American Psycho, Color Purple or She Loves Me? Or something else?

[downhillskier]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:30pm

Coming to NYC soon for a girls' weekend and want to see something new that I won't have access to see on tour soon. Shuffle Along is Sold out and Hamilton is not in my budget, unfortunately.

I have seen On your feet, School of Rock, Waitress, Finding Neverland and Fun Home. Friends are interested in The King and I.  Since Kellie has left, I though I would rather catch it on tour and see something with the OBC.

I'm leaning towards American Psycho. 

What do others think?

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:37pm

I think if you see KING & I, you'll be seeing Marin and you can't go wrong with that!

 

I also think AMERICAN PSYCHO is a brilliant piece of theater. 

[ethan231h]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:38pm

If you are thinking of seeing American Psycho... I advise you do.

It's amazing and not like anything else on broadway right now.

Updated On: 4/28/16 at 07:38 PM

[@z5]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:40pm

Color Purple is incredible.... American Psycho is also excellent... depends what you're looking for. Both are totally different. Try to do both even, if possible.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:40pm

You and your girlfriends will love "American Psycho". Truly innovative work. That's what I'd go with.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:41pm

She Loves Me is an old fashioned musical comedy.Color Purple is based on the movie and original show.American Psycho is about a narcissistic yuppie in the 80's who like to murder women and sometimes men. It is hard to pick between the 3. 3 really different musicals. Try She Loves Me and you can blame me if you do not like it.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 7:49pm

These are the top 3 recommendations I've given people since seeing all three. You literally cannot go wrong. American Psycho is seriously screwed up and I mean that as a huge compliment. It is sexy clubby music and dark humor, and whether you like the show or not, a girls' weekend is never bad if you've watched Benjamin Walker with his shirt off for 2 1/2 hours. She Loves Me is pure, happy, bliss. Like ice cream after a break up, it just makes you feel happier. And the cast is a dream. Color Purple is an emotionally packed and moving show with an incredible cast. I cried almost the whole show. 

 

So it depends on what you're in the mood for, but they're all good choices. 

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 8:17pm

Mr Roxy said: "Color Purple is based on the movie and original show."

Sorry, Alice Walker. 

 

I have tickets for She Loves Me for next week and am beyond excited. I was very close to booking tickets to American Psycho as well, but ended up deciding that I would be just as happy seeing this on its inevitable tour. The Color Purple is a truly remarkable experience. The cast is uniformly excellent (and you'd be in good hands with either Jennifer Hudson or Heather Headley, depending on when you're going). Cynthia Erivo is a force of nature and her performance remains one of the greatest I have ever seen. She lays her heart on that stage and I left the theatre feeling changed. 

Updated On: 4/28/16 at 08:17 PM

[downhillskier]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 8:42pm

I really appreciate all the input. This Board is so helpful. Really wish I could see all three! Might have to come back to NYC again soon!

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 8:43pm

Have not seen The Color Purple.  I really liked both American Psycho and She Loves Me.   As mentioned above, they are very different.  If you and the girls are going for kind of a party weekend or trip, I would say see American Psycho.  The music alone will keep you in the party frame of mind!

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 9:48pm

Don't know when you will be here but regarding seeing something with the OBC, Jennifer Hudson is leaving The Color Purple. I think next week? But Cynthia will still be in the show and is worth the price of admission alone. The show is wonderful. 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 10:31pm

That's what I'm doing, skier.  I was in NYC over spring break and missed Psycho because  Audra was ill and I had to move my Wednesday night tickets for Shuffle Along to the Saturday matinee. Which bumped the only time slot I had left for American Psycho.  I already had Fiddler on the Roof, Hamilton, She Loves Me, The Color Purple and The King and I booked.

So I decided to do a weekender in a couple of weeks to see American Psycho, Waitress and maybe School of Rock.  Crazy, I know, but who cares?!

downhillskier said: "I really appreciate all the input. This Board is so helpful. Really wish I could see all three! Might have to come back to NYC again soon!

 

"

 

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 10:53pm

I saw She Loves me last night and Color Purple tonight. Both are great but depends what you are in the mood for. Color Purple was the first time that I cried because of the sheer talent I was witnessing. It was incredible. I would recommend both for different reasons but you really can't go wrong. 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 4/28/16 at 11:12pm

I agree.  They are so different it really does depend on the mood you're in.  Each is an exceptional theatrical experience in their own right.  You can't go wrong with either one of them.

[Hellob]

Posted: 4/29/16 at 2:08am

I think TCP would be a good fit for a girl's weekend 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/29/16 at 11:38am

COLOR PURPLE COLOR PURPLE COLOR PURPLE!

