No, Santina is not giving us the digital cheers. The big boss is giving a pep talk to her NY Staff and inspiring them to get focused on their goals for 2009. Yeah right! What goals? They're just glad to have a job. I'm just thrilled that I get a free dinner and show as a guest in the Company holiday party. Yup, sad to say, some of them are my former co-workers. Sorry Pat, just kiddin'.
Dinner and a generous flow of booze, Red Rooster as the favorite, was at Spanky's. After that, the crew was directed to turn on their respective GPS so as not to get lost in the Times Square crowd. It's about three blocks to the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Mark, Santina's better half, with the humor of a full-blooded Briton, designated the US Army Recruiting Station as the lost and found depository, aka dumpster, for those who've gone astray from the wild pack. Good luck with that.
A group picture was taken in the midst of the flood-lit Times Square and with the blustering just above 20's temperature. I begged off on that and headed straight to the theatre. God only knows how they would manage. Mr. Genius, Mark left the piece that was supposed to hold the camera in place on the tripod, at home in upstate Valhalla. Fine place for it to be - miles away from all the glitter that is supposed to be recorded and published for the company newsletter. This whole Q-pidity brought to you by the letter Q. Ha Ha Ha! Sorry, Mark, just couldn't help it. Note: Company name starts with Q.
It was a masterful choreography of street dancing and some classical ballroom moves, In The Heights. The setting is Washington Heights, also nicknamed Spanish Harlem, in the upper west side of the City just off the George Washington Bridge.
Similar to the neighborhood setting of West Side Story and a reminder of the play Rent, this show gave us a taste of the true Latino smooth dance moves and the bouncy music and rap songs that incorporated humor in them. The story revolved around the lead character Usnavi. He was innocently named by his immigrant parents, after the huge US Navy ship which they spotted at the harbor when they first got to New York. Got that?
It was a humorous and refreshing take on the life of the Latino immigrants who settled on the Heights. Rapping, singing, dancing, break-dancing and acting at its best. Were it not for the head of Krupa's husband that was constantly and irritatingly on the move, also annoyingly parked in front of me, I would have had a perfect view. But like Abuela Claudia said, Paciencia y Fe.
I shouldn't complain, this was all for free! It was also fun! Thank - Q.
After reading this blog, I hope they don't bar me from future Company parties.
