Back from my trip - 5 shows in 3 days!

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 3:53pm

Hey guys! First off, I want to thank everyone who has answered any questions I've asked in the past month about rush, stage door, taking the subway, etc. It is much, much appreciated. I had a seriously wonderful (and packed) trip. Anyway, onto the reviews!

Tuesday, 8PM - GROUNDED

Even though I heard many great things about this, I didn't really have any expectations. It really amazed me. I thought it was a thrilling, emotional, though provoking piece. Anne Hathaway was sensational and I loved all of the production values. Very cool show that I am still thinking about. I'd give it an "A." As for stage door, like I mentioned in the other thread, Hathaway did not sign. I'm not sure if she usually does or not but oh well. She put her heart out on that stage and was moved to tears at curtain call.

Wednesday, morning - THE VIEW

I know it's not a Broadway show obviously but I figured I would share my experience anyway. We got to ABC Studios around 8AM and were probably the eighth people in line. We were in line until about 9AM and they brought us into a cafeteria and gave us apple juice and Chex Mix. We got seated on the floor in the third row center, great seats! I got to ask Rosie Perez a question at commercial break - how the hell do you work on Broadway and do this show in the morning? She said she had no idea and laughed and explained her work out routine. Later in the show, she said "here on NBC" instead of ABC and Whoopi corrected her. After the show they re-taped that bit and looked at me and said "this is what happens when you have two jobs!" 

Wednesday, 2PM - FUN HOME

The show I was excited for the most and it didn't disappoint me in the slightest. I know that it's been said before but I've never seen an audience leap to their feet like they did here at the end of the show. Also, the audience was quite vocal with gasps at certain places, laughing and when Allison and Joan started making out, there was some whistling and clapping. It was actually a really beautiful moment. I think (despite how far we still have to go) it really shows how far we have come on with gay issues. THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT TWO LESBIANS GETTING IT ON! It was wonderful. What can be said about the cast? They were all wonderful. Surprisingly my favorite of the cast was Emily  Skeggs, I thought she was wonderful. Everyone came out the stage door besides Emily and Sydney and they were very personable. Even Michael was when a drunk woman who saw the show (and complained just a few minutes earlier to the box office about the late seating policy saying she was coming in right as the doors were closing and she was sat all the way in the back and wouldn't be allowed to go to her seat and that people were shushing her while she was in her purse trying to get her medicine) made a total ass of herself. "A."

Wednesday, 7PM - THE VISIT

I really enjoyed it, though I didn't adore it like some here. First off, I got my tickets through TDF and I was in row G on the left side two seats off the aisle, fantastic seats. What more can be said about Chita that hasn't already been said? She carried the show and had the audience wrapped around her finger the entire time. Roger Rees didn't fare as well, I found him to be quite terrible. The ensemble as a whole though was fantastic, beautiful singing and acting all around (besides Rees like I mentioned). The set and lighting was great too. I just wasn't as into it as I should have been. I really loved the build up and the first 50 minutes or so but after that I thought it started to go downhill a bit (and I hated that Yellow Shoes number). Still very happy I saw it and would recommend it but while good, it's still quite flawed. "B."

Thursday, 2PM - MAMMA MIA!

Since there was a Thursday matinee and I didn't have anything to do, I figured I would check it out since it was closing and I've never seen it before. I got to the rush line at 9:30AM and was the second person in line. I got front row, center section on the aisle. Perfect seats, IMO and you could see everything. The energy of the cast was low, it may have been because the orchestra was around half empty or they are simply tired of the show. Stand outs were Mary Callahan, Elena Ricardo and Neil Starkenberg. Judy McLane was fine but you could tell she wasn't feeling it and I thought Jon Jorgenson was quite horrible as Sky and I didn't think he was at all attractive. Overall, it was a fine afternoon and worth the $32 I spent on it but I don't ever need to see it again. And that dance mix/concert thing at the end was torture.. I just wanted it to be over. "C+."

Thursday, 8PM - THE KING AND I

Going into this I knew little of the plot (I know, bad theater fan) and I've never seen Kelli O'Hard (again, bad theater fan), though I'm a huge fan of her. I adored this production and found it beautiful on every level. It was the longest show I saw on my trip but it was the one that went by the quickest and I just didn't want it to end. Kelli O'Hara was perfection and completely deserves to win the Tony. Ken Watanabe was great, though I am in the "I couldn't understand a damn word he was singing" camp. When he was talking it was fine but singing I could pick out about 30% of what he was saying. Still a great performance, he commands the stage. Ruthie, Conrad and Ashley all gave perfect performances too. Just a wonderful, wonderful production and I'm so happy I saw it. "A+." As for the stage door here (how confusing it was to find it) Kelli and Ken came out quite quickly and they both posed for pictures.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 11:14pm

#ShameslessBump

:P

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 11:19pm

You know that the hashtag doesn't do anything here, right?

#whyisthisguybumpingthisthread #doeshewantaroundofapplause #mazeltov #wewillalertthemedia #congratsstephcurrynbamvp

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 11:21pm

Meow.

[delongpre]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:08am

Thanks for your reviews!

 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:29am

I enjoyed your reviews as well. Thanks for sharing! 

[stargazer2]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 9:13am

Thanks for your reviews.  I travel to NYC a couple of times a year and also try to fit in as many shows as I can in a small window of time.  I always enjoy seeing what shows others have picked and their experiences.