Broadway Banter - Spring '10
Mar 12th, 2010, 06:40 PM
#21
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Howard has had far better luck with West Side Story than I have. I first saw a touring production in Dayton, Ohio when I was in high school. I sat down front very near the side and could see into the wings. The girl playing Maria (Wendy Waring) would race off into the wings at every break she had, where a dresser would hand her a lit cigarette so she could take a few quick drags. It somehow overpowered my good memories of the show.
Then a few years ago at Stratford, Ontario I saw a bizarre production. I'm normally OK with "color blind casting", but when the play is essentially about race, having a Maria who was Asian with an Asian accent just didn't work for me. Nor did the petite and very feminine tony with bleached blonde hair. I remember the audience laughing out loud when one of the Jets said, "but we need Tony for the rumble".
I've seen a few very good ones too, and when the dancing is on (assuming it is the original Jerome Robbins stuff) it is amazing. But that's all I really liked at this last revival. Sadly the understudy was on for Anita and she had no fire at all that I could see. Maria and Tony were just sort of OK to me, and didn't really seem to have major lovestruck chemistry. And while Maria had a very trained voice, it just wasn't a "pretty one" to me.
Then a few years ago at Stratford, Ontario I saw a bizarre production. I'm normally OK with "color blind casting", but when the play is essentially about race, having a Maria who was Asian with an Asian accent just didn't work for me. Nor did the petite and very feminine tony with bleached blonde hair. I remember the audience laughing out loud when one of the Jets said, "but we need Tony for the rumble".
I've seen a few very good ones too, and when the dancing is on (assuming it is the original Jerome Robbins stuff) it is amazing. But that's all I really liked at this last revival. Sadly the understudy was on for Anita and she had no fire at all that I could see. Maria and Tony were just sort of OK to me, and didn't really seem to have major lovestruck chemistry. And while Maria had a very trained voice, it just wasn't a "pretty one" to me.
Mar 13th, 2010, 07:34 AM
#22
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My husband and I will be in New York in early October and want to see a few shows. My question is, if the shows we want to see are open ended, should we buy tickets now (or in a few months) to get good seats? What if they close--do we get a refund? Also, how do we find out if the current cast will still be doing the show?
Mar 13th, 2010, 07:34 AM
#23
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A bit off-topic:
The Wall Street Journal has an article & slideshow yesterday on Edward Albee's Manhattan Loft (click on the slideshow tab if you want to see pics of his loft):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...645297394.html
The Wall Street Journal has an article & slideshow yesterday on Edward Albee's Manhattan Loft (click on the slideshow tab if you want to see pics of his loft):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...645297394.html
Mar 13th, 2010, 08:06 AM
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Answering Im4Wine:
1. Unless the show is a huge hit (like Wicked or Jersey Boys), there's no point in getting tickets that far in advance. In fact, I'd venture to say that there is no show right now--including Wicked and Jersey Boys--that is that hot that you must get October tickets now. You can safely wait until, say, April or May.
2. If you buy tickets and the show closes ahead of that performance, yes, you do get a refund. No problem.
3. There is usually no way of knowing what the cast will be that far in advance. The usual exception is when a big star is cast, there sometimes is mentioned how how long he/she has signed up for.
What particular shows are interested in seeing? If we know that, we can be advise the best route for getting tickets for each one. For example, some shows will definitely have discount offers and some definitely (or probably) won't.
1. Unless the show is a huge hit (like Wicked or Jersey Boys), there's no point in getting tickets that far in advance. In fact, I'd venture to say that there is no show right now--including Wicked and Jersey Boys--that is that hot that you must get October tickets now. You can safely wait until, say, April or May.
2. If you buy tickets and the show closes ahead of that performance, yes, you do get a refund. No problem.
3. There is usually no way of knowing what the cast will be that far in advance. The usual exception is when a big star is cast, there sometimes is mentioned how how long he/she has signed up for.
What particular shows are interested in seeing? If we know that, we can be advise the best route for getting tickets for each one. For example, some shows will definitely have discount offers and some definitely (or probably) won't.
Mar 13th, 2010, 09:01 AM
#26
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Arriving on Monday for a week and have tickets for Wednesday's performance of 'Come Fly Away' in preview. Anyone seen it yet? Any comments?
Also looking for Thursday evening and based on comments here am leaning to 'A Behanding in Spokane' ... need a second option ... Billy Elliot seems to get mixed reviews ... what about 'A view from the bridge?"
Also looking for Thursday evening and based on comments here am leaning to 'A Behanding in Spokane' ... need a second option ... Billy Elliot seems to get mixed reviews ... what about 'A view from the bridge?"
