I’m writing this on Christmas day in front of a roaring fire, it only took me forever to sit down and write this! I had a wonderful time and loved the play! My review of the play will not be as eloquent or as thorough as others but I’m gonna try.
I started my (mis) adventure on Dec. 5. If you’ve read my blog before you’ll know that I usually have a crisis of some kind before see Richard. (Is this the universe telling me to let him go and move on?) On Dec. 5th I realized lost my credit and debit card! I was at a theatre the day before and didn’t know if they were stolen or if they were just left behind. Long story short after freezing them both, they were at the theatre and safe.
I remember talking to my mom and saying, “Why does bad shit happen whenever I see Richard Armitage???”
Anyway crisis averted and all was good. On Dec 9th I worked a full day of work and made it safely to NYC. I was sharing a room with my good friend Carrie who I met three years earlier at the Desolation of Smaug fan event and she shared her room with me that time as well. I got to NYC at around 8 o’clock and hot footed it to a taxi. The traffic was insane! Some big to do at Madison Square Garden, or what ever. I made it to the hotel safely and squeed with Carrie for a bit before we headed out to the theatre to do stage door. (It would be the only time he’d come out that weekend so lucky us!)
We got there around 9:15 and met one of my Facebook friends. I met several other people I had only seen online in person. Richard came out around 9:45 and went to signing immediately. He came and went in about 2 minutes. He didnt recognize the 42nd street program, or at least he didnt say anything. Its all good though. I was thrilled to see him!
(continuing writing this on New Years day! haha! )
I saw the play three times. 2 times Sat 12/10, once Sun 12/11.
I would honestly say Act 1 was my favorite and Act 2 was my least favorite. I did really enjoy act 3 too.
I really liked act 1 because it was sweet and had a sense of innocence to it in my opinion. They all were saying they’re grown ups but really have no plans for what’s coming next. They see the world change around them and want to be a part of it but they don’t seem to really know exactly where they fit in, they just kind of go with the flow.
I thought 19 yo Kenneth was adorable! So bouncy and bubbly! You could tell he was full of energy, even in the lethargy of weed. I loved when he pitched his voice high and pouted, so sweet! Poor guy had a blister on his foot…owie! I was in the front stage right side for both shows on Sat so I could really see it.
I wish we saw more of Henry in the play, he was in interesting character and I would have liked to hear more about his dynamic with Kenneth and his family later in life.
Through the whole play I just really wanted Sandra to get her shit together, in my opinion, isn’t that what mothers are supposed to do? Better themselves for their children? Or at the very least try to act like a responsible adult around them. Maybe she was responsible when the kids were young but now that they’re teenagers she’s letting loose?
Act 2 was like a train wreck for me, it was fascinating and you couldn’t look away but it hurt. It hurt to see the kids pretty much neglected by their parents and to see Ken and Sandra’s marriage collapse. I especially felt bad for Rosie because she was having her own struggles with insecurity and then to have your parents spring a divorce on you in the same night.
Act 3 was really good but man, did I want to smack Rosie! I felt bad for her in act 2 but in act 3 I was honestly disgusted. Maybe it’s just me and the respect that I have for my family but I would never ask for a house from my mom. I can understand to an extent and honestly, I’m in the same boat, I’m about 20 years younger than her but I do live at home and am trying to pinch pennies to eventually move out. It does seem daunting but I don’t feel like my mother (who is a baby boomer) owes me a house.
Yes, it does seem like she had it “easy” a car and a house of her own by her late 20’s , retirement looming. To me that seems nearly impossible but I’m not one to give up. Yes I know I can ask my mom and my family for help but never to Rosie’s extent. It’s not my mom’s fault that the economy is not conducive for me to live on my own. If we keep blaming others for what’s happening in the present, we’d get back to Adam and Eve and that apple, it never ends!
I agree with Ken when he says “why did you listen to us, we’re your parents” Yes, you listen to your parents as a child but there comes a time when you must find your own way.
I do believe that Rosie deserves a good future, a comfy one, as does Jamie and Ken and Sandra but to take a selfish route is not right.
I really wonder what will become of Jamie, he seems like he’s really not in a good place and will need caring for for the foreseeable future.
I was glad that Kenneth and Sandra came to an understanding by the end. Their love story was tumultuous but at the very core there is love (and wine and cigarettes).
My interpretation of the play is probably different that others and I should probably read the script again and reflect on it. Maybe a lot went over my head. But even as a millennial, I sided with the parents more than the kids in the third act. Act 2 went to the kids. Act 1 was a draw. Henry had good points and a head on his shoulders, but life is meant to be enjoyed (maybe in a cleaner way though….)
I went to both after matinee Q&A sessions after my shows. I plucked up the courage to ask Richard a question after the first one, I asked if the show would ever possibly update to include Brexit. He said they did change a few lines in rehearsal to reflect that. He gave a really long and well thought out answer but honestly, I was in such a daze from him answering that I can’t remember it….orz
All in all, I saw a great play 3 times. I saw a great man for the first time in 2 years which was awesome! ( I missed him haha!) I got to see a lot of my friends, many of whom I only knew from social media and generally had a blast! I spent far too much money and time at Kinokuniya bookstore (if you like Japan, go there a whole floor of manga!!!) the Disney store, M&J trimmings and a bead store….I got to go to the Hamilton pop up shop which is lovely and the closest I’ll get to the show.
Shout out to Carrie (who generously shared her hotel room and dealt with my social awkwardness like a champ) Cindy (lovely pictures!) Kim, Lee, Thoriness (I never got your name! sorry!) Bea, Pat, Daphne, LaDonna, Crystal and all of the other wonderful friends I finally got to meet and see!
Here’s to the next Armitage Adventure, when ever it may be!