I promised you pictures and the story of my recent trip to New York City to receive the Raven Award from Mystery Writers of America. There were other moments in the trip, too.
I flew into New York on Wednesday, April 27. The Marriott Marquis Times Square was the hotel for the Edgar Award ceremonies, so that’s where I stayed. So convenient for everyplace on Broadway, but I normally wouldn’t want to pay the rates to stay there. We had a hefty discount because of the ceremony.
Wednesday night I went to see “Funny Girl”. I had a lousy seat, but this was a last minute decision. My sister, Linda, and I are making a major Broadway trip (already scheduled before the announcement of the Raven Award) in just a couple weeks, and we have much better seats. Beanie Feldstein is playing Fannie Bryce, but I really went to see Ramin Karimloo in the role of Nick Arnstein. With my poor seat, I couldn’t see some of the action, which tells me that’s why I usually get my tickets early and get good seats. Beanie was okay in the role, funny, but without the best voice. Ramin was terrific, but I’m prejudiced. Do you know why I sent to see it early? I panicked. What if he had COVID when I go in a few weeks? Instead, I went to see him on Wednesday night, and he announced on Friday that he had COVID, and would be out for ten days. He’ll be back by the time I go to see him perform again.
I do have to say, although I’m a tourist in New York, tourists are nuts there. It was cold when I was there. I walked back through Times Square after the play. It was 11 PM, very cold, and there were tourists lined up outside Krispy Kreme to get doughnuts. I love doughnuts, but not enough to stand outside on a cold night to get them.
Thursday morning was still cold, but instead of going to Juniors across the street from the hotel, I walked to the new one several blocks away. I thought if I was going to have their hot chocolate, I should at least walk for it.
The reception and award ceremony was Thursday night. As an introvert, I was too wound up to do anything on Thursday. Instead, I stayed around the hotel. The reception was for guests, nominees, the judges, and the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) board. I do have several photos to share.
Me, after I received my Raven Award
I didn’t read the piece in the program until I was in the hotel room that night. I’m grateful to Louise Penny for writing it. It made me cry. If you’d like to watch the Edgar Awards, it was filmed live for MWA’s YouTube channel. (And, if you only want to see my VERY short speech in which I’m all choked up, it’s about at the 30 minute mark. Alafair Burke, President of MWA, introduces me.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg704Luzy4EKA85E9vv2toQ
I had one more day in New York. On Friday, I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Winslow Homer exhibit. I do wish I hadn’t seen the hunting pictures last, though. Friday Night I went to see another musical, “Come From Away”, for the fourth time. If you ever have the chance to see it, take it.
I flew back on Saturday, but my award recognition wasn’t really over. My library team successfully pulled off a surprise party for me on Monday. Just look at these cakes!
Then, yesterday I was interviewed for a library podcast. That will be up in a couple weeks. I’ll send you the link on the Thursday after it’s posted.
I promised you a few pictures, and a report for the week. Thanks for reading!
Great pictures and I love your cake! Jackie is a long-time Marriott member (we’re Platinum now) so gets upgrades and has enough points to get discounts and even free rooms at times, which is the only way we’ve stayed at the Marriott Marquis a couple of times after shows or concerts. We have reservations this year too. We’re seeing mostly plays at this time, but we do have tickets for THE MUSIC MAN in August. And i loved COME FROM AWAY and would definitely see it again.
Agree about Beanie Feldstein. I’ve liked her in other things, but she would not be my choice for Fanny Brice. It may not be fair to compare anyone to Barbra Streisand, but it is inevitable with this role, and she just doesn’t have the kind of voice to really do it justice.
As for tourists in Times Square, you’re right. They’re nuts!
Good morning, Jeff! I’d definitely stay at the Marriott Marquis again. Great location, quiet. Once you figure out how to use the elevators, it’s nice. I’m going back to NYC in two weeks with my sister. These are our real tickets for Funny Girl – much better seats. We’re also going to see Mr. Saturday Night, Six, and POTUS. There were a couple other plays I would have seen, but there’s only so much time.
Jackie corrected me – she is a Lifetime Titanium Marriott member. (So, la di dah.)
We’re seeing Tracy Letts’s play THE MINUTES next week. Jackie’s list includes POTUS and TAKE ME OUT, and possibly HANGMEN and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. Personally, I would rather see COME FROM AWAY again. Great show.
I would have gone to see Take Me Out, but my sister said she’s too Midwestern for it, not “Woke” as much as she thought, and not ready. (smile)
I enjoyed reading about your trip to New York City to receive the Raven award. It is a real tribute and wonderful that you received it. Every time I read about your NYC trips, I wish I was going there with you and your sister. I did go with a tour group in 2018 and saw three Broadway plays, I am very happy for you Lesa. What memories you have added to your life.
Thank you, Lynn. My sister and I have a wonderful time when we go to NYC together. Well, frankly, we have a good time when we do anything together. I just have a beautiful mother and sisters who are fun to be with.
Enjoyed the pictures and report. Yes NYC is nuts lol. Congratulations, enjoy your next trip,(& better seats!).
Thank you, Trish! Oh, we will enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing. Your library team was very thoughtful with those cakes, beautiful.
Somehow I thought being The Raven Award Winner would come with one of those ‘all-expenses-paid’ trips, but I’m glad you had a good time.
No, MM, but they would then have had to pay for all the Edgar nominees, so that would be a lot. There was a great discount for the hotel, though, which was nice.
Weren’t those cakes beautiful?
Wowza! What a wonderful trip report…esp the scoop about FUNNY GIRL. And your award photos are so lovely!
Thank you, Ana!
This award is so well earned, Lesa. Congratulations. I haven’t been to NYC since 1984 except to pass through via airports, but a trip just to attend Broadway shows would be awesome.
I’ve made several of those Broadway trips, Patricia. Best reason in the world to go to NYC!
Love your award, love your cake and it was great to hear your vice. I didn’t know about the play that you had wanted to go to, so I looked it up! Would love to see it. I am ‘woke” but my husband is not, need to find a near by friend who is!! Please do another prcture of your award with a lighter background. Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Carolee. When I get a chance, I’ll take a photo of the award itself.
Congratulations again. I found a shorter clip with captioning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh5NJLhhubY What a lovely tribute to you and yours to your mother. My love of reading comes from my mother, too.
Oh, thank you for sharing that, Bonnie. I hadn’t seen the shorter clip.
Once again, congratulations on a much deserved Raven Award, Lesa. I so glad you had a good time in NYC.
Thank you, Rick!
We stayed at that Marriott years ago. Great placement. Sounds wonderful. So proud of your success. In awe of your relationship with authors I recognize.
You’re right, Carol Jeanne. The Marriott has a great location.
And, thank you. That’s okay. I’m sometimes in awe of those relationships myself. Sending hugs, and I hope you’re feeling a little bit better every day.
Enjoyed the pictures and the report. Congratulations again for winning the award. Waiting for the podcast link.
Congratulations again. An award well earned and deserved. Will live NYC vicariously through your pictures.
Congratulations on the award. The weather here has been awful but this week we are finally going to have better temps so hope it continues when you come again. I loved the cakes – such a talented baker!