Visiting New York Was Hands-Down One of the Best Experiences of My Life

Anyone that's been following me for a while now knows how badly I've wanted to visit New York for about 10 years now. Ever since I began doing musical theatre, there was an obvious draw to the Big Apple and all it had to offer for me.

This pull became even greater when I discovered the Outsiders Musical this summer. I promised myself that I would get to see it with the original Broadway cast, no matter what it took. It happened. And I couldn't be more grateful.

This entire trip opened my eyes to the endless magic and possibilities of theatre. You have not lived until you have seen a Broadway show. Truly. This blog post will be a recap of everything I did in New York, and what it taught me. I hope this can inspire you to do something bold and new. Do it for you.

The Flight from Phoenix to New York

This flight was one of the earliest I've ever taken. Our boarding time was 6:50am and the photo above was taken at 7:21am, right as we were about to take off. If you know anything about me and my sleeping habits, you are very aware that I am not a morning person. If you wake me up before 10:30 most days, you will be greeted with a less than pleasant person. Going through the airport is already a tall task, and when you're in a bad mood, it feels nearly impossible. That being said, I tried my best to be a reasonable and kind human being.

The flight was rather uneventful, except for the crying child in the row next to us, of course. I drowned out that demon with the wonderful movie selection Delta had to offer, and because the flight was 5 hours long, I got in 3 movies (Bottoms, Avengers: Civil War, and Cars). I did my makeup for Jason Schmidt's concert on the plane, because I knew we were going to be scrapped for time, and I had some Garden Salsa Sun Chips. All in all, a pretty solid flight.

This photo is from when we landed at 2:22pm. It was pouring at JFK and I conveniently was wearing a sweatshirt without a hood. That was not where our problems ended. By time we had gotten off the plane and retrieved our luggage, it was about 3:00. Our driver was there to pick us up, so we ran outside and got in. Our original plan was to stop at the hotel, drop off our luggage, and take the subway back to Mercury Lounge where Jason Schmidt was performing. Small issue: the drive to the hotel was going to take AN HOUR AND A HALF, meaning we would get to the hotel at 4:30. The subway to Mercury Lounge was another 30 minutes from our hotel, meaning we wouldn't get to the venue until about 5:00/5:15.

You may be saying, "Oh, that sounds like plenty of time!" No. I had meet and greet VIP tickets that required me to check in at 4:45pm. If I wasn't there at that time, no meet and greet for me. After a mental breakdown in the back of our Uber, we asked the driver (who spoke zero English, mind you) if we could go straight to Mercury Lounge instead. So, here I was, soaked from the rain, wearing crocs, checking my Apple Maps constantly to make sure I would get there before 4:45. And believe it or not, I did, right at 4:43pm.

When we got to the venue, we got our bags out of the trunk, and I changed into different shoes right on the side of the road. My mom took all of our bags to the hotel (bless her, thank you so much Mamma Judith), and I got in line with some of my online friends. We were home free.

Meeting Jason!

From the very beginning, Mercury Lounge did not disappoint. When we were let into the lobby, the merch table was directly to our right. My friends and I hopped over there and immediately started talking to Tori (Jason's sister). She is seriously one of the most wonderful humans ever. She was supposed to give me a tattoo earlier that same day, but things just hadn't worked out. She promised to keep in contact, and that if I was ever in New York, we would get it done. We bought our merch from Grover, one of Jason's best friends (I got a baby tee and a poster for him to sign), and then we went to wait in line.

About 10 minutes later, when we were let into the main room, Jason was sitting on one of the couches off to the side. We all lined up around the perimeter of the room in a U-shape, and what do you know, Jason and I are standing right across from each other. Don't even ask me how I didn't faint, I have no clue. The only thought in my mind at this point was, "He's real. He's an actual person." I was about 10th or so in line, so I had to wait a bit, taking photos and videos for my friends in the meantime.

