Phantom
Last night we saw The Phantom of the Opera. In Diane’s words,â€Who knew we’d see something so good?†If I were a theater reviewer my column would have one word – “Go.â€
Matt brought his friend, Debbie, and we arrived early so we could have dinner before the play. Matt, the skeptic, kept asking me, “So, Dad (my capital), where are we eating?†He knew I had no idea, but he asked the same question every fifteen minutes or so.
We parked in a lot across from The Opera House, and after looking up and the down the street, but seeing no restaurants, I immediately asked the lot attendant for a recommendation. He pointed down the street, past the playhouse, and said,â€There are plenty in that direction.†After walking a few blocks and seeing nothing but a Wendy’s and a pizzeria, Matt asked again, “So Dad, where are we going to eat.†I stopped at a sidewalk cart, the vendor selling t-shirts, and popped the question. He said, apologetically, “I only work here.â€
We walked another two blocks when Diane spied Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Steak House a block away, up a side street. It was – even Matt had to admit – perfect. I had salmon, Diane crab cakes (not enough crab for Linda), Matt a huge hamburger with barbecue sauce and Debbie a gloppy, cheesy pasta plate. I didn’t say the food was perfect.
On the way home I played Springsteen’s new CD , Devils and Dust. I love it, but I knew Diane would hate it – the repetitive beat, Bruce’s unintelligible mumbling ( far worse than Nebraska), the dirge-like quality (not quite as funereal as Tom Joad) so I kept it low until Matt said, “If you insist on playing horrible music, at least turn it up so we can hear it.”
Downtown Crossing. The Ladder District. Them’s my stomping grounds — you should’ve asked me for restaurant advice…
We saw Phantom at the Wang (and with Mimi, no less!) many years ago. I’m sure some technical advances have been made, but it was spectacular, indeed — even for a jaded behind-the-scenes techie like me. And not that I’m a fan of musicals, but the transition from Phantom to Devils seems especially ill-advised. As only an occasional passenger myself, even I consider bringing my own CD’s — for Matt and Diane, I’d think they wouldn’t leave home without them.
Comment by adam — May 2, 2005 @ 8:39 am
Felt. It’s right next to the Opera House and they have a theater special. Glad you enjoyed the show. We saw the Lion King at the Opera House. We also got blocked in at the lot across the street when it was time to go. You can imagine how big that went over with the spouse. Hope you didn’t have the same parking fate.
Comment by chris — May 2, 2005 @ 9:13 am
i remember when i went to see that show, it was soo sweet remember i am a 17 year old saying that….
Comment by goose — May 2, 2005 @ 9:31 pm
I guess I shouldn’t say that you are a really sweet 17 year old?
Comment by anonymous — May 3, 2005 @ 6:01 pm
Adam, you are right. The transistion from Phantom to Devils was jarring, but the alternative was Matt”s, Rage Against The Machine.
Comment by michael — May 4, 2005 @ 5:31 pm