Last-minute New York trip - thanks and thoughts on the shows (on Page 2)

[bear88]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 6:20pm

No, I'm not going to ask you folks what shows are the best (although I'm curious what shape some of them are in). But my wife and teenage daughter are going to arrive Sunday, April 9 and leave Thursday. 

Sunday evening - inclined to see Avenue Q, because we've never seen it and there aren't many shows that night that we haven't already seen. For anyone who's seen it recently at the New World Stages, what shape is it in? Is it worth seeing now? Or should we see Significant Other? Can we just get our tickets on TodayTix? (We would be arriving that afternoon.) Is the mezzanine fine?

Monday - Phantom. My wife wants to see it, and we haven't seen it since 1990, I think, so I'm game. It looks like there are plenty of seats and we can just go to the TKTS booth or use TodayTix. Am I right? Thoughts on the show's current incarnation? Suggestions on seat locations (we were in the rear mezzanine all those years ago)?

After that, we would have a couple more days to see two or three shows. Outside of Hello Dolly, Dear Evan Hansen, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Price, it seems like everything else is possible without spending a fortune or standing in line all day. (I'm ruling them all out except for The Price. If I was going alone, I'd try my luck at the other shows, but I'm not.) My wife and I would rather not spend a huge sum of money buying tickets in advance this year. It looks like, for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, there are more tickets available for The Great Comet, Come From Away, Sunset Boulevard. Not sure how things will go with Waitress, with Sara Bareilles now in the part. Feel free to tell me that I just shouldn't miss one of these shows. I haven't seen any of them, except for Sunset Boulevard a long time ago.I can justify seeing a fifth show if we're not spending so much to see the other four, assuming we don't decide to do other things in New York on what would be our last day there.

Are my assumptions correct? Is it easier or more difficult to snag cheaper tickets during Passover/Easter week? Any obvious suggestions for getting cheaper tickets that I'm missing?

Thanks for your indulgence.

Updated On: 4/17/17 at 06:20 PM

[HSky]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 6:36pm

I saw Avenue Q on tour several years ago and saw it Off-Broadway last summer and thought it was in good shape. There's a discount on Groupon and I'm sure on other sites as well.

I rec Great Comet and Come From Away. There are discount codes (weekdays only for Great Comet) out there for both shows.

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 6:42pm

I do adore Significant Other, and try and support the original plays/musicals as much as I can.

I think Comet is a must-see, especially since this staging and the immersive nature could never tour like this, plus Josh Groban!

You can get $89 box seats for Waitress, possibly. Worth a try. Plus, they are holding a lot of premium seats for her. If they don't sell, they do become regular price, albeit not discounted. I am rather hooked on that show these days, though.

 

[elephantseye]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 6:55pm

I saw Avenue Q in January and while it wasn't exactly unenjoyable, I wouldn't advise going with so many other fantastic performances happening this spring. I'm not sure if the performances at the New World are lacking, or if the material simply hasn't stood the test of time, but either way I was underwhelmed.

[Chicken_Flavor]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 9:13pm

If it's either Avenue Q or Significant Other, you should probably choose the latter. Avenue Q has been going on for such a long time, and honestly it's nothing special. Also, if your teenage daughter is younger, Avenue Q may not be the best choice because there is a rated R puppet scene... Significant Other is extremely amazing and since it's closing, you should try to see it soon. It's probably one of the best original things this season...

[@z5]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 9:18pm

Saw avenue Q a little over a year ago in New York and was overall underwhelmed by it. Also, the theater was less than 25% full if I had to guess.  I would definitely go with Significant Other over this (also you can easily rush Significant Other for amazing seats at a good price)

[bear88]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 9:30pm

The teenager is almost an adult. My wife isn't really all that enthused about a show that involves puppets, though. If Significant Other is that good, I'll certainly make a case for it. I guess it's not finding an audience, if April 9 might be closing night. The Sunday night options are limited, although I may be missing something.

It looks like there are plenty of Tuesday/Wednesday seats for Great Comet. It sounds like a love-it or hate-it type of show. 

Any seats to avoid (either for cost or can't see the show reasons) for Waitress?

Am I wrong, by the way, in my assumptions about the shows that are not realistic options for people don't want to spend a fortune or wait for hours for standing room only seats?

