OK, I finally got this computer back up and running, so I'll try to fill y'all in on our trip to the city. We arrived on Tuesday had dinner at the Tavern on the Green and then went to see the Little Mermaid. WOW! That set was incredible, it really felt like you were in the sea. The singing was fabulous and I especially loved Ursula and her green eels, sooo funny. I kept wishing we had our 23 year old daughter with us to see the movie she loved so much performed on stage. Our 11 year old sang "Part of Your World" coming and going from the show. I wasn't really looking forward to the show, thinking it was going to be so-so(maybe I was burned out along with our VHS) but I was so thrilled to be blown away by this amazing production!

The next day, after lunch, we went to see GREASE!!!! I can't tell you how thrilling it was to sit in the seventh row and see Derek & Ashley appear on stage to cheers from their fans in the audience. I enjoyed the beginning with the Rydell kids and the dialog leading into "Summer Nights" and then Marty's bedroom scene. Sandy was played like a sweet, new, slightly awkward high school girl wanting to somehow fit in. I was kind of surprised to see Sandy go after Rizzo later on in the show. The first act seemed to lull at times I don't know why, if it is the order of scenes or what but it's a good thing Greased Lightning was in the middle to keep me going. Ashley's voice was perfect, I could feel the emotion in hopelessly devoted and although I would've liked to see Sandy at the dance, I really loved the duet that Ashley sang with Jan "It's Raining On Prom Night"...very clever and well done:) The second act was especially great, I kept looking over at people in the audience tapping their feet and moving to the music. Ashley's transformation to sexy Sandy after singing Goodbye to Sandra Dee was great, although they had a little bit of wardrobe malfunction because Sandy's outfit had to be safety-pinned in the back...that must've been some quick-change. TH sang and played BSDO and it fit in the show really nice, I really enjoyed it. After the show we went backstage, it was neat to see all the props and tracks and pulleys with the car and counter. TH was friendly. He told Ashley she needed to get outside to her fans that were waiting.

After dinner, we went with Ashley to see Legally Blonde, 7th row again... OMG!!! Bailey did a great job for her second week as well. This show was so much fun... I especially liked the UPS guy...what a hunk!There were fans at this show who stopped Ashley to say they saw Grease today and loved her, could they get a picture. She actually was signing autographs after the LB show for Grease fans. Hmmm ... sounds like they were on the same treck as us! Here's an interesting fact: The Legally Blonde playbill was also in black and white. It's beginning to look like a pattern...maybe this is how shows crossover when leads are changed.

The next day, after walking around SOHO and Little Italy, we had dinner at Thalia's and headed to the Gershwin for Wicked, this time first row Mezzanine. What an awesome show. Our favorite numbers were Defying Gravity and Popular. The set was massive and truly incredible. What a great story, too. I was actually surprised by the ending. Now I will have to read the book this year. After the show, my Bday, we hung out with Ashley along with several other actors and stage hands. What a fantastic trip!!! Turning 50 couldn't've been more fun. I had my family, parents, and a beautiful star to help me celebrate. Thanks for the memories. The first act seemed to lull at times I don't know why, if it is the order of scenes or what but it's a good thing Greased Lightning was in the middle to keep me going.

-- Edited by texfans5 at 03:13, 2008-08-05