful. It was funny, last week when Dave and I were watching the American Idol finale, the top 6 girls sang this song and well, kind of butchered part of it. I said that Merecedes version was so much better and Dave said that it wasn't live so it was hard to compare. Well, I heard it live and it was SOOO much better. She is an amazing singer.
Next it was Puck's turn...and my friend's favorite song - "Sweet Caroline". He was playing the guitar and Finn was actually playing the drums for this song which I thought was very cool. He walked out in the audience for a bit but before the song was over, they did a "Sweet Caroline" sing-a-long. They put the words up on the monitor and everybody sang along. I personally love this song because it reminds me of my Jellyroll days from my days living in Florida so I was very happy hey choice this song for him.
The next song was Santana and Mercedes singing "This Boy Is Mine". It was cool and they even had back up dancers! Immediately following that, Mercedes and Santana joined Puck in singing "The Lady is a Tramp". They had a few couples doing swing dancing for this song so that added something to it. There was also a baby-grand piano on stage that Mercedes and Santana sat on.
The theater went dark following that song and all of the sudden green bubbles started to appear on the screen...it was time to defy gravity! Kurt and Rachel sang their duet of "Defying Gravity". It was amazing - there is no other way to describe it but amazing.
Suddenly, a car was actually pushed onto the stage - everybody knew what that meant - "Bust Your Windows". Mercedes did a great job with this song and the back up dancers were great. Near the ending of the song, she got in the car and popped out the sunroof and proceeded to slide down the windshield onto the hood and landed on the floor. If I would have tried that, I would have landed on the floor too - but not on my feet!
The song that came next was one of the songs I was most looking forward to - "Bad Romance" - Kurt, Rachel, Quinn, Tina, Brittney, Santana and one of the back up guys did an awesome job performing this song. The crowd was singing along and it was so neat that I wanted to see it again! The costumes were the same costumes that they wore on the show - I love Quinn's pink dress.
Next it was Artie's turn - "Dancing with Myself". Did I mention that he was in the wheelchair that had blinking lights on the front rollers? You could always see him going off the stage even if there was a blackout. A few back up dancers came out so he technically wasn't dancing with himself, but it was still great.
The Mash-Ups came next. First it was the guys "Confessions Pt. 1/This is My Life". I knew if the guys did their mash up the girls would have to do theirs so it was followed by "Halo/Walking on Sunshine". Although I liked both mash-ups, I'm more partial to the girls song.
Sue showed up on the screen next and said it was time to show everybody what a true Glee Club should look like and she introduced Vocal Adrenaline. Before they came on the stage though, prior to the concert starting extras dressed up as the Cherrios walked around on the first floor passing out something. It wasn't until this point that we found out what it was - Sue's Barf Bags because New Directions is so bad she knew somebody would have to vomit. Grief...
The two songs Vocal Adrenaline did were "Rehab" and "Mercy". It was performed with all of the dance moves that they did on the show which was neat. Of course I was anxious for the REAL Glee club to take the stage again.
Brittany and Kurt came out and did a skit about how Brittany is love with Kurt. Many funny lines were exchanged and it was the perfect way to kill the time before the next song - "Jump" complete with mattresses and all. They were all dressed in their blue PJ's and were jumping on the mattresses - all except Artie of course. I was really impressed how they were able to get everything on and off stage so quickly.
Next was the Journey songs - they haven't been performed on the show yet. The one song they performed was called "Endlessly". I have a feeling that is one of the songs they are doing at regionals. It was followed by "Anyway You Want It" which was great - another song I believe that is from regionals.
The lights on the stage came up and Rachel started belting out "Life is a mystery - everyone must stand alone" and the crowd knew what song it was - "Like a Prayer". Just like on the show, the choir came out and did back up for New Directions. It was a powerful number all around.
Of course they pulled the "Thanks for coming everyone, good night" trick. However, everyone knew it wasn't over just yet. When the curtains reopened, Rachel was standing the stage by herself. She introduced her very best friend in the world who also happened to play Jessie on the show. They sang a duet that was only done in NYC. They performed "Hello", the duet they sang on the show. It was a nice surprise to have the extra song added to the line up.
The rest of the cast came out and joined Rachel and they all sat on the risers that were on the stage and Tina sang "True Colors". I just love that song and it makes it even better when it is done on Glee! After the song was over, they all got up and got into their positions on the risers and performed "Somebody to Love" - the last song of the concert. I LOVE that song - I didn't really know the song before they did it, but I am now a huge fan of it. It's so powerful and even better live. Near the end of the song, confetti was shot out from the side of the theater which made the crowd go crazy. I was really sad to see the concert end. They thanked everyone for being there and said if it wasn't for the audience, they wouldn't be where they are today - which is so true. I can only hope that since every single one of the shows was sold out that they would do another tour next year.
We were herded out of the Radio City and returned to the Port Authority to catch the bus back home. It was such an amazing concert. I can officially say that Glee is my new MMC and I'm proud to have the show as a member of my club!
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She, and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.
why are you crying?? It just touched me. 42 years is just not enough together. Too tender, I think. 
We are thinking of getting sponsored and raising money for the Dial-a-Dream Charity, which would make it all more worthwhile. 
