Please help me choose!

[TanyaF]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 2:24pm

We are travelling as a family to New York over Easter. My son is 13, a musical theatre, music and theatre lover who both acts and sings and has been in professional productions. Current favorite soundtrack is Six the Musical or Hamilton. We do have tickets to Hamilton. He has seen Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, both in NY. Our 16 year old daughter does not really care for theatre. We may decide to divide and conquer but if not we would likely be choosing between the following or any better suggestions people may have and we will see at least one if not two shows in addition to Hamilton:

Be More Chill

The Prom 

Mean Girls
Also maybe:

Tootsie

To Kill a Mockingbird

As we live far away we are open to any and all suggestions, including Off Broadway or other. The goal, as always is to make everyone happy and have a uniquely NY experience!

Thanks in advance for your help! This trip is a surprise which complicates it as I can't ask the main fan!

Updated On: 2/20/19 at 02:24 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 3:06pm

Hamilton is awesome. Honestly, I haven’t seen any of those three other shows because they don’t appeal to me, but they might appeal to your daughter.

As your son is already part of the theater world, might I suggest you indeed divide and conquer and take him to two of these?

- Kiss Me, Kate - already in previews
- Oklahoma! - previews begin March 19
- Hadestown - previews start 3/22
- Tootsie - begins 3/29/19

I have seen Kiss Me, Kate. In addition to being a part of musical theater history, it features Broadway royalty in O’Hara as well as winning performances from Chase, Bleu, and Styles. It’s an old-fashioned (which is why I think your daughter won’t like it) show, but full of bliss. Plus I think it would be neat for your son to meet O’Hara at stage door after the show. Age guidance is 13. 

Oklahoma!’s age guidance is 13 and this also is a clsssic musical that has been imaginatively (by all reports) reinvisioned in a way that would make it a potentially great companion to Hamilton.

I don’t know much about Hadestown except it is tranferring to Broadway on a wave of positive notices.
Age guidance is 16, though. There is a London cast recording available.

Tootsie appears to be the frontrunner for Tony wins. Age guidance is 13.

Again, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these for your daughter since she really is not into musical theater. But I think all of these could be meaningful experiences for your son.

Can I also just say that your son is very lucky to have you as a parent. He is quite fortunate to have parents to foster his love and talent in theater.

 

Updated On: 2/20/19 at 03:06 PM

[Annette170]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 3:19pm

TanyaF said: "We are travelling as a family to New York over Easter. My son is 13, a musical theatre, music and theatre lover who both acts and sings and has been in professional productions. Current favorite soundtrack is Six the Musical orHamilton. We do have tickets to Hamilton. He has seen Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, both in NY.Our 16 year old daughter does not really care for theatre. We may decide to divide and conquer but if not we would likely be choosing between the following or any better suggestions people may have and we will see at least one if not two shows in addition to Hamilton:

Be More Chill

The Prom

Mean Girls
Also maybe:

Tootsie

To Kill a Mockingbird

As we live far away we are open to any and all suggestions, including Off Broadway or other. The goal, as always is to make everyone happy and have a uniquely NY experience!

Thanks in advance for your help! This trip is a surprise which complicates it as I can't ask the main fan!"

I have a 14 yr old who is also into musical theater and sings/acts. We have recently seen THE PROM and loved it. She liked it a lot more than she thought she would. We also saw Mean Girls in December and Both of my teens loved it. I enjoyed it more than I thought. We have Be More Chill tickets for March. Honestly The Prom is hilarious and a lot of fun. We got RUSH seats for both recent shows and the seats were phenomenal for $40 each. Can’t go wrong with any on your list. Enjoy!

Updated On: 2/20/19 at 03:19 PM

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 4:46pm

The Prom is very funny, and a lot of fun, so I would definitely add that to the possible list.

I personally was not a fan of Mean Girls, but I can see how a son your age might enjoy it.  I would go with The Prom over it, but that's just me.

