monpetit

We'll be in NY next April for 8 days and plan to see 3 perhaps 4 musicals.
I reserved Cabaret as we want our 20 years old daughter to see this production(we saw it at the "creation" with N.Richardson).
But what for other choices ??
Les Miserables(never seen) ?
Once ?
What about new one(Kinky boots, Big Fish, Madison county ??).
We saw a lot of the "classic" and have apprecied Phantom, Book of mormons, Pippin, Hairspray, Anithing goes but less Jersey Boys and definetively not Spring awakening to give you elements of choice to give us...
Thanks..
Erik

HowardR

Starting with the downside, Big Fish may not still be playing in April, as its reviews were not that great and it's only doing fair business.
In the unknown category is The Bridges of Madison County which hasn't opened yet, so who knows. The same might be said about Les Miserables, since the new and revised version hasn't opened yet. Still, I'd lean towards that show based on its past record.
As for the others, you'll get recommendations across the board on the forum. Kinky Books and Matilda should be on the list of possibilities.
As for the long running shows, have you seen Chicago yet? If not, consider it.
And finally, I'm not a fan of Wicked, but you'll no doubt hear some strong recommendations for it on this thread.

monpetit

Chicago "multiseen" with chance to see it with the original cast.
Wicked also seen..
Once ?
Will if/then be opened ?
I've heard of Kelli O'hara next on stage ?(necer been disappointed by her...)
I think kinky boots wil be on our schedule...
Thank
Erik

HowardR

It's hard to say whether Once will still be playing in April. If it is, there's a chance that you'll be able to get discounted tickets in January or February for an April performance. It's possible that there'll be discount offers for Les Miz as well.
Yes, Kelli O'Hare will be starring in Madison County.

doug_stallings

Kelli O'Hara is great, and I saw her recently in Far From Heaven (same composers as Madison County and even same co-star). They were great. But the musical was just ok. If you were a fan of Light in the Piazza, then consider Bridges of Madison County; if not, then you may want to reconsider.

Definitely Kinky Boots, which is very enjoyable. I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of Les Miserables, but I suspect this revival will be popular. I have to say I'm less enthusiastic about Cabaret, but I'll be seeing it. It seems a bit pointless to revive the same production.

NeoPatrick

What about Rocky?
Since you've never seen Les Miz, I'd put that high on the list. And yes to kinky Boots.
And if you liked Pippin, but haven't seen the current production, I'd sure consider that -- perhaps my favorite production running right now.
I "get" the idea of reviving the last production of Cabaret as it is kind of the "definitive" stage version -- so much better than the original sugar coated version.

monpetit

Just reserved seats for Kinky boots, 9th raw
We'll now wait/reviews from Les Miz and Madison county.
We'll see if Once will be always in stage...
But there are also NBA, NHL, jazz...
So difficult choice!!!
Erik

BigRuss

What does your daughter like? If she likes three hours of hyper-dramatic pseudo-operatic caterwauling, she'd like Les Mis. If she wants to see something lively with wit, humor and that is not designed to crush the soul, she'd probably like nearly everything else . . .

monpetit

Don't forfet rhat Les Miz is based on one of "our"-as we are french- iconic Hugo's masterpiece.
The musicals she preffered
Phantom
Anything goes
42nd street
Whistle down the wind

The ones she "disliked"
Jersey boys
First act of Porgy and Bess-we saw 2 years ago
Cats
Erik

monpetit

I forgot in the one she liked Hairspray.
Erik

HowardR

I'll have to disagree with BigRuss's brushoff of Les Miz. It's a classic.
I think you're making a wise decision in holding off for a while on picking other shows. You've got plenty of time!

doug_stallings

I wouldn't wait for review of Les Mis. If you want to see it, you'll need to book tickets in advance. It will not be available on short notice since it just opens in March and will likely sell out for the first few months.

HowardR

Good point Doug. (And, I'm sure the producers appreciate your optimism about ticket sales!)

HowardR

PS: At the same time, however, I'd wait awhile before getting Les Miz tickets just in case there is a discount offer. I just can't imagine that there would be that big rush for tickets in the next month or two.

BigRuss

You're French but spell your name in Germanic fashion ("Erik")? ;-)

Victor Hugo's novel is long and ponderous. So is the musical.

monpetit

Not spell, write and in fact you make a mistake...
In Germany it´s Erich...
Erik is scandivian , you know like Erik the red, the first one to discover America in the modern time, even before Columbus...but far after the native indians...
It´s not because a book is long than it is ponderous. See the bible.
Les misérables is certainly one of the french masterpiece in litterature and more "readable" than many others more apprecied books like the one of Marcel Proust...
One of the fitst which "speaks" of the real life and the possible redmption of a man
Erik

HowardR

Two other potential candidate for you to see:

1. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, now in previews, opening November 17. It's based on the same book as the wonderful Alec Guiness film Kind Hearts and Coronets.

2. The musical version of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway which begins previews March.

One final comment on Les Miz: That "ponderous" musical happens to be the fifth longest running show in Broadway history. Further comment is superfluous!

BigRuss

I said Germanic - not German. All Scandinavian languages and English are Germanic.

Check out HowardR's thread on Broadway Banter - he'll likely have tons of recommendations.

>

That's the equivalent of PalenQ's oft-repeated refrain that Madame Tussaud's is one of the top 5 most visited attractions in London, therefore it's not a waste of time and money for a general tourist. Might as well say the Mets' excellence is undeniable because 2+ million patrons went to Citi Field last year.

HowardR

Please, give me a break, BigRuns!

NeoPatrick

Big Russ, thanks for reminding us that these threads aren't for making suggestions (where are yours, by the way?) but rather for simply pointing out that no one but you has good taste in novels and musicals. It is true that if you are limited to a TV sitcom attention span, then Les Mis is probably not for you.

By the way yesterday I saw Little Miss Sunshine , one of the most anticipated off Broadway musicals of the season. Sadly it wasn't much in my humble opinion, with a particularly lackluster and non-melodic score. Oh well, can't win them all.