January 23, 2005

Monty's New York Vacation

I'm going to New York in February, and I'm going to have TheBest Time Ever. I have decided!

Here's how it came about: I'm flying there for TARCON 6, which is the party for the last episode of The Amazing Race put on by the people on the Television Without Pity boards. It's apparently lots of fun, and a surprising number of the people from the show (including previous seasons) make appearances and mingle, so I've wanted to go to one of these for a few seasons. It's being held at the bar attached to Madison Square Garden, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find it without too much trouble.

Now, the event is on February 8, because that's when the finale is scheduled to air. And the next week, on February 14, Monty Python's Spamalot is starting previews on Broadway. It's a musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, with new songs and material by Eric Idle. And it stars Tim Curry (King Arthur), David Hyde-Pierce (Sir Robin), and Hank Azaria (Sir Lancelot), so it's pretty much exactly the sort of musical I'm willing to fly across the country for. It's in Chicago right now, where it's still undergoing some fine-tuning, but I figure that since it's only got a couple of weeks of Broadway previews before the Official Premiere, I'll be seeing essentially the final show.

Now, I wasn't able to get a ticket for the 14th, but I did get one for the 15th. So that means I had an entire week to fill, and it also meant that I was well on my way to doing this right. By which I mean overdoing it right.

So, first of all, I'm going to TARCON as a VIP, which is, as usual, code for "I spent a bit more money so I could get in early and have lobster ravioli." Second, I'm flying First Class. Ooooh. I have absurdly high expectations for that, since I'm really tired of flying coach, especially when it's from Seattle to New York. So I'm going in style. I was planning to save money on the hotel and stay at a Days Inn that's right off Broadway. But after I made my reservations, I checked out some online reviews. It turns out that phrases like "filthiest hotel ever," "mold on the bathtub," "leaky ceilings," and "things were stolen from our room" were pretty frequent, so I panicked and cancelled. So now I'm staying at...

The Algonquin.

Oh, that's right. The Algonquin. The one with the Round Table. How's that for either geeky or cool, depending on where you stand. All I know is, I'm looking forward to writing many letters on the hotel stationery. And bringing Robert Benchely and Dorothy Parker books to read. Oh boy!

All right, so I'm flying there in style, staying at a hotel that's pratically a mecca for people of my ilk, and going to a neat little party and a musical made out of one of my favorite movies. But the schedule's still a little thin, what with the whole week of lying around. So I've filled it out a little (2/10: Wicked; 2/11: Avenue Q) but I've still got space to fill, especially in the middle of the day. I figure I'll do some strictly touristy things ("My, that certainly is a large statue!") and some weirdly entertaining things (I hear there's a Yankee Stadium tour; I don't care about the Yankees, but as a baseball fan, I still expect to find it fascinating), but I'm open to suggestions.

For one thing, I want to see more shows. I might have enough Broadway (although I'm considering adding Hairspray), but what's good off-Broadway? Is Upright Citizen's Brigade a good idea? If so, which show? Where's a good place for this "New York Pizza" that people keep saying is the best in the world? Are there people in New York would want to have lunch with me? There are so many questions. I'm really looking foward to the trip, though.

Whee!

You'll have such fun!! Most shows at the UCB are great, but if you don't have plans for Sunday night, that's the ASSSCAT 3000 night, where the more famous alum get together and do some Harold improv. The 7:30pm show is $8, and the 9:30pm show is free, but I believe the lines for the free show get pretty crazy.

The real, actual, famous, original Ray's Pizza can be found at the corner of 6th ave and 11th street; closer to your hotel, Famiglia Pizza on Broadway at 50th is good too.

Lastly, a firned of mine is in a musical about the Algonquin Round Table called "Talk of the Town" - they might actually be performing it at your hotel the week you're there. Keep an eye open for it.

Bring scarf and mittens, and have fun!!

Posted by: Kate at January 23, 2005 12:56 PM

Lastly, a friend of mine is in a musical about the Algonquin Round Table called "Talk of the Town" - they might actually be performing it at your hotel the week you're there. Keep an eye open for it.

Posted by: Kate at January 23, 2005 12:57 PM

Absolutely make sure you go to the UBC theater. I used to go there at least once a week and it's great. You should also check out the Whitney and/or the Guggenheim for some cool modern art. Walking around the village is always fun- there's a three block area that has nothing but record stores, and then one street next to Washington Square Park that is filled with chess stores/clubs. I don't even like chess, and that's a fun place to explore.

You can pretty much get New York Pizza anywhere, so don't get too hung up on the proper place. There's also a handful of mexican places run by asians, which are pretty solid for good and quick food. I'd recommend my favorite bar, but I know you don't really drink, so frown on that. But this place is pretty bitchin' and has a great vibe, so here's the info:

http://www.blindtiger.citysearch.com/

It's a very friendly, community oriented kind of place. You can walk in there by yourself, and people will start conversations with you on just about any subject. I usually kill a few hours bullshitting about politics and baseball.

I've never actually been to Coney Island, which I regret. You can hop on a subway and get there fairly easily, though.

There's also a Ring of Honor show on the 19th, not sure if you'll be in the city then. ROH is the best wrestling on the planet, period. After going to their shows religiously, I actually can't watch WWE anymore.

Posted by: Toby at January 23, 2005 01:00 PM

Why not have Real New York Pizza at America's first pizzaria? http://gonyc.about.com/cs/restaurantreviews/a/lombardis.htm

You have to order by the pie, but it's REALLY good. And wandering around Little Italy is good times.

Posted by: Lorraine at January 23, 2005 03:05 PM

If you feel like taking a trip to Connecticut to gamble one day, maybe I can convince Sassy to come with me and meet you there. http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_mohegan.htm

Posted by: sockgirlie at January 23, 2005 07:15 PM

My top five things for NYC.
1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (cold)
2. Go visit Coney Island (cold)
3. Central Park (cold)
4. American Museum of the Moving Image
5. The Museum of Television and Radio

There are other things I like to do in the city but they all have to do with shopping and watching people. Have fun

Posted by: mo at January 23, 2005 11:04 PM

A week in New York? The Algonquin? FIRST CLASS? Lucky bastard.

Seriously, if you're in New York, and you're anywhere near Times Square, and you have a taste for barbecue, get dinner at Virgil's. It's a great barbecue place, and they have the best goddamn onion rings in all of existence (with blue cheese dressing for dipping!). And if you're anywhere near Greenwich Village (which I'd also recommend, from a cultural standpoint- they actually have a statue in a park commemorating the Stonewall riots), then there's the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, which is really kitschy and serves some awesome Tex-Mex.

Posted by: Justin Cognito at January 24, 2005 04:27 AM

Dear sweet pete, that sounds like the perfect vacation. Want some company? Heh.

If you're not theatred out, you should go see Forbidden Broadway do their fabulous Broadway parody show. So much fun.

Posted by: Rachel at January 24, 2005 08:32 AM

Aw, I liked the witch burning song, and the cow song was completely random, and therefore awesome. The cow was rather Marlene Dietrich-esque. And I believe there was can-can-ing, though I may be confusing it with another song.

Posted by: Cori at January 25, 2005 08:49 AM

Monty's New York Vacation

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