The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[JenM]

We just got tickets for Matilda for May-cant wait!

I'm seeing it in April. Sooooo excited!!!

You know, it just seems to me that the level of etiquette at shows has bottomed out. It is as if people don't know how to behave in a civil manner in public anymore. We've noticed just general bad behavior at lots of live shows (people talking, farting, eating, blatantly ignoring the "no photography" rules, cell phones going off and even worse, people actually ANSWERING them, etc.). It's amazing - and kind of sad.

People are awful! When I saw Annie a few weeks ago, the theater was, naturally, filled with kids. But they were great - it was the adults who were the problem. The couple in front of us were fidgeting all through the show, put their arms around each other and then switching around who had to snuggle against who, whispering all the time, and then kept leaning over multiple times to hug, kiss, and otherwise congratulate their three kids for behaving so well all throughout the show. I wanted one of their kids to teach them how to behave. They were awful.

Book of Mormon is by far the best show I've ever seen live. It was just spectacular... And other than the two older gentlemen in front of me that found it necessary to repeat funny lines after the actors said them, it went off without a hitch. I didn't notice anyone leave.

That being said... I saw spring awakening 8 times on broadway... And except for closing night... No on ever got up and left.

It seems like bad etiquette is rampant at live shows and that is just sad. These people worked so hard to do what they're dining and it is just disrespectful.

When I saw the Rent tour in Chicago, we saw a couple storming out of the matinee and telling everyone on the cancellation line, "IT'S FILTH!!!"

My ex-boss saw Spring Awakening and was convinced it was child pornography. She couldn't believe I saw it twice - and so did my mother! And there was nothing pornographic about Spring Awakening.

After he saw The Boy From Oz, my friend's father-in-law said "I Honestly Love You", which had been his wedding song, was ruined for him now that he knew Peter Allen was gay. I think I got in trouble for saying "You JUST found that out now???"

I actually don't know anyone who was offended by The Book of Mormon. I'm guessing most people knew what they were getting into when they walked in. Even my parents loved it, and they hate South Park. The weird part of it is...that show is actually really sweet. They just have a really R-rated (and hilarious) way of telling it.

 

[Deb in IA]

When I saw the Rent tour in Chicago, we saw a couple storming out of the matinee and telling everyone on the cancellation line, "IT'S FILTH!!!"

My ex-boss saw Spring Awakening and was convinced it was child pornography. She couldn't believe I saw it twice - and so did my mother! And there was nothing pornographic about Spring Awakening.

After he saw The Boy From Oz, my friend's father-in-law said "I Honestly Love You", which had been his wedding song, was ruined for him now that he knew Peter Allen was gay. I think I got in trouble for saying "You JUST found that out now???"

I actually don't know anyone who was offended by The Book of Mormon. I'm guessing most people knew what they were getting into when they walked in. Even my parents loved it, and they hate South Park. The weird part of it is...that show is actually really sweet. They just have a really R-rated (and hilarious) way of telling it.

See, I just don't understand why people would go to a show and not have any idea of what it is about. Especially at today's prices - even the "cheap seats" in a touring production will run you about $60.

Like the redneck idiots behind us at La Cage. Did they not know it was about drag queens? And had they stayed until the end, I'm sure the messages of tolerance and acceptance would have gone right over their trucker hats, which they did not take off.

 

[TifffanyD]

See, I just don't understand why people would go to a show and not have any idea of what it is about. Especially at today's prices - even the "cheap seats" in a touring production will run you about $60.

Maybe (1) it was a part of their season or (2) they got the tickets for free?

 

[BrdwayBoy]

If anyone is in New York and gets the opportunity to see Steppenwolf's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - SEE it! I saw it last week and thought it was really just fantastic - the best thing I've seen in quite a while. Tracy Letts and Amy Morton are giving absolutely incredible performances. I'm still thinking about them a week later!

I also saw the opening night of Fiorello! at City Center. Thought the music sounded wonderful and really enjoyed Erin Dilly. Despite a not-very-good italian accent, Kate Baldwin was great and her "When Did I Fall in Love?" was beautiful. Not the greatest show (blink and you miss how it ends), but I enjoyed it just for the chance to hear the score.

Next week, Cinderella!

 

[AllisonK]

I saw Sister Act last week in Boston and I really enjoyed it. It's one of those shows that doesn't take itself seriously, and I love that. The cast was (mostly) great and even though it's scaled down for the road, it's still a good production and it's in pretty good shape. I'm looking forward to seeing it in Providence in April - I have press tickets from work. (I am a copy editor at a newspaper and our lifestyles editor gives out the tickets to anyone who wants to review the show - I jumped at the chance to review Sister Act!)

I'm heading to New York in a few weeks to visit my friend and see a few shows - not sure which ones, but I'm determined to get a ticket to Newsies.... The last time I was there the TKTS booth didn't have 3 seats together, the time before that my friend that I was with said it looked "stupid and boring" and the time before that I tried for lottery tickets and didn't win...

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Loved Newsies. Thought the dancing was amazing.


Seeing Cinderella on Thursday. Can't wait!!!!

 

[BrdwayBoy]

Lorelei - please post your thoughts! I'm seeing it on Valentine's day... and I've read lots of mixed things about it. I'm very excited to see Laura Osnes... I've become a big fan of hers ever since I saw her in South Pacific!

 

[LBIJim]

If anyone is in New York and gets the opportunity to see Steppenwolf's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - SEE it! I saw it last week and thought it was really just fantastic - the best thing I've seen in quite a while. Tracy Letts and Amy Morton are giving absolutely incredible performances. I'm still thinking about them a week later!

