American In Paris or Something Rotten
American In Paris or Something Rotten
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#1American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:08am
I will be in NYC Labor Day weekend and have several things planned besides Broadway shows (US Open, Yankee Game). My family and I already have tickets for "Hamiliton" but now I have to make a choice between the two shows the family wants to see. The rest of my family will see both but due to other events I will only get one other show. I am trying to decide between "American In Paris" and "Something Rotten" I know I will love the dancing in "American In Paris" and you can't go wrong with Gerswhin. On the other hand, "Something Rotten" looks incredibly funny and I really like the cast. Looking for some opinions.
Updated On: 6/21/15 at 11:08 AM
Falling
Stand-by Joined: 12/1/14
#2American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:16am
AMERICAN IN PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#2American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:35am
All my support goes to Something Rotten which is a frothy delight. I love the movie An American in Paris so much and think the show is a really pale imitation. I know many don't agree! I just found it well-danced but totally lifeless otherwise.
#3American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:35am
Without a doubt An American in Paris. Something Rotten is garbage.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#4American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:38am
Rotten all the way. I guess since it was nominated for 10 Tonys it should be considered high class garbage
AAIP is a chic chic show. Cannot hold a candle to the movie.
Rotten is the more family friendly one. AARP has great dancing . Think a family would like Rotten much more
Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 6/21/15 at 11:38 AM
#5American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:50am
Rotten
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
#6American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:57am
It just depends on what you like. American in Paris is more along the lines of a classic show, with beautiful dancing and whatnot. Something Rotten! appeals to a certian sense of humor and it may or may not be for you.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#7American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:59am
So far
Rotten - 3
AAIP - 2
1 no decision
Poster Emeritus
#8American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 12:08pm
if you want to laugh your ass off, and see a newly crowned tony winner Christian Borle, along with some of the best comedic actors broadway has to offer, see Something Rotten.
if you want to take a nap, see Paris.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
mar6411
Broadway Star Joined: 9/19/09
#9American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 12:14pm
I liked them both - American in Paris better than Something Rotten. But choices are pretty subjective as you can tell from this thread - and all the posts on any show. I think, based on your history of posts, you would like both. I know your family is interested in dance so that might give the nod to American in Paris.
However, I think I would give the nod to American in Paris because they are both supposed to tour and I think Something Rotten will tour better than American in Paris.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#10American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 1:01pm
AAIP will tour well
See Rotten with its original cast.
Poster Emeritus
Hairspray0901
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/08
#11American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 1:31pm
I love them both but would recommend seeing Something Rotten (It's my favorite musical this season!)
#12American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 1:53pm
I think it's also important to know what kind of humor you're getting into with Something Rotten. Most of the jokes in Something Rotten are one of these three things:
1. In-your-face Shakespeare puns/references
2. In-your-face Musical Theatre references
3. In-your-face sex jokes/puns
There are some miscellaneous, clever jokes as well, but I'd say 85% of the humor in Something Rotten is one of the above three things. If that sounds fun to you, then go for it. I personally found the humor extremely lazy and tiresome (in the way that it was WRITTEN, not in the way it was performed), but most of the audience was laughing their asses off.
It seems to me that the people who dislike AAIP are bored by heavy-dancing and/or Gershwin music. You've already said that you will enjoy those things, so I doubt you will be bored by AAIP.
Updated On: 6/21/15 at 01:53 PM
HaroldInNY
Swing Joined: 3/11/13
#13American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 2:04pm
Rotten, hands-down. The second act is a bit of letdown after the first act, but outside of that, it's fun and happy and great.
An American In Paris? Well, if you like Yet Another Version of Gershwin music mated with overrated dancing that is very balletic and very boring...
#14American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 2:54pm
An American IN Paris was great, but I'd go with Something Rotten! The funniest I've seen in a while (including Spamalot and Book of Mormon).
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#15American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 2:57pm
On a par with Spamalot. Far superior to BOM which we did not care for at all.
Poster Emeritus
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#16American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:11pm
"On a par with Spamalot."
Well, I really enjoyed "Spamalot" and Sara Ramirez as "Lady Of The Lake" was incredibly funny.
Updated On: 6/21/15 at 05:11 PM
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#17American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:15pm
"if you want to laugh your ass off, and see a newly crowned tony winner Christian Borle, along with some of the best comedic actors broadway has to offer, see Something Rotten.
if you want to take a nap, see Paris.
I saw Christian Borle in "Peter And The Starcatcher" and he was great (liked him in SMASH also). "Something Rotten" sounds like I would have a great time and a bunch of laughs, decision decisions - lol
What did you find so boring about "American In Paris". Was it the dancing, pace of the show, music ?
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#18American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:22pm
"I liked them both - American in Paris better than Something Rotten. But choices are pretty subjective as you can tell from this thread - and all the posts on any show. I think, based on your history of posts, you would like both. I know your family is interested in dance so that might give the nod to American in Paris"
Both my daughters majored in dance in college, younger one is dancing professionally. Due to that, I have always enjoyed dance of all types. I haved loved shows like "Moving Out" and "Billy Elliot" due to the dancing and liked the movie "American In Paris". "Something Rotten" seems like it would be very entertaining and good for a bunch of laughs. My general feeling is I can't go wrong with either so when the time comes I will with just go with my gut decision.
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#19American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:25pm
Thanks everyone for your opinions, enjoyed reading them. When your opportunity to see shows on Broadway is limited, you want to make sure you make wise decisions.
#20American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:33pm
As has been mentioned they are such disparate experiences.
Rotten is cute. The entire cast really looks like they're have a blast and their energy is infectious.
AAIP is a gorgeous show. It's elegant and, of course the dancing is front and center.
I loved them both, but in a few years I'll probably have forgotten most of Something Rotten whereas AAIP will stay with me.
....but the world goes 'round
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#21American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:52pm
Sorry to disagree with you Taz
Yes AAIP is a gorgeous show to look at but like a Hollywood set their is nothing behind it. It seems very sterile compared to the film. The songs they jettisoned from the movie hurt it and the actors just seemed bland. It is like a box of chocolate - some you like and some you do not. I respect your opinion of it but disagree with the final analysis.
Just liked Rotten better in all aspects.
Poster Emeritus
mar6411
Broadway Star Joined: 9/19/09
#22American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 5:58pm
Completely agree Taz.
Something Rotten was entertaining fluff. I loved the cast and agree with your description.
But AAIP was entrancing. I was caught up with it the entire show. I did not think the actors were bland. I thought the cast was wonderful. And the dancing was great. Don't tell PalJoey, but I liked more than On The Town.
Agree with your analysis - liked AAIP better.
Yankee7 - I agree with your analysis. Go with your gut. You've seen enough shows that you'll know what you want to see. And in my opinion, you will enjoy either.
#23American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 6:06pm
Another thing you might want to consider is how often you get to NYC. Do you come relatively often (one or twice a year)? Or is this a rare opportunity for you?
Even though I think AAIP is much better than Something Rotten, you might consider seeing Something Rotten instead if you come to NYC relatively often. Rotten probably won't stay open for as long, and even if it does, you'll want to see it with Borle and BDJ, etc. AAIP will be good with or without the original cast, and will probably run for a while.
#24American In Paris or Something Rotten
Posted: 6/21/15 at 6:12pm
Well I would argue that Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen are worth the price of admission to American in Paris alone, and that you wouldn't want to miss their performances. Honestly, while Borle is good in Something Rotten (as is d'Aarcy James), they both have done better work in other shows, and they will continue to do good work in future shows.
