The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[MissDisney121]

Thank you!!!

That is the SECOND best news I've heard today.
Great decision - and a MUCH better choice than Taylor Swift (what were they thinking?????)

The first is . . . Book of Mormon is coming to Des Moines!

We have to wait a year - it will be here January 24 - February 3, 2013, but it is still exciting!

MissDisney121, I hope you heard this news!

Deb In IA I had heard the news. I am so excited. I also can't wait for April 2nd when they announce the rest of the line up the two I really want to see are Book of Mormon and Catch Me If You Can so I'm 1 for 2 right now. I think the audience reactions will be funny. If people walked out of La Cage Aux Folles because they were offended I can't wait to see the reactions to this.
I am also very happy that Taylor Swift is not going to be in Les Miserable. She can sing but she cannot act at all (see Valentines Day if you don't believe me) so it is great that she is not going to be in it.

 

[Deb in IA]

I think they heard the collective "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" coming from Les Miz fans everywhere.

It's awesome how she found out too. She's playing Nancy in Oliver! in Manchester right now, and Cameron Mackintosh surprised her by announcing it in front of the audience during the curtain calls:

I saw that in your link!! How cool is that!

Nancy is a great role too. I ALWAYS cry when she sings "As Long As He Needs Me"

 

[Deb in IA]

Deb In IA I had heard the news. I am so excited. I also can't wait for April 2nd when they announce the rest of the line up the two I really want to see are Book of Mormon and Catch Me If You Can so I'm 1 for 2 right now. I think the audience reactions will be funny. If people walked out of La Cage Aux Folles because they were offended I can't wait to see the reactions to this. I am also very happy that Taylor Swift is not going to be in Les Miserable. She can sing but she cannot act at all (see Valentines Day if you don't believe me) so it is great that she is not going to be in it.

I KNOW!!

I just hope those guys are not sitting behind us again!

 

[JenM]

Deb In IA I had heard the news. I am so excited. I also can't wait for April 2nd when they announce the rest of the line up the two I really want to see are Book of Mormon and Catch Me If You Can so I'm 1 for 2 right now. I think the audience reactions will be funny. If people walked out of La Cage Aux Folles because they were offended I can't wait to see the reactions to this. I am also very happy that Taylor Swift is not going to be in Les Miserable. She can sing but she cannot act at all (see Valentines Day if you don't believe me) so it is great that she is not going to be in it.

There are a few moments in that show where I'm amazed lightning didn't strike the theater.

FYI, if you're going to see Book of Mormon: avoid listening to the cast album if you can before seeing the show. Lots of spoilers on some of the funniest parts of the show there.

What's great is that despite the fact that it's obviously extremely R-rated (one song drops the F-word nearly 30 times - and it's not even the worst word used in the song ), it's actually a very sweet show.

It's kind of a mix of Avenue Q and Spamalot, with a bit of South Park thrown in for good measure.

 

[elgerber]

I have the soundtrack, I bought it during the Tonys last year when it won best musical, but I have not yet listened to it. I usually don't listen to soundtracks before I see the show, because I like to be surprised. Good thing my dd will be 17 by the time it's here in 2013!!!

 

[crazymama]

Okay... SOOOOO EXCITED! Our dance tour group is travelling to New York in October (from BC, Canada). Today I was confirmed as a chaperone and am officially in high gear with excitement. As a hopeless musical theatre junkie I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to it! I have been to NYC once before in 1985 (yes... I said it... nearly 30 years ago...) and only saw Liberace at Radio City (was cool but not nearly as satisfying.)

We will have 28 dancers... ranging in ages from 8 to 16. The bulk of the dancers are 12 and up. We hope to get them to a couple of shows. Any suggestions? Obviously I would see Book of Mormon if it was just me (sigh ) but what would you suggest for that age span? I am familiar with the old standbys such as Wicked, Mamma Mia and Lion King as those shows have toured near here. I am wondering about the newer shows such as War Horse or even Sister Act. Would "How to Succeed..." engage them? I would love to see it. I wish Newsies wasn't closing in June as they would love it. The teacher would also consider splitting older and younger for a show to keep things appropriate. Does anyone know much about Ghost? Its a beautiful love story and I think the effects are supposed to be great. Okay, I have rambled enough. OMG....NYC!!!!! TIA!!!!