Mar 13th, 2010, 01:48 PM
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Thanks Howard. Just trying to have a backup plan in place in case the tickets to my first choice aren't available. My first choice would probably be a drama so A View if available but if not, something else. Have been reading this afternoon about "A behanding in Spokane" and now I'm really torn! Thoughts on that?
Mar 14th, 2010, 05:01 PM
#30
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Im4wine - the only thing I will add to what Howard said, is that in general, the earlier you buy tickets, the better your seats might be. On the other hand, sometimes later will yield a greater discount.
This weekend, I took my dh to see 'South Pacific' (I saw it when it opened). Anyway, I bought the tix quite some time ago - the seats were in the 7th row and fantastic. I enjoyed it as much as the first time - such a great production!
Ricardamundo - you probably won't go wrong with either choice. Seeing Liev Schreiber is always a treat. I liked the play very much. Am seeing a 'Behanding' in 10 days and expect that to be very good theater as well, but very different. Can you fit in both?
This weekend, I took my dh to see 'South Pacific' (I saw it when it opened). Anyway, I bought the tix quite some time ago - the seats were in the 7th row and fantastic. I enjoyed it as much as the first time - such a great production!
Ricardamundo - you probably won't go wrong with either choice. Seeing Liev Schreiber is always a treat. I liked the play very much. Am seeing a 'Behanding' in 10 days and expect that to be very good theater as well, but very different. Can you fit in both?
Mar 15th, 2010, 05:38 AM
#31
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For anyone interested, today's review of 'Looped:'
http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/1...=looped&st=cse
http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/1...=looped&st=cse
Mar 20th, 2010, 08:20 AM
#34
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Just back after a great 5-day trip to Manhattan.
Saw Come Fly Away in previews and we both really enjoyed it. Probably not for everyone but if you like dance and great music you'll enjoy it. The dancers were stellar and I thought the concept held together quite well. Almost all the dancers were outstanding with Charlie Neshyba Hodges being the most amazing. His partner was no slouch either. Rika Okamoto was not quite up to the standards of the rest of the leads.
Our second night was supposed to be Billy Elliot but the only good tickets left were in the $200 range and that was just too steep. So, we walked across the street to pick up tickets for 'A Behanding in Spokane' which was a very pleasant surprise .... er, strike that, unpleasant surprise. I mean that in a good way as the dark humour was not what you could call pleasant. However, the writing was very crisp and the acting was very good, with Christopher Walken just owning the stage. He has great comedic timing and the rest of the ensemble was solid, with the actor playing the 'receptionist guy' particularly good (sorry, am at my notebook and can't remember his name). He was a great foil for Walken's character.
Again, this might not be for everyone but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I came to this site looking for advice for my trip so thanks to those who helped and I hope this provides a little insight for other travellers with Broadway plans.
Saw Come Fly Away in previews and we both really enjoyed it. Probably not for everyone but if you like dance and great music you'll enjoy it. The dancers were stellar and I thought the concept held together quite well. Almost all the dancers were outstanding with Charlie Neshyba Hodges being the most amazing. His partner was no slouch either. Rika Okamoto was not quite up to the standards of the rest of the leads.
Our second night was supposed to be Billy Elliot but the only good tickets left were in the $200 range and that was just too steep. So, we walked across the street to pick up tickets for 'A Behanding in Spokane' which was a very pleasant surprise .... er, strike that, unpleasant surprise. I mean that in a good way as the dark humour was not what you could call pleasant. However, the writing was very crisp and the acting was very good, with Christopher Walken just owning the stage. He has great comedic timing and the rest of the ensemble was solid, with the actor playing the 'receptionist guy' particularly good (sorry, am at my notebook and can't remember his name). He was a great foil for Walken's character.
Again, this might not be for everyone but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I came to this site looking for advice for my trip so thanks to those who helped and I hope this provides a little insight for other travellers with Broadway plans.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 12:36 PM
#35
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Ricardamundo - seeing both soon. Thanks for the info.
Saw 'Red' last weekend. We all enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of modern art, but the performances were strong and the premise 'engaging.' btw, I had deeply discounted seats; I'd think twice or choose very carefully if I were paying $125! Not a lot is worth that, imo.
Saw 'Red' last weekend. We all enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of modern art, but the performances were strong and the premise 'engaging.' btw, I had deeply discounted seats; I'd think twice or choose very carefully if I were paying $125! Not a lot is worth that, imo.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 07:31 PM
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Hi CPG, thanks for the review on RED. I'm thinking of going to see it in late April when DH & I are in town. The discounts offered right now only run through 4/18; but our trip is after that. So I'm sitting tight for now hoping for new discount offers for after 4/19. We really want to see it because of all the rave reviews it received in London; plus Eddie Redmayne just won the Olivier Award for his portrayal of Ken in the London version of Red.
