Phinally Phantom in NY

For my son's 16th birthday, we decided to take him to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Number 2 son is at college and couldn't get home midweek, so 4 of us went. I had gotten discount tickets from our library, which made it half of what we would have spent. (Two-fers!) You can also go to Times Square day of performance and try for discount tix at TKTS. There is a new amazing waiting place ( bc you do wait) at TKTS. It is an enormous lit red staircase! I had never seen it before!

The largest load-bearing glass structure in the world, the new TKTS booth in Times Square, supports glass benches atop two-inch-thick windows. Sounds delicate, but it regularly holds 500 foot-stomping Jumbotron watchers

Before the theater, we went to dinner at Tony's DiNapoli in Times Square

on 43rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue. The menu has single portions, but is known for its Family Style dinners. For 4 of us we ordered Rigatoni  w/Vodka Sauce and mushrooms $19 and A Chicken Special-Chicken with asparagus, prociutto, mozzarella and ? in a tomato basil sauce. $22. We could have had a nice salad, too, but didn't want to be too stuffed in the theater. Ok-so that's pretty cheap for 4 people (no drinks) water with lemon and lots of yummy bread. The food was so delicious and we were full! There were 3 giant pieces on chicken on the platter and so much pasta...we almost left some...nope!

We walked down Broadway which is CLOSED to vehicle traffic! It was great! We could look around like tourists without fear of taxis running us down! Broadway and Times square are so lit up now-millions of screen and lit billboards and marquis. Too unbelievable-I've seen it so many times, but it always looks different amd brighter! Earlier that day we had walked over to Bryant Park to meet up with my husband who works across the river in NJ and my daughter who works downtown. My son and I walked around Bryant-(where Runway takes place-were you happy with the outcome???)

and there are the cutest shops set up now through the holidays AND ice skating! It is free, except for skate rentals $7? and you can't bring anything on the ice so there are lockers. We want to go back and skate-my daughter has skated there because ypou look up and there is the Empire State Building. That night it was lit for Veteran's Day-a beautiful sight!

So, the real reason for the night was the show and we are still singing a week later! It was breathtaking! (I love the movie-Gerard Butler sigh) but the stage show is a.m.a.z.i.n.g! If you ever come this way I'll try to give you info-although many out of NYers probably know more than me!

I want to see this as soon as possble-next weekend...and I read the Lovely Bones and think I want to see this....but I am a little nervous...I guess I am better at vampires...