Or…Can you believe it? To kick off the Met’s free outdoor HD festival they will be showing the Marx Brothers’ classic film A Night at the Opera… with all its zaniness!
Now talk about zaniness, not on the screen, occurring on the Plaza. I’ve named it the Great Zany Seat Hunt to describe the annual ritual of finding the seat among the 3,000 available. If you’ve been reading my blog these past few years, you know I’ve written on the Great Zany Seat Hunt before, although this is the first time I’ve actually given it a name.
Here’s how it works. Visitors, New Yorkers, students, et al begin their search by moving from subways, buses, cars, apartments, hotels and even Airbnbs to the Plaza in front of the Met to find that seat. Some regulars know to get their early and have no problem. But then there are the others who, in their naivete, think whenever they arrive it will be OK with a seat or seats just waiting. Those foolish, foolish opera fans.
Hence, the Great Zany Seat Hunt and why I get there early, nabbing a seat on the aisle to watch the fun. I have my hat, my sweater, my umbrella, my popcorn, my water, and my wine. I’m on the ready to take notes and photos of what’s about to unfold.
Now some poor souls think that they can come minutes before the start of the film and find an open seat. Hah! Good luck is what I always say to myself as I watch those optimists roaming the aisles. I see their heads turning left and right as they stare with a hopeful look at an empty seat only to have that hope dashed as the seat that looked empty was indeed… saved.
Ah, the seat savers, the bane of those on the search but makes for good entertainment to those of us watching. The tension between the seat-saver and the wannabee seat-sitter is real life drama. Optimistic looks turn to cold stares and the face of the saver ranges from anxious to downright fear and then great relief with lots of arm waving as he or she sees her party arriving.
Like in any theater as the lights dim, the audience settles down, so it is here as the huge screen lights up. Really late comers are helped to whatever seats are open by the nice security guards who also keep the aisles clear. They also tell those seat-savers, in a kindly manner, “Seats can’t be saved once the film begins.” Panic sets in again as desperate whispered calls go into a cell phone…”Where are you?”
So ends the Great Zany Seat Hunt for this performance. If anything really interesting happens during the series, you know I’ll tell you all about it.
This Marx Bros. film will be a really fun night and definitely a full plaza. Come early! If you can’t, be prepared to join the Great Zany Seat Hunt. BTW many viewers prefer to stand in the back or the sides or bring a chair or sit on a blanket, especially if they bring their dog.
Speaking of dogs… don’t forget to bring your snacks, your dogs, your kids, your friends, your relatives and be ready to forget everything else that’s going on around this crazy world… sit back and enjoy. It is a joy!
With the choice of this film, it goes to prove that even the powers that be at the Met are lovers of great crazy comedy…well maybe as long as there’s an opera involved. Bet those powers that be have never been part of the Great Zany Seat Hunt. Hmmmm?
Here’s the full list of operas to be shown starting August 24
Friday, August 24, 8 pm A Night at the Opera
Saturday, August 25, 8 pm Roméo et Juliette, Gounod
Sunday, August 26, 7:45 pm Norma, Bellini
Monday, August 27, 8 pm Elektra, R. Strauss
Tuesday, August 28, 8 pm Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini
Wednesday, August 29, 7:30 pm Lulu, Berg
Thursday, August 30, 7:45 pm Rusalka, Dvořák
Friday, August 31, 8 pm L’Elisir d’Amore, Donizetti
Saturday, September 1, 8 pm Un Ballo in Maschera, Verdi
Sunday, September 2, 7:15 pm Der Rosenkavalier, R. Strauss
Monday, September 3, 8 pm Madama Butterfly, Puccini
Then ….Opening Night…SAINT-SAËNS Samson et Dalila – September 24
LOVE THIS CITY
KAY’S NOTES:
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: “The most popular of 13 films created by the legendary Marx Brothers, A Night at the Opera endures as one of the funniest comedies to ever appear on the silver screen. The straightforward plot—which follows the brothers as they try to launch the career of an aspiring Italian tenor—allows ample opportunity for their trademark hijinks, from the witty banter of the Contract Scene to the film’s raucous finale backstage at a performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore. A co-presentation of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera ” from the Met website
Metropolitan Opera | Summer HD Festival
GOOD TO KNOW: Reminder for a refresher course on maneuvering this series see my post The Met Opera…Free!
Under- Kay’s Notes-Good To Know
Photo from film: Courtesy IMDb
Photo of Plaza: Courtesy Metropolitan Opera website
