Our Collection of Broadway Playbills Tells The Story Of Our LIves

Yesterday I posted Playbills from the 1966 and 2006 Broadway productions of "The Apple Tree." My Wordless Wednesday post featured a very young and handsome Alan Alda in the 1966 version.

I originally wanted to post a trilogy of Alan Alda plays (Art, QED and The Apple Tree) but couldn't find the Playbill from Art. Yes, I am crazy about that Hawkeye, science-loving, happily married guy.

My husband is a collector of sorts. He has cartons of 1960's Topps baseball cards, piles of championship New York Knicks NBA programs and every T-shirt, sweatshirt, pajama bottom and baseball cap from The University of Wisconsin.

He also held onto most of the Playbills from Broadway shows that we've seen together since we met in 1985. As I look through each cover, it reminds me of our life together, and the events that were happening in our lives at the time we enjoyed each show.

It's no surprise how many Neil Simon plays we saw. To us, he is a playwright extraordinaire: Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Odd Couple (the female version - ugh), Barefoot in the Park (1996), Promises, Promises (2010) Rumors and Lost in Yonkers.

I love musicals. When I was 8 years old my mother brought me to my first play, Fiddler on the Roof. We sat in the third row orchestra, and I felt as if I lived in Anatevka.

I was hooked for life.

My husband always insisted he enjoyed only plays and didn't care for musicals. I couldn't understand how anyone could feel that way, especially because he is so crazy about jazz.

I made the mistake of taking him to see Will Rogers' Follies starring Keith Carradine when our friends were in town from Wisconsin.

Big mistake. It was awful, and he kept reminding me of it.

But I remained undaunted, and ~~dragged~~ brought him to more musicals despite that debacle. Les Miserables. Jersey Boys. Fiddler on the Roof. Guys and Dolls. South Pacific. He enjoyed them all.

Need I say more?

The play that was the one of the most meaningful to me was The Producers. Growing up, my brothers threw barbs around that I later found out were quotes from the movie The Producers starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

When The Producers came to Broadway, my brothers and I decided to get tickers for the three of us and our spouses. We were excited to see Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in the Mel Brooks zany comedy.

The show was a smash hit, and getting good seats wasn't easy. The best we could get were three seats in one row and three behind them. My brothers sat in front of me, and I clearly remember that while I was laughing, I watched their heads and shoulders moving in every direction as they roared with uncontrollable laughter.

Broadway holds special magic, the kind that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. So if you decide to go, do me a favor. Get me an extra ticket, because I'm about due to see another show.

What was the best play you ever saw?

The Holidays Are A Season Of Joy, Possibilities And Hope

This was an extraordinary week. I know it is supposed to be the season of magic. The season of joy and possibilities.

One thing I know for sure. It is the season of hope.

We're all running around like crazy trying to get things done by Christmas Eve. It can drive us to sheer madness.

Are we happy and excited? Are we anxious and weary?

When we're young the holidays are a time filled with wonder, of great joy and anticipation. As we age what happens to us? When did that childlike wonder leave us? Or is it possible to carry that innocence somewhere in our hearts?

On a snowy, gray day that matched my mood, I threw on my snow boots and down coat to maneuver our long driveway to collect our mail. To my great surprise, there was a large package addressed to me.

I was so happy see it.

Remember how we used to feel when we opened our mailbox, and there was an envelope with your name and address handwritten on it? The anticipation of birthday or holiday cards was so exciting I couldn't wait for the mailman to come.

I quickly tore my package open.

What was inside is what the holiday season is all about. It brought tears to my eyes, and lifted my spirits.

My dear friend saw a photo of our cat, Max, and created this portrait. She sent it as a gift and surrounded me in joy and friendship. In an instant, my heart felt lighter.

Do you ever become nostalgic over the holidays? Thinking of past celebrations and the people you miss; thinking of those who are gone, and those who live far away?

