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Prologue:

Yeah I know, another post about New York City. Oh well, what can I tell you other than I've been in a New York state of mind for the past three months. I mean, you would think that I live there from all the posts I share about it, right? I find myself going to visit at least once or twice a month because right now, New York City is where my passion lies. And just between you and I, I can so see myself living there again. You never know.

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Last Wednesday, when it was 100 degrees and extremely humid, I took another trip into Manhattan. Now you all know how much I can't stand being hot yet, I will endure the physical torture I feel regardless if I'm in New York because I love that city. However, I will tell you the heat that day had me almost to the point of shaking both my fists up to the sky and screaming, "TURN THE FRIGGIN' HEAT OFF...I FEEL LIKE A FRIED OMELETTE!!!"

I drank about 8 bottles of cold water and kept running in to air-conditioned buildings just to cool down. Because just like everything in New York City is bigger, so is the summer heat. And this is coming from someone who lived in Florida for 20 years. So trust me when I tell you that the heat in New York during the summer is HUGE.

I decided on this recent trip to visit the theater district and surrounding area because I wanted to take photographs of some of the current Broadway shows. I was in other sections as well, but my main focus was the vibrant color and electricity of Times Square and Broadway...


A view down Times Square


Landmark statue of George M. Cohan, who was an American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer and producer.


Times Square billboards


Chicago - not only do I love the Broadway musical, but the movie version as well


An Act of God - starring Sean Hayes (from the TV show, Will and Grace)


Phantom of the Opera - Broadway's longest running musical


Matilda The Musical - this theater is where I saw the original company perform the 1975 smash hit musical, A Chorus Line


School of Rock - the Winter Garden Theater is where Barbra Streisand performed in the Broadway musical, Funny Girl, in 1964



I saved my favorite for last. Currently the hottest musical on Broadway is Hamilton. I've not seen it yet, however, I'm familiar with the show and music, and it's faaaaaaaaabulous! Ticket prices range from $139 to $549, both of which are currently sold out.

My friend, Mark, also feels passionate about Hamilton; therefore I wanted to take some photographs of the Richard Rodgers Theater and marquee, so I could send them to him...





This final photograph is of the massive Hamilton fans waiting by the stage door to meet the cast


Hamilton has impacted Broadway with such magnitude because of its brilliant creative uniqueness. It is one of those shows that comes along once in a million and universally touches the human spirit.

Have a spectacular week everyone!
X

40 comments:

  1. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, July 12, 2016

    I can imagine how horribly hot the city gets! I love love the vibrancy you've captured: the colours, the people and above all, the theatres! The photos of the Hamilton theatre are especially lovely.

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  2. Wow! What a riot of color on that street! It's electrifying!

    Because just like everything in New York City is bigger, so is the summer heat. LOL! I'm sure that is a true statement with all that asphalt and concrete! It's been brutally hot here as well. Sounds like a good reason to take in a theatrical production or two. :-) You seem very "alive" when you talk about NYC and your photos reflect that attitude.

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  3. Ah, Ron, this one speaks to me today. I love musicals! George Cohan, of course, is a fav, and when Domer was in high school, his band played selections from Phantom. I've heard selections from Hamilton and am sure that would be a treat to see. You're soooo lucky to be close enough to get into the city and take in all the sights and sounds ... yes, even braving the extreme heat! I think all the concrete in cities just contributes to the heat hanging around, don't you?

    You know, I can almost FEEL the energy, just looking at these pictures -- well done!

    Hope you're having a wonderful week! xo

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  4. Thanks again, Ron! Love the photos, and I'm jealous of all the people who got to see Hamilton.

    The only Broadway plan I've ever seen was Phantom of the Opera (and that was in Portland, not NYC - hopefully that still counts!). It is my mission to see more. Especially Hamilton!

    And you're right. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you lived in the heart of NYC.

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  5. " "TURN THE FRIGGIN' HEAT OFF...I FEEL LIKE A FRIED OMELETTE!!!" LOL! Ron, that made me laugh! And having lived in New York, I can vouch for that. You're right, I live in Florida now and although it gets very hot, it's not the same kind of heat one experiences during the summer in the city.

    Gorgeous photographs! The color you captured is incredible! And once again, anytime you speak of my birthplace, you make me miss it. I have a feeling that one day you'll moved back because you belong there.

    Hopefully one day I'll see Hamilton. A close friend of mine in Brooklyn saw it before it moved onto Broadway and she said it's amazing!

    Have a wonderful week, Ron x

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  6. Oh Ron, you so perfectly captured the vibrant color and electricity of both Times Square and the Broadway theaters. I can feel electricity and excitement in every photograph!! New York City should hire you to be their "Come to New York City" ambassador because of your passion and love for the city!

