Phantom of the Opera

September 15, 2014Danita
Blog post

 Have you ever had one of those regretful parent moments?  I’m guessing if you’ve been a parent for more than about fifteen minutes you answered “yes” to that question.  Today, I don’t have a tasty new food for you to try but I would like to tell you about one (of my many) regretful parenting moments, and my “recipe” to make up for it….

About five years ago my oldest daughter (Ashley) and I attended a wonderful performance of Phantom of the Opera here in Dallas, but I didn’t take my middle daughter (Amanda)…even though she very much wanted to go.  I reasoned with her that she hadn’t read the book (it’s a homeschool thing), I couldn’t afford another ticket, she was still young and the ever popular….I’d take her next time.    

At the last minute (literally the day of the play) the friends we went with had an extra ticket available, but it wasn’t offered for free.  I went back and forth but ended up leaving her home.  The ticket went unused and we sat with an empty seat next to us, and I knew I should have brought her….but there was the promise of “next time”.  

Little did I know..Phantom of the Opera wasn’t coming back!  That was it…after 25 years on stage they were closing the productions everywhere except New York, London and Paris!  Really?!  How could that be?  Of course, every time I would think or talk about Phantom, my heart filled with regret.

Fast forward to last spring….

I was looking online to see what “cultural” events were in town or coming and low and behold….THERE IT WAS!  A new production of Phantom of the Opera….coming to Dallas…and at an even better venue than before!  Only if you are a parent can you imagine my feeling of excitement.  Of course, the girls were thrilled as well!  It was still several months away so we had plenty of time to plan and save.  

The excitement spread even further when Amanda told her “BFF” and she was invited and made plans to go with us!  

We waited a couple of months for the tickets to go on sale, but somehow I got an email about advanced ticket purchases…yeah!  We purchased wonderful seats in the Mezzanine…WAY better than the seats the first time we saw it.

Amanda had a dress but her BFF didn’t…so of course, that mean a day (or 2) of shopping for the perfect outfit and accessories!  Amanda was able to get something she’s always wanted…elbow length gloves. 

More waiting then….the evening finally arrived!

phantom of the opera 145

 As you know, for us a special occasion just isn’t complete without food.  We were able to get a groupon to Simply Fondue only a few miles from the theater.  

phantom of the opera 153

The girls and I love going there for chocolate fondue before these kinds of events.  The BFF had never been to a “fancy” place so it was really fun to have her along.    

phantom of the opera 148

Ashley and I love coffee and since it goes perfectly with chocolate we decided to order some.  We had NO idea they would bring a us a whole French press of our own!  We’re kind of “coffee snobs” so this made our day!  LOVE Simple Fondue!

phantom of the opera 156

The venue was beautiful, as were the girls!  

The combination of breath-taking scenery, amazing actors with beautiful singing voices, and live orchestra made the whole production truly spectacular and absolutely unforgettable.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures…they’re funny about that sort of thing. You’ll just have to take my word for it.  

We talked with a close friend who attended a few days before us and he said, “If I had another $XX to buy tickets, I’d go again tomorrow!” Knowing how much the tickets were, I didn’t really think I’d feel that way, but I will tell you I said EXACTLY the same thing as we walked out of the theater!  

phantom of the opera 162

Those are some happy faces! 

And I’ll leave you with two things…Amanda’s quote upon exiting the theater and my thought about it…

“That’s the BEST thing I’ve ever seen!” 

Thank you Lord, for a parent do-over!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38 Comments

  • Carisa Smith

    September 18, 2014 at 3:34 PM

    She probably got more out of it now than she would have earlier anyway… What a blessing!

    1. Danita

      September 18, 2014 at 3:35 PM

      Thanks Carisa! That is a great way to look at it.

  • Krystal’s Kitsch

    September 18, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    That dinner looks awesome. I would love to see Phantom live!

    1. Danita

      September 18, 2014 at 1:24 PM

      The dinner was wonderful and Phantom was even better. You’d love it! If you get a chance it’s totally worth it.

  • Kelly the Take Action WAHM

    September 16, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    How cool! I use to go the theater with my nephew and it was always so much fun.

  • lovenerdmaggie

    September 16, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    I am glad you finally got to take her! It is such an amazing production.

  • Barb

    September 16, 2014 at 2:17 PM

    Isnt’ God gracious to give us a second chance! Very happy for you and such a GREAT play!

    1. Danita

      September 16, 2014 at 5:21 PM

      Yes Barb, you are so right! God is much more gracious to us than we ever deserve. Thanks for stopping by and the encouraging words.

  • Britni Newton Vigil

    September 16, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    What a fun night! We love Phantom of the Opera!

