It’s a little known fact about me, but I’ve lost track of the number of fantasies I must have had about running off to perform on Broadway as a child. For years and years I tortured my parents by prancing around the house (I’m sure I ruined our expensive pine floors with the incessant beating of my tap shoes) belting out jazz hands and showtunes at the top of my lungs. To me, there were few things more magical than the song and dance routines of a Gene Kelly musical, the sight of a red curtain and the sound of the orchestra tuning on our frequent family trips to the theatre.
Although these days my head is less in the clouds, I do still love the magic of the stage (I make time to go to a show every few months). Amazingly, I’d never been to see a show in New York, so this time around there was no way I was getting on the plane that evening without seeing the loudest, jazziest show I could find. And so on my last day there, I woke up early, slipped on my own version of Dorothy’s ruby slippers (those glittery Miu Mius felt as though they were born to be worn that day), and raced off to 42nd Street – the mecca of theatre – to buy my tickets for a matinee show.
Afterwards, I grabbed bagels and the world’s largest ice tea for breakfast (nowhere are they as good as in NYC), and just sat and pondered and watched New York go by before me. I had no idea how long I sat there – the time seems to move differently there – but I was perfectly content playing out all my childhood fantasies of broadway whilst sitting on those shiny red steps smack bang in the middle of Times Square, staring up at the names in lights around me.
Just before lunch (at Shake Shack – possibly the best burgers in the world, and the perfect last supper in New York) dear Nicolette joined me and off we went to see the show (‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, which was utterly brilliant by the way, and not just because I have an inappropriate Harry Potter crush on Dan Radcliffe). I might be a grown-up now, but the sight of that red curtain and the glee of watching a fully-blown song and dance routine were still just as magical to me as they always were. It might not be curing cancer, but in my world, there is always room for a little glitz and an exuberant showtune.
I’d love to know what you where mesmerised by as a child that you still love to indulge in nowadays? Do you adore the theatre as I do?
Love, Miss B xx
As a child I was simply obsessed with New York City. I have no idea why, one day I just developed a huge crush on it. It took me ages but finally, after 10 years of obsessing, I got to go to New York. It made me unbelievably happy, and was ten times more magical than I ever imagined. I’m planning my return already.
As a child I mainly fantasised about travelling, due to my mother’s tales of her travels. I just finished university so my dreams of living in England are about to come true too!!
Love your blog by the way. It’s fast becoming my favourite 🙂
Absolutely love this! Where are you moving to? And thank you so much, lovely to have you around!
B xx
I’m not completely sure yet, probably somewhere around London. I’m a primary school teacher so I need to be around an area with lots of schools.
Sounds wonderful! I still believe that life as a musical would be more fun, we’d all randomly burst into song from time to time, it’ll make my days more enjoyable 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!
B xx
Your post made me miss New York so much! Cannot wait to be back in the states during the holiday time! & Great photos Love your Miu Mius 🙂
(& I agree, Shake Shack has the best burgers in the world)
Such fun pix! Next time, you come over, coffee! I live just north of the city and must meet this stylish little thing who (how?) manages to afford all these designer goodies on her budget.
I love to look at art and this morning am in Chicago, a block from the Art Institute, agog with excitement to see some of its fab work. I’m also a block away from a building my great-grandfather developed in 1911. It is quite amazing to feel a direct connection to my past through a commercial building still in use 100 years later.
Dear Miss B,
I totally share everything you have written about being in NYC. As a child, I was obsessed with everything American. And NYC more than any other place in the US. I used to send off for holiday brochures, for houses to rent in upstate NY, Cape Cod etc so I could dream about the twee wooden clad homes. My parents bought me a book on NYC, and wrote in the front that they hoped I got to go one day, and that day came when I was 18. I got to live in Philadelphia for 3 months when I got to go to New York for my first time, then subsequently have been back 3 more times. Like your first comment, NY blew my mind and was better than my wildest dreams and it still is! I don’t mind the theatre, but I’m quite fussy about what I see, though saying that, Broadway is a whole other world to London theatres.
Your NYC photos are beautiful – I especially love the glasses shot!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Bella x
Gorgeous pictures! I was in NYC last weekend, I already miss it! xx
The Londoner
Radcliff’s poster is really in NY? I thought it was only in Glee.
Ballet. And I refuse to give it up! : )
I have a bit of an obsession or a crush on NYC! I visited there far too many years ago and had a wonderful time! Hopefully it won’t be too long until I revisit! 🙂
I am really trying to make the most of my time here in New York City and do all the tourist things as well as find the local’s favourite places. I love those steps in Times Square though – as much as I know it is the equivalent of Leicester Sq in London I still find lots to like in the energy there. Fabulous that you took your Miu Miu’s off for this day out, the photos look great with all the colour and sparkle. A “new york moment” indeed!
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
I love theaters, especially muscial theaters. I used to go to them a lot when i was living in London. I was in New York a few years back for a vacation and i watched “Rent”, and the singing was amazing! But i have to say, Phantom of the Opera will always be my fave! The first time i saw it was in Hong Kong when i was 12 and 10+ years later, i saw it in London and it still didn’t fail to impress me! I could definitely go watch it for a third time, lol
Btw, i love your Miu Miu shoes, they were probably the center of attention in the big apple,lol. Where were you standing? Looks like you were on a stage or something?
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
omggg i was so there like a few weeks ago! your photos are bringing back so many memories! it’s such a different world over there! X
I am ashamed to say that I have lived for over a year in New York now yet have not seen a Broadway show nor eaten at Shake Shack…
But I have been enjoying what the city has to offer in terms of classic music concerts. My parents used to take me to those when I was a child and in my early teens. When they came to visit me in New York they encouraged me to see a concert at Lincoln Center and ever since I’ve been attending one there or at Carnegie Hall once a month on average. That’s one thing to do next time you cross the Atlantic!