8 shows/5 days, thoughts & thanks

[canadian fan]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 8:07pm

Just got home from our 8 shows in 5 days.  First off thank you to all of you who on this board who helped with show choices, seat choices, and just great information in general. It was very much appreciated. Now....for my quick thoughts on the shows we saw. Below are the shows in my order of enjoyment. To be clear, I enjoyed ALL the shows, so tough to rank them, but for better or worse heres my list.

1A) GREAT COMET. Was really looking forward to this and was not disappointed. Kudos for a show that thinks outside the box and pulls it off in such a fantastic way. We sat in banquette seats (BC21/23, thanks luscious!) Couldn't be more pleased with the seats. So many outstanding performances by the cast.  There was so much action around us, at one point I had 2 performers sitting right beside me on the stairs, and one at my feet. Such an awesome experience. And as a side note, I really enjoyed the score.  I DID leave the theatre humming some of the songs.  

1B) DEAR EVAN HANSEN. What more can I say that hasn't been said. What a score, what a performance by Ben Platt. I can't see any scenario where he doesn't win best actor in a musical.  To be clear, there was Great Comet, DEH....and then the rest. These 2 shows were miles ahead of the others in my opinion. 

3) INDECENT. This was my biggest surprise. It was a last minute addition when Doll House cancelled a matinee performance and I had no room to reschedule it. So much going on here that was presented in such a graceful and touching way. The story had anti-semitism, freedom of speech, homophobia. I was very moved by this production and thought it was absolutely a beautiful show. 

4) GROUNDHOG DAY.  Loved the unique staging and Andy Karl was wonderful. Couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the entire show. My only complaint was not enough big moments for AK. His songs were for the most part understated and didn't showcase his vocals. Hope was the only big big song, and it was an oh wow moment for me. Just wish there was another 1 or 2 of those types of songs to showcase his vocals.

5) SWEENEY TODD. Sat in the tables on the floor. I had never seen any sweeney todd production before which meant I really had to pay attention! Again very immersive with the performers on the tables right in front of us. Just a super fun time, and yes the meat pies were yummy. 

6) LITTLE FOXES. Acting was amazing. Story was excellent as well. Set was beautiful. Again really an enjoyable night at the theatre seeing all these wonderful performers work their craft.

7) COME FROM AWAY.  Even though its #7 on the list still enjoyed it very much. That being said, Im not sure why this one was this low on my list. Very much an ensemble piece. Not many wow moments for me perhaps. Jenn Colellas one song was awesome, but that was about it.  Again, it was enjoyable but I wasn't blown away (and Im Canadian, go figure!)

8- THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. This was the only show that was slightly disappointing for me. I was really looking forward to it. Still enjoyed some parts of the show and did belly laugh a couple times for sure. I think the issue was, as others have said, is that it was too long. By the last 15 minutes or so, I wanted it to end. This should have been a 90 minute show with no intermission. I think they overstayed their welcome with me which made the show overall less enjoyable. 

 

Updated On: 5/23/17 at 08:07 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 9:27pm

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, hooray!

 

I think your take on Come From Away is pretty common -- I had no interest in it, whatsoever, from the plot.  It wasn't until the kudos here started flowing, and both my son (16) and I loved it.  A real heart-warming and entertaining piece.

Updated On: 5/23/17 at 09:27 PM

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 9:39pm

Wow, great choices! I agree with most of your assessments.

I also saw Sweeney this week and loved it! 

I liked Come From Away more than you did, and also The Play That Goes Wrong, but I agree with you it's too long and becomes a bit tiresome. 

Glad you had fun!

 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/23/17 at 10:21pm

Thanks for the reviews! i think for GHD "Seeing You" is a big song too -- certainly a sort of 11 o'clock number. As for CFA I agreed with you -- it's a nice feel good musical but IMO not really on the level of GHD, Great Comet, and DEH.

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 1:37am

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Did you at least enjoy the Timmy's reference in CFA

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 12:41pm

You missed the best show on Bway: Sunset BLVD. and it's actually closing.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 12:45pm

muscle23ftl said: "You missed the best show on Bway: Sunset BLVD. and it's actually closing."

He/she made excellent choices. I found Sunset Boulevard to be painfully boring, as did the people I was with. 

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 12:51pm

You didn't miss anything with Sunset, canadian fan, don't worry. Thank you so much for sharing these reviews—you really made some awesome picks!

[canadian fan]

Posted: 5/24/17 at 2:37pm

Thanks all!

BwayinVan, YES, its funny I did mention to my wife about the Timmies reference and that it was neat to have the little timmies sign in the play. And its so true in small communities in Canada that everyone meets at timmies. I think the US equivalent would be dunkin donuts, but I'm not sure?

And Sunset Blvd? not my cup of tea....nor is Hello Dolly....just personal preference.