7 shows in 4 days/ BroadwayCon

[Bradley Equality Jadwin]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 3:11pm

Long time lurker; first time poster.

After living in New York for nearly 10 years I now reside in Ohio and travel every few months to keep abreast of the New York theater scene. I am often inspired by other posters and the things that they see on such trips as well, so here are some thoughts:

Show #1 Jagged Little Pill (Wed matinee 1/22 2pm) I didnt arrive to the box office until 11am and yet I was still able to get a $40 rush ticket Row J, marked partial view but had a great view, just left of the far aisle. Elizabeth Stanley was incredible. Lauren Patton is a lock for a Tony nomination. The book was ultimately uneven but Ive never heard the music sound better. A slightly unfocused production but I would gladly see again.

Show #2 West Side Story (Wed evening 1/22 8pm) I arrived at the box office at 12 PM and received row U at rush price of $40. A perfect view for the show without giving too much away. For me, the slam dunk of the week. Ivo van Hove and his team have made magic on stage. Its unfortunate that controversy is plaguing this production because every performer is universally thrilling and well cast in their role. Cant wait to see it again.

Show #3 Moulin Rouge (Thurs matinee 1/23 2pm). No rush or SRO options available but was able to snag a $39 StubHub seat last minute for the last row (Row S) center mezz. The show is truly spectacular and all of the money spent on the production is right on stage where you can see it. Understudy for Mrs. Olivo was terrific and Robyn Hurder is a star. Its one of my all-time favorite films and I loved the show for doing something different with a beloved property.

Show #4 Hadestown (Thurs evening 1/23 7pm). I received a $39 standing room only ticket after arriving to the theater at 5 PM, having been sixth in line. I last saw the show in previews and has only gotten stronger. Andre De Shields and Patrick Page are giving two of the best male performances I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Solid cast and company; some of the most unique staging on Broadway.

Show #5 Grand Horizons (Friday evening 1/24 8pm) I volunteered all day at BroadwayCon and ended my evening by volunteer ushering at the Helen Hayes theater. Bess Wohl Is quickly becoming my favorite play right after Small Mouth Sounds and Make Believe. Exquisite performances across the board, with Ashley Park and Priscilla Lopez as the two standouts. Jane Alexander and James Cromwell are remarkable in their scenes together.

Show #6 The Inheritance Part 1 (Saturday mat 1/25 1pm) I got to the box office at 11am and received Row C, left orchestra for $40. I have read the play and only imagine the staging in my head. I was not emotionally prepared for what the next 3+ hours would do to me. As a 34-year-old gay man I am aware that I am the perfect demographic for this production and it had me hook line and sinker. Some of the most diverse and brilliant acting is happening at the Barrymore theater. As somebody who enjoys two part plays done in marathon, I was worried that I wouldnt be able to enjoy a part one knowing that I wont be able to see part two for several weeks. Quite the contrary. The show will sit with me for a very long time and I anticipate the resolution.

Show #7 A Soldiers Play (Saturday evening 1/25 8pm) I so badly wanted to enjoy this production. The cast is giving some great if not uneven performances; Kenny Leon continues to inspire me with his directional choices, yet it just never came together for me. I respected it more than I enjoyed it.

The rest of the weekend was filled with BroadwayCon events, the highlights being the Six SingALong and meeting Bess Wohl and Andrew Lippa.

This board has been a daily go to for nearly a decade and its necer occurred to me to post about my trips so I thought now would be as good a time as any. Thanks to all for the info and inspiration!

Updated On: 1/26/20 at 03:11 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 5:03pm

Bradley Equality Jadwin said: "Long time lurker; first time poster.

After living in New York for nearly 10 years I now reside in Ohio and travel every few months to keep abreast of the New York theater scene. I am often inspired by other posters and the things that they see on such trips as well, so here are some thoughts:

Show #1 Jagged Little Pill (Wed matinee 1/22 2pm) I didnt arrive to the box office until 11am and yet I was still able to get a $40 rush ticket Row J, marked partial view but had a great view, just left of the far aisle. Elizabeth Stanley was incredible. Lauren Patton is a lock for a Tony nomination. The book was ultimately uneven but Ive never heard the music sound better. A slightly unfocused production but I would gladly see again.

