Help me a pick a show

[wyo2ny]

Hello~

My partner and I are traveling to the city in August. We've already decided to see (and purchased tix for) Hedwig, Cabaret, and Lady Day. We'd like to see at least one more show (or, at least, I would) and am wondering what is something you'd all recommend. It seems as if we will miss some of the great straight plays that will close in the next six to seven weeks like Cripple, Raisin, Act One, etc. We'll do online lottery for Lear and see if that works for us.

I've thought about going to see Sleep No More, but am unsure if we'd really enjoy it or just spend time time trying to control anxiety. So, I'm open to recommendations. It would be best if the show is on Wed eve.

Thanks in advance!

[haterobics]

"what is something you'd all recommend"

We all have to agree on the recommendation?! Oh boy...

I'd probably go with the presumptive Tony nominee for best musical, Gentleman's Guide?

That would likely get you best musical, best revival, best actor in a musical*, and best actress in a play.

*Harris or Mays

[wyo2ny]

Thanks for the catch of my sloppy wording. I'll redouble my caffeine efforts.

I'm thinking about Gentleman's Guide. My catch is that some seem to be lukewarm on it. Is it known if Mays will be in during August?

[haterobics]

Some people are lukewarm on everything, though.

If/Then, Bridges, Beautiful, Aladdin, etc., all have had people who love it and people who don't care for it all that much. The closest to across the board raves, at least as far as critics, is After Midnight.

I've not heard of Mays have any vacation dates, and with the Tony nods, even more likely he'll be in all summer.

[wyo2ny]

Thanks so much for your input and advice. It is likely that we will end up seeing GG.

And I agree with you about being able to find someone lukewarm on anything. It has been about seven years since my last visit to NYC and so picking the theater schedule is an exercise in over-thinking.

[haterobics]

Best idea is to watch the Tonys on Sunday, and sample some of the options.

Here Lies Love is another fun Off-Broadway option (and has 5pm shows on Friday and Saturday, which will work well around your other short shows like Lady Day and Hedwig, why have to choose when you can just add more!). And the new Fuerza Bruta show will be open by then, too, which is another one-act with more flexible times.

[ethan231h]

I know its not new for 2014 but Pippin is amazing!

[wyo2ny]

Pippin would be an obvious choice for me. However, we're near Denver where the national tour is scheduled to debut in the fall. I'm very much excited to see shows that are only available in NYC like Hedwig with NPH, Lady Day and, even though it did tour, the experience of Cabaret with Cumming at Studio 54.

Thank you for reminding me about Here Lies Love! I had read about it, been excited about it and then had long forgotten about it. I've never been to a Fuerza Bruta show. We'll consider it.

[SFFrontRow]

I visit NYC from SF in May/June, November and January so I have seen everything except If/Then, Mothers and Sons and Cripple (but saw Cripple in its original off-Broadway incarnation at the Atlantic Theater several years ago).

Not sure what will still be open but my suggestions...

Gentlemen's Guide (unexpectedly fun night)
After Midnight (and I am not a review kind of guy but really liked it)
Act One (pretty conventional play but very good)
Casa Valentina (although fun gets pushed aside for some preachiness)
Beautiful (familiar songs and knockout performances all around)
Lady Day (if you like Audra and Billie Holiday)
Here Lies Love (although I have not seen it - looks VERY fun and unique)
Cripple (I really like these Irish slice of life shows)
LBJ (for Bryan Cranston's really good performance)

From last year... Kinky Boots was a lot of fun and high energy (but it was not this season so I stuck to those from this season).

The real gem this year for me was Hedwig (my favorite show this year and NPH was incredible). Cabaret was widely loved by anyone I knew who saw it (I did not see it because I saw the original of this most recent revival with AC and Natasha Richardson at the old Henry Miller theater and and then Michael C Hall once it moved to Studio 54).

PS I went to Sleep No More by myself and had an oddly good time but did not really have a clue as to what was going on (I travel to NY by myself while my partner stays home to take care of our 2 dogs - a setup we have done for 27 years now).

[haterobics]

Act One, Casa Valentina, Cripple and All The Way will be gone by August. Not sure any can/will extend, but don't think so.

[ethan231h]

wyo2ny I totally understand that pippin is going to be near you in Denver so you should see that there but the broadway cast is awesome, but it's your decision!