From the very first publicity about the show's high cost, I've questioned how realistic the backers are/were. And, now it's even higher--a reported $65 million. By my rough and unsophisticated estimate, the show would have to play at capacity for 3 years more or less just to earn back its investment....and very few shows do that

Haven't they gone through two sets of producers so far, Howard? I thought I read that the original backers ran out of $$$$ a couple of years ago and new investors had to be found to continue. There must be a lot of hands in this pot.

I know that at least one set of producers ran out of money. I'll have to agree with you that because of the reported $65 million figure, there has to be "a lot of hands in this pot."

O.K. ---- so what should I see this January? We have Merchant of Venice and (ugh!) Women on the Verge tix. Would have seen Spiderman.....but you know that story. What is good to add.

Of the current listings, I've already seen:
Billy Elliot (bored)
Chicago (o.k.)
Fela (bored by the second act)
In the Heights (loved it)
La Cage (love it)
Lion King (loved it)
Little Night Music (loved it)
Phantom (o.k.)
Scottsboro (I think you know how I feel about this)
West Side Story (loved it)
Wicked (love it)
I saw the original Driving Miss Daisy (amazing)
Hate the juke box -- rock n roll, shows.

What about Free Man of Color or La Bete? Thinking about seeing In The Heights a second time as DH wasn't with me the first and I think he'd really like it. How about some great off-Broadway recommendations?

In case you don't know, La Bete is closing early - final performance is Jan 9.

Thanks, yk. I am looking to insert a show on Jan 7, so could still catch La Bete if its worthwhile.

TC - If La Bete were still open, I wouldn't recommend it to you. Although Mark Ryland does such a good job, I felt like I was on auditory overload through much of the performance. I did like Free Man of Color (my tix were $50, might not feel the same at $100+) and although it doesn't compare, imo, to the quality of Six Degrees (which I loved), it is quite an ambitious and somewhat creative undertaking. I found the historic background so interesting and the cast very good. I bought the $1 booklet that they sell in the lobby to read more about the historic background - haven't had time to do that yet.

yk - I did like Elling, but I'm not surprised that it's closing. It's so spare and off beat that I immediately wondered what it was doing on B'way. I wonder how it would have fared in a small theater downtown. I thought Denis O'Hare was excellent as Elling. What appealed to me about this play is the transformation that the characters undergo. I cared about them by the closing of Act II.

I should also add that my tix to La Bete were free and I'm glad I didn't spend a lot on that performance.

I've seen both Promises Promises and Memphis in the last month.

Don't miss either. Neither disappoint.

My only complaint about Memphis was the poor excuse for southern accents. But... the music far outshines this, so if you're from the south, overlook the accent problem!

Did you all see that Scottsboro Boys is closing December 12?

CPG -- too late, I bought a couple of seats (at discount price) for La Bete's final performance. That could be a riot. I had such high hopes for this January trip to NY and now its taken quite a downward turn. Oh well....the Christmas decor will still be on display and the museums will be awesome and the food will be delicious.

Poor Spidey! Looks like he's had a rough road. Read that the lead actress has a concussion. Have any Fodorites seen the show (rehearsal)?

(From SM web page) The following performances of SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK have been cancelled:

* November 17 evening
* November 18 evening
* November 19 evening
* November 20 matinee & evening
* November 21 matinee
* November 23 evening
* November 24 matinee & evening
* November 26 evening
* November 28 matinee

* December 1 matinee only
* December 4 matinee only
* December 8 matinee only
* December 11 matinee only
* December 14 evening
* December 15 matinee only
* December 30 matinee only

* January 11 evening
* January 12 matinee only

My husband and I saw "Driving Miss Daisy" on Wednesday, and "Merchant of Venice" on Thursday. The actors were fantastic in DMD, as one would expect, although I didn't love the script. The movie was better written in my opinion, but I'm certainly glad we went. We sat in the 3rd row of the front mezzanine on the side, and oddly, we had a hard time understanding James Earl Jones in a few spots.

Incidentally, we got our tickets for half price from the TKTS booth. I was one of the first few people in line.

I come from a theater background , and it was such a treat to get to see such wonderful production of "Merchant". The only real criticism I have is with the portrayal of Bassanio. His character didn't work for me, but otherwise, it was just amazing. See it if you can.

TC - Just to let you know - I saw Women on the Verge and it was not terrible; I actually enjoyed Act II. OK, I did go in with very low expectations and I paid $50 for orch seats because I'm a member of LCT - all that helped, but I did like it. One thing I will say, despite weaknesses, the cast is so good. The voices of Patti LuPone and Brian Stokes Mitchell are in top form. I could listen to BSM recite gibberish. And Laura Benanti is wonderful in her role. She's quite a talent and has some interesting, diverse roles under her belt (Gypsy, In the Next Room). I await hearing your take and I hope you got discounted seats

Well, cpg, I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks. We actually thought that except for Patti Lupone's big number, the second act was worse than the first. We are big fans of Brian Stokes Mitchell, but we thought his role was a waste of his talents. However, we do agree about Laura Benanti. She was good!
When I think about this show, two words come to mind: overkill and excessive!
I am expecting to like Million Dollar Quartet a lot more next week!

Can't wait to hear what you think, HowardR.

I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks

Howard - Of course - always! For me, expectations contribute a lot - I expected a disaster, so I was pleasantly surprised not to hate it. What I was saying is that the roles might not have been great, but the talent of BSM and PL is there - it shines through even in a not so great role. I've seen PL, in the past, when she hasn't been in the best form. Despite the role, her voice is in great shape imo. Saw MDQ with my family (all ages) over Thanksgiving - entertaining, but far from great - in all our opinions. But, I'm one of the few who did not go wild over Jersey Boys for the same reasons - good music, but average, not compelling story. I know most people love it. That's just the way it is.

On a different note, a cousin of mine wrote the book and lyrics to a musical. Several months ago, I sat in on a reading for potential backers. Next week I will attend a performance (to raise more money). What a process! I'm very excited for him.

CPG. Thank you, thank you for a positive approach to WOTV. I did not get discount tix, but I hope its a fun evening anyway. I will be in NY next week for one night on a last minute volunteer expedition. What should I see? Have a good friend in Love, Loss and What I Wore, but I've already seen that show. Could grab a discount tix for Promises, Promises. What does anyone know about new off-broadway show, "A Small Fire"?

YC In the Heights is closing Jan. 9 and Miranda reprises his lead role starting Xmas. http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/

We, too, went expecting very little from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.....and we were still disappointed. Interestingly, we were hopeful watching the opening number which wasn't bad and thought, "Gee, maybe it won't be so bad after all." But, unfortunately, we thought it became a case of overkill. Sure, there are talented people performing....but I want them performing something that entertains me!
I'm curious about your comment, cpg, when you say you've seen Patti Lupone in the past "when she hasn't been in the best of form." May I assume you are talking about experiences in the distant past, since her last two shows, Gypsy and Sweeney Todd, showed off her talks most remarkably!
As for your comment about Jersey Boys...that I can relate to, since we felt the same way about Wicked.

TC, I'm not sure what you've already seen, but if you haven't caught A Little Night Music, Billy Elliot or La Cage Aux Folles, then I'd pick one of them.