Saw Tootsie in its out of town try out in Chicago last October, and absolutely loved it.  I think it will do well on Broadway, and I can see it getting a lot of nominations come Tony Time.  That said, it's geared a bit more toward adults, I think.  In the preview version, there was a song called "You F***ed it Up", or something like that. (The program did not have a song list, unfortunately, and it's been a while since I saw it.) I don't know how you feel about language.  It's not a raunchy show or anything, just that one song has a lot of "F-Bombs" in it.  It may be gone when it comes to Broadway, or replaced with another song. 

I am seeing Mockingbird in May, so can't give an opinion on that.  But I hear great things.

Have a wonderful time, and it's amazing you are doing this for your son.  I wish I could have gone on a theater trip like this when I was his age.

[Vinosippycup2]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 5:23pm

Hello,

 

Lucky kids! 

 

I would definitely take them to To Kill a Mockingbird. It's so well done and covers such relevant topics to discuss with them.

 

For fun, I would suggest Be More Chill over The Prom or Mean Girls.

I haven't seen Tootsie but hear great things.

Enjoy.

 

[TanyaF]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 6:12pm

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses, I especially appreciate the consideration given to what may be most impactful for my son as a theatre lover.

Based on the new information and opinions I think I have moved The Prom to the front if we all go to one more show and then maybe I would just take my son to TKAM and Hadestown on our own. 

It appears I need both more money and more time! 

Updated On: 2/20/19 at 06:12 PM

[ethan231h]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 7:17pm

The Prom is wonderful!! Very fun and important

[LxGstv]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 7:43pm

How about My Fair Lady? I know response has been somewhat mixed, but it’s a great production and the theater is pretty amazing.

[Dkinny23]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 6:53am

I know you’ve sort of made up your mind already, but I think out of the three you listed; Mean Girls is a MUST!! I’ve seen all 3 (be more chill on off-broadway, the prom during opening week, and mean girls twice and the last time being last week). Be more chill is very very fun and quirky and weird. No doubt that your kids will like that. You may even like it too but it’s veey stylistic and may, for whatever reason, not be your cup of tea. For the Prom, I agree it’s funny and has important message, and overall pretty good. But coming from someone who see’s a LOT shows, I left the theater after that one saying “meh.” I had a good time while watching it but didn’t at all think twice about going back. The songs are good in the moment but none of them stuck with me or are memorable.

Now as for mean girls - I seriously thought it was going to be very cheesy and that I wouldn’t like it as much as I did. When I saw it the first time, my FIRST thought the second it ended was, “ wow I want to see this again!” It’s perfect for all ages. The kids will love it cause the are already familiar with the story (I’m assuming) as are you (again, assuming). And even if you guys are not you can follow along just great without knowing it. Some of the references are a bit funnier if you know the movie a little though. But anyway, the singing and acting are amazing. Not only is there one stand out character in terms of singing, but 4!! It’s unbelievable. Their voices are so incredible and powerful if gives you chills. The songs are extremely catchy. I can’t say enough how this show has absolutely everything from great music, great singing, great acting, great story, graaty deliverg, great set design, great dance numbers, and most importantly, great energy! I truly think your whole family will have a much much much better time at mean girls than the prom, especially your daughter who you said wasn’t totally into the whole theater thing

[TanyaF]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 9:25am

Dkinny23 said: "I know you’ve sort of made up your mind already, but I think out of the three you listed; Mean Girls is a MUST!! I’ve seen all 3 (be more chill on off-broadway, the prom during opening week, and mean girls twice and the last time being last week). Be more chill is very very fun and quirky and weird. No doubt that your kids will like that. You may even like it too but it’s veey stylistic and may, for whatever reason, not be your cup of tea. For the Prom, I agree it’s funny and has important message, and overall pretty good. But coming from someone who see’s a LOT shows, I left the theater after that one saying “meh.” I had a good time while watching it but didn’t at all think twice about going back. The songs are good in the moment but none of them stuck with me or are memorable.

