There’s nothing quite like going to a Broadway performance.

Sure, movies and TV shows are great, but they can’t compare to a live Broadway play. The lights, the intricate costumes, the dancing, acting and singing all make for a unique experience that will make you longing for the theatre again.

Over the summer I got the chance to spontaneously take a trip to one of my favorite big cities, the one and only New York City. Indulging in walks in central park, subway rides, shopping in Soho and lots of coffee and good food, I had an amazing visit to the city as usual.

I was able to check something off my bucket list by going to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. An added bonus was meeting one of my favorite actors, T.R. Knight, who plays George O’Malley in "Grey's Anatomy." Needless to say, I was a bit star struck and he was incredibly nice to everyone. It’s surreal to see actors from TV on stage because they're so different up close.

"The Lion King" has been on Broadway for over 20 years -- and now I can see why. The talent radiating off the stage was breathtaking and made every audience member want to sing along to “Circle of Life.” I had always wondered how they would portray humans as animals and it didn’t disappoint. Actors were dressed in intricate, vibrant animal costumes, and even the elephants looked real.

The entire theatrical experience is one I will never forget. I loved when the actors ran through the audience up to the stage where they continued the musical number. The background setting was just like the loveable Disney movie and the show could appeal to all ages. One of my favorite parts of the play was the "Hakuna Matata" scene with Simba, Timon, and Pumba.

Just walking around Broadway makes me feel like someone bigger than myself -- it’s exciting and empowering, and makes me wish I could be a part of it. Even people who aren't necessarily theatre nerds like me can have an appreciation for Broadway. I think theatre is a great way to express yourself, open your imagination, and connect with others with a love of aesthetic beauty, both visual and audible.

To anyone who has never experienced a Broadway show, make sure you get a ticket during your lifetime. A few of the top shows playing in NYC this year include: "Wicked," "Mamma Mia," "Aladdin," "Les Miserables," "Chicago," and many more.

"Theatre is a shared truth which makes the distant close, the strange familiar, and the past and future present."-Peter Brook