Show #2 West Side Story (Wed evening 1/22 8pm) I arrived at the box office at 2 PM and received row U at rush price of $40. A perfect view for the show without giving too much away. For me, the slam dunk of the week. Ivo van Hove and his team have made magic on stage. Its unfortunate that controversy is playing in this production because every performer is universally thrilling and well cast in their role. Cant wait to see it again.

Show #3 Moulin Rouge (Thurs matinee 1/23 2pm). No rush or SRO options available but was able to snag a $39 StubHub seat last minute for the last row (Row S) center mezz. The show is truly spectacular and all of the money spent on the production is right on stage where you can see it. Understudy for Mrs. Olivo was terrific and Robyn Hurder is a star. Its one of my all-time favorite films and I loved the show for doing something different with a beloved property.

Show #4 Hadestown (Thurs evening 1/23 7pm). I received a $39 standing room only ticket after arriving to the theater at 5 PM, having been sixth in line. I last saw the show in previews And has only gotten stronger. Andre De Shields and Patrick Page Are two of the best meal performances Ive ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Solid cast and company; some of the most unique staging on Broadway.

Show #5 Grand Horizons (Friday evening 1/24 8pm) I volunteered all day at BroadwayCon and ended my evening by volunteer ushering at the Helen Hayes theater. Bess Wohl Is quickly becoming my favorite play right after Small Mouth Sounds and Make Believe. Exquisite performances across the board, with Ashley Park and Priscilla Lopez as the two standouts. Jane Alexander and James Cromwell are remarkable in their scenes together.

Show #6 The Inheritance Part 1 (Saturday mat 1/25 1pm) I got to the box office at 11am and received Row C, left orchestra for $40.I have read the play and only imagine the staging in my head. I was not emotionally prepared for what the next 3+ hours would do to me. As a 34-year-old gay man I am aware that I am the perfect demographic for this production and it had me hook line and sinker. Some of the most diverse and brilliant acting is happening at the Barrymore theater. As somebody who enjoys two part plays done in marathon, I was worried that I wouldnt be able to enjoy a part one knowing that I wont be able to see part two for several weeks. Quite the contrary. The show will sit with me for a very long time and I anticipate the resolution.

Show #7 A Soldiers Play (Saturday evening 1/25 8pm) I so badly wanted to enjoy this production. The cast is giving some great if not uneven performances; Kenny Leon continues to inspire me with his directional choices, yet it just never came together for me. I respected it more than I enjoyed it.

The rest of the weekend was filled with BroadwayCon events, the highlights being the Six SingALong and meeting Bess Wohl and Andrew Lippa.

This board has been a daily go to for nearly a decade and its necer occurred to me to post about my trips so I thought now would be as good a time as any. Thanks to all for the info and inspiration!"

I am really impressed with your amazing success at getting those tickets, especially given the times when you got some of them.  I guess that it helped that the month was January and not July.  

Makes me want to see Grand Horizons (have loved Alexander since The Great White Hope -- no, Mourning Becomes Electra in Stratford, Connecticut -- and have seen most of her shows.  In Florida now, and only get to NYC to or three times a year-end not in the winter.  

 

[inception]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 10:01pm

Wow! Great trip! Thanks for writing it up. I think the biggest takeaway is that it us possible to see most of the biggest shows without breaking the bank.

[Bradley Equality Jadwin]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 2:07pm

I’m sure it helped a great deal that I was a single and not a pair, especially for the Hadestown SRO and Jagged Little Pill. I noticed great deals on Stubhub all week as back ups for only had to use once (Moulin Rouge). I try to see every new piece of theater that I can and only repeat when i know it’s something unique that I won’t see again (The OBC Hadestown, Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple, Sunday in the Park with George at the Hudson). Sure it’s January, but I often have similar luck in the spring and always fortunate for it.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 3:55pm

Thanks for sharing. I'm also impressed that you found such cheap tickets last minute, especially since it was both BroadwayCon weekend and NY Times Travel Show weekend. Well done!