Need help deciding shows

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 2:09pm

I will be in New York from March 26th through the 29th, but will only have time to see three shows.
I need help rounding down my picks to three. I know Im interested in Hadestown, My Fair Lady(id like to wait to see who is replacing Laura though), Network, The Ferryman, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and the Bands Visit. Also if you have any shows that you think I might like throw it out there! Im also wondering if there are any discount codes that I should look out for. Im aware the Bands visit had one, but I cant remember what it was and Ive already signed up for linctix.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 2:21pm

Very solid shows you listed with the exception of Network which I thought was pretty damn bad. You really cant go wrong with any of the other shows you listed, though!

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 2:39pm

Sounds like a good list to me. I would maybe add Be More Chill and What the Constitution Means To Me into the consideration. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 2:45pm

Of your choices, I'd make these your three:

- Hadestown (you will catch it eariy in previews if that matters)
- The Ferryman
- The Band's Visit (assuming you haven't already seen it. I have, but plan a return visit next month because I want to see Lenk again and I suspect it'll close in the next 12 months).

I already have my ticket to see Network next month. Even those who hated it, acknowledged Cranston is amazing in it. Not sure it should trump any of the above though.

I'm also intrigued by TKAM, but Daniels will be in it for most of the year. Plus, right now it's harder to get a decent ticket at a reasonable price as it's selling incredibly well. So, if you will be back before the end of the year, I would suggest putting it on the back burner for now.

And I consider the MFL revival with the original cast one of my most disappointing theater experiences so I'm not inclined to give them more of my money especially with so many other deserving shows out there.

In regard to shows not on your list, King Lear begins previews on 2/28; Tootsie begins previews on March 29; Burn This begins previews March 15; and Oklahoma! begins previews March 19. Of those, Tootsie, King Lear, and Oklahoma! intrigue me the most. Plus if you see Tootsie and TBV on the same trip, you will get to experience two Yazbek scores in one trip.

Not easy choices, but with this embarrassment of riches, you're guaranteed to have a great time regardless of what you choose. 

Updated On: 1/16/19 at 02:45 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 3:23pm

I would just be careful with TBV, since I think it is similar to Bridges in that the people close to the stage have an amazing, engaging, intimate experience... and the people further back are like, eh, it was nice. I'd definitely spend more to be closer and centered if I went again...

[joytobroadway]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 3:33pm

Rush The Band's Visit if you can. I rushed it 10 minutes before the show on a Thursday night and got a front row ticket for $40. The gentleman next to me spent over $200 on his ticket when he bought it the night of the Tony awards.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 10:55pm

I say Hadestown is a must. I loved it.
Then Id probably say the ferryman followed by to kill a mockingbird

(I would also say the Cher show is just a fun time if you want a contrast from the heavy theatre. Its nothing serious but I enjoyed so much)

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 1/16/19 at 11:12pm

Unless you're planning on paying premium prices ($225-$400+), To Kill a Mockingbird has basically zero availability until late April/May.

Updated On: 1/16/19 at 11:12 PM

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 1/17/19 at 11:57am

bwayphreak234 said: "Very solid shows you listed with the exception of Network which I thought was pretty damn bad. You really cant go wrong with any of the other shows you listed, though!"

Haha, I really dug Network and really hated TKAM, so who knows what Jorge will take to. (Cranston's performance aside, there's a bit of stage magic that's one of the coolest things I've seen in the theatre, and I'm still thinking about it.)

Jorge, from your list I'd go with Hadestown, Ferryman, and Band's Visit (from close as others have said). If you want something lighthearted that will leave you smiling, I'd also consider The Prom. It's a bit polarizing, as I'm sure you know from reading these boards, but if you watch some of their YouTube content or listen to the recording you can get a pretty good idea of which side you'd fall on. (Whether or not you liked Drowsy Chaperone is also a good indicator.) And you'll have no problem finding a cheap ticket.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 1/17/19 at 6:11pm

I know I am in the minority here but I thought the Ferrymen was a cross between TV's the Walton's, Of Mice and Men and Ibsen's The Wild Duck.  I found it dull and eye rolling ( the dead goose for-shadowing things to come)   They were in the middle of eating dinner and they break out into a Riverdance.  And they drink and it's talky. 

The acting was good and the kids were wonderful but I'd put something else on my list. The  over 3 hour Ferryman doesn't live up to it's hype-- in my humble opinion.

 

 

 

[bear88]

Posted: 1/17/19 at 11:10pm

I'm going in May, and our lists are quite similar. I'm going the week before Memorial Day, and there are a lot of variables. About the only thing I'm sure I want to see on my trip is Hadestown. And then there's some uncertainty.

