About an hour before I knew my friends and I had to leave for a 1 AM bus to NYC this past weekend, I started to feel sick, as is a normal occurrence for someone who gets anxious. But I looked at myself in the mirror, at a face full of makeup that I almost never otherwise wear, and did not want to wipe it off. So I went anyways, and am so glad I did!
The first nine hours of our adventure were just that: an adventure. We were all bundled up in layers to combat the notorious big city wind tunnels, so I spent the entire four hour bus ride sweating and unable to sleep. When we arrived at 4:45, I wasn’t 100% sure what was going on because I was tired, but knew my friend was dying to see a particularly popular show, so we waited in line from 5 until the box office opened at 10 for rush tickets. Long story short, it was cold. I wasn’t sure my feet would make it. But we got the tickets, met some cool people in line, and even had the dialect coach working on the show come and bring everyone hot coffee! From there, the day could really take off.
After a brief trip to check out Columbia and grab lunch, we all parted ways, having gotten tickets for separate matinee performances. I’m someone who likes to save money and explore more local options, so I ventured just a few blocks away from Times Square to the lovely Davenport Theatre on 45th to see a really incredible show called “Afterglow”.
Photo courtesy of Mati Gelman, found on TheatreMania
S. Asher Gelman’s one-act exploring the dangers of polyamory in a marital setting is an extremely vulnerable piece that works intimately within the Loft at the venue, an aesthetically minimal but beautifully adorned space. I was really struck by actors’ use of space, all of whom help with scene transitions while still maintaining character in a way that is reminiscent of the black box style of theater. It also fascinated me that the author chose to write the characters as gay, because an open marriage is risky in any capacity, but we were privy to an entirely masculine perspective of balancing relationships. I was the only woman in the audience, but absolutely adored every second spent on the edge of my seat! In short, “Afterglow” was captivating.
Of course such an emotionally taxing show required that I eat immediately after, so we all met up at Buffalo Wild Wings and compared our experiences before the evening show, Tony award-winning “Come From Away”.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy, found on Daily Beast
My friends and I were extremely vocal audience members during “Come From Away”, whether it be cackling or sobbing for pretty much every waking moment of the performance. This gorgeous musical examines the planes that landed in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland closely following the events of 9/11, and the people that unquestioningly opened up their hearts and homes to those in crisis. Some of the interactions between the Newfoundlanders and their new friends are comedic, some heartwarming, and still others tense in the wake of the tragedy. Ultimately the show celebrates the best of humanity in the context of something horrible, and it was so striking that I downloaded the cast recording as soon as we boarded the bus home. I love a good ensemble cast!
Our day in NYC this past weekend was one of the longest, coldest, hottest (@ Greyhound buses) and most rewarding of my life. I will always cherish the many stories that live theater is able to convey, and the people I meet that, like those of Gander, remind me of all that humanity can be! Thanks, Broadway!