Thus, assuming that all great things only come your way once, I was gleefully surprised when my mom told me a couple of weeks ago that we’d be going to the Big Apple a second time around. I was already in the process of consolidating my Christmas plans with friends and family here at home when she called me to her room to say that we’d be flying to New York to spend the holidays with Tita Norma Baja and family, and meet up with Tito Ken and Tita Josie Natori for Christmas and New Year. Imagine my disbelief and exuberance when she told me that I could watch all my musicals again. I immediately rushed to the computer to check broadway.com and see which shows were still running and which ones I hadn’t yet seen. Some classics like Sondheim’s Company and The Chorus Line are back, while former New Blood like Spamalot and Hairspray have since been institutionalized as the neo-classic "must-sees" for our generation. And of course, there’s the freshman set of 2006 that boasts the same valor and grandeur as last year’s musicals. And so I made my ambitious Christmas List with the number "11." Although this time around, it wasn’t going to be the number of musicals I was going to watch; it was the number of days I was witlessly going to squeeze 15 musicals, two plays, and one Emerald Curtain tour in, assuming that I actually obtained tickets and did not run out of funds.
First up on this year’s theatrical itinerary is a scintillating, new rendition of The Apple Tree. Starring Tony-winner Kristen Chenoweth (Wicked, The West Wing), Apple Tree is about love and temptations in three hilarious acts. One act takes a hilarious trip back to the biblical Garden of Eden in "The Diary of Adam and Eve" while the second peers into the life of a lady and her overly jealous lover in "The Lady and the Tiger." The third act is named "Pasionella," in which dreams literally come true. While former partner Idina is busy stealing airwaves in London town, Kristen returns to the Broadway stage with Brian d’Arcy James (Titanic, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Mark Kudisch (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins) to enchant audiences with songs like "Here in Eden" and "Gorgeous" and a story that celebrates the love and the irresistible call of the forbidden fruit.
Next is an enchanting musical set in Putnam County called The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I actually caught this last year and I have to admit, it wasn’t one of those musicals I was looking forward to seeing unlike Wicked and Avenue Q. But I was astoundingly surprised by the depth and artistry of the musical despite its simplistic, minimalist rendition. The songs are still among my favorite Broadway tunes and "I Speak Six Languages" is still my eternal audition piece. The intimate setting of Spelling Bee provides for synergy with the actors on stage and the show has a few surprises along the way for its willing spectators.
Another is a musical composed by, believe it or not, Duncan Sheik! Along with playwright Steven Sater, Sheik provides the score to this spine-tingling and provocative look at first loves, hidden passions and lasting regrets. The story centers around three characters: Melchior, Moritz and Wendla, a girl on the verge of becoming a woman. Spring Awakening basically deals with young people and their reactions to the emotional conflicts that encrust them at a time of their sexual awakening. This is a must-see for 2006’s Broadway audience.
Last but not the least is the Broadway rendition of the popular Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore comedy flick, The Wedding Singer. Set in the rockin’ ’80s, Wedding Singer is the story of Robbie Hart, a popular wedding singer who is left at the altar by his fiancée. From being the life of the party, he becomes a cynical saboteur of weddings to commemorate his very own disastrous one. That is until he encounters waitress Julia with whom he falls in love. Unfortunately, she is engaged to marry someone else. Wedding Singer also features Idol Constantine Maroulis of American Idol’s fourth season in a supporting role.
Some people have asked me if watching musicals is the only thing I’m gonna be doing in New York. Well, aside from strolling, shopping, eating, and sleeping, I stare them in the eye and say, "Yup!" Merry Christmas, one and all!