When it was my turn, I was so nervous and excited, that I felt like I was rambling on to him. Looking back at the video, I wasn't, thank God, but in that moment, everything felt entirely unreal. Jason was one of the sweetest people I had ever met, and I finally got to thank him for helping get me through 2024. He is as humble as he is talented, and I was so grateful to tell him about the impact he's had on my life. I told him I had flown all the way from Arizona that day, and both him and the guy that was with him seemed super impressed. I was able to give him a bracelet, that he said he had never gotten before and he even giggled at. I am so thankful I had one of my friends take a video (thank you Emma, I love you!!!) cause I completely blacked out and forgot the entire experience. Below are photos from me meeting him!!!

And here's the video:

After I met him, we were told to stand in the middle of the room so we would have first pick at standing arrangements for the concert (I was like 2nd row). This meant I got to watch Jason interact with a bunch more fans, and it was so special. He truly loves everyone who supports him, and it was so refreshing to see someone not taking anything for granted. Jason Schmidt is seriously an angel on Earth.

The Concert

After a bit of waiting, it was finally time!! Now this show was called: Christmas at Mercury Lounge: Jason Schmidt + Guests, but he had never announced who the guests were going to be. Let me just say, I was so shocked with his guests and so happy with who they were.

One of Jason's good friends, and someone who he often writes with, Nuala Cleary, opened for us. She was so insanely talented and beautiful. All of her songs were so wonderfully written, and I could have listened to her all night.

After Nuala, another one of Jason's best friends, and his roommate from college, Andy (who goes by Kid Wolf), came out and rapped a bit. He is seriously hilarious and his music is so so good (Jason does vocals on some of them), go listen!!! He brought Nuala back out and they did a song together.

And after that, it was the moment we had all been waiting for. Jason took the stage, and opened with Hey Hailey. He sang a few more songs, and then introduced his first guests:

Shanel Bailey and Ari Notartomaso!! (They played Hazel and Cynthia in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies) They sang an incredible rendition of Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again by Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland. This was so incredibly special to me. I loved this show and these people are such big inspirations to me. <3 After they were done, Jason came back and gave them both huge hugs, and then sent them off.

He came back and sang Mistletoe by Justin Bieber, which was incredible!!! And he sang my favorite song of his, Dark Surrender (still unreleased grrrr). And then he brought Kid Wolf back up to sing their song together, Sunday Morning Love.

They are the sweetest best friends, and the way they support each other makes me want to weep tears of joy. You can tell they have a genuinely strong and beautiful friendship by the way they laugh and joke together onstage. I love them :)))) Jason brought Nuala back up and they sang two songs together (both unreleased....), Halfway There and Temporary Tattoo. The way their voices blend together is pure magic and I loved it so so much. After that, it was time for Jason's next guests:

JOSHUA BOONE AND DARYL TOFA. (For those unaware: they play Dallas Winston and Two-bit Matthews in the Outsiders, and Daryl and Jason share a dressing room) I wish I could explain to you how loud this room was when these two came onstage. They are seriously loved by all of Jason's fans, and that much was clear. They sang Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters, and their harmonies were stunning!!! Their brotherhood is so clear and beautiful, and I miss them already :(

Jason closed out the show with Little Blue World (a crowd favorite), Ugly Crier (one he wrote with his dad <3), and Gold Man (with his INSANE vocals). He performed tons of other songs that I didn't mention and all of them were so beautiful. He is truly an incredible songwriter and performer, and I'm so glad I can say I saw him live.

As I was walking out, I looked in the back corner by the sound booth, and saw some of the Outsiders cast members. I seriously almost cried at this point, I was so in shock. Tilly Evans-Krueger (Ace), Melody Rose (Bev), Sarahgrace Mariani (Marcia), RJ Higton (Chet), and Daryl and Josh, were all just standing back there talking. It was so heartwarming to see them all there supporting Jason. That cast has a bond like no other, and I adore it with all of my heart.

After the concert, my mom and I went right across the street to Katz's Deli, the oldest in New York, and one of the most famous. We got our sandwiches and then took the subway to our hotel. We got back, ate our sandwiches, watched some TV, I FaceTimed the besties, showered, and we went to bed.

Day Two!

The next day, we woke up around 9:15am and headed down to Times Square to find coffee and something to eat. Thankfully, our hotel was right in the middle of Times Square, meaning we could walk everywhere we wanted to go within 10 minutes. I got a peach/mango smoothie and a lemon loaf at Times Square Cafe, and my mom got a coffee. We ate in the cafe, and then headed over to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre to take some pictures.

