A Night of Songs

(Mark Kudisch and Rita Harvey in Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday at the Geffen Playhouse, Courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse)

It was a cold, rainy day yesterday but I braved the bus commute to watch the evening musical performance of "Broadway Holiday" at the Geffen Playhouse just off the UCLA campus. I picked up my discounted ticket (yaaay!) from the ticket window and settled into my aisle seat at the mezzanine level. The stage was nicely set up for the occasion (Christmas trees, gifts, glistening mobile snowflakes), and I didn't wait that long before the show started.

I was impressed, amazed, moved, and thoroughly entertained! The cast have all performed in Broadway (New York) shows and witnessing their vocal talents, along with some theatrics, animated the evening. Certain songs engaged the audience more while I attentively appreciated them in my own way.

The set list had a variety of selections that were mostly familiar to me and a few that were new and already lingering in my head.

It was admirable to see the performers' vibrance, energy, and passion for their craft. Particularly memorable were the true personal stories behind some of the songs that were delivered by specific performers. To generously share those stories was truly moving and special.

In an otherwise isolatingly wet and dreary winter evening, as part of an audience, I had a moment of escape in the magical power of live music and entertainment.

Although it took nearly half an hour in the rain to wait for my bus home (I couldn't complain since I knew the schedule; it was just timing my exit from the venue and skipping a visit to the coffee shop around the corner), I was prepared with my rain gear. I was mostly dry and comfortably warm, with a sense of gratitude for such an enjoyable Holiday evening treat.