Now as for mean girls - I seriously thought it was going to be very cheesy and that I wouldn’t like it as much as I did. When I saw it the first time, my FIRST thought the second it ended was, “ wow I want to see this again!” It’s perfect for all ages. The kids will love it cause the are already familiar with the story (I’m assuming) as are you (again, assuming). And even if you guys are not you can follow along just great without knowing it. Some of the references are a bit funnier if you know the movie a little though. But anyway, the singing and acting are amazing. Not only is there one stand out character in terms of singing, but 4!! It’s unbelievable. Their voices are so incredible and powerful if gives you chills. The songs are extremely catchy. I can’t say enough how this show has absolutely everything from great music, great singing, great acting, great story, graaty deliverg, great set design, great dance numbers, and most importantly, great energy! I truly think your whole family will have a much much much better time at mean girls than the prom, especially your daughter who you said wasn’t totally into the whole theater thing"

One thing for sure is I have never fully made up my mind until it happens! I am quite able to agonize over this decision for another month. Do you think any of these tickets I can wait u til we are in NY Easter weekend and get day of tickets at eithe TKTS or Rush?

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 9:50am

Will echo what others have said that your son is lucky to have you as a mom to take him on a theater trip! 

Has your son read Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird? It wasn't required reading at my high school so I never read it but friends who watched the play encouraged me to read the novel first and that's what I'm doing now. Also, the whole legal challenge by Harper Lee's estate last year was due to them not thinking Sorkin's play represented the 'spirit of the novel' but they obviously settled as the production is now on Bway. 

[Dkinny23]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 7:19pm

TanyaF said: "Dkinny23 said: "I know you’ve sort of made up your mind already, but I think out of the three you listed; Mean Girls is a MUST!! I’ve seen all 3 (be more chill on off-broadway, the prom during opening week, and mean girls twice and the last time being last week). Be more chill is very very fun and quirky and weird. No doubt that your kids will like that. You may even like it too but it’s veey stylistic and may, for whatever reason, not be your cup of tea. For the Prom, I agree it’s funny and has important message, and overall pretty good. But coming from someone who see’s a LOT shows, I left the theater after that one saying “meh.” I had a good time while watching it but didn’t at all think twice about going back. The songs are good in the moment but none of them stuck with me or are memorable.

Now as for mean girls - I seriously thought it was going to be very cheesy and that I wouldn’t like it as much as I did. When I saw it the first time, my FIRST thought the second it ended was, “ wow I want to see this again!” It’s perfect for all ages. The kids will love it cause the are already familiar with the story (I’m assuming) as are you (again, assuming). And even if you guys are not you can follow along just great without knowing it. Some of the references are a bit funnier if you know the movie a little though. But anyway, the singing and acting are amazing. Not only is there one stand out character in terms of singing, but 4!! It’s unbelievable. Their voices are so incredible and powerful if gives you chills. The songs are extremely catchy. I can’t say enough how this show has absolutely everything from great music, great singing, great acting, great story, graaty deliverg, great set design, great dance numbers, and most importantly, great energy! I truly think your whole family will have a much much much better time at mean girls than the prom, especially your daughter who you said wasn’t totally into the whole theater thing"

One thing for sure is I have never fully made up my mind until it happens! I am quite able to agonize over this decision for another month. Do you think any of these tickets I can wait u til we are in NY Easter weekend and get day of tickets at eithe TKTS or Rush?"

 

Be More Chill has a rush for $40 tickets that are day of only. It’s only in its first few weeks of previews but from what I’ve seen and heard, people have been able to get day of tickets. I’m pretty sure it’s the same with the  Prom, but I saw it a while ago I don’t know how popular their rush still is. And for mean girls I’d say the same haha (though I’m not 100% sure of their policy). Pretty much the answer is you could possibly get same day tickets for almost any/all of them but it’s never guaranteeed and it would be a shame to try and have a planned family trip and have things fall through. Would probably be best to just get tickets in advance if possible.  Good luck in your decision and enjoy whatever you end up seeing!

