6 shows, 4 days

[catmandoo]

Posted: 1/26/15 at 10:48pm

So just got back from a few days in NYC (Evidently just in time!) Managed to squeeze 6 shows into 4 days. Just wanna give my thoughts on them.

1) Wed 1.21 matinee- Cabaret
Now, I missed this one the first time around. I didn't really know much about the stage version, just the movie. And wow, quite a difference. I thought it was phenomenal. Alan Cumming was perfect and Emma Stone was a delight. I love how angry she was singing Cabaret... just fantastic. I was enthralled the entire time.

2) Wed 1.21 Evening- Matilda
Going in knowing nothing besides "Revolting Children", I was delighted. Never seen the movie, nor read the book. I thought it was a beautiful show, very heartwarming, and those kids, my goodness, what amazing talent they have. I would love to see this again.

3) Thurs 1.22- Phantom of the Opera
My traveling companions wanted to see this (The only show they wanted to see). Now, I've seen Phantom many a time, and this performance ranks somewhere in the middle. I was kind of underwhelmed the first act, even with Norm Lewis who I usually love. The second act was much better than the first, and Julia Udine playing Christine gave one of the most thrilling performances of "Wishing you were somehow here again". I was actually captivated from that point til the end of the show. And the gentleman next to me had never seen it and I enjoyed his gasps and comments through the show.

4) Fri 1.22 8 PM- Disgraced
Again knew nothing except the basic premise. But, my god, what a show. I was super tense the whole time, and it kind of stuck with me for awhile after. Great job all around by the cast. Powerful, powerful show.

5) Fr 1.22 10 PM- Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Whati can I say... amazing performance by John Cameron Mitchell. I was enraptured the entire time and the energy in the theater was like nothing I've ever seen. Lena Hall was just... my goodness. I've seen her before (As Jane is Tarzan and in Kinky Boots, plus the LEgally Blonde reality show) But my god, amazing. I kind of want to see the show again, but also kind of don't to not spoil the experience.

6) Sat 1.23 mat On the Town
I have mixed feelings... parts of it I was thrilled, parts I was bored out of my skull. Basically anything involving Ivy and Gabey I didn't care about, but the other guys were great. I was a getting a bit annoyed with Jackie Hoffman playing 4 versions of Jackie Hoffman, but, i guess that's what she does best. Anyway, I saw it... and I'm good.

Over all, fun trip, can't wait to go again!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 1/26/15 at 11:08pm

Glad you had a great time. I felt the same way about a number of shows you saw...especially On the Town - thrilling (the orchestra and the dancing) and parts boring but overall glad I went.

Just curious..who was your "Matilda"?

****Nevermind..I realized it was Fina. She is one of the two youngest Matilda actresses ever (just 8 when she started in Aug) but also the tallest, as I believe she passed the height requirement with a large unexpected growth spurt. I do love her - I think she plays the role with great care and intelligence.

Updated On: 1/27/15 at 11:08 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/26/15 at 11:51pm

Seems like a good slate of shows... despite having to see Phantom again, but have to keep the fellow travelers happy sometimes.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 1/26/15 at 11:56pm

Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 10:03am

Thanks for the reviews. I agree with the review of "Matilda", thought it was wonderful when I saw it last August. I saw "Phantom" in it's 2nd year on Broadway so I am sure it is a little different now.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 10:04am

"I saw "Phantom" in it's 2nd year on Broadway so I am sure it is a little different now."

Nope.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 10:09am

Phantom is still exactly the same. (And should stay that way.)

[rjm516]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 10:19am

I assumed the 6 shows in 4 days came from double Wednesday and Saturday shows, not from a Friday! Great to know that Disgraced can get you out in time for the 10pm Hedwig!

I felt the same way about On the Town and thought I missed something because of all the rave reviews. It was fun but it felt like a huge connecting thread was missing.

[valeposh]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 11:07am

Same exact feeling with On The Town. Entertained at times and bored at other times. Thanks for your reviews!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 11:10am

I was actually at Phantom the night before you were, and felt similarly. Glad I saw Norm, but don't need to see this show ever again (and I saw it a lot in the late '90s/early 2000s).

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 11:15am

Disgraced is absolutely fantastic, edge of your seat, gripping... I have been endlessly recommending it since I saw it. During the two "big scenes", my heart was in my throat.
Lena Hall's work in Hedwig is nothing short of remarkable. I have seen her in many a show and always found her talented,if often misused. Her, from beat one, she is breathtakingly perfect and so fully absorbed into that role. Absolutely astounding... I broke down crying at the end when she enters in that final 'look'. So much of the brilliance in her performance is in her non-verbal moments. Riveting. A very, very, very well deserved Tony.
On the Twon... Yes, wonderful orchestra, great choreography, I loved Jay Armstrong Johnson. Everything related to Gabey and a Ivy left me cold, the set was not very good and my goodness, how that show managed to drag...

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 2:17pm

I will definitely try and do the Disgraced/Hedwig night sometime soon.

And sometime soon, somebody on this board will see The Phantom of the Opera and not feel the need to apologize for it or otherwise explain that h/she was not responsible for that choice of show. :)

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 2:32pm

Isn't the Norm Lewis thread filled with people happy to go to Phantom?

Seems reasonable to explain why in a list of brand-new shows you're seeing a really old one in the middle.