January in Maryland is one of the coldest months of the year, yet I chose to take a trip up north somewhere even colder. New York City is the city that never sleeps, even when the wind chill is in the negatives. My main reason for taking this trip was to see two broadway shows: “Hadestown” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” While I was there I did do some exploring around the city too.

“Hadestown” was the most unique, inspiring, energetic show I’ve seen on Broadway. The storyline includes Greek mythology while teaching lessons about love and trust. Anais Mitchell first recorded this as a folk album before it was converted to the Broadway stage. The set was so brilliantly created, the floor was able to spin and go up or down. The ensemble members had such specific choreography with their props. The talent was just indescribable. There were times when the entire audience was completely silent out of shock, and sometimes the audience was encouraged to participate by cheering. Overall, it changed my perspective on musical theater. I would most definitely recommend this musical to anyone visiting New York City!

Right on 35th street is just your average bagel place. Just kidding! Liberty Bagels are known for their colorful bagels and tons of unique cream cheese flavors. Their motto is “More Than Just Bagels”. You get the New York City brunch rush vibe in the shop, which is family-owned. The atmosphere is amazing but not as good as the food!

Times Square is filled with restaurants and places to get a quick bite to eat, but the best places always stand out. Applejack diner is a brunch cafe that serves breakfast specials, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant walls are covered with signed photos of celebrities that have eaten there.

“Dear Evan Hansen” was a heavy and inspiring story about a young man named Evan played by Jordan Fisher. I have been a fan of this Broadway show for about two or three years, so seeing this show in person meant a lot to me. Jordan Fisher embodied Evan Hansen so beautifully. I have been a fan of Jordan’s since his days on Disney Channel when I was younger. He has starred in “Teen Beach Movie”, “Teen Beach movie 2”, “Liv and Maddie”, “To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You”, “Grease Live”, “Rent Live”, “Work It”, among many other films and series that he has made cameos in. “Dear Evan Hansen” inspires people to have a conversation about mental health and not be ashamed of it. I enjoyed being in the broadway atmosphere, and even stayed after to say hi to the cast!

New York City is such a magical place. There are so many things to do and see. Along with the shows and dinners, my family went to a museum called Arcadia Earth. This is a newer museum that displays how humans are affecting our planet. They make beautiful art with recycled materials like plastic bags and paper. As you go through the different rooms, you can track your carbon footprint with an app on your phone. You can also learn about the artists who made these pieces in the museum. They also have a VR room where you can sit down and go scuba diving with dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other marine animals. All you have to do is put on the VR headset, and the animation is a 360 view, so as you turn, the VR turns with you. The museum has a gift shop full of natural and eco-friendly materials when you leave. It was an enriching experience to learn how our actions affect the planet we live on.

The reason I am writing this article is to express the impact that NYC had on me. It made me start to think about what I want to do in life and get more involved in musical theater. It is also just really refreshing to be in a different environment than a suburb. The trip was so inspiring and just fun in general. If you are going to New York soon, I recommend seeing Hadestown immediately! Safe travels!