A Most Star Wars Experience: Going (Han) Solo
Today, I do the United Nations Building. And it's not because I want to. It's because I keep saying I will. Self-imposed guilt is a powerful thing.
I could walk there from Times Square, but I am getting so damn good on the Metro system that I indulge in running to and from the trains like the locals, even if it would take just as long hot-footing it. Two weeks here thus far and I'm already walking like a New Yorker, getting easily peeved liked a New Yorker, and eating out like a New Yorker. Imagine what 2 years would do to me. The thought is too tempting. The speed of life here agrees with me, and I catch myself once again contemplating studying/working here. Oh to be rich... or an illegal immigrant.
En route to the United Nations, I stop by Ess-A-Bagel. It's a hub of activity and has a strangely warm and familiar feel to it. I can't say so much for my crotchety counter guy however. In this city, the customer is never right. Service staff here don't just dislike their jobs. They abhor them with a vengeance and the customer is the Devil's spawn. If there were only such a thing as Negative Tipping.
The United Nations Building. What can I say? Dimly lit areas not conducive for good happy snaps, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it whirlwind tour and a tour guide with such a thick accent you'd need an electric chainsaw to cut through it. It's United Nations 'Contikki-style' - without the sex and booze. It's a disappointing experience redeemed only by the spectacular photographic displays in the lobby.
Tonight, I am free and easy. I will try for One Man Star Wars Trilogy at Lamb's Theatre at 130 West 44th Street. I allow myself to be easily distracted in the meantime, a habit that is proving difficult to break in a city such as this one. I have acquired temporary Attention Deficit Disorder. As a tourist, there is no such thing as walking from A to B without detours in Manhattan. At best, it is A to B with a stop-over in Kenneth Cole. How conveniently placed it is.
I am pleasantly surprised to see that even though off-Broadway, Lamb's Theatre is wholly in the Broadway district. And I am even happier when I see a Storm Trooper out front doing some PR with the passersby. I'm glad to have opted for a night of being a Star Wars geek.
Sign says "SOLD OUT", but you can try your luck with cancellations in the hour before the curtains go up. Show starts at 8pm. It's 7.30pm. Never one to give up so easily or believe a "SOLD OUT" sign, I approach the ticket counter.
Christina: Hello. Ticket for 1. Any seats left?
Ticket Man: For 1?
Christina: Yes.
Ticket Man: Let's see.
10 seconds later...
Ticket Man: Yes. We've got an available seat.
SOLD OUT? Pfff. I rule! *punch fist into air*
It's a serendipitous moment. I get a seat smack bang in the centre of the intimately small theatre and with a perfect view of the stage.
Charles Ross: one man, forty characters. The name says it all: One Man Star Wars Trilogy. The guy re-enacts the entire main narrative of the triptych AND manages to convincingly impersonate all the major (and not so major) characters. I have not laughed so hard in so long for such an extended amount of time. Bloody brilliant. Bloody awesome. Bloody funny. Bloody hell - I am more than glad to be here in the company of other Star Wars fans and with the Master Geek himself - Ross. Jedi here rules supreme. It's the new religion. Count me in.
And it is confirmed. No matter how dorky you look and act, and admit to the hundreds of times you've seen Star Wars, a sense of humour is one of the sexiest attributes in the world/galaxy.
When Ross appears for an encore (an impromptu chat with the audience) - talking of dreams and passions, and most importantly following them - it caps off a most excellent event. The man is living proof that passion, verve, persistence and a dash of insanity will take you far. You gotta love this guy. Especially since he also does a One Man Lord of the Rings Trilogy...
I could walk there from Times Square, but I am getting so damn good on the Metro system that I indulge in running to and from the trains like the locals, even if it would take just as long hot-footing it. Two weeks here thus far and I'm already walking like a New Yorker, getting easily peeved liked a New Yorker, and eating out like a New Yorker. Imagine what 2 years would do to me. The thought is too tempting. The speed of life here agrees with me, and I catch myself once again contemplating studying/working here. Oh to be rich... or an illegal immigrant.
En route to the United Nations, I stop by Ess-A-Bagel. It's a hub of activity and has a strangely warm and familiar feel to it. I can't say so much for my crotchety counter guy however. In this city, the customer is never right. Service staff here don't just dislike their jobs. They abhor them with a vengeance and the customer is the Devil's spawn. If there were only such a thing as Negative Tipping.
The United Nations Building. What can I say? Dimly lit areas not conducive for good happy snaps, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it whirlwind tour and a tour guide with such a thick accent you'd need an electric chainsaw to cut through it. It's United Nations 'Contikki-style' - without the sex and booze. It's a disappointing experience redeemed only by the spectacular photographic displays in the lobby.
Tonight, I am free and easy. I will try for One Man Star Wars Trilogy at Lamb's Theatre at 130 West 44th Street. I allow myself to be easily distracted in the meantime, a habit that is proving difficult to break in a city such as this one. I have acquired temporary Attention Deficit Disorder. As a tourist, there is no such thing as walking from A to B without detours in Manhattan. At best, it is A to B with a stop-over in Kenneth Cole. How conveniently placed it is.
I am pleasantly surprised to see that even though off-Broadway, Lamb's Theatre is wholly in the Broadway district. And I am even happier when I see a Storm Trooper out front doing some PR with the passersby. I'm glad to have opted for a night of being a Star Wars geek.Sign says "SOLD OUT", but you can try your luck with cancellations in the hour before the curtains go up. Show starts at 8pm. It's 7.30pm. Never one to give up so easily or believe a "SOLD OUT" sign, I approach the ticket counter.
Christina: Hello. Ticket for 1. Any seats left?
Ticket Man: For 1?
Christina: Yes.
Ticket Man: Let's see.
10 seconds later...
Ticket Man: Yes. We've got an available seat.
SOLD OUT? Pfff. I rule! *punch fist into air*
It's a serendipitous moment. I get a seat smack bang in the centre of the intimately small theatre and with a perfect view of the stage.
Charles Ross: one man, forty characters. The name says it all: One Man Star Wars Trilogy. The guy re-enacts the entire main narrative of the triptych AND manages to convincingly impersonate all the major (and not so major) characters. I have not laughed so hard in so long for such an extended amount of time. Bloody brilliant. Bloody awesome. Bloody funny. Bloody hell - I am more than glad to be here in the company of other Star Wars fans and with the Master Geek himself - Ross. Jedi here rules supreme. It's the new religion. Count me in.
And it is confirmed. No matter how dorky you look and act, and admit to the hundreds of times you've seen Star Wars, a sense of humour is one of the sexiest attributes in the world/galaxy.
When Ross appears for an encore (an impromptu chat with the audience) - talking of dreams and passions, and most importantly following them - it caps off a most excellent event. The man is living proof that passion, verve, persistence and a dash of insanity will take you far. You gotta love this guy. Especially since he also does a One Man Lord of the Rings Trilogy...
posted by Christina at 11:41 PM
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