[HSky]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 9:51pm

Great Comet is one of those shows where if you don't like it, chances are it'll be a strong dislike, but conversely, if you like it, it's a very different night out at the theater. The sightlines from the rear mezz are perfectly fine so you don't have to spend on the high end seats.

I've only been to Waitress once, but if you had to sit on the extreme sides, I'd go house right and miss seeing the band rather than not have a view of the pie counter.

It sounds like some people have had some luck with Dear Evan Hansen cancellation rather than waiting hours for rush if you check the other threads.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 10:05pm

Sunset BLVD with Glenn Close

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/1/17 at 10:09pm

I'm telling ya, do not miss The Great Comet on Broadway! Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close is also a phenomenal option.

[bear88]

Posted: 4/2/17 at 4:45am

Never mind. My New York trip is back on. The Sunday evening/Monday evening options are a bit limited, but there are plenty of options for Tuesday and Wednesday. Too many, given my wife's disinclination to see two Wednesday shows. 

Obviously, Great Comet has its fans and detractors. Are there as many seats available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as it appears? I did see Sunset Boulevard years ago, with Glenn Close, although my memory of it is a bit hazy now. For fans of that show, why is this particular revival worth seeing again?

Are tickets to The Price as difficult to come by as they appear? Yeah, I'd love to see Dear Evan Hansen, but that looks like a very tough ticket for three people at one show who want to sit.

Updated On: 4/2/17 at 04:45 AM

[bear88]

Posted: 4/2/17 at 11:02pm

As I pathetically respond to my own message...

So I swore I wouldn't do this, but now I'll do it anyway, because you folks live there and have seen some of the options.

If Signficant Other doesn't make it to its Sunday evening show, and even if it does, anyone have a recommendation for a good Sunday evening show. We'll be arriving that afternoon, and my wife likes to see a show on the evening she gets to New York. (By contrast, she doesn't want to see two shows on a Wednesday, although she may have a point about that.)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/2/17 at 11:08pm

bear88 said: "Never mind. My New York trip is back on. The Sunday evening/Monday evening options are a bit limited, but there are plenty of options for Tuesday and Wednesday. Too many, given my wife's disinclination to see two Wednesday shows. 

Obviously, Great Comet has its fans and detractors. Are there as many seats available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as it appears? I did see Sunset Boulevard years ago, with Glenn Close, although my memory of it is a bit hazy now. For fans of that show, why is this particular revival worth seeing again?

Are tickets to The Price as difficult to come by as they appear? Yeah, I'd love to see Dear Evan Hansen, but that looks like a very tough ticket for three people at one show who want to sit.

 

Well, this revival has a new cast, a 40 piece orchestra and Glenn is playing a new Norma... I think this production is fascinating...and a must see. It's your only chance to see it. I was transported to Hollywood in the 1950's the minute I heard the first symphony.

 

[akmiller_98]

Posted: 4/2/17 at 11:08pm

I just got home from seeing Significant Other tonight. Definitely buy tickets to it if it's not closed.

You can buy through todaytix. Just buy the cheapest mezz tickets. People were basically told just to sit wherever they wanted and all the seats were good.

It's a fantastic play. I'm so glad I went.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 4:34am

Any seats to avoid (either for cost or can't see the show reasons) for Waitress?

As someone said, I would avoid the extreme sides in that theater.

There haven't been a ton of rush reports but you might want to consider War Paint and Anastasia depending on your wife's and daughter's interests. Also, Amelie is an easy one because you can enter the lottery in advance. That is, if you want to see it. It sounds like all of the rush options are getting popular now that the weather is getting warmer though you might have better luck with the big theaters like the Broadway for Miss Saigon. 

If you're committed to seeing a play, I didn't love Significant Other (unpopular opinion). But you might consider Picnic from The Transport Group. Apparently you can use the code INGETIX for $40 tickets. There's also Spamilton with their $28 tickets. They both have Sunday shows.

Updated On: 4/3/17 at 04:34 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 4:35am

Great Comet isn't getting a huge advance,  which makes it great for audience members looking for discounts.

No one seems to know why the Price isn't discounted.  

Yes, from all reports Sunset Blvd  is totally worth it.  

