Knowing how much Bryan loves all things related to Arthurian legend, we thought a visit to Broadway would be just the ticket! And…it turns out we were right.

Before our adventure began, Dad whipped up a hearty breakfast of a cheesy egg scramble, toast and a smoothie. As we hopped into the car for our ride to the train station, Bryan found the soundtrack to the revival of Camelot (which we were headed to see) and played it for us as we rode, getting us all psyched-up for the show.

Once we arrived at Penn Station, Bryan was all agog gaping at famous sites along our 20 block walk to Lincoln Center. The Empire State building and Madison Square Garden where the roadies were unloading equipment for a probable Billy Joel concert captured his interest. But, less than halfway there, he wearied of the walk and began to point out British/Irish pubs along the way so that we could stop walking and start eating. When asked for the fare he was looking for, of course he said “burgers and beer”.

After lunch we wanted to arrive at our ultimate destination in plenty of time, so we continued our walk past Central Park and other landmarks. Bryan was quick to point out what favorite movies of his were filmed there and at other locations along our way.

A convenient gelato cart was unveiled as we approached the Lincoln Center complex. Of course, we all imbibed in two scoops of chocolate and Stracciatella while sitting in the shade at the plaza by Julliard .

The minute we entered the theater, the tchotchke stand beckoned Bryan to spend, spend, spend. He reached for the key rings, the magnet, the umbrella. “How about a t-shirt?”, I suggested, trying to redirect. And, so, he paid $45 for the shirt, but, hey, it’s his money! A commemorative book was also available, which he grabbed, excited to see Glastonbury Abbey pictured on the back. He recognized that ruin as the supposed burial place of Arthur and Guinevere. We had visited it years ago with Uncle Brad and Aunt Laura, who have brought the magic of Arthur to Bryan over the years.

As soon as the lights dimmed, Bryan was enthralled and enveloped in the magical land of Camelot. But this production purposely steered away from the magic, even blending and blurring the legend’s time period. That was the intent of the rewrite. For me, this former Guinevere from freshman year at college, it disappointed. Songs were left out, the jousting scene reminiscent of the Ascot Race in “My Fair Lady” was turned into a sword fight. No pageantry. Lancelot singing Guinevere’s songs. Arthur and Guinevere declaring their love at the end of the show. Minimalistic sets, dark costuming, but clever staging gave a perpetual gray feeling to the production. Morgan Le Fey makes a brief appearance after intermission as a drug-addled scientist, no fantastic invisible walls around THIS Arthur.

It really was wonderful to hum along with the tunes that were left in the show from the original show and the acting and singing was Broadway quality. I think Bryan really enjoyed the production and that was the important thing. Sadly, I just learned that this production will close at the end of July. Glad we got a chance to see it!

We decided to Uber back to the train. The biggest thrill for Bryan of the entire day, though? Driving past where they film GMA (Good Morning, America)- his favorite daily- watched show . Times Square’s flashing lights made him recall a time when we visited the city around New Years Eve and saw this iconic place at night. He reminisced about staying in the hotel and seeing “Phantom of the Opera”. Passing the Hard Rock Cafe, he remembered that he left his raincoat in that restaurant, causing all in our party to miss the opening half of “Lion King” when we went back to fetch it. Somehow watching the first part of this show from a tiny TV monitor doesn’t cut it!

I think it’s fair to say that our little adventure was a success. We made new memories and relived old ones of our former times in the “Big Apple”, a phrase which Bryan used several times yesterday. And, along with the slogan emblazoned all across the city, I think Bryan can proudly say, “I Love NY”!