When I saw A Trip to Bountiful in April 2013, I jumped to my feet at curtain call and applauded like it was going outta style, convinced that this would be the first and last time that I would see Cicely Tyson on the New York City stage. So, how cool is it that two short years later, at the end of a historic week in NYC, I get to take my mom and good friend to see Cicely Tyson (again) and the legendary James Earl Jones in D.L. Coburn's The Gin Game. Now, I was a bit concerned about seeing the play so early in previews, but silly me, I forgot that I was going to see two Tony Award winning pros, who made their Broadway debuts in the late 50s and have over 100 years of acting experience between them. Needless to say, the aging comedy-drama was a solid production. I laughed. Then I got quiet. Then I laughed again. Then I got a little nervous. Then I laughed. Then I got quiet. Then I jumped up and applauded like it was going out of style, convinced that this would be the second and last time I would see Cicely Tyson on the New York City Stage. Then I went home and thanks to youtube watched the original production starring real life married couple at the time Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. And now, I am a little worried as I enter the second act of my life...
Last weekend, I floated through the streets of Manhattan like I was a member of the Volturi. And you know what that means. It means that I just had a euphoric experience at the theater. After a sold out run at the Public, watching segments such as the one above, and much hoopla, I finally got a chance to see Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton. As I floated through the streets, I wished the OBC was available so that I could listen and catch the lyrics I missed. And wouldn't you know it, a couple of days later, the entire album was made available for streaming on NPR Music First Listen. So, I listened to the show again, and I was absolutely correct... Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius.
Act I Alexander Hamilton My Shot The Story of Tonight The Schuyler Sisters Farmer Refuted You'll Be Back Right Hand Man Helpless Satisfied Wait for It Stay Alive Ten Duel Commandments That Would Be Enough History Has Its Eyes on You Yorktown Dear Theodosia Non-Stop Act II What'd I Miss Take a Break Say No to This The Room Where It Happens Schuyler Defeated Washington on Your Side One Last Time The Adams Administration Hurricane The Reynolds Pamphlet Burn Blow Us All Away It's Quiet Uptown The Election of 1800 Your Obedient Servant The World Was Wide Enough Finale
Our imaginations seem to be so limited by our personal experiences, you have to wonder if it's even possible to understand something that sits outside of them.
