Last year, we opted to start our vacation in New York in large part to see Billy Joel in Madison Square Garden for Dana's 50th birthday. Once the trip had been planned, our tickets purchased, and our itinerary set, we learned just days before heading out that Billy Joel had to cancel due to illness. While they offered to honor our tickets for a show that December, we didn't expect to head back to NY so soon, and, therefore, had to resell our tickets.
When this year's vacation began shaping up, the dates having been locked in early based on an expected trip to Arkansas that was no longer in the offing, Dana understandably wanted to try, once again, to see his beloved Billy in Madison Square Garden, a venue where none of us has ever been.
Lots of research led Dana to two conclusions. One... location. He found that the Renaissance Midtown was in walking distance to MSG, which would be convenient for the night we arrived, as well as the rest of our mostly Broadway based time in the city.
The fact that we were not only within walking distance, but had a room with a view overlooking the MSG marquee (and its promise of a Sold Out performance of Billy Joel tonight) but of the Statue of Liberty in the distance (seen much more impressively by the naked eye than in the blurry photo above), just added to our excitement leading up to the big event.
After a later than requested (but earlier than standard) check-in, the manager kindly gave us vouchers for complimentary breakfast, a discount on our upcoming dinner at their popular restaurant Rock and Reilly's, and sent up wine and snacks for Dana's birthday - all very sweet and much appreciated.
What we didn't expect was the see through frosted shower wall. With a bit more research, Dana learned that this was a much maligned feature of the Renaissance, one the hotel was in the process of trying to rectify, once learning that the majority of guests would like some privacy when they shower. One room change later, to a room that had been outfitted with the opaque and tastefully decorated shade, later, and we were ready to take a much needed nap before the big show.
After a tasty dinner, we headed to the show, loving the NY billboards surrounding us. This one, in particular, was a family favorite, as we designed that final part of our vacation around the ability to see the IMAX double-feature of The Incredibles and its long-awaited sequel next Wednesday night.
Roughly two minutes later, we were there.
The reason the seats behind the stage were touted was because of the proximity you have to the stage. Since Billy performs the majority of the songs while playing the piano, which sits on a rotating platform, being in rows 19 and 20, as we were, in section 111, provided a much closer vantage point at a much lower price point that many of the people singing along last night. Unlike at many concerts I've attended in recent years, every photo I've taken here is of the actual stage, rather than of the close-up on the screen hanging above the stage. Dana's research was spot on, and we were thrilled with our seats.
Watching Billy Joel command the stage as he does, telling stories, making jokes, offering choices between fan favorites, riffing with his band, and, quite simply, relishing every minute of this "job" he so loves, was everything we hoped it would be. Last time Daniel saw Billy Joel, he was maybe six years old, and he fell asleep half way through the show. This time, he was fully taking in why Billy Joel has captured his father's attention for the better part of four decades.
The "piano man" finds that the regular crowds continue to shuffle in, sold out Saturday after sold out Saturday, and we couldn't be happier to have been among the crowd that shuffled in for the June 2, 2018 show. What a treat!
No comments:
Post a Comment