Another Broadway trip with Kari

Back in the day, Kari would come to visit me in NYC and we would do our traditional "five shows in five days." I think we did this at least three times. While I'm sure we will never get to do five shows in a row again (tragic, I know), we did relive some of our old Broadways days with a Broadway weekend! I totally miss broadway! It was so much fun having dinner and seeing a couple shows in the city with Kari.

Gotta love Broadway Selfies

I know I haven't done this in a while, but I figure I would give my two cents about the shows.

Rocky (SPOILER)
Disclaimer: Rocky is my favorite movie of all time so it's only natural for me to LOVE the show! That said....

Story: Have you seen the movie? Well, then you know the story. Yes, they did make some changes, but I don't think they were really that significant to the story (unlike other musicals). I guess the only two changes that bothered me were: One, they gave Apollo Creed three lady groupies. I know his wife wasn't in the first movie, but it bothered me that they didn't show him as married. Two: They also changed it so Gazzo (The loan shark that Rocky works for) is not as supportive. I love in the movie how Gazzo totally cheers on Rocky, but in the play he tells him he's a nobody and will always be nobody even after he fights. I know it's not that big of a deal, but it totally bothered me.

Music: I was a little disappointed by the music. It wasn't bad, and there were several songs that I really liked (Adrian has a powerful number in the second act), but I guess I was hoping for a whole show of Gonna Fly now proportions. Not the case, but maybe my expectations were a little ridiculous. Oh, well.

Set: AMAZING! I don't even know where to start! The fight with Apollo Creed was crazy insane. They moved the boxing ring out over the orchestra seating (moving the people in the first eight rows onto bleachers on the stage), so it was surrounded by the audience. I felt like I was in the movie!

Choreography: LOVE IT! The training scenes were out of control! They did such a great job! The fight at the end was really cool too.


If/Then
Honestly, I went to the show to see Idina Menzel (Some of you may know her as Adele Nazeem) and it was totally worth it!

Story: The story was kind of cool. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but basically it's about a decision that the main character, Elizabeth (played by Idina) makes in the beginning of the show and how it basically creates two different life paths. They show both of the paths in the show. It was really intriguing. FYI, there is a lot of swearing in the show, so if you're sensitive to that don't go.

Set: The set was ok, but nothing compared to Rocky. I was in the Mezz (my favorite place to see a show), however I heard from some people that if you sit in the back of the Orchestra you will miss a lot of the show (they have a two level stage)

Music: I really liked it and Idina did an amazing job, but I didn't walk away remembering any particular song that I LOVED. They were all good, but nothing really stood out to me.

Basically, I'm glad I got to see Idina and I'm glad I got to see the show, but it's the not type of show I would go see again and again.

I LOVE BROADWAY

Central Park, Serendipity, and Wicked

Also old news.

While the fam was here we spent some quality time in NYC. We saw a couple of shows, visited Central Park, and did the traditional touristy things.

One of the days we went to Serendipity3. Dad had never been so we thought it was a must. He loved the frozen hot chocolate, but was a little disappointed that he had to share with mom. I knew better...I ordered my own! I don't mess around when it comes to Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate.

One of my favorite things to do in NYC is to people watch in Time Square. It's totally entertianing. The lady in the pictures below was ranting and raving about something. I think it was religious, but I totally couldn't understand her.

Of course we had to take pictures in Time Square

While walking up to Wicked (after eating at Virgil's BBQ) Jeff decided he wanted a treat. He wanted to walk over to Pink Berry, but totally got vetoed by the rest of the group. He spotted Scoops "R" Us in the Toys "R" Us and decided that was a suitable option. I will say that they had a nice array of treats, but it was totally overpriced for what it was. Sounds like NYC :)

An Evening with Renee

Renee was one of my YW for the past year and recently went off to BYU Idaho to go to school. Before she left I took her out to dinner and a show to celebrate and to pay her back for playing basketball. I bribed her with a show if she would play on the YW basketball team. The agreement was that she needed to play in half of the games, but unfortunately she hurt her knee in practice after the first game and couldn't play. She did show up to several of the games to cheer, so I counted it!

