Musings of a Middle-aged Mind: Hamilton, y'all!

We are finally going to see this on-stage phenomenon this fall in Hollyweird, and we scored some great seats at the Pantages Theater. It is unbelievable how popular this show is. The day tickets went on sale, Tracy, Jake and I made over 400 calls, while at lunch at Ebbitt's Grill in DC, before we were able to get through and buy them.

Tracy and I were in NYC last year, and we could have put down a big pile of shekels to see it, but waiting a few months saves a few bucks. Plus on Broadway, you only have to cross the street to find something else fantastic, so it's not like we missed out by opting for Finding Neverland instead.

They say the neon lights are bright

Some folks like Dodger games, others dig going to concerts, and some tailgate at the Coliseum for USC football. In our family, we waste money on musicals. Like, way too much money. I didn't really start seeing plays until I saw Phantom in my early 20s, but taking our kids has made for some great experiences together.

One of my favorite memories is Courtney's 8th birthday, where we took her out to eat at the place of her choosing- a sushi joint at Citywalk. (What 8-yr old likes sushi?) Afterwards, Tracy and I took her down to Hollywood under the guise of checking out the Walk of Fame. We had fun as we marched along with our heads down, pointing out the stars we recognized.

As we got in front of the Pantages, we turned and walked inside, telling Court, "Hey, let's check this out." She followed along, oblivious, and didn't notice us present tickets to "The Lion King" at the door. When we got inside the gaudy entrance, she hadn't yet put two and two together as she saw the concessions, souvenirs and decorations; but as we handed her the printed program, her excited reaction was just priceless. We had great seats, a great time, and a great memory.

At the Dolby Theater

Another great memory was when Lindsey and I won the Wicked lottery, to which she attributes her wearing her lucky bracelet. Where ever Wicked is playing, they have a lottery two hours in advance, and the winners get to buy two front-row tickets for $25. It is a lot of fun being there with a couple hundred other hopefuls, trying to be one of the 13 lucky winners. (That is for 26 front row seats, for you math-challenged.) The people cheer loudly for the first few winners, and then the cheers die down as more winners are announced and people see their chances fade.

Ours was the 12th name drawn, and we ended up practically sitting on Glinda's lap. A couple rows behind us, in seats not as cool, was Jessica Simpson and her entourage. Who got their own special exit to which we were refused access. So someone might have leaked that to the paparazzi outside.

A few weeks later, Lindsey and I went down with our friends Paul & Sarah Bartschi to increase their odds of winning, and Lindsey's number was chosen, bagging the Bartschis some sweet seats.

Gravity defied

Below are some of the plays I have enjoyed over the years, and categorized in no particular order:

My Top Five Faves: Wicked, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Annie, In The Heights

With Courtney, before Harps & Angels

Lindsey and Jake bonding before Mary Poppins

Unforgettable: Next to Normal, Miss Saigon, Beautiful, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof

Keep your hand at the level of your eyes!

Forgettable: Amelie, Curtains, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grey Gardens, Porgy & Bess

Trying to solve that Maria problem

Most Fun: Mamma Mia, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Promises Promises, Spamalot

Best Encore: We Will Rock You (spoiler alert). The only Queen hit not sung during the play was Bohemian Rhapsody, and by the end we were left wanting. After the cast took their bows and the curtains closed, the question appeared projected on the curtains, "Do you want 'Bohemian Rhapsody?' The place went nuts, as any genteel theater crowd can, as the WWRY cast came back out and belted it.

Matilda at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles . . .

. . . and at the Shubert on Broadway

Best with Kids: Mary Poppins, Newsies, The Sound of Music, Matilda, Lion King

The Last Confession . . . terrific

Not Safe for Kids: American Idiot, Movin' Out, Nine, Rent, Grease, Jersey Boys

You can still take a pic if you don't like the play

Great Revivals: Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, South Pacific, Cinderella

Cinderelly!

Hidden Gems: The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Last Confession, Once, Love Letters, The Wedding Singer, Dead End

Taking the boy to meet Elphaba

Overrated: Grand Hotel, Into the Woods, Memphis, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Stomp, The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee

Box seats in the Imperial Theater at the Great White Way

Least Favorites: The Black Rider, The Black Rider, The Black Rider, The Black Rider, The Black Rider

Most Irritating: When the cast comes out after taking their bows and hits you up for money for some cause, (like the tickets weren't expensive enough?) because, you know, "Broadway Cares."