Even better the second time!

During our week in New York, we took in a few shows we had already seen before. On Tuesday night we saw THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE as party of Camp Broadway's Family Theatre night. We had all seen this last year before the Tonys. This time we arrived really early to try and sign up for the audience participation. I think we were too keen (and we answered honestly about being in the business which was probably also a mistake. I've heard that they have run into problems with people getting picked and then putting it on their resume!) and unfortunately, were not picked.

We enjoyed the show anyhow, and happily almost all of the original cast was still in it. Jesse Tyler Ferguson who plays Leaf Coneybear is my favorite, and this time I saw him fall off the bench -- too funny. I just love all the characters in this show, they are so endearingly hilarious!

Wednesday night I took my 12-year old daughter, Myrna, to see JERSEY BOYS (it was the excuse I needed to see the show for the third time...). We had amazing seats (thank you Grad). Myrna had already memorized the cast recording and the two of us would often break in a chorus of "Sherry" or harmonize on "My Eyes Adored You", so she was very excited to see the show.

The two of us bopped through the whole show, mouthing the lyrics and having a fabulous time. At one point J. Robert Spencer looked over at Myrna and smiled! I have to admit, I do love that show. After the show we went to the stage door and waited to get autographs. All four of the JERSEY BOYS came out and were very gracious and friendly about taking pictures and giving autographs. Now Myrna has pictures on her digital camera of her with each of the JERSEY BOYS! We took a pedicab home singing songs from the show at the top of our lungs all down Broadway!

While Myrna and I were rockin' it out to "Rag Doll" and "Walk Like A Man", my husband and younger daughter went to see DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS again. We saw it as a family last year before the Tonys. They loved it again (I think they enjoyed it more than the first time!), and commented that it seemed that the Muriel Eubanks character (now being played by Lucie Arnaz) had been expanded. They said that Lucie Arnaz was amazing in the role. The last time I saw Lucie Arnaz on stage was at the Royal Alex in Toronto during the tour of THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG. I loved that show...but I digress. Sherie Renee Scott was back playing Christine Colgate, and the understudies for Lawerence and Freddy were on, and also really great. I'm sorry I missed that!

My husband also took my youngest daughter, Trinity, to see SWEENEY TODD with Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. I had already seen earlier in the year so I was off with Myrna at THE WEDDING SINGER that night. They loved SWEENEY TODD, and Trinity was completely mesmerized during the show. They were blown away by the actors playing the instruments in addition to the acting and singing. They went to the stage door after to meet Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris, and Patti said Trinity was cute!

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