Dora the explorer at Radio City Music Hall

I took my daughter and niece to a live version of "Dora the Explorer" at Radio City Musical hall yesterday afternoon. And wow, what a spendfest that was - Within 2 seconds of entering the hall, you are barraged by merchandise.  Laser lights? $20 bucks - a bucket of popcorn? $10. And how about an enormous bag of cotton candy with a vaguely cat in the hat hat on top. another $10.

I was able to steer my daughter away from that laser light. We did settle upon a Dora doll ($20)  - But it was all part of the fun. 

What was really exquisite was being in Radio City Music Hall. Its  art deco glamour and splendour  more beautiful than ever. I was particularly taken with their clean and expansive restrooms -  They refurbished or reordered beautiful mint green pedestal sinks. They are lovely. They even have the original hand dryers, except these you have to push a foot pedal to use. Figured that out on the third trip to the bathroom with my daughter.

The show was actually - enjoyable. That is for the first  half hour or so - Let's say it was about an hour too long. But the production value is surprisingly good -  Bright colored sets with simple clean graphics. Good costumes, and of course memorable songs like "Dora, Dora, Dora the explorer..." I guess you would have to be a mom of a 4 year old to appreciate it.  But most important, my daughter loved it and was absorbed by the show  the whole time...

Masochist  that I am, we had dragged a long one of my nieces old American Girl Dolls ( Nikki) to see if we could get her hair done at the nearby American Girl store.   Silly me. there was a 2 hour wait at the hair salon.

 I was able to divert the disappointment by suggesting we buy a new outfit for the doll -  We even visited the doll hospital to inquire if the rat's nest of hair could actually be rescued in the salon. One of the "doctors" looked at her hair, and said it was unlikely, although possible. He did suggest that for $39.00, she could get her head replaced.  We declined, and decided to try the salon on another day. He did volunteer to tighten her head since it was loose. 

The F train ride home was not  surprisingly empty as it was the first night of passover. My daughter slept the whole ride home to Brooklyn. A perfect first day of vacation...