    I was still living in New York at the time Funny Girl hit Broadway, but had forgotten it was at Winter Garden Theater. And I didn't know Sean Hayes was in a Broadway show. I loved him on Will and Grace. What a funny guy!

    Love the pictures of Hamilton. The first one of the theater and marquee is gorgeous!

    Thanks again for sharing my city, Ron. You make me proud! X

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  7. What wonderful photographs, Ron! I loved looking through each one, seeing everything going on within. New York is such an amazing city, filled with an energy that is no where else in the world.

    Love the pictures of Hamilton, especially the first one. Glorious!

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  8. Hello there Fiona!

    OMG...the heat in the city is like a furnace! I love NY, but it's so uncomfortable for me during the summer months because I don't like being hot. I much prefer being cold.

    Thank you :) I had so much fun taking these photographs and gallivanting through Times Square and Broadway.

    Have a great time on your trip, my friend. See ya when you get back!
    X

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  9. Hello there Lisa!

    What is amazing to me about New York is that whenever you see images of the city, the magnificent energy comes through. You can actually feel it.

    Yes, I feel so alive when I'm there :)


    "I'm sure that is a true statement with all that asphalt and concrete! It's been brutally hot here as well. Sounds like a good reason to take in a theatrical production or two. :-)"

    HA! Exactly! And you're right, with all the asphalt and concrete, it's feels like an OVEN.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have fantastic week and stay cool!

    X

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  10. Hello there Debbie!

    Wow...I am so glad to hear that you too enjoy musicals! Aren't they faaaaabulous?

    "this one speaks to me today. I love musicals! George Cohan, of course, is a fav, and when Domer was in high school, his band played selections from Phantom.

    That is sooooooooo cool! I saw Broadway touring company of Phantom in Orlando, Florida and LOVED it. I really like Andrew Loyd Weber's musicals.

    "You're soooo lucky to be close enough to get into the city and take in all the sights and sounds ... yes, even braving the extreme heat! "

    Yes....I feel SOOOOOOOO lucky to live close to New York and am able to visit often. As I shared, I can so see myself living there again.

    "You know, I can almost FEEL the energy, just looking at these pictures "

    You know, I feel the same whenever I look at any photograph of New York, the energy just comes through. It's a very special city.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week!

    X

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  11. You are soooooooo welcome, Mark :) It was so enjoyable to take these photographs with you in mind. I kept thinking, "I wish Mark was here to see the theater and feel the energy!"

    Did you hear that Lin-Manuel Miranda left the show? His last performance was Saturday night. He may come back and do guest performances throughout the year, though.

    Perhaps when the insane popularity of the show dies down a bit, you and Tara can come to the East Coast and we could catch a performance.

    I love Phantom of the Opera! I didn't see it on Broadway either, I saw the Broadway touring company in Orlando, Florida.

    "And you're right. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you lived in the heart of NYC."

    *smiles*

    One of these days. One of these days!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a faaaabulous week!

    X to you and Tara

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  12. Hola Denise!

    Yes, I know that YOU (being a native New Yorker) can vouch for the intense summer heat there. It's funny because you and I have both lived in both places (New York and Florida) so we can tell the differences.

    "....anytime you speak of my birthplace, you make me miss it. I have a feeling that one day you'll moved back because you belong there."

    I miss it too. And you're right....I have a feeling I'll be living there again too :)

    " A close friend of mine in Brooklyn saw it before it moved onto Broadway and she said it's amazing!"

    OMG...that is soooooooooooo cool! I can't believe it's been on Broadway for a year already!?!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week too!

    X

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  13. Hey there Elaine!

    Thank you :) Perhaps it was the excessive heat that day which contributed to the color and electricity - HA! OMG...it was so freaking HOT!!!!!!!!!

    As you know, I adore NYC and would love to be a goodwill ambassador. I swear to god, I think I must have been born a New Yorker in another lifetime because I feel so connected to that city. It's my soul city.

    "I was still living in New York at the time Funny Girl hit Broadway, but had forgotten it was at the Winter Garden Theater. "

    OMG...that is so cool! I would have loved to seen her in that show. I have the movie on DVD and watch it a few times a year. It's a classic!

    Yes, I had seen Sean Hayes on Ellen and he was talking about the show was in, so I decided to stop by and take a picture of the theater and marquee. His character and Karen were my favorites on Will and Grace. They were so funny together!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a super week and stay cool!
    X

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  14. Hello there Candice!

    Thank you :) And yes, NY is such amazing city. The energy there is insane, but I LOVE IT!!!! There is no place like it. I have a friend who is an international flight attendant for Virgin Airlines and even she says that New York is her favorite city in the world.