]!

Saw it back in December. It was very intense.

Jim

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Lorelei - please post your thoughts! I'm seeing it on Valentine's day... and I've read lots of mixed things about it. I'm very excited to see Laura Osnes... I've become a big fan of hers ever since I saw her in South Pacific!

Will do. I heard that they added some songs and that there's a new plot twist. Should be good.

 

[elgerber]

They announced our new season yesterday. Some great stuff!

Once
Sister Act
Peter and the Starcatchers
Ghost (meh)
Phantom ( which they made optional so I can leave it out of my season)
Evita
We Will Rock You

And season specials (not included in season tix)
Les Miserables
Mamma Mia
Wicked (yay! 5 times isn't too many right?)

 

[MissDisney121]

So I saw the touring company of Book of Mormon last week and I loved it. I had listened to the soundtrack many times before going but the outlandish dancing added such a cool new element that I just loved it even more. I was surprised that no one in the audience got offended though. I mean I saw people walk out of La Cage so I was making bets this time as to how many would walk out.

Also in maybe the most exciting broadway news of my life I just bought tickets to go see one of my fav broadway stars in a musical version of one of my favorite books/movies. Any ideas? If you guessed Big Fish with Norbert Leo Butz you are correct. I am going to see the Chicago pre-broadway run in April and I am so excited. NLB has been in like half of my favorite musicals so I can't wait.

 

[Kewz1]

If anyone is in New York and gets the opportunity to see Steppenwolf's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - SEE it! I saw it last week and thought it was really just fantastic - the best thing I've seen in quite a while. Tracy Letts and Amy Morton are giving absolutely incredible performances. I'm still thinking about them a week later!

I also saw the opening night of Fiorello! at City Center. Thought the music sounded wonderful and really enjoyed Erin Dilly. Despite a not-very-good italian accent, Kate Baldwin was great and her "When Did I Fall in Love?" was beautiful. Not the greatest show (blink and you miss how it ends), but I enjoyed it just for the chance to hear the score.

Next week, Cinderella!

Loved Newsies. Thought the dancing was amazing.


Seeing Cinderella on Thursday. Can't wait!!!!

I'm hoping to see this or Newsies in March. Anxious to hear if you like it!

Kristen

 

[elgerber]

So I saw the touring company of Book of Mormon last week and I loved it. I had listened to the soundtrack many times before going but the outlandish dancing added such a cool new element that I just loved it even more. I was surprised that no one in the audience got offended though. I mean I saw people walk out of La Cage so I was making bets this time as to how many would walk out.

Also in maybe the most exciting broadway news of my life I just bought tickets to go see one of my fav broadway stars in a musical version of one of my favorite books/movies. Any ideas? If you guessed Big Fish with Norbert Leo Butz you are correct. I am going to see the Chicago pre-broadway run in April and I am so excited. NLB has been in like half of my favorite musicals so I can't wait.

That is very exciting, I would love to see NLB in anything!!!

We see BoM, one week from tonight, so excited!! My dd will go from rehearsal, playing Lucy in Charlie Brown, right to BoM, talk about drastically different musicals LOL.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I LOVED Cinderella.

It's not at all like the Julie Andrews/Brandy versions. I was told it's more like the Leslie Ann warren version, but never having seen that one, I can't be sure.

But who can argue with those beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein songs? The msuic and dancing were wonderful. and the plot twists and complications were so interesting.

And the Stuart Weizman shoes are GORGEOUS. Glass slippers are so back.

 

[lorimay]

I LOVED Cinderella.

It's not at all like the Julie Andrews/Brandy versions. I was told it's more like the Leslie Ann warren version, but never having seen that one, I can't be sure.

But who can argue with those beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein songs? The msuic and dancing were wonderful. and the plot twists and complications were so interesting.

And the Stuart Weizman shoes are GORGEOUS. Glass slippers are so back.

Thank you!!!
I have been dying to hear about it......
Glad you had a great time!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I LOVED Cinderella.

It's not at all like the Julie Andrews/Brandy versions. I was told it's more like the Leslie Ann warren version, but never having seen that one, I can't be sure.

But who can argue with those beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein songs? The msuic and dancing were wonderful. and the plot twists and complications were so interesting.

And the Stuart Weizman shoes are GORGEOUS. Glass slippers are so back.

They did follow the Lesley Ann Warren (1965) version pretty well. I grew up watching that one so the play was very enjoyable, I love Rodgers and Hammerstein music!

 

[ImprovGal]

We just got tickets for the Jekyl and Hyde revival and the Pippin revival. So excited.

I saw both of those earlier in January. I absolutely loved Pippin! I thought the use of circus performers as the Players was a perfect fit for the show. The cast was amazing and last I heard they were all moving over to the Broadway cast. I'll be rooting for it to win Best Revival at this year's Tony's.

 

[JenM]

Preview of Matilda on Broadway. Looks amazing!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckbmvaIU1s&feature=youtu.be&mid=731510331&ml=25985778

 

[gometros]

Preview of Matilda on Broadway. Looks amazing!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckbmvaIU1s&feature=youtu.be&mid=731510331&ml=25985778

I just got tickets for the March 6 show. I agree, it does look amazing.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

They did follow the Lesley Ann Warren (1965) version pretty well. I grew up watching that one so the play was very enjoyable, I love Rodgers and Hammerstein music!

I am definitely going to have to track down a copy of the 1965 version.