Jagged Little Pill - Seven Months Later Seeds of Possibilities Blossomed!

 

The April 22nd podcast of The Cardinal Cafe featured part 2 of their interview with Tony nominated actor Sean Allan Krill. He spoke with hosts Greg Chastain and Ed Siegel about the anticipation of the re-opening of Broadway in the Fall. They were setting up vaccine sites to help get the theaters open again. They talked about what it was like during the first few weeks of the pandemic and how it looked like a post-apocalyptic movie. Sean went on to say, "It's not like that now. There are more people coming to New York just to visit. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but I do believe we are on the right track. Thank God for the vaccines and that  we're working towards getting to the point where we can all sit in a big room together and enjoy something." 

Ed chimed in, 'We just have to get past the Spring break surge." 

"Exactly, exactly," Sean said.

"Well you just better be ready Sean because when things open up you're gonna have, I bet we're gonna have at least 50-75 of our members (referencing Voices of Hope Boston) who are gonna be on the bus, on the train and the first show we are going to see is Jagged Little Pill," Ed replied.

"Wow I can't wait," Sean said with such warmth and love in his voice. "You're gonna let me know.  You're gonna let me know, right? They probably won't have a line for awhile and nobody will be able to come back but I can certainly come out."

Sean went on to say, "It sounds crazy to even talk about it. I know it's not impossible but at this point a year in it does feel like, Wow, is that ever really going to happen? But let's plan that. It sounds really nice."

                                                **************

After we rested in our hotel room, we got dressed and walked over to the Broadhurst Theater with our vaccine cards and photo ID's in hand to get in line for Jagged Little Pill. 

The line moved quickly. We were greeted with, "Welcome back to Broadway," from everyone who greeted us at the theater. We stopped to get a soda water. "What's the designated area to drink?" I asked the concession stand person. "Oh you can take the drinks to your seats now! And there are free refills so feel free to come back for more."

 

We climbed the stairs to the mezzanine and kept saying to each other, "I can't believe we're really here."

 

We bought our tickets on October 24th many weeks after the Voices of Hope Boston group bought their tickets yet there we were seated a row behind the President, Greg Chastain and his family and two rows behind Ed Siegel, the Vice President of VoH, and his beautiful wife Dana, the Executive Artistic Director. What a thrilling way to experience the lights being back on Broadway. We filled three and a half rows of the center of the mezzanine!

 At intermission, we shared the experience of the First Act with our VoH family. and Ed said to us. "Buckle up for Act Two." He had seen Jagged when it was performed at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge.

He was right!

There were many moments where I welled up and rode the emotions in awe of the music, the script and the entire theatrical experience. After the scene where MJ overdoses, my legs began trembling uncontrollably. I tried to stop them but then I remembered Peter Levine's book, "In An Unspoken Voice-How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness." When a body that has experienced trauma, feels overwhelming emotions it can be released through trembling and it's a very healthy way to heal. After the show I stood up for the standing ovation. It ordinarily takes me a few minutes to get my energy flowing after sitting for a while but I bounced out of my chair, and bounded down the stairs with such ease after the show! I felt light and free.

 

Sharing the experience with my daughter and our circle of love in Voices of Hope who prayed for her when she was critically ill for several years was incredibly powerful soul medicine. We had no idea what the outcome would be. Dana was my rock through that time. She hugged as after the show and said how great it was to see the power of prayer! I thanked her for all of her love and support. "We're family and that's what we do." There were more hugs.

 

We finally figured out that Ruth Anne had an untreated infection that caused brain inflammation and that in turn caused a traumatic brain injury. It's been a long road back during these past two years. One of the most painful parts of the injury was that listening to music triggered the audio hallucinations. She LOVES music and it was so painful for both of us that we couldn't share it as she healed. BUT the brain does heal - albeit slowly and so we started reintroducing music into her life. One of her teachers in high school played Jagged Little Pill all the time in the copy center where she worked as part of her curriculum. After Sean's interview on the Cardinal Cafe we decided to get the vinyl

(rather than listening through headphones on her phone) and it was a total success! We used to go to concerts together and Broadway in Boston shows. I thought that experience might have been lost forever but I held onto hope and Saturday night we rekindled the experience of being together for live musical theater.

