New York is a city with a unique theatrical culture, bound up in itself, that inspires excellence and wonder on the stage. I love New York theater, from the small venue, fringe shows to the bombastic spectacles that line Broadway. In addition to seeing shows, one can line up outside the stage door and interact with the performers one admired on the stage. A lucky few may even be invited for a backstage tour! But what is particularly awesome is when the liberal, live-and-let-live theater culture clashes with the numerous other groups that call New York home. On one occasion, I attended a showing of Hairspray while the National Republican Convention was in town. I ended up sitting behind George H. W. and Barbara Bush. Shockingly, the cast was aware of their audience, and changed lines in the show in order to make fun of President George W. Bush. The audience was able to applaud the former president as well as laugh at the expense of his son. There’s no shame in this town, and a lot of guts. During intermission, I was able to chat with the former first lady and get her autograph on my Playbill. I asked her what she thought of the reception, the combination of patriotism and parody. Her reply is timeless: “Only in New York.”
