The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[TifffanyD]

We saw Newsies on June 4th and absolutely LOVED it. There was a slight change from the movie, mostly a change to Bill Paxton's character, to give Jack a love interest, but that didn't ruin the underlying story at all. The dance numbers were fantastic and as a SYTYCD fan, it was great to see some SYTYCD alumni. It was a very energetic movie and the familiar songs will have you humming as you leave the theater.

Are the songs just familiar from the movie? I saw part of it once as a kid but I don't even remember anything about the movie.

 

[gometros]

Are the songs just familiar from the movie? I saw part of it once as a kid but I don't even remember anything about the movie.

I believe Menken might have added a song or two, but they are mostly familiar from the movie.

 

[JenM]

Are the songs just familiar from the movie? I saw part of it once as a kid but I don't even remember anything about the movie.

They only cut two songs from the movie: "Lovey-Dovey Baby" and "High Times, Hard Times" (that won the Razzie Award in 1992 for Worst Song). Both were the songs that Ann Margaret sang. The character is still in the show, but she just has one (much better) song called "That's Rich".

There are actually quite a few new songs: Pulitzer has a song in Act 1called "The Bottom Line" that is reprised in Act 2, but it's not much.

Katherine, the female reporter that replaced Bill Pullman's character from the movie has an awesome new song called "Watch What Happens", which is also reprised in Act 2. She's also the new love interest for Jack, so they have a duet called "Something to Believe In". Jack also sings "I Never Planned on Someone Like You" in Act 1 when he's trying to flirt with her.

The Brooklyn gang also has a brand-new song, called "Brooklyn's Here."

The rest of the songs are from the movie, but they've been majorly re-written. "Santa Fe", Jack's big song, is an entirely different song now. It now opens the show (he's sings it to Crutchie), and it closes Act 1. He's no longer a wannabe cowboy like he was in the movie, he's now a talented artist. He paints the backgrounds at Medda's theater and they use his drawings to help settle the strike.

They also took what seemed like a throwaway song from the movie, called "Once and For All" and made into almost an anthem for the strike at the end.

It's very faithful to the movie, but they've also re-worked a lot of it for the stage, and got rid of stuff that didn't work in the movie (I love it, but I remember how badly it tanked when it first came out).

The show is awesome. I've seen it twice now, and it was even better the second time.

 

[JenM]

Also, as much as I adored Newsies...after seeing Once last week, I'm so glad they won the Best Musical Tony Award this year. Once was amazing!

 

[TifffanyD]

Also, as much as I adored Newsies...after seeing Once last week, I'm so glad they won the Best Musical Tony Award this year. Once was amazing!

I saw a tiny bit of that on SYTYCD and it was amazing!!! My husband said we should watch the movie for it (since it was a movie first)... I bet our theatre will get it when it starts touring!

 

[Denise W]

We are going to NYC in 2 weeks and have tickets to Porgy and Bess, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Book of Mormon. I am excited to see these shows!

Denise

 

[gometros]

They only cut two songs from the movie: "Lovey-Dovey Baby" and "High Times, Hard Times" (that won the Razzie Award in 1992 for Worst Song). Both were the songs that Ann Margaret sang. The character is still in the show, but she just has one (much better) song called "That's Rich".

There are actually quite a few new songs: Pulitzer has a song in Act 1called "The Bottom Line" that is reprised in Act 2, but it's not much.

Katherine, the female reporter that replaced Bill Pullman's character from the movie has an awesome new song called "Watch What Happens", which is also reprised in Act 2. She's also the new love interest for Jack, so they have a duet called "Something to Believe In". Jack also sings "I Never Planned on Someone Like You" in Act 1 when he's trying to flirt with her.

The Brooklyn gang also has a brand-new song, called "Brooklyn's Here."

The rest of the songs are from the movie, but they've been majorly re-written. "Santa Fe", Jack's big song, is an entirely different song now. It now opens the show (he's sings it to Crutchie), and it closes Act 1. He's no longer a wannabe cowboy like he was in the movie, he's now a talented artist. He paints the backgrounds at Medda's theater and they use his drawings to help settle the strike.

They also took what seemed like a throwaway song from the movie, called "Once and For All" and made into almost an anthem for the strike at the end.

It's very faithful to the movie, but they've also re-worked a lot of it for the stage, and got rid of stuff that didn't work in the movie (I love it, but I remember how badly it tanked when it first came out).

