Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
#1Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:12pm
I am 21 years old, born in New York City, and the first Broadway show I saw was 'Avenue Q' two months ago. Of course I blame my parents for not exposing me to this culture and creativity. I love musical theatre now..I feel like it's the only thing that keeps me sane in this city.
I am making up for the fact that they never took me to the theatre now. I have seen six shows in 2 months. However, they were all musicals. I would love to see a play, so I need recommendations from y'all. I am a Broadway novice. For the most part I enjoy comedy, but occasionally I do enjoy the compelling drama.
These are the ones I've thought about going to see:
August Osage County
The Homecoming
Is He Dead?
Rock N' Roll
What do you guys think? What about your recommendations for Off-Broadway shows (either musical or play)? Looking forward to your responses.
Updated On: 1/5/08 at 09:12 PM
#2re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:17pm
I would say see whatever you can. Theater is amazing! Even the poo shows are full of wonders that will make you see life in a new way!
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#2re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:19pm
I have not seen much off-broadway recently (more logistics, than anything else), but I would recommend
1) "August"
2) "Seafarer"
3/4) "Is He Dead?" & "Come Back, Little Sheba"
#3re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:22pmi love broadway..love musicals..(most)..hate plays..i don't know if it is just me..i can't seem to get into them
#4re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:23pmFrom your list, I would recommend Is He Dead? if you're looking for a comedy. Even though it's not on your list, I highly recommend The Seafarer.
"In theater, the process of it is the experience. Everyone goes through the process, and everyone has the experience together. It doesn't last - only in people's memories and in their hearts. That's the beauty and sadness of it. But that's life - beauty and the sadness. And that is why theater is life." - Sherie Rene Scott
#5re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:28pmwell what shows have you seen? and which did you and didnt you like. Since you're new to the theatre (okay and because i'm a bit biased) I think you should see rent if you havent, because its a great show and has so much history with it as well. I havent seen any of the plays on your list, sorry.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#6re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:30pm
August: Osage County.
take your breath away, marvelous.
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
#7re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:39pm
Yes, I've heard great things about August and Is He Dead.
You could see both, haha.
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#8re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:44pmUnder no circumstances, miss AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. It's easily one of the most entertaining, exciting and flat-out superb American plays to come along in a decade.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#9re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:49pmDefinitely, definitely August:Osage County! It's brilliant.
Cape Twirl of Doom
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#10re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 9:59pmI haven't yet seen AUGUST, but my recommendation would be THE SEAFARER.
"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"
ShiksaGoddess2
Understudy Joined: 1/4/08
#11re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/4/08 at 10:00pmI recommend Is He Dead? and August: Osage County. Both are really great.
#12re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 3:52pm
august osage county it is. i don't want to overdo it, so i'm gonna start off with just the one. thanks for your inputs.
what about off-broadway? anyone?
#13re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 3:54pm
GONE MISSING.
(it's not a play, but it's super amazing fantastic)
As for plays:
Speech and Debate is wonderful (I hear...)
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#14re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 3:55pm
I haven't seen Is He Dead?, but any of the others you listed are great.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
Updated On: 1/5/08 at 03:55 PM
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#15re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:47pmSee THE HOMECOMING. Pinter doesn't get to Broadway that often, and this is a shockingly talented cast.
#16re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:56pmMy vote goes to The Homecoming.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#17re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/5/08 at 9:04pmI have only seen August: Osage County and The Homecoming. I would say see them both, but if you are only planning to see one, see August: Osage County. I live in Denver and I am trying to get back to NYC to see it again before it closes. It was that good.
Just give the world Love.
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
#18re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/6/08 at 1:50amAlso consider The 39 Steps...it's super funny!
#19re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/6/08 at 1:54am
I say go with "August" or "Is He Dead?"
Pinter can confused the hell out of some people; so you because you are "B'Way Novice" The Homecoming might be a little dense for you.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Updated On: 1/6/08 at 01:54 AM
#20re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/6/08 at 2:05am
If budgeting isn't a terrible boulder to climb over, why not see them all? If you're lucky, you can student rush many of the Broadway plays (or lotto), and more often than not, the balcony seats are $26.50 (and you can move down at intermission)
CLICK PLAYBILL.COM HERE for a nice break-down of what shows offer what deals
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82428.html
Broadway, I'd recommend: August, 39 Steps, Sunday in the Park with George, The Homecoming, Spring Awakening, Is He Dead?, Cymbeline (anything Lincoln Center and MTC really), A Chorus Line, Spelling Bee, Wicked, Xanadu
Don't get me wrong, I love Broadway, but if you're looking for innovative and out of control awesomeness, do NOT overlook Off-Broadway (I'm glad you asked).
In no particular order, I recommend Altar Boyz, Speech & Debate, Gone Missing, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, The Fantasticks, No Dice.
Also, you may start becoming a fan of specific theatre companies: For example CSC, Vortex, The Flea, Red Bull, Vineyard, Signature
SAVE THIS PAGE:
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/boards/
It's a break-down of mostly everything On-The-Boards.
Honey, just go. If you find yourself sitting at home wanting to go out, then GO OUT! This city BREEDS theatre. It's like the rats in the subway stations: EVERYWHERE!
Hop on the train with a few bucks and see what you can see!
#21re: Play Recommendations for a B'WAY novice
Posted: 1/6/08 at 10:28amIs He Dead? Glad you are seeing shows!
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
