NYC Theater Recommendations

[Rene McDaniel]

Our family will be in New York in July, and I've been able to get so much great info from all the great TUG threads on NYC. Thanks everyone!

So, I need some help trying to pick out which theater productions we'll want to buy advance tickets for, AND some help on which shows are the best.

We'll probably do at least one show with my teenage daughter (going on 13), and probably 1 or 2 that will be only the adults in the family. My daughter loves musicals, and we saw Wicked last year. Is there anything else out there as incredible as Wicked? The music from that show was amazing. She ended up buying the soundtrack and she and the girlfriends sang songs from Wicked non-stop for months.

Some suggestions would be MOST APPRECIATED. Here's a list of our show options in July (from Citysearch-NYC):

Mamma Mia! The story of a forty-something mother planning her daughter's wedding. Incorporating 22 of the band ABBA's songs.
Mary Poppins. Based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the Oscar-winning 1964 Walt Disney film. The show fatures original film score.
Lestat. Experience the life of a vampire while you enjoy music from Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Beauty and the Beast. This Disney Musical tells a tale about a young woman from a small provincial town and the Beast, a prince trapped by a spell.
The History Boys. An rowdy bunch of smart, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university.
Vincent in Brixton. Set in 1873 and based on Vincent Van Gogh's early life in London. Golden Theatre.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. A bet between two con men develops into a series of cons, bringing out the best and worst of each man with an unexpected twist.
The Lion King. Disney's Tony Award winning musical about Simba, a young cub, and his journey from childhood to adulthood.
The Color Purple. An inspiring mily saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over ad… Broadway Theatre. (Musical).
Hairspray. When big-haired overweight Traci Turnblad wins a spot on a local TV dance show she becomes an overnight teen celebrity.
The Phantom of the Opera. The unforgettable tale of a mysterious figure haunting the Paris Opera House.
Ring of Fire. The songs of Johnny Cash come to life in this musical filled with love, faith, struggles and successes.
Well. Obie Award winners Lisa Kron and Jayne Houdyshell reprise the roles they created at The Public Theater in Spring 2004.
Doubt. A strong-minded woman is face with a difficult decision.
Sweeney Todd. The musical is based on the 19th century legend of a London barber, who is driven to crime when a malevolent judge takes his wife.
Jersey Boys. A new Broadway musical based on the life story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Wicked. The story of two girls born in the Land of Oz. One has green skin as is fiery and misunderstood, the other beautiful and popular.
Avenue Q. Set in NY on Avenue Q, which is described as the only place one can live when they are just out of college, out of a job or broke.
The Producers. Based on the 1968 film by Mel Brooks and starring Lewis J. Stradlen as Max Bialystock and Roger Bart in the role of Leo Bloom.
Bingo. Three friends, Honey, Vern and Patsy, will do just about anything to get to their Bingo game, including drive through a hurricane. St. Luke's Church. (Performance - Musical).
The Wedding Singer. Based on the New Line Cinema film. A New Jersey mans dreams of being a singer/songwriter.
Monty Python's Spamalot. Based on the screenplay by the creators of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Tells the legendary tale of King Arthur.
Tarzan - The Musical. The Disney movie has been adapted for stage with Phil Collins using his Grammy-winning songs to create a full score.
Barefoot In The Park. A Neil Simon play, starting Amanda Peet, follows the tale of Paul and Corie Bratter, a young newlywed couple in New York City.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Four actors take on the role of twenty different characters as the face the trials and tribulations of dealing with the opposite sex.
Menopause The Musical. An outrageous musical parody set to several baby boomer songs including "Puff, My God I'm Draggin" to the disco favorite "Stayin… Playhouse 91.
Well. Obie Award winners Lisa Kron and Jayne Houdyshell reprise the roles they created at The Public Theater in Spring 2004.
The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee. This offbeat musical is a funny tale of overachievers' angst. It follows the experience of six adolescent outsiders.
Slava's Snowshow. This performance will have the audience covered in snow and a giant cobweb will be stretched over your heads. (Musical)
Bridge & Tunnel.Written & performed by Sarah Jones, in a 90 minute production, Bridges and Tunnel is a story about personas of fourteen characters.
Almost, Maine. This romantic comedy is set in Northern Maine and tells the story of a town's romances and heartbreaks under the stars.

[ArtsieAng]

If you have not seen the Lion King, it is worth seeing. since it has been out for a while now, you should be able to get discount tickets easily. This would be a good play to see with the kids.

Also, Slava's Snowshow, was great. It is off Broadway, and you can get discount tickets for this show also.

Lestat, is one that is very hot at the moment. Probably not for the kids, but perhaps this could be your adult play. It has gotten great reviews.


Have a great trip........

[senorak]

I would highly recommend "Hairspray" and "Mamma Mia"---my kids loved both of them.

DEB

[Blondie]

what senorak said- both are awesome as is Beauty and the Beast. I found best prices on Ticketmaster

[ski4fun]

Just got back from NYC @ MC. We went to see "Wicked". Standing ovation!!

