Winter is here and with it comes closings and new beginnings. Let's hear from all of you passionate about Broadway with your reviews, comments and questions. A healthy new year to all of you and for the shows as well!

Hello CPG. Thanks for this new post. The other was getting quite long.

I was in NYC last week for one day. After walking from Columbus Circle to Times Square to see all the Christmas windows (Bergdorf's are amazing), subway to Macy's windows and shopping both Christmas markets (Union Square and Bryant Park) I was frozen. My hotel was only two doors from The Adams Family. Having never seen that show due to mediocre reviews, I grabbed a cheap ticket this time because I was too darned cold to walk much farther. I was pleasantly surprised. While not high art, it was amusing. Nathan did a respectable, understated job in his role. Bebe was underwhelming - especially in her tango number. The rest of the cast was fine. Jackie Hoffman (as Grandma) broke up the entire cast during the dinner scene with her riff on Larry King, much to the amusement of the audience. All in all, not an unpleasant winter's evening.

Nothing wrong in my book with a cheap last minute seat and a pleasant surprise. I am glad that you had a good time! Stay warm!

Hey Starrs, did you see my comment on the autumn banter thread about about loving Million Dollar Quartet?

The Merchant of Venice will play three additional weeks from February 1-20. The show closes January 9 to allow Al Pacino to fulfill a film commitment. Tickets for the added performances will go on sale December 29.

Driving Miss Daisy has also been extended to April 9 w/the
original cast remaining.

Another 'Spider-Man' injury last night.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...erformance/?hp

This accident sounds bad. The show is plagued....and now they are rewriting parts of the book and the music? Wow! As DH likes to say, "some people have more money than brains".

"Christine Bord, another eyewitness, described the terrifying events inside the theater in a blog post on her Web site, OnLocationVacations. "They both went tumbling over the ledge into the pit. The music stopped, an announcement was made that show was going to pause, and you could hear people beneath the stage in a panic. 'Is he alive?', one man shouted, while another screamed, 'Call 911'. You could also hear a woman screaming in terror," she wrote."

http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2...l-on-broadway/

Spider-Man cancels a matinee.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/th....html?_r=1&hpw

Ben Brantley's Top Shows of 2010:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/th...9brantley.html

I remember seeing a preview performance of Aida in Chicago a number of years ago. The 2 leads were in a box that was being raised above the stage. When it reached 8-10 feet, the mechanism failed, the box jolted, and the leads fell out onto to stage. It was horrifying to witness. They were both OK and the show went on, but DH and I were so upset we had to leave.

As far as Spiderman is concerned, I won't be surprised when the show is cancelled. And as a member of U2's fan club, I feel traitorous saying that!

Regarding the SpMn accident this week; producers state: “This is a maneuver that has been done hundreds, if not a thousand times, without incident"

I question the exaggeration of this statement, since it is well known that there had not been so much as one run-thru prior to the start of Previews in November. Practicing a stunt in a rehearsal hall is NOT the same as doing it in full gear on stage. The producers and creative team of this show have, IMHO, lost sight of the goal of entertainment. They appear to be trying to make a "silk purse from a sows ear" -- stupefying stunts can't mask a weak story and ho-hum score. I am fearful that the need to recoup investments will eventually lead to a bad end.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is opening later this Winter on Broadway. We saw it in London a few months back and already have our NYC tickets for March. If you liked Mamma Mia you will love Priscilla .... if you need a last minute gift.... tickets are available on-line!!!

Both performances were cancelled today for Spider-Man. The latest mishap was the 4th major accident for this show. I wonder how much pressure the investors are putting on the production.

This (SpMn) could end up being a new poster on the wall at Joe Allen's restaurant -- legendary flops.

We had tickets to the matinee last Wed. for Spiderman. It was cancelled and I was notified he evening before by email and cell phone that we would be refunded. I was relieved as I had decided I had really made a mistake getting those tickets.

Instead, I got good discounted last minute tickets online on BroadwayBox to see Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. We loved it. Very funny, great set and good acting.

emd3 - sounds like you caught a break!

Yes, we did get a break. I was looking forward to the sets in Spiderman but not much else.

I think Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is closing soon but if anyone has a chance to see it w/discount, I would go. It was pure entertainment, one of those funny musicals you can just go enjoy and laugh through. Lots of f language ("I am Andrew F'ing Jackson, and I'll do what I want to the Indians"), so not for little kids or those who get offended by that.

Well kids....my January trip is really shaping up (LOL) now Women on the Verge is closing before we arrive. We'll get a refund, but what's left? First the Spiderman debacle, now this. At least Merchant has been extended, so our tickets for that one should still be good. We have LaBete and a (rerun for me) of In the Heights with the return of the author. What else......a major snow storm?

Be happy about Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown early closing and the refund!

I think you are spot on with that assessment, Howard. Having originally paid full price for tix to both Spiderman and Women.... prior to reviews, I feel somewhat blessed to be given a repreive on both. We'll grab something for half price to fill in this time and save the money for our June trip to NY. DH says - better a wonderful dinner than a bad show.