The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[crazymama]

Hi everyone! Back from Seattle where we took in Les Mis.... what can I say? LOVED IT!!!!! What a stellar cast. I don't think I have ever heard such a strong ensemble. The background projections are beautiful and work really well... esp for the tunnel scenes or Javert's fall. Bring Him Home blew my mind. I have seen the original twice before and think this is my new favourite. I can give this show two big thumbs up!

 

[Deb in IA]

Where are you stopping to see Les Mis? I haven't read any reviews from the US tour. I'm not sure how I feel about the restaged version. A nonturning barricade may not be my favorite. But, it's Les Mis, so it can't be anything but marvelous!

I reviewed it here on this thread, back on post 769 in March!


http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40419840&postcount=769

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Just saw Follies last week. The entire exprerience, from the 'considiton' of the theatre when you enter, to the amazing staging, and throughout the entire show is just perfection. It is an evening of some of the best theatre songs and performances you could imaging.

Not a big Bernadette Peters fan, but the role was truly made for her. Elaine Paige did "I'm Still Here" better than Stritch (which is an accomplisment). Terry Smith and Jane Houdeyshell (sp?) were amazing. But the knockout of the ight was Jan Maxwell, who gave what was one of the best performances I have ever seen on stage.

 

[JenM]

Looks like I'm finally seeing Billy Elliot in October. I've seen it twice in London, but I still haven't seen the NY version. Looking forward to it!

 

[Deb in IA]

Oh I forgot to mention La Cage. I am very excited about that. The Birdcaqe is one of my favorite movies and I can't wait to see the musical that inspired it.
I'll let you know about Les Mis.
The stage door is outside of the west entrance toward the sign on the corner.

Hey, MissDisney121!

Presale tickets were avaiable last week for the Des Moines Civic Center, and I got tickets to La Cage for October 15, 7:30 show! Hoping I get to see George Hamilton, and not the understudy!

Also, got pre-sale tickets for Wicked on November 26 - we are in the 3rd row!!!

 

[ugadog99]

Oh my goodness! My daughter won a pair of tickets to Les Mis in Birmingham. We had already planned on going because the week it will be in Atlanta we have production week for our spring musical. The folks in Birmingham have been wonderful and have found us another ticket next to the pair that were won. So, we see Les Mis and I only have to purchase one ticket!!

That frees up some funds for Wicked!

 

[Mikelly1221]

Hi everyone! Back from Seattle where we took in Les Mis.... what can I say? LOVED IT!!!!! What a stellar cast. I don't think I have ever heard such a strong ensemble. The background projections are beautiful and work really well... esp for the tunnel scenes or Javert's fall. Bring Him Home blew my mind. I have seen the original twice before and think this is my new favourite. I can give this show two big thumbs up!

Tickets have gone on sale for the Tampa shows...I'm trying to get them purchased! Very excited...love Les Mis!!

 

[msminniemouse]

Does anyone know how to get deals on tickets for Book of Mormon? It seems like you have to buy tickets 6 months in advance.

 

[crazymama]

I reviewed it here on this thread, back on post 769 in March!


http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40419840&postcount=769

I just read your review and completely agree with it. The pacing did feel rushed at times. When Fantine began "I Dreamed a Dream" it seemed so fast. And at times the words were a bit tough to catch because things moved so quickly. But, overall, it was a stunning production. Funny how we both commented on the sewer and Javert's fall. They were well done. We saw the Chasten as Eponine as well. One reviewer criticized her for being too "pop" but I thought her voice suited the role perfectly and set her's and Cosette's voice (so beautifully classically trained) apart. I loved it and bawled through most of it. I am such a goofball.

 

[TifffanyD]

Tickets have gone on sale for the Tampa shows...I'm trying to get them purchased! Very excited...love Les Mis!!

We will be seeing this at the Straz too!

 

[MissDisney121]

Hey, MissDisney121!

Presale tickets were avaiable last week for the Des Moines Civic Center, and I got tickets to La Cage for October 15, 7:30 show! Hoping I get to see George Hamilton, and not the understudy!

Also, got pre-sale tickets for Wicked on November 26 - we are in the 3rd row!!!

