Broke-ology (NYC) Giveaway
October 12, 2009 by Kimberly · 21 Comments
Congrats to winner: Cindy
As my regular readers know, I love the theater. That’s why I was delighted when I received two preview tickets for Lincoln Center Theater’s fall play Broke-ology. I took a girlfriend with me, because it wasn’t my husband’s “thing”. I am so glad that we went though because it ended up being such a compelling piece.
The first act did not grab my attention at all. In fact at the end of it, I thought, “Oh no! This is going to end up being a stage version of Good Times!” (The play begins with a young Black couple pregnant with their first child. They are poor, but they are sharing their hopes and dreams for their future and that of their child.) I looked at my friend to see what she thought. During intermission, she shared that she had been thinking along those lines also.
From the second act until the end of the play, Broke-ology was fully engaging. I’ll write about themes of the play. (If I write about the details of the actual plot, it will kind of ruin the experience for you.) First of all, the name of the play Broke-ology is a word that one of the sons in the play comes up with to define “the science of being broke”. As such, the show involves being stuck in a cycle of poverty. Despite the initial dreams of the young couple, their family is still stuck in poverty decades later. That brings me to the second issue – being “stuck”. I found it very interesting to see that the entire audience (which was very diverse and filled with people from various economic backgrounds) could relate to this theme as portrayed on stage by a Black family of four. Then – come to think of it – I am not. Who hasn’t felt stuck at some point in life? Stuck: stuck in a job; stuck at home with the kids; stuck in an unforeseeable life situation; stuck with an illness – those are the same the issues addressed in the play. Lastly, the issue of life choices – whether you choose to do what is best for you personally or you choose fulfilling family obligations. It’s not an easy choice and there are no definitive right/wrong answers. That’s what makes those type of choices so gut-wrenchingly hard. Making such choices was the primary plot of this piece. The outcome – sad and sweet at the same time. (Let’s just say that I left the theater in tears.) That’s life sometimes though…some major life decisions don’t have easy answers.
Below is a short clip of the play:
In any event, if you live in (and or will be visiting) the NYC area, I definitely recommend that you go to see this play. Here’s the fun part. One lucky Mom in the City reader will win two tickets to see Broke-ology. To win, please share a time/situation in your life when you felt “stuck” in a situation in the “Comments” section below by October 31st.
The giveaway and review tickets were provided by Broke-ology.
The ONE time I felt “stuck” was when at 5 months pregnant, it became clear I would be a single mom. Fortunately, I had another 5 months to prepare emotionally and financially. It has as worked out wonderfully, but the panic and realization of our future made me feel “stuck.” Now, I have a wonderful husband and stepson, so I am more than thankful for the experience.
What a great giveaway! I love theater, thanks to my cousin/BFF who moved to NJ in hopes of pursuing her dreams in NYC. We could so enjoy this show.
I just told her how I need a visit. This would be a great date for us.
My most recent post on my blog, titled “Lights Out”, talks about being stuck. My finances have been a major problem lately, and it was confirmed when I arrived home and the lights were off. I felt so defeated.
Being broke is no joke, but it’s not the end of the world.
Keonte’´s last blog ..The Sherri Show on Lifetime
I am the mother of 6 children so I can feel stuck quite often. I do remember one time when my mother decided to have a party for her 50th birthday in a club. I searched far and wide for someone to stay with the kids so that I could just take a quick break. I was never able to go. I felt so low and sad. A few people called me and said they missed me but i was the one who CHOSE TO HAVE SO MANY KIDS! This not only broke my heart but it put a strain on my relationship with some family members. I feel she could have made an exception for me and celebrated where kids were allowed. Not only did I miss out but so did the kids.
Feeling stuck is an every day event but I love my family!
I felt stuck in a situation when I was working at a job I no longer felt I could grow in.
I can relate to feeling “being stuck” since I’m a single mom of 6 year old girl & 3 year old boy..I don’t have family to help out or babysit but thankfully, have some friends who do help when they can…It’s not what I ever dreamed to be in my life but I know God has a better plan & that someday I will no longer feel “stuck” pertaining to this area of my life althought I might in another..would be nice to get out with a girlfriend for an evening with no cost!! Will I be lucky? Thanks
My husband and I felt extremely STUCK when we were in the process of adopting. We were in the Vietnam program and had finished months and months of paperwork. Everything was done and we were just waiting for a referral. Unfortunately, the adoption program in Vietnam began to unravel. I read about it daily on the adoptive parent websites and on various adoption advocacy websites. WE had to make a decision of whether to stick with it and risk not succeeding, or start all over again with another country. It was one of the hardest decisions. At first my husband, was more certain that we should pull out and start anew. It took me much longer. Finally we listened to the advice our agency and switched to the Korean program. I’m happy we did. Our son, Max, was truly meant to be with us.
