smetz1

I agree, HowardR - it seemed to me people were laughing as though they were watching at TV sitcom. I.e., a straight man responding to childish exclamations by a foil. It was a gross misinterpretation of the meaning, for example of the first scene that establishes the relationship between Lenny & George. These people even laughed when Candy was railing at the dead body of Curly's wife.

My son, who is 26, had a different feeling about it though - he thought it was the result of poor direction (and maybe acting) that resulted in the lines being delivered with inappropriate timing, ie comic-like timing.

I was wondering if this was happening throughout the run of the show, or if maybe it was just the audience that was there that night.

HowardR

smetz1, you've made a most interesting point in comparing their viewing the show to watching a TV sitcom. Something to think about!

smetz1

Given NeoPatrick's comments, it's probably just me! But I do agree with your feeling about inexperienced theatergoers, and I suspect also that many in the audience may have been unfamiliar with the story & perhaps didn't have a good feel for its poingancy.

TC

A quick trip to NY allowed me to see two shows -- Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Bullets Over Broadway. I really liked them both. GG is very clever and humorous in an extremely broad way. BOB is also humorous with some very fine casting. I felt it had some rough transitions, but nothing too distracting. I was happy with both choices.

Front row mezz seat for GG was very good. Row B, side mezz, aisle for BOB could have been better. That theater has a double row of bars at the end of the steps in the mezz which is in ones sightline if not higher than Row C or in the middle section.

Elizabeth_S

In NYC last week - saw Cabaret, Hedwig and Lady Day. All of them were excellent. If I had to pick a favourite I guess it would be Cabaret but only because I've wanted to see it for years. We commented upon our return that all of our choices included the orchestra as an integral part of the production.

Seats - we were front row mezzanine for Cabaret - great seats! Hedwig - Row G Left Orchestra but a little far off to the left (couldn't see the drummer) - although I think the producers should have taken that into account and adjusted the set accordingly. For Lady Day we were in row G seats 101/103 which were great (and got a discount same day on Broadwaybox.com)

NeoPatrick

I've avoided seeing Rocky. But since it's closing this weekend, and because I was in the city yesterday with "nothing" left to see for a matinee -- I went to the box office and got a 45% discount orchestra seat. (I was going to go to TKTS, but the lines were huge and it was raining -- I think this worked out better). So what did I think? Well, the first act is slow and boring -- glad the scenery is spectacular and involved -- it gave me something to watch. But Act II picks up from the start. The training montages are great with projections of his running, while various actors portraying Rocky in his hoodie run all directions and finally assemble in a great choreographed number.

And the 20 minute fight scene was truly amazing -- starting with the ushers moving the first 6 rows or so of orchestra patrons up on stage to sit in bleachers behind the ring, which then rolls forward out over those first 6 orchestra rows. Giant screens come down and moving cameras and microphones capture everything for the screens. The fight seems like a real fight -- perfectly staged. It's big and it's amazing.

But the music? Pretty meh. The script? Trite and unimpressive.
Still, I'm now glad I saw it. But I understand why it did not do well. It takes more than a 20 minute spectacular scene to make a big Broadway musical.

Momddtravel2

Would really love to see Idina in If/Then. >

Starrs - me too!!! I got an email about Cooper staring in Elephant Man ... I am really wanting to see that as well...

paula1470

I am going to be in NYC in October and trying to pick a show for Thurs the 23rd. I am flying in that day from LAX non-stop and land at JFK close to 5pm. I will be going to the theatre with someone who has never been to NYC and never been to a Broadway show so I want their experience to be a good one. Some of the shows we wanted to see start at 7pm so a little concerned about the time frame if my plane is even a little bit late. Also need to keep the ticket prices at a reasonable amount so have been looking at discounts on Playbill and Broadwaybox.com.

However the person attending with me mentioned "It's Only a Play". It wouldn't be my first choice but I do like the cast. Seems like it's been getting mixed reviews. There are some seats in mid-mezzanine Row G to the left for $137 which is a doable price. It's playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre. I may have been to that theatre before but don't remember and I usually sit in orchestra or front mezzanine. Wondered if anyone know about row G. The show also starts at 7pm which is a bit of a concern but it's only a 5 min walk from our hotel.

Other choices for 8pm are Cabaret and Hedwig both of which I'd like to see. Jersey Boys has good ticket prices and I've only seen once 9 years ago with the original cast. That is always a good show for first timers but it starts at 7 and is a 15 min walk from our hotel.

