New York, New York -- Day One

We arrived into Newark 30 minutes early, so I was on the AirTrain by the time I was supposed to actually be arriving. I love the AirTrain -- it's so easy. The ticket costs $15, which is substantially less than a cab from JFK or LGA, depending on the time of day. It puts me in Penn Station, which is one subway stop dowtown from my hotel. It works perfectly.
I arrived at the Marriott during a peak time, and there were many people in line around me. My king corner room wasn't ready, and I wouldn't be able to check in until after 4, so I went ahead and accepted a regular room. Last time I did this, the guy at the desk gave me a fantastic room with THE view. This time, the [snide] girl at the desk gave me a terrible room. I am very disappointed, but I don't want to complain. For as little as I'm here, it will do. They are out of their mind if they think I would pay $600+ for this room on the 31st though. I still haven't talked to reservations about extending my reservation. Ah well.

Anyway, the first thing I've seen this trip is The Fantasticks, which is playing off-Broadway at the Jerry Orbach Snapple Theater right down the street from Wicked. My best friend Kristin LOVES The Fantasticks, and she sent me the original cast recording some years ago that featured Jerry Orbach. (I would have DIED to see him in it.) Anyway, Kristin had told me the theater was small, but I didn't realize what she meant by small, so when I was able to secure 2nd row center orchestra seats, I was stoked!

I walked into the theater tonight and was I shocked. I was practically sitting on the stage! There is not a seat in that theater with a bad view.

And now I must say this, if you haven't seen The Fantasticks, you need to RUN (not walk!) to see this show. The cast was SUPERB. Seriously. When they started singing "Try to Remember", I got chills. I absolutely love that song, and it always makes me think of New York when I hear it... It's an absolutely beautiful song. At any rate, although El Gallo wasn't Jerry Orbach, he still gave me chills when he sang it.

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

Every time Louisa came on stage, I couldn't help but smile like the child I am on the inside. She reminded me a lot of myself... and even, a little bit of Glinda from Wicked. Just blonde with those beautiful rose colored glasses that only children can have. How beautiful it all is. The fathers made me grin, and I think that Soctt Robins would be AWESOME as Louisa's father. In fact, everytime I looked at him, all I could see was Scott. Weird! They were both so talented -- who couldn't help but smile when Louisa's father was watering his plants and Matt's father was clipping them. Matt's father reminded me of my great grandfather, which also made me smile.

Finally, the two "actors"... The only discrepancy I noticed was that the "Rape Ballet" has been renamed to the "Abduction". I'm sure that this has to do with the PC-ness of the term. At any rate, both the Indian and the "man in the light" (I'll call him that for lack of a better term) were FANTASTIC(K)! I loved when the Indian did his death scenes. He was so good. If they ever do a revival of Annie Get Your Gun again, I'm nominating THAT GUY for the chief!

Finally, "the Mute". How he stood as the wall for as long as he did without noticeably flinching, I will NEVER know. He pulled it off though! His role is fairly large, as he's constantly throwing confetti around to change the seasons, but he does so without being obtrusive and stealing the limelight from the cast. Well done, Mute.

The story line is one that is so simplistic and beautiful, it's unable for me to fathom how anyone couldn't love this musical, if not just for the songs, "Try to Remember", "They Were You", and "Plant a Radish". It's a beautiful show, performed with a minimalistic set and orchestra, a stellar cast, and beautiful music. I wouldn't miss this one if I were you.

Ironically, the worst part of the entire night were the Negative Nellies I was seated around, who saw it fit to go through the Playbill and complain about every, single show they have seen. Seriously?! If it's that bad, why go? I can only think of one show that I didn't truly love every moment of, but this isn't it.

Go see The Fantasticks. Take your kids to introduce them to theater. It's wholesome, family-friendly fun for everyone. I can only imagine how incredible it would be for a child to sit in that tiny theater and feel as if the entire cast was performing only for them.

It's what I felt like, and I'm 26. ;)

After The Fantasticks, I came back to the hotel for a nice long soak. My legs were pretty stiff after all that walking -- it usually takes me a day or two to get my "NYC legs".

Oklahoma...

Road trip to Woodward, Oklahoma
Hotel: Northwest Inn, Fairfield Inn-Norman
Purpose: Funeral

Not too much to say about this trip. I had no idea how far in the middle of nowhere Woodward, Oklahoma was. We attended a funeral and got caught in the winter snowstorm. The Holiday Inn Express was booked days before we made the trip, so we ended up at the Northwest Inn, which was recommended by Holiday Inn staff. Review is below. I was disappointed at how rude some of the locals were in Woodward, particularly at a diner we had breakfast at. We decided to drive to Norman after the funeral, which was halfway home. Stayed at the Fairfield and had dinner at Charleston's. Tasty food, HUGE portions. Definitely split if you end up there.

Northwest Inn

We came to Woodward for a family funeral. The Holiday Inn Express across the street was sold out, which seems to be a regular event. They recommended this hotel over the other chains (Super 8, Days Inn). The rooms are outside entry, and many of the doors are scuffed and look like they have seen better days. The check-in desk was friendly, but they never asked to see my ID nor the credit card I made the reservation with. The rooms have been updated with new beds, furniture. The beds are relatively comfortable, though the entire room does look dated. The bathrooms are TINY, about the size of the door, so I'm not sure how one is supposed to close the door without standing in the tub. The water was hot though, and the water pressure was good. Paint was chipped, faded, and there are cracks in the walls. The cleaning job seemed to be cursory and a surface job, as we found corks and little bits of stuff throughout the room. There is a computer in the lobby area, though I just used the free wireless. We tried to get a late check out, and they allowed us to stay until 1:00. The door never closed properly, you had to really work to get it to close tightly. The road noise didn't bother us at night.

Overall, not a horrendous experience... there were many seedier looking motels on down the road, but you would think Marriott or Hilton could come in and put one of their budget hotels (Courtyard, Fairfield, Hampton?) in Woodward.

Fairfield Inn -- Norman

Weather turned bad on the drive home, so we decided we would drive halfway and stop in Norman. Chose the Fairfield for the Marriott name and the price was right. We arrived around 7:00pm, and both rooms reserved were ready. Rooms were very clean and standard Fairfield issue. Beds aren't as comfortable as some Marriott properties, but they were warm and comfortable enough. Staff was friendly. Pool area looked clean, but we didn't try it out. There is a restaurant or two within walking distance, which was nice after being in the car all afternoon. Breakfast was served from 6-10. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it was free muffins, pastries, juices, coffee, fruit, cereal, etc. Wireless internet was free, and there was a computer for guest use in the lobby. The only downside was that they are replacing the carpet, which means there is a lot of noise starting early in the morning and working until around 6:00pm. We had trouble navigating the hallway with our suitcases as they had all the furniture out of the rooms. Over all, not a bad place to spend the night though.