Wow!!

I went to see "wicked" at the Pantages theater last Thursday. I cannot describe how much I loved it...And how much I want to go again! I fully recommend this play to anyone looking for a wonderful Broadway experience! The costumes, lighting, and special effects were all amazing. I loved the music before, but after seeing the play I love it even more! I think I liked the L.A. cast even more than the cast that performs on the CD I have. The only negative thing I have to say is about the theater itself. There are very few bathrooms and a whole lot of people. Intermission needs to be longer if they want everyone to be able to do their "business" and get back to their seats on time. But, seriously, go see this play. You won't be disappointed!

As for the whole Hollywood thing...Not my favorite place in the world. Especially Hollywood Boulevard. It was always so crowded! And people don't bother with traffic laws and things like that. It was very stressful. Even walking down the street is stressful. There are so many people trying to hand you things. I just wanted to make one big announcement that said, "I don't have any interest in seeing the star's homes!" We went and checked out the El Capitan theater and saw the stars on the street. We also stopped by the Grauman's Chinese Theater, which was right across from our hotel, and saw the hand and footprints. I have the exact same hand size as Doris Day. Some of those celebrities have the tiniest feet!

Our hotel stay started out well, but then went downhill. We stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. I had read really bad reviews about it right before we left. The staff was nice and the hotel was fancy, but a little dark and a little too modern. The room was okay. They didn't do the best job on the painting. The lines weren't straight and there were clear spots that they had messed up when painting. I'm not trying to be nit picky...I just notice it. The carpet was plain...As was the bathroom. The room was dark, but it was clean. The beds were really comfortable. Although, they didn't have any top sheets...Which I found odd. The hotel also had valet parking, so we had to tip people every time we drove somewhere.

Overall, I would say that the stay was nice...But I wouldn't stay there again. It was trying to be fancy then it really was. It was stressful because we spent the whole stay not really touching anything because we were worried that they would charge us for something outrageous. Which they are known to do. I guess I am not a fancy hotel type of girl. I would have been happier at a Best Western. After we got home we found out that the hotel had charged us for something stupid. They keep your credit card on file for incidentals. They haven't told us what they charged us for yet...But we are fighting it. It is so stupid, we didn't use anything! I bet their maids get drunk off the mini-bar and then charge it to guests tab! Whatever...We will figure it out.

Before we went to the play, we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was really nice and calm. It was a nice change from the busy Hollywood streets. But back to Wicked! I have a new goal to save up some money so I can go see it again very soon! I wish they would put it on DVD, like they have with some other Broadway plays, so I can watch it whenever I want. I'm not talking out a movie-versions...I mean, the actual play on video. I bet it will be a while though. So, that's my really long post! I'm going to go listen to my Wicked CD now! Take care everyone! Oh, and to Elizabeth...Sorry I didn't stop by to see you...I didn't get your post until after I got back. I hope you are doing great!