Trip Recap

mufish
#1Trip Recap
Posted: 7/11/14 at 12:19am

It's now been a few weeks since my NYC trip, but I've been busy so I haven't had a chance to post a recap which I thought I'd do since so many of you provided some great input during my planning process. I was in town June 20-25 and saw 7 shows, while working in some other touristy things like the Intrepid, MoMa, and the Today Show.

Friday, June 20 - The Realistic Joneses
Got into LGA just before noon, by the time I got to the box office it was probably around 1:00. I was able to get a rush ticket which turned out to be one of the least partial partial view seats I've ever had for anything - only missed seeing Michael C. Hall for about one line. Play was nothing groundbreaking and I absolutely get the comparisons I read here to Seinfeld. Overall I enjoyed myself and had a few good laughs, and as a viewer of way too much tv, it was great seeing three actors who were in shows I watched last season, particularly Hall.

Saturday, June 21 Matinee - Gentleman's Guide
Ended up the only show I paid full price for, and it was definitely worth it. Had a great seat - Pinkham and Mays were outstanding (particularly Mays of course). The show does so much with seemingly so little, and a few of the songs were particularly catchy. I've been meaning to get the cast recording one of these days so I can relive what was a really entertaining afternoon of theater.

Saturday, June 21 Evening - All The Way
Admittedly, I didn't see any of Bryan Cranston's fellow nominees (Zachary Quinto deserved a nom!) but I'm not sure I needed to. He absolutely deserved the TONY and was outstanding as LBJ. The play rarely dragged and didn't feel like it was nearly three hours long. I got one of the partial view seats in the orchestra, can't recall the row - possibly J? While I missed a couple of the actors on the far left of the stage and parts of the projections, it didn't take away from the experience and I even learned a few things while I was at it!

Sunday, June 22 Matinee - Violet
Didn't know a ton about this show going into it other than the many people here and elsewhere who sing Sutton Foster's praises. I joined Hiptix so the ticket was a steal, and while I wasn't blown away, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit and am glad I went. Foster carries the show but there were some other great performances. Another show that was perfect for a matinee slot on my agenda.

Sunday, June 22 Evening - Motown
It seems that jukebox musicals generally don't have a great rep around here, but I had previously purchased the cast recording when it was on sale at Target and wanted to work it in, which wasn't hard given the few choices on Sunday and Monday. Taking it for what it was, it was a lot of fun. Didn't care much about the book, but there were some standout performances, among them the kid who plays young Michael Jackson. I was pretty fortunate with my audiences on this trip, but this was probably the worst of the bunch. The woman next to me was doing something on her phone periodically during the show, keeping it in her purse as if it provided some sort of light force field that would prevent others from noticing.

Monday, June 23 - Holler if ya Hear Me
I had followed the buzz, or lack thereof, on this board. Ultimately, I wanted to experience it for myself. I'm glad I did. As many have mentioned, the book leaves a lot to be desired, but I do think there's a good storyline there - it's just not developed properly. I got the message and the performances were good. I do have to say I'm glad that they no longer have anyone jumping into the backseat of the car in that moment near the end that people discussed during previews, as I can see how that would absolutely take away from what happens at that point in the show. I had checked in to the show on Foursquare, and the show responded to me on Twitter asking me how the show was. I responded and gave it somewhat of a backhanded compliment, but they favorited it, and Tonya Pinkins actually retweeted it...so they're clearly taking whatever they can get in the way of positivity. Good for them!

Tuesday, June 24 - If/Then
I lost the lottery for Shakespeare in the Park so it became a TKTS night. This was up in the air up until about ten minutes before curtain. I was debating between this, Les Miserables, and Of Mice and Men. Having decided I wanted to do a musical, it was narrowed down to two. Honestly, one of the main factors ended up being which had a larger discount - but I'm really happy I ended up at If/Then.

Certainly don't need to go into too much detail on Idina Menzel and Friends, but I really enjoyed myself. I've been listing to the cast recording A LOT since I've been home. "Always Starting Over" was amazing to see live, and Menzel killed it, picked it up and killed it again. Anthony Rapp was out, but having listened to the cast recording, I'm not all that disappointed that I missed him. You can definitely tell the team that brought you Next to Normal is behind this show, and oddly enough, there's a part at the beginning of one song that reminded me of Spiderman - I think it's "The Moment Explodes."

All in all a very successful and entertaining trip. It's the first time I've ever done a theater pilgrimage to this extent, and I'd love to start doing it once or twice a year. I'll have to take a look at what's coming in towards the end of 2014/early 2015 that I might want to build a trip around.

Had a few stage door experiences as well - by the time I got to the Lyceum stage door after seeing the show, Michael C. Hall was just finishing up, and Marisa Tomei was the only cast member I was able to have sign the window card. All The Way was a zoo, and after the Saturday night show Bryan Cranston didn't sign but took pics with as many people as he could.

I ended up returning to both stage doors on Sunday after Violet, and was able to complete the Realistic Joneses window card and get pics with Hall and Toni Collette - the selfie with Hall took me two tries. After I botched the first, I asked if we could take another, and he helped me out on the second attempt...clearly I need to work on my technique! I complimented Tracey Letts on the show, then asked if he'd be back on Homeland this season (the answer is yes).

When I went back to try All the Way, they were only allowing people who had seen the show to line up, and being very strict about it. Fortunately I brought my ticket from the night before with me. After getting everyone in the barricades, Cranston came out a different exit and stood in one spot while everyone basically lined up and took their turn. He couldn't have been nicer, and took pics and signed for everyone behind the barricade. I told him how I enjoyed his performance and made sure to thank him for taking the time, as I think he went well beyond any expectations (which of course is nothing).

After Gentleman's Guide, a handful of the cast came out including the two leads. The timing was right so I was able to take in the zoo that is the Of Mice and Men stage door. Honestly, when did James Franco become that big a draw?!

Decided not to deal with the zoo at If/Then as it was my last night in the city and wasn't really in the mood.

Apologies for getting a little long-winded. If you get to this point, thanks for reading!

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gleek4114
#2Trip Recap
Posted: 7/11/14 at 12:39am

So happy you had a great time!

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macnyc
#2Trip Recap
Posted: 7/11/14 at 12:43am

Sounds like you had a fun and exciting trip! I enjoyed reading your comments.

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haterobics
#3Trip Recap
Posted: 7/11/14 at 12:50am

Sounds like a good trip, although it is curious how you know Cranston definitely deserved the Tony over four people you didn't see, and how Quinto should also have booted one of those four out of the running.