NYC Trip 11/11-11/13: 5 Shows in 3 Days

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:53pm

I just returned from my yearly Broadway weekend vacation, and was lucky enough to get to see 5 shows in 3 days in the city.

-Sister Act:
Friday, November 11th 8pm
Understudies: Jennifer Allen as Mother Superior, Holly Davis as Sister Mary Patrick
This show is one of the most fun I have ever seen on Broadway. I found the book hilarious and score wonderful! My only complaint with the show is that I found there may to be some unnecessary characters, especially some of the men, which led to a few unnecessary songs, which caused the show to drag in a few places. The cast was all around excellent. Patina Miller as Deloris is fabulous - I cannot wait to see what she does next with her career. I also loved Marla Mindelle as Sister Mary Robert. Her "Life I Never Led" is an incredible highlight of the evening. I loved all of the chorus numbers, such as "Raise Your Voice", "Take Me to Heaven", and "Sunday Morning Fever". It is obvious that all of the nuns love their job and enjoy greatly what they do, as they brought an incredible energy to the show. A wonderful start to the trip!

-How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Saturday, November 12th 2pm
Understudies: Paige Faure as Hedy La Rue, Stephanie Rothenberg as Rosemary
For me, the cast makes this show. I wasn't too familiar with the story line or any of the songs beforehand (besides what I had seen on the Tony's and other various media clips), and I found it to be a little slow, especially in the second act. The second act seemed to stand still until "Brotherhood of Man", which understandably stops the show. Like I said, the cast truly makes what I would otherwise find a less than exciting musical. Daniel Radcliffe lived up to the expectations I had - I could not believe how small he is! John Laroquette is hilarious, as were understudy Paige Faure as Hedy La Rue and Mary Faber as Smitty. I found Christopher J. Hanke's character incredibly annoying, and I really didn't enjoy any of the scenes with Bud Frump in them. I enjoyed Rob Ashford's choreography and thought the ensemble had some incredibly talented dancers, with Samantha Zack and Marty Lawson standing out particularly. Overall, although I did not care for the show, I did enjoy this production.

-Anything Goes
Saturday, November 12th 8pm
Full Cast
As far as revivals go, I put this one on the same level as South Pacific. It really was stunning. It is a hilarious story with a beautiful score that Kathleen Marshall has done an excellent job with. Having never seen Sutton I have nothing to compare her too, but Stephanie J. Block blew me away as Reno. She has enough stage presence and personality to light up all of Manhattan. Her sining is out of the world, and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" stopped the show and received the longest applause of the night. The entire ensemble was great, especially the angels, whom I could watch dance all day - most notably Kimberly Faure....holy legs! The choreography was fantastic and the set of the ship beautiful. I cannot say enough good things about this show and cast. Truly wonderful!

-Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Sunday, November 13th 2pm
Understudies: Ellyn Marie Marsh in Ashley Spencer's Diva track
This show for me was definitely the surprise of the trip. Production number after production number blew me away. The costumes, the scenery, the dancing - it was truly a spectacle. The entire cast is giving it their all. Will Swenson absolutely wins you over as Tick, along with both Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams. The divas are phenomenal, and both J. Elaine Marcos and Keala Settle hilarious in their respective roles. The men of the ensemble were amazing, especially Jeff Metzler, who was a stand-out for the entire show. My favorite numbers include "It's Raining Men", "Don't Leave Me This Way", "Material Girl", "I Will Survive", and especially "We Belong", which was incredibly powerful and had a great message. I was not expecting to be as moved by the story as I was. I left the theatre feeling like I was flying!

-The Book of Mormon
Sunday, November 13th 7pm
Full cast
I had such high expectations for this show, having heard rave reviews for months. My expectations were met. And then some. And then some more. This is the best show I have seen on Broadway. There is no other way to put it but genius. Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez have wrote the most beautiful, heartfelt, hilarious, moving musical. The only thing better than the actual show itself is the cast. Andrew Rannels as Elder Price was incredible - "I Believe" stopped the show for a good minute, along with a few standing ovations in various parts of the theatre. Josh Gad as Elder Cunningham is a comedic genius, along wtih Rory O'Malley as Elder McKinley. Nikki M. James is beautiful as Nabulungi. The entire ensemble had the most energy and spirit I have seen from any cast on Broadway. Each number outdid the one before it. An immediate standing ovation was given from every person in the theatre from the second the first ensemble members took their bows. I know most of you on the board have seen this show, but it is truly going to go down in American Musical history, and was the best night of theatre I have ever had.

Overall, I enjoyed all the shows greatly. Rating them in order for my own sake, I would give...
1. Book of Mormon
2. Anything Goes
3. Priscilla
4. Sister Act
5. How to Succeed

All of the shows however are not to be missed, and the memories of seeing them will stay with me for a long time!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:22pm

I saw Book of Mormon, Anything Goes, Priscilla, and Spider-Man on my trip back in August. I agree with you! I too found Priscilla to just be a blast. I'm really glad I was able to see Anything Goes with Sutton Foster since I am such a big fan of hers, but I am glad Stephanie J Block was good. As for Book of Mormom, I also found it to be one of the best shows I have seen. It surpassed my expectations. I am really glad you enjoyed your trip!

[PopAria]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:12pm

very nice.

I have to go see Priscilla, I've heard almost more good things about it than anything else on Bway (other than BoM.)

I totally agree with you about Sister-Act. the men's songs were my least favorite part of the show.