 

[cornflake]

Okay... SOOOOO EXCITED! Our dance tour group is travelling to New York in October (from BC, Canada). Today I was confirmed as a chaperone and am officially in high gear with excitement. As a hopeless musical theatre junkie I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to it! I have been to NYC once before in 1985 (yes... I said it... nearly 30 years ago...) and only saw Liberace at Radio City (was cool but not nearly as satisfying.)

We will have 28 dancers... ranging in ages from 8 to 16. The bulk of the dancers are 12 and up. We hope to get them to a couple of shows. Any suggestions? Obviously I would see Book of Mormon if it was just me (sigh ) but what would you suggest for that age span? I am familiar with the old standbys such as Wicked, Mamma Mia and Lion King as those shows have toured near here. I am wondering about the newer shows such as War Horse or even Sister Act. Would "How to Succeed..." engage them? I would love to see it. I wish Newsies wasn't closing in June as they would love it. The teacher would also consider splitting older and younger for a show to keep things appropriate. Does anyone know much about Ghost? Its a beautiful love story and I think the effects are supposed to be great. Okay, I have rambled enough. OMG....NYC!!!!! TIA!!!!

I'd say Mormon but even then I dunno you'll get 30 odd tickets.

How to... would certainly work I'd think. I know a 10-year-old went a few weeks ago and loved loved it. Made a poster about the show for a class she loved it so much.

I don't think Ghost would be a great idea for a bunch of kids... murder, haunting, posession?

 

[Missy1961]

Okay... SOOOOO EXCITED! Our dance tour group is travelling to New York in October (from BC, Canada). Today I was confirmed as a chaperone and am officially in high gear with excitement. As a hopeless musical theatre junkie I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to it! I have been to NYC once before in 1985 (yes... I said it... nearly 30 years ago...) and only saw Liberace at Radio City (was cool but not nearly as satisfying.)

We will have 28 dancers... ranging in ages from 8 to 16. The bulk of the dancers are 12 and up. We hope to get them to a couple of shows. Any suggestions? Obviously I would see Book of Mormon if it was just me (sigh ) but what would you suggest for that age span? I am familiar with the old standbys such as Wicked, Mamma Mia and Lion King as those shows have toured near here. I am wondering about the newer shows such as War Horse or even Sister Act. Would "How to Succeed..." engage them? I would love to see it. I wish Newsies wasn't closing in June as they would love it. The teacher would also consider splitting older and younger for a show to keep things appropriate. Does anyone know much about Ghost? Its a beautiful love story and I think the effects are supposed to be great. Okay, I have rambled enough. OMG....NYC!!!!! TIA!!!!

Well, I haven't seen Sister Act or Mamma Mia or War Horse. I have seen How to Succeed. I loved it! I saw it the last time it was on Broadway with John Stamos & saw it last year with Daniel Radcliffe (who was great by the way).

Just noticed that you have some younger kids in the group--I don't think War Horse would work for them. I also think that a lot of the humor of How to ....
will go over their heads. Lion King would work for all of them--when I saw that 2 years ago, I was with a bunch of people that spanned in age from 7 to 50 and we all loved it. But if you can see that in your area, I don't know if it's worth it to pay Broadway prices. Musicals are expensive, even with discounts. (but group rates might not be too bad, I haven't gone with a large group in many years.) I know I got a discount to Lion King, but orchestra seats still were over $100 each.

Well, whatever you end up doing, it should be great!

 

[Kitzka]

Okay... SOOOOO EXCITED! Our dance tour group is travelling to New York in October (from BC, Canada). Today I was confirmed as a chaperone and am officially in high gear with excitement. As a hopeless musical theatre junkie I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to it! I have been to NYC once before in 1985 (yes... I said it... nearly 30 years ago...) and only saw Liberace at Radio City (was cool but not nearly as satisfying.)

