It's Tony Week

In a few days I'll be heading back to New York City. I know, I know, I was just there. This will be my shortest turnaround time ever between trips - twice in three weeks.

But this one will be special - my first time experiencing the sights and sounds of Broadway during Tony week. I'm anticipating a little extra zing (or zip) in the performances, a little more excitement in the air. And it'll all culminate Sunday night, when I attend my first-ever Tony party. (Actually, I believe this will be my first awards party of any type.)

Usually, I'm by myself jumping up off the couch and cheering when one of my favorites wins. This time, I'll be watching the ceremony unfold on a big-screen tv, cheering on the winners with some of my friends and fellow bloggers. (Hopefully, they'll teach me some Tony drinking games that this Playbill article mentions.)

Two weeks ago, I saw two musicals and one play. This time, the lineup is play-heavy: Mary Stuart, Exit the King, Waiting for Godot, and Joe Turner's Come and Gone. (Good thing I got my Joe Turner ticket before President and Mrs. Obama went because it's now become a little bit hotter.)

Unfortunately, I don't believe there are any pre-Tony events for the general public while I'm there so I've been trying to think of a few theatre-related things I could do, besides going to shows, just to help put me in the mood.

Of course, there's the obligatory visit to The Drama Book Shop, because I like to stock up on theatre-related reading material and support independent, bricks-and-mortar bookstores.

Here are some others:

The Museum of the City of New York has an ongoing exhibit chronicling the history of Broadway and of theater in New York City. There are costumes historic photographs, drawings and other memorabilia, including a gypsy robe and Mrs. Potts' costume from Beauty and the Beast. I definitely need to check it out soon.

Both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall offer tours. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Lincoln Center, so it's a great time to visit the performing-arts complex, which includes the Vivian Beaumont Theater, home to the Tony-winning revival of South Pacific. Of course, Carnegie Hall isn't a Broadway theatre but Broadway stars have appeared there and it's been the site of many musical-theatre gala events. Plus, it's America's most famous concert hall.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, at Lincoln Center, usually has interesting theatre-related exhibits. I saw one last year on Songwriters and the Tony Awards. An upcoming exhibit on stage and screen star Katharine Hepburn looks great from the description. (Did you know her pet name for Spencer Tracy was "Pot"?) Unfortunately, it doesn't open until June 10, so I'll have to wait until next time.

Adding a little drama to my life

Normally bookstores are part of my visit to a city. There are some great ones in New York City, like the 80-year-old Strand Bookstore, located at 12th and Broadway, with its 18 miles of books.

But on my trips to New York in April and July I avoided visiting the Strand and other literary landmarks. Part of it was, there's just so much to see in the city. But I also knew that once I ventured inside, I'd come out with an armload.

In November, though, I decided a trip to the Drama Book Shop at 250 W. 4oth St., in the heart of the theater district, was in order. I wanted a copy of Tom Stoppard's "Rock 'n' Roll,'' which I was going to see, and Peter Morgan's "Frost/Nixon," which I'd seen in April. I figure, I buy the Broadway cast CDs of musicals I see, so why not copies of the plays? Granted, I'll probably only read them once, whereas I'll listen to the CD over and over. Still, they make a nice souvenir of the experience, and I like having them.

The Drama Book Shop is the perfect niche bookstore. It truly lives up to its name. I found the two plays I was looking for, and more. While it's not a large store, there's every kind of theater book, play and magazine imaginable, a helpful, knowledgeable staff and plenty of places to sit down and look over your prospective purchases. (I asked when I'd be able to get a copy of Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County," and was told probably not until after its Broadway run.)

In addition to dozens and dozens of plays, there are are books on acting, on costume design, on set design, on the history of Broadway and on other performing arts. I could have stayed a lot longer, just browsing, if I didn't have to get to the theater to see a play.

While there's no substitute for actually seeing a play performed on stage, sometimes that's not possible. If the subject interests me, I still like reading it as literature, just as I would a novel or anything else.

I couldn't resist picking up a couple of titles that I'll probably never have a chance to see performed. "A Small Tragedy" by Craig Lucas is one of those plays my friend Steve says I have to see if it ever comes to a theater near me. Since that might be a long wait, at least I can read it and get a small sense of what it's all about.

Then, William Gibson's play "Golda's Balcony" caught my eye. I'd heard a 2004 Downstage Center interview with Tovah Feldshuh, who portrayed the Israeli prime minister in the one-woman show on Broadway. I wish I'd been able to see it. Luckily, "Golda's Balcony" is now a movie starring Valerie Harper. Hopefully, I'll catch up with it on DVD if it doesn't play at a multiplex near me.

Somehow, I think this is going to be a regular stop for me on all future trips to Broadway.