Broadway shows

[ShuisFan584]

My mom's 50th birthday is coming up in November, and my sister and I really want to do something nice for her since she just made reservations for the two of us to go to WDW in January using 75 of her DVC points.

My mom, my sister and I have always wanted to go to a Broadway show but never have because the tickets are expensive, and we never knew our way around NYC that well. Well, we've been going to NYC more often and seem to know our way around, and her 50th birthday is a good reason to spend the money!

The problem is, I know nothing about broadway shows! There's so many and I don't know which ones are good. I was thinking possibly Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King since we all love Disney, but I'd be up for anything.

So what broadway shows have you all seen? Which ones did you really like? Did you do any of the dinner packages and was it worth it?

I'd really appreciate any input or opinions that anyone has!

 

[wvrevy]

The best shows on Broadway (by my tastes, anyway ) are probably Wicked (if you like Wizard of Oz), Spamalot (if you like Monty Python), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (if you like comedy in general). There's also "Avenue Q", but it's definitely for mature audiences (full frontal puppet nudity ) For your taste in music, you might also like "Rent", and the movie is coming out in a couple months, so it might be neat to see it live before you see the movie.

If you like drama instead of comedy, I've heard good things about "The Light in the Piazza", but can't recommend it since I haven't seen it or heard all of the songs.

If you're looking for something lighter, then either of the shows you mentioned are certainly worth seeing.

There are tons of good shows out there...Wish we could get back sooner rather than later...lol

 

[Steamboat Marti]

I worked in Manhattan for 8 years and the best piece of advice is to remember that everyone's tastes are different. I've seen some real "bombs" and some real gems. If the tickets are for a "girls only" night out - I would recommend Hairspray. I loved it - and so did my friends from upstate New York. I don't know if the spouses would though...

My husband and I both loved The Producers. A good laugh - but maybe because we saw it with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. Keep asking opinions - and stay away from any "bombs". People that hate a show is probably a show you DON'T want to see.

Have fun!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Is Phantom still playing on Broadway?
If it is, I would Highly suggest going to it..... It is NOT to be missed.

I would Love to see Lion King too though.

Have a great time with your Mom. Would love to take mine to NYC sometime.

Cathy

 

[EsmeraldaX]

The Lion King is really nice. I saw it in Boston with my mom, SIL and niece and we all loved it.

 

[snoopy]

Knowing you from your posts here and on the American Idol thread, I would suggest you take your mom to The Lion King. I think you all will really enjoy it. What a nice gift for your mom. Hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[antkim]

The Lion KIng is great but one of my favorites is Mama Mia....it is funny, emotional (to a point) and has the greatest music....ABBA!!! I think this is the "perfect girls show"!''

Kim

 

[kasar]

Here are my experiences, your mileage may vary:

Phantom: A B'way classic. Worth seeing at least once, if not more
Lion King: Awesome experience. Big thumbs up.
Mama Mia: I didn't love this as much as I thought I would, but still very good
Beauty and the Beast: Big Disney extravaganza, fun
Chicago: One of my all time favorites, better than the movie
Chitty, Chitty: Cute but better for kids, IMO
Rent: Powerful, edgy, maybe not your mom's cup of tea? GREAT music
Sweet Charity: Really cute, Christina Applegate still there? If so, worth the $
Little Shop of Horrors: Still there? Nice story, great special effects

We're seeing Avenue Q in a few weeks and I'm still waiting patiently (NOT) for Wicked and the Producers.

 

[ShuisFan584]

Wow, thank you so much everyone! I wasn't expecting so many replies and so fast! I'm definitely bookmarking this so I can look up all of these shows, and show my sister so we can decide what we want to do. We just made our reservations for our January Disney trip and we're in the middle of figuring out what we're doing for transportation and everything. As soon as we get that figured out, we'll have to look into this. We'd probably go in December since her birthday is mid November, and that's when we would let her know about it. Plus, it's always fun to go to NYC for Christmas decorations and everything. If anyone has anything else they'd like to add I'd appreciate it!

 

[SamRoc]

If I were you I would go see Phantom of the Opera. Howard McGillan, who has played the part longer than anyone, returns from October through January when it breaks CATS record as the longest running musical in Broadway history (Can you tell i'm a Broadway fanatic!)I was lucky enough to see him a few times and he was fantastic. I live here in NYC and my daughter and I go to the TKTS (half price ticket booth) every chance we get. The music is beautiful and so is the story, perfect for a girls night out.

