Broadway Banter: Time for a New One

I've been spending my time at the Fringe festival. Still haven't put up many reviews but so far, the ones I'd like to see a longer life for are Break, the Legend of Julie Traymore, Araby, and Bogani. Interesting ones - Bette Davis, Unsung Diva, Chasing Heaven (might have been better than I think but I fell asleep). Needs work before getting a longer life - The Seeds of Abraham. Saddest part about that one was the music was competing with and not accompanying the singers who didn't have strong voices. Each song was too long although the lyrics were way more interesting than the music.

http://thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc/2011/08/fringe-festival-2011-reviews-2.html

Maybe I"ll be awake when I return from Ann Frank tonight.

The new Season of Savings promotion is out (www.seasonofsavings.com). Don't expect bargains for the big hits, but there is a surprise or two, including a discount offer for Spiderman!

If you want to see Anything Goes, there's good news....a new discount offer for performances from September 9 thru November 10....$99 for orchestra and front mezzanine and $69 for rear mezzanine. Call 212-947-8844 or visit broadwayoffers.com and use the code AGDML810.

Saw Follies and thought it was fabulous. Could not believe that they would mount such an elaborate production for a limited run show. What a cast of performers!

Glad there's a new thread but really wish I could be saying I'm seeing something soon. I saw the trailer for the movie War Horse and was very sad to realize I'll probably see the movie before I get to see it on Broadway. I'm entranced by the puppets and really want to see it on stage -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw8ruoIqGxI


HowardR, a Spiderman discount? What's the buzz on the show after the break to rework it?

Going to see Anything Goes next Saturday. I let you know "how it goes" (We wanted to see Book of Mormon, but of course, it was sold out).

As for Spiderman, all I know is that it's close to selling out each week, which means tickets are readily available. To me, the mere fact that it's offering discount tickets is, in itself, a sure sign that, while it's doing okay, it's not even close to being a blockbuster.

If the Fringe show Legend of Julie Traymore makes it to off Broadway, see it!

All Broadway shows closed due to Hurricane Irene -
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/153978-UPDATED-Hurricane-Irene-Prompts-Cancellation-of-All-Broadway-Shows-Aug-27-28-Off-Broadway-Also-Impacted

I saw Follies on Saturday night (along with Barbra Streisand). Lots of Broadway people were in the audience ... seems just about everyone who's not working or coming to the opening tonight. I have to admit that I'm a huge fan of the show and of Bernadette Peters, so I was inclined to like it immensely, but I was really blow away. It was a thoroughly complete and wonderful performance with some great performances from both the leads and non-leads.

The last performance I saw was the less-than-well-received revival a few years ago, and this was better ... though I must admit that show did have its moments.

If you like Broadway, this is a great show, and it's a limited run, so get tickets if they are still available. I have a feeling they won't be too long after the reviews come out.

Doug, great news, as we are seeing it this Sunday. Like you, this is one of my all-time favorites....this will be the fourth version I've seen (including the tryout in Boston many years ago).

It's going to be hard to live up to he original production!

I'll take my chances!

A little "pre-Broadway" banter...last night I saw Diane Paulus' production of "Porgy and Bess", with Audra McDonald which is running at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA before it comes to Broadway in December. This is the production which caused Stephen Sondheim to send a nasty letter to the NYTimes, panning the changes Paulus had made.

I think Sondheim was a little unfair since he hadn't actually seen the production yet, and because it wasn't finalized. Its true, she changed the ending a little bit, but I don't think it is an outrageous change.

Overall, I loved the production. Audra McDonald is as wonderful as the reviewers said. But I also thought the rest of the cast was fantastic. Norm Lewis as Porgy is good, though not as good as everyone else. To me the big surprise was David Allen Grier as the drug dealer, Sporting Life. This role was played by Cab Calloway back in 1952 (opposite Leontyne Price!), and Grier seemed to be channeling Cab when he sang "It Ain't Necessarily So". I think that was my favorite part of the show.

I'll be curious to see how it changes when it moves to Broadway. The set was a bit spare, and the orchestra too small but those may both be because of the small scale of the ART.

I will say it was awesome to pay $65 for the best seats in the house! Its going to cost lots more to see this in New York.

Thanks for the review of Porgy and Bess.
I just have one disagreement with you on your posting: I don't think Sondheim's letter was nasty. I can understand some people feeling that it unfair, yes, but not nasty. He did make some valid points....and from what I've read since, at least one or two of the changes he criticized were put back to their original status in the show.

Point taken Howard. So I went back to the times to reread what he wrote, and if not nasty, perhaps harsh is a better word? He certainly takes Paulus and McDonald to task. And I agree, some of his criticisms seem warranted.

I do believe they reversed some of the changes. Whether they thought better of it because of what Sondheim wrote or because it simply didn't work, I don't know.

Yes, "harsh" is a better description than "nasty"!

"Whether they thought better of it because of what Sondheim wrote or because it simply didn't work, I don't know." It's pretty much the same. Part of Sondheim's reasoning was that many of the changes wouldn't work!

Doug was so right about Follies. It was great.....dazzling and brilliant are the first words that come to mind. Run, don't walk, to get tickets.
When it was over, we were ready to sit through it again. It was that good!
And, yes, Doug, it did live up to--if not surpass--the original!

Saw Relatively Speaking - (3) 1-act comedies - in previews recently. Of the 3, really enjoyed Woody Allen's the most.
Worth seeing if one is interested in humor with some
interesting viewpoints thrown in.

