On our way to NYC again...need help from you experts

[geissap]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:07am

So we're coming to NYC. We've been about 3-4 times now and we always try to get 3 or 4 shows in. Hoping you guys can help me pick some shows since you guys have never disappointed me in the past. Here's what we've seen and how we'd rank them to give you an idea.

Loved em:
Mystery of Edwin Drood
Newsies
Jersey Boys (Vegas)
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Wicked

Liked em':
Mary Poppins
Memphis
Les Miserables (On Tour)

These were ok:
Elf
Spider Man
Traces
Avenue Q

Meh:
Sleep No More
Lion King (On Tour)
War Horse
The Grinch (On Tour)

I think we'd like Kinky Boots from everything I've seen. Outside of that I don't have a strong interest for much else on Broadway right now. What do you guys recommend? We usually play the lotto-rush game to score cheap tickets. If we fail in those attempts we grab something off TDF.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:48am

For me, Pippin would be a must-see. I've been recommending it to pretty much everyone who comes to the city and asks about shows to see, it's truly fantastic.

[geissap]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:57am

Pippin's on rush that would be great. I have questions though. We we're not very into the cirque de soleil shows we've seen, and we liked Traces but it certainly didn't blow our minds. Is it comparable to those? Or would you say no?

[macnyc]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:59am

My totally subjective opinion:

Recommended:
Pippin
Kinky Boots
Matilda
After Midnight (I saw its previous incarnation, Cotton Club Parade. Very enjoyable.)
Motown (yes, Motown!)

Meh:
Big Fish
Once

Things that I have tickets to but haven't seen yet:
The Glass Menagerie
Domesticated
A Gentlemen's Guide to Murder (buying tickets today)
Beautiful: The Carole King Story (will buy tickets after figuring out strategy for discount)



Updated On: 9/10/13 at 09:59 AM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 10:00am

The "concept" for the production is pretty much that it takes place in a circus tent, so there are a lot of acrobatics and tricks and things, but they're integrated very well into the show. The production itself is very creative and the show is worth it for Patina Miller's performance alone, the Leading Player has been tailored to her voice and particular gifts as a performer and she's truly wonderful. I've never seen Cirque du Soleil as I've never been seized by a desire to do so, but I really loved everything about Pippin.

[eperkins]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 10:04am

I would say "no," Pippin is not like a Cirque du Soleil show. Pippin is a book musical that has some circus elements in it. Not to be missed, IMHO.

Updated On: 9/10/13 at 10:04 AM

[macnyc]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 10:13am

^^^ I totally agree. I'm not a big circus person either, and I loved this production.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 10:34am

Pippin is better than any Cirque show I have seen. My three favorite shows playing right now are Matilda, Annie, and Cinderella.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 10:52am

Book of Mormon.... Standing room isn't too bad these days and you can enter the lotto for a seat while you wait.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 11:04am

Based on the info you supplied about your likes and dislikes, I'd recommend:
--Kinky Boots
--Pippin
--Motown
--Book of Mormon

How you go about getting tickets is up to you.
Based on Broadway Spotted, here are the times you should arrive at various theaters for rush/SRO.

BoM: 10:30 a.m. for SRO
Kinky Boots: 9:00
Pippin: Very early. People start lining up at 4 a.m. No idea what the latest "safe" time is.
Not sure about Motown.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 11:09am

Here's hoping you have a blast again whatever you see; in my experienced opinion I would definitely recommend:
(B Way) - Book of Mormon (but my God! $477.00 a seat is UN God-ly...)
Pippin
Chicago
Kinky Boots
Matilda
Glass Menagerie
Trip to Bountiful

(Music filled Musicals- Mamma Mia is still fun...Motown (for the songs)


(Off B Way) - Peter and the Starcatcher (Simply wonderful)
Buyer and Cellar

Hope this helps and have fun!

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 6:55pm

Pippin is the best thing on Broadway right now, in my opinion. The ensemble is fabulous and Patina Miller absolutely kills. We were blown away. You must see this production.

Next (in order of quality):
Kinky Boots
Matilda
Motown

Haven't seen Cinderella
I'm in the minority when it comes to Book of Mormon. It was amusing, but I didn't find it earth shattering

[suestorm]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 7:22pm

By your list of loves I woukd say yiud love Cinderella (Wicked) Matilda (Newsies) Rock of Ages (Memphis) and Once (Jersey Boys)

If you want to laugh First Date was hiarious ! With the fab Krysta Rodriguez

I've seen all of the above and they are GREAT!

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 8:54pm

I was just in NYC a couple of weeks ago. I saw Kinky Boots, Pippin and First Date. I loved all three of them for different reasons. Kinky Boots was just simply fun. Pippin was mesmerizing. First Date was hysterical. If I were going back tomorrow, I would love to see all three of those shows again!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:07pm

In order:

- PIPPIN
- KINKY BOOTS
- MATILDA
- PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
- THE GLASS MENAGERIE
- ONCE

[Matt1]

Posted: 9/10/13 at 9:11pm

Two best things on broadway right now are Matilda and Pippin.

[geissap]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 2:23pm

Well this sounds pretty unanimous on the Pippin front so that's good. I'll definitely try to get to Pippin. It's on TDF almost everyday so if I fail at the lotto for Kinky that seems like a good backup plan. The partial view seats people get from Rush tickets have some mixed reviews?

Three questions:
Once - Someone compared Once to Jersey Boys up above? It doesn't look anything like Jersey Boys to me so can I get some more detail about this one? Were more into big stages, fun music, and complex sets. This doesn't sound like it fits that mold but I could be way off?

First Date - Thanks for the recommendation. This looks like another great backup for us on TDF.

The Glass Menagerie - I don't know how to ask this question without sounding like a complete jerk...I realize it's a heavy liberal environment on these forums so I'm really not trying to offend anyone. But is the Glass Menagerie about a homosexual romance? It's incredibly difficult to tell what this play is about from the storyline. It sounds kind of boring...can someone elaborate on the feel of this play?


Updated On: 9/11/13 at 02:23 PM

[Mark-o]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 2:25pm

PIPPIN!!!
THE OLD FRIENDS is great as well.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE

[eperkins]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 2:31pm

is the Glass Menagerie about a homosexual romance?

No, it isn't.

[macnyc]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 2:45pm

Jeepers, I wouldn't say that Once is anything like Jersey Boys, except that they are both about musicians.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 2:48pm

A homosexual romance?

I think you just mean romance, lady.

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 5:42pm

FYI...Balcony seats for First Date are only $35 (reg. price). It is usually at the TKTS booth for either 40%-50% most days. Also, it is available through TDF for $45. I would probably buy them through TDF (assuming you are a member). You could end up with the best seat in the house for $10 more than a balcony seat.

[Meyerschultz]

Posted: 9/11/13 at 6:21pm

I'd highly recommend both Once and First Date for similar reasons. Both feel truly contemporary, which I love. Both are smaller cast shows but showcase surprising production values. Once is great if you're looking for heartfelt, and the theatrical staging is a major highlight. First Date is truly hilarious. I actually don't know the last time I saw a musical where the audience laughed as much and as hard all the way through the show. And I was there with them. Probably the Producers.