The show is awesome. I've seen it twice now, and it was even better the second time.

I forgot about the switch from wannabe cowboy to aspiring artist, but they still kept Santa Fe in the show and I can't remember how they tied it in.

 

[JenM]

I forgot about the switch from wannabe cowboy to aspiring artist, but they still kept Santa Fe in the show and I can't remember how they tied it in.

The movie version had poor Christian Bale clomping around pretending to ride a horse.

The new version reminds me a little of the beginning of Annie, when Annie is singing to Molly about who their parents might be. They said they wanted to establish Jack as the leader of the newsies, so they moved the song to the top of the show and had him sing it while looking after Crutchie. It's all new lyrics, but it was just a place he imagined would be better and by the end promises to Crutchie that he would always look after him.

So then after everything goes wrong (I don't want to give it away!), Jack sings the reprise at the end of Act 1, which has the few remaining lyrics from the movie ("where does it say you have to live and die here...").

One of the lyrics that was changed to reflect the whole artist switch:
Movie: "So that's what they call a family. Aren't you glad you ain't that way? Ain't you glad you got a dream called Santa Fe?"
Show: "Just be real, that's all I'm askin'. Not some painting in my head. 'Cause I'm dead, if I can't count on you today. I got nothin' if I ain't got Santa Fe."

I love the new version. They did such great re-writes on the music.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

We just got back from a quick trip to NYC this past weekend.

We saw Newsies and The Best Man and thought both were really good. I wasn't that excited for Newsies but it turned out to be really good, some very talented people in that show! I don't think it's something I'd see again, but it was a good show. Friends of ours went to see Once the same night and absolutely raved about it, so I'm wondering if maybe we should have seen that instead - but Newsies was enjoyable.

The Best Man was a very good play and the talent was incredible! I admit I don't follow politics and am not great with my American political history, so some of the the jokes went over my head, but DH thought it was fantastic.

We went to the stage door for The Best Man because there were so many big names, and we weren't disappointed. We met James Earl Jones, John Laroquette, Cybil Shephard, Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) and John Stamos. James Earl Jones didn't sign autographs but he stood and talked to us all for ages, asked where we were from, etc. A very nice man - at his age to stand outside in the NYC heat and chat to people was impressive. John Stamos and Kristin Davis were really friendly too and chatted to us for ages - both commented on my baby bump and asked how I was feeling, which was super sweet.

The only disappointment was Cybil Shephard. She wasn't great in the show TBH, kind of flat like she was just reading the lines. Then at the stage door, while she did sign autographs and talk to people, she didn't smile once and seemed kind of down. I'm guessing she just had a bad night.

 

[crazymama]

Great to hear all the Newsies reviews. We are seeing it in New York this October (28 dancers and 10 teachers/chaperones!) So excited. Also seeing Mary Poppins. Wanted to pick shows that were family friendly with great dance in them! I was put in charge of choosing and booking shows (no pressure at all! ) I must put in a plug for booking with Disney Theatrical Bookings. They are super to deal with... guided me through the group booking process etc. Awesome to deal with! Of course I would like to see Book Of Mormon but didn't think the other parents would approve... Seeing that in January in Seattle though! We are from British Columbia and need to head south to Seattle to get our Broadway Fixes!

 

[TifffanyD]

Great to hear all the Newsies reviews. We are seeing it in New York this October (28 dancers and 10 teachers/chaperones!) So excited. Also seeing Mary Poppins. Wanted to pick shows that were family friendly with great dance in them! I was put in charge of choosing and booking shows (no pressure at all! ) I must put in a plug for booking with Disney Theatrical Bookings. They are super to deal with... guided me through the group booking process etc. Awesome to deal with! Of course I would like to see Book Of Mormon but didn't think the other parents would approve... Seeing that in January in Seattle though! We are from British Columbia and need to head south to Seattle to get our Broadway Fixes!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I love Mary Poppins! We saw it once (on tour) from the nosebleeds and are seeing it again this December from 4th row center!!! 1st row was available but I asked if that was good and they said some ppl prefer a few rows back so I asked for 4th or 5th. Can't wait!!

Hear book of mormon is slated for next year - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KingK12]

Just back from Newsies! Oh my gosh!! EXCELLENT show!!! The dancing was spectacular! The use the entire height of the stage, so don't think the balcony seats are bad! See it if you can!

Saw it once with my fiance and we loved it!