- The Band's Visit. I haven't seen it, assumed Katrina Lenk will have left by the show by then but have no idea. I'm struck by the people saying to get seats up close for this one (or take your chances with rush tickets - which is always a risk, especially when I'm going with my wife and daughter).

- My Fair Lady. We don't know who Eliza is going to be. I don't care about a star, just trying to decide whether to wait for the tour. As the show isn't selling out now, and it's less likely to have a Benanti-level star, I'm wondering how much of a bargain I can get. It seems like I ought to wait on this one.

- Hadestown. Do I buy tickets in advance for this one, as it's the show I'm most curious about? How important are good seats?

- Oklahoma. I'm interested in this revival, but I don't think I can talk my wife into seeing it (and I don't want to be blamed if she and my daughter hate it). It feels like the sort of thing we would see at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. (Not necessarily a bad thing, by the way.)

- Tootsie. It seems like the sort of film adaptation that doesn't interest me. I'll wait for the reviews. (ETA: This was a bit snarky. I did glance through a few reviews, and it sounds like it might be a very entertaining musical with a star performance in the lead. If it's a more commercial choice, it also sounds like a safer one.)

- The plays. My wife and daughter are more musical-oriented, so I'm not sure I want to use one of my 3 (or 4 at most) shows on a play unless I really want to see it. To Kill a Mockingbird doesn't interest me at all even though I've read the good reviews, and it's expensive anyway. The Ferryman will be getting a new cast. There are some things that intrigue me that haven't opened yet, from King Lear to Gary.

 So that's where I'm at now. Plenty of time to decide...

Updated On: 1/18/19 at 11:10 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/17/19 at 11:14pm

Have you ever seen a show at the Park Avenue Armory? Lehman Trilogy starts previews on March 22nd.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/17/19 at 11:45pm

bear88,

Just my two cents.

I do recommend seeing The Band’s Visit. I saw it from the second row and do recommend being up close. Such a beautiful, intimate show. To my knowledge, Lenk has not announced a departure date so your chances might be good of still seeing her. Also it's listed at TKTS pretty frequently so you might be able to get front orchestra tickets there. Plus people are saying they're walking up right before showtime and getting front row rush tickets. I'm seeing it again next month and I rarely see Broadway shows twice on Broadway, but I think this intimate show will lose something in those big performing arts centers when it tours plus I want to see Lenk again.

I recommend skipping My Fair Lady. I had high hopes for it in June and I was disappointed. It was my least favorite of the 9 productions I saw on that trip. Wait for the tour. Even a new Eliza hasn't enticed me to make a return visit.

I'm also highly intrigued by Hadestown, but I suspect that due to the subject matter it won't be sold out so I think your chances of getting discount tickets at TKTS or elsewhere are pretty good.

I am from Oklahoma and even I wasn't excited about the Oklahoma! revival until I read the off-Broadway reviews. I am now very excited for this and hope that I can see it in the months following its opening on Broadway. Everything I have read makes it sound like they have revitalized it and I think there are comparisons to be made (having not seen it) to Hamilton. I also think this will win best revival, but if your family doesnt like challenging works then perhaps best to skip it. I can imagine a great conversation with your daughter after seeing it. 

I’m also very excited about Tootsie. The composer is the same composer who wrote the music for The Band’s Visit and it got very strong reviews out of town. I think either Tootsie or Hadestown is going to win the Tony for best new musical this year. If I was going to predict right now, I would give the odds in the favor of Tootsie winning.

With this scarcity of new quality musicals over the last year, I've been leaning more on seeing plays and have found that I love plays much more thanI would've anticipated. I do suspect The Ferryman will win the Tony for best new play if that matters to you.

Also, not sure what the age of your daughter is, but perhaps The Prom would appeal to her. I have decided to pass on it, but I can see it being an enjoyable family night at the theater.

 

Updated On: 1/17/19 at 11:45 PM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:22am

Id also like to suggest The Prom. Its some of the most fun Ive had in a theatre, and Beth Leavel is a revelation as shes giving possibly my favorite comedic performance Ive ever seen.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/5/19 at 12:34am

Just wanted to bump that I ended up buying tickets for Hadestown, Alice By Heart, and My Fair Lady. Hope I don’t end up regretting it. I can’t wait!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/5/19 at 12:45am

Congrats on your choices! I have to say that while I won’t be seeing it again next week, if anyone was going to get me to see MFL again it would be LB. I look forward to your reports on your 3 shows.

Updated On: 2/5/19 at 12:45 AM