Hey Deb,
I got season tickets for this season at the civic center and I think I actually have tickets for La cage that night too. I also got pre-sale Wicked tickets for my birthday (December 1st) in like row Q or something around there which is fine since I saw it twice last time it was here, once really close and once all the way at the back so this middle ground is good. The only show during the season I will not be seeing is Billy Elliot (even though I really want to see it) since I will be in WDW then so I am going to swap the tickets for Rain since I love the Beatles.

 

[BrdwayBoy]

But the knockout of the ight was Jan Maxwell, who gave what was one of the best performances I have ever seen on stage.

Jan Maxwell always turns in a winning performance. I'm hoping she finally gets her Tony Award this year.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hey Deb,
I got season tickets for this season at the civic center and I think I actually have tickets for La cage that night too. I also got pre-sale Wicked tickets for my birthday (December 1st) in like row Q or something around there which is fine since I saw it twice last time it was here, once really close and once all the way at the back so this middle ground is good. The only show during the season I will not be seeing is Billy Elliot (even though I really want to see it) since I will be in WDW then so I am going to swap the tickets for Rain since I love the Beatles.

Aww, bummer about Billy Elliot. I REALLY want to see that one!

One of our DD's dance friends WAS Billy on Broadway, Alex Ko. She went to school with his older brother too.
Here is a YouTube clip about him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7OztUNlkC8&feature=related

Unfortunately, I think he just "aged out" of the role.

 

[JenM]

Does anyone know how to get deals on tickets for Book of Mormon? It seems like you have to buy tickets 6 months in advance.

According to their Twitter page: "Lottery, standing room, or pray to the heavenly father."

Book of Mormon is totally sold out iinto next year. And there are no discounts available, and there probably won't be for a long time.

They have a lottery for $32 tickets two hours before each performance, but it's usually a madhouse. The last time I was down there during lottery time, there were so many people there that half of them were across the street because there was no more room in front of the theater.

They also have standing room tickets, but people line up there all day long, so they're tough to get too.

You could also try the cancellation line. I heard people do have some luck with that before each performance.

Honestly - even if you have to wait a long time to get tickets, it's still totally worth it. I saw it back in June and it was hilarious! Utterly R-rated, of course...but it's hysterical. I loved it.

 

[JenM]

I got tickets to see Hugh Jackman in concert on Broadway!

He's doing 10 weeks of shows at the Broadhurst starting at the end of October. I'm going in November. I can't wait! I saw him The Boy From Oz five times, and twice in A Steady Rain, and he's amazing onstage. It's going to be awesome.

I'm hoping he sings something from Les Miserables, since he's playing Jean Valjean in the movie version. That's coming out next December (with Russell Crowe as Javert!!). I can't wait for that either, it's my favorite musical.

 

[superme80]

Can I please whine hear about the lack of revival of The Secret Garden??!!!! I love that show!

 

[elgerber]

Can I please whine hear about the lack of revival of The Secret Garden??!!!! I love that show!

Whine away!! But I have to laugh at the timing of your comment, my dd is doing a production of this right now, for 12-18 year olds. She is super excited!

 

[JenM]

I loved The Secret Garden too! I saw it twice when it was on Broadway. I wish they'd bring it back.

 

[Deb in IA]

I got tickets to see Hugh Jackman in concert on Broadway!

He's doing 10 weeks of shows at the Broadhurst starting at the end of October. I'm going in November. I can't wait! I saw him The Boy From Oz five times, and twice in A Steady Rain, and he's amazing onstage. It's going to be awesome.

I'm hoping he sings something from Les Miserables, since he's playing Jean Valjean in the movie version. That's coming out next December (with Russell Crowe as Javert!!). I can't wait for that either, it's my favorite musical.

REALLY???

I had not heard that!

I'm a but surprised. I can see him physically in the role; Valjean is supposed to be bigger and stronger than most men. Hugh is more baritone; I wonder how he'll hit the high A in "Bring Him Home". I guess he'll have to go falsetto.

Russell Crowe is a good choice for Javert; he reminds me a LOT of Philip Quast, who as in the "Dream Cast" for the 10th Anniversary Concert at Royal Albert Hall.

 

[Deb in IA]

Just looked it up.

Also listed is Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier!
I can totally see that! She does sleezy really well!

Forgot to add:

I'm SO GLAD they are FINALLY doing a movie version of Les Mis!!! I've been waiting so long to see it in movie form - I CAN'T WAIT!!!