Waitress or Mean Girls?

[frapp2latte2]

Hi, I'll be travelling to New York this April from Asia and I'm thinking of catching 2 Broadway shows while I'm there. I'm pretty set on watching Anastasia on my first week but I can't decide on what to watch on the 2nd week.

For those who have seen both shows, which one do you prefer between Waitress (w/ Katharine McPhee playing Jenna by the time I'll be there) and Mean Girls? I liked Waitress the movie and kinda like Katharine, as well, so it would be nice to see her perform. As for Mean Girls, well, it's a pretty iconic movie for my generation and we pretty much know all the lines.

I'll be watching with my sister and aunt and they would prefer a show with catchy songs and universal (not country specific, or political) humor. Shows I've watched in the past and enjoyed are Wicked, Legally Blonde, Shrek, and Lion King (pretty good, too, but predictable). I've also seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch and We Will Rock You on West End but didn't enjoy those because we didn't get much of the humor for the first one and was not a fan of the songs for the 2nd one. My sister and I are in our 20's btw.

I'm also open to other suggestions, as well. But it would help make my choice easier if it was between Waitress and Mean Girls. Unless there's another show that you think we'd enjoy more over those two (not Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen because the ticket prices are $$$ for those).

Thanks a lot! :)

[CPannullo]

Waitress 100% !! The songs are amazing and while some moments are serious, there’s also funny moments.

[CoolDogeGuy]

I'll have to agree. Though I haven't seen Mean Girls, I do have to say Waitress is a great show and you'll laugh (hopefully)!

[frapp2latte2]

Thank you for your replies! So far I've gotten almost equal votes on both shows (adding up the responses here and another forum) so I'm still undecided, LOL. But at least I'm certain I wouldn't go wrong with either choice. 

Hoping more people can chime in with their opinions and preference! 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

I would choose Waitress.

[rosemonday]

I haven't seen Mean Girls yet but I love Waitress so much! I'd choose that. 

[frapp2latte2]

Thank you for replying! So far it's unanimous for Waitress here. I'm leaning for towards Waitress now. Unless a Mean Girls fan can sway me.. 

[haterobics]

Waitress, for sure. You can even eat some pie in your seat.

[frapp2latte2]

haterobics said: "Waitress, for sure. You can even eat some pie in your seat."

Oooh, the pie bit is definitely reeling me in! 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Waitress, no doubt! Mean Girls is great, but its humor is specifically more driven in US pop culture than Waitress.

[frapp2latte2]

Itonlytakesajourney said: "Waitress, no doubt! Mean Girls is great, but its humor is specifically more driven in US pop culture than Waitress."

Would Waitress be entertaining for an 18 year old? I have a cousin who might join us. Or is it something for more mature audiences? Also, if US pop culture jokes weren't a problem, would you still pick Waitress over Mean Girls?  

[poisonivy2]

Waitress! I really believe that when the dust settles Waitress will be seen as one of the strongest MT scores of recent musicals. Several songs I feel are already sort of MT classics. "She Used to Be Mine," "What Baking Can Do," "Everything Changes," etc.

[frapp2latte2]

Another vote for Waitress. Definitely 80% leaning towards Waitress now. Thank you, friends!

[ellbellthomps]

I personally prefer Mean Girls. It will probably get huge soon. 

If you like a touchy story, go with waitress.

If you like comedy, mean girls. 

[ellbellthomps]

I personally prefer Mean Girls. It will probably get huge soon. 

If you like a touchy story, go with waitress.

If you like comedy, mean girls. 

[strongestsuit12]

I have not seen Mean Girls yet but if you are looking for catchy tunes, laughter, love and an all around amazing cast and show, I would go with Waitress. I think anyone above the age of 18 would enjoy the show! Only show, I have seen 3 times! 

[freewilma]

As someone who has actually seen both Mean Girls and Waitress (with a 20something daughter), I'd go with Mean Girls.   My daughter definitely preferred it over Waitress.  So few people have seen Mean Girls it's really a hard question to answer.  

[Itonlytakesajourney]

frapp2latte2 said: "Itonlytakesajourney said: "Waitress, no doubt! Mean Girls is great, but its humor is specifically more driven in US pop culture than Waitress."

Would Waitress be entertaining for an 18 year old? I have a cousin who might join us. Or is it something for more mature audiences? Also, if US pop culture jokes weren't a problem, would you still pick Waitress over Mean Girls?"

In my opinion, it would. It’s a really heartwarming story with strong characters and a beautiful score. And if the jokes weren't such a crucial part of Mean Girls, I’d still say stick with Waitress. It’s one of my recent favorites and is just a good night out at the theater.

[michael122]

waitress always

[SonofRobbieJ]

I do not consider myself in the WAITRESS demographic.  I didn't think I'd care for it, but ended up being really moved by it, as well as entertained.  It tells a very adult story exploring sexual morality in a really human, non-judgmental way.  I never felt talked down to or pandered to.  I found the score full of great hooks and, though the lyrics had a lot of kinda-near rhymes, I find them to be clever and pretty well character driven.  Even a song like She Used to Be Mine, which can kind of sound like a radio (download) ready pop hit takes on tremendous resonance when sung by that character in that moment.  

Mean Girls *might* be great.  But Waitress actually is wonderful (some minor missteps in the last quarter of the show notwithstanding).  

[frapp2latte2]

Thanks for chiming in, guys! 

You think it would be worth to pay full priced tickets for either show? Most probably around $169 +fees (Ticketmaster). I've checked TodayTIX and their rates aren't much different plus if I'm not mistaken you won't know which exact seats you'll be getting until after you've bought your tickets. Any other place where you can get good seats and discounted rates?

[CT2NYC]

frapp2latte2 said: "Thanks for chiming in, guys!

You think it would be worth to pay full priced tickets for either show? Most probably around $169 +fees (Ticketmaster). I've checked TodayTIX and their rates aren't much different plus if I'm not mistaken you won't know which exact seats you'll be getting until after you've bought your tickets. Any other place where you can get good seats and discounted rates?"

If it fits into your schedule, Wednesday matinees for Mean Girls during April (from 4/11) offer lower prices on many seats. Some front side mezzanine seats, including the first row, are $129.50, which is a great price.

[ccbway]

How important is the music to you?  Mean Girls was very ffunny - but the music/songs are kind of mediocre at best vs Waitress which has some very nice music, of course who knows how McPhee will do in the role.

It depends on what you're looking for, if you just want to have a laugh, Mean Girls is definitely fun.  But having seen both, if I had to choose, I would probably pick Waitress.

 

[jbird5]

Check Theatermania for discounts.

[irishgator1]

I’ve seen both (but MG in its DC incarnation, and I hear that they’ve made a few changes since). I loved both, but personally would see MG again. I hadn’t seen the movie, but loved it regardless. Can’t go wrong with either, really!