Broadway (on or off) on Sun. night - recommendations?
 

I am looking for a play to see on Sunday night 9/27, either on or off Broadway.

I'm looking at Next to Normal (discounted on Broadway Box). A few people here have said they liked it but that it is "not for everybody," although I don't know what that means.

I have tickets for Memphis preview Sat. and opening night of Oleanna on Tues. 9/29 on this same trip, and am thinking of Jim Caruso's cast Party for Mon. night.

Any recommendations for a Sunday night show? Or something else entertaining to do on a Sunday night? Thanks in advance.

Broadway shows are pretty limited on Sunday nights. Matinee performances are more common. So if you find a show that interests you, jump on it. Here's a quick list for reference: http://tinyurl.com/p5oj2c.

Next to Normal looks to be the best of the lot, but there are others (Shrek, Chicago, etc.).

I think Next to Normal is excellent - even though it deals with a serious topic, it's very well done, very accessible, loved the music. Also, it does have more humor than you might expect. Go to the show's website for videos and song samples to see what you think. www.nexttonormal.com

And - for something completely opposite - light and very funny - Altar Boyz and Toxic Avenger. Both are Off-B'way & play Sunday night. Google for reviews & details, you can also see/hear portions online.

Rock of Ages (B'way) and The Fantasticks (Off B'way) both have Sun eve shows

"In the Heights" available on discount on broadwaybox.com It's terrific! Have not seen Next to Normal.

Hi mclaurie, it's me, emd (Eileen). We met at the bar at the Marriott Marquis two years ago, while I was in NCY w/my daughter Celine. I am taking Celine (who is 16 yrs old now), and a friend of hers, to NYC in early Dec. But on this trip next week which I am posting about, I am going alone for business development and will have time to see some shows alone, which is a big deal for me. I don't get that much time alone.

I sent my 18 yr old son and his girlfriend to see "In The Heights" last Dec. when we went to NYC for his birthday. But I think I want something different, esp since I am seeing preview of "Memphis" on Sat. night, my 1st night in NYC on this trip. (And also seeing Oleanna on opening night, 9/29- very excited about that)

Spring 212, I appreciate your sharing your experience w/seeing Next to Normal. Doug, I have no interest in a matinee Sunday show...that is why I asked for recommendations for a Sunday night show.

I think Next to Normal is at the top of the list...I ckecked out Toxic Avenger and Altar Boyz but neither sound appealing to me. Spring 212 , I will check out Rock of Ages and the Fantastics, thank you for the suggestions,

Hi, Eileen! Sounds like maybe son and gf (are they still together?) didn't love In the Heights? Or maybe you're saying you'll save it to see with Celine in Dec.? There's a production of "Our Town" off b'way that's gotten raves and has a Sun. evening performance, just fyi.

Next to Normal is an amazing show if you like something different. Very moving and complex--especially the second act. Wonderful cast. Not for the Mary Poppins and Little Mermaid crowd.

McLaurie, yes I am waiting for Dec. to take Celine and her friend to see In the Heights. My son and his gf liked it last Dec. (He is off at Boston Univ. now and she is also gone off to college, so I have no idea if that relationship will survive.)

I am thinking I will see Our Town on Sunday night next week, and maybe God of Carnage, which has gotten good reviews, on Monday night (or the Cast Party). Re Next to Normal - since I am seeing August, Osage Co. over Thanksgiving in D.C., I think one family drama might be enough for the rest of this yr...

Where is Howard? Is he still around here? I always liked getting his input for NYC theater. I miss him.

Based on HowardR's review in August, I am thinking about seeing West Side Story on my Dec. trip also...

I really want to see Steady Rain but it starts after I leave NYC on the trip next wk, and it ends before I go in Dec. May have to make another trip in Oct. or Nov. for that! Ditto Love, Loss, and What I Wore off-bwy.

emd3, yes, I'm still around. Thanks for remembering me!
I hadn't commented here, because I didn't have any strong feelings about the options for Sunday evening......except for one of my all-time favorites, Chicago, and I assume you have seen that one.

Next to Normal was my favorite new show of the 2008/2009 season. It's almost entirely sung (I think of it as a rock opera.) I found the show tragic and moving (I cried during the finale, and teared up at several points throughout) -- it's a relatively realistic portrayal of a family's experience with mental illness. The cast is incredible -- really, all 6 of them are amazing.

Hello
We will be in New York next month and I got tickets for God of Carnage, A Steady Rain and Brighton Beach Memoirs.Would you recomend any other plays? What about Superior Donuts?
We like also musicals,would you recomend Hair?
Thank you.

Everyone likes the current production of Hair - Personally. I think the movie version (actually) has a (better) plot and the shots of NYC in the 70s are priceless as is the choreography of Twyla Tharp. (NOTE - I almost always prefer live theater over films).

Hair was a total blast - probably the most fun I've had at a show - ever. You definitely have to be into it, as the cast interacts with the audience a lot. The singing and dancing are great and there are some stellar performances (Gavin Creel and Will Swenson, in particular.) I sat in the front row for this show and had an amazing time.

I've heard mixed reviews about Superior Donuts. I think some people are a bit let down after the writer's last show - August: Osage County. I don't know anyone who thought it was bad, they just didn't think it was incredible.

Hello
Any other suggestion?
Thanks

carioca, maybe you should start a thread asking about Superior Donuts and other shows. My thread only asked about Sunday nights so not everyone is going to look at this thread re general show recommendations.

Hi HowardR! Thanks for responding, good to know you are still around. Yes, I've seen Chicago. But with help from mclaurie and others I think I have Sunday covered now.

BTW, there is a fun event for theater lovers in NYC this Sat. and Sun, I found it while searching for shows. Sat. there are Broadway Open House Theater Tours of the August Wilson theater, Majestic, and Minskoff, continuously departing tours from 10 am til noon at each theater. "An exclusing look at what goes on in Broadways hsitoric playhouses before the audience comes in." Tours are free and open to the public.

Sunday is the 23rd Anual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction. "Stars from Broadway, off-Broddway, dance, an daytime TV greet fans and sell memorabilia to benefit the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights for AIDS. Shop for costume pieces, original scripts, rare phtos, and more. At the Celbrity tab;le stars gather thoughout the day to sign autographs and pose for photes in exchange for donations. Location: Shubert Alley, West 44th St btwn 7th and 8th.

I am going to that on Sunday! Sounds fun, and for a good cause.

See: http://www.ilovenytheater.com/

Oh, another option. I just got an email re discounts for previews of The Royal Family on Broadway and it is playing on Sunday night. That looks like a good option...

I will do that.Thank you for your advice.

We (5 gals, 40's & 50's) just returned from a fun weekend which included discount tix to "In the Heights" at Richard Rogers Theater. All of us loved it. We had excellent seats, too.