Roundup: April 18, 2023

Things you might find interesting this week

Earlier this month, I was in New York and got excellent tickets to two of the biggest shows right now: A Doll’s House (below face at TKTS) and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (face value at the box office). In both cases, the secret was that I went by myself and thus only needed one ticket.

I’ve gotten single tickets to see shows with other people. My husband and I have seen plays sitting in the same section but not the same row. We aren’t going to talk during the show, after all, and we are well beyond the stage of needing to sit next to each other.

Note: Do not do this for a first date. This is a pro move only, ideal for cheapskates in a long-term relationship.

A few years ago, a friend and I got tickets well below face value to see Bruce Springsteen in Milwaukee. We used a reseller site and looked for single tickets located near each other the day before the show, when scalpers were starting to panic. We had a great time. This tactic probably won’t work for Taylor Swift’s tour, but it might for the upcoming Tina Fey-Amy Pohler show.

Give it a try!

Things to read

• Caregiving: Trying to convince an elderly friend or relative to move into assisted living and looking for some ammunition? Screenwriter Paul Schrader found that moving into assisted living made it easier to work while his wife gets the care she needs. (New York Magazine)

• Work: Got a promotion? Have good news? Don’t be shy! Sharing it not only helps you, it also helps your relationships with others. (Chicago Booth Review)

• A good book: I recently finished Julie Orringer’s novel The Flight Portfolio, about Varian Fry’s work getting Jewish people out of occupied France in the early days of World War II. It’s a thick, juicy read. (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Things to watch

If you don’t want to read The Flight Portfolio, watch Transatlantic on Netflix, which is adapted from the book. It’s really good.

Things to try

I recently tried white pinot noir wine. It’s an oxymoron, and it’s a thing! And it’s really good. Grab a bottle the next time you need to bring something to a party, especially if I’ll be there.

Have something to recommend? Let me know.