We will have 28 dancers... ranging in ages from 8 to 16. The bulk of the dancers are 12 and up. We hope to get them to a couple of shows. Any suggestions? Obviously I would see Book of Mormon if it was just me (sigh ) but what would you suggest for that age span? I am familiar with the old standbys such as Wicked, Mamma Mia and Lion King as those shows have toured near here. I am wondering about the newer shows such as War Horse or even Sister Act. Would "How to Succeed..." engage them? I would love to see it. I wish Newsies wasn't closing in June as they would love it. The teacher would also consider splitting older and younger for a show to keep things appropriate. Does anyone know much about Ghost? Its a beautiful love story and I think the effects are supposed to be great. Okay, I have rambled enough. OMG....NYC!!!!! TIA!!!!

Sister act might be appropriate but I'm not sure it will still be around in oct. Ticket sales have been really low lately and the theater it is in is pretty big. I don't think it will last beyond oct.

Newsies would be great for that age group esp since 4 of the guys in the ensemble are from so you think you can dance.

Mary poppins is an option. It's based on the books rather than the movie (though it is familiar).

If its still around maybe Peter and the starcatchers? Based on Dave Barry and Ridley pearson's Peter pan prequel. I've heard good things about this.

The new Annie revival will be opening in the fall as well as the stage adaptation of flashdance.

Rock of ages not appropriate for your group. I guess it also depends if the younger kids would pick up on things. Dd always noticed the dancing and singing more than anything else. How to succeed is great but not sure it will be around in oct. sales were good when Darren Criss was in it but they are down again. I may pick up again in April.

Lara

 

[crazymama]

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about. I think War Horse looks pretty cool. I don't think I can do Annie as my daughter and I just finished doing a dinner theatre run of it in December. It was great but I am Hannigan'd out. Although after chaperoning all those kids I may be crooning Little Girls once again... hah!!
I am still thinking about Ghost for the older kids. I think with all they see on TV they could handle a shooting and spirit possession. Maybe not the 8 year olds of course. Maybe it is just cause I would love to see it.., I have seen Wicked twice, Mamma Mia three times and Lion King twice so I am not keen on them, even tho' seeing them on Broadway would be so cool. But then, its not about me... sigh. How to Succeed looks so good too. Hmmm.
Mary Poppins looks great... I hear its a little darker than the Disney movie. I like that...

Well, off to bed with dreams of bright lights and big city in my head!

 

[cornflake]

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about. I think War Horse looks pretty cool. I don't think I can do Annie as my daughter and I just finished doing a dinner theatre run of it in December. It was great but I am Hannigan'd out. Although after chaperoning all those kids I may be crooning Little Girls once again... hah!!
I am still thinking about Ghost for the older kids. I think with all they see on TV they could handle a shooting and spirit possession. Maybe not the 8 year olds of course. Maybe it is just cause I would love to see it.., I have seen Wicked twice, Mamma Mia three times and Lion King twice so I am not keen on them, even tho' seeing them on Broadway would be so cool. But then, its not about me... sigh. How to Succeed looks so good too. Hmmm.
Mary Poppins looks great... I hear its a little darker than the Disney movie. I like that...

Well, off to bed with dreams of bright lights and big city in my head!

I didn't mean so much that they couldn't handle Ghost but that it's not exactly a feel-good musical, you know? It's not like, peppy, come out of the theatre singing, bright sets, exciting - it's... a murder, a posession, moping and haunting. I think they'd be more bored than anything else, it's sortof dour in a general sense. They also have no connection to the movie so... it's a musical about a murder, haunting, posession, not the first B'way show I'd take any kid to, no matter the age. I'd want that amazed, wondrous face when the curtain goes up on the set or the big number...

Also, frankly, it opens in March I think so... uhm... you won't be there until October. And... yeah. Wouldn't bet on it. I'm not dissing the movie, but the show running in London doesn't mean it'll run here.

I think they'd all love Wicked or Lion King, obvs. I think War Horse would lose the smaller ones a bit and it too is more on the less-than-cheery side. I'd go exciting/cheery/bright for a big group of kids.

Still vote for How to... but I think Wicked or Lion would be great, if you could get tix, or Mamma Mia.

