"As We Stumble Along"
I love making references to Musical Theatre productions, and in this instance my blog title comes from one of my favorite musicals "The Drowsy Chaperone." Sometimes life requires one to just stumble around and exist. We can't always identify what we are doing, but we know that the most important thing is to keep going. With Ron I had no idea what to think, the job search had become a complete disaster, and my stomach had resorted to being in knots.
Even though I was having a little bit of a hard time getting through this slightly dark period of my life, I continued to do things that were enjoyable and relied on friends to support me. Pictured above is a picture of me with a drag queen who played Judy Garland. I have to say this show was fabulous, it was so well done and enjoyable. Spoiler alert: Later I did see the Rene Zellwegar movie, and Peter Mac (the guy pictured here) was so much more convincing and had her mannerisms down pat.
The next step that I made in the succession of "stressful life" was to get a haircut done by my favorite stylist and friend at Cappelli D'Oro; Lesile. I honestly don't know how much hair is normal for one to lose on a daily basis, however suddenly I became freaked out that my hair was thinning due to stress.
At the gym I had grown accustomed to watching "Live! with Kelly and Ryan" and on their show one day was Kim Kardashian. I noticed that her hairstyle was very cute and featured a bob.
Well feeling heartbroken or not, I have learned to move on with my life no matter what. The famed show tune by Irving Berlin"There's No Business Like Show Business" really sums up my philosophy on life and states that the show must go on no matter what. So after my hair appointment I met my friend Shirley at a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen and ate some dinner prior to the show that we were about to see. The show that we were to see was called #DateMe. For this I had scored some tickets through my connections at Davenport Theatrical. It was exciting to be in attendance because the whole experience was very interactive. As soon as the audience assembled in the theatre we were instructed to set up a profile on this dating app that would only be visible in that space.
Shirley, who had seen the show previously, indicated that there would be audience participation, I just assumed that this would be based on my dating profile, which I must admit was not looking stellar, but it just so happened that my enthusiasm trumped the lameness of my profile.
I guess because they guy who was first interviewed was a Broadway dancer really compelled my arm to shoot up when they asked if there were any single ladies in the audience. At this point I knew that Ron had moved on, in a really confusing way, where it took me about a week to actually figure out what was going on. I knew that it was also time for me to get a move on as well, and what a public and beautiful way to go on a "faux-date.'
Once I was pulled onto the stage they asked me a variety of questions. I can remember one of the questions concerned listing six things you could not live without. Not even attempting to flirt with my counterpart I couldn't help but list Broadway as my number one. Cheap pizza also made the list. You see, in NYC there are many places where a person can purchase ultra cheap pizza. My favorite spot is on 42nd and 8th. It's just called "$0.99 Pizza." I must say that this is not an extremely creative name, however, the fact that its pizza is $0.99 is definitely enticing.
After a show or once when I was feeling blue, I go out to this dining establishment and can get the ultimate cheap meal. $2.75 will buy me two slices and a bottle of water. I don't think that it's possible to do any better. One time when I was studying in France one of the counselors told me "Michelle, il faut economizer." Well Anna, I think in this instance you would be very proud of me.
So after the interview was intermission. During intermission Marty (the Broadway dancer, who later I found was in King Kong) and I took a few goofy pictures, as if our relationship had just taken off. I like to refer to this look as "Babes in Arms," because if you can recall Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland took an extremely famous photograph of sharing an ice cream soda.
Well after the show I returned home feeling overjoyed that I had been pulled up onto an Off-Broadway stage, even though I was still experiencing the sting of being passed over for someone else, I couldn't help but smile and know that I have an exciting future ahead of me.
