Planning Takes Center Stage in Broadway-Bound Musical

"I settled in my seat for If/Then, which opened November 5 at Washington’s National Theater, with both anticipation and trepidation," writes Ecola. "By intermission, though, I couldn’t stop babbling about how much I loved it."

"The show’s title reflects the vagaries of chance, and the plotlines follow [actress Idina Menzel] through two possible lives — 'Liz' takes a less ambitious job (disappointingly for this transportation planner, working for the MTA is considered second-class) but finds love, while 'Beth' accepts a position overseeing a high-profile waterfront redevelopment project and goes on to great success, but remains single. Both lives bring joys and sorrows; neither is entirely satisfactory."

"City planning, on the other hand, was presented as unequivocally inspiring."