    Hope you're having a fabulous week, my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  15. Excellent post, Ron! And I'm not saying that because I'm a New Yorker! Your photographs are so vibrant and full of color I feel like I could walk right into them!

    You really capture summer in the city. I really hope you move back to New York! The city needs more cool people like you!

    Come in on a weekend sometime and we'll paint the town red--or any color you want!

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  16. Aw...thank you, Rob :)

    Anytime I'm in New York and taking pictures, I instantly get inspired. Truly, it's my favorite place to bring my camera because the are so many things to photograph.

    I have a feeling that I will be moving back. I don't know why, but I can just feel a change coming on in my life and I think it's a move.

    "Come in on a weekend sometime and we'll paint the town red--or any color you want!"

    Yes, the next time I have a weekend off, I will definitely contact you to meet up. That would be a blast!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a great week and say hello to New York for me!
    X

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  17. Goodness, is Phantom of the Opera still on? I loved Time Square but it was winter when I was there for a few days, and just moving into spring time when I was there with Joe. I can only imagine the heat. I bet even the buildings were hot to touch. Loved this post, Ron and all the pictures.

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  18. Seeing a Broadway show in NYC should be on everyone's bucket list. So fabulous! And I loved the colors in your first photo!

    There was a funny episode of Odd Mom Out this week featuring the cast of Hamilton. The main character in the show is desperately trying to get tickets. There was a funny line... 'Hamilton is like Frozen for adults!'

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  19. Yes....can you believe that, Valerie...Phantom is still on Broadway! It's been 30 years! And that doesn't even include all the touring products of the show.

    " I loved Time Square but it was winter when I was there for a few days, and just moving into spring time when I was there with Joe."

    Oh how wonderful! I've been there at those times as well. Summer is the only time that really bothers me because of the intense heat. Oy vey!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having super week!

    X

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  20. Yes, I agree Bijoux...there is nothing quite like seeing a Broadway show in NYC. I've not see a lot (considering I lived there at one time), perhaps maybe 6 total.

    "There was a funny line... 'Hamilton is like Frozen for adults!'"

    HA! OMG...that's hilarious! I was telling Mark that Lin-Manuel Miranda left the show last Saturday and is being replaced by his understudy. However, he will be coming back for occasional guest appearances. I can only imagine how long it's going to take to get tickets for that show within the remainder of the year and even into next?!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrreat week!
    X

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  21. Ron, even though I have never been there, these photographs convey the magnetism you so often speak of whenever you talk and share about New York. WOW...I can feel the energy in these images! And I love all the people. I find it interesting to look at each picture and notice what everyone is doing. I really like the shot of the policemen in front of the theater. That is such a cool picture!

    Beautiful photos of the Hamilton theater marquee. They look almost vintage!

    Great post, dude! As always.

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  22. Thank you, Matt :) The great thing about NYC is that the energy is all around, so that no matter where you take pictures, it just seems to naturally come through. But what I find especially enjoyable about taking pictures in New York is that no one seems to care that you're taking pictures. No one looks at you like your doing something wrong or are offended buy having you take their picture. I feel the most FREEDOM taking my camera to NYC because there are no restrictions.

    I like the shot of the policemen as well. They all look like they're just having an enjoyable conversation. New York cops are friendly and non-intimidating.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent rest of your week!
    X

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  23. I have it on DVD too, Ron. It's my all time favorite Streisand film! I wish I had seen her on Broadway took, but I was very young at the time.

    Have great weekend. Can you believe how HOT it's been? I don't like when it's this hot.

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  24. Oh, that's awesome! Yes, it's one of my faves as well. I have Funny Lady too, but I don't think it's as good as Funny Girl.

    OMG...the heat has been HORRIBLE! And not only the heat, but the humidity as well. What's even worse is that our A/C at work broke down today, so we had to suffer with it. Supposedly it's being fixed tonight and it better be because I can't work in that heat again tomorrow. It was 90 degrees inside the store today. UGH!

    Stay cool and have a fabulous weekend!

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  25. My stepdaughter (so funny to be able to say that now!) took a trip with theater friends to see several Broadway plays. She told me which, but I can't remember. But they were disappointed not to be able to see Hamilton. She's obsessed with it and so is my baby sister.

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  26. I have seen so much about Hamilton that I feel like I need to find a way to get a ticket! It just has impacted Broadway in so many ways I feel like I would be nuts to not find a way to catch it!

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  27. "But they were disappointed not to be able to see Hamilton. She's obsessed with it and so is my baby sister."

    It's amazing to me how quickly this show became viral - so many people want to see it. I'm hoping that I will be able to get tickets sometime next year because I am dying to see it while it's still on Broadway IN that theater.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!
    X

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  28. I'm hoping that sometime next year I'll be able to get tickets because I want to see it on Broadway and IN that theater.