I took her to Juniors for dinner. Eating at Juniors is a pre show tradition from my first year living in New York. Then we went to see Bring it On the Musical. It was ok :) Not my favorite. I did like all the cheerleading routines, those girls can fly! I was afraid they were going to hit their heads on the ceiling. I really didn't care for the end. It just didn't do anything for me.

 It was a good trip into the city with the lovely Renee! I'm just so happy for her! I know she's going to have a wild, crazy, good time on this little adventure of hers.

Friday Favorites: Broadway Shows are my Favorite!

As many of you know I'm obsessed with Broadway and used to post little reviews on this blog. I just love going to see all the shows nominated for Tony's. My Broadway show intake has decreased drastically since getting married (which is ok by me since I love Jeff), so I have to choose wisely which shows I want to see. I have now seen three shows in 2012.

War Horse: Jeff and I went to see War Horse as a Valentines day treat. I'd heard great things about the show and Jeff and I had been talking for some time about seeing it.

The show was okay. I LOVED the puppets and how they used them to tell the story, but I didn't really care for it. The story was kind of slow in parts and seemed to drag on. It had a long running time and I think they could have cut out a few things. I know they needed to set up the story, but I thought they could have done it a little more quickly.

However, I'm really glad that I went to see it (seriously, the puppets were breathtaking). If anything go and see it for the puppets.

Newsies: I've always been a big Newsies fan and couldn't wait to see the show. Sarah and I bought tickets the day the box office opened, because we wanted the best seats in the house (luckily we bought them early because they raised the price of our tickets by $100 a few weeks later...phew).

We both LOVED it. The dancing was amazing and there was a great energy in the theater. I've heard that some people don't like the new songs, but I'm going to disagree. I thought they worked well with the story and were needed for a Broadway Musical.

They replaced Jacks quiet, awkward love interest in the movie with a fun quirky reporter (also replacing Bryan Denton - Bill Pullman's character). While I didn't really care for the vocal talent of the actress they chose, I really liked the idea of the character. Really improved the love story.

Jack did a really nice job. I don't know if it's Tony worthy, but I'm glad he got the nomination.

I just hope that it's still open when my family comes in September, because I would really like to see it again with them. I just know they will love it.

Once the Musical: Sarah and I wanted to celebrate our five year anniversary in the city with  dinner and a show...the best way possible! We decided to go see Once the Musical since it had the most Tony nominations, despite not knowing anything about it (I actually prefer it that way...makes everything more of a surprise)

How was it? The music is wonderful. The acting was superb. I really enjoyed the female lead (not at first, but she totally few on me). The show all in all was pleasantly simple. However, it wasn't my favorite. It wasn't my "type" of musical (I love the shows with the big song and dance numbers...like Newsies). I really appreciate the show and understand the the Tony nominations, but I probably would never go to see the show again or take family or friends.

What's next? Well, I'm hoping to get in to see Nice Work If You Can Get It and Evita this summer. I will let you know how that goes.

Thanks for coming for a visit Dad!

Life is still busy (always). Dad came for a little visit last weekend. We saw a couple of shows, ate out a lot, saw Avatar, and tried to keep dry. Poor Dad...he came on one of the rainiest weekends we have had in a long time. We still had fun! We were able to do almost everything he wanted to do. The Empire State Building was on the list, but since the weather was so lousy we decided not to go. Maybe next time Dad!


I'm taking it easy this weekend. After two weekends in a row of guest I found there was a lot for me to catch up on. Especially considering I'm going to Disneyland next week! Yes, that's right...I'm taking the six hour flight to the happiest place on earth! I'm going with Kari and two of my cousins. I'm super excited.

After that it's time to get down to business. There's a lot going on right now and I really need to concentrate on an assortment of kind of important things. I'll try to keep you updated.

