The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[LisaR]

Oh, then I like them all except Chicago

She is asking all her friends on FB and getting the same response. "You have to see this, this, this, this and this." She keeps responding with, "You people are NOT helping." The good news is it sounds like she really can't go wrong.

 

[ashleybea]

DD is trying to pick two shows to see and she is making herself crazy She narrowed it down from 20 to 10! She took out things she has either already seen or things that are coming locally in the next six months (I know it isn't the same as a Broadway show but she had to narrow it somehow).

She is leaning heavily toward Phantom - the only one that we don't want to see. She loves everything Phantom though and has only seen a community theater version (plus the movie & book).

These are her remaining choices. Any must see ones for a 16 y/o?

Chicago, Rock of Ages, Spider-Man, Mary Poppins, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mamma Mia.

If you are going soon, You wouldn't be able to see Spider-Man. It's currently on hiatus. It's not coming back until May something. I think 12 but I'm not sure.
I have seen Phantom and it's pretty good.
I saw How to succeed last week and LOVED it!!! It's the most fun i've had at a broadway show in a while. it's and extra plus if your DD is a Harry Potter fan. I'm also going to see the show again on Wednesday.
I haven't seen any of the others but I heard that Mamma Mia isn't that good. It's not like the movie (if that's what you are basing it on). Chicago isn't also like the movie. But Christie Brinkly currently is in it as Roxie.

 

[Missy1961]

Is it possible that this Sunday's schedule is a little different from normal because it is Easter?

 

[Missy1961]

DD is trying to pick two shows to see and she is making herself crazy She narrowed it down from 20 to 10! She took out things she has either already seen or things that are coming locally in the next six months (I know it isn't the same as a Broadway show but she had to narrow it somehow).

She is leaning heavily toward Phantom - the only one that we don't want to see. She loves everything Phantom though and has only seen a community theater version (plus the movie & book).

These are her remaining choices. Any must see ones for a 16 y/o?

Chicago, Rock of Ages, Spider-Man, Mary Poppins, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mamma Mia.

I hated Chicago. Boring.
Spider Man is on hiatus
Mary Poppins was OK, it's not like the movie.
Phantom is OK, but I'm not a fan of that type of show
How to Succeed was great! I loved it, I'd seen it again in a heartbeat. Daniel Radcliffe does a great job. John Laroquette is pretty good too.
I haven't seen Mamma Mia, but my sister has seen it twice. It's much better than the movie, at least according to her. It has to be considering most of the movie's cast really can't sing!

The Book of Mormon got great reviews.

 

[Aristocath]

I doubt you can get Book of Mormon tickets soon unless you pay for premium seats. I tried! I want to see How to Succeed but I couldn't fit it in. Reviews are good though.

 

[JenM]

And even when Spiderman comes back...skip it! It was awful. I know they're on hiatus to re-work it, but short of scrapping the entire show and starting over there's really no saving that train wreck.

How to Succeed was terrific! Definitely recommended. Hearing good things about Sister Act as well.

I've heard the tour of Billy Elliot has been somewhat watered down (apparently swearing kids are too much for the road), so I would still recommend the NY production to see it in it's original form.

Mary Poppins was ok, but the movie was much better.

Book of Mormon is supposed to be fantastic (I'm seeing it June 4th!), but it's a huge hit and tough to get tickets to, so I'd start looking for tickets now.

Rock of Ages was awesome, definitely recommended. Same with Wicked.

I haven't seen Memphis yet, but I've heard it's fantastic.

I liked Chicago, but I haven't seen it in more than 10 years...it's been on Broadway a long time now. Same with Phantom, but I hear that's in great shape, so you can't go wrong there.

American Idiot is closing this weekend, so even though you've already seen it, this weekend's shows are bound to be pretty wild, so I'd keep that open as an option as well.

 

[klacey1]

I love Sutton Foster and I'm sure she did an awesome job. OTOH, how was Joel Gray--he's gotta be pretty old now.

He is pretty old! You could tell he can't dance or sing as amazingly as he once could, but he was still funny. Decent voice, just lacking the power he used to have, which is completely understandable.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I did it!! I got tickets for American Idiot, Saturday afternoon Mezzanine Row A center!!!!! Had to see it one last time. Look out Billie Joe 'cause here we come AGAIN!

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone! We will be there June 4th & 5th.

DD has crossed Spiderman and Chicago off her list.

She has decided to go with Phantom. It has always been her top choice so she decided to stick with it.

I think she is mainly debating between Book of Mormon, Rock of Ages, and How to Succeed but she can only choose one of them. We debated just getting tickets for her and surprising her but we wanted to let her pick what she really wanted to see. I'm starting to regret that decision when she pulls up something new on You Tube every 5 minutes and changes her mind!

