Bea Comes To Visit - Wednesday

October 1, 2008

Stacey and I wanted to be respectful of Bea's age and not load her days in New York with excessive activity. This care proved to be unwarranted though. Sitting around the table later in the week, we reviewed our activities for the entire week, day by day and we all couldn't believe how much we had done.

Wednesday was no different. We had purchased tickets for a matinee: Gypsy which was playing at the St. James Theater on 44th Street. . It was nice weather but rain was predicted for evening. Instead of walking the two blocks to the subway, I drove and lucked out - I was able to park directly across the street from the Q train station. In a few minutes the train arrived and less than 25 minutes later we took an escalator to frenetic Times Square.

On our way to the theater, we take the Q train to Times Square.

On the Q, bound for Manhattan.

We find a seat and Eleanor, Stacey's former co-worker (and fellow retiree).

The sight that greeted Bea as we exited the subway at Times Square - big changes since she last saw it decades ago.

Making their way through the maddening crowds.

On line at the St. James theater.

Gypsy was wonderful. A real throwback to the great musicals of the 40s and 50s. It's said that Patty LuPone is one of the few contemporary actors who can come close to the belting and boisterous presentation of the late, great Ethel Merman. I thought that was a bit overreaching but, nevertheless, her performance was stellar and the production very entertaining. The songs were great old melodies and wonderfully familiar. Bea enjoyed the show and we talked about it all the way home and days later.

In the mezzanine, perusing the Playbill.

Exiting the theater, Times Square was coming to life and to light.

42nd Street - old and new.

We headed home and as predicted, when we exited the station it was beginning to rain. We jumped in the car and drove the few blocks home - a very satisfying visit to the Big Apple.

At Times Square station - heading home.

To see these photos as a slideshow, CLICK HERE.