Friday Favorites: Favorite Events of 2009

Favorite events of 2009!

• Seeing Billy Elliot (Broadway Musical)- It's still one of my favorite shows of all time!
• Promotion to Senior Analyst!
• Elizabeth coming to play in NYC
• Seeing David Duchovny on the bus.
• Sarah coming to play times 2! - She came in April and November! Can't get enough Sarah!
• Going to Disney World with the family
• Hike with Selki
• Going to the Visa Signature Tony Awards Season Celebration
• Seeing Next to Normal (Broadway Musical)
• Seeing Rock of Ages
• Backpacking with Dad and Kari - I can't wait until next summer!
• Seeing The Norman Conquest (Broadway Play) - I would pay good money to see all three plays again
• Several Cooking with Ashley sessions - I hope there are many more next year.
• Dad, Kari, and Aunt Susan coming to play
• 25th Birthday! - I can't believe i'm so old!
• Going to Tavern on the Green for my Birthday
• Surprise Birthday party
• Going to a Yankee game and witnessing Jeter breaking the Yankee hits record
• Going to the US Open!
• Going Pumpkin picking with the girls
• Going to Utah to visit Elizabeth
• Hiking the Y

• Seeing A Steady Rain and Hamlet
• Spending Thanksgiving in Texas
• Going to the UT football game
• Meeting David :)
• Going home to play with the family for Christmas!

I hope 2010 is as memorable!

Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie

I saw Bye Bye Birdie over a month ago when the fam came to town. First, I would like to say that I saw it when it was only the third day of previews. The show may have changed a lot since when I saw it (I sure hope it did). Second, I want you to know that I love the musical Bye Bye Birdie. I watched the move hundreds of times growing up and could watch it another hundred times. It's just a fun story.

With that said...I was a little disappointed in the revival currently on Broadway. (don't be mad). I think I was disappointed because I was so excited to see it and it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

For starters...I didn't really care for the set. While it was fun, I felt like it was a little weak. I also didn't really care for most of the choreography (my sister would disagree with me on that point). I found it just awkward. I did like "The Telephone Hour" scene. While I do embrace Gina Gershon (I loved her in Boeing Boeing), I didn't really love her in this. She starts the show with "English Teacher" and I knew we were in trouble the minute she started to sing. She's so much fun and a talented actress, but I just wasn't feeling her. Sorry. Bill Irwin (Mr. McAfee) did a really good job. I kind of think that he stole the show. He was great! It was fun seeing John Stamos (Albert) on stage. No, he's not the best actor ever, but he sure is a good entertainer. I also really liked Allie Trimm (Kim) and Nolan Funk (Conrad). One last kiss was my favorite scene of the whole show. Nolan was a doll!All in all. It's a cut show, but not really up to par with the other fabulous shows on Broadway. I am tempted to see it again to see if they changed anything, but I don't know if I'm willing to spend the money.

Bye Bye Family...

The kids had a flight tonight, but they wanted to get in one more show before heading back to the west coast. Show of choice? Rock of Ages! I have been talking this show up for some time, so I was super nervous they wouldn't like it. Dad loved it! He said he was super glad I talked him into seeing it. He just loved the band! Kari thought it was really funny too.

I'm so glad that Dad, Kari, and Aunt Susan came for a little visit. It was nice having them in town for my birthday. I can't wait until next year when they come again (hopefully).

The Perfect Day!

Saturday was the perfect day! We slept in and then went to brunch at Sarabeth's with Ashley. I had Almond‑Crusted French Toast with Cranberry‑Cherry Sauce and fell in love with Sarabeth's all over again.


We then caught the matinee showing of Bye Bye Birdie. What did I think? I will let you know about that later. I will say I heart John Stamos!


Then the fam took me to Tavern on the Green for dinner. I have wanted to go to Tavern on the Green since moving to the city, so I was super excited when they told me that's where we were going. The food was amazing! The fam also ordered me a cake! The only downer on the evening was that Mom wasn't there.