Les Miz vs Aladdin? 'Behind the pole' seats?

[klinnerz]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 2:07pm

Hey everyone,

I'm new to these forums, but I thought it would be a good idea to ask some questions/advice for my big trip in March. 

I'll be in NYC for a couple days, and I'm planning on getting in as many shows as possible. The one show that I'm still questioning is Les Miz. I'm not sure if I want to trade it out for Aladdin (or maybe another show if it pops up. I understand that the shows are very different and your opinions will probably vary, but I thought I could ask and see if there was anyone who had seen both and could maybe help me choose? I'm sure Les Miz will be revived again some year and that seeing it later on would be fine, but Aladdin still has some of the original cast if I'm not mistaken. That's always a cool thing to see.

Additionally, the Aladdin tickets would most likely be in the balcony (that's totally fine for me). However, they are the 'behind the poles' seats. Has anyone encountered those at the New Amsterdam Theatre? I would assume that it isn't that big of a deal. Otherwise they wouldn't sell those tickets. Also, that ticket would be around $78. 

 

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 3:44pm

Definitely go see Aladdin while its original stars are still there

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 3:52pm

I would go with Aladdin, if James Monroe Iglehart is still there. He's absolutely fantastic in that role. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 4:45pm

I haven't seen both shows but I would vote for Aladdin with James Monroe Iglehart and Adam Jacobs. I'm not sure if they'll still be in the show after today though.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 7:14pm

I sat behind the poles a few times for Mary Poppins and I remember them being mostly fine. 

[@z5]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:38am

Aladdin is so so so so so so good, especially with JMI as the Genie. So incredible. Definitely 100x better and more enjoyable that Les Miz, 

[klinnerz]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:42am

ZellMorrowsPledge said: "Definitely go see Aladdin while its original stars are still there

 

"

That's what I was thinking. I mean, Les Miz will eventually come back on Broadway. Another time. Also, do you happen to know when Adam and James will be leaving? Some people said today, but I feel like their departures would be announced at least a couple months ahead so people can rush to go see them one last time. I'll probably go March 13ish.

[A1st]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:45am

klinnerz said: "ZellMorrowsPledge said: "Definitely go see Aladdin while its original stars are still there

 

 

 

"

 

That's what I was thinking. I mean, Les Miz will eventually come back on Broadway. Another time. Also, do you happen to know when Adam and James will be leaving? Some people said today, but I feel like their departures would be announced at least a couple months ahead so people can rush to go see them one last time. I'll probably go March 13ish.

 

"

There were many articles last year that said all of the contracts would be up today (February 21st), but according to twitter and several other sources it seems the only cast member to not extend again was Jonathan Schwartz (Omar). Very happy they are all still in the show! 

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:00pm

Surprised there's a resounding vote for Aladdin, when I would definitely recommend Les Mis. I think if you've seen past Disney musical productions and enjoyed them, then go for it. Personally, I found it too childish and the music, singing, and acting was mediocre. Costuming was overwhelming in a bad way, and blocking was atrocious, it just seemed like the stage was a blobby mess of people. And stage design was ugly and kiddish. JMI was great but he alone could not save it for me as the material overall was very bland. I love classic animated Disney movies but have been underwhelmed by them on the stage.

 

I love Les Mis for its incredible orchestration and music and the story has such emotional depth, with a decent amount of comic relief. The cast seems to be getting better since the revival's inception. I recommended Les Mis to a friend and she and her boyfriend fell in love with it. They ended up watching the whole 10th anniversary special because they couldn't get enough of it. Then saw it live again.

 

So it really depends on what your preferences are. What other shows are you catching?

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:49pm

Do Aladdin, from what I remember, those poles are really thin, think something like what lights are hung from, not a big structural support column sort of thing, so they don;t really block anything, just are a minor annoyance

[klinnerz]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 2:07pm

Good advice. I guess Les Miz and Aladdin are just complete opposite types of shows. haha. I'll have to look into it more. I'm on Tix4Students and can get a $40 ticket to Les Miz. Also, the show will be done later this year and won't be touring. That's a good reason to see it. However, I'd still love to see Aladdin even though I'd be paying a little more for the show. Seeing the original cast has some perks. Other shows I'm seeing are Matilda, Fun Home, An American in Paris (the last performance for Robert on 3/13), and The King and I. I'm trying to get the most out of this mini vacation.