Ruth Anne had to get up at 6am on Monday to get to work so we did not stay to wait for Sean to come down to greet the group but we enjoyed the photos.

Greg presented Sean with a Voices of Hope jacket with his name on it... and Sean presented Greg with an autographed poster of the original Broadway cast of Jagged as a Silent Auction item for their upcoming Virtual Gala. 

 

 

It was 'one..two..three..drop masks' to take this group photo.

 

 

Sean posted this photo on social media to express his appreciation to Voices of Hope for their love and support during the pandemic and all they do to work toward creating a cancer free world.
 

 

 

 

 

As Eliza Healey said, "He is such an incredibly talented performer and such a beautiful soul."

  

 

 

Hope planted seeds of possibilities seven months ago and they blossomed at the Broadhurst Theater and the Schubert Alley on Saturday in New York City.

 

 

 

 

I am so grateful that I set aside all my concerns about having to wear a mask throughout the weekend, waiting in line to enter the theater and whether or not I could enjoy the NYC experience with the COVID regulations to experience a magical evening overflowing with healing, hope and infinite possibilities as we continue to emerge from the pandemic.

To be continued... 

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

 

Shall we leave today?

 

 

There comes a moment when you just let go and allow joy to happen. After Friday morning's meditation, I felt a stirring in my soul. I asked Team McManus what they thought about seeing if we could get our hotel room a day early and head to NYC to thoroughly enjoy the experience and be rested for Saturday night when we had tickets to see Jagged Little Pill. Tom and Ruth Anne were ecstatic. Nine phone calls later, we were booked for Friday night. I kept getting bounced back between the place where I originally booked the reservation and the hotel. I wondered if it was a sign we weren't meant to leave on Friday but then I received an agent who helped me schedule the room for Friday.

While Ruth Anne was at work and Tom worked from home, I went into high gear getting everything ready and packed up for our New York City adventure. Tom finished his work from home day at 3:30. We hoped to be on the road by 4 with a stop in Providence for dinner.

We were on our way to our first vacation since Hyannis Marathon Weekend in February of 2020!

We didn't account for traffic on a Friday afternoon heading to New York City. Our plan for a stop in Providence was quickly changed as we literally went around in circles trying to access 95 South according to "Google girl" helping us find the fastest route.

 

We were treated to a spectacular sunset:

We changed the destination to our hotel and decided we'd stop at a place along the way.

 

We put our faith in "Google girl" to somehow redirect us and get us to NYC some time before midnight which was when our reservation would turn into a pumpkin according to reservations. I told reservations we planned to arrive some time around 9.

 

We found a service plaza on the Mass. Pike, donned our masks and explored our options. We decided on Cheesy Street Grill where two gentlemen worked hard to keep their area clean and serve up sandwiches to their customers. There was an intensity and dedication to their work. We decided that somehow we were meant to eat there, give these two servers a really good tip and tell them how awesome they were. The sandwiches were delicious and we were ready to go the distance to NYC.

Fortunately the traffic was light and we made it to NYC just before 10. We unpacked the car and Tom took the car to the parking garage where we would receive validated parking after check out. He arrived back at the room and we were so relieved we made it and would get a good night's sleep with a full day in New York on Saturday.

I asked Tom where our cooler was with our water bottles, sparkling water and fruit. "Oh shoot. I left it at the car," he said.

"No problem," I said. "We will get it tomorrow."

"Um no. We can't. They take your car and park it and you can't get to it until you're ready to leave." 

I watched him go through his pockets and asked him what he was looking for.

"Oh no. I must have dropped the receipt!"

He went back and fortunately there was a wonderful attendant who not only replaced the receipt but went to the car to get the cooler.

We all settled down despite the excitement for what Saturday's adventures would bring!

To be continued...

