Broadway Binge 2025 Part 2
It felt good to be back in the familiar electric buzz of midtown Manhattan after our blackout adventure. At last, it was time for Part 2 of our Broadway Binge: four nights, four shows!
In Times Square, there was a new bronze statue titled Grounded in the Stars, by Thomas J. Price. It was a woman, twelve feet tall, with a casual pose and a confident gaze. It was both serene and powerful, and I loved it. And I stood on one corner of her pedestal to watch a joyful concert called Creative Labor, Creative Conditions. Sponsored by the Doris Duke Foundation, it was “a celebration of artists, their work and their rightful place as essential laborers.” The Fire Ensemble performed rousing, upbeat numbers, with the crowd enthusiastingly singing along. It felt good to show my support for the talented, hard-working people who make our Broadway Binges possible.
The first two shows were just for Steve and me.
Samara Joy at Carnegie Hall - We first saw her at Dizzy’s Jazz Club in 2021 at the start of her meteoric career, then again as a Grammy-winning headliner at Newport Jazz Festival in 2024. We were proud to witness her debut performance on that iconic stage. This time, she was band leader and composer as well as vocalist. It was a masterful performance, and it was heartwarming to see her gratitude to her family and teachers, who were all present.
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends - Seeing this show was like being a guest at a sumptuous banquet serving masterful renditions of our favorite dishes. Each course was followed by another one even more delicious. Bernadette Peters was fabulous and funny, as always, and I was astounded by Lea Salonga's powerhouse performances as Mrs. Lovett and Mama Rose. The entire cast nailed every number with splendid vocals, perfect comic timing, and loads of charisma. Kudos to the excellent orchestra as well. Although I shed a few tears at the photos of Sondheim through the years, it was a joyous and memorable evening.
The third show was a sitzprobe, where we sat in on a rehearsal of Pippin. It was our first sitzprobe, and it was a huge treat! You can read more about it here.
We binged on still more Broadway shows with our daughter Amy, taking advantage of rush and SRO (standing room only) tickets to sneak in a couple of extra shows at low prices.
SMASH - Steve, Amy and I are huge fans of the television series, so of course we had to experience the long-awaited Broadway show together. It was wonderful to see all the beloved numbers performed live. Great fun!
Stranger Things - Steve and Amy scored rush tickets to see this prequel to the television series. The special effects were impressive.
Good Night, and Good Luck - I saw this on my own while Steve and Amy were at Stranger Things. The show was sold out, so I bought an SRO (Standing Room Only) ticket and watched it from the rear of the theater. Clooney was good (he was nominated for a Tony Award), but I was even more impressed that he co-wrote the play. It was well worth standing for.
Just in Time - Jonathan Groff was phenomenal as Bobby Darin! We were in the third row, which was excitingly close to the action but out of spitting range (he’s a “wet performer”). Groff was also nominated for a Tony Award. It was a spectacular show, and a lot of fun!
