Broadway Plays over Christmas Holidays?
 

Hi all going to NYC for our BIG anniversary right before Christmas. Will be there for 4 days. Would like to do one really special play. I am thinking of either Chicago, Producers or Fiddler on the Roof(with Al Molina). I adore great musicals...I really am a fan of Fiddler, but husband is leaning towards Chicago. Anyone have any thoughts about thses or other musicals? :-) Judy

All three are worth seeing. But, if I had to choose between Chicago and Fiddler, I'd go with Chicago.
Further, it's hard to say if Fiddler will still be playing in December.

How about Wonderful Town?!

Howard, I was looking at the Producers schedule, and they have not announced the holiday venue yet. I am leaning towards Producers or Chicago. NYTs critic was not that enamored of Fiddler. gyppielou, I will have to look that one up, thanks for thr info.

My recommendation would be to get tickets for the Producers. Chicago (which we've seen three times) usually available at TKTS. So, if you're lucky at TKTS, you could see both!

We loved Wonderful Town. Donna Murphy is sensational.

PS Since this is a BIG anniversary, if you can cath the Pizzarelli family at Feinstein's, or Michael himself, highly recommend this!

Wonderful Town will probably close before December.
How much before Christmas are you coming? That'll make a difference in ticket availability.

Howard, we will be here there the 17th through 21st. djkbooks, could you tell me more. I have to admit my lack of knowledge of this. It is our 35th Wedding anniversary...and that is pretty BIG ;-).

Those dates are a tough call for ticket availability, since Christmas falls on the following Saturday, four days after you leave.
Definitely get tickets in advance for The Producers. While it's not selling out, it's not a certainly that discount tickets will be available in advance. I'd call and find out when December tickets will go on sale for that show.
Chicago's a tougher call. As a previous poster noted, discount tickets have been available.
Having said all that, I'd recommend definitely buying weekend performance tickets in advance. Since you're coming to celebrate a joyous occasion, why not do it big time?

Feinstein's at the Regency is a nightclub in the Regency Hotel.

www.feinsteinsattheregency.com

Michael Feinstein and John Pizzarelli (and family usually - his brother, father, wife...) are fabulous.

Note that the fall/winter schedule (performances will resume in September) has not yet been posted.

Also nice is the Oak Room at the Algonquin. Usually, Andrea Marcovicci performs at Christmastime. She is fabulous as well.

Thanks Howard and djkbooks, great info! I think we will do a Sat eve Producers show, and try for a Sun or Mon performance from TKTS. I would love to see Michael Feinstein and company! This will be the best anniversary ever :-D! Judy

Another really great musical is Hairspray and I've read the the current new cast is excellent. I personally loved the Producer (but did see it with the orginals). I saw Chicago years ago and one of the leads wasn't all that great. I saw the new Fiddler in previews right before Barbara Barrie (originally cast as Yente in this production) was fired or quit (depends on where you read about it) and it was an off night. It's a little early to get tickets for the holiday season. As far as discounts, many of them disappear in the week leading up to Christmas thru New Year's. I'm sure there will be new shows coming out in the fall and some of the current will probably not last.

Judy: Be sure to sign up at Playbill.com, Broadwaybox.com, Theatermania.com, etc., then check the discount codes (and, you'll be automatically e-mailed whenever new ones are available).

The Christmas season is especially busy, though, so for the best pick of shows, days, time, seats, it's best to book now.

Thanks again jdkbiooks, I will do that! MFNYC, I tried to talk DH into seeing Hairspray, BUT he did not like the concept ;-) I am going to call the Producers box office and find out about Christmas scheduling. They only have early Nov.out...nothing for Dec.

Just to add more options for you...do consider Radio City Music Hall's Christmas show. It is technicly flawless and entertaining and will add to the holiday spirit. They run more shows than the regular b'way shedules. If you haven't, you really should!!! I've happily survived 12 years, 35 has something to be said about....well done to both of you!!! May you have a lifetime of continued success!!!

Thank you gippielou, that was very kind of you. I am seriously thinking about Radio City Music Hall. We lived N Jersey suburbs for 3 years, and I always wanted to do that show.....more options, yes ;-)?

Here's another huge recommendation for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular - it really is spectacular. We're going for the third time (not in a row) this year.

Best is that there are so many shows every day you can nicely schedule other things the same day.