I appreciate any feedback especially about the 7pm time and the seats for "It's Only a Play". Any other show suggestions are appreciated also.

I also see that "On the Town" starts previews in Sept. I love, love, love the old musicals and have never seen this one. Great seats available right now with a 7pm time. Doesn't seem like past revivals of this show have done well so not sure what will be different this time.

Momddtravel2

That would make me nervous! (landing at 5:00 and having tickets for 7:00!)

doug_stallings

I'd never try to land and make a 7pm curtain, but that's just me. If you do try a 7pm show, then your best bet on a Thursday is to take the Long Island Railroad and then the subway. You could do the trip in an hour and possibly just make the curtain if you drop your bags and run. (Remember there is time to both get off the plan and then to get to the AirTrain ... which itself is a 10- to 15-minute walk at the JetBlue terminal, for instance.) I really doubt that you'll make it if you take a taxi, though. Thursday is the biggest going-out night of the week in Manhattan, and rush hour is usually heavy that night.

It's Only a Play is actually getting very positive early attention, so I'm not sure where you are hearing the mixed reviews. I haven't seen any.

Momddtravel2

Paula - can you go the next night? I just really think it is too chancy with my experiences with air travel of late - and my husbands who travels every week - it just would not be worth the stress to me.

paula1470

Mom and Doug - Sorry just realized my plane gets in at 4:15, not 5pm so that makes a little bit of a difference. If I didn't do cab or car service but the LLR and Subway, I would still think I could into town in an hour. I've never done that from JFK but thought I might try it this time since it's rush hour. I don't usually fly into JFK but was using my AA miles and could get a non-stop.

Even so I don't think I am going to risk the 7pm time. I'd be less nervous if I have a little extra time to get to the hotel and meet up with my friend.

Doug, where I got the mixed reviews was from actual theatre on some of the Broadway message boards. No one slammed it and thought it was worthwhile because of the stars. They all loved Nathan Lane but said parts of the show were a little slow or a few minutes needed to be cut. They didn't all love the Stockard Channing and Megan Mullally characters and said Matthew Broderick was mumbling his lines. Of course previews just started so I would imagine timing will tighten up. Some of these people are more critical than most.

Now I just need to decide what to see that starts at 8pm.

paula1470

Doug-Meant to say actual theatre goers.

Mom-Thursday night is the only night we can go.

HowardR

Even with a 4:15 arrival time, you're taking a big chance on making a 7 p.m. show! I wouldn't try it! Look for an 8 p.m. starting time!

There are some shows that start at 8 on Thursdays that are worth considering, especially for a first-timer:

Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Pippin, The Lion King and Wicked. Discount tickets are available for the first three.

Momddtravel2

Oh Wicked!!!!!! Wicked!!! Wicked!!

paula1470

Howard, No I am not going to try for a 7pm show. I was trying to find something that I hadn't seen or hadn't been to in a really long time but that my friend would like. Believe it or not, I've never seen The Lion King. Besides all my trips to NYC, it also played at The Pantages in LA for over 2 years and I never saw it. Pippin might be an option.

I'd really like to see Carbaret and Alan Cumming. I will have to see what my friend says, if she can deal with the dark feeling of the show.

Momddtravel2

Paula - We saw the Lion King in NYC(and many many years ago at the Pantages) but the one in NYC blew it away - I was not really looking forward to it but my dd wanted to see it so I was like "okay" - it was truly fabulous.

doug_stallings

Pippin is great, but unfortunately you'll miss Andrea Martin's short return trip in October. Cabaret is also wonderful, but will Alan Cumming still be there in October? I don't know how long he's staying.

I might chance an 8pm curtain if arriving at 4:15. That's all the difference in the world. Once you get off the plane, it should take you about an hour to get to your hotel from JFK if you take the Airtrain/Long Island Railroad (not the subway, which is noticeably slower). During rush hour there is frequent service, so you'll rarely have to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for the LIRR train. Just be sure to buy your train ticket before boarding, because if you buy it on the train, the cost is double (perhaps more than double).

TC

I would see either Pippin or Lion King again in a heartbeat. Both were very inventive, smart..... all around great entertainment.

paula1470

Doug, supposedly Alan is committed to Cabaret through March 2015. Don't know 100% if this is true.

Unless my plane is delayed, I think 8pm should be fine. My only concern with taking the Airtrain/LLR is getting a taxi when I arrive at Penn Station since it's rush hour. I would imagine the taxi line is pretty long that time of day.