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

It's Been Awhile - Countdown to NYC - The Joy of Anticipation

 

When I received this email from Mama Mia, a classic New York City Italian Restaurant within walking distance of our hotel and the theater district, I felt an intense mix of emotions!

The last time I took out a suitcase to pack was in February of 2020 for the Hyannis Marathon Weekend. My suitcases would be rolled in and out of the closet at least several times a year. We did destination  race weekends and traveled to Cape Cod and Bermuda for vacations. 

There was quite a bit of dust around the wheels from its lack of use. I'm the type of person who starts packing about two weeks in advance checking things off of our to pack list. Our blue carry on suitcase that we will use for our overnight trip to New York is just standing in our bedroom. 

I'm almost at a loss for how to proceed because it's been so long since we've gone on an overnight trip. After we were fully vaxed, we began to make plans and anticipate with great joy events and travel. And then came the Delta Variant and a new set of guidelines. Do I allow myself to fully experience the anticipation of a road trip, experiencing the joy of the city that never sleeps and a Broadway show? Can I allow myself to think about the luxury of not having to cook or clean for 48 hours, being with wonderful, loving friends and savoring the sights, sounds and smells of New York right before the holidays?

I've made a conscious decision to say YES to experiencing the joy of anticipation.

The New York City Marathon was held yesterday. My friends posted photos of the Expo and taking in the sights of New York before race day. Times Square's energy was electric through cyberspace. Several of my friends posted that they burst their bubble with the New York City Marathon weekend. Many of my friends have already traveled, gone to the theater and movies and dined out. I may be a little late to the party but I am emerging from the pandemic in my own way and in my own time teasing out what risks we want to take.

Writing this, I realize that I have not been away from my house for any length of time since February of 2020. It continues to feel surreal. Travel used to be an integral part of our lives. We settled into a life without travel or running events. We focused on being present, navigating the uncharted course of circumstances way beyond our control and doing the best we could to experience life to the full despite the pandemic.

Boston Marathon Weekend was our first introduction back into a world beyond our family. My soul felt nourished by the adventure of meeting new people and cheering on friends on Marathon Monday. The world has changed and shifted but our resilience and strength shines through.

Broadway's lights were dimmed for many months. Starting lines were quiet. Hotels and airports were vacant. Many many businesses pivoted or sadly closed. Restaurants moved to take out windows. Loved ones were separated by oceans as international travel was halted.

Today international travel to the United States resumed, and the front page of the Boston Globe showed moving photos of loved ones being reunited. I can only imagine the joy they felt in anticipation of reunions. International travelers are being welcomed back to the theater. The Broadway League announced today that pandemic guidelines are being extended through February 28th.

On April 22nd, Sean Allan Krill was a guest on Voices of Hope Boston's podcast, The Cardinal Cafe. He spoke with hosts Greg Chastain and Ed Siegel about the anticipation of the re-opening of Broadway in the Fall. They were setting up vaccine sites to help get the theaters open again. They talked about what it was like during the first few weeks of the pandemic and how it looked like a post-apocalyptic movie. Sean went on to say, "It's not like that now. There are more people coming to New York just to visit. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but I do believe we are on the right track. Thank God for the vaccines and that  we're working towards getting to the point where we can all sit in a big room together and enjoy something." 

Ed chimed in, 'We just have to get past the Spring break surge." 

"Exactly, exactly," Sean said.

"Well you just better be ready Sean because when things open up you're gonna have, I bet we're gonna have at least 50-75 of our members (referencing Voices of Hope Boston) who are gonna be on the bus, on the train and the first show we are going to see is Jagged Little Pill," Ed replied.

"Wow I can't wait," Sean said with such warmth and love in his voice. "You're gonna let me know.  You're gonna let me know, right? They probably won't have a line for awhile and nobody will be able to come back but I can certainly come out."

Sean went on to say, "It sounds crazy to even talk about it. I know it's not impossible but at this point a year in it does feel like, Wow, is that ever really going to happen? But let's plan that. It sounds really nice."