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 8:37am

There are so many great shows right now. I echo the sentiments of others on this thread - Significant Other and Great Comet are not to be missed.

[amymchugh]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 9:09am

Don't rule out Dear Evan Hansen - I went to NY this past weekend with my kids and got tix on StubHub Friday night for the Sat matinee performance. Worth every penny - the show was incredible!

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 9:19am

SWEENEY Todd has a performance on Sunday evening if you and your wife like Sondheim.

i watched Avenue Q a month ago and enjoyed it! Intimate theater and cheap tix. Mezz is fine. Theater is never full so peoole in the back tend to give themselves a free upgrade during intermission.

leave room in your schedule as we have seen cheap tickets from stubhub a few hours before performance (some people on here bought $55 hello dolly mezz seats) so you just never know. Good luck!

[lczvera]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 10:03am

Seen Avenue Q at new world stages twice and still absolutely adore it. At least 3 actors transfered the show from broadway are still in the show, and the actor playing Princeton/Rod is probably my favorate (besides Tartaglia), As for the "Rated R" aspect, I personally do not think would be inappropriate to bring teenagers. I saw a 12,13 year-old boy with his parents seating in front of me and they seem to have a great time together.

Getting tickets to Sunday in the Park, The Price, DEH is hard, but if it's a weekday, you may want to try rush/cancellation line 1 hr before the show starts.

[sondmon]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 10:18am

In regard to Sunday evening there is a school of rock show at 6 if you can make it. I highly recommend Sweeney as well if you can get tickets to the Sunday evening show. If you stalk the website tickets do pop up. I believe A dolls house also has a Sunday evening  show during previews so you may want to check that out as its getting good reports and it's a short easy show for when you're tired from a flight.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 4/3/17 at 10:58am

Roundabout does general rush for its shows. If you really want to see The Price and can't get tickets ahead of time, you can try rushing ($47 for mezzanine tickets) the day of when the box office opens.

[bear88]

Posted: 4/4/17 at 5:11am

Thanks for the suggestions. I did buy tickets for Great Comet, but that's the only show we will choose in advance. Thanks for the Sunday night options. Sweeney Todd sounds fun. Still leaning toward Significant Other unless we're too tired after a cross-country flight. For Roundabout rushes, when do you need to show up before Wednesday shows?

I think I'll let my wife and daughter do the rest of the picking. While I think we'd like Dear Evan Hansen, it just sounds too difficult or time-consuming to get seats for three people without winning the lottery (and then needing an extra ticket). There are plenty of options, and I don't have a strong non-DEH choice. Waitress would probably be fine, and my daughter is a Bareilles fan. But we'll see how much it costs. (I'm not against seeing Sunset, but I'm more inclined to see something I haven't seen before.)

[bear88]

Posted: 4/6/17 at 3:27am

I'm contemplating my realistic, non-Dear Evan Hansen Wednesday night options and currently have it down to this, with pros and cons listed:

Waitress:

Pros - It's a well-regarded show, and reports on Bareilles' acting are better than I feared. We know she can sing the part, and my daughter would probably enjoy seeing her.

Cons - It will be touring in San Francisco next year. 

Come From Away:

Pros - A critical favorite, it seems to have melted the hearts of New York audiences and even many skeptics on this board with a 9/11 story. After Great Comet the night before, maybe a smaller, heartwarming musical would be the right choice. Shoot, it might win the Tony.

Cons - I can't really get excited about this show. Maybe I'm too cynical. Isn't this the sort of musical I could see on tour in a couple of years and not really have lost much?

Sunset Boulevard:

Pros - Glenn Close, big orchestra, reasonable prices, unique, only-on-Broadway experience

Cons - I saw it decades ago with Close, and what if she's out for some reason? I don't recall it as being a great musical, just that Close is a great actress.

The Price:

Pros - star power in a lesser-known Arthur Miller play

Cons - Some so-so reviews, except for DeVito. My family might want a musical on our last night there, and it seems like there are probably better plays if we want a play.

I know there are other, good options, and feel free to mention something we should consider. Maybe I shouldn't pass on the chance to see an old-fashioned Broadway star vehicle like War Paint. But of the batch listed above, what would you folks recommend?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/6/17 at 5:26am

Danny Devito is my cousin. Go see that.