Sing Out, Louise!

For some people, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. For me? It's Marie's Crisis Piano Bar in NYC.

Marie's Crisis is, as I describe it in my solo show, "the sing-along musical theatre I-don't-know-if-it's-technically-gay-but-I-mean-really-it's-a-gay bar in NYC." It's where I can spend hours doing one of my favorite things on earth (singing musical theatre) just because I love it, with other people who love it too. Singing at the top of my lungs, not worrying about how "good" I sound, or if I know the words. I usually do because that's part of my particular brand of nerdery, but if not I can look them up on my phone, follow along with whoever's across the piano, or just make a few up as I go. Quality of performance is irrelevant, because it's not a performance. We're all just there to play and delight in the gloriousness of a good MT number or 20, sung by the most enthusiastic and joyful of ensembles.

This picture is from the last time I was there, with Julie Lyn. Who is my best friend, yes, but also my voice teacher and an incredibly gifted professional singer. You might think that would add some stress to the experience, but you would be 700% wrong (Which says something about the kind of teacher she is. Which is the best kind). She's actually probably my favorite person to go to Marie's with, because we both take the same utter joy in it.

So if you're in NYC and have any love for musical theatre (or people who love it, because I swear you can almost get a contact high from just how much fun people are having), go forth to Marie's Crisis for a creativity fix. Meanwhile I'll be trying to figure out just how soon I can get back!