Last Saturday I took the train to New York and met up with Marie to see Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Bohème. It was amazing! His was the first Bohème I had ever watched, a few years ago on PBS, so even though it is a modern interpretation of the classic, it’s become the definitive production for me.
Marie and I were sitting up front and off to the left. By the time the opera started, the four seats to our right were still empty. (My philosophy is to treat this situation like boarding an airplane. That is, if people aren’t in their seats on time, then too bad, I reserve the right to take their seat. Heh.) So we banded together with the two guys on our left, and all of us scooted across, closer to the center. It was great. However, after the first act, the rightful owners finally arrived, and we had to scoot back. It was nice while it lasted, we sighed.
The whole show is phenomenal. Everything is so lush and energetic, from the exuberant, young singers to the set design and even to the colloquial translations. Definitely a must-see.
After the show, still stunned by the soaring operatic spectacle, Marie and I said our goodbyes, and not wanting to end my trip just yet, I walked down Broadway, looking for another show to take in. It had started to rain, and Times Square was packed with people. I turned right on 42nd Street and decided to see, yes, 42nd Street. What a great, old-fashioned, toe-tapping musical. Really, I don’t think I’ve seen more tap dancing in all my life. Lots of fun.
Right after the show, I went to Penn Station and took the last train back to D.C. I finally arrived at my apartment at around 2:30 a.m., and slept. And slept some more.