When I was little, growing-up in New York, my parents insisted on our doing some arts-centered life-enriching family activity, every weekend.  This could mean anything from brunch at the Carnegie Deli (memories abound of my mom and the late Leo Steiner, laughing, over bagels, lox, and cigarettes) followed by a trip up Central Park West, to the American Museum of Natural History (dinosaurs for my brother and the Hall of Gems for me), or across the bridge, to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. 

Oftentimes, we’d go see a show; whether on Broadway, Off-Broadway, or off-Off-Broadway. 

Keep in mind, that this was in the early ‘80s, so whether we were watching Barnum (where my brother, then six, was swinging his legs with such delight that, at intermission, a limping Charles Bronson politely asked my mother if she would please switch seats with her son, as the action star’s own legs were now bruised), or the magic of Doug Henning, in Merlin; or even the surreal prop kookiness of avant-garde Swiss troupe, MUMMENSCHANZ; we were always enchanted.  It was New York at the very heights of its worst (or was it the depths of its best?), and we loved it.

Credit where it’s due, though – my first “Broadway” show was a production of Annie, to which my late grandmother took me, at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre (aleha ha-shalom, Gr. R.).

Anyhoo – with a trip to the City coming up, I figured that (like a good little homosexual) I’d watch the Tony Awards, and pick a couple shows to see ,while in New York, next month.  So I did, and I had (or, at least, I thought I had…)

Well – it turns-out that Broadway is the same blink-and-you’ll-miss-it playground as it ever was.  And at the end of the day, theatrical shows are decidedly for-profit ventures. 

So, last weekend, after watching the Tonys (an activity from which I’d previously abstained), I made a list of a half-dozen shows I wanted to see – strictly based on what I’d seen on that telecast; followed by reading their respective reviews, in the New York Times, and eliminating any show not receiving a rave.   (Sorry, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical; maybe next time...)

Come back, for the what, who, and why (or, why-not, as the case may be).

Broadway 2014

Get into it!