Billy Elliot has announced a January 8 closing. So, if you want to see one of the best shows on Broadway, you've only got 3 months to do it. Discount tickets are available at both broadwaybox.com and playbill.com.

Saw Follies over the weekend. All I can say is wow! My son gushed over it, and I probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to get tickets otherwise. I was amazed by the concept of the show altogether, especially the second act. The performances were great, particularly Bernadette Peters the night we went, though I have heard that Jan Maxwell has stolen the show other nights. Danny Burstein was great, and I loved his Follies number (especially the girls!). And Ron Raines - he sounded to me like Robert Preston, or is my memory a little off? I need to see it again - heard that it will run into January? It's so much more complex than the typical musical, I think it would hold up under multiple viewings.

Welcome to the "We Think Follies Is Great" Club! Taking nothing away from Jan Maxwell, the performance of Bernadette Peters that you witnessed occurs every night, based my experience and that of others. From one who has seen Follies several times over the years, I can assure that it holds up well under multiple viewings. You heard right: The show closes in January....in the middle of the month, I think.

I'm so looking forward to seeing Billy Elliot at the end of the month. I'm also thrilled that I booked tickets before I heard about it closing. Would hate to have missed it!

I also have tickets for Seminar with Alan Rickman (preview) the same weekend.

Considering a trifecta if I can get tickets for Follies!

HowardR, I'm not surprised to hear your praise of Bernadette Peters - I thought that, in addition to her obvious talents, her diminutive size really contributed to her ability to convey that character. Especially in her final number, she just seemed so small and alone on the stage, that it really pulled it all together.

sassycat, you're making me jealous, hope you enjoy all those shows.

By the way sassycat, we got our tickets for Follies at the TKTS booth downtown, 40% off on a Friday.

smetz, thanks for the tip!
We would need Saturday matinee tickets for Follies. I've never experienced back to back Broadway shows before. Is there such a thing as Broadway burnout? Too much of a good thing?

I'll have to put it to the vote (DD and DH are coming too).

For a Saturday matinee, I don't think the odds are that great for a Follies ticket, as that is one of the most popular performances. If you really want to see the show, I'd get the tickets in advance using the broadwaybox or playbill discount offer.
Additional comment about Bernadette Peters' performance: In all previous versions of the show, to me the Phyllis character (played by Jan Maxwell in this production) slightly dominates the show simply because it's a somewhat showier role. Again, not taking anything away from Jan Maxwell's performance, this time Bernadette Peters is so strong that her character definitely dominates.

HowardR, good point about getting tickets in advance. I don't think we would even have the time to queue at TKTS but it's a moot point as DH says 2 shows are enough for him.

We are going to see War Horse in Dec. I had to pay FULL price, but I really wanted to see it.
I am looking for other must sees or almost must sees.

Judyrem, my must sees would be Follies and Billy Elliot. Both shows close in January. I'm not sure if there'll be discount offers for either of them in December. But, both are worth full price! Next in line down the list would be Other Desert Cities and Anything Goes.

Thanks Howard. We saw Billy Elliot last year, but I will look up Follies.
I was thinking of On a Clear Day, the Addams family?

I didn't like On a Clear Day the first time around ( some wonderful music/real lousy story), so I plan to skip it this time. As for The Addams Family, I haven't seen it, but from all feedback I've gotten, I strongly lean to the the four shows I mentioned rather than that one.

Just saw Chinglish tonight -- really funny and fun! I missed some because I was tired. You must be awake enough to read the titles....

Thanks Howard for the info. No to Addams Family.
I really LOVE Harry Connick Jr.
Any other recs?
I would like to do 3 shows.

Hey, if you like Harry Connick, Jr., then I guess you should see On a Clear Day. Hey, even if it's not that great, you'll at least be spending time with him!
As for other recommendations and if you're interested in a non-musical, then I repeat the mention of Other Desert Cities.
May I assume that Follies has made your final list?

Howard, for sure. 2 hours with Harry crooning "on a clear day"...be still my heart.
Yes, Follies is on my list.
Thanks, you are a dear.

There are discounts on Broadway Box for Anything Goes, for orchestra/front mezzanine and rear mezzanine. Just wondering what rear mezzanine would be like. Is it better to front up with the extra dollars and go further forward? These tickets are going to be a Christmas for DD. SIL is getting Porgy & Bess tickets. Actually I will end up buying two tickets for each one, so I guess they are combined presents!!!

Obviously, the better the seats, the better the viewing. Still, the theater where Anything Goes is playing is fairly small, and the viewing from the center of the rear mezzanine is fine.....and I speak from experience, as that's exactly where we sat for the show!

A word of advice: If you want to see The Book of Mormon, plan on getting tickets well in advance. It's been reported that the show has an advance of $39 million, which translates into more than a half year of sold-out performances. Of course, if you're willing to spend the big bucks on premium tickets, you can probably do better!

Howard is correct! If you read my thread on deciding the best time to visit New York, you will see that a must-do on our list for that trip was to see The Book of Mormon. While weighing our options, entire shows went from having decent seats available to being sold out over the course of several days! There is no way to know, of course, but I theorize quite a few of those tickets end up on StubHub or other secondary outlets. That said, we have ours. We have no hotel or plane reservations, but we DO have our tickets to see The Book of Mormon!