Actually - this may get me flamed, and I admit it's a bit ribald but... I might go Avenue Q C'mon, it's fun, catchy songs, puppets, what more could kids want?!

Anything Goes is also really fun - and not ribald - great songs, Sutton Foster may still be there...

 

[cornflake]

Oh, also, not for nuttin, and I know it's the B'way thread but it's a group of dancers, yes?

New York City Ballet is on in October. Mark Morris may be at BAM, etc. I'm sure there'll be a ton of dance stuff besides just on B'way.

 

[elgerber]

I also think for that age group, Wicked would be an excellent choice. It's very appropriate, a great story and great music. I have seen it 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat.
Agree, Rock of Ages, not good for the younger ones. The Lion King is always a safe bet, and I think Mary Poppins is spectacular!! It's definitely different that the movie, not sure I'd say darker, but deeper. But it was wonderful. I am seeing it for the 2nd time next year.

 

[SwiperFox]

I don't know if anyone has seen or plans to see the tour of American Idiot....

There is a hidden Mickey on the set!

It made me smile.

 

[crazymama]

I didn't mean so much that they couldn't handle Ghost but that it's not exactly a feel-good musical, you know? It's not like, peppy, come out of the theatre singing, bright sets, exciting - it's... a murder, a posession, moping and haunting. I think they'd be more bored than anything else, it's sortof dour in a general sense. They also have no connection to the movie so... it's a musical about a murder, haunting, posession, not the first B'way show I'd take any kid to, no matter the age. I'd want that amazed, wondrous face when the curtain goes up on the set or the big number...

Also, frankly, it opens in March I think so... uhm... you won't be there until October. And... yeah. Wouldn't bet on it. I'm not dissing the movie, but the show running in London doesn't mean it'll run here.

I think they'd all love Wicked or Lion King, obvs. I think War Horse would lose the smaller ones a bit and it too is more on the less-than-cheery side. I'd go exciting/cheery/bright for a big group of kids.

Still vote for How to... but I think Wicked or Lion would be great, if you could get tix, or Mamma Mia.

Actually - this may get me flamed, and I admit it's a bit ribald but... I might go Avenue Q C'mon, it's fun, catchy songs, puppets, what more could kids want?!

Anything Goes is also really fun - and not ribald - great songs, Sutton Foster may still be there...

I totally get what you are saying about Ghost and you are so right. If you are taking kids to their first big show it should have that "wow" factor. I wish 42nd Street was playing as they would love the tap in it. Anything Goes does have some great big numbers. Avenue Q? Too funny! I took my 13 year old DS to see it in Seattle a few years ago. We both loved it but the puppet sex may be a bit over the top. Not to mention the last line of "My Girlfriend Lives in Canada..." I am laughing again just thinking of it!

I could easily see Wicked again. Wouldn't be as excited about Lion King or Mamma Mia but would see anything that they wanted to see.

And the suggestion about the NYC ballet is fantastic too. They are a ballet intensive school so would appreciate such a show. I will definitely check it out. I am the one chaperone that is a total theatre fanatic so I will happily forward suggestions to the teachers. So excited!!!!

 

[donac]

I would agree with Mary Poppins. THe music and the dancing is fantastic. I have seen it twice.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

don't know if this has been posted here before, but Tony Vincent (Rent, JCS, American Idiot) is trying out for "The Voice" - I believe he will be on tonight.

 

[Disneyfn420]

I got free tix to see Mary Poppins and I was so pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I loved all the muscial numbers, the cast was great, especially the kids. I'd go see it again!

 

[snapppyd]

don't know if this has been posted here before, but Tony Vincent (Rent, JCS, American Idiot) is trying out for "The Voice" - I believe he will be on tonight.

Hopefully he will be on next week I'm so anxious to see him, did you know he and his wife Aspen are expecting a baby girl in April? I so want him to win!

 

[sharonW]

I got free tix to see Mary Poppins and I was so pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I loved all the muscial numbers, the cast was great, especially the kids. I'd go see it again!

WOW...how did ya get FREE tickets? Would love some of those!!