A Play, Twitter, Post-Modern Dance, and Chinatown

Apparently I like creating titles that encompass every plot point in the post. Interesting.

Anyways, where I last left off was Thursday afternoon. Post-library, it was to the Theater District of Manhattan (near Times Square) to see Water by the Spoonful. This play by Quiara Alegria Hudes won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Water by the Spoonful is actually part two of a trilogy. The plot focuses on a man named Elliot, a Marine who returns from Iraq and is dealing with his own demons that continue to haunt him. Elliot is also dealing with his complicated family. The final aspect of this plot is an online chat room that is for recovering addicts. All these story lines collide in an incredibly moving piece of theater. I think each of us cried at some point during the play and one of the strongest aspects of the play was its ability to hit us square in the heart in a variety of different ways.

After the play, we had our usual discussion and then headed downstairs and towards the chilly NYC streets. Right near the door, we ran into two of the actresses (both were stunning). We started chatting with them and telling them how much we enjoyed the performance. They were so impressed with us they informed us that a reading of the first and third sections of Hudes' trilogy were being read on Sunday. They would be read before and after the matinee performance of Water by the Spoonful (so the trilogy would occur, all the on the same day!). They didn't know if there were any tickets left, but if there were, we should come. The best part was that they told Susan (our theater professor) that she should tell the box office we were family and friends! It pays off to be friendly and complimentary.

Susan was able to nab us tickets so another field trip on Sunday! It should be really fun and based on Water by the Spoonful, the readings of the other two plays should be out of this world.

Friday was another day at the Paley Center. I really enjoy working there. I created more potential tweets and Facebook posts to advertise for Paley Fest. I'm such a social media junkie at times (especially when it comes to Twitter) so the ability to write tweets all day is right up my alley. I also enjoy it because I am able to research TV shows and attempt to learn how their fandom works. Fandoms are extremely interesting and unique to each show. I helped out with six shows and then it was time to head back to the Hotel Belleclaire.

Our Friday night event was seeing a dance performance. There were three dances performed, all choreographed by Yvonne Rainer. She is a very famous choreographer and her dance is a rebellion against traditional ballet and modern dance. It's sort of post-modern and definitely unique. Quite a change from the ballet last Friday. In two of her dances, she included talking, either from herself or the dancers. It was definitely unexpected at first but as it continued, you got use to it. Many times, the speeches were critiques on society and did get you thinking. I'm planning on writing my response to it later today so I don't forget anything.

Ashley, Whitney, and I decided to sleep in and once we woke up and got ready, we joined Rina and headed to Chinatown on the lower East side of Manhattan. This area of Manhattan is...special. A main cross street down there is Canal Street, aka the home of knock-offs. People stand in on the sidewalk, talking to you at every opportunity asking if you want a bag, watch, or want to sell your gold watches. And not only is it Chinatown, but Little Italy, and other ethnicities live in the area. The area ends up being a large melting pot of traditions and food. We ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant, drank some bubble tea, and looked around in a few Chinese bakeries.

The weather currently in New York City is one word: FREEZING. Yes, yes, I'm from Wisconsin and should be use to teen temperatures but not ready for this. It's chilly. And we walk everywhere so it's walk quickly and take the nearest subway possible. I'm hoping it will warm up just a bit. Then I could handle that.

Well, I need to write some responses so I don't fall behind. Hope all is well wherever you're reading this from!