4th of July Weekend

[stargazer2]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 11:15pm

4th of July is on a Saturday this year. I will be in New York for that weekend and noticed most shows are only doing matinee performances.  A few of the shows doing evening performances that day include The Visit, It Shoulda Been You, and On The Town. 

Any recommendations?  I really don't want to brave the crowds for fireworks, and would rather see a show.  BTW, I'm seeing Something Rotten that afternoon. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 11:21pm

To be totally honest, there's a very real shot all 3 of those shows will be closed by July 4. i think it'd be easier to recommend something based on what you enjoy over 3 shows that are riding the struggle bus in a big way.

Off-Broadway shows may be an option for that weekend.

(and if I had to choose from the 3 listed, I really enjoyed The Visit, On The Town has grown on me greatly, and I thought ISBY was a long cheesy sitcom episode.)

[JPeterman]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 11:45pm

I think Beautiful, Gentleman's Guide and Book Mormon have Saturday night July 4th shows.  I have seen the three you mentioned plus these others, I would rank them:

 

1.Gentleman's Guide ... excellent! 

2.Beautiful ... very good!

3.Book Of Mormon ... moderately funny the first time you see it, but not so much if you have already have.

4.It Shoulda Been You ... very light-hearted and fun book, below average score, a cross between the tv show Three's Company and the movie Bridesmaids ... but maybe not as good as either.  I laughed at some, not all, of the jokes.  But I don't regret seeing it.   If you have seen all three listed above and you are not a crazed, obsessed dance lover (if so pick On The Town), I would choose this one out of the three you mentioned.

5.The Visit ... a real love it or hate it show, as many on the board have described it as ... I am still not sure which camp I belong to.

6.On the Town ... a real disappointment for me.  The music and dancing are lovely, but the book is so so so bad, it really ruined it for me.  I have nothing against dance, I really enjoyed An American In Paris ... it was what I had hoped On The Town would be.  On The Town is the only show currently on Broadway I would not be willing to sit through again even if the tickets were free and they paid me the cost of a premium ticket for my time.

Updated On: 4/16/15 at 11:45 PM

[stargazer2]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 1:59am

Thanks for the recommendations.  I think that Off-Broadway might actually be the best bet.  I have seen Gentleman's Guide, BOM and Beautiful, and actually might enjoy seeing them again.  I thought that maybe OTT might be kind of patriotic and fitting for 4th of July, but people seem to either absolutely love it or be bored to pieces.  I am a sucker for a big orchestra.  

I will have to see what Off Broadway shows are on that night.  I wish Hamilton was not on hiatus at that time or it would be an easy decision. 

What do locals do for the 4th?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 2:51am

From what I've heard, the locals leave.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 3:36am

After I replied, I was thinking the same thing about off-Broadway ... you may find something better.  I know 39 Steps has a show the evening of July 4th. If the Mint Theatre Co. has something, I would definitely recommend that .... I saw their last production and I keep thinking about it. It was great. They haven't announced their next show yet but I think they will at their upcoming gala which is in about two weeks.

I will be in town that week as well. That is why I am so up on what shows are playing what days and when. I am probably going to forego a show the night of the 4th and watch the fireworks from Brooklyn.

Even though I have already seen Fish In The Dark, I am going to see it again and catch the Friday afternoon matinee. We both need to thank Jason Alexander for switching up the weekly schedule so he can get two straight days off each week, I think that is why there are Friday matinees.  I am excited to see him in the role, I am a Seinfeld fanatic.

And yes, I wish Hamilton was already open by the time of this trip in early July.  I was lucky enough to see it at the Public in March .... it was awesome.  I was actually a little skeptical that it wouldn't be my cup of tea, but it was just fantastic.  If it was open for July 4th, I would definitely see it again.  Hope you have a good trip.

Updated On: 4/17/15 at 03:36 AM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 9:05am

"From what I've heard, the locals leave."

 Yes we do..LOLOL

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 10:09am

"I will have to see what Off Broadway shows are on that night.  I wish Hamilton was not on hiatus at that time or it would be an easy decision."

I know Shows For Days has an evening performance on the 4th. You could also do 54 Sings 1776 at either 7 or 9:30 on the 4th.

 

[itsshowtime]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 6:22am

Wolf Hall Part 2 is also playing 7/4 at 8pm.