Hello, could use some expert advice regarding our upcoming 4-day holiday (Dec) trip to NYC. We've been a few times - by no means experts - but our travel mates (brother and sis-in-law) are newbies. I've been designated the show-coordinator, and after weeks of perusing reviews as well as these boards it's still a very tough choice. This may be their only visit, so I'm thinking broadly. Possibly:

* Lombardi (3 of us are all long-time Packers fans)
* Promises, Promises
* Rockettes Holiday Show
* Rock of Ages (we're all in our mid-40's to 50, so that's our era!)

We have seen Wicked several times as well as Jersey Boys, Chicago, and others that are no longer around so those are the only ones we're ruling out but are completely open to other ideas.

Thank you for any and all suggestions.

The Radio City thing has gotten to be a sort of "classic" so perhaps they would enjoy that.

I assume you've disregarded things such as "Phantom"...you are in an unenviable position in that success or failure gets attributed to you..don't suppose there is any way whatsoever you can get some sort of responsibility buy-in from the "newbies" is there?

Not familiar with anything you post except the Radio City Rocketts show. Cannot beat it.

And check out the tour of the venue too. We did not do it, but posters here make it sound really interesting.

What about "In the Heights"? I thought it was great, and the fact that it's set in NYC makes it a good choice for newbies. It's closing after the first of the year. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...s/?ref=theater

An excellent local theater company did Lombardi last year, and I was amazed at how they could make such a boring play from such an interesting life.

We always do the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - even for people who don't esp like ballet it is a holiday classic. (Much prefer it to the Radio City spectacular, but being a native I have seen the Rockettes about a thousand times from the age of 5 on.)

Another vote for In the Heights.

Thanks for the replies! Dukey1, you're right about the success/failure issue. Fortunately the newbies are quite easy to please and not regular theater-goers so my guess is they'll be charmed by most Broadway/NYC experiences (who wouldn't be?!) Abram, I'm definitely concerned with Lombardi since the reviews have been iffy...but it was their one request (mostly my hubby's.) Will scope out In the Heights next.

Thank you again, everyone!

Yeh the list is just bad I would try and see Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson , Billy Eillot , The one that Ms Redgrave is in which has been getting near perfect reviews.

And maybe even Phantom .

Lynne Redgrave is in "Driving Miss Daisy" and while she and her co-star James Earl Jones have gotten raves, the play/production itself has not-not from the NY Times, anyway. I wouldn't say the list is "bad" but it doesn't how any WOW on it. The Xmas show is an experience so that's fine. While the music of Rock of Ages may be from your youth, I'm not sure that's what I'd pick to go to a Broadway Show. I think it's the kind of thing that will travel and the cast of a roadshow is likely to be fine. There are a couple of shows that haven't opened yet that I think could be more worthwhile- Spiderman is one and Women on the Verge with Patti Lupone is another.

Whoa, Mclaurie -- that was an unfortunate slip.

Lynne Redgrave sadly passed away earlier this year. It is Vanessa Redgrave in Driving Miss Daisy.

As I just posted on another thread I would suggest La Cage Aux Folles and A Little Night Music.

Mea culpa NP.

Thank you again! Even though there is little WOW factor (no problem with that comment btw, since I completely agree), I'm trying to balance first-time-broadway'ers with the holidays and sports-oriented manly men. So... still gonna stick with Lombardi (ughhh!), and The Rockettes, just have to choose one more show for the group and one for "just us" since we're staying an extra night.

We've over done Wicked, Jersey Boys, Phantom (love 'em all, but I'd like to see something new) so it's between Promises, In the Heights, La Cage Aux Folles, Memphis.

If you're willing to chime in one more time, it would be greatly appreciated!

I haven't seen Memphis, but out of the other three, no contest: La Cage!!!

"I'm trying to balance first-time-broadway'ers with the holidays and sports-oriented manly men. "

Million Dollar Quartet - everyone will enjoy it but the men will enjoy it more than the other contenders

http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/

It's a blast!

"MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Who Do You Love?," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more.

This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock 'n' roll band for one unforgettable night. Don't miss your chance to be a fly on the wall of fame... at MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET!"

20+ songs in a 90 minute set (no intermission). It's a great (true) story, great music, and I looked around a lot at the faces in the audience and the men were really enjoying the show.

Sorry. You said to choose between THOSE three.
Okay, I'm with cpg - although I've not seen La Cage yet (or Memphis).

Starrs, that show sounds awesome... think we will do La Cage with inlaws and see MDQ ourselves. Really wanted to see Promises, Promises or maybe take a chance on Women on the Verge, but hubby may not appreciate as much. MDQ is probably the perfect compromise. We will love it, I'm sure. Thanks for the suggestion!!!

I liked Promises, Promises.
I wanted to love it.
It was well choreographed, and there was a lot to like, but it didn't "wow" me.

MDQ = a fun, rocking ride...with a great TRUE story :-