If you happen to have an American Express Gold Card, go to www.americanexpress.com/gce for priority seating. But, I recommend seats a ways back, not too close to the stage (stage is huge and high).

djkbooks, just booked the Christmas Spectacular for Mon 2:30 show Dec on our Anniversary. Just need to make reservations for a dinner of a lifetime;-), got any ideas????

Judyrem, what do you fancy for the dinner? A quiet, intimate place, or a high energy place, tres expensive or moderately expensive (big difference in NY btwn those two from my experience), French or new American- need a few more details about what your idea of what that special dinner would be like.

Better make it moderately (250$?)expensive...my DH was always very money aware;-). I adore great Italian and so does he, but Bistro or Provencal French is nice too..not really steak fanciers.... Would like something truly memorable. I am so looking forward to this trip!

Even in New York, you can have some great dining for $250 for two. In fact, you could go almost anywhere and keep under that figure!

Well that is an approximate...not a given. It is just a very special day. We spent almost that much in Gabrielle's in Asheville NC.

Meant to add to the last post, that DH was not happy but grimaced and nodded and went down to defeat ;-).

Well, since Howard R hasn't mentioned Chez Josephine - we love that place and visit on every trip to NYC at least once. There's a website with photos and the menu.

We've tried many of the temples of haute cuisine and have been underwhelmed.

If it were me, I'd book an early dinner and head for the Rainbow Grill for drinks after (after 8PM dinner reservations, but before the shows let out for no line) with those amazing views (Sleepless in Seattle).

"One If By Land" gets mixed reviews. We loved it! Probably because we were so leery and experienced none of the reported "problems", lucky us!

Pierre au Tunnel is a fabulous (and moderately priced) French experience. Though, there is no website, so you'd have to trust me on this one. Howard?

For that anniversary dinner, please do not do this on a theater tickets night. It's nearly impossible to have a leisurely, well paced, dinner with top notch service before or after a show. (Well, at Chez Josephine, after is fabulous.)

djkbooks has indeed come up with a good tandem for celebrating--Chez Josephine for dinner and the Rainbow Room for drinks. Chez J's owner/host Jean-Claude will indeed make it a special evening.

Jean Claude (who is absolutely fabulous) has been a little under the weather lately, though just as effusive. Recommend booking directly with Ramon and mentioning that it's your anniversary. Ask for the round table for two opposite the telephone by the bar. Close enough to the piano, but quieter.

I was about to recommend Grammercy Tavern,,,,but asking Ramon for the round table sounds too great an opportunity to pass on! I am intrigued! And hungry....and thirsty!

Thanks djkbooks for the wonderful recommendations. No, we are going to the 2:30pm Radio City specatacular on our big day, Will do that wonderful scenario.....Chez Josephine plus the Rainbow Grill, YES! I will also put the Grammercy Tavern, Pierre au Tunnel on my list. What a fabulous city!

One word..."Wicked" get tix to this Tony award winning musical, if you can. Much better than almost any other musical I have seen. Producers is great too.

A couple tips about Chez Josephine:
*Make your reservations at least 2 weeks in advance. For a weekend, at least 3 or 4 weeks ahead.
*It's closed on Sundays.
*Jean-Claude often is not there the beginning of the week.
*You've a better chance of getting that round table (and it is a prime table there) if you dine at 8 p.m. after the theater crowd has left. (And, that time provides with a greater full experience of the place. For one thing, the dining is much more casual and relaxed.)
(Didn't know Jean-Claude was ailing. We were there about 3 weeks ago and he seemed fine.)

Thanks Howard for your great tips! Our Anniversary is on Mon. Dec20th. We may miss Jean Claude, but the place sounds fabulous. Have to talk to Ramon :-). You people have been GREAT!!!! Thanks so much! Judy :-D

mahalo!

I agree with the Wicked recommendation. It was totally awesome--great music, great acting, great story. One of the best musicals I've ever seen. I was able to get tickets at 25% off by going on a weekday.

Just wanted to let you know, we got tickets to the Producers(excellent seats), hopefully we can go to TKTS and get another show on our schedule. And I will do Chez Josephine. :-D

Judy, I suggest you post here about a month or two before your trip for some up-to-date suggestions!

How about seeing the NYC Ballet's The Nutcracker? It is Ballenchine's 50th Anniversary of the Nutcracker.

I've seen the Producers and Chicago and give the former around an 8 (scale of ten) and the latter about a 3. I didn't like Chicago either the movie or the Broadway Play.