Member-only story
Seven Rows from Springsteen !
Gifts are gifts, but experiences are something far more eternal.
For Christmas, five people made it possible for me to hear and see the artist that I infused into the literature I taught for 32 years.
On a rainy December night.I saw “Bruce Springsteen on Broadway”
Just getting into the show seemed a long shot. It was sold out — all the shows are, but when my lifelong friend Jim Reifeiss snagged a ticket, he insisted I could, too. Jim’s advice was motivation, but so was the support of Pam and Anna (both miles away), but particularly my son Nicholas, now working in NYC. He was on the computer trying to figure out a way to nab a ticket and not have me be stabbed with a $1,000+ price from scalpers (and I have no scalp left). They were all pulling for me since I flew out there with only a faint hope of getting to see Bruce.
That’s when former student, Dr. Frank Lopez (and his son Lex) step into the plotline. At 5:15 pm, I turn the corner and see them in the front of the ‘cancelation line’ waiting for me. This is two hours before any cancelled tickets are even sold! I ask Frank what is he doin’ here, and he explains, “I’m making sure you get in! Look, I was just in the box office and someone just gave back tickets and you can buy one, there’s only one — right now!” I ran in and bought it at face value. And that is how…