I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to attend shows again, and I’m not wasting any time padding my schedule with whatever I can get. I go to the movies with a friend all the time, and I was even able to attend a screening last year while using the recommended procedures. The crowds aren’t back there yet. Live shows, however, have been reborn. Enthusiasm for theatre, opera and other performing arts is surging, and I am glad to surf that wave.
When the chance finally came to go back to New York City, I happily accepted. A few places comped tickets for patrons who had been part of the previous season, or held funds on account in the event of cancellations, for when live performances returned, but the catch was that I had to use mine for an evening performance.
In case you didn’t notice, guys, I’m a matinee person. Home before dark.
It couldn’t be avoided, so I made arrangements and soon found myself in an orchestra seat surrounded by a variety of patrons either decked out beautifully or understated as if they just came from raking leaves. It didn’t matter: we were together again for something we all love.
My choice of outfit was in the grey area between Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and business casual, and it worked just fine.
Three women seated in front of me were gowned up, but one wore a hard molded plastic face covering which did not fully seal under her chin and left room under the eyes for gaps. I figured that she probably had her own idea of what safety is for her and others in her circle.
Venues are checking for vaccinations and protection in New York, because if anyplace can be considered a soup of viruses and bacteria, that’s the place, simply because of the humanity from around the world who pass through if they’re not staying. The authorities are broadcasting messages about keeping up immunizations and staying protected, hoping for an eventual normalcy to return. I can’t wait for that, either.
We’re all looking forward to being free of the burdens of global disease, and being able to sit together in a theater while keeping some rules in mind is a step in that direction.
Since we’re used to what we have right now, step on out and see something. And don’t wear hard molded plastic.
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