D.C. Day 2

The chief reason I came to D.C. was to see the Arena Stage production of THE PAJAMA GAME, a very important show in our family.

Mum and dad were in the original Australian cast of the show (the first post-war All-Australian cast of a major musical) so my baby years were filled with that wonderful score. The Arena Stage production is great fun and features some fantastic performers I've had the great good fortune to work with: Nancy Anderson as Gladys, Eddie Korbich as Hines and the legendary Donna Mckechnie as Mabel.

And Tim Rogan as Sid & Britney Coleman as Babe are pretty easy on the eye.

Returning to the Wharf in the evening I was surprised to find it teeming with sightseers and every restaurant packed. It was vibrant and exciting which bodes well for its future.

And at the far end...seafood seafood seafood!!!!

The next day I headed for the train back to New York and was gobsmacked by the grandeur of Union Station

Really gorgeous. I had a lovely time and want to return one day.

Washington D.C.

A quick trip to Washington to see a couple of shows. I'd been there before to do CAMELOT at the Kennedy Centre but we were staying in the beautiful Georgetown area and only traveling back and forth from the theatre.

This time I was right near the Capitol Building and environs.

My journey to my hotel took me past the Museum of the American Indian

and the lovely Botanical Gardens

I walked past the Frances Perkins building which gave me a kick as Mum played Frances Perkins as one of her many characters in ANNIE in San Francisco and Los Angeles back in 1978. Indeed she sang "Tomorrow" as Perkins in the Cabinet scene!

My hotel was near the newly refurbished Wharf which has only been open to the public for a bit longer than a week.

Hotels and restaurants are still under construction but it has a nice vibe already.

The first show I saw was the musical version of Tina Fey's hit movie MEAN GIRLS

It's very funny with terrific performances and sensational choreography and direction by Casey Nicholaw (BOOK OF MORMON). Perhaps ten minutes too long at the moment but I'm sure it will be a streamlined smash when it arrives on Broadway next year.

After the show I passed the legendary Ford's Theatre where Lincoln was assassinated.

Of course, they have a gift shop!

The next day I took myself off on an excursion to an historic area called Shaw,

Beautiful houses!!!

I love the bathtub planter

The cafes are cute, too!

A smart little performance space

and street art

Duke Ellington also lived and worked here in his youth

I accidentally took a selfie with Lincoln