Giving Regards to Broadway

It had been nearly three years since our last trip to NYC (though Owen had been more recently, with a drama club field trip back in 2020). We'd actually had to cancel a trip during the Pandemic and while we'd gotten our musical theater fix via the Kennedy Center, it wasn't the same. So, with the whole family fully vaccinated and boosted, infection rates... at least lower, and the end of the term, we decided a return was long overdue. And while we might have been a little apprehensive about it, going to Broadway is like riding a bicycle – only now it requires proof of vaccination and a mask.

We started off the kids' Spring Break with an early train to the city in order to drop our stuff off at the hotel, check out the insane line at the Stardust Diner before opting for lunch at a pizza place near the theater in order to make the matinee of Dear Evan Hansen (which was on both kids' wish lists but was clearly Owen's favorite). Afterwards, we formally checked into the hotel and then headed out to Central Park and a lovely dinner overlooking Columbus Circle.

The next morning, the kids indulged me for a chilly constitutional along the High Line. They weren't really into it (it probably would gone over better had Nora had actually packed a coat...), but after a stop at Starbuck for a well timed mocha, Nora perked up and agreed to venture into Washington Square to see the arch (and a pseudo college tour of NYU) before heading back to the hotel to regroup before dinner and our show.

Nora had been waiting years to see Six (the global sensation), which ironically was supposed to open on Broadway the night the lights went out for the Pandemic. Having listened the soundtrack endlessly and even an interview with the writers, we were a little worried that the show couldn't possibly live up to Nora's expectations. But our fears were meritless – we hadn't seen Nora that happy and excited (it didn't totally translate on film) in a long time (topping the night off with gelato flowers probably didn't hurt either...).

The next morning we got donuts and headed to Central Park for some climbing and a lovely walk before Nora stepped in dog poop. Thankfully, there was a bathroom nearby, Nora was wearing zippy pants, and it was warmer than it had been the day before. We cleaned up, grabbed lunch, headed back to Penn Station and took the train home (to start the rest of Spring Break).

(To see all of the NYC pictures, click here.)