 

[tiggerlover]

What a wonderful gift for your mom, I am sure she will have a wonderful time. December is an awesome time to go to NYC, you will love all the lights and window displays, even a carriage ride around Central Park. As for the shows, I have seen The Loin King and Beauty and the Beast, my absolute favorite was The Lion King, it is a definite must-see. I am even thinking about taking my DS again over the Christmas break. We saw Lion King in London and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, although Beauty was good I think The Lion King was much better. Whatever you chose, you will surely have a wonderful time!!

 

[Lisa F]

I would definitely go for one of the big, expensive (to produce) musicals as a "first" broadway experience. Wicked or The Lion King would be my top two picks of current musicals out there. I saw Avenue Q and was pretty "eh" on it... it was very entertaining and very clever and very funny but I was glad I only paid $50 for my tickets... for 100 bucks a seat I expect something a little more dazzling.... neither Wicked nor The Lion King will fail to dazzle.

 

[cepmom]

I saw Hairspray in NYC last spring with my DD's dance team...we had a great time and really enjoyed the show. DD also saw Chicago and loved it! ALso, the Lion King is fantastic ~ saw it in Boston last year. Have fun!!

 

[emmoms]

Here's a link for discounts on Broadway theater tickets: http://www.theater-offers.com/

Phantom is included in the list!

Also - from New Jersey, it's a nice trip to take the New York Waterways ferries out of Weehawken (last exit off of Route 3 before the Lincoln Tunnel) and then use their buses (free with your ferry ticket) to maneuver around Manhattan. It's very easy to use and the routes are convenient to all of the theaters, Rockefeller Center and more.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I love them all I am not sure what all is still running there, but I have seen Lion King and it is a true over the top masterpiece sure to bring tears to your eyes. For your first Broadway exp (and as a Disney lover), it'd be the perfect choice.

And since you're so close, maybe you can start seeing more of them through the TKTS booth? That's how I always caught shows when visiting NYC and I saw some incredible shows!

 

[mcnuss]

We'd probably go in December since her birthday is mid November, and that's when we would let her know about it.

Be forewarned that NYC is a zoo after Thanksgiving and through New Years. It will be harder to get good seats, and if you have to stay overnight, hotels will be through the roof. (Just to give you a sense, I had to be in the city last year during the first week of December, and the Sheraton on 7th Avenue, not all that great - cost over $400 for the night! Highway robbery.)

I took DD to see the Lion King 2 years ago the week after New Years. The city was empty, and we were able to get front row, first mezzanine seats to the Saturday show (I bought them about a week before T-giving). We loved it and I'd highly recommend it. The only drawback to it is that you know the stroy and all the songs already, but they've done an amazing job with costuming and choreography so there are still surprises in store. If you do it, go to an evening show as the matinees are over-run with little kids.

I wouldn't bother with Beauty. Hairspray is next on our list, as is Wicked. (It's not the Wizard of Oz story you are familiar with...) Phantom is not my cup of tea, but everyone else loves it and you can't go wrong.

You should check out broadwaybox.com for discounted tickets.

Have an awesome time!

 

[ShuisFan584]

Be forewarned that NYC is a zoo after Thanksgiving and through New Years. It will be harder to get good seats, and if you have to stay overnight, hotels will be through the roof. (Just to give you a sense, I had to be in the city last year during the first week of December, and the Sheraton on 7th Avenue, not all that great - cost over $400 for the night! Highway robbery.)

LOL, I've been there around Christmas time quite a few times. Our family used to go at least once before Christmas every year. The closer to Christmas it gets, the more crowded it is. We wouldn't have to worry about hotel rooms though, we only live about 20 minutes away. That's why people probably think it's odd that we don't go a lot! So many people come to NYC to vacation and sight-see, while we live so close and hardly visit!

Well it seems like The Lion King is mighty popular and I haven't seen one person say they didn't like it yet! I'm going to really have to look into this and if we choose that one we'd have to get tickets fast considering a lot of Friday and Saturday night shows are sold out already!

But anyways, I'll have to show my sister some of the more popular ones and we'll see if we can decide what the 3 of us would like. I just want to let you all know that I'm so grateful for your opinions! It really helps a lot!