Lady Day or Hedwig?

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:31pm

Hello all! I'll be in NYC for a weekend in mid-June and am already catching a matinee of "Of Mice and Men" on Saturday, but am looking for an evening show as well. I was looking into Hedwig, as I'm a big fan of rock musicals, as well as NPH. However, Lady Day looks absolutely beautiful and I've heard nothing but raves about Audra's performance. The great miss Billie Holiday is also my all-time favorite jazz singer.

Any recommendations?

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:37pm

Both! Do the early show (8 pm) for Lady Day, and the 10 pm performance of Hedwig! Why miss either one? As you can tell, I have a talent for helping people spend their money.

Updated On: 4/26/14 at 12:37 PM

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:46pm

Well, I would love to do that, but my friend that I'm traveling with is set on getting James Franco's autograph and I'm not expecting him to come out after a matinee. So I wanted to do a 90 minute evening show so we could go back and wait at the stage door for when James comes out. I could take or leave meeting James Franco, but it's my friend's first time in New York and he's one of her favorite actors; wanted to do my best to please.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:28pm

Forget Franco. See both shows.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:28pm

Forget Franco. See both shows.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:42pm

I agree with everyone else. We're doing both in June and I cannot wait!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:13pm

There is no guarantee that you will get Franco's autograph. If you buy tickets to both then you are guaranteed to have a great night of theatre.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:33pm

If my friend were more familiar with the city, I'd just let her go wait at the stagedoor and see both shows myself, but she wants to try her best to meet Franco. That's her main reason for going.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:36pm

Then just see Hedwig.

[jas1234]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:39pm

If you can't see both, see "Lady Day"...Audra McDonald's performance is extraordinary.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:48pm

Has anyone had luck with Hedwig standing room?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 2:56pm

You should probably get tickets to either one this weekend. Those are both huge right now, and tickets will be scarce.

There is no guarantee that James Pretentious Douche Franco will sign anything. You are guaranteed two incredible performances that day if you choose to see both. Good luck!

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 3:05pm

I agree with seeing both, but if you have to choose I say HEDWIG! The best night of theater in my life (and that from seeing over 500 Broadway shows and countless tours)!!!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 4:26pm

Yeah, I am going out to NY in a few weeks, and those are the only 2 shows I figured I had to get tickets to ahead of time. They are both supposed to be amazing.

As for Franco, if you dress young, I am sure he will at least take a selfie with you.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 4:28pm

^I'm a guy.

[avyrocks]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 5:17pm

I agree with everyone else. See both Lady Day and Hedwig. If your friend wants to see Franco so badly, she can go herself. The city isn't hard to navigate.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 6:24pm

Not seeing one of those incredible shows for an unsure thing just doesn't make sense to me, but obviously you can do what you'd like. Franco might not even be there that night, or he might be there and not stage door. Last week, my friend waited for him at the stage door. He did come out, and signed for five minutes, and got into his car. If he signed for everyone, he wouldn't ever get out of there. Assuming you will be able to get his autograph, even though you didn't attend that particular performance, is iffy. Some productions don't allow people without tickets to that particular performance to stand right up in front, they are designated to the back.

[nyla123]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 8:00pm

As far as one vs. the other, they are very different. Lady Day isn't that much of a "play" in the sense that there is much of a plot beyond Billie Holliday performing in a cabaret in her waning days, so if you or your friend aren't down for that you might want to skip it. That said, its a once in a lifetime experience and shouldn't be missed for Billie fans. I haven't seen Hedwig, but everyone says this production is pretty much the best possible production of the show out there. On the other hand, one of the main reasons I haven't seen the show is that I was never really a fan of it after seeing the movie. The music is a bit much and I thought it was narratively somewhat of a mess (something that I noticed Jesse Green, from NYMag and not a fan of the show either, commented was still an issue in this production). If you really have to choose and you can't decide, I would probably go with whatever has the best seats available at the price you are willing to pay (although since Lady Day is in Circle on the Square, more seats are better and it offers an overall more intimate experience).

I do have to echo others here on your friend's need to get Franco's autograph. Even if he does come out to sign, its not like you are going to have more interaction beyond the 5-10 seconds it takes him to grab your pen and sign the Playbill. I would much rather see both Hedwig and Lady Day than wait for such a meaningless moment, but YMMV.

[ncgator]

Posted: 4/26/14 at 11:24pm

I'm so glad I saw this thread - I somehow missed that Lady Day extended. I have tickets to Hedwig on July 19th at 10pm. It's definitely doable to do the Lady Day 8pm and still make Hedwig at 10?

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/27/14 at 12:19am

You will have to clear out of Lady Day without delay and hoof it down to the Belasco, but it's definitely not a problem if you're a reasonably fast walker.

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 10:57pm

I actually saw these shows on the same day, but we saw Lady Day in the afternoon and Hedwig at night. Had time for a nice dinner in between. I think you're cutting it too close. That gives you less than 30 minutes to get to the theater. Idk. Maybe I'm too much of a worrier, but with the Times Square mob, it's a close call. I also hate rushing. Can you see LD in the afternoon?

[loliveve]

Posted: 4/29/14 at 12:20am

I don't think it would be cutting it too close; it's completely possible to walk 6 blocks in 30 minutes. I mean, I got out of a show one night at 7:50 pm and managed to go 4 blocks in ten minutes to make it to an 8 pm show-- THAT was a close call. (I admit that I timed the distance-- twice--just to make sure it was possible ) Going from Circle in the Square to the Belasco should be a piece of cake, particularly because you won't have to deal with the after-theatre crowds on the street at that time.

All that to say, see both!!!

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/29/14 at 5:44am

According to Google Maps it's a nine-minute walk.

[jazzynat]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 4:47am

I actually did exactly that...Lady Day @ 8pm and then Hedwig at 10pm and made it in plenty of time. However I left as soon as applause ended for Lady Day and made a beeline for the Belasco. Also I agree with everyone else get the tickets before. i had my Hedwig ticket prior to getting out there, and by the grace of the theatre gods I got a cxl'd ticket for Lady Day, and this was while both were still in previews.

Two very different shows, both done by amazing performers, and worth every penny.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 9:10am

Thanks so much for the input, everyone! I may show her this thread in an attempt to convince her it's pretty pointless to spend that much time waiting to see Franco for 10 seconds.