{{I wish there was an edit button}}

It would be helpful to note that our tickets are for May 23rd and I bought them earlier this week.

Hey, at least you have your priorities right! You're gonna love the show!

We sawFollies a couple weeks ago and loved it, so I guess I'm joining the club

I also want to add aplug for Other Desert Cities, which I thought was fantastic. Wonderful performances by the entire cast.

Just saw "Book of Mormon" (bought tickets in late-April) and LOVED it. Actually found the story to be rather "sweet" and somewhat inspirational, despite vulgarity (which didn't offend us, but might offend others). Also saw "Bonnie and Clyde." Now, that was awesome. The chemistry between Bonnie and Clyde was intense, the music beautiful. But if you're looking for big "song and dance" numbers, "Bonnie and Clyde" isn't for you. But a good story, great staging, great music and songs, and incredible performances from all. I'll be very interested to see the reviews after the official opening on December 1st. For what it is worth to anyone, we absolutely loved it.

Heading out the first week in Dec. Already have tickets to Book of Mormon and can hardly wait! Bonnie & Clyde? Sounds like a possibility? We are only there a few nights and want to pack in as much as possible, but DD loves musicals! I really wanted War Horse but think a musical is going to win out.

If I were there, I'd want to see this -
http://standingonceremony.net/

cat...please report back on The Book of Mormon--would love to hear what you thought of it!

A nice article about Barbara Cook -

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/84-barbara-cook-hardly-slowing-down-121516716.html

Thanks for the info on Bonnie & Clyde, I have tickets for the 17th, bought them early hoping the show would open to decent reviews.

Loved "Other Desert Cities", they just extended this to March, the actors/show/writing are incredible!

Starrs, thanks for the info on the Barbara Cook article. She is one of our all-time favorites. We've seen her many times. Perhaps the most memorable occurred when we had the good fortune to be in the audience when she gave a master class to three young singers. It was, indeed, a memorable, as well as thrilling, experience...and certainly made it so clear as to why she is such a great interpreter of songs.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/157142-Linda-Eder-Barbara-Cook-Tony-Danza-Among-Performers-Set-for-2011-12-Season-at-Feinsteins

<sigh>

Since Barbara Cook came up here, I will now (shamelessly) promote another singer: Daryl Sherman.

Jazz Brunch at the Algonquin Oak Room on Saturday December 10; Daryl is my neighbor and she is really very good:




http://www.darylsherman.com/pages/calendar.php


http://www.algonquinhotel.com/jazz-brunch

And you can say hello to (the newly leashed) Matilda, the cat, after brunch.

I'd love to spend an evening at Feinstein's with one of those performers. Unfortunately I don't feel like mortgaging my house to be able to afford it.

Is anyone else looking forward to Manhattan Theater Co.'s production of Wit? This is one I want to see. Will probably get tix for preview.

My sentiments exactly, Patrick!

Though they had some good things to say about the two leads, the NY critics were not favorably inclined towards Bonnie & Clyde.

Have the New York critics EVER been kind to any Frank Wildhorn show, including Jekyl and Hyde, Scarlet Pimpernel, or Wonderland? The Broadway blog I follow pretty much predicted that the critics would hate Bonnie and Clyde. One of the funniest critic comments I read about it was that the show tries to copy the movie (in my opinion it doesn't even begin to --despite it working from the same base material. But when that critic mentioned that they even copied the title from the movie, I had to laugh. What were they supposed to call it -- "Clyde and Bonnie"?

I saw Bonnie and Clyde in Sarasota this past year -- pre-Broadway -- and found it pretty exciting as a "small" musical. I'm anxious to see it again this Wednesday night, regardless of what the critics say. But then I really liked Jekyl and Hyde (with the original cast) and even enjoyed Wonderland.

>>cat...please report back on The Book of Mormon--would love to hear what you thought of it!<<

It was wonderful! Very funny, totally irreverent, quite a fun show. The music and the acting were all really good. It would have been better had the two women behind us not kept up a running dialogue, and it was rather unfortunate that two people in our row felt they had to bold out before the end of the curtain call, but that was minor. Probably noticed it more because Eugene O'Neill is a very small theatre. I am so glad we got a chance to see it on Broadway. Heard it is coming to LA next year, and I'm sure we we will see it again.

That being said, our favorite was Godspell at the Circle in the Square. Neither of us had ever seen it before, so I con't compare it, but both my 16 yo dd and I LOVED it! The cast was so fun and exuberant, you couldn't help but smile and laugh along with them. It was very intimate, and they invited the entire audience on stage during intermission and afterward. And they all came out and signed autographs and chatted afterwards. It was not close to sold out, so I am sure discount seating is available. I highly recommend it!

Thanks...it sounds wonderful and I'm sure we will love it!

Godspell was a huge show when I was in high school (mid-70's) and I was a bit obsessed with it for a time. The local playhouse put it on one summer and I went multiple times. It sounds like a cool show--we will consider it if it is still playing in May when we are there.

BTW, saw "On a Clear Day" and did not like it at all.
Should have gone to see Hugh Jackman....oh well, c'est la vie.
Harry Connick was not good in that role, and he was not the Harry I saw and loved at Chastain Park.
What a HUGE diasppointment.
BTW, we saw War Horse, and it was a wonderful experience.

Over President's day weekend I have tix to Wit and to War Horse. Thanks for the thumbs up on War Horse, Judyrem.

