Who: My friend Amy and I

What: To Kill a Mockingbird, the Broadway play based on the classic novel

When: August 2019

Where: Shubert Theatre, New York

Why: We won tickets—thanks Broadway Across America!

Thoughts: Like most people, I'm guessing, I read To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school and haven't since. I remember that I liked it and I remember basic plot points, but I don't remember the entire story and I didn't re-read this book before watching the play.

That being said, I could tell that this wasn't a purist adaptation of the book and I can tell you I absolutely love how they presented the play! I will always pick a musical over the play, but of the 3 shows we won tickets to, Mockingbird was by far my favorite. It captured the spirit of the story while making connections to society today without being preachy and still managed to make us laugh. 

Something unique about this show is that the child characters are played by adult actors. I thought this would be weird, but it actually worked very well as the children mostly serve as narrators sharing their memories with us. Their body language and costumes are that of children while their dialog is more mature. In fact, Celia Keenan-Bolger, who plays Scout, won a Tony this year for her role!

This was such a creative presentation/interpretation of a classic novel. I shouldn't be surprised since Bartlett Sher (who was behind two of my favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein musical revivals) worked on this. If I were to come back to New York with a friend, I wouldn't hesitate to bring them along to see this!

Something to consider if you're a purist: another person in our group mentioned she re-read the book right before coming to see the play and regretted that choice. The creative choices in this play worked for me but may not for some. Or maybe, just wait until after to read the book and compare notes. Either way, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this play!

Who: My friend Amy & I

What: Moulin Rouge!, the Broadway musical interpretation of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film

When: August 2019

Where: Al Hirschfield theatre, New York

Why: We won a Broadway weekend getaway including tickets to three shows. This was the first.

Thoughts: Full disclosure: I didn't care for the movie when it came out in 2001. Amy and I watched it again shortly before our trip, and while I still didn't love it, I had hopes that the Broadway version would be more spectacular.

First things first, the set is amazing! One of the best I've seen. My personal recommendation would be to buy the cheapest nosebleed seats possible just to come to the theatre and appreciate how amazing everything looks. 

Our orchestra seats were partially obstructed by the mezzanine so you can't see the amazing elephant and windmill that reside in the boxes. If you sat closer though, I think the view would be incomplete. As an orchestra snob, this is one of few shows that I would say mezzanine seats are definitely the way to go!

Onto the show.

What I love best about movie adaptations on Broadway is that plot holes and storylines are often filled in and made more robust. This was not the case with Moulin Rouge! This adaptation is all about the music with the weaker-than-the-film book taking the back seat. Most plot points are the same, but most of the show's real estate was the 70+ songs they squeezed into the score. 

Film songs including "Come What May" and "Your Song" were included while many others such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Like a Virgin" didn't make the cut. New, mostly modern songs from artists ranging from Beyonce to Britney to Marilyn Manson were delivered as small snippets or full-fledged production numbers. 

Basically, Moulin Rouge! is one big concert with a really nice set. We had a fun time, but by the end of the show, I was mentally exhausted and ready to go. Fans of the film and of pop music in general will have a fun time at the show, but this doesn't rank as a personal favorite for me.

Bonus: I love it when shows have fun or unique themed drinks and Moulin Rouge! offered an Absynthe cart. I didn't partake but loved that they incorporated it!

Are you a Moulin Rouge fan? 

Did you like the Broadway production or are you planning to see it?

Happy Friday!



Earlier this year, I received the news that I'd won a trip to NYC courtesy of Broadway Across America. Last weekend, My friend Amy and I were flown to the city last week where we were put up in a hotel for three nights, given tickets to three shows, and taken on a walking theatre tour. To really make the most of our time in the city, we opted to take the bus home instead of an earlier flight so we could have even more time to see shows and play tourist the city.

1. Broadway

2. 9/11 Museum

3. Central Park

4. The High Line

5. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island