 

[auntie]

We saw Newsies last Sunday. I have to say we really enjoyed it. I was surprised at how much. Dancing was incredible. Very uplifting show.

 

[4my2girlz]

We are debating between Annie & Mary Poppins for our spring break trip next year. I was excited to see Annie dates have already been released and Mary Poppins dates are now showing thru the middle of March.

I would like guidance on seating since we have never been to a broadway show. We will be taking our 7 & 8 year old daughters and are leaning towards a Saturday afternoon performance.

Any tips for Palace & New Amsterdam?

Many thanks!

 

[lorimay]

We just got back from a quick trip to NYC this past weekend.

We saw Newsies and The Best Man and thought both were really good. I wasn't that excited for Newsies but it turned out to be really good, some very talented people in that show! I don't think it's something I'd see again, but it was a good show. Friends of ours went to see Once the same night and absolutely raved about it, so I'm wondering if maybe we should have seen that instead - but Newsies was enjoyable.

The Best Man was a very good play and the talent was incredible! I admit I don't follow politics and am not great with my American political history, so some of the the jokes went over my head, but DH thought it was fantastic.

We went to the stage door for The Best Man because there were so many big names, and we weren't disappointed. We met James Earl Jones, John Laroquette, Cybil Shephard, Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) and John Stamos. James Earl Jones didn't sign autographs but he stood and talked to us all for ages, asked where we were from, etc. A very nice man - at his age to stand outside in the NYC heat and chat to people was impressive. John Stamos and Kristin Davis were really friendly too and chatted to us for ages - both commented on my baby bump and asked how I was feeling, which was super sweet.

The only disappointment was Cybil Shephard. She wasn't great in the show TBH, kind of flat like she was just reading the lines. Then at the stage door, while she did sign autographs and talk to people, she didn't smile once and seemed kind of down. I'm guessing she just had a bad night.

We are going to be in NYC the last 2 days of "The Best Man". I am so excited to see this play. I will definitely go to the stage door afterwards.!!!!!

 

[RyMickey]

Just wanted to post that I recently saw two shows -- Peter and the Starcatcher (a Disney production) and Nice Work If You Can Get It -- one of which I thought was pretty great and one of which left quite a bit to be desired.

I'd be happy to discuss if anyone has any questions about either, but please check out my blog for full reviews of both -- RyMickey's Ramblings

 

[snapppyd]

I just got tickets to see Scandalous in November. Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia, LeStat, Sister Act) is my husband's favorite broadway actress (along with Sutton Foster). I got him the tickets for our anniversary, we are 6th row, center orchestra. I can't wait!!! (I got an email for 30% on a pre-sale!)

 

[cabanafrau]

Just wanted to post that I recently saw two shows -- Peter and the Starcatcher (a Disney production) and Nice Work If You Can Get It -- one of which I thought was pretty great and one of which left quite a bit to be desired.

I'd be happy to discuss if anyone has any questions about either, but please check out my blog for full reviews of both -- RyMickey's Ramblings

Your reviews are a fabulous read, thank you for sharing.

 

[Kitzka]

We are debating between Annie & Mary Poppins for our spring break trip next year. I was excited to see Annie dates have already been released and Mary Poppins dates are now showing thru the middle of March.

I would like guidance on seating since we have never been to a broadway show. We will be taking our 7 & 8 year old daughters and are leaning towards a Saturday afternoon performance.

Any tips for Palace & New Amsterdam?

Many thanks!

I can't comment on Annie since it's not out yet but I can comment on seating.

The Palace is HUGE it's one of the largest theaters on Broadway. It can hold a lot of people. I think the best seats are on the mezzanine in the first 5 or 6 rows and int he front half of the orchestra. If you are up in the rear mezz or balcony you are pretty far away.

I haven't been to the New Amsterdam in about 5-6 years so I can't comment on where is best to sit there.

I guess the question is have your girls been to any other broadway shows? mary Poppins is pretty magical.

Lara

 

[minijeanie]

Just got an invite to get tickets for new play CINDERELLA at Broadway Theatre. Previews start January 2013.

One thing very odd though. It stated no child under 4 years of age will be allowed in theatre. I am sure I brought my kids to Lion King and Beauty and Beast before they were 4 years old.

is this new rule?
I guess I can understand with the price of tickets now. The last thing you want to to is pay $100 plus for a ticket with a small child crying in your ear the entire time