BTW, saw "On a Clear Day" and did not like it at all.>

I am SO sorry you did not like it; but happy I missed it - I love HCJr and was sad not to get tickets...

Chinglish is hilarious, particularly for travelers who've struggled with language barriers.

Must see!

http://chinglishbroadway.com/

Even I would like to see Chinglish!

Partner saw Porgy and Bess in dress rehearsal earlier this week and raved about Audra McD, David Allen Grier, and the rest of the cast.

There's a new "Season of Savings" discount promotion for 18 Broadway shows. Go to www.seasonofsavings.com.
No, you won't find The Book of Mormon, Wicked or War Horse there, but it does include Other Desert Cities, Anything Goes and Spiderman, among others.

Ended up getting last minut tickets to see War Horse.it was a very creative production.
The other two shows we saw were Memphis which was truly enjoyable and Hugh jackman which quite frankly i did not get.
I like Hugh Jackman but he does not sing or dance all that well to have his own broadaway show IMHO.

“The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O’Neill Volume 1: Early Plays/Lost Plays” -- LOVED IT! It was truly laugh-out-loud hilarious!

http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/theater/reviews/neo-futurists-present-stage-directions-from-oneill-plays.html


"The Book of Mormon" -- Mediocre. What's all the hype about? It was insulting and sophomoric, and not nearly as funny as the above.

Your opinion to the contrary, the reason for all the hype over The Book of Mormon is simply because the overwhelming majority of those of us who have seen it think it's a damned good, creative (and very funny) show.
Obviously, you can please everyone.

>>the reason for all the hype over The Book of Mormon is simply because the overwhelming majority of those of us who have seen it think it's a damned good, creative (and very funny) show.<<

Totally agree!!

How bizarre. Gekko, you post a NY Times review of a play as if the rave somehow proves it is good. Yet you ignore the fact that the "senior" critic for the NY Times (Ben Brantley) gave Book of Mormon a much bigger rave. Instead you indicate he is "sophomoric" and unable to distinquish a good show. Or do you simply mean -- I agree with the critics only if they see things the way I see them???

Of course no one says YOU have to like it, but to suggest that anyone who does like it -- thousands and thousands of avid theatre goers and nearly everyone who has seen it -- is just not capable of knowing a sophomoric, mediocre show is just plain silly.

I saw "The Book of Mormon" with my wife & another couple (also New Yorkers). We all shared the same opinion and assume the hype is a classic example of herd mentality -- it's "cool" to like it.

Of course everyone has an opinion; no one is right and no one is wrong.

I know what you mean. Some might think that there is also an "I'm not part of a herd" mentality which makes me people say "well, maybe everyone else loves it, but I'm too cool to love it." In fact I recently overheard someone say -- gee it can't be that good, I'm sure I'll think it's silly if that people people say "it's the funniest thing they've seen."

One can also go to Mormon worried that the show won't meet expectations, as we did -- and walk out of there having spent the entire time with a grin on your face! Not only was it fun and funny, but I was very impressed with how all the production elements served one creative vision. Everyone was really on the same page on this one.

Add me to the list of people who found it uproariously funny. And extremely clever. I saw it with an equally theatre loving friend, and we could not stop talking about the number of other musicals it cleverly referenced or acknowledged or sounded similar to -- West Side Story, Lion King, Sound of Music, King and I, Wicked, Hairspray. To me, it was a traditional musical theatre score and narrative structure with an...uncommon story. I found it brilliant, hilarious, and more touching than I anticipated.

That being said, I sat near some people who were very clearly not entertained. To each his or her own -- I find Follies extremely boring, and many critics raved about the show, and I adore Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which received very mixed reviews.

First of all, Gekko, what does the fact that you're all New Yorkers have to do with anything? My wife and I and another couple we saw it with are all New Yorkers and we loved the show.
Second, to say that we only liked it because we are influenced by some sort of herd mentality is ludicrous.
Third, if anything, I would think that in some circles it would be "cool" not to like it!
Anyway, I am on record in this forum as being in the distinct minority of people who didn't like Wicked, which, I believe, is the most successful and popular show of the past decade. Never once did I ever "accuse" that vast majority of knuckling under to a strong, overpowering hype!
I have not belittled their favorable reaction to Wicked. Please don't belittle mine to The Book of Mormon.

Silence! The Musical is "deliriously funny" and an absolute MUST SEE for fans of the film Silence of the Lambs.

If you are not a fan of movie, don't see this "uproariously hilarious" parody -- it won't make any sense to you.

If you ARE a fan and plan to see the musical, watch the movie beforehand.

So funny!

http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/reviews/11-2011/silence-the-musical_44694.html

Ah, maybe there's your problem, Gekko. Perhaps you are not familiar with the Mormon religion and therefore Book of Mormon which is essentially an "uproariously hilarious" parody on the Mormon religion made no sense to you. That could explain it.

But in any case I agree with Howard. Please don't tell me that because I loved something and you didn't that it must mean I was only moved by herd mentality. How very patronizing and rude of you!

I am a HUGE fan of Carla Gugino so of course I thoroughly enjoyed The Road to Mecca!

It's a short run but if you can get tickets, do so! (I secured my tickets courtesy of a friend of Ms. Gugino's, so I can't comment on availability unfortunately.)

http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Road-to-Mecca.aspx

I saw Memphis.
Not on Broadway but national tour.
I enjoyed it.

