I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and tennis partner. It is never easy to lose a loved one.
I wish I could name them, but I can enjoy how pretty they are.
Lots of great selections here! What about the Flintstones and Star Trek?
Eek! I can't imagine enjoying it without the chandelier! I also really loved the feeling of the heat and the fog as it came off the stage during a number of the different scenes. I am not that young! We got to see it when I was a senior in high school. A friend of mine babysat for someone who sat on the theater's board so we were able to get good tickets cheap through him. I think we had 12th row seats for that one (10th row for Les Miz, and 14th row for Miss Saigon). Alas, we lost that connection.
Sounds like a great way to spend an incredibly awesome weekend!
I really liked this play when I saw the touring version about 26 years ago. I am by no means a theater connoisseur, but I liked it a lot.
Cleaning definitely never ends! Animals do add to those kinds of chores, but they are definitely worth it.