I kicked off my version of the Broadway season last night. No, I didn’t make a quick trip back to New York. Instead, I drove downtown to see The Sound of Music at DPAC, a theater that is really much nicer than should be in a city this size. I’ve probably written that before, but I’m reminded of that fact every time I go.

I ate dinner beforehand at a restaurant that tries to transport you to the French Quarter in New Orleans. While it doesn’t quite achieve that set in a renovated tobacco warehouse as it is, the gumbo is good. The hostess seemed surprised when I asked to sit at a table instead of at the bar. And I get it, as a table for one means an empty seat. But I was also eating early and there were open tables the entire time I was there. I’ve long since gotten over any anxiety about eating alone if that’s the concern. Then I took a short, leisurely stroll over to the theater.

This year, I decided to upgrade my seating. Previously, I’ve always been in the upper deck, often towards a back corner. Last night, I was in the second row of the middle deck. It was a worthwhile upgrade. Not only was I closer to the stage and so could see more of the actors’ expressions, but I also didn’t have as many people in front of me fidgeting around and so had a clearer view of the stage. I did have a few children behind me last night, but their sound effects added to the show instead of detracting from it. I’ve purchased a ticket for three shows thus far and may add a fourth once the tickets for Hamilton go on sale. If nothing else, it gives me something different to do on a few Tuesday evenings.

The show itself was the longest I’ve seen in some time. There was even an intermission. The child actors were poised and composed and the lead actress is a star in the making. Having seen the movie more than once before, there weren’t any surprises, though at least they stuck to what worked and didn’t attempt a contemporary political browbeating and that was refreshing. It ranks in the top 5 for me, and I’ve seen enough shows for that to have some meaning.