It's time to unzip the suitcase and begin putting in items we are going to need for our first adventure since the pandemic began. I printed out driving directions. Ruth Anne, Tom and I plotted out where we want to go during our first trip back to New York with walking directions to get there. I went shopping in my closet to find clothes to wear to the theater. 

It's been awhile since I've packed a suitcase and planned a trip with my family. But here we are. Seven months after Greg and Ed talked about a group of Voices of Hope members (of which I am an honorary member) heading to New York to see Jagged Little Pill, I am counting down to our NYC return. I am savoring every moment of the joy of anticipation. I know it's going to be better than I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

 

Emerging From the Pandemic: From FOMO to Let's Go

We had a trip to New York City planned for last weekend to see Jagged Little Pill and enjoy all that NYC has to offer. When we booked the trip, we were fully vaccinated and were so excited to be mask free and free from the constraints of the pandemic. That quickly changed when we received an email from Telecharge saying that masks would be required in the theater and we'd have to wait in line to be admitted to the theater showing photo ID and proof of vaccination. I had convinced myself that we would not be able to enjoy going out to eat or walking around the City with masks up. 

As a survivor of severe childhood trauma, I've struggled throughout COVID with having to wear a mask. How could I possibly sit in a theater wearing a mask for 2 hours and 40 minutes? I let it go and we decided we would return to the City in the Spring.

I grew up in Westchester and going into the City to see a show was an integral part of my childhood and adolescence. It provided a wonderful escape for me from the abuse I endured after contracting paralytic polio. Several years ago, I reconnected with my love for the theater through the amazing group Voices of Hope Boston. They had Sean Allan Krill as a guest on their podcast, The Cardinal Cafe. We were instantly drawn to Sean and Jagged Little Pill which had its roots in Cambridge at the American Repertory Theater.

With the pandemic, we relied on our vinyl records, especially the Jagged Little Pill vinyl and listening to Standing Room Only on WERS to enjoy a taste of Broadway.

After the podcast with Sean Allan Krill, Greg and Ed, President and Vice-President of Voices of Hope and co-hosts of the podcast said they were going to get a group together of Voices of Hope Boston members when the lights were turned back on Broadway. Sean was thrilled with the idea. We originally booked a trip for October 2nd but reopening night was postponed until October 21st.

I saw the posts of reopening night

with comments made by people with their dates of when they were going to see the show. My friends from Voices of Hope were among them.

I reached out to Eliza, one of my dear friends from Voices of Hope who is also a reader for one of my poems for the Hope is a Garden production, inquiring about what performance they were going to attend on November 20th. She sent me an enthusiastic reply complete with a link to the hotel where everyone is staying in the City. I talked about it with Tom and Ruth Anne. With COVID and the need to mask everywhere we once again said we would wait until Springtime. Eliza totally understood but then she sent me another message on Facebook letting me know that a member of Voices of Hope had two tickets available and connected us with the ticket holder. 

Okay Universe .... You really want us to go to New York and be a part of this experience. In hind sight, I realized that we were all experiencing COVID fatigue. We'd been irritable and feeling down. We are so used to having events to look forward to and it seemed as though we had reached our limit of not having anything on the calendar (or anything on our fridge) to look forward to. We enjoyed our Boston Marathon experience that seemed to ignite that desire within us to not let the parade pass us by (referencing a wonderful number from Hello Dolly!)

Although we did not take the tickets from the Voices of Hope member (long story for another day) we were able to find tickets in the Mezzanine where over 50 members of Voices of Hope will be seated together. We were able to book a room where everyone will be staying. Everyone will be vaccinated and I will take these next 4 weeks to mentally prepare for rocking my mask in NYC harnessing the power of visualization to find a space of ease. 

I always make a list of things we must remember before going on any trip. It was trippy to put on the list, vaccination cards and masks. 

I trust the vaccine. I trust masks and I trust my body's immune system. I know that feeling joyful and being with people who embody love, kindness and a commitment to doing good stimulates the immune system. The time has come to face the fear, ditch the fear, emerge from the pandemic and get totally excited and thrilled for a New York City experience emerging from the pandemic into the light as the lights go back on Broadway.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon