Lion King on Broadway

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi everybody..
I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, but it seems to fit..

I bought tickets to the Lion King show for my in laws (Christmas gift). My wife and I figured we would go with them, so it will be four adults.
We plan on making it a weekend trip to the city, and will be getting a hotel probably for two nights.

Questions:

1) Any thoughts on the best way to travel from Connecticut to the city?
2) What is proper attire for the show? It's an 8:00 curtain on a Saturday if that makes any difference.
3) I've never been to a Broadway show. Is there any show etiquette I should know? Tip the usher etc..??
4) How early should we arrive?

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.
I'm very excited about the show, but really have no idea what the heck I'm doing!!

Thanx!!
MG

 

[nurse.darcy]

For evening Broadway shows you may dress Business or business casual and feel dressed appropriate. If it was an opening night or a special event, usually the preferred dress is Cocktail. No jeans, no cutoffs, no flip flops, etc.

Tipping your usher is totally optional as you have assigned seats for this performance. I always tip a bit. You can sometimes get nice information from them.

Enjoy. . .the stage show sounds awesome. . .

 

[DisCopper]

For evening Broadway shows you may dress Business or business casual and feel dressed appropriate. If it was an opening night or a special event, usually the preferred dress is Cocktail. No jeans, no cutoffs, no flip flops, etc.

Tipping your usher is totally optional as you have assigned seats for this performance. I always tip a bit. You can sometimes get nice information from them.

Enjoy. . .the stage show sounds awesome. . .

Wow, Nurse Darcy.... I grew up in New England, and saw every Broadway and off-Broadway show there was as a kid. I only get to NYC rarely now, but I've never seen anyone tip the usher. Is this a new thing?

Also, in 40 years, I've seen the dress deteriorate. As a kid, it was definitely business casual, or "cocktail." The last time I went (which was, incidentally, to see "The Lion King" a few years back), many, many people were dressed down. Jeans, t-shirts. Just people looking like crap. I actually felt uncomfortable wearing a suit.

 

[can84]

Hi everybody..
I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, but it seems to fit..

I bought tickets to the Lion King show for my in laws (Christmas gift). My wife and I figured we would go with them, so it will be four adults.
We plan on making it a weekend trip to the city, and will be getting a hotel probably for two nights.

Questions:

1) Any thoughts on the best way to travel from Connecticut to the city?
2) What is proper attire for the show? It's an 8:00 curtain on a Saturday if that makes any difference.
3) I've never been to a Broadway show. Is there any show etiquette I should know? Tip the usher etc..??
4) How early should we arrive?

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.
I'm very excited about the show, but really have no idea what the heck I'm doing!!

Thanx!!
MG

That's so awesome!
1--MetroNorth isn't too bad, if you are on one of the main lines. You just have to be prepared to go on that schedule. If you drive in, be prepared to pay a lot for parking, unless you go to a garage off the beaten track (PM me if you want the location of a few LOL)
2--Nowadays, pretty much anything goes. You'll see people dressed in all kinds of get-ups.
3--The main thing--TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE/PDA. I volunteer at Lincoln Center, and before every performance they ask patrons to turn them off, and it never fails at some point you hear a phone ring. As far as tipping, I've never heard of anyone doing this, but I guess it may happen.
4--Generally speaking, patrons aren't allowed into the theater until 30 minutes before the performance (not all shows, but a lot of them!) I like to get to my seat about 10 minutes before the performance, since this allows me to glance over the Playbill and look at the theater.

I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful time! If you want the name of a few restaurants near the theaters, just PM me

 

[elizabethswan]

so glad to see this thread. i was just looking up the lion king broadway online yesterday. i am so interested to hear any thoughts on this. by the way, is the broadway show anything like the lion king show at AK??

 

[bigmama67]

How cool! I took DS in January of '08; it was his first B'way show and he had just turned 5. It was so wonderful! I think you've gotten some great tips; take the train, no need to drive. I've never heard of tipping an usher, and I don't like to wear jeans to the theatre either (except when it's a play I'm working on, LOL).

TLK onstage is a pretty amazing. The way the director, Julie Taymor, staged it is just wonderful. It's NOTHING like the one at AK which I thought was kind of drawn-out and had almost no plot (though the costumes are fun and the acrobatics are impressive at times; I was still kinda bored by it, hate to say...but NEMO in AK was awesome - but that's another thread.)

Rachel in NJ

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx to everyone for all the great replies and tips!
I knew you would come through with some good advice!

I'm away from home and typing on an iPhone, but when I get home next week I will be looking for dinner places..

Thanx again,
MG

 

[Kate70410]

First of all, let me say congrats on getting seats to the show. The Lion King is probably one of the best stage shows I've ever seen and I've seen quite a few shows on Broadway. From the very beginning between all the costumes and the music, it draws you in and it's just a magical experience.

There really isn't a dresscode per se but keep in mind if you go in the winter, you'll be doing some walking around and it may be cold out. I've seen people in evening attire and people in jeans and sweaters. I prefer jeans and sweaters in the winter and khaki's and a collared shirt in the other seasons, but that's just me.

As far as transportation in, I've always driven and it isn't nearly as scary as everyone makes it out to be. Actually I prefer driving in NY over Philadelphia and I've lived in the Philadelphia area all my life. If you are coming off the Lincoln Tunnel, it dumps you off right into the Theater District, you can't miss it. There is a parking garage attached to the Minskoff that I felt was really reasonable for parking there most of the day. In fact, I park there most of the time when we go into NYC to see a show because it is so central to most of the theaters in the area and makes it so easy to get on and off the turnpike. I've taken the train into NYC too years ago and that was rather expensive but it wasn't too hard to manuever around.

There are a ton of restaurants in the area. We always love to do Planet Hollywood when we go because the food is really good and the atmosphere is fun. Minskoff is right off of Times Square and that area is so fun to walk around and take in everything.

As far as tipping the ushers, I've never heard of such a thing and have never done it. They really don't do anything but give out playbills and point you to your row, it's not like they bring you drinks or anything.

I love going into NYC for shows, it's an expensive hobby though. Enjoy the show and let me know if you have anymore questions, I'll be glad to answer them if I can.

 

[bwolfe]

I'll throw my two cents in as far as the ettiquete...eveyone has offered good advice, but please do not leave when the curtain call begins. I have always found this very rude. Enjoy your trip, NY is one of my favorite cities in the world.

 

[DisCopper]

Not to freak out the OP or anything... but I saw "Lion King" on Broadway when it first opened. Our whole group hated it. I fell asleep (never happens), and we actually didn't even stay to the end. It was just way too much African dance for me. It never seemed to end. It was by far, the worst thing I've ever seen on Broadway (and I saw a lot growing up).

I'm glad other people love it (and clearly, many, many people do)... but I was just wondering if I was completely alone in my dislike of it.

Anyone? Anyone? (echo, echo...)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not to freak out the OP or anything... but I saw "Lion King" on Broadway when it first opened. Our whole group hated it. I fell asleep (never happens), and we actually didn't even stay to the end. It was just way too much African dance for me. It never seemed to end. It was by far, the worst thing I've ever seen on Broadway (and I saw a lot growing up).

I'm glad other people love it (and clearly, many, many people do)... but I was just wondering if I was completely alone in my dislike of it.

Anyone? Anyone? (echo, echo...)

Thank you for a different perspective on the show..

That actually sounds great to me, as my wife and I love African dance and music!

MG

 

[tekoa]

Not to freak out the OP or anything... but I saw "Lion King" on Broadway when it first opened. Our whole group hated it. I fell asleep (never happens), and we actually didn't even stay to the end. It was just way too much African dance for me. It never seemed to end. It was by far, the worst thing I've ever seen on Broadway (and I saw a lot growing up).

I'm glad other people love it (and clearly, many, many people do)... but I was just wondering if I was completely alone in my dislike of it.

Anyone? Anyone? (echo, echo...)

We loved loved loved this show. I am sorry you did not like it. But that's what makes the world go around everyone has their own opinion.

 

[inkkognito]

I love Lion King and my husband LOVES it. We saw it multiple times in Chicago and once in Orlando, and he also saw it in Orlando again as our neighbors had an extra ticket. The music is absolutely stunning...I love the song "Endless Night," which is not in the movie, as well as "He Lives In You" (hope I have those song names right). I will say that some parts are unnecessarily long/don't make sense, like the part with Simba all restless and Timon in the waterfall, and I hate "The Morning Report" and particularly "Chow Down." But that's not enough to make me dislike this wonderful play.

"Mary Poppins" is also excellent if you ever get a chance to see that. The storyline is somewhat different than the movie, and it works in some pieces from the books.

 

[MeganFyne]

I would certainly take Metro-North. Driving in the city is sooo much of a hassle! If you are staying overnight in a hotel (and please stay somewhere other than Times Square - trust me!) then it won't matter and you can park in their garage, however that will naturally be for a large fee.

I have yet to see Lion King on Broadway but I met Julie Taymor and saw her speak and she's just a wonderful director - personally I can't stand the woman but that has nothing to do with her genius. Have fun in NY! I live there so if you want any help finding places to eat or stay let me know!

 

[sdemore]

so glad to see this thread. i was just looking up the lion king broadway online yesterday. i am so interested to hear any thoughts on this. by the way, is the broadway show anything like the lion king show at AK??

THIS SHOW IS AWESOME We went to see it about 18 months ago and without a doubt it was the best Broadway show we have ever seen, and we have seen quite a few. Even DH thinks so and he is not a disney freak like I am. The entrance at the beginning and the stampede scene will just amaze you (the giraffes are awesome). I cannot find enough adjectives to describe this show. My DH and I are going to see it again in March when it comes to Philadelphia and take our grown kids.
By the way it is nothing like the show at AK it is really like the movie.
Have a wonderful time.

 

[matthew_hull]

To the original poster:
I notice that you are from Connecticut. You may not be aware that the LK show is performing at the Bushnell in Hartford starting this week. We have tickets for Friday night. You may wish to see it again, if you liked it and it's convenient.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Okay... I hate bringing up old threads, but the show is now only 10 days away.
We decided to take the Metro North. Does anyone know the best way to get tickets? Do we buy them at the station or ahead of time?

Restaurants:
My MIL has a friend that visits NYC often, and he recommended Pasqualles Rigoletto or something like that?? Does anyone know anything about that?

Also we want to visit Jekyll & Hyde foe drinks. I hear it is loosely similar to the old Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island.

Any opinions on the above?

Thanx!
MG

 

[delaneyc52]

Okay... I hate bringing up old threads, but the show is now only 10 days away.
We decided to take the Metro North. Does anyone know the best way to get tickets? Do we buy them at the station or ahead of time?

Restaurants:
My MIL has a friend that visits NYC often, and he recommended Pasqualles Rigoletto or something like that?? Does anyone know anything about that?

Also we want to visit Jekyll & Hyde foe drinks. I hear it is loosely similar to the old Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island.

Any opinions on the above?

Thanx!
MG

I always get my tickets at the station or from the ticket machine at the station. Not sure of the restaurant you refer to. Jekyll and Hyde is ok..not that great and I thought a bit scuzzy to be honest.

 

[delaneyc52]

Okay... I hate bringing up old threads, but the show is now only 10 days away.
We decided to take the Metro North. Does anyone know the best way to get tickets? Do we buy them at the station or ahead of time?

Restaurants:
My MIL has a friend that visits NYC often, and he recommended Pasqualles Rigoletto or something like that?? Does anyone know anything about that?

Also we want to visit Jekyll & Hyde foe drinks. I hear it is loosely similar to the old Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island.

Any opinions on the above?

Thanx!
MG

I did a quick look at Pasqualles Rigoletto on line and it appears it's in the Bronx. Wanted to make sure you knew that.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I did a quick look at Pasqualles Rigoletto on line and it appears it's in the Bronx. Wanted to make sure you knew that.

Thanx.. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing? Maybe distance wise?
The only thing I know about the Bronx is the Yankees, and that IS a bad thing!!

Go Sox!
MG