Just came back from a week of Broadway show-going that included SHUFFLE, PSYCHO, SHE LOVES ME, AMERICAN IN PARIS, HUMANS & CRUCIBLE. Amer. Psycho and She Loves Me are both lowest-common-denominator cartoons-- one taking on the 80's and one for the romantic 30's. We were greatly disappointed in both shows. 

The Color Purple was by far the most thrilling night we had all week. Spectacular performances by every single performer on that stage. Brilliant clear staging that makes the book work much better than it did years ago when it first came to Bway. Perfect set design and especially the lighting. But oh my God, the sound of those voices when they let loose and sing those songs! Funniest, most humane, most gut-wrenching show you'll see on Broadway this year.

Updated On: 4/29/16 at 11:38 AM

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 4/29/16 at 3:10pm

I disagree with the above assessment of She Loves Me. I took my adult daughter (27) there for her birthday and we both LOVED it.

Good plays and musicals, pardon the expression, are like meals. Some are small, like an appetizer, others are full blown like entrees, and others are a delightful dessert. She Loves Me is dessert, a sweet one at that.

Updated On: 4/29/16 at 03:10 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/29/16 at 4:21pm

I feel I would pick Color Purple or She loves Me. Classic works, fantastic productions.

From my own personal point of view, one of the most important parts of going to see a Broadway musical is listening to the live orchestra/band. To me I love seeing the musicians warming up and getting ready to play and then listening to their sound is a huge part of my enjoyment. The She loves me orchestra is housed in the box seats and you see them for the entire show. The Color Purple has a backstage orchestra but it's really strong.

So I have a personal problem with American Psycho which uses primarily computerized music with a few instruments to fill it out. If I wanted to see/hear computerized music, I would go to a musical out of town where they don't always have the capability to have a full orchestra...or listen to my computer. It's just not my thing.

When I go to a live show, I want live everything...again, my personal choice.

 

[mc1227]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 9:26pm

I saw She Loves Me today and I found the positioning of the orchestra on the sides actually interfered with the performers voices, at least from my rear mezz seats.  There were many instances when I could not make out the lyrics.  That also could have been because I was nodding off at the boredom of this show.  I love old musicals but this one was a real stinker.  I was shocked at how much I disliked it after reading all the great posts about it.  The only conclusion is after seeing Bright Star, Fiddler and Waitress in the last 3 weeks, this one was just not in the same league as those shows.  

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 9:44pm

^^^Which just goes to show you. You never know.

Many refer to She Loves Me as the perfect musical.  And most who see it love it.

Bright Star, despite having a great score (from what I've heard), got largely panned by the critics.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 12:13am

Having seen She Loves Me once in the orchestra and once in the mezzanine, the orchestra is definitely better. I agree that I had some trouble hearing the actors at times when I sat in the mezzanine because of the orchestra in the boxes. I was glad I had already seen it. On the other hand, the fun thing about sitting in the mezzanine is watching the musicians. 

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 7:20am

'So I have a personal problem with American Psycho which uses primarily computerized music with a few instruments to fill it out. If I wanted to see/hear computerized music, I would go to a musical out of town where they don't always have the capability to have a full orchestra...or listen to my computer. It's just not my thing.'

 

*shakes head* 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 7:38am

The King and I and American Psycho would be my recommendations. I also LOVED She Loves Me.

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 12:13pm

They're all so different.

American Psycho is a great show to pump you up for a big night out. the Color purple is good if you want to feel all the feelings and have a good cry with your ladies. She Loves Me is good if you want to take a long nap. 

[downhillskier]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 2:15pm

I want to thank everyone for all their insightful input.

I was thrilled that I choose American Psycho and took my 27 yr old niece as well.

I thought it was fabulous and the perfect choice. Never having seen the movie it was totally new to me. I've seen a good amount of musicals the past few years (  Broadway, out of town previews and tours ) and felt this was totally new & different. It was like nothing else out there. Edgy, Sexy, Funny, a fabulous experience. Definitely Sensory overload! I was on the edge of my seat to hear every word of dialog and lyric. I loved that it felt to me that it was 2016's twist on musical theater. I remember feeling that way seeing Chorus Line and Rent when they first came out.  It is not my parents' broadway, and I love that! I was wondering if my niece would enjoy it as much, not having experienced the 80's. Quite the opposite, her fiance is on Wall street and she had seen the movie. She felt her fiance would enjoy AP more than anything else on broadway right now. It is one of the few shows that I probably would NOT bring my 80 yr old Mom, though I know my husband will enjoy it when it comes out on tour. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and seeing how it compares. People around me commented that they loved what they did with the material.  

I definitely recommend American Psyco and hope to get to NYC again soon and catch at least Shuffle, and Color Purple ( sorry to miss Jennifer Hudson though) this season.

Thanks again to all that responded!!!!