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For years I've thought about taking my mom to New York, either around Christmas because she likes to see the city all decorated, or for the US Open around Labor Day Weekend. She was up there with her girlfriends in the spring of '05 and they had fun, but I'm pretty certain she had much more fun with me. :-)

First of all, she wanted to see shows, and see shows we did. Five of them. In three days. And in the process we covered a few decades.

The 1950s We saw the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. I classify this one as "The 1950s" because the last time my mom saw the Rockettes was in 1956, when she was 14 years old. This show definitely took her back. I'd never been in Radio City before and it was beautiful, a huge theater that probably looks like it did back in the early 20th century. The show was pretty good, including not only the Rockettes, who are fantabulous, but also camels and sheep, and let's face it, that's what really makes a show. Mom also got hit on by a guy wearing a "World War II Veteran" hat, and if nothing else that'll make for good stories.

The 1960s Two shows covered this decade. One was Hairspray, which I saw in 2002 with the original cast. The show was really good, of course, and we had great seats (come to think of it, we had great seats for everything). The theme of racial integration has a lot of meaning for my mom, who taught classes for black kids in the late 50s in a church because they weren't allowed to go to the public schools where she was in college. OK, and the songs are fun too, no need to get all heavy. Afterwards we hung by the stage door and Mom chatted with Scott Davidson, who played Edna that day, telling him "from one old lady to another, that was a great impression!" He loved her for that.

The last show we went to was Jersey Boys, which won the Tony for Best Musical. It was the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, also set in the 1960s, and once again Mom was taken back in time. She mentioned that to the lead as we hung out after the show (she picked up that habit from me, and now I think she likes it) and he gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. And he was hot. I wanted a kiss on the cheek too. Or somewhere. I wasn't sure what I would think of the show, as the music's a little old for me, but Mom really wanted to see it so I managed to get some tickets through a broker (the show is totally sold out). I ended up really liking it, the music was really good and the acting was fantastic. Fun way to end the trip.

The 1970s Since A Chorus Line is being revived on Broadway I knew I had to see it, and Mom wanted to as well so that worked out for both of us. When I was a kid I always wanted to see it on Broadway (and yet somehow, I didn't know I was gay), but it closed before I could. I saw it on tour in Denver 9 years ago but it wasn't the same. The show is still set in 1975, and it's still great...this was the best version I've ever seen. Back at the stage door I flirted with Jason Tam, the actor playing Paul, and it occurred to me I shouldn't be flirting too much in front of my mom (we've never officially had "that" talk). It also occurred to me that the actor I saw playing Paul in Denver was in Naked Boys Singing when I saw that in 2000, and I'm hoping to someday see Jason in the nude as well. Funny thing: I had a sense that after seeing Paul's monologue (if you haven't seen it, it's kind of powerful), I'd be having "that" talk with Mom, but such was not the case.

The 1980s Did you know The Wedding Singer had been turned into a Broadway musical? I just realized that in November, and since it was closing December 31 it was fun to catch it before it went away (actually, onto a national tour). Mom had heard about it from a friend and suggested it, and it actually was kind of fun. It was set in 1985, and of course there was a 1980s reference every 30 seconds or so. Some of that stuff, I have to look at it and say "what were we thinking???" Alas, we made it through the decade.

At first I was a little surprised that there was some sort of gay theme in every show we saw, but then I realized these are Broadway musicals and I shouldn't be too surprised by that.

We did other things besides seeing shows, of course. LOTS of walking, a visit to Rockefeller Center, the American Folk Art Museum (Mom likes quilts), shopping on 5th Avenue (where Mom said no to D&G but yes to Mexx, which is one of my favorite stores, and where a cute sales guy flirted a bit and convinced me to buy a jacket that, frankly, does look good), shopping on Canal Street (where Mom said no to fake D&G), a trip through Chinatown (where Mom and I both bought a couple things, and Mom bargained an old lady down on some velvet gift bags), lunch in Chelsea at a cool restaurant (where I realized that being with your mother does not increase your desirability among the gay crowd), dinner at a great French place with my parents' best friends, who happened to be in town, and a few other random experiences around Times Square and elsewhere.

Of course, Friday night, after tucking Mom into bed, I headed out to The Web and met someone nice to dance with for a while. A nice couple of hours, but it left me with only 3 hours of sleep before heading to the airport, which I guess was no big deal since it's not like I was the one flying the plane.

I knew I'd have fun, but I don't think I expected as much fun as I had. I wouldn't want every trip to NYC to be with Mom, but every few years or so probably wouldn't be too bad.

Oh, and I'm sure I'm the favorite son now. :-)

Labels: Travel