After we took pictures and got totally hyped to see the show that night, we walked all up and down Broadway, looking at all the marquees of shows that were currently playing.

We then went to the Museum of Broadway and took a tour! There were so many cool things in this museum, I couldn't possibly take pictures of them all. So enjoy some of my favs:

After we completed our tour, we did a bit of shopping (I got Rapunzel ears at the Disney Store!!!), and went to McDonald's for fries and some drinks.

Then, we went back to our hotel and got ready for dinner and the show. Our dinner was at Gayle's Broadway Rose (the restaurant with singing servers), and Cara was there!!

After dinner, we spent a bit more time shopping around before heading to the theatre. The feeling outside while waiting in line was electric. Everyone was so hyped, and you could feel it in the air.

Outsiders!

When we were let in, my mom and I found our seats, taking a moment to take our usual playbill picture in front of the stage. I looked at the understudy slip inside, and realized that it was the full original Broadway cast, except for Ponyboy! We then went back to the merch booth and each got something. I got a shirt with all of the greasers' names on it, a sweatshirt that says, "Stay Gold", and a magnet for the fridge in my dorm.

Once we were done, we went back to our seats and waited for the show to start. A few minutes before curtain, Josh Strobl (who was Ponyboy that night) walked down the aisle as usual, and hopped onto the tire. That's when it set in. I was seeing the show I had dreamed about and obsessed over for MONTHS. Here's Josh on the tire!!!

The show was actually incredible, and that's an understatement. Everyone was so talented, the choreography was so well done, all of the technical elements were breathtaking, and the pure lyricism of the music is insane. It was clear why they won Tony's for Best Musical, Direction, Lighting, and Sound. I could go on for pages upon pages about this show, so I'm just going to pick some highlights:

• I cried during Tulsa '67 (the opening number) when everyone came out for the first time. It was a dream come true, and the pure shock of energy that came with everyone in the cast coming out was so refreshing. I felt all the weight from the past year fall off of my shoulders.

• Okay, not to sound like one of the basic thirsty girls, but I audibly gasped when Jason Schmidt took his shirt off. I knew it happened, but I didn't know when, and it was so abrupt and out of nowhere. Anyways, that was super fun.

• Grease Got a Hold was So. Much. Fun. All of the greasers just have an absolute blast, and the choreography was so well done.

• Brent Comer is SO GOOD. He was great on the soundtrack, yes, but seeing him live was an entire different experience. His voice is incredible and truly underrated.

• The end of Great Expectations was one of the strongest vocal moments in the show. The way it was lit and the harmonies of all the greasers, I just- wow.

• The dance break in Friday at the Drive-In??? SO COOL!! Renni, Tilly, and Daryl truly stole the show for me during that number.

• Emma Pittman's voice is so unique and so beautiful. She could sing me a death threat, and I would love it. She is also GORGEOUS.

• The slap was SICKENING. That is all.

• Justice for Tulsa was so well staged. The lighting alone is breath-taking, and the use of the flashlights?? My jaw was dropped.

• From Throwing in the Towel to the end, I was SOBBING. Like literal drops pouring down my face. Thank God for waterproof mascara :)

• Throwing in the Towel was so so so moving. Brent and Jason's vocals were INSANE, and their chemistry as brothers is so believable and touching. I was unwell.

• Soda's Letter may have killed me. The staging is very detrimental to my mental health.

• A bit of fun in the middle of the sad, Hoods Turned Heroes! Daryl and Jason had such great energy this night and the choreography is so fun to watch!!

• THE RUMBLE. One of the best pieces of media I have ever, EVER seen. The rain, the blood, the rubble, the fight choreography. I was speechless. God.

• Okay, so, I cannot talk about Johnny's death without sobbing, so we won't do that!

• Little Brother was- I have no words. Joshua Boone, you are incredible. His vocals, his ACTING. The ensemble's choreography. Wow.

• The final scene between the Curtis Brothers. I could write an essay. The three of them were just so in tune with each other, their acting was on point, and I was gasping for breath I was sobbing so hard. The way it transitioned straight into Stay Gold? Sick in the head.

• The finale was so so so beautiful. That's all.

