BWW Blog: Taylor Kyes - NYC - 4 Shows and an Opera

My first trip to New York was in January, and dare I say it, I fell in love. I fell in love with the New York lifestyle, with the city that is alive, with the New Yorkers and the Tourists, with Broadway. I had the pleasure of seeing 4 Broadway shows and an Opera at the Met in the 5 days that I was there (including travel days). I got to tour the New Amsterdam Theater (aka the theater that shows Disney Musicals) and try on some of the costumes, which was such an insane and incredible experience: check that off my bucket list.

The show I saw the first night was my first on-Broadway show I had ever seen: The Curious Incident in the Dog in the Nighttime. It was the best possible first Broadway show, and I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night. I was amazed by the theater, by the acting, by the set, by everything. The show was touching, inspiring, and full of incredible talent.

Thursday night we got to see Kinky Boots, and talk to the cast after the show. We got to talk to Andy Kelso and Wayne Brady, along with the other leads, and it was an experience I will never forget. They were all so nice, so down to earth, and so happy to talk to a bunch of theater kids. They truly wanted to help us and answer any and all of our questions. Kinky Boots was my favorite musical we saw (of the 2).

Friday night was School of Rock. The show was, as all the others were, amazing. The young stars were so talented, and I had no idea that kids got on Broadway that young. It was an educational show for me, I not only learned about rock, but I learned about the industry and how crazy it can be sometimes.

I got to see a Matinee of A View from the Bridge, and it changed my life. That play was the best show I have EVER seen. I cried through the entire performance, every line still rings in my ears. I am so thankful I got to see it while it was still on Broadway, and if it ever is again I would highly recommend seeing it. The emotion and depth that each of the characters had was inspiring, and I longed to see more, meet every character (as the character) in real life. I have so much respect and awe for those actors; they truly made the characters come alive for me.

The last show we saw was La Bohéme. I was stunned by the Met itself, and even more stunned by the amount of talent in the building. The cast was huge and each and every one of them is such a talented singer, something I hope to be one day.

My entire trip was filled with new experiences, and I am so thankful for the trip as a whole. I know I have grown so much from the shows and tours. I would love to be able to go back and do it all again, but I am so glad that I got to experience it when I did. New York, watch out for me in the future!