 

[sharonW]

Anyone seen "Baby its You"?

 

[JenM]

I did it!! I got tickets for American Idiot, Saturday afternoon Mezzanine Row A center!!!!! Had to see it one last time. Look out Billie Joe 'cause here we come AGAIN!

Awesome! Have fun!

My mom is still recovering from her American Idiot lottery win last week (and so am I, for that matter). She texted me last night after listening to both Green Day's Bullet in a Bible and Awesome as (bleep!) and informed me that we will be seeing them in concert the next time they go on tour. Then she went off to order the DVDs of both albums. Go mom!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Hey, just wanted to thank y'all for the thread! I have lurked the last few days as we are trying to decide on shows to see in a couple of weeks on our NYC trip. DH's first visit!

American Idiot was our only must see and of course it closes a week before we arrive... I've seen the touring version of many of those out right now so we used that to narrow it down some; I think we're going with Rock of Ages and How to Succeed in Business. I'm DYING to see Jersey Boys but DH is pretty set against it. Boo!

Love the BroadwayBox site - thanks to whoever posted it originally!

 

[snapppyd]

Anyone seen "Baby its You"?

We're going on Saturday night. LOVE Christina Sajous, from American Idiot.

 

[snapppyd]

I did it!! I got tickets for American Idiot, Saturday afternoon Mezzanine Row A center!!!!! Had to see it one last time. Look out Billie Joe 'cause here we come AGAIN!

WOOT!

 

[TLinden16]

Thanks! I found that site last night and that made me feel so much better.

Before booking airfare, I saw multiple sites that listed Mamma Mia as a 2PM Sunday show so I wasn't concerned. Unfortunately, that information wasn't accurate.

We are debating between Billy Elliot, Priscilla, or Anything Goes. This is for our 16 y/o birthday. Our original plan was to see Rock of Ages or Jersey Boys but that won't work now. Any suggestions on which one would be a better choice? Thanks!

I saw Priscilla, and it was OK, but not something I would go see again. The cast was good (especially Will Swensen), and you will know most of the songs in it, but it was just one of those dumbed down throw a bunch of songs together and make a musical shows that are so popular right now.

 

[krcit]

Hey, just wanted to thank y'all for the thread! I have lurked the last few days as we are trying to decide on shows to see in a couple of weeks on our NYC trip. DH's first visit!

American Idiot was our only must see and of course it closes a week before we arrive... I've seen the touring version of many of those out right now so we used that to narrow it down some; I think we're going with Rock of Ages and How to Succeed in Business. I'm DYING to see Jersey Boys but DH is pretty set against it. Boo!

Love the BroadwayBox site - thanks to whoever posted it originally!

Jersey Boys is my favorite show ever. I also love Rock of Ages...so much fun. My dd (16) who doesn't like anything,lol, saw Memphis and said it was 'pretty good' Trust me, from her that is the equivelent of a Tony Award

 

[TifffanyD]

I saw Priscilla, and it was OK, but not something I would go see again. The cast was good (especially Will Swensen), and you will know most of the songs in it, but it was just one of those dumbed down throw a bunch of songs together and make a musical shows that are so popular right now.

So was it a lot different from the movie?

 

[sharonW]

I saw Priscilla, and it was OK, but not something I would go see again. The cast was good (especially Will Swensen), and you will know most of the songs in it, but it was just one of those dumbed down throw a bunch of songs together and make a musical shows that are so popular right now.

HI KAREN.....LONG TIME NO SEE,
how are ya??

 

[sharonW]

Jersey Boys is my favorite show ever. I also love Rock of Ages...so much fun. My dd (16) who doesn't like anything,lol, saw Memphis and said it was 'pretty good' Trust me, from her that is the equivelent of a Tony Award

JERSEY BOYS definitley my favorite as well, can't get enough of that show!!!

 

[LisaR]

I have a few more questions if you wouldn't mind?

I bought Phantom tickets for 6/4 at 2pm through broadwaybox.com.

I was going to buy tickets for the Rock of Ages evening performance on the 4th but the discounts are only good until May 31st. Since it is only April, is it safe to wait and see if they offer discounts further down the road?

The only discounts I see for Anything Goes is something about buying tickets to three round table shows. Is that usually the only discount for that?

Our choices for Sunday 6/5 are Anything Goes, Priscilla, and Billy Elliot. We'd be fine with any of those. Would it be foolish to try to get them from TKTS that day or am I better off getting them in advance?

Thanks for all your help!