The Written Podcast: New York (Part 11) – The Phantom of the Opera

One of the items on my to do list was to see a Broadway show. Being so popular, I was expecting the tickets to be incredibly difficult to get hold of. There’s a chance I’d be told I would have to book well in advance to stand a chance of getting a good seat. 

Before I came to New York, I was given the advice by someone who’s been there and had the pleasure of experiencing a Broadway show. She told me to go as early as possible, preferably as son as they open to stand a better chance of getting a ticket, but you’ll be extremely lucky to get any ticket close to the stage as they’ll be snatched up by people who’ve pre-booked months in advance. 

It was still raining when coming out of Bloomindales, and the majority of what I had on my list of things to do was done yesterday, so really, a Broadway Show was among the few items left. I thought it wouldn’t hurt just to see what shows they had on and see if I could purchase myself one. I immediately prepared myself for a restricted seat that had a corner of the stage cut off by a pillar, but at least I was there, and it was my own fault for not following the advice I was given. 

The kiosk for buying tickets for numerous shows was in Times Square. The set of stairs tourists stand on to get a decent eye view of the crossroads; the kiosk is built into those stairs, around the back. A good use of space, I’d say. 

The only question I had whilst walking to Times Square was what show I want to see. I concluded that there was no point of me trying to decide because I simply do not know what they’ve got, and considering it’s in the middle of the day, there’s a strong chance all the good shows have been sold out. Once I was there, drenched once more, I read through what shows they had on offer, and as expected, each one was a show I’ve never heard of, except one: The Phantom of the Opera. My mum and dad have seen that show, and they’ve raved about how good it was. I was to young at the time to go and see it, but it wasn’t necessarily one I absolutely wanted to go and see anyway. I never really dedicated my time into booking tickets for the show. But I have heard of it. I do know the story, unlike the others in the list, and if it’s on the board, that means there’s still tickets available for it. I made a snap decision. I sought it logical to go and see a show I’m familiar with but haven’t seen instead of a show I haven’t seen nor am familiar with and dislike it. At least with The Phantom of the Opera I’m familiar enough with it to say I don’t dislike it. I wanted to see a Broadway Show, The Phantom of the Opera still has tickets available, I’d be foolish to pass on the opportunity. 

The kiosk wasn’t as busy as I had expected it to be. Maybe it was the rain or maybe most people were already at their shows, whilst there were a few people queueing up, there were plenty of booths open for seven people to be served at once, allowing the queue to whittle down quickly to my turn. Asking for one ticket to see The Phantom of the Opera, I hardly believed the answer I received. One ticket available within the front row. I wasn’t the only ticket left, but it was the only seat available for someone like me who’s on their own, in the front row. There was definitely no way I was going to let that one slip through my fingers. $80 later, I purchased myself a front row ticket to The Phantom of the Opera, somehow, and the show starts in an hour’s time. I’d better make my way to the theatre right away. As I was walking through the streets, I stronger the disbelief of the situation became. It was one of those “right place, right time” moments. 

The theatre was grand, and there was a massive queue of people outside, eagerly waiting for the doors to open so they can get out of the wet and cold weather. Joining the end, about fifteen minutes later, the doors open and a security guard stood in the doorway, demanding everyone open their bags and have them ready for checking. You’re not allowed to take food and drink into the theatre, which means the person checking my bag needs to be retrained because there was food in my bag – a doughnut I brought from Dunkin’ Doughnuts whilst walking to Times Square. I didn’t mention that until now simply because I wanted to emphasise the fact, I walked into a theatre that strictly prohibits outside food being brought into the building with a doughnut in my bag, because the security guard barely even looking in my bag. He was the terrible version of the amazing guard back at the Empire State Building. I didn’t plan for that to happen. If I had known they were going to throw away outside food, I wouldn’t have brought the doughnut, and fully prepared for them to take it out of my bag and throw it in the bin, but he didn’t. And it wasn’t hidden either, but merely resting on top of my stuff inside my bag. I made sure not to draw attention to myself about that, even when the person behind me did have their food taken away from them, because reasons, I guess, going by the logic he displayed towards me. 

The Phantom of the Opera was amazing, especially when viewing it from the front row seat, literally on top of the orchestra. The acting was superb, the music was incredibly atmospheric, and the titular song sung by the two lead actors was something else entirely. Hearing it sung by many artists over the years is one thing, but being at a Broadway Show, hearing it and watching it sung right in front of you is another thing entirely. I was right in choosing The Phantom of the Opera over the ones I never heard of. I certainly recommend it if you have any opportunity to go and see it. The set pieces on stage alone are enough to make your jaw drop. 

I certainly saw how and why the Broadway is as popular as it is, because a lot of attention and care goes into their plays. I was mesmerised throughout the entire play, not even leaving my seat during the interval just in case I miss the beginning of the second half. 

It’s not often I experience being in the right place, right time, but when I do; and if you find yourself in that moment, do me a favour and make sure you enjoy every moment, because something like that won’t happen every day. 

Thanks for reading 

Antony Hudson 

(TonyHadNouns)