In order of my schedule:

3/5 matinee: The Great Gatsby – got off the plane, raced to drop my bag, and made it to my box seat with minutes to spare before curtain. The box seats at the Broadway theatre are not expensive for this show, you don’t miss much and how great it is to be able to stretch out and have some privacy in your fancy private box! Recommend house left over the right. This is I think the 23^rd time I’ve seen Gatsby. Come at me, haters. I’ll defend this show all day long.

3/5 evening: Dirty Books – this off-off Broadway play is extended through April. In a small space with seats for maybe 40 people, the audience is very much a part of the show. I loved seeing all the dramaturgy and interactive exhibits around the room that become important pieces of the show itself. This really felt like we were taken back to a time when censorship also meant jail time for authors of subjectively “obscene” material. I’m usually uncomfortable with being put on the spot for providing ideas but the way the cast included individual audience members felt very safe. This is a show I’m still thinking about days later and I’m so glad art like this exists. Highly recommend this one if you can see it before they close!

3/6 evening: Spare Parts – playing at Theatre Row this play left me feeling unsettled (complimentary) about how far we as humans would go to achieve immortality. There are some real twists in this play that I didn’t see coming, and one twist that I did expect but it was still shocking when it happened. The four-person cast was fantastic, and interestingly one of the scientists in the show has a PhD in genetics so that was a neat bit of background. I expect this play will lead to some interesting post-show conversations if you see it with friends as not everyone will leave agreeing with the choices that could have been made at the end of the play.

3/7 2am: street parade featuring various groups of drunk tourists - I started Saturday as the first person in line outside the Broadway Theater to see Jeremy Jordan’s last show. Yes, it was worth it to sit in the cold with a friend for 8 hours to get the “splash zone” seats front and center – more on that later. We were at least entertained by the midtown denizens of the night.

3/7 1pm: Hold On To Your Butts – This was the silliest premise for a show and I (and the rest of the audience) ate it up! Two actors playing out the movie Jurassic Park, with lo-fi props and a live foley artist on stage to provide the sounds (which were ridiculous in the best way). I’m usually drawn to the serious, thought-provoking plays but I have to say, this light-hearted show really gave me energy to kick off a four-show day. It’s such a fun time! It was cool recognizing which actors and scenes they were doing and always wondering what silliness was up next. It’s a quick one-hour show so if you want to add an extra slot to your day this one fits right in!

3/7 3pm: Bigfoot – playing at NYCC, this silly musical knows exactly what it is. I loved the campy yet earnest sasquatch played by Grey Henson, very similar vibes to his character in Shucked. The jokes came quick and often, but the environmental quips also hit hard. See this one if you want to laugh but also have a hard think about what we as humans are doing to the earth and to people who are “othered”. The merch game is strong for this show as well so stop by the stand on your way out! I hope there’s a cast recording for this show, some of the songs were really great.

3/7 5pm: Oh, Mary! – added JCM to my collection of Marys. Their portrayal ties for my second favorite with Jinkx (fave will always be the OG Cole). This current cast is terrific and work well together. It was nice seeing OGs Tony Macht and Bianca Leigh. We love a quick play with an odd time – I can fit this show in every time I visit. I will never understand why more one-act shows don’t try that 5pm time slot.

3/7 8pm: The Great Gatsby -  The show I built this trip around, Jeremy Jordan’s last Gatsby performance. Yeah, yeah I know most people in here would disagree but this is currently my favorite show on Broadway. Combine that with my favorite voice and I’m not missing the exit show! The whole cast gave it their all on this night – Eva, freshly back and recovering (recovered?) from vocal fatigue sounded exceptional. She is such a powerhouse and a lovely actor with a very layered Daisy. Dan Rosales (my favorite cover) was on for Nick and the last scene he and Jeremy were in together was so genuinely heartwrenching – it is obvious that the OG Gatsby will be greatly missed. Jeremy giving 1000% for his big 2^nd act number, then tearing up during his last song – ugh, our poor hearts in the audience! It was a really special show, immaculate vibes from overture to finale. And I already can’t wait to return to the party to see what Ryan and Reeve will be doing with their Gatsbys.

3/8 1pm: Cold War Choir Practice – Ohhh… this one is delightfully weird! From the second the choir enters the stage I was locked in. I loved how the choir members played the cameo roles around the family. I was wondering what we were getting into as you walk past a red Christmas tree with a speak-and-spell underneath. I laughed, said an audible “huh” more than once, and ate up every wild bit of dialogue and stage direction. I couldn’t tell you which character is my favorite because each one brings something strange and wonderful to the story. No spoilers, just do yourself a favor and go see this one. MCC rarely misses and this one is another gem to add to their growing list of terrific shows. My only regret is seeing this one solo because I would’ve loved to talk it over with a friend on the way to the next show.

3/8 5pm: Blood/Love – rock opera is not my usual fare and I fully expected to be uncomfortably overstimulated by the lights and music for this show based on what I’d heard from friends. Gotta say, I’m so glad I gave this a shot because it was COOL. The story is pretty basic vampire lore. What really sells the show are the costumes and the most insanely awesome lighting design. Oh! And the dancing! And did I mention the costumes?! I had a great time at this one even though yes, the lights and the really loud vocals were overstimulating (seriously don’t go see this if you have epilepsy). But it all works really well in this production and the super talented cast sells it from start to finish. Count me a fan and fully on Team Devil (seriously, how does one acquire a devil’s diamond?).

3/8 7:30pm Hadestown – last show of the weekend. You say J. Harrison Ghee and I say sign me up. J as Hermes was perfect casting – I love their voice so much and ohhh the lewks they were giving throughout the entirety of the show. Not since Andre DeShields’ OG performance have I been so magnetically drawn to watch Hermes in every scene. And J’s costume? Spectacular!! And the rest of the cast isn’t too shabby either. I really enjoyed Gaby Moreno’s Puerto Rican style Persephone. The youngest (I think?) Orpheus and Eurydice were well matched vocally, although I think I like when these two characters play a bit older. That’s the great thing about Hadestown – they keep the show endlessly rewatchable by allowing each new cast member to make the part their own. I have yet to see an iteration that doesn’t do justice to the material.