[wauhob3]

Off of your list I took my 13 year old daughter to see Avenue Q which has adult content and full puppet nudity, Hairspray which is very funny the man who plays the mother is hysterical she laughed the most during this play and is a fun light hearted play and Lestat which she declared her favorite play which has some adult content but not as much sexual content as Avenue Q.

We also saw Rent and Festen and she loved Rent too. Festen was disturbing and a spur of the moment purchase and caused deep discussions about difficult subjects and isn't a musical.

We are going back again next Spring Break and will probably see the Putnam County Spelling Bee and I'll be looking forward to finding out about other plays nearer to the trip.

[Gibby1984]

I would see Beauty and trhe beast if you haven't already! I have seen it 2x over 10 years time and loved it both times

[hudson1126]

Predict that LeStat will be hanging on for dear life by July. Mama Mia will probably be gone within a year.

Doubt and Well are the kind of award winning dramas you won't ever see hitting the road show circuit, so that is a strong recommend to see those when in NYC. Outstanding performances.

The Drowsy Chaperone just opened and is a show that out of towners seem to love which is mystifying the critics. It has a few moments, but you won't go home singing any tunes. When I saw it in California before it came to Broadway, the audience was ecstatic. In my circle we were split down the middle: those of use who grew up on the east coast( though living in CA now) could not understand what the excitment was all about while the native Californians liked it a lot.

For perspective, I thought Urinetown a few years ago was not good theater and recommended to avoid it. Yet, it played on for a couple of years and won an award. Sweeney Todd is my all time top show to avoid. What is it about discordant that is so popular? Well, good thing there's something for everyone.

[Avery]

Originally Posted by ArtsieAng

If you have not seen the Lion King, it is worth seeing. since it has been out for a while now, you should be able to get discount tickets easily. This would be a good play to see with the kids.

Also, Slava's Snowshow, was great. It is off Broadway, and you can get discount tickets for this show also.

Lestat, is one that is very hot at the moment. Probably not for the kids, but perhaps this could be your adult play. It has gotten great reviews.


Have a great trip........

Angela,

Did you really see a great review for LeStat? I am a fan of Anne Rice and Elton John/Bernie Taupin. I had trouble finding anything redeeming about this production. New York magazine panned it, but I haven't seen any other reviews. But Candace's daughter loved it, so I guess that's "what makes the world go 'round."

To the OP,

As for your other show choices, I would recommend narrowing it down by seat selection. History Boys (not a musical) is selling fast, you probably won't do too well unless you're willing to buy Premium Tickets. I loved Sweeney Todd (as did my kids), but it's not for everyone as it is rather gruesome; the music was fantastic. Avenue Q is a really great show, my 13 year old would love it but there is some sexual content. Mamma Mia will probably be a safe bet and enjoyable for all, it's been running forever and is easy to get great seats. Jersey Boys was fantastic, good seats may be tough to get. We settled for 10th row mezzanine (I almost never do that) bought months in advance. The adults will appreciate the music more than your teen, but my kids enjoyed it regardless. My kids' favorite of all we saw was Altar Boyz; a fun show in a great theatre. Color Purple is a wonderful production, it follows the book closely and is very well done. Spamalot is great fun, was the "toughest ticket in town" for a while.

I agree with Angela about Slava's Snow Show; it was a fun, different, experience. I took two 10 year olds w/me, they loved it. Not a musical, more of a "performance experience." I wouldn't give up a big show for it, but you can combine it with some time spent in the Union Square/NYU area. If I recall correctly, they have a 4 pm show on the weekends, so it makes dinner after (or a late lunch before) a breeze. There are a number of good restaurants in the area; we like Sal Anthony's, but there are plenty of others.

I also agree with Candace about Festen being disturbing. Definitely not for kids or teens (I let my teen see just about anything, but not this). But it was among the best things we've seen if you are willing to see a heavy (really heavy) drama. The cast is fabulous (Julianna Margulies from ER and Ali McGraw, though I don't know how long they will be in it), and it was very innovative in its staging.

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by Avery

Did you really see a great review for LeStat?

We got some good tickets before it was being performed -- primarily because of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin music. Then, the reviews came out, and they seem to be consistent that the production is horrible.

At least, I'm now hoping for better since I've seen this thread. We're going in about two weeks, so I'll let you know what I think.

[Avery]

Well, sometimes it's fun to see a bad show, too. Then you get to talk about how awful it was. I've got Three Penny Opera coming up next week, and even though I expect it to be awful, I am looking forward to seeing just how bad it is!

[wauhob3]

Originally Posted by Hoc

We got some good tickets before it was being performed -- primarily because of the Imperial Highness music. Then, the reviews came out, and they seem to be consistent that the production is horrible.

At least, I'm now hoping for better since I've seen this thread. We're going in about two weeks, so I'll let you know what I think.

The second half is stronger than the first half. I enjoyed it and as I said my daughter loved it. It just doesn't live up to the expectations of a production featuring Elton John/Bernie Taupin music and you don't leave with a song running though your head like you should from a musical. My daughter asked if we could see it again next Spring break and I said no and told her it will probably be gone by then anyway.

