Sorry, Lin-Manuel. I am turning down your New Year’s Eve Invitation.

Dear Mr. Miranda,

Thank you so much for the very colorful email invitation you sent me today. You know, the one that offers “the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Experience.”

For a small donation to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, you are offering me a chance to fly to NYC to see the famous New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square.

Now I think BC/EFA is a great charity, and I have contributed to it in the past, but about seeing the December 31st ball drop…

Don’t get me wrong. Barb and I love New York City. Pre-pandemic, we visited once or twice a year and jammed in as many theater outings as we could. We have seen everything from Osage County to Evan Hansen to that very weird production of Oklahoma with the chili and cornbread at intermission.

As a matter of fact, we plan on going to the Big Apple next spring — Barb can’t wait to see the upcoming Neil Diamond bio-musical, and I have a hankering to see Hugh Jackman lead seventy-six trombones from New York, New York to River City, Iowa.

But back to your invitation. It’s not that I am necessarily against a New Year’s Eve mob scene. We have spent a couple of very enjoyable NYE’s watching fireworks in our own Chicago Loop, though I will admit the last time was so long ago, Jane Byrne was Mayor. I don’t think Rahm or Lori ever put on shows as exciting as good old Jane did back in the ’80s.

It’s just, are you sure Times Square is a good idea? With a few million other people on what could be a freezing cold New Year’s Eve to watch a friggin’ light show? During wave 4, 5, or 6 of the pandemic? You have got to be kidding, man. Nothing that you or Bill de Blasio can do or say is going to get me out there.

Now Lin-Manuel (is it ok if I call you that?) I did notice that for a few extra bucks on behalf of BC/EFA I can register to compete for a different prize; a chance to see Hamilton anywhere in the world. (it’s not really anywhere, just the couple dozen places in which the roadshow will be playing.) The chance to win a trip to Australia may be worth a twenty-buck donation, although I think we’ll pass on the chance to go to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Anyway L-M., thanks for the invite. I’ll R.S.V.P. when we decide what to do. In the meantime, keep your pistol loaded and your powder dry.

And Happy New Year!

Best,

Les

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