10/12/2006
I'M gonna be a part of it . . .
New York. New York.
This weekend The Pickle is going to be making her first trip to the big apple. We have an extensive itinerary including coffee with MetroDad, and an afternoon at the Central Park Zoo.
Of course we will be doing our obligatory running from friend’s to friend’s trying to let the baby see all the people that moved out of Cleveland to chase their dreams in a major metropolis – but the biggest thing is to expose her to the sharp tinge of urine in the fall air.
Nothing like it.
As many of you know – I am a theatre person. I used to just be able to say ‘Actor’, but for the last seven years I have ended up making more of my income as a producer/director than the guy in the eyeliner.
I am professionally trained. I even have a decent resume. Why then, you may ask, didn’t I ever move to New York to try to ‘Make It?’
The answer is simple . . . I hate New York.
I have been to the city more times than I can count and every time I go – I am happiest when I leave. After two days in Manhattan I inevitably feel like a dirty bug no matter how many showers I take.
The second question then is: Why the hell do you keep going back?
The answer to that is a bit more complicated. I do hate the overwhelming nature of the city, but I cannot deny that it is the center of the civilized world.
I’ve been in Rome. I see what New York is to the world of today. I am an over-educated white guy that claims to be in touch with art and culture at the highest level, and yet I have never seen The Lion King on Broadway. It is not a matter of taste. It’s a matter of understanding. I go to New York to see what is at the center of the world I live in – and then I leave as quickly as I can.
When I left college I was told from every angle that if I wanted to make a living in theatre I had to move to Chicago or New York. What I’ve learned through the years is that you make a living where your connections are, and where you fit in.
One of the many reasons why I love Cleveland so much is the blue collar nature of the town. It even permeates the attitude and culture of our arts community. I am a professional artist, but if I had to wear a black turtle neck and kiss ass on a daily basis I would lose my mind. I am just not built that way.
I suppose every professional arts community has it’s quirks, but I have always just really fit in here, and I have always kindof known that I would have never been able to handle the whole New York thing.
This weekend I am going to see The Lion King for the first time. It is something I need to do, and maybe by taking The Pickle there at such an early age she won’t be as intimidated as I was to compete on every level or maybe she’ll just find out where she’s most comfortable.
Who Knows.
Pickle’s Papa
08:23 Posted in Non-Pickle Post | Permalink | Comments (8) | Email this
Comments
Man, you're going to have to tell us how the Lion King was. I remember when they started talking about this production I wondered how they'd get that translated to the stage.
From the snippets I've seen on TV it looks pretty awesome - fill us in, huh?
Posted by: Melanie | 10/12/2006
Wow! You're starting the pickle early with the shows. I'm sure she'll find the people walking in the aisles amusing.
We saw it when it was here in L.A. It was cool, and a little hokey. But overall fun.
Posted by: creative-type dad | 10/15/2006
" I am a professional artist, but if I had to wear a black turtle neck and kiss ass on a daily basis I would lose my mind."
Good to hear that you're being true to yourself. I have never been to NY, but I would love to go. I couldn't picture myself living there, but I would really like to visit.
Posted by: Ryan | 10/17/2006
how was the pickle in-transit? I need to start getting mya used to long trips--nyny sounds like a cool trip
Posted by: mya'swrangler | 10/20/2006
New York might be the capital of the world but you have to remember that Ohio is 'The Heart of It All'
ok we used to be now we are 'The State that Steals Elections...' LOL
Posted by: dennis | 10/24/2006
Not to be pesky (okay, mebe a little)... but where'd you go?
::taptaptap::
You in there?
Posted by: Melanie | 10/30/2006
Hey, how was coffee with Metrodad? Is he as sarcastic in person as he is in the blog?
Posted by: KC | 10/31/2006
Well from what I see of it on tv and from what I hear from friends living there I know I would hate it too.. BUT I agree... everyone must visit NY once.. specially when you come from India!!
Posted by: The Mad Momma | 11/02/2006