(See a Gray Line NY Sightseeing Downtown Loop)
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On a hot, steamy Saturday in August, what could be better than an air-conditioned show, right inside the Gray Line Visitors Center. Carlos Encinias, an actor/singer/dancer in Alter Boyz, at Dodger Stages, and Andrew Dixon, a pianist working toward musical direction, entertained our small group, courtesy of the Gray Line NY ShowBiz Insiders Tour. Tour Guide, Esther, was courteous and informative. The entertainment was somewhat like a reality version of A Chorus Line. Carlos told a very personal story, with a poignant unfolding of his Broadway career challenges, auditions, and past shows, like Good Vibrations. He also told about his Fulbright Scholarship to Brigham Young University for a drama degree, his work on a Disney Cruise, his regional theatre experience, such as Hello Dolly in Westchester and Mamma Mia in Boston.

Carlos sang songs for us that he had sung in auditions, songs lesser known but engaging and energetic, like "Way Ahead of Me", by Peter Mills. Andrew Dixon, pianist for Carlos today, is from Louisiana. He spoke about learning Broadway scores right in the orchestra pit of various shows, like Les Miserables, and then filling in for the pianist, when necessary. Andrew played with personality for today's intimate show, especially in Carlos' stirring rendition of a song from Carnival. Carlos reads music, which helps with auditions, but he occasionally hires Andrew for the rhythmic accents. Carlos also explained his "swing" role at Alter Boyz, as he learned all five roles, plus dances and songs. Alter Boyz is an intermission-less show. Andrew also spoke about an upcoming show in the New York Musical Theatre Festival, for which he is preparing. They ended with "Come Rain or Come Shine", appropriate to today's hazy, humid weather, and Carlos Encinias is an artist to watch, with presence, poise, and a great voice.

Nopen Hadayas and Franz Peters, both from Amsterdam, were the tour guests today, and our guide, Esther, took us for an informative walk through Times Square straight to Planet Hollywood for lunch. On the walk, she explained Restaurant Row, the half-price TKTS booth, and various historical landmark hotels. At Planet Hollywood we dined on chicken salads and sandwiches, and everyone received a black-white frosted cookie. The décor at Planet Hollywood is based on pop culture film heroes and iconic props and photos, such as airplanes, cars, carousel horses, and rhinoceros heads. This is a fun, fascinating venue, especially for Hollywood buffs and tourists. From Planet Hollywood, we walked up Sixth Avenue to Radio City Music Hall.

At Radio City we were met by Tim, our in-house tour guide, who had dozens of anecdotes and details a minute. He took us on the winding staircases, pointed out the refurbished carpeting, seats, and the Art Deco paintings and sculptures. He spoke about the early days, in the 1930's to 1950's, when movies were shown at Radio City, plus Rockettes shows and live orchestral music. And, all for 90 cents. We witnessed the preparation of underground stages that lift the orchestra, Christmas show animals, and Rockettes, as well as the Rockettes historical hallway, with photos, costumes, and we even met a Rockette from Kentucky in full regalia. I personally happen to love going to Radio City and recently reviewed, at Radio City, The 2004 Christmas Spectacular, Charles Aznavour at 82, and The 2007 Tony Awards.

Tim brought us to the Roxy Suite, a new space for rental for meetings and events, with photos, such as Sinatra and The Rockettes, named for Samuel Roxy Rothafel, who helped found Radio City with John. D. Rockefeller, Jr. and David Sarnoff. Radio City was first a radio station, Radio Corporation of America, and Radio City was opened in 1932 with a stage show, followed by films, shows, and now even award shows and sports, if Madison Square Garden is occupied. Radio City has almost 6,000 seats and its interior structure resembles that of a setting sun and a cruise ship. Our Radio City tour was combined with the ongoing tours there, so there were many guests for this presentation and exploration.

Check the Gray Line NY Sightseeing Tours Website to sign up for the NYC ShowBiz Insiders Tour. Tell them you saw them on ExploreDance.com.

Times Square and Gray Line NY Sightseeing Buses Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

"The Drowsy Chaperone" Billboard Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Times Square on a Hazy Day Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Planet Hollywood Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Motorcycle from "Blade" Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Foot Piano from "Big" Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Planet Hollywood Interior Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Plane from "Top Gun" Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Chewbacca from "Star Wars" Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Characters from Horror Films Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

The Car from "Cobra" Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Esther, Tour Guide, Nopen, Franz Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Radio City Music Hall on Avenue of the Americas Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

The Diamond District Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Radio City Music Hall Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Radio City Music Hall Interior Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Rockettes Memorabilia Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Rockettes Memorabilia Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Rockettes Costumes Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Rockettes Costumes Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower

Meeting a Rockette Photo © & courtesy of Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower