Question & advice for Broadway trip

[Heather4]

Posted: 10/6/19 at 11:12pm

Hello all,

Brand new to the board and I have a few questions as Im trying to plan a trip to see several Broadway shows in March 2020. The first is about Beetlejuice. I know they released the newest block of tickets that go through April 2020. I am a huge fan of Alex Brightman and really want to see him as Beetlejuice, especially after hearing the reviews from those who have seen the show. If I were to plan for a mid March trip, would it be safe to assume Alex would still be in the show? If he were to leave do they give advance notice to those with tickets? Secondly, do actors stage door all year round? Ive never stage doored and want to make sure there isnt a rule of thumb as to when they do and do not stage door. Finally, Ill most likely have time for three shows during my trip. Which other shows would you all suggest?

Thanks for the help!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/6/19 at 11:25pm

Right now there’s no way of knowing when Brightman will depart the show. If you purchase tickets, you won’t be notified of cast changes or allowed to exchange/cancel because of them. March will be a full year or so of him doing the show on Broadway so there is a good chance he will be gone by then but no way to know now.

And depending on the March weather, you just never know who’s gonna stage door. A lot of the people with demanding vocal roles won’t want to spend all that time in the freezing cold interacting with people who can get them sick. But you just never know.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 10/6/19 at 11:36pm

Beetlejuice opened April 25, 2019. As far as I know, most Broadway Contracts are for a year. He was also in School of Rock for a year. So you might catch him towards the end of his contract, assuming the show doesn’t close before then.

Regarding stagedoor, Alex regularly stagedoored for SOR even in February. Most actors don’t come out to stagedoor after matinees one two show days. Unless you’re seeing a matinee, weather is really nasty, other circumstances interfere (lots of backstage guests), or he’s changed his policy on stagedooring, I’d think your chances of meeting him would be good. He is a very nice guy.

As far as other shows, I just returned from my trip and I recommend Hadestown and Moulin Rouge for your other two slots if they’re within budget. Of course, I don’t know what you’ve already seen and there are also a ton of shows opening between now and March that look very promising. Also, what type of shows do you typically gravitate toward? I’d also recommend Tootsie, but I think it may close before March based on box office receipts.

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 11:36 PM

[Joe Mayo]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 8:14am

Heather4 said: "Hello all,

Brand new to the board and I have a few questions as Im trying to plan a trip to see several Broadway shows in March 2020. The first is about Beetlejuice. I know they released the newest block of tickets that go through April 2020. I am a huge fan of Alex Brightman and really want to see him as Beetlejuice, especially after hearing the reviews from those who have seen the show. If I were to plan for a mid March trip, would it be safe to assume Alex would still be in the show? If he were to leave do they give advance notice to those with tickets? Secondly, do actors stage door all year round? Ive never stage doored and want to make sure there isnt a rule of thumb as to when they do and do not stage door. Finally, Ill most likely have time for three shows during my trip. Which other shows would you all suggest?

Thanks for the help!"

If you have flexibility in your schedule, Beetlejuice may not be something you need to buy advanced tickets for. You can also do day of rush tickets.

Brightman has always had very good attendance for his shows, so if hes still in the cast at that point, I'd think you would have good odds of seeing him.

When I went, stage door was insane, we left before brightman came out (if he came out).

As far as other shows (not knowing what you have already seen)

- come from away

- hadestown

- dear evan hansen

- tootsie

- to kill a mockingbird (make sure to read about new cast, but they will have 4 months under their belt at that point)

- ain't too proud (if you like that era of music)

I also thought the play that goes wrong is hysterical

There will also be a new crop of musicals out by then, so you may want to leave some flexibility based on reviews.

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 8:45am

I agree with others that we won't really know for sure and that the box office can't make a guarantee. I thought Rob McClure was going to be in Beetlejuice for a year but he left the show early a few weeks ago due to an awesome gig at Mrs. Doubtfire that came up. My point is anything can happen and if an amazing opportunity knocks on Alex Brightman's door, I can't blame him for taking advantage of it and leaving Beetlejuice early. Overall though most Broadway contracts are for a year.

If you can, try to come to NYC in late January for Broadwaycon as Alex and the Beetlejuice cast *might* do a panel discussion. I've never gone to Broadwaycon but it's a slow time on Broadway and I believe Broadway week (2-for-1 tix) is around that time.

As for stage dooring, here's Alex's experience of his first stage door experience at the Who's Tommy (jump to 12:50 in the video)

 

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 08:45 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 10:46am

(But isn't McCure RETURNING?  That happens often, they extend their contract the same length of time as their "leave".  But, of course, your message is spot on.)

[delilahjones77]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 12:48pm

Just want to reiterate what a previous poster said about matinees and stage dooring. We saw the matinee of Beetlejuice on Saturday and Alex did not come out. We didn’t expect him to given that it was a matinee. He came out when we saw him in School of Rock & he was delightful! If the stage door experience is as vital to you as seeing him perform, I would try to move your trip up if that is an option. I wasn’t that excited about seeing Beetlejuice if I’m being honest, but it was quite funny with several laugh out loud moments.

What type of shows do you typically enjoy? That will help us give you more focused suggestions!

[Heather4]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 2:43pm

Thank you all so much for all the suggestions and help.  I'm fairly open to any show, though I do like shows that are a getaway from life and can truly make me forget about the outside world while I'm there.  (I'm a bit of a history buff if that helps any)  I've heard great things about Hadestown, and Wicked is also one I would eventually like to see.  I originally had plans to see Alex in School of Rock, however life (as is so often the case) threw me a curve-ball and I was unable to go while he was in the show.  I am hoping to move up my trip to possibly January (November may be an option if I can find a hotel for a decent price).  Thank you all again!

[Heather4]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 7:57pm

 

delilahjones77 said: "Just want to reiterate what a previous poster said about matinees and stage dooring. We saw the matinee of Beetlejuice on Saturday and Alex did not come out. We didn’t expect him to given that it was a matinee. He came out when we saw him in School of Rock & he was delightful! If the stage door experience is as vital to you as seeing him perform, I would try to move your trip up if that is an option. I wasn’t that excited about seeing Beetlejuice if I’m being honest, but it was quite funny with several laugh out loud moments.

What type of shows do you typically enjoy? That will help us give you more focused suggestions!"

Based on everyone’s suggestions, I’m going to try to move up my trip and try to see Beetlejuice on Halloween. Since it’s a one show day, I’m hopeful Alex will stage door after the show. (I saw somewhere it takes him a while as he has to get out of the makeup etc, however I found a hotel nearly across the street so I’m fine with waiting). I’m looking into shows for Wednesday to see and have no clue how to “rush” a show. 

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 8:15pm

I did a rush online for American Utopia and at 10:00 a.m. it was available on Today's Tix at $39. So get the app and go to their lottery/rush column and check it out. Also. Check out Playbill on the web for this information in detail.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 11:52pm

Off-Broadway Rush, Lottery, Standing Room

Broadway Rush, Lottery, Standing Room

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 10/8/19 at 2:51pm

Just a heads up to the OP that Alex Brightman has stated he won't be doing the stage door at all this month:

https://twitter.com/ABrightMonster/status/1181617052643147776

I don't know if he'll make an exception for the Halloween show, but it doesn't sound like it from the tweet.