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Dohlice Jan 29th, 2007 07:03 AM

If you loved Phantom, I really think you’ll love Les Mis. I’ve seen them both and I’m going to Les Mis again in Feb. Putnam County is funny but it isn’t a big, splashy production.

TarheelsInNj Jan 29th, 2007 07:14 AM

Les Miz would be a great choice, and this revival is quite good. Now that the show has ended its tour, it may be your last chance to see it for a while!

mclaurie Jan 29th, 2007 07:35 AM

Virginiatraveler, the theater where Spelling Bee is playing is small. I made the mistake of paying full price for better/closer seats and would have preferred getting discount tix since sitting anywhere in that theater is fine. It's a small show (no big sets, orchestra etc.) and feels more like an off Broadway show (which is how it started). While it's very clever, I wouldn't select it instead of a bigger production, esp. if your sons' first Broadway experience.

lizziea06 Jan 29th, 2007 08:26 AM

Another vote for Grey Gardens - we were able to get discounted tickets through the TKTS booth, and they were great seats. LOVED IT!

susan4 Jan 29th, 2007 12:25 PM

DD and I just got back from NYC and saw 3 plays in 3 nights for <$100 each total. Get discounted tickets and see more than 1. besides half-price at TKTS, check out broadwaybow.com. Many shows have lotteries 2 hours before show time for a chance to buy 2 front row tickets for $25 apiece. Just saw the Drowsy chaperone for that price and laughed out loud the