Every year I get a box of Kleenex ready to watch the short TCM video tribute to people in front of and behind the camera who have passed. I feel sad they are gone, yet thankful for the many gifts they left for the ages. They are all treasures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6gXi67ueD0

We live in a world where headlines buzz daily about greed, hatred, sickness and violence. We become cynical, wary of the guy next to us, doubting the sincerity of our fellow man. We cut ourselves off from seeing the simple things, the generosity of spirit and beauty around us.

It's no wonder we lose our innocence as we get older.

Another surprise gift I received from another dear friend. It touched my heart.
Photo: BooksIsWonderful.com

At this time of year I take time to reflect on the beauty in the world, and, in doing so, try to create a better "me" by telling myself I am blessed and have so much to be thankful for. I think of those blessings and hold them close.

On our darkest days we must prevail by remembering the blessings in our lives.

The video above was sent to me by fellow blogger extraordinaire Sharon Hodor Greenthal who first invited me into her blogging community. I was welcomed with open arms. Sharon shares my love of Peanuts and Frank and Broadway. She and her partner in crime, Anne Parris, and all the midlife bloggers at Midlife Boulevard, support each other on a daily basis.

In my fifties I am blessed with all of the new friendships I have found with them, both online and in real life.

The world may seem cold at times, and life can feel dark and bleak. But I have hope that tomorrow will always be a better day, and that the holidays are filled with magic and wonder and joy.

The innocence and wonder of childhood can last a lifetime. As I said, this is a season of hope.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

A Long And Happy Marriage And The Lessons We Learn

I originally wrote this post about my 25th wedding anniversary in 2013, but its sentiments still hold true today. Of course I had to start off with a quote from "Fiddler on the Roof"..

Tevye: Do you love me?

Golde: Do I love him? For twenty-five years I’ve lived with him. Fought with him, starved with him. Twenty-five years my bed is his. If that’s not love, what is?

Tevye: Then you love me?

Golde: I suppose I do.

Tevye: And I suppose I love you, too.

Both: It doesn’t change a thing, but even so. After twenty-five years. It’s nice to know.~ From the Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof

Love Doves

On my parents twenty-fifth wedding anniversary I couldn’t wait to get home from school. I was a senior in high school and my two older brothers lived away from home. I looked forward to an evening of celebration with my parents at Windows on the World in the World Trade Center. I’d been there before, and remembered how exquisite the food (and wine) was, not to mention the spectacular view overlooking the skyline of Manhattan.

I was excited.

Our house was situated on a cul-de-sac that abutted several acres of woods on two sides. My father, a master gardener, planted groups of shrubs by our curb that, fifteen years later, grew to a height that hid our house from the rest of the neighborhood.

We lived in total privacy.

When I opened our front door, I immediately knew something was awry. The back door was wide open to our empty house. I walked up the steps leading to the kitchen and quickly glanced to my right. I saw a paper bag sitting in the middle of our dining room table.

My body quivered. When my brain finally caught up, I called the police.

We had been burglarized.

The burglars stole my mothers beautifully wrapped anniversary gift to my father, many valuables throughout the house, and then ran out the back door after they heard me.

My mother’s priceless silver was in the paper bag.

Despite the burglary my parents and I went to Windows on the World for dinner, but I still felt shaky and a little traumatized.

Despite the events of the day I learned an important lesson.

As we ate, I watched the obvious love between my parents as they toasted each other. They put aside what happened earlier that day. It wasn't material things that mattered to them. What mattered was right in front of us: two people completely devoted to each other.

This was a time to celebrate.

I always knew the depth of my parent’s love, but as I watched them that night it was palpable. They were and are blessed with each other, and as I watched them I felt blessed as well.

Lesson One: Love really does conquer all.

This week, my husband and I celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary. We've survived many ups and downs, but through it all we’ve always had each other and our love to lean on.

Receiving our Ketubah (marriage contract).

It’s nice to be married to your best friend.

As we celebrate this happy occasion, we’ll toast each other, and the life we’ve created together that is a blessing every day.

We know it’s the little things that matter most in a happy marriage: love, trust, honesty and respect. We've learned this from our parents, and from Tevye and Golde, and use them as a guide to nurture our long and happy marriage.

Lesson Two: A loving marriage is a blessing.

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