i am a proud nyc teacher. unfortunately the pay does not match our efforts and respect for our trade. therefore, our salaries are usually complemented by another in order to sustain a family in the nyc area. when i get into heated arguments with my husband, i do feel stuck and think of my financial situation. i panic over the thought of struggling with two children and making ends meet. before becoming a teacher i worked in advertising. the work was easy and not fulfilling although the pay would be better. i felt intellectually stuck. i guess there are many ways of feeling stuck in ones life! so i keep it moving with optimism on one shoulder and determination on the other! cant finish a race without knowing where the end is. you got to set goals and reevaluate them at times!
My husband and I purchased our first house several years ago and we were so excited. Unfortunately right before the closing date, my husband lost his job. We went back and forth on what we should do but in the end we felt stuck with moving forward. We were afraid that we would have had to experience many legal consequences since the deposit was already paid and the closing date was quickly approaching. I personally felt stuck between a rock and a hard place while caring for my 5 month old daughter. We closed on the house and things eventually got better. We have become better at managing our finances and are more prepared for unexpected situations.
I’ve loved everything produced at Lincoln Center Theater, though we’re not always financially able to go. My partner and I would definitely take advantage of the opportunity to see the new play.
I’m feeling a bit stuck about our living situation. I’d like to move in the somewhat near future but we’re in a place where would probably not even break even if we sold now.
Hubby & I would use this for a date!
gosh, when do we not feel stuck. money restricts a lot of things. it would be great to have the opportunity to see this!
cindy´s last blog ..Giveaways ending soon! Low and Easy Entries
Feeling “Stuck” is an old acquaintance of mine, as a single divorced mother of four; I have been living in New York for almost 17 year without a “Green card” which would’ve afforded me countless opportunities. Opportunities that so many people take for granted; finally last year I got it! I fell on my knee in the INS office here in Manhattan bawling my eyes out with gratitude, as I realized how far I had come from being pregnant with my first child while living on the street of NY to now having the ability to go to college and travel to Timbuktu and back if I wanted. Feeling “Stuck” is still with me as I am still classified as low-income; where I am living paycheck-to-paycheck in low-income housing yet I am still trying to ascertain my goals of being fully financially independent. I am on my way, as I am currently pursuing my first college degree and I am so grateful first to God for sustaining through it all and for placing so many wonderful people in my life that have help me along the way.
I felt stuck when not knowing if switiching my daughter’s school would be the right thing for her. We ended up going for it and it has beeen the right decision so far!
I feel stuck right now…I have three kids, a mortgage (we’re trying to avoid foreclosure) and I’m in a job that I don’t like. I can’t leave because we need the money, and I also feel guilty about feeling this way because there are so many who don’t have a job. Knowing that there’s something greater for you in the world, but because of money, you might never get there, is how I feel…STUCK!
Would love to take my girlfriend
I have to say, that I am in a bind right now. Do I voice out my continuous concerns or walk the path of dreary unhappiness in a relationship that seems to fall in a slippery road. How difficult it is when one wants to find a solution to make the commitment work while the other feels a marriage certificate is a reason not to continue to put the efforts and energy to resuscitate life.
I need a good night out!
i am always feeling stuck when trying to divide my time between family, work and friends! a daily issue!
I felt stuck this past summer while visiting a friend for a week (on the west coast) I wanted to leave early and return home (our kids didn’t get along at all) but the price of changing the flight tickets for the whole family would have been over $1200. We just rented a car and went sightseeing rather than paying for the air fare change fee.
Eloise Paterson´s last blog ..I Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street…
I am feeling a little stuck trying to maintain my stay@home mom status. I have a 41/2 year old who is in kindergarten now and I always said when he goes to school full time I will go back to work. Well I am now 7 months pregnant so going back to work cant work for us right now. I want to be home with the new baby just as I did with our older son. So I am feeling a bit stuck. Although in these tough economic times it is increasingly difficult to support a family on one income. But the income I could generate would probably only cover childcare, so hence I am stuck!
Feeling more than stuck right now. My husband lost his job and we just had a baby two weeks ago and we have a six year old so all we have is my partime job’s maternity money. I have been debating working fulltime for awhile but becuase of the kids I havent now I wish I could but I cant until my six weeks are up :/ Just paying my rent is a huge worry