Yesterday we picked up Aaron’s sister Tristan & brother-in-law Chris from LaGuardia and hustled them over to The Hudson for some picturesque lunch – only the Hudson had a delayed opening that day and wouldn’t be business ready until 3, the time of our show, so we had to make other arrangements. I got an everything bagel and a short (in size), and oddly, poorly made drink from Starbucks and we headed down to the theater district. We were able to use Aaron’s Parking Magic, which is both powerful and legendary, to get a spot directly across from the theater. We walked a few spots over so the others could eat at IMASA NORI Sushi Izakaya, then headed back to Studio 54 to see The Rocky Horror Show at 3.
The show was delightful, entertaining and fun. I’m more than a little familiar with the film, having befriended several Rocky enthusiasts over the years (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), and I wasn’t sure how I’d react to the stage show, but it was an “absolute pleasure”. I was slightly bummed that Juliette Lewis was no longer in the cast as she was the main draw for me, but everyone was either good or great, with no disappointing performances IMO, which can pop in the most highly regarded productions, so that was appreciated. It was must have been difficult as the AC Crisis / AC-gate was in full effect, and the theater was so warm that when we first entered, I regretted not bringing my personal fan(s) in from the car.
As I said, all were good or great, but Luke Evans, who I’ve seen in several movie and TV roles, was astounding. I actually didn’t know he could sing. He took Frank and made it his own – and there were several inspired touches that really moved me, as the mostly comedic piece has always done, but in surprising new ways here. Everyone in our group enjoyed it, and from the sounds of the audience, we were in very good company. The woman sitting one empty chair over to my left was also from Michigan. which made 5 of us in a row. She’s one of those people that pops into the city now and again and sees multiple musicals – this was her 6th on this trip. I love talking to people who sit next to me at these shows as they’re usually up for such conversations and they’re very nearly always interesting – and sometimes really, really incredible. I’ll never forget the people sitting next to us as “The Inheritance”; to be at such a classically queer show, surrounded by gay elders was so impressive and memorable.
After the show we took visiting couple to their hotel where there was some odd drama about their room, which wasn’t ready despite it being hours after check-in, and when we got to the room, there was no AC, with a hastily and poorly assembled AC unit on the floor, attached to the top floor window (leaving the window open for all the 100 degree air to get in) and a puddle on the floor. They were able to switch rooms for a larger space with AC and a better view. But the staff was rude, which was a little shocking given how they’d fucked up – but I feel like there was a lot of drama going on there behind the scenes and they were all very unhappy.
We met Bernard at The Uptown Garrison (or just outside it). Bernard is easily one of my most favorite people. He’s one of Aaron’s best friends and we’ve now known each other for nearly 15 years. That’s crazy. Another Michigander, he didn’t live in the city when we moved here and didn’t arrive until 2 years later, in 2013. Still, we also get along, and he makes nearly everything easier. The only exception I can think of is my own thing – which is he idles during movies and if I have anything like that in my line of sight, I can’t concentrate on what I’m trying to watching, which ironically, 8 years ago today, happened in a theater when we took him to see “Solo: A Star Wars Story” at AMC Kip’s Bay (570 2nd Ave) – and though I asked him to stop several times, he just couldn’t. I missed a good chunk of the movie. I tried to tough it out because this was the last showing of the movie in New York, but it was actually a bit distressing and I left. Which then led to me fighting the throng of participants striving to get to river to see the fireworks, as I tried to find my way to a train that might get me home. It was unpleasant and stays with me despite the years that have passed.
The Uptown Garrison is generally one of my favorite restaurants and while our service as pleasant and the conversation / company exceptional, this was probably me least satisfying meal there. Aaron’s food was bad, which I didn’t realize until the end. My food was subpar, but not horrible. I did get a fun cocktail called “Planet of the Apricots” which felt appropriate as we’d spent the afternoon with musical aliens singing about several different planets. There was no, or almost no AC. They seemed to be running low on ice. Everyone was hot and sweaty. I’m sure everyone did their best and I’m not upset and we surely made the most of it.
After that, Aaron took us to get some FroYo, which I abstained from as my stomach needed time to recover. I’d not eaten all my serving at dinner, but I didn’t want to be moving as much as we were, and the heat was finally starting to get to me. We stopped into our apartment, which Bernard had not seen completed after the renovations and which Tristan and Chris had never seen. Everyone approved. Then we headed to the Inwood Billiards Cafe. I was worn out but intended to push through as it was the last event of the day and I was having a good time with everyone. Only the cafe was upstairs – with faulty AC; you could get some cool air if you sat in this or that spot, but it was fleeting and uncomfortable. And my stomach was very upset with me for moving around despite taking it relatively slow. When I walked up those stairs and got hit by that heat, I was done. I sat through a game, vomiting all through it (pretending I was fine) and when they started a second game I was done. I knew that Tristan wanted to leave and so I felt free to say I wanted to leave, seeing it as partially for her benefit; I didn’t want to spoil Aaron’s fun though (he loves pool), so I didn’t insist we all leave, I just walked half a block to the 1 train, and took it 2 stops home. It was raining out, a light cool rain, which helped. And I was home in maybe 15 minutes tops, but probably more like 10. I took a shower and before I’d made it to bed Aaron was also home.
I tried to start reading a new book (which was recommended by a friend who generally likes stuff that I do, but often likes them years before I do – and sometimes I don’t like what he likes at all, still, when he’s on, he’s on) but I maybe got through 3 pages (of what seems to be a very dark gay trashy romance by Anthony Auswat) before I put down my phone, rolled over and went right to sleep. I had crazy dreams. My step-father had a new girlfriend, who had a beard. And my friend Pat also had a new girlfriend, which made sense in the dream, despite me starting to question it with waking world logic – like where the fuck was his wife, who I knew was still married to him? I was offended on her behalf. And there were coworkers who’d died. One had brain cancer. There was also a secret passage in a wall which had to be crawled through. That’s all I remember now. I woke up at 5, so I slept about 6.5 hours. I tried to go back to sleep but when I was still awake at 6 I got up.
Given yesterday’s troubles, I’m thinking about skipping tonight’s planned events and just staying home – which would include a visit from everyone and several games of Mario Kart, so I’d see everyone and have some fun times. The memory of the theater 8 years ago with Bernard is supporting this idea, as he’s joining us for the gaming and has been on standby for tonight’s event since it was decided on. I feel like I need a break, and I don’t want to get on a boat, where I can’t just leave if I want to. That sounds potentially nightmarish – and I have so much work to get done on my website and things. I can relax, take my meds (some of which can’t be taken when you’re out and about all day) and have my healthy home food.
Today’s journal title song quote is from “Super Heroes”, the penultimate song from many productions of The Rocky Horror Show; this version from the film. I owned this on CD.