New York Theatre State Of Mind

[bob8rich]

Posted: 9/25/15 at 5:28pm

I am now officially in a New York Theatre State Of Mind! I'll be heading across to NYC on October 31 and have all 16 of my theatre tickets booked! (a mixture of Broadway & Off Broadway plus a visit to the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn NJ). I was wondering whether any other Board members may be around in New York during that time?

The shows I've booked are: ROTHSCHILD AND SONS; DADDY LONG LEGS; RUTHLESS; AN AMERICAN IN PARIS; DAMES AT SEA; INCIDENT AT VICHY; THE BANDSTAND (Papermill); ALLEGIANCE; THE KING AND I; HAMILTON; SONGBIRD; SOMETHING ROTTEN; SPRING AWAKENING; SCHOOL OF ROCK; THE COLOR PURPLE; FINDING NEVERLAND.

Can't wait!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 6:46pm

Wow, that is some trip !! I live in North Carolina but go to NYC a couple of times every year. In September, I saw "American In Paris","Something Rotten" and "Hamilton". "American In Paris" has some of the most beautiful dancing I have ever seen and you can't go wrong with music from Gershwin. "Something Rotten" is just a lot of fun, try and count how many musicals they mention in a couple of the songs. Brian D'arcy James and Christian Borle are excellent and funny. Borle playing William Shakespeare as a "glam rock star" just cracked me up. "Hamilton" is great and it meets the hype. Fantastic music/rap tells the story of Alexander Hamilton and it does help to know a little bit about the history of the man to truly catch everything and enjoy the show. Lin-Manual Miranda (Hamilton) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Burr) turn in amazing performances. Jonathan Groff (King George) provides some comic relief in the show. BTW - Groff was on of the original leads in "Spring Awakening several years ago. I saw the original "Spring Awakening" on Broadway and it is not only powerful but has a great music. This revival is being done with mixing song and sign language and has gotten excellent reviews. I did not see "Finding Neverland" but my daughters did and they really liked it. Have a great time and hope you let everyone know about your trip when you get back.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 10/13/15 at 3:02am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on those few shows, yankeefan7! I am particularly looking forward to Hamilton (though ticket prices were a bit extortionate lol) - I majored in US history when I did my degree many moons ago, plus I love Miranda's score for In The Heights. And Spring Awakening is one of my all-time favourite shows. I saw the original Broadway production, saw the West End production 3 times, the UK tour plus numerous student/amateur productions and am really looking forward to seeing the new Deaf West production.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/13/15 at 7:54am

"I am particularly looking forward to Hamilton (though ticket prices were a bit extortionate lol)"

Oh yeah, very high !! I hate this "premium" seat nonsense on Broadway now, it all started with Mel Brooks doing that for "The Producers" many years ago. We sat in the balcony (3rd row) and think it cost under $100

 

[charlieoflondon]

Posted: 10/14/15 at 5:13pm

I saw Hamilton and Spring on a New York trip a few weekends ago and loved both! 

[bob8rich]

Posted: 11/22/15 at 6:10pm

Sorry for the delay in posting my thoughts on my theatre visits during my NYC trip. Been really busy and seriously jetlagged since I got home! Anyway – here are my random thoughts (for those who may be vaguely interested lol):

ON YOUR FEET*** (extra show fitted in on my first night as my flight arrived ahead of time!):

Great fun, great songs, wonderful performances & superbly staged –book a bit thin!

ROTHSCHILD & SONS****

Powerful production of a superb show with a great Bock & Harnick score (it’s a reworking of their show The Rothschilds). It would have been worth flying the Atlantic just to hear Bob Cuccioli singing IN MY OWN LIFETIME!

DADDY LONG LEGS****

This is a real gem of a show with a truly beautiful score by Paul Gordon! Loved it at the St James a couple of years ago. Loved it even more this time – it’s tighter and stronger now and Will Reynolds was superb in the title role. Megan McGinnis was as utterly charming as she was in London.

RUTHLESS***

Hilariously funny spoof show! Loved it!

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS ****

Looks stunning with amazing choreography & dancing – and a very strong book. Great performances all round – and, of course, a classic Gershwin score. Who could ask for anything more?!!!

DAMES AT SEA***

Great cast, highly enjoyable nonsense LOL

INCIDENT AT VICHY*****

Blown away by the intensity of the piece and the performances. Chilling stuff!

THE BANDSTAND ***** (Papermill)

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this! Beautifully crafted book and a wonderful swing score – and performances to die for from Laura Osnes and Corey Cott. So pleased this will be transferring to Broadway next year – hope to go see it again!

ALLEGIANCE**

A huge disappointment. Well intentioned and some great performances from Lea Salonga, Telly Leung et al. But it was very laboured and plodding – and, to be honest, a little corny.

THE KING AND I****

Stunning & extravagant Bartlett Sher/Lincoln Center production of a classic show. Kelli O’Hara & Hoon Lee both superb in the lead roles.

HAMILTON*****

Did this live up to the hype? Yes – and then some!!! Utterly amazing, breathtakingly brilliant writing, staging and performances. I think just about everyone and everything else can forget about the Tonys now lol One of the most incredible musicals I have ever seen. (Cannot stop playing the album since I’m home!)

SONGBIRD****

Brilliant re-telling of "The Seagull" set in modern day Nashville with a superb Country score by Lauren Pritchard. Kate Baldwin and the entire cast outstanding.

SOMETHING ROTTEN****

Was actually something great! Witty, tuneful, clever and hugely entertaining. A full set of great performances – with John Cariani stealing the show for me.

SPRING AWAKENING*****

Mindblowing! Even more powerful and more beautiful than the original (and I adored that production!) Again a superb cast – and Austin P. Mackenzie (Melchior) is a star in the making!

SCHOOL OF ROCK***

Highly enjoyable, really funny (I’ve written more about my thoughts on this in another thread). The talent of the kids was phenomenal.

THE COLOR PURPLE***

Beautifully staged and brilliantly performed. Cynthia Errivo SHOULD win every award in existence for this if there is any justice! But I’m afraid the piece left me a bit cold. Not saying it isn’t very good – just not my cup of tea (or my taste in music). Also, I hated the movie LOL.

FINDING NEVERLAND****

A very enjoyable end to my time in NYC. Great fun, highly melodic score. Again some hugely talented kids, plus great performances from Matthew Morrison, Terrence Mann, Carolee Carmello and the wonderful Laura Michelle Kelly.

Updated On: 11/22/15 at 06:10 PM