Hamilton

It has been awhile.  Almost two years since my last post.  I may eventually decide to write some reflection posts so I can share some of the interesting parts of my journey since I stepped away from the blog.

Over the past few weeks, I have been trying to win many lotteries for Broadway shows, as I decided not to do any major traveling this summer.  (Besides a planned trip to Maine with Debra.)  Since the beginning of June, I have seen The Lion King, Hadestown, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, Aladdin, and Waitress.

Since April, I have been trying nearly everyday to win the lottery for Hamilton.  No luck whatsoever.  When school ended, I asked my mother if I could also enter her name to increase the chances.  Still no luck.

Yesterday, I decided to go into the city to try the in-person lottery for Hamilton which takes place only once a week.  This was the third week in a row that I have been to this lottery.  While on line, I struck up a conversation with a nice woman from Kansas City.  She had lived in Poughkeepsie for many years, and was visiting the city while her husband was in meetings all day.  She is a school nurse, so we had a lot to talk about in regards to schools.  The lottery proved unsuccessful.  (Shocker.)

Afterwards, I took the subway up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  A few blocks away, I noticed a van that made me smile.

The museum was great as usual.  I enjoy my wanderings around the galleries.  I read for thirty minutes in the Temple of Dendur room.  Waited to see if I won any lotteries that I was hoping for.  No luck.  I moved on to the rooftop garden of the Met, where I continued my reading.

At four o’clock, I checked my e-mail.  When I opened one e-mail, I saw the familiar “Unfortunately, you…” message.  When I opened the second e-mail, I saw “YOU WON!”  Needless to say, I was shocked.  I may have said a colorful word, which led to the woman next to me asking if I was okay.  Then came the challenging part.  The tickets were not in my name, but my mother’s name.  After paying for the tickets online, I gave her a call.  She was convinced to come into the city, and things were falling into line.  Once I knew that she was able to make the trip, I began to call Joanne to see if she was able to come to the show.  (I have been hoping to get Joanne to see the show as a retirement gift.)  After a panicky walk through Central Park, I was able to get in touch with Joanne, who seemed thrilled and shocked, too.

After walking all the way from the Met to Penn Station, I waited for my parents to arrive.  While waiting, I ran into a former student who has to be in his early twenties.  My parents and I made the trip on the subway to Times Square.  As a trade for the Hamilton tickets, I got them tickets to see On Your Feet.  (In another moment of pure serendipity, Eileen won tickets to On Your Feet, and was kind enough to give them a lift back home at the end of the evening.)

Here is what I will remember from this wild day.

1. The show was everything that I could have ever hoped for it to be.
2. The look on Joanne’s face as we made our way to our front row seats was priceless.
3. The performances of the cast were just incredible.
4. Seeing the show that I have been obsessively listening to pulled everything together.
5. Lastly, I will remember the generosity and gratitude from the day.  I am grateful that my parents would essentially drop everything and run out the door to help me secure these tickets.  I am grateful that Eileen and Tom would drive my parents home so they did not have to deal with a late night train.  I am grateful for Joanne for giving me a copy of the CD many weeks ago, and for sharing the experience with me.  I am grateful for Stefanie who was called to be on “standby” in case Joanne couldn’t make it, and then be gracious when she was informed that it would not be her day to see the show.  I am grateful for cast making a dream come true.  I am grateful for Lin MM creating such a unique way to present history and inspiring me to continue to find ways to share my creativity.  I am grateful for my friends who read my texts of excitement this morning.

Wow.  Just wow.