My favorite fruit is an apple, so it only seems fitting that I had a grand ol’ time in ✨THE BIG APPLE✨

I was lucky in highschool to spend a lot of time in NYC. Each summer, I went to an intensive called Broadway Artists Alliance, where I got to geek out on broadway and try not to make a fool out of myself meeting and taking master classes with big names in theater. I was even luckier to go on this adventure with my mom, who rushed lines each morning for discounted Broadway tickets while I was in class! Thanks to her, I got to see amazing shows like The Color Purple (anyone hear of Cynthia Erivo), Finding Neverland, Waitress, Curious Incident, Something Rotton, Beautiful, An American in Paris, and so so much more. I had summers filled with broadway, dancing, Halva from the Chelsea Market and big dreams. (Can you spot me below??)

I also have some both fun and interesting memories of my parents chaperoning my high school music trip to New York. Overall, it was a great trip, but no 16 year old wants their parents as chaperones on their big NYC adventure.

Anyways, as I flew into La Guardia, I was filled with excitement for the weekend ahead. I knew I would be seeing NYC in a new light, staying in my friend’s apartments and doing their favorite things, a little less Broadway and Times Square… but more real life. So the highlights?

Reconnecting with Friends

My first two days I spent with Anterra and Peter, two friends originally met in Denver’s music community. My other friends from Colorado came and visited them this weekend as well. Together, we stayed up late chatting, playing guitar, watching movies, making buttered noodles and over-priced cookie dough (NYC prices are legit af).

The second two days I spent with my friend and freshman year college roommate, Tia. She willinging stood with me in line for almost 4 hours to get discounted tickets to a Broadway show I wanted to see. That’s friendship!!! She also showed me her local spots, and then even took me to run a silly snowy cross country race. (We don’t have any photos yet, but it was a very silly 2k cross country race. I fell 1x and got a fireball shot for coming in last)

Both of them live in Brooklyn, which I really loved. The of energy and chaos of Manhattan is great for a trip, but the culture and community that Brooklyn has is way more cozy. In addition, I kind of liked the feel of their apartments. The new “Luxury” apartments everywhere in Denver annoy me. They all look the same, and they all kind of suck in their own way. I’d rather take a creaky stair than a poorly painted, thin gray wall with uppity management. I might pass on the clogged toilet or broken air conditioner though 😂 . Regardless, I loved going to my friend’s favorite stores and parks, meeting their friends, and riding the subway (I LOVE NYC public transport!). I am just so grateful to get to reconnect with these wonderful people.

Food

NYC thrives in my two favorite foods, pizza and bagels. Outside of that, we got some sushi, vegan thai, and croissants. Also a lot of oreos, cheese and crackers, buttered noodles, and candy 😂

My body def wanted an apple after this trip though, I was really craving some fruits and veggies!

The Arts

I love the artistic energy of New York. There are so many new ideas and so much music, talent and culture. We saw two comedy shows, and one insanely amazing showcase featuring Anterra’s friend, Tiger Darrow. She was absolutely incredible, and I am linking her spotify below!

I also got to see the Tony Winning Broadway Musical, “The Outsiders”. Even better, I got to see a familiar face in the show! Jason Schmidt (from Arlington Heights, IL) is currently playing SodaPop Curtis! It is soooo cool to see someone I know kicking ass in the arts! Also though, I am mind blown by how many people I know/knew who are doing big things in theater and music. If you wind up in the big apple, I highly recommend seeing this show. It is so popular, frequently selling out , with tickets that can be up to $500+. However, there are rush and lottery tickets, and I stood in the back for $45. From there, I could see everything, and I still felt all the feels. When Johnny Cade whispers “Stay Gold”, it’s hard NOT to cry.

I won’t lie, I sometimes miss my days of being a theater geek. I miss the excitement of auditioning and getting casted. I miss the energy of a show and playing a role, but maybe the part I miss the most is the story telling. I think thats why I connect with some of my band’s songs more than others and why I enjoy song-writing and writing this blog. I love telling stories and connecting with people in that way. I know life is about gives and takes. I know the music and theater industry is extremely tough, and I am very happy that my life allows me to travel, spend time in nature, have a stable income, and still keep the arts in my life. Even so, there is a peice of my heart that specifically loves the theater. I hope I find myself in that scene again one day. In the meantime, I will continue to annoy my non-theater friends with show-tunes:)

Here is my little nostalgic throwback to some of my theater days, specifically when I got to do a little solo at one of my choir concerts. I sang a song from this somewhat short-lived broadway musical, Tuck Everlasting. This song always hit me. It was about a girl trying to choose between eternal life with the Tucks or the adventure of growing up. Unsurprising that the “difficulty with decision” song was the one I resonated with then and now still.

(I skipped ahead to the most dramatic part cuz its fun:))