NYC trip help

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:31pm

Hello!

I hate to start another thread, but I felt it would be better then adding to the post form a month ago since lots of plans have changed.

I'm coming to NYC the Tuesday after the Tonys (June 9th) and leaving during the day on Saturday (I mention that because I won't be able to fit in a matinee).

I've only bought tickets to Fun Home, their first performance after the Tonys, and am only planning on buying one more set of tickets since I'm on a budget.

The other shows I'm interested in (from most wanting to see to least)

1. Fun Home (have tickets)

2. OTTC

3. Something Rotten

4. Finding Neverland (on the fence, mostly seeing for the score and Laura Michelle Kelly)

5. open slot

Out of those, I was thinking of buying tickets for OTTC, but might want to buy Something Rotten since I'm not sure if the rush will be crazy after the awards. 

 

Questions

Should I buy for OTTC or Something Rotten?

How crazy has rush been in the past for shows the week after Tonys?

Good (and cheap) restaurants for a picky eater who is really looking forward to Shake Shack (trying to give you an idea of what food I like haha)?

What show should fill my 5th slot and should I remove Finding Neverland?

 

 Some help for the last question, I need something I would be able to get tickets to for cheap and my favorite things of a musical are a good score and great performances. (also open to plays, but prefer musicals)

 

Any help is appreciated!

Updated On: 5/6/15 at 10:31 PM

[BroadwayMouth]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:37pm

Schnipper's (on 40th and 8th, I believe . . .  down the block from the Nederlander, whatever street that's on) is a good variation on Shake Shack.  The lines are always too long for me at Shake Shack, and I don't care for the seating options there.  Schnipper's is fantastic. 

As for shows, put "Something Rotten" and "On the Twentieth Century" on your must list.  Personally, I would (and did) add "On the Town" and "The Visit" to your list.  Switch out "Finding Neverland" for something that is written better, I would say.  It's hard to say what the rush line would be like for "Something Rotten" since I didn't see "Fun Home" or "An American in Paris," so it's hard to say which show might win THE award.  Of all the revivals, I do think OTTC is the best, and tickets could be hard to come by after the awards.

 

[Annetteiago]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:48pm

"Schnipper's (on 40th and 8th, I believe . . .  down the block from the Nederlander, whatever street that's on) is a good variation on Shake Shack.  The lines are always too long for me at Shake Shack, and I don't care for the seating options there.  Schnipper's is fantastic. 
As for shows, put "Something Rotten" and "On the Twentieth Century" on your must list.  Personally, I would (and did) add "On the Town" and "The Visit" to your list.  Switch out "Finding Neverland" for something that is written better, I would say.  It's hard to say what the rush line would be like for "Something Rotten" since I didn't see "Fun Home" or "An American in Paris," so it's hard to say which show might win THE award.  Of all the revivals, I do think OTTC is the best, and tickets could be hard to come by after the awards.
 "

I think when a musical get not even one nomination it says something about the quality of the musical. I would see OTTC from what I heard Kristin might get her 2nd tony. Especially after  the really silly non voting of her in tat at the roundabout  it would be really great for her to get the tony.

 

I hope but doubt that OTTC will extend  

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:54pm

I would see Finding Neverland and/or Something Rotten over OTTC. That's my personal preference..

But of course, you are never going to get an agreement of what to see...and we don't really know your taste either...so it's hard to tell.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 11:07pm

"...only planning on buying one more set of tickets since I'm on a budget."

 I'm confused, are you seeing only one more show or is it a total of five?

 

 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 11:08pm

a total of 5, only buying 2 ahead of time.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 11:10pm

Rotten & The Visit

[UnwoundFantasies]

Posted: 5/7/15 at 12:06am

If you're 18 or older and only going with one other guest (or if multiple people are between 18 and like 30), you could look into hiptix for OTTC for like $25. That way it's still rush price but bought in advance. It's hard to tell how rush will be the week after the Tonys. Last year I rushed both Beautiful and GGLAM the week after Tonys and it was crazy crowded.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/7/15 at 7:35pm

Sadly, nobody in my group fits that age range. If I know someone of the age though, that isn't going, can they sign up and buy them for me or would the person with the ID need to be there? Sorry if that is a stupid question.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 5/7/15 at 11:13pm

Actually, the upper limit for HipTix is 35, not 30. And any one person how signs up can buy 2 tickets. They don't need to go to the show, but they do need to pick up the ticket and show ID (for proof of age) and they only give them out on the day of the performance.

If that doesn't work, and you don't want to pay full price, try to buy box seats. They are restricted view and only $67, but really the view is pretty good and you're close to the stage as well. Do NOT rely on rush, they don't hold back seats for rush, so if the section they use for rush tickets is sold out, there will not even be a rush that day. And since the show is selling so well that has happened a lot, and is even more likely the week after the Tonys.

Finding Neverland should be OK to rush because it's not up for any Tony's, Something Rotten might be hard, depending what they win...