Has anyone seen Venus in Fur? Like? Dislike?

Has anyone seen Wit?

Anyone looking for a winning Broadway (non-musical) experience should put Other Desert Cities at the top of his/her list. It's an outstanding, well constructed play, featuring five outstanding performances. And, to make it even more attractive, you can take advantage of a discount offer on both playbill.com and broadwaybox.com.
It is, indeed, theater at its best.

Saw Book of Mormon this last weekend. Put me in the 'loved it' category. My friends and I are now calling everyone who pisses us off 'frog f*ckers' .

I really want to see Book of Mormon, but I've been checking dates, and it seems like there aren't any tickets available for months. Is there a good secondary source to go to, or are we out of luck? I haven't read all the posts - apologies if this has already been discussed.

That depends, volcanogirl, on how much you are willing to spend on tickets. If you're willing to shell out the bucks, you'll always be able to get tickets! What's the maximum price you are willing to pay?

When I search for the days we were interested in it said that nothing was available but Premium seats and American Express seats. The Premium seats would cost us over $700 which just seems a little nuts. I don't have an AmEx account so not sure what those would cost... They told us we would have better luck if we started looking at October or later.

You could look on secondary sites such as StubHub; I've used them to buy and sell tickets a few times and had a good experience. It was recommended to me by a friend who buys and sells tickets more frequently than I do.

Thanks, musicfan - we've used them for sporting events. I'll check that out.

Good--I hope it works out for you. When I was researching my trip and tickets (I bought the BOM tix before the plane tickets!) there were quite a few listed on StubHub. People must buy them on "speculation" a lot.

Good luck with these secondary sites. Just be prepared to pay more than the "regular" ticket price.

If the tickets are still too pricey, we may look at going to War Horse - it seems to get consistently good reviews.

For outstanding drama, you might also consider Other Desert Cities. Discount tickets are available for all but Friday and Saturday evening performances at broadwaybox.com and playbill.com.

The Broadway show Memphis will be broadcast as part of the PBS Great Performances series next week. Check your local listings. In New York, it'll be shown next Friday, the 24th.

I saw WIT last night.

You want a very good performance from an actress in a dramatic role? Go see WIT.

I had serious doubts whether Cynthia Nixon could really act. I had never seen her in anything except Sex in the City, and I am not a big fan of that show, although I do like her and Kim Catrall's performances in that show.

I figured we would find out very quickly if she Nixon could act, because in this play she wears nothing but a hospital gown (and dons that for nakedness in the final scene), has and has shaved her head and eyebrows for the role. No nice clothes to get behind. No hair. No makeup. Just a professor of medieval English lit who focuses on John Donne durng her academic career, and then gets stage 4 metastatic ovarian cancer.

So this is not a feel good show. But it moved me incredibly. Laughed (a lot) and I cried (a lot), which is a first for me at any Braodway play, and I have seen a lot of drama.

"How are you?" I'll not forget that line.

We had 2nd row seats so we could literally see the spray from Nixon's breath. Which intnsified the drama. She was 4 ft. from us for about 1/4 of the play, including the last death and freedom scene where she disrobes her hospital gown.

Wow. Great performance. I knew she had won a Tony in the last. But I had no idea she had THIS type of performance in her. I have a hard time thinking of any other actress who could have done this role as well and as real as Nixon did.

Four thumbs up (husband liked it very much also).

TIP: Ladies behind us got their tickets from TICS on Sat.

Opps sorry for typos, that is what I get for typing in a reclining position.

Sorry on the dons also. De-dons? Disrobes.

We saw War Horse today. We were in the second row, right side of stage. One thing I need to get off my chest (and KNEES) is that the side sections of this theater at Lincoln Center have absolutely the most restricteive seating I have ever experienced, and I have been to many theaters that have restrictive seating. I am 5'8" and my knees were flexed and crammed up against the seat in front of me. When the man in that seat leaned back, it was painful, and I had to keep asking him not to press back on his seat. No space to the sides. My knees were touching (actually not just touching but leaning against) the knees of the person's on ether side of me. If you are claustrophbic, forget it. I am not sure that all the seats in the theaater are this restricted; it appeared to me that some others had more room in front of them. Second row seating put us right in the action and close to the horses and actors, but that was not worth the restrictive aspects of the seating.

The play was very good. The puppetry was incredible, not just the movements but the sounds of the horses coming from the puppeteers (is that the way one refers to those actors?) The acting was very good, some characters much better than others, but overall very good. The stage production was phenomenal. I was not expecting it to be such an emotional play.

Very glad we waited to see the play instead of seeing the movie first. I liked establishing a relationship w/the horses in the play (and we were particularly happy that the horses were brought out for the curtain call). It would have been much more enjoyable if we had had even a smidgen more seating room.

emd, I've talked about the seats at the Vivian Beaumont before myself. It's not just where you sit. They are all that way. I suffered with leg cramps when I couldn't budge my legs and the seat in front of me was cutting off all blood passing through my knees. I was thrilled when the French couple next to me left at intermission of Light in the Piazza as I was then able to turn sideways.

For a beautiful "modern" theatre, there was no regard for leg comfort in that theatre -- a real problem with "stadium" style seating.

