Kiss Me Kate! or King Kong

[Rogerdellibovi]

I know what youre thinking do you have to chose between those two?, and no not really but Im going to be taking my mom to her first Broadway show at the end of June and I cant decide. Hadestown is my first choice but we arent positive what day yet and most of the somewhat reasonably priced tickets are almost sold out. So if they do sell out I need a backup plan. My sister has seen Come From Away, Waitress, Frozen, Mean Girls and Hamilton and she doesnt like rewatching shows so those are out. Out of the other shows I think the ones my mom would like are Kiss Me Kate! and King Kong. So which do yall like better or any other shows I should consider? Thanks!

[AllThatJazz2]

Between the two you've listed, I would go with Kiss Me Kate. Saw that in March and very much enjoyed it. King Kong, aside from the puppetry, is a fair mess of a show. From other shows playing currently, My Fair Lady is a wonderful production if you haven't already seen it. Others here have been quick to recommend The Prom and Tootsie as a fun time at the theater, though I can't speak personally to them, as we haven't seen The Prom and aren't seeing Tootsie until October. 

[ilysespieces]

As long as you can get seats not in the rear mezzanine, Kiss Me Kate. Because personally, the leg room in the rear mezzanine of Studio 54 is so awful that I'd choose King Kong over sitting there again. But maybe you're all 5' even and would be fine, but if you can sit anywhere else, KMK hands down. I did actually enjoy King Kong (saw it yesterday) so it's not a bad choice, but some people really do not like it, so you'll probably get more KMK answers.

[Miles2Go2]

Kiss Me, Kate, but as others said, avoid rear mezz. Even those with short legs complain about the lack of leg room. Front mess isn’t much better, but it’s bearable. But if possible, aim for front orchestra. I saw KMK in February and loved it. Perfect show for a mom as long as she doesn’t mind a little mild bawdy humor.

[CurtainPullDowner]

They are basically the same show.  Man tames Beast, but one has a score by the one and only Cole Porter and the other does not.

[Miles2Go2]

https://www.facebook.com/RoundaboutTheatreCompany/videos/712131615908554?s=1468216632&v=e&sfns=mo

[BroadwayNoob]

I just saw Kiss Me Kate yesterday and absolutely loved it. I would recommend that hands down. The legroom was awful in the rear mezz (for me, someone who's five foot nine), but there was adequate room in between seats so I was able to straddle the seat in front of me and not bother the people next to me.

[yankeefan7]

"The legroom was awful in the rear mezz (for me, someone who's five foot nine), but there was adequate room in between seats so I was able to straddle the seat in front of me and not bother the people next to me."

I would have been in big trouble sitting there since I am 5 inches taller than you. It is not a good thing to spend money on ticket and be uncomfortable watching the show. I am glad you found a way to help you be more comfortable. The problem could be resolved fairly easily by removing some seats but we all know that will never happen !! 

[JudyDenmark]

Just to offer a differing opinion... I'd go with King Kong. Kiss Me Kate is lovely, but it's exactly what you'd except it to be, and very predictable. If you see musicals, you've seen it before. A lot. 

King Kong may have a weak book and music, but the experience is so different than anything you've experienced in the theatre that to me it's worth seeing. But only if you can sit close - the point of seeing the show is the overwhelmingness of the gorilla, and I think that would get lost from far away or high up. It's genuinely thrilling.

That said, rereading your post, if this is your mom's first show... King Kong is a bit of an anomaly of theatre, while Kiss Me Kate is as traditional as it gets. For a first experience ever, traditional might be the way to go. 

[Broadway_Boy]

I think you have to skip both of these shows but if you must pick Go with King Kong. The puppetry and effects are really amazing and Kiss Me Kate is so boring. Tootsie or even Beetlejuice would be my recommendations if Hadestown doesn’t work out. But there is always a way in to a show when it’s sold. I have never not gotten in to a sold out show I’ve tried to attend and usually it’s been for final performances. You can check stubhub last minute sometimes for really great deals or keep checking on line for released seats. They hold a lot back as house seats and also lower premium seats to regular price in the days leading up to the show.