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On Marriage

 Occasionally, I like to step outside my comfort zone and read a political biography; it's like wearing a new hat. I think it's this same spirit that drives my husband's infrequent visits to Marie's Crisis, in the West Village.


Marc is like a "convert" to Broadway; it's not his first language, but he has certain zealous feelings. At Marie's, he stares wide-eyed at a portrait of Carol Channing and asks, "What show was she most famous for?" And the question melts my heart.

The pianist begins a medley from "A Chorus Line," and my spouse becomes gleeful. I could get out a chalkboard and make a "plot" diagram for the Priscilla Lopez solo; I could point out that it's the only Broadway tune I know of whose focus is on "imposter syndrome." (Such a strange song!) ....But we've moved on to "Oliver," and (specifically) Nancy's big solo. Does my date know that this is not a romantic moment in the story?

Later, Marc reads excitedly about a British production of "Pacific Overtures." From the bathroom, he calls, "Have you heard of the Menier Chocolate Factory?"

Meanwhile, I prepare for my big January reading project, "Swamp Monsters," a history of the fraught bond between Trump and Ron DeSantis.

Both of us are happy to have spent time at Marie's.
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