Re Wit - friends who teach with Maggie (who wrote the screenplay) are over the moon with excitement with and for her. Such great excitement here right now

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/theater/margaret-edson-author-of-wit-loves-teaching.html

starrs, get a plan and get to nyc to see Wit. Tix has great half price seats, the peoply behund us (3rd row) got theirs on Sat at Tix. Edson should keep writing, imo.

nd aCynthia Nixon should get a Tony nod, imo. I can't get her Wit face out of my mind, it is haunting me.

neo, glad to know someone else had same difficulty in those seats. Lincoln Center is so beautiful and so high quality, wtf were they thinking w/that seating? And getting entrance to the orchestra seats was like the old style cattle call on Southwest Airlines, everyone crowding in to get through two ticket takers, what a cluster.

starrs, I love this quote from one of the photo captions in the story in your link, regarding why she is teaching 6th grade social studies now:


“The presence of fictional characters in your head, especially ones who talk, is extremely preoccupying,” she said. “And the nonfictional characters in my life are abundant.”

BTW, since this is a theater crowd...

Last night we ate at E&E Grill House across from Eugene O'Neill thater (Book of Mormon, but we didn.t see it). We have never enjoyed a theater district meal as much as this one.

The space is very nice lots of nonbanquette, non-crowded table seating. Liked themusic playing (Beatles, Beach Boys, Creedance, but quiet music), and the fireplace. Place is modern feel and food is GOOD. Creative apps (we would go back just for the buffalo tartare appetizer w/bone marrow mayo, omg, and the smoked salmon is house-cured w/a lemon dill sauce).

My filet was extremely tender and flavorful, and I got the blue butter sauce, mmm. Entrees w/one accompaniment, sauteed fresh spinach was very good. Nice wine list w/several mod. priced wines. Ridge zin was suggested by the general manager(who spent lot of time w/us) and was great. Warm homemade little bisquits w/honey butter. Lamb chops w/au jus sauce and mushrooms was to die for, husband gnawed the bones, don't tell anyone, lol. Other menu items: lots of steaks, salmon, diver scallps, a ravioli dish that chages by the day, w/housemade pasta, etc. Great service.

Thumbs way up on this one. Not a typical theater district meal experience.

Any thoughts on Magic/Bird?

Any chance The Best Man will be extended later than July 1?

Okay, I'd love some input. If I were to pick 4 to 5 shows (preferably discounted), what would you recommend for August?

#1 - War Horse
#2 - The Best Man - (if it's extended) because of the cast
#3 - Magic/Bird - for a friend who's a sports nut
#4 - Anything Goes - it would be great to see Joel Grey. I like Stephanie J. Block, but would have loved to see Sutton Foster
#5 - which from Priscilla, Godspell, or Sister Act?
Would have loved to see Alan Rickman in Seminar or The Columnist. Venus in Fire is a maybe.
Just can't pay Book of Mormon prices

Here's my (slim) contribution to this thread:


CLYBOURNE PARK=terrific play

Seeing THE LYONS Friday and will report back





ps. Friend who goes to many shows told us that Magic/Bird was awful

Starrs, definitely put Other Desert Cities at the top of your list. It is theater at its best.

I saw War Horse last November and really enjoyed it. The puppetry is amazing and I was much more moved by the play than the movie. That said, the storyline is a little predictable so it is not great drama, but I was really glad that I saw it.

A few comments for those who are looking for something other than the mainstream musicals:

Yesterday I saw the most amazing performance by Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland in Over the Rainbow. More music than expected along with a simply breathtaking performance. Do I smell a Tony?

Last week I saw One Man, Two Guvnors -- the very very funny adaptation of the classic comedy A Servant of Two Masters brought to the 1960s. I had tried to get tickets to the production in London last year without success. This is a very funny play!

Agree with those above about Other Desert Cities. It is wonderful theatre. I was disappointed that Stockard Channing was out for vacation when I saw it, but never mind. It is the play and the full ensemble cast that make it good theatre.

I haven't seen the current production of Clybourne Park, but I saw it a couple years ago in its first off-Broadway production (much of that original cast remains intact). It becomes more interesting if you know A Raisin in the Sun -- as this play picks up with where that play leaves off, but that isn't necessary either.

Two fun comedies coming up -- Harvey starring Jim Parsons from Big Bang Theory. This age old comedy holds up really well -- I saw a terrific production at the Shaw Festival just two years ago. While Jim Parkins seems a very young choice -- it prevents the weird story of a man believing his best friend is a 6 foot rabbit from seemingly being a sad story about Alzheimers or other dementia. I'm looking forward to seeing this production.

And Don't Dress for Dinner is one of the funniest farces I've ever seen (London a number of years ago, and several other productions since). I haven't heard much yet about this production by Roundabout, but it HAS to be very funny.

Starrs - for # 5 consider Venus in Fur, End of the Rainbow, or Other Desert Cities. I have seen Jeff Goldblum on Broadway. I would definitely give him a try if you want to see Seminar, but I think the other three recommendations are better. If not the Best Man, consider Clybourne Park or the Lyons.

Yesterday, I saw The Lyons. Watching Linda Lavin is like watching a master class on comedy acting. Her delivery, manners, and timing couldn't be better. But I'm not sure it's a play for everyone. It's a very dark comedy about a dysfunctional family. The second scene is a seemingly out of place and disjointed two character scene between the gay son and another man which would make many people very uncomfortable. It jolts you out of the comedy pretty dramatically.

Neo-my dad just mentioned Harvey to me for my 9 year old son. Good idea or bad???
Dont know what to take him to see in June. I've seen a lot of the traditional shows and would rather spend my $ on something we both haven't seen.
What about spiderman?