Mar 22nd, 2010, 08:05 PM
#37
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Thank's for the review of "Come Fly Away". We're considering that one.
I'm convinced that Ticketmaster and Telecharge significantly manipulate ticket availability. Whether or not they're discounted, sometimes better seats are available early on, sometimes later. But, I do check regularly, since I'd rather be center and closer than to the right or left or many rows farther back for the same price.
I'm another who was underwhelmed with "Wicked". We left at intermission and gave our tickets to a couple of young ladies outside the theater. If I'd known they be out there and that thrilled, we'd have left earlier.
Often, you can find out on Playbill or on a performer's website their initial and subsequent length of contract. And, twice, I was able to get refunds when the cast changed after I bought the tickets. But, unless you have your heart set on seeing a particular performer, the replacements are just as amazing (at least in my experience). We've even seen some incredible (unknown) understudies.
I'm convinced that Ticketmaster and Telecharge significantly manipulate ticket availability. Whether or not they're discounted, sometimes better seats are available early on, sometimes later. But, I do check regularly, since I'd rather be center and closer than to the right or left or many rows farther back for the same price.
I'm another who was underwhelmed with "Wicked". We left at intermission and gave our tickets to a couple of young ladies outside the theater. If I'd known they be out there and that thrilled, we'd have left earlier.
Often, you can find out on Playbill or on a performer's website their initial and subsequent length of contract. And, twice, I was able to get refunds when the cast changed after I bought the tickets. But, unless you have your heart set on seeing a particular performer, the replacements are just as amazing (at least in my experience). We've even seen some incredible (unknown) understudies.
Mar 23rd, 2010, 03:42 AM
#38
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djkbooks, one thing to note is that the websites for Ticketmaster and Telecharge are also a little misleading. I hate the Ticketmaster one which tends to only show you one set of tickets for your chosen date and won't let you pick others instead. But phone calls to either of them will often yield what I'd call "much better" seats than will come up on line.
For example I'd much rather have front row mezzanine seats even in one of the side sections -- being centered in the mezzanine means little so long as you're not at the extreme ends. Yet it usually seems impossible for them to show you those, but rather their "next best" keeps moving further and further back.
I've given up on new shows that tout "advance tickets available to American Express card holders only". Every time I've tried that -- the tickets were really lousy, but once the general tickets went on sale to the public, there were MUCH better ones available.
For example I'd much rather have front row mezzanine seats even in one of the side sections -- being centered in the mezzanine means little so long as you're not at the extreme ends. Yet it usually seems impossible for them to show you those, but rather their "next best" keeps moving further and further back.
I've given up on new shows that tout "advance tickets available to American Express card holders only". Every time I've tried that -- the tickets were really lousy, but once the general tickets went on sale to the public, there were MUCH better ones available.
Mar 26th, 2010, 01:17 PM
#39
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First, I apologize if this information is accessed elsewhere on this website. If it is, please direct me and thank you.
My family (me, hubby & daughter 11) are venturing to NYC for the very first time the week of April 5-9. It is all the time we have. We would LOVE to take in a Broadway Musical. I looked online for age appropriate ones and found that the only Wednesday matinee (we are going very casual on this vacation and cannot do a night performance) available is for WICKED. Alas, there are no tickets available -- except for 'discount scalpers' for $180+ each. I am aware of same day tickets and the TKTS area on Times Sq. Is there anyplace I should scour for tickets that won't scalp me $$ that I am not aware of?
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
My family (me, hubby & daughter 11) are venturing to NYC for the very first time the week of April 5-9. It is all the time we have. We would LOVE to take in a Broadway Musical. I looked online for age appropriate ones and found that the only Wednesday matinee (we are going very casual on this vacation and cannot do a night performance) available is for WICKED. Alas, there are no tickets available -- except for 'discount scalpers' for $180+ each. I am aware of same day tickets and the TKTS area on Times Sq. Is there anyplace I should scour for tickets that won't scalp me $$ that I am not aware of?
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Mar 26th, 2010, 01:38 PM
#40
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To be perfectly blunt, it is very doubtful you will get tickets at all for Wicked for that week (Easter) without being scalped. The show is clearly fully sold out.
How about another show? South Pacific? West Side Story? Billy Elliot has some strong language but I'd call it totally age appropriate.
How about another show? South Pacific? West Side Story? Billy Elliot has some strong language but I'd call it totally age appropriate.
