Can I start 2010 over again?

So my resolution of blogging regularly seems to have come to a standstill. Along with my eating healthy resolution, organize the photo albums resolutions, etc. etc. So in order to get back on the band wagon, I figured I'd share a post that I had written for another blog, Pamela's Punch. Ever since being laid off, I've been going to a variety of events in the DC area and blogging about them. It's a great gig and has gotten me into a lot of cool events I would have never otherwise been to. So here's one of my recent posts. If anyone ever wants to be my plus one at one of these events, let me know. Lin can't go to everything. :)

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Fiddler on the Roof

I should say right off the bat I’m not really a musical person. People singing to each other in real life? I find it hard to believe, although my sister would argue that I haven’t actually spoken to her in years, preferring to belt out sing-song conversations with her. Cats that dance, phantoms that haunt opera houses, though? I mean, honestly. We once saw Jekyll and Hyde on Broadway and I spent the whole time trying to restrain my laughter. Come on. Seeing a guy singing back and forth to his two personalities is a bit funny. Admit it. Now I know saying all this may be a tad sacrilegious, especially in a town as cultured as D.C., but I’s just how I feel. And I’ve paid a lot of money to people that have told me there is nothing wrong with feelings.

My sister, however, is a musical person. She’s seen Cats like 300 times (honestly) and knows every word to Les Miserables. She actually celebrated her 30th birthday this past week by taking herself to see Phantom in Baltimore. And she has moaned for weeks that she wanted to see Fiddler on the Roof, playing April 13th to May 9th at the National Theatre. So when I saw the email from Pamela looking for a reviewer for that very show, I slightly hesitantly jumped at the chance. I’m sure sitting through some two hours of people unrealistically singing at each other was something I could hold over Lindsey’s head for a good few months. Plus I had just given her a crappy card and a bottle of champagne and felt my present wasn’t up to par.

I have three words for what I thought. OH. MY. GOD.

First, I immediately put in an adoption request for Harvey Fierstein, who reprised his Broadway role as Tevye. I want to be related to that man. Can you imagine the fun we’d have over Thanksgiving dinner? Fierstein is simply iconic in this role, and incredibly funny to boot. From the moment the curtains raised and he stepped on stage, I was mesmerized. And to think going into the show, I thought he was the one who was having a baby with Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman. (That’s Harvey Weinstein.)

From Tradition to that song that Gwyn Stefani lifted from to the MAGICAL dream scene to the final scene, I was captivated. The lights, the costumes, the set, the performers, everything and everyone was spot-on perfect. I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks and I didn’t even mind that Lindsey sang along the entire time. Actually when I discovered via Facebook that a friend was going tonight, I suggested that I be an understudy for her date, should he unfortunately come down with allergies. (Hey, the pollen is BAD right now!) I might even consider being one of those people that listen to musical soundtracks during road trips. It was THAT good.

I asked Lin what she thought of the performance during intermission. Her answer: “It’s *&%!-ing awesome.” When I told her I didn’t think that would be appropriate for a blog that’s read by several thousand people, she thought for a moment. “One of the best shows I’ve seen onstage in a long time,” she finally said. I have to admit though, both statements are true.

We ended our evening with a few glasses of wine and some appetizers down the street at M&S Grill. As we gushed to the bartender about how wonderful Fiddler had been and what a skeptic I was when it came to musicals, he chimed in. “I felt the same way until my wife made me go see Mamma Mia. It was amazing!” Now, I had to turn that movie off 30 minutes in. I love ABBA and all, but teenage girls running around and whining and singing is a bit much for me.

I guess I’m not a complete musical convert. Not yet anyway. Good to know things haven’t completed changed.

Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof, starting at $51.50, are on sale now at the National Theatre Box Office and through Telecharge at wwww.telecharge.com or by calling (800)447-7400. For groups of 15 or more, call (866)276-2947. For more information, call (202)628-6161 or visit www.NationalTheature.org.