I think Harvey is a great choice. Quite harmless and non-controversial as opposed to most of the new shows. I'm assuming he knows Big Bang Theory? Really should be a fun show.

I've not seen Spiderman, doubt that I will, but generally think it might be akin to seeing a Cirque Soleil Show without all that artistic class. Most non theatre goers are really impressed with the flying and effects.

Any other non Disney kid friendly shows??

Based on the dozen reviews of Don't Dress for Dinner which opened last night, I'll withdraw my recommendation for it. Only one review was fairly positive. Unlike its sister play, Boeing,Boeing, which was brilliantly acted and directed, it sounds like this very funny play misses the mark on all accounts. Roundabout Theatre seems to be making a habit of bringing back old plays and then doing mediocre to bad productions of them -- I can only hope Harvey might be an exception.

Thanks for the input. Maybe it would be better to let HR, CPG and NP create my list of 5 for me. Y'all know what I like. War Horse is at the top of my list. I want to see the puppet horses in person - and before I see the movie. I'd like a "Broadway Experience" show for the night my friend will be there - and I'm thinking that will be Anything Goes. I'm game to see anything/everything good on the other 3 nights. I do need them to be discounted tix - no Book of Mormon for me at this time. I'd also like to see things that probably won't make it around to my city via national tour - things I'll probably only be able to see on Broadway. <sigh> I'm so happy to have this "problem" to figure out. How I've missed the city!

starrs - I can't do five for you - sorry - you're just going to have to see some double features

In no particular order:

War Horse
Anything Goes
Venus in Fur
Other Desert Cities
End of the Rainbow
Best Man (haven't seen it yet)
Peter and the Starcatcher

The Lyons
Clybourne Park

Such a dilemma!

Best Man is at the top of my list but it's scheduled to close before I'm there in August. I'm VERY disappointed about that.

Thanks for the list CPG. I'll work from that. How can one go wrong with those choices!

On my recent trip to NYC I had only ONE thing I absolutely had to do: see The Book of Mormon. For four consecutive nights we arrived 4:45PM for BOM lottery; approx 300 entries; didn’t win.

Strolled over to TKTS around 5:15PM each evening. There was never more than a five minute wait, and there was a wide variety of show choices at 40 – 50% percent off. FYI, the lines were enormous when TKTS opened. I used to wait in those lines; now I show up after 5PM – and wait 5 minutes -- after losing the BOM lottery .

Got 40% off for War Horse. Astounding puppetry. Liked the show very much—but I think my expectations were too high after it won “Best Play” and multiple Tonys. Parts felt slow. But we both certainly enjoyed—and were glad we saw it—primarily because of the superb puppetry and theatricality, which we felt out-shined the script

Next night: “Peter and the Star Catcher.” It was NOT our cup of tea. It was certainly well done; had some marvelous performances; some very clever one-liners and puns … but I found myself wondering “why.” Why spend millions of dollars to mount this story—the prequel to Peter Pan? The show was quite stylized, a bit high-brow at times, and would break from its setting and time period to interject lines about Starbucks and other present cultural phenomena. It was not intended for children (who I think would hate it)—yet the story was essentially an adult telling of a children’s fantasy. 

I enjoyed the ending and was quite moved by it—but it was not a favorite, nor something I could recommend. FYI, we LOVED “Wicked” which is essentially the same concept—a prequel to a famous children’s story. But that worked infinitely better for us. I know “Peter” got rave reviews. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares on the big stage.



We’d decided on “The End of the Rainbow” for night #3 – a drama with music depicting the last few weeks in Judy Garland’s life. EXCELLENT. I’d guarantee Tracie Bennett will win a Tony nod for her portrayal of Judy. Very intense portrayal of her drug addiction and insecurities—and amazing vocal recreations of some of Garland’s biggest songs. It was a big crowd pleaser and I predict a hit. Interesting that it's billed as "a drama with music." So, I'm guessing that means Tracie Bennett won't be eligible for "Best Actress in a Musical" and will compete against Cynthia Nixon. Doesn't quite seem fair...

Since we had bombed out with the BOM lottery we decided to stand in line for Standing Room tix on our final night. We arrived a little before 2 PM and were #8 in the line. That meant we’d be guaranteed a spot. Yippee. FYI, the person in the front of the line had brought a chair and arrived at 11AM. No one else arrived for another hour after us. The last slots went to people who arrived between 3:30 and 4PM – but that could change any day. 



Standing in line was actually fun. There were some interesting folks, and our friend hung out with us part of the time. Then I sat on the ground and did some work on my laptop. We periodically took breaks to p/u coffee and hit the restrooms. The time flew by and at 5PM there was the lottery … which we once again did NOT win. (I guess we used up all of our luck when we won the "Wicked" lottery during Idina Menzel's final week of performances.)

At 6 PM we were able to buy reserved, rear orchestra standing spots.

When I reached the box office they told me there was a premium orchestra cancelation. Yippee!!! I could buy two tix in the first three rows … for a mere $954 (for the pair). Um, er … we paid our $27 each for standing room .

So … was it worth waiting in line and standing? I LOVED the show more than I can say. It lived up to every bit of the hype and more. I’ve NEVER laughed that hard at any show nor felt entertained to the max every minute. Believe me, it was more than worth 4 hours of standing in line—and standing for the show.