Right after bows, I rushed out to stage door as fast as I possibly could. Thankfully, I was able to squeeze in between two girls (who were so sweet!) so I could be at the barricade. Here's who I met:

Dan Berry! He plays Paul Holden, one of the socs, and Bob's best friend. He was so nice and really took his time with everyone. He asked me if I enjoyed the show, and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. I love you Mr. President!

Brent Comer. Darrel Curtis!! He was so sweet and soft-spoken, and he seemed really tired, so I really appreciated him coming out. He was SO tall, like he's leaning over for this picture and still not totally in frame. He also still had some rubble on his face :D

KEVIN WILLIAM PAUL!!! Bob Sheldon! I literally almost cried when he came out, I love KWP so so much. When I asked him if I could take a picture with him, he said, "Yeah, absolutely!" and practically jumped into a side hug with me. I did not move. He got this close all on his own. <3

Josh Strobl, my Ponyboy!! He seemed so excited to be there, and whenever someone complimented him, he seemed so flattered and humble. He was so ready to hop into pictures, I just can't even. I love him so much :(

Cameron Burke! I didn't know a lot about him before I went and saw the show, since he was one of the newer swings at the time. He was Trip for my show, and he was so so great! I made sure to cheer extra loud when he came out for stage door (cause the Outsiders fandom is terrible when it comes to swings). He told me he really appreciated it :)

Renni Anthony Magee, my king. He plays Steve, one of the greasers. He is actually one of the most incredible dancers I have ever seen. All of his tricks were so well done, I was actually speechless. He was so nice and patient with everyone! Love him!

TILLY!!!!!! If you know me, you know my outpouring love for this woman. She is such an inspiration to me, and her story is so beautiful. I love her and her platform so so much. She was so lovely to talk to and she thanked me for complimenting her strength and pure attitude towards everything.

Sarahgrace Mariani!!! She plays Marcia in the show, who was always one of my favorite characters when I first read the book. When I told her that, she seemed really shocked but was so flattered and then immediately asked if I wanted to take a picture. So so kind, and so so genuine. Love her!

Last but not least, Emma Pittman, the beautiful Cherry Valance. This girl and her vlogs have gotten me through some really difficult weeks in college. When I told her that, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. We talked about my cherry skirt I was wearing, and she absolutely loved it. She was so beautiful inside and out, and I'm so glad I got to meet her.

The final playbill. When we got back to the hotel, I had to take some major deep breaths. My biggest dream of the past year had just come true, and I didn't know yet how to process it. I FaceTimed one of the besties again to debrief, took a shower, and went to bed.

Day 3!

Our last day in New York was so so great. We woke up super early and went down to the Belasco Theatre so we could get rush tickets for Maybe Happy Ending. My mom and I have adored Darren Criss for many years now, so this was definitely top of our bucket list. My mom went and got us some muffins and coffee while we waited in line for about an hour and a half. After we secured rush tickets, we went on a bus tour around all of Downtown New York.

We saw the Empire State Building, Macy's, the Flatiron Building, the Harry Potter Store, Ground Zero (9/11 Memorial), and much more.

After we were done with our tour, we headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner and the show. My mom brought me to the Hard Rock Cafe for my birthday dinner. She had worked at the one in San Francisco, and said it was one of the highlights of her young adult life.

It was such a fun experience, and I was so glad I got to see it through my mom's eyes. I could see the joy it brought her. Our server was super sweet and brought me a sundae for my birthday. We even had a small boys choir who were sitting across the restaurant come over and sing me happy birthday. So freakin' cute.

Maybe Happy Ending

The show was so so incredible. It was great to see Darren Criss live, and the show itself was so touching and beautiful. I would definitely recommend it!

After the show, we went back over to the Jacobs to take a few more pictures before we left.

And that's pretty much it! The next morning we had to wake up at 4am to catch our Uber to the airport, and that was miserable. I got super sick on the flight, but we can never have a trip without one little bump, right?

This trip was seriously one of the best things to ever happen to me. I am so grateful that I was able to go see some of the people that have been major influences in my life for the past 6 months, and even meet some of them. New York truly is a place filled with magic, and if you ever have the chance to go, don't hesitate. Do it.