[maya_40]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 9:02pm

Be More Chill is uniquely teen centric, which I love. It is somewhat science fiction styled, and the sets are very flashy (in a good way) basically the stage has a lot of computer and electronic light up elements that really add to the show. It is certainly a modern musical, but so is DEH. If you  have seen Dear Evan Hansen, then you should be okay with certain crude jokes or themes,  but I feel like I should warn you of such content in Be More Chill. They mention weed, p*rn is mentioned three times (it is very brief each time) and one song is very obviously an almost sex scene. (Do You Wanna Hang, not obvious on the soundtrack but very obvious on stage) If it has been a while since seeing Dear Evan Hansen, you could consider seeing it again, because a new Evan, Andrew Barth Feldman, has just come on to replace Taylor Trensch. A new actor makes a musical very different so it is worth considering, plus, Andrew is the actual age of Evan, a high schooler, which really adds a dose of realism, and is insanely talented. I would give anything to see DEH again just to see him (and all the other fantastic actors) But seriously, Be More Chill is a  really fun choice. Not so much a musical with a lesson (Unless the Lesson is don’t swallow a supercomputer), but a really fun choice.

Updated On: 2/21/19 at 09:02 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 9:15pm

I highly suggest Tootsie (did you see the movie)..ask you son if he's familiar with Be More Chill

That will make you decide if you go that way!

https://tootsiemusical.com/

Here's a discount Code: MAIL1   ticketmaster.com

Select Orchestra  -  Front Mezzanine Seats $79-$99  /   Mezzanine $69

***One of the most highly anticipated musicals of the season*** Gonna be a BIG HIT!

Updated On: 2/21/19 at 09:15 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 10:28pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Hamilton is awesome. Honestly, I haven’t seen any of those three other shows because they don’t appeal to me, but they might appeal to your daughter.

As your son is already part of the theater world, might I suggest you indeed divide and conquer and take him to two of these?

- Kiss Me, Kate - already in previews
- Oklahoma! - previews begin March 19
- Hadestown - previews start 3/22
- Tootsie - begins 3/29/19

I have seen Kiss Me, Kate. In addition to being a part of musical theater history, it features Broadway royalty in O’Hara as well as winning performances from Chase, Bleu, and Styles. It’s an old-fashioned (which is why Ithink your daughter won’t like it) show, but full of bliss. Plus I think it would be neat for your son to meet O’Hara at stage door after the show. Age guidance is 13.

Oklahoma!’s age guidance is 13 and this also is a clsssic musical that has been imaginatively (by all reports) reinvisioned in a way that would make it a potentially great companion to Hamilton.

I don’t know much about Hadestown except it is tranferring to Broadway on a wave of positive notices.
Age guidance is 16, though. There is a London castrecording available.

Tootsie appears to be the frontrunner for Tony wins. Age guidance is 13.

Again, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these for your daughter since she really is not into musical theater. But I think all of these could be meaningful experiences for your son.

Can I also just say that your son is very lucky to have you as a parent. He is quite fortunate to have parents to foster his love and talent in theater.

"

 

TOOTSIE is recommended for ages 10 and older. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 10:34pm

Not sure about rush, but these shows are always listed at TKTS:

The More Chill

The Prom

Kiss Me, Kate

TKTS app says this is frequently listed:

Mean Girls

This is a hot ticket. If this is what you want, I’m not sure you can even get 4 tickets together now for your dates:

To Kill a Mockingbird

As far as shows yet to open, hard to say what demand will be although others might be able to tell you based on seat maps:

Tootsie

Oklahoma!

Hadestown

 

 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 10:39pm

I got my information about age guidance for shows directly off TKTS app.