Now I’ll chime in about Spiderman … we saw it a few days before its official opening. Saw it for two reasons: 1) to have bragging rights to say that I was one of the few who saw the biggest, most expensive, disastrous flop in B’way history; and 2) curiosity.

Much to our surprise ... we liked it! Found it thoroughly entertaining—and NOT only the flying sequences (which were fantastic). The music and performances were good—and at times even better than that. It was engaging and very enjoyable--maybe because our only expectations were that it would be awful.

Now … am I putting it in a class with “Wicked,” “Book of Mormon,” "Les Miz," or anything by Sondheim (who tops my list)? Of course not. I’m not saying it was “brilliant” theater, but I would not write it off.

That’s my 2 cents!

Starrs (and everyone else, for that matter), put Nice Work If You Can Get It at the top of your list. It is a sheer delight! We loved it. Great, great fun!

Really enjoyed Nice Work plus Best Man.
But not Streetcar or Don't Dress for Dinner.

Maybe this is obvious to everyone, but I'm curious if people coming to NYC for theatre are aware of the benefits of belonging to TDF.


I just looked at the current offerings and among the shows listed are:

ANYTHING GOES
THE LYONS
GHOST
STREETCAR
VENUS IN FUR
LEAP OF FAITH

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=59

Thanks HowardR! I read the review and I'd love to see Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara (again) on stage. Nice Work has moved to the top of my list now. Right now my top 4 are Nice Work, War Horse, Anything Goes and Best Man (if it's still playing). I'll have fun making up my mind about the others. Thanks all

Good thinking, Starrs. We actually enjoyed Nice Work more than Anything Goes. It was really great, great fun.
And, if The Best Man isn't still playing, consider Other Desert Cities. It's outstanding drama. Hell, consider it even if The Best Man is still playing.

I want to see Evita very badly! I saw it on Broadway with the original cast (Patti LuPone and Mandy PatinKun) and have been listening to it on Pandora, over and over again.

seetheworld, so far I haven't talked with anyone who has seen the current production and ALSO saw the original who thought the new one holds up or inspires in the way the original one did. I did see essentially this same production a couple years ago in London, when Elena Rogers was being touted for being the first "true Argentinian Evita", but the whole production threw me. I thought the main thing about Eva Peron is that she is "one of the common people" and they could identify with her. But while Elena was doing Evita with a thick and real Argentinian accent, no one else in the production had an accent. So the end result was that she seemed like a total foreigner to them -- and that 'destroyed' the production for me. And while she has a sweet and pretty voice, she is no powerhouse Patti Lupone. I was surprised that several of the reviews also pointed out her difficulty with the higher range of the score.

And now, after Elena Rogers NOT getting a Tony nomination (as well as Ricky Martin NOT getting one), it seems a real slam at the production. Evita is the type of role that normally should almost guarantee a Tony nomination!

I'm disappointed that Matthew Broderick didn't get a nod for his role in Nice Work If You Can Get It. It seems an odd omission since the other three leading players--Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kaye and Michael McGrath--all got nominated.....all the more strange, since we thought that Broderick was the real star of the show, though not meaning to take anything away from the other three, who all deserved their nominations.

Well, Howard, several reviews gave Mr. Broderick less enthusiasm that you do, even calling him something like the 'weak link' in the show. And we all know that the GOD of Broadway critics is Ben Brantley who said among other things, "He sings and dances pleasantly and competently, but rather vaguely, too, as if his thoughts were elsewhere. And when he proclaims that he’s possessed by “fascinating rhythm” — in a first-act curtain number that places him in the center of a bevy of lascivious flappers — you’re inclined to doubt it."

Nevertheless, it sounds like a wonderful show -- Mr. Brantley's lukewarm to negative review actually makes me WANT to see it, as some of the things he points out as being 'blah' are exactly the things I'd probably like about the show. I have tickets for next month.

Patrick, I think you'll love the show. As you know, I'm usually a fan of Brantley, but I think he was way, way off base with this review. We thought that Broderick was delightful, playing the part perfectly. As I wrote on another post: Hey, this ain't Shakespeare!

This is sort totally last minute, but a great deal for anyone with young kids who might want to see Godspell. Or anyone, really!


Tomorrow night is Pay Your Age night at Circle in the Square~


http://www.godspell.com/news/2012/05/pay-your-age-night-at-godspell/

Just saw Porgy and Bess and while the changes are a little jarring it is an amazing ensemble production which hopefully will go on the road.More people should see this American classic live! Don't bring your well behaved 5 yr old. I'd say 15 and over.

Saw Nice Work If You Can Get It Yesterday. It is indeed delightful. While Matthew Broderick is so limited in character range -- and he will always still be some variation of Ferris Bueller -- his stock character that he does so well is perfect for the role in this. Some have indicated he doesn't seem like a romantic playboy -- of course -- that is exactly the point of the role!!! And it works so well. But I will admit that while he's an OK dancer as is Kelli O'Hara, I did miss a true Fred and Ginger over the top type dance on that one number. They both are just a little too stiff and studied to make that work quite the way it should in my book.

We saw Nice Work on Saturday. We all thoroughly enjoyed it (oh, that music!), but found Matthew Broderick a little too wooden, but then again, that is always how he seems to me. Because of the lack of 'over the top' dancing, as mentioned above, Anything Goes would rate higher, IMO, than Nice Work. I wish there were more shows on B'way like these two. Just love leaving the theater singing!