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| a selection of 2016... |
...a very good place to start.
2016 has been my best year yet. On the public side it kind of sucked for most of us, but my private life was absolutely incredible this year.
It all started when I became obsessed with a fairly unknown little musical called Hamilton. Sometime around March I decided I needed some New York time, as it had been over three years since my previous trip, and I just KNEW if I went to New York I would win the lottery and get to see the show.
I didn't.
I cried.
In Bryant Park.
I walked by the Richard Rodgers Theatre on my way to the Cort to see Bright Star (my third Broadway show in as many days). I don't know if I thought someone would randomly give me their ticket or what.
However, that May trip to New York for four days made me think outside the box where travel is concerned. I devised a plan where I could go regularly for very little money.
Friends, I love New York. I've never lived there. I can count the number of times I've been (I look forward to the day when it becomes so blurred I can't). It feels so much like home, which is weird and I'll admit that. Just being in the city calms and centers me. It is possible that the four trips I've taken in the last seven months have to do with my calm, cool, centered demeanor.
So I get home from NOT seeing Hamilton and devise a plan to go back. To spend the money and see the original cast. It was expensive. It was a quick trip. And it was worth every, single penny. More on that later...
This summer I stage managed Mary Poppins at my home theatre, which was one of the best experiences of my life. I met people who will be part of my life forever. I was encouraged by their love and passion for their art. I drank more and slept less than I have in a long time and it was totally worth it.
I have always loved going to shows. The first show I ever saw was Annie when I was six and we went twice. I've been a member of my home theatre for 22 years. I go to shows. It's just what I do.
After Mary Poppins I went to a neighboring town to watch a friend in South Pacific and on the way home started to count how many shows I had already been to, having told people I average about 20 a year. South Pacific was number 19 and I knew I was about to book a trip to see a lot of shows in New York in November and already had airfare to New York for the following week for a short trip. So I made a goal to see forty shows in 2016. I thought this was a reasonable goal I could meet. I told myself I would go for 52 in 2017 which would average to one show per week.
I made myself promise that I would not go see shows JUST to add to the list. That wasn't the point of this. One of three criteria had to be present for me to see a show:
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*a show I genuinely want to see
*a show a friend is part of
*a show from a company I support annually
As it turned out this gave me license to see ALL the shows and I finished 2016 with 52 shows. It has been fun. I have been to shows on all the trips I've been on and I've made it a priority to see shows that my friends are involved in.
If you click here you can find THE List: 2016. I have linked all the shows, companies and venues for you to check out. My goal going forward is write a blurb about every show I see and to fill in all the 2016 shows as well.
I hope to inspire others to get out and see live theatre as well as to jump out of their comfort zone and live their lives to the fullest. When I started living MY life and doing the things I cared about instead of what people expected of me then magic started to happen. You might not be a theatre person, but maybe you could make a goal to see a baseball game at every MLB stadium or go to a concert once a month. I realize a show a week (or more) is pretty insane. I am lucky to be at a place in my life where this is possible. I encourage everyone to find something that they are passionate about and pursue it.
PS go read the about me section if you haven't already!
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