BroadwayGirl NYC - Page 5

The key is to be as friendly and open as you possibly can. Ushers and House Managers are incredibly busy, and if you show them the slightest bit of attitude or pushiness, there's no way they're going to want to do you any favors. But if you start with a huge smile, and let them know through your body language and tone of voice that you'll be the opposite of the aggressive theatre-goers with whom they usually deal, it's surprisingly likely that they'll be refreshed enough to give you the upgrade you desire. You'd be delighted at how often the Manager says, 'Let me see what I can do.'

P is for Powerhouse, and it's also for Patti LuPone.

Back before I was well-versed in the art of discount theatre tickets, I took myself to Spamalot one hot August afternoon in 2005.

Over the last two weeks, I've entered the Wicked lotto seven times. Out of those seven, my name has been picked exactly zero times.

There are three days I consider high holy days of the Broadway religion: The Tony Awards, the BC/EFA Broadway Flea Market, and Broadway on Broadway. The Tonys, of course, took place in June; but the other two events happen in September -- which means I'm getting ready for a month of celebrating and rejoicing along with thousands upon thousands of other Broadway fans.

I sat next to the most perfectly expressive old lady at Next to Normal this week!

The most common question I'm asked on Twitter is, 'I'm coming to New York for one day only. Which show should I see?' Despite my knowledge of all of the currently running Broadway productions, I never know what to say. True, I have my favorite shows, but without knowing anything about the person asking the question or their taste in theatre, it's an impossible question to answer in 140 characters.

This week, I went to see two Broadway shows, neither of which I had been to in over five years: Jersey Boys and The Lion King. My last visit to Jersey Boys was in 2005 with the original cast; and it has been over a decade since I last saw The Lion King (in 1999!).

Show tunes are inherently catchy, and that's what makes us love them so much. In fact, it's what inspires us to hit the 'repeat' button and listen to the same cast album, or sometimes even one particular song, over and over and over. But you know that moment when all of a sudden you've gone too far? When, without warning, the song has lodged itself into your brain to the point of no return?

When a show is a huge success on Broadway, it has the potential to run for years and years and years. This is wonderful news for theatre fans who only come to New York City every once in a while -- and especially for those who make it to Broadway just once in a lifetime!

In honor of this week's crazy-high temperatures in New York City, I've put together - with the help of my lovelies on Twitter - a list of Broadway showtunes specifically related to sun, sweat, humidity and heat.

This past Saturday I saw Everyday Rapture on Broadway, and brought my friend John who almost never goes to the theatre. It isn't that he doesn't enjoy it - in fact, he came out of the show this weekend raving. His excuse, like so many others, is that Broadway tickets just cost too much to rationalize.

You know it when it hits you. That feeling in your gut that says, 'Seeing this show one time is NOT going to be enough!' Sometimes it happens during the curtain call. Sometimes it strikes during an 11:00 number or big finale. Other time it's obvious at intermission, or during the first act, or even when the orchestra strikes up the first notes of the overture. And for me, it's happened more than once that a show lodges itself in my heart before I even get to the theatre -- when the cast album precedes it, for example, and I know that I'm going to get stuck on the production like a schoolgirl with a crush on the captain of the football team.

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the role of Hollywood actors on the Broadway stage, especially following the Tony Awards -- where bonafide A-List movie stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Scarlett Johansson and Denzel Washinton all picked up acting awards. In all three categories (best leading actress in a musical, best featured actress in a play, best leading actor in a play), these Hollywood heavyweights beat out theatre actors who are arguably just as talented, if not as well known to the world outside New York.

And since I've already told you about my favorite Tony tradition, provided for you my Tony Theme Party Menu, and offered up my 2010 Tony Award Predictions, there is only one thing left to prepare: The 2010 TONY AWARDS DRINKING GAME!!!

Well my lovelies, we are now only days away from the 2010 Tonys. As you know from reading my last few columns and my frequent excited tweets, the Awards have been on my mind for weeks. I'm getting exponentially more excited as the day grows closer; it seems like now is the time to post my analysis of the nominees - including my picks for who should, and who will, win big this year.

This week, a bit of a scuffle broke out amongst Broadway fans on Twitter, when the question of wardrobe arose. No, this wasn't a discussion of costuming; it was the issue of appropriate dress for the audience when attending a Broadway show.

It's go time, theatre fans! With less than a month till the Tony Awards, it's time to kick into high gear on planning your Tony Party. But guess what? This year I'm doing the heavy lifting for you. Consider this your Tony Party guide. I like to have a theme for my bash each year, and this time, I'm inviting you to share it. Borrow from it, adapt it, or just take it and tell your friends you thought it up yourself. Just get your oven preheated and your grocery shopping done, because the theme of this year's party is... A VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE: Food & Drinks Inspired by the Broadway Musicals and Plays of 2010!

There is something special, sad and wonderful about attending a closing night on Broadway.

When I was growing up, Tony Award Night meant two things: dreaming that someday I'd be a part of it all, and spending the night with my beloved grandmother.