Whirlwind Theater Weekend in Houston

Five performances of Miss Saigon in three days is not everyone's cup of tea. My cup, however, overflowed. My trip to Houston for this show at the Hobby Center's Theater Under the Stars (TUTS) was short but memorable, leaving home Friday and returning Monday, Valentine's weekend.

I can't say enough good things about the Doubletree Hotel on Dallas Street, within four blocks of the venue. The weather was just as cold in Houston as back home in Michigan and I was happy to avail myself of the hotel's free shuttle service to the theater. I hosted a meeting at the hotel's restaurant, Trofi. We were treated like royalty. Every wish was their command and more. Late check-out? No problem. My boarding pass was printed quickly and with a smile. Late night room service was prompt and tasty. I received five star service for $79 a night.

The theater at the Hobby Center is beautiful. The acoustics did justice to the incredible music we heard. The production was Broadway caliber, and indeed many of the cast, such as Eric Kunze, Melinda Chua and Philip Michael Baskerville, had done Miss Saigon on Broadway and were in the first national tour. I could have sat through this coming whole week's performances as well. At the Saturday matinee, I was surprised to see President George Bush, Sr. and Barbara enter the theater and take their seats just twenty feet away from me. The audience rose and clapped for them when they entered and again when they left after the show. The cast had a meet and greet with them before the performance. It was too late to call the hotel shuttle when I returned in the evenings so I took a cab. All the cabs offer the rate of $6 anywhere in the downtown area. It is called "Six in the City".

That is all I am able to report about Houston. Partly due to the weather and partly due to the late hours I was keeping, I never got out of my room except to go to the theater. The only evidence I have that I was in Texas is the souvenir cowboy hat I got for my grandson at the hotel gift shop. I have photos of the show and the Hobby Center on Picasa if anyone is interested: http://picasaweb.google.com/maggiwun/MissSaigonHoustonTUTS?feat=directlink