I love musical theater. Go ahead, chuckle, guffaw, get it out of your system. But I love the singing, dancing, cheesiness of it all. I love the lavish productions and/or the hokey 40-50s classics. I own the Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection and you know that one of my favorite Buffy episodes is Once More with Feeling (I have the soundtrack on my mp3 player!). So go on and laugh--it's ok. I don't mind.

There are, however, exceptions. I never liked Cats (what was that about?? and why did it refuse to die??) and I have no use for those odd musicals where they just take a collection of songs by an artist and try and make them a show. I love the corny musicals where the libretto moves the story along, where the songs are dialogue. I love to sing them loudly when I am driving and embarass the boys.

So my mom called me and invited me to the city for an afternoon of Broadway musical fun. "Sure!" I said. "I love Broadway!" I said. She needed a tour guide--someone to get her safely in and out of NYC without getting lost. I find it terribly amusing that that person is me considering a year ago I was as city phobic as...well, someone really city phobic.

She couldn't wait to surprise me with the show we were heading in to see. "What could it be," I wondered. "Spamalot!" or maybe "Pajama Game" with my favorite crooning hottie Harry strutting around on stage in his PJs? "Phantom!" she squealed and I tried to sound really excited. I tried. But, ummm, it's Phantom. You know, the new Cats. In fact, it just took over as longest running musical from Cats. I know the story and the music and have never really had much desire to go in and check it out. I saw the movie (oofah! Gerard Butler!!)--that's good enough. But she was so happy that I decided to go and hey!-- a free show, a free dinner and a free train ticket--that's ok with me.

Train ride--the one I assured them was the easiest way in--wound up being delayed when the wheels locked up and we had to walk down the track in the rain to get the next train. Ok, no problem, it was kind of fun watching her try not to panic. An hour late but still time for a little shopping.

The show was fine. It was pretty much what I expected. I love live theater so that always makes things more enjoyable. I did think that the Phantom looked a little more like Count Olaf than Gerard Butler but his voice was powerful and rich and I can forgive a lot for an amazing singer.

But afterwards, while riding the train, mom's fiance announced that he was impressed that I was a "Champion Pole Holder." You didn't know that about me did you? I believe he was referring to my subway riding skills, but there was no way I was asking for clarification.

Then at the restaurant he asked my mom if they ever do the show in English. You know...Phantom. in. English. That might explain why he was snoring through the entire performance. Apparently he couldn't really understand them and just assumed that was because it was in French. He sat through the whole show not knowing that it was in English! It is so hard not to mock things like that--but I tried, I really tried. (umm, 'til now)

Conversation turned to the meal, which was really yummy BBQ, and my mom announced that she really liked my recipe for BBQ--you know because I am an extremely good "pork puller." Yup, Champion Pole Holder and Pork Puller, those are some trophies that should be out on the coffee table next time you stop over.

It wasn't a bad day in the city. I laughed a lot. OOh! AND I found out that Flogging Molly will be in NYC on Feb 16!!! So eeeee! I am going to get to see them in concert and it should be lots and lots of happy, rocking, singing, Irish fun with my old college roommate and a few other friends of ours.