The Broadway League just released which shows will be performing numbers this year at the Stars in the Alley event. Has anyone gone to this before? Is it worth going, and how early should I arrive to get a decent view?
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 10:30am-12:30pm Rain or shine!
PARTICIPATING MUSICALS* INCLUDE:
Aladdin An American in Paris Beautiful - The Carole King Musical Chicago Finding Neverland Fun Home Gigi It Shoulda Been You Kinky Boots Les Misérables The Lion King Matilda the Musical Mamma Mia! On the Town On the Twentieth Century The Phantom of the Opera Something Rotten! The Visit Wicked
WITH ADDITIONAL APPEARANCES* FROM:
Airline Highway The Audience The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder Hand to God It’s Only a Play Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
I'd appreciate into on this, too! My first time being around for this but not sure if it's worth going. How bad are the crowds? And do any of the shows stars actually come or is it like Broadway in Bryant Park mostly Ensemble and Understudies? Nothing wrong with that, but would still be good to know in advance.
Unless you're in front row of standees (everybody stands except VIPs), the view is pretty lousy. And to be in the front row requires getting to the Alley very early, hours before the start of the event. Some stars do appear, but the musical numbers are usually performed by lesser known cast members--all talented, of course. Bring water if you go. It gets pretty uncomfortably hot standing for hours. The water will help keep you from dehydrating. Not kidding.
Last year wasn't too bad, certainly a lot of people, but not so much I felt claustrophobic. I was standing a little closer than half way back, and as long as I avoided a very tall person in front of me, the view wasn't so bad. Some shows had understudies perform, but if I remember correctly there were more stars performing than understudies. I had queued for about half an hour to get in.
Glad to get this info! I am playing hooky from work that day and seeing An American in Paris matinee and Significant Other in the evening. When I saw the Stars in the Alley was that day I thought about going in even earlier. Now it seems like it would just make a long day even longer!
I'm curious to know what it was like for those who were there today. From the photos online, it looked absolutely packed. On the plus side, it did seem that a lot of stars performed. I'm not sure I'd want to put up with the crowds and standing for so long, though. Are there any screens put up to help people in the back at least see something that way?
"I'm curious to know what it was like for those who were there today. From the photos online, it looked absolutely packed. On the plus side, it did seem that a lot of stars performed. I'm not sure I'd want to put up with the crowds and standing for so long, though. Are there any screens put up to help people in the back at least see something that way?"
I was there - it was really crowded but luckily it was still reasonably cool and shady this morning. If it was really hot and sunny, I don't think I could have lasted as long as I did. I was probably 1/3 way back in the crowd and I got to see things reasonably well. I started out in the middle - but moved to the side where I could actually lean on a barricade (and sat down on the floor for about 10 minutes) and it wasn't that bad. I am glad I went..
The concert was supposed to last until 12:30 but the performances ran until a little after 12. I got there about 45 minutes early so we got to hear Lion King and Matilda rehearse - we got to see them twice.
Did I miss something from American in Paris? They were listed as performing but I don't remember seeing them. There were some amazing numbers from various shows...