Broadway plan?
 

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. #-O

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 :-

< 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.>

starrs - that says a lot since you're a big Chenowith fan. I didn't care for it. If you're able to see La Cage with Douglas Hodge, you're in for a real treat; his performance is terrific!

I know. :-(
I'm a HUGE Chenoweth fan. We bought GREAT seats (I think Row H) for opening night (of previews). It was a really big deal for me - I was sure it was going to be the highlight of the trip.
It was a really big disappointment for me too.
She was good, but it really wasn't a vehicle for her. Even with an added song, there wasn't enough Kristen for me.
Sean Hayes was very good and IMO Katie Finneran stole the show. She was GREAT!
I loved the choreography. I think my favorite part was the intro with the hat rack and chair dance. That's really sad, isn't it? LOL!
The night ended well. We waited for autographs and Kristen was a delight. Got Katie's too and Tony Goldwyn's. Sean Hayes bailed early on the line. But, the play itself? A real disappointment.

I hate to admit this but I skipped La Cage because I just can't stand Kelsey Grammer. I thought about buying tickets, but just couldn't get past that. Maybe next trip...

I also wanted to love Promises and just liked it. I was pleasantly surprised by Memphis not expecting much (and saw it in previews on a lark). I enjoyed it while I was sitting there, but it doesn't stay with you. I think "In the Heights"
is the best new musical I've seen in years. I haven't seen MDQ but that music doesn't do it for me. I would have picked ITH and La Cage fwiw.

I just read "In the Heights" is closing on Jan. 9. http://www.playbill.com/news/article...Return-to-Cast

starrs, Douglas Hodge is outstanding in la cage....you should see it for him alone.

starrs - get past it. Grammer is good, but Hodge is fantastic.

LOL :-))
Okay, okay. Next trip :-)

starrs, your dislike of Kelsey Grammer has deprived of a wonderful theatrical experience that La Cage Aux Folles is and of seeing a brilliant performance by Douglas Hodge.
PS: I'm no fan of Grammer's, but I've got to say he was outstanding in the show.

Absolutely vote for Radio City -- make sure you get really good seats in the "golden circle" or whatever they call it. Its a wow! And totally agree with La Cage Aux Folles - extremely funny and touching. Doug Hodge is BRILLIANT. It was everyone's favorite from our last trip. Also loved In the Heights and A Little Night Music, but we saw the original casts in both. I think you are on the right track.

I'm not big fan of Grammer's either, and while I saw Douglas Hodge do La Cage in London a year ago, fortunately it was without Grammer. But having seen Robert Goulet attempt the role in the last Broadway revival -- I am sure that Grammer is far superior to THAT horrible performance.

Rock of Ages is really cheesy - I was expecting a big arena rock display, and instead it just seemed kind of awkward and predictable. Billy Elliot is good.

Grammer's performance was certainly adequate for the show, but Hodge's performance was special. He truly deserved his Tony.

Patrick, as I said before, Kelsey Grammer was quite good as Georges. I went not expecting to like him and was pleasantly surprised.

<i>I am sure that Grammer is far superior to THAT horrible performance.</i>

OMG....could not agree more, Patrick. In fact, I vowed off of LC after see that mess. Happily I grabbed a discount ticket for the current production during our trip last May. It turned out to be one of my favorites.

Hi HowardR,
No problem. I really didn't have time to work in another show and I was happy with the ones I saw. It was just opening in previews as I was leaving and I'd not heard any "buzz" about it yet. I'll see it the next time I'm there - and maybe Kelsey will have moved on by then.

OK...thanks to all your expert advice, I'm ready to book our shows. Can you elaborate on the "golden circle" for Radio City? We're happy to pay for an enhanced experience, but with such a huge song and dance production I'd (perhaps incorrectly?) assumed that mezzanine would be OK. Its actually the same price as orchestra seats. Please advice.

So we're going to stick with Lombardi, but may try to get discount tickets since the reviews have been lukewarm. Think that's a safe bet between 12/18-12/21??

Also decided on La Cage for our 3rd show with our travel mates. Will try either Spiderman, In the Heights or Million Dollar Quartet for our last night (just the two of us.) :)

Can't thank everyone enough for the input. Now...pre/post dinner suggestions? We are all very into "clean" local, sustainable cuisine. Does that jive with the Times Square/Broadway area?

Wanted to ask the people on this thread who advised the Radio City Rockets....any idea if their Road Show is also worth attending for those of us not fortunate enough to be in NYC?
Thanks!

5alive, My mother and aunt saw the RCR in Indianapolis and loved it. While it may not be quite as elaborate as it is on the RC stage, having never seen the show in NY for comparison, they thought it was over the top spectacular. A great holiday treat.

Thank you, TC, and sorry to be so slow to reply. I have been so busy I don't always spend much time here...and sorry not to call it the Rockettes.

We are planning to go for it with the road show.