  • Jillian

    September 16, 2014 at 2:44 AM

    LOVE this play, looks like you had a fabulous time!

  • Rachael

    September 16, 2014 at 1:03 AM

    Oh I am so glad you got a chance to take her. And the fondue sounds awesome. I love fondue anything and everything.

  • titicrafty

    September 15, 2014 at 9:20 PM

    Oh wow what an exciting evening and you all were gorgeous! I would love to see The Phantom of the opera some day!
    Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
    XOXO

  • Candace

    September 15, 2014 at 8:35 PM

    What a sweet story! So glad you had a great time!

  • Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

    September 15, 2014 at 8:23 PM

    It looks like you had such a great time! Thank goodness for do-overs! 🙂

  • eglover0616

    September 15, 2014 at 5:56 PM

    Looks like a fun time! Glad you got a second time to go!

  • debi

    September 15, 2014 at 5:26 PM

    Looks like a wonderful evening! Such a great play!

  • It Happens in a Blink Blog

    September 15, 2014 at 5:04 PM

    Looks like a wonderful time. So glad that you were able to experience it.

  • Katie

    September 15, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    So glad you and her got that opportunity! Elbow length gloves too, how pretty!

  • The Domestic Curator

    September 15, 2014 at 2:44 PM

    What a beautiful story and beautiful girls. So glad you had a second chance to redeem yourself with your daughter!

  • Margaret

    September 15, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    Oh how fun! I love Phantom!

  • Alison’s Wonderland Recipes

    September 15, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    I love Phantom of the Opera so much! When the production rights became available for schools four years ago, my college was one of the first to perform it. I was writing for the campus newspaper at the time, so I got to see the show for free and interview the director! I still think the play is better than both the movie AND the book. 🙂

    1. Danita

      September 15, 2014 at 2:42 PM

      How fun! I did enjoy the book but I much prefer the ending of the play!

  • Happy Hour Projects (@HappyHrProjects)

    September 15, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    Oh, what a wonderful story! Everyone looks fabulous and like they had a great time!!

  • thatmamajama

    September 15, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    Aww! Phantom is one of my very favorites. I’m so glad you go to go! Yay for a parent do-over! 🙂

  • Deanna Ritz

    September 15, 2014 at 10:55 AM

    Aww, what a sweet time out with your girls. I would love to do this with my kids someday. My boys are a little young but hope that they can appreciate outings like this when they are older. I haven’t seen Phantom but hear it is spectacular!

    1. Danita

      September 15, 2014 at 12:45 PM

      It really is Deanna, I highly recommend going if it comes near you.

  • dishofdailylife

    September 15, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    I am so glad you got to go!! Thank goodness for do-overs!! It looks like you all had a great time!!

  • Stephanie Pass

    September 15, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    How fun! I remember going as a teenager. It’s such an amazing production! I’ve been tempted by that same Groupon. How was Simply Fondue?

    1. Danita

      September 15, 2014 at 12:52 PM

      Stephanie,
      We’ve gone to the one in downtown Ft Worth and in Dallas. They were both amazing! It’s a super date night place, very relaxed atmosphere. I do recommend the groupon, it really saves a lot, just check carefully. They are location specific and often for different amounts. We’ve always gotten excellent service and the food is wonderful! Thanks for stopping by!

  • Chelsea Johnson

    September 15, 2014 at 9:39 AM

    I’m glad you got to take her to see it this time! We saw it in London seven years ago and it was amazing! It’s the only musical I’ve ever liked!

    1. Danita

      September 15, 2014 at 12:53 PM

      I’m sooooo jealous! Seeing it in London or Paris would be the ULTIMATE! Thanks for stopping by!

  • Skye @ Planet Jinxatron

    September 15, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    What an amazing evening for all of you!

  • Evelyn @ My Turn for us

    September 15, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    How awesome!!! So lucky to have this do-over that was a pain in your heart:)) Yeppers, all of us Mom’s would love to have more do-overs!!

    Hugs

    PS You guys are gorgeous!!

    1. Danita

      September 15, 2014 at 12:53 PM

      Thanks Evelyn! You’re so sweet!

  • Helen

    September 15, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    How wonderful! It’s so amazing when you have an opportunity to do something you skipped over the first time. It looks like it was a wonderful night. And you just can’t ever go wrong with a production of Phantom. Fun!

  • Erlene

    September 15, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    Looks like a fun night. Love how you all dressed up.

  • Jen @ The Wedding by Jen

    September 15, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    You all looked so lovely! What a fun night!!

  • Emily Thompson

    September 15, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    awww you look so dressed up, what a lovely evening!!

Comments are closed.

Previous Post Next Post