A Day at the Theatre

The best mid life crises are when others benefit from it. My parents decided to buy season tickets to Broadway (in Chicago). So that means that about once a month, my parents and I get to see a musical that was once on actual Broadway acted out by people who couldn't make it on the actual Broadway stage! It's called Second City for a reason.

If any of the actors end up reading this, I'm sorry. But I get it, it's a tough industry. You guys still killed it! But if your dream is the end up on James Corden's 'carpool karaoke,' don't hold your breath*.

So what does one wear to a matinee showing of "Newsies"? Well you have a couple of options. You could do what most people did at this show and under dress in jeans and a somewhat decent top off the clearance rack at JCPenny, or you could love yourself.

I'm not saying wear a homecoming dress, although that was the go to look of the many preteen girls in the audience. I like to call this look, "I look put together and in fashion but this dress is actually from Target and really not that impressive" (okay, maybe it could use some work). But the point is, that you have more flexibility in this situation because it's a matinee and a show aimed at a younger audience. Honestly, as long as you don't show up in ripped pajamas and Crocs, you should be fine. But, "Life is more fun when you look nice!" - Someone important

I went for a cobalt blue maxi dress with an empire waist and ruffles on the bodice. It's a jersey cotton blend

which means that it is super comfy and breathable. I paired it with simple accessories because I wanted the bright color of the dress and the ruffles to be the center of the outfit. I wore a pendant necklace with a similar undertone to the dress, a simple bangle and stud earrings. I wore white strappy sandals because I would've felt a little too overdressed if I were to go for heels or wedges. As for my bag, I brought my pride and joy: My Mom Bag. This thing can carry my two pairs of sunglasses (one prescription pair, one regular), my wallet, keys, phone, protein bar, pistachios, peanuts (I always have snacks), lipstick (at least 4 shades), headphones, my pill box, and probably other miscellaneous items I can't remember at the moment.

That may seem like a bit much, but you just never now if you'll be in the mood for peanuts or pistachios, ya know?

Trying to 'smize' but coming off across as a constipated angry woman who can't see because the sun is in her eyes.

Pretending that I am interested in anything my Uber driver is talking about..

And me roughly 30 sec later when I thought that maybe taking selfies would get him to leave me alone (it worked!)

As far as the actual show, it was pretty good! I liked that they got actual dancers to play the parts. So many musicals I have seen in the past have put all their energy on the singing that I think when it came down to choreography they said, "Eh, screw it! Let's just add some jazz squares and spirit fingers and hope for the best."

But these guys were GOOD. I feel like I have the authority to say that, being an ex almost kind of possibly professional dancer. The preteen girls surrounding me gawking at (probably gay) men singing in an octave at least three higher than mine made it a bit difficult to concentrate, but I survived. I truly believe that their are few things worse in life than middle school girls. I hugged my dad at intermission and thanked him for putting up with me in those terribly awkward and bitchy years.

I thought after the show would be a perfect time for pictures, seeing as how we were in the theater district of the third largest city in the country. But something I have learned is that photography/modeling is so much harder than it looks. Coordinating the pose and trying to get that perfectly candid (such an oxymoron) shot has got to be harder than calculus. My parents tried their best (bless their heart) to get a good shot while also being overly protective of the cars shooting past me. Here is was we got:

"Mom! look the L is passing through, that seems like an artsy background. Go, Go, Go!"

pictured: the infamous mom bag.

So, that's it for my first official blog post! Lots of bloggers I've come across would post a question here like, "So what do you like to wear to musicals?" Or "What do you do when Uber drivers wont shut up?"

Well if I wanted your advice, I would read your blog. So I'll just sign off here with me asking nicely for you to go easy on me. This is much harder than expected!

xoxo,

Tanya B

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#broadway #fashion #ootd #newsies #uber