    *fingers crossed*

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Shae! Have a great weekend, my friend!
    X

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  29. Ron, these photos of Times Square and Broadway are AWESOME, the color and energy just bursts through. You can really feel what it was like to be there. I love the first picture of Times Square and the guy with the film camera. It's like he's filming YOU filming HIM.

    I can just imagine how hot it must have been. I don't mind being hot, but city heat is a different kind of heat. Even I don't think I would like it.

    Great photographs of Hamilton. They shine with excitement!

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  30. Hey there Robert!

    " I love the first picture of Times Square and the guy with the film camera. It's like he's filming YOU filming HIM."

    Ha! You're right...it does!! I love that picture because of all the BRIGHT color. It's what Times Square is all about!

    "I can just imagine how hot it must have been. I don't mind being hot, but city heat is a different kind of heat. Even I don't think I would like it."

    As much as I love living in a city, the heat here in the summer is the most hideous of all. City heat is a whole different kind of animal.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a SUPER Sunday!
    X

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  31. You, sir, can post about NYC ANY time!!!! I love your pictures of the city. We don't have anything like it! And that first picture - WOW. Unbelievable. Something about that really got me. The color... the group picture... the interesting person walking away. And then the one with the woman talking to the guy... that is fascinating. I want to know what she was talking about!
    Love them all. I can't believe you did that in the heat... but I pictured you chugging water and jumping in to buildings!!!

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  32. i love that you just pop in and out of new york. i can see it out my window and i haven't managed to get over there this year yet. horrible. i plan on it though. i can't believe all the buzz about hamilton though, it is the hottest show playing right now. i tried to get tickets via a lottery for my sister but was never selected. i don't even want to see the play myself. i dislike musicals, some are surprisingly good, but dramas are my first choice. love the pics. do you know my camera has dust on it, but i plan to change that soon. later, my friend.

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  33. Hellooooooooo there Katherine!

    Aw...thank you, my friend :) Lately I've been very drawn to take trips into NYC on my days off. I seem to get so creatively inspired there. I really feel myself moving back there. I love that city!

    "And then the one with the woman talking to the guy... that is fascinating. I want to know what she was talking about!"

    Ha! Me too! She looks so intent about what she is saying.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're enjoying a faaaaaabulous summer at the beach. I know how much you love it there!

    Enjoy the rest of your week!
    X

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  34. Hey there Val!

    "i love that you just pop in and out of new york..."

    Yes!!! Don't you just love that? I am so glad I live close enough to get there a few times a month. And you're even closer to NY than I am!

    I know, the buzz about Hamilton is incredible! I heard about the lottery, which I think is awesome. However, I don't personally know anyone who has won. I think I'll wait until the popularity dies down a bit and then see if I can get tickets.

    " i dislike musicals, some are surprisingly good, but dramas are my first choice. "

    To be honest, I'm not overly zealous about musicals either. And if I do go see a musical, I tend to like darker musicals (like Evita, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard). I don't like the typical happy-go-lucky musicals.

    I would LOVE to go to New York with you soon. Please let me know when you feel like it. You are my FAVORITE person to hangout with in that city!!!!

    Have a grrrrrreat week, my friend!
    X

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  35. i know, i really want to meet up with you. you're my favorite NY companion. i've been crazy busy at work, but i will schedule some vacation time next week since i don't plan on leaving the country this year. staycations for me and i do want to come down your way for the day as well.

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  36. Yes, Val....you are welcome to come to Philly on your staycation. Please let me know if and when you would like to come and I can let you know when my day's off are so that we can spend the day together.

    Also..need to take a trip to the Big Apple too and hang out.

    X

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  37. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comMonday, July 25, 2016

    Oh, what wonderful shots. I love love musicals. The first time I went to NY with my daughter, who was only 12 then, we saw two musicals in five days!

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  38. Thank you, Fiona :)

    " The first time I went to NY with my daughter, who was only 12 then, we saw two musicals in five days!"

    OMG...that's awesome!!! The first Broadway musical I ever saw was, "Grease", and I'll never forget that experience!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!
    X

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  39. Another great group of pics Ron! I love old buildings and the history of the city. I just don't know if I'll ever get to spend enough time there, to see it all. $139 to $549? Wow!

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  40. " I love old buildings and the history of the city."

    Me too, Pat! And that's whats so cool about a city like New York...the historical buildings.

    Even after living there for 5 years and all the times I've gone back to visit over the years, I STILL haven't seen it all. New York is HUGE.

    " $139 to $549? Wow!

    I know, can you BELIEVE that?

    Have a great week, buddy. And thanks so much for stopping by!

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