I'd throw in It Shoulda Been You or Gigi as your fifth slot. They are both fun, nice shows for which you will easily get rush tickets. An American might be superior, but I expect rush to be crazy that week, and they are already selling extremly well without any awards won... Or should you be under 35, get LincTix for King and I.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/8/15 at 1:07am

I agree with what Iris suggested. Personally I feel like the shows I'd advice someone to see (since I've seen everything already) are:

Gigi is the most fun, romantic, glamorous musical on Broadway, On The Town has amazing dancing and Something Rotten is very funny and fresh.

I was disappointed by OTTC, Finding Neverland, American in Paris and The Visit. I'd skip all those.

[nicnyc]

Posted: 5/8/15 at 2:13am

I would recommend buying tix for "Something Rotten" based on your preferences. As others have said, it's very fresh and fun, very good score - great performances by Brian D'Arcy James, Christian Borle, & Brad Oscar.  It's got a lot of buzz due to the nominations - and whichever number they perform on The Tonys will draw traffic, I'm sure, and I'd hate for you to miss it or end up in lousy seats.  And it's a nice complement to the dark and twisty "Fun Home" which you are already seeing and I highly recommend.  For a musical lover, those are the two I'd want to make sure to see.

As much as I hate to be negative, I would advise removing "Finding Neverland" completely, especially if you're seeing it "mostly for the score".  It has the weakest score of any show I've ever seen (and that's saying a lot).  I didn't think there was a single good song in the bunch.

If you are willing to throw a play in the mix, I'd suggest "Hand to God".  If not, I'd probably choose OTTC or The King & I.

For relatively inexpensive good food, I'd suggest Junior's or HB Burger.  I also really enjoy the Tommy Bahama Manhattan Island restaurant - but it's most definitely pricier than the other options.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 5/8/15 at 7:55am

The standouts for me were OTTC and On the Town.  But then again, those are my types of shows.  Big, colorful, flashy.   I loved the music, and the choreography and staging were super.  I thought the performances were outstanding, as well.  Definitely the highlights for me.

I saw The Visit and Fun Home for contrast.  And was very pleased with both of them, as well.  They are the type of musicals that one needs to research though to see if their subject matter would be appealing.  They might not resonate with everyone.  Both were wonderful though and very deserving of the praise they've received.

Something Rotten was a musical I really wanted to see and it didn't disappoint at all.  IMO you can't go wrong with that one either.

American in Paris was truly beautiful and creatively staged.  The dancing was phenomenal and overall I really enjoyed it.  Couldn't really sink my teeth into the story as much as I had hoped I would.  I've seen the movie tons of times though, so I knew going in that it's not a real deep story.  Personally I thought the book was the weakest part, but the performances and staging were good enough to compensate for anything I personally found lacking in the story.

Finding Neverland will be a judgment call.  If it's something you want to see, see it.  I did, and wasn't disappointed.  It's definitely become one of those polarizing musicals this year when it comes to theater fans.  On one side you have a lot of people who didn't like it...for one reason or another.  Then there's another group who sides with the musical, saying how much they liked it, and how well-received it was by the audiences with whom they saw it.  Was it my favorite?  No.   But I still have to side with the latter.  I thought it was beautiful and I enjoyed it.  And as others have noted, it was very well-received by the majority of the audience I saw it with as well.

Prior to leaving for NYC, I checked these boards and got a lot of great advice.  But at the end of the day I had to choose which appealed most to me, or grabbed my attention or curiosity the most.  

Updated On: 5/8/15 at 07:55 AM

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/8/15 at 10:42pm

For really good, cheap food, last week I discovered the Cranberry Deli (I think that's what it's called) on 44th and 8th, right down from The Visit. 

And see The King & I!

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/11/15 at 11:46pm

Bought my tickets for OTTC! Still looking for good restaurants to eat at before a show. Looking for somewhere not really fancy, but still nice and memorable. 

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 12:25am

I like Westway Diner on 9th, I think between 43 and 44th? It's the pretty regular diner but the food is good and it's comparably cheap.

If you're in the group of at least 2, go to Tony Di'Napoli and share a meal. They are meant to share and cheap if you do, and it's delicious! It's one of those famous Theater District restaurants, they have portraits of many Broadway performers covering the walls.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 7:50am

Found this relatively new place on my last trip.  Not too pricey (NY $) and the food and atmosphere is GREAT.

 

 

 

BEA'S

[dev101]

Posted: 5/18/15 at 11:46am

If you download the TodayTix app you can get a lot of really good prices for tickets. plus if you use code RSDSI you can get $20 off. I got tickets for OTTC from TodayTix for a really good price and the show was fantastic. KChen is really amazing live 

[loliveve]

Posted: 5/18/15 at 3:31pm

^Dude. Did you even read the rest of the discussion before posting and bumping this up? I doubt it since the OP already bought tickets to OTTC.