Day 19 - from Hell's Kitchen to West Side Story on Broadway

The events of the day really started on Tuesday. A good part of the afternoon was spent walking through the Hell’s Kitchen area just getting to know the neighborhood.  I passed that $1 pizza place again which, by the way, is called 2 Brothers Pizza.  This time the people were overflowing through the open patio doors, huddled around their tiny stand up tables on this balmy 35 degree day and keeping just the tips of their fingers warm with their hot slices.  You’ve got to wonder what they’re putting on that pizza??
.
Later that evening I was visiting one of my new favorite local pubs, The Molly Wee and met a new friend named Joel.  I was sipping one of Molly Wee’s famous $5 martinis (yum) and waiting to speak to Alyssa (the manager) while Aaron was relaxing with a draft right beside me.  When the usual conversation between 2 single strangers started I found out that Aaron is a Broadway actor (with 2 Tony nominations no less) and Aaron found out I had never seen a Broadway play! (oh the shame)
.
Well guess what…Wednesday Aaron called me and changed all that.  He had just gotten 2 tickets for West Side Story and asked me to join him.  Ya huh!  8pm…be there or be square!  West Side Story plays at the Palace Theater in Time Square.  Walking into the Time Square area at 7:30pm is an experience in itself.  As you get closer, the crowd grows around you and starts moving faster gradually turning into a wave of people that just seems to carry you to your destination.  If you look up and take in all of the famous lights and flash as you walk it feels a little like a neon roller coaster.  That was fun on a cold Wednesday night!  Imagine what it will be like on the weekend in the spring time!!!

.
Arriving in front of the Palace, I carefully jumped out of the wave to meet my date.  Aaron was waiting for me with tickets in hand just like you see in the movies.  Nice.  We had great seats right up front and as an added surprise, Joel’s friend Michael and his girlfriend were sitting with us.  All 3 of them were actors so it made the whole theater experience even more interesting.  Just after the musical started I realized that the setting for the story is actually Hell’s Kitchen.  Isn’t that an interesting coincidence!  Two days ago I had never been to Hell’s Kitchen or a Broadway play and now I’m at a Broadway play about the gangs of the 1950’s in Hell’s Kitchen.  Cool.
.
At intermission there was talk amongst my new actor friends about some of the old vs new choreography and staging and of course a critique of the actors.  I couldn’t tell you how the new compares to the old but I can say I truly enjoyed the production.  Not only was I completely entertained with the incredible talent of the actors, dancers and musicians but once again I was truly moved by the story itself.  Senseless hatred leading to even more senseless tragedy.  A good reminder of the need to constantly strive to create room for change and acceptance.
.
We ended up the night at a great place right around the corner from the theater  called Havana Central.  Juan Carlos served up refreshing mojitos, milk cake and flan (all highly recommended) and the 4 of us each served up our own critique of the play.  For an encore, Joel and Michael entertained us with impersonations of Jerry Lewis and other favorites and we all had a great time getting to know each other a little better.  Thanks Joel.  Couldn’t have planned that better.