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!