December 15, 2024
Morning at the tkts Booth
I arrived at the Broadway tkts（see on map） booth around 11 a.m.
I waited for about an hour and bought a ticket for the musical Hell’s Kitchen, which I planned to see tonight. The ticket was 100 USD.
Visiting the Flatiron Building
After buying the ticket, I took the subway to the Flatiron Building(see on map).
The building appears in the show The Boys on Amazon Prime, so I really wanted to see the real thing.
Unfortunately, the exterior was under construction, and I could not see the façade. It was disappointing.
Stopping by Nordstrom Rack
I took a bus to Nordstrom Rack(see on map).
The store had an impressive variety of shoes.
Joining “The Ride”
In the afternoon, I used my Go City New York Pass to join an attraction called “The Ride.”
It is a little over an hour long, featuring two guides exchanging witty banter and performers around the city showcasing singing, rap, and dance through the bus windows.
The attraction requires advance reservations, so I booked through the Go City app.
Originally, I planned to go with a friend who lives in New York, but her schedule did not work out. I ended up riding alone, which honestly made me nervous.
The notice said “English only,” and I was worried I would not understand the guides and fail to enjoy it. I was also tense thinking, “What if the guide picks on me in English?”
As expected, I could not follow the native-speed English, and whenever it felt like audience participation might start, I tried not to make eye contact with the guide. It was tiring.
Passengers reacted in different ways. Some looked like they were having fun, while others seemed mentally elsewhere. Maybe English listening skills do not matter as much as I imagined when it comes to enjoying this attraction.
Dinner Before the Show
Before the show, I ate at Handcraft Burgers and Brew(see on map).
I forgot to take a photo, but the burger and Sprite were 16.34 USD.
After eating, I walked past the New York Public Library(see on map).
I found myself thinking about SATC and imagining Carrie on those steps.
Behind the library, Bryant Park(see on map) had a Christmas market, and the Christmas tree was beautiful.
Watching Hell’s Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre
I headed to the Shubert Theatre.
The musical Hell’s Kitchen was wonderful. The entire show features Alicia Keys’ music, and the story is based on her own experiences growing up in New York.
In conclusion, it was excellent. Still, it did not surpass the emotional impact of MJ, which I saw the night before, so maybe I could not fully immerse myself this time.
Even so, the father-daughter duet of “If I Ain’t Got You” was absolutely incredible, and their voices pulled me in. The mother-daughter duet of “No One” was also moving, and it brought tears to my eyes. “Empire State of Mind” was powerful and thrilling too.
Like I felt yesterday during MJ, hearing top-level live music and vocals up close is the best. I might be enjoying these shows more like live concerts than musicals.
The tickets are expensive, but I was completely satisfied.