[Avery]

Candace,

I totally agree with you about the second half being better than the first. If your daughter liked it, then she would probably love Sweeney Todd, it's gruesome but a fantastic production with a great cast and great music! Btw, I must admit to kind of liking the "Crimson Kiss" theme song of LeStat, though the reviewers are going wild over the false rhymes throughout...

Avery

[wauhob3]

Originally Posted by Avery

Candace,

I totally agree with you about the second half being better than the first. If your daughter liked it, then she would probably love Sweeney Todd, it's gruesome but a fantastic production with a great cast and great music! Btw, I must admit to kind of liking the "Crimson Kiss" theme song of LeStat, though the reviewers are going wild over the false rhymes throughout...

Avery

Crimson Kiss was the best song but I can't even think of a full lyric 5 weeks later. Now ask me to sing a song from Wicked or Rent and I could give you several from each but it would be painful for the ears

She did want to see Sweeney Todd too but 5 plays in 7 days was the limit. As long as it is still playing we'll probably go and perhaps Spamalot too but I'm not a big Monty Python fan.

[Jan]

Mama Mia is still our all time favorite! Saw Jersey Boys and that was a close runner up. Jan

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by wauhob3

It just doesn't live up to the expectations of a production featuring Elton John/Bernie Taupin music and you don't leave with a song running though your head like you should from a musical.

The funny thing is, that is what my mom said about Wicked when we left. I told her that "Defying Gravity" was a song like that. When I got the cast recording and sent her a copy, she changed her mind. Perhaps Lestat will be like that. . .

[ArtsieAng]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Avery

Angela,

Did you really see a great review for LeStat? I am a fan of Anne Rice and Elton John/Bernie Taupin. I had trouble finding anything redeeming about this production. New York magazine panned it, but I haven't seen any other reviews. But Candace's daughter loved it, so I guess that's "what makes the world go 'round."

oops.......you're right. I just went and looked at the reviews, and they did pan it. I must have been thinking of something I read before the play opened. Or, maybe I just hallucinated the entire thing. I was gonna get tickets for the summer too. Good thing I read this......

[wauhob3]

[quote=ArtsieAng]

oops.......you're right. I just went and looked at the reviews, and they did pan it. I must have been thinking of something I read before the play opened. Or, maybe I just hallucinated the entire thing. I was gonna get tickets for the summer too. Good thing I read this......

There are discount codes for it and I did enjoy it. I had read the reviews from LA so my expectations weren't too high.

[Rene McDaniel]

I want to thank everyone for sharing their advice and experience. But just wanted to check to see if anyone has any additional information or updates to add to this list?

Anyone seen The Color Purple yet?

And I am guessing we'll never be able to get discount tickets (TKTS booth) for any of the big shows in July -- Spamalot, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Color Purple???

--- Rene McDaniel

[Dani]

I saw the Color Purple and recommended it a few months back here on TUG. The lead actress just won a Tony award for her performance. I loved it and it is one of the few shows that I would see again. It was not as heavy handed as the movie, but has many adult themes so I would not take a child to see this play. The singing was wonderful.

[jerseygirl]

There are some great discounts for Fourth of July week at this website:

http://summerofsavings.com/magnificent7/offer2006.html#

I picked up great seats for The Wedding Singer and Spelling Bee. I guess everyone else is going out of town that week!

[Avery]

I agreed (and still do) with Dani re the Color Purple. As for TKTS, I don't think you'll get Jersey Boys. Spamalot currently is running a discount on BroadwayBox.com, so you might get lucky. Remember, summer is when all the city folk leave town, so the "regulars" aren't around. Color Purple hasn't had an online discount in a while, but there have been tix at TKTS whenever I've been there (haven't been in over a month though). Another TKTS possibility is Avenue Q, excellent!

And I just noticed a broadwaybox discount for History Boys, not sure if it's good through summer, but that was a superb play.

[davenlib]

So now it is almost September and we are looking into theater for September 3, 2006. Any new suggestions??? We live in Los Angeles so we get all the regulars (Phanton, Beauty, ect).. are there any new suggestions??

[Jaybee]

Hi...I haven't seen anyone mention it, but we saw The Fantasticks last week, and we loved it. It is a long-running show, and has quite a history. It was my first experience with a NY show, but I'd never been in such an intimate theater before. I got (suposedly) discount tickets through Broadwaybox.com, but we were front row, center, with our feet on "the stage", which is linoleum, I think. It was almost as if we were a part of the cast. (One member stepped on my foot, but I didn't care.) "Try to Remember" has been running through my head ever since. It's at The Snapple Theater, just down the block from "The Color Purple".
I don't suppose this could be called a "new" suggestion, though. Sorry.

Originally Posted by davenlib

So now it is almost September and we are looking into theater for September 3, 2006. Any new suggestions??? We live in Los Angeles so we get all the regulars (Phanton, Beauty, ect).. are there any new suggestions??

[3kids4me]

My son and I recently saw Mary Poppins in London and thought it was fantastic. If the New York show is as good, I would highly recommend it. (I've already gotten tickets for the girls and me to see it in March.) Now is probably a good time to get tickets since the show won't actually open until October. Once it opens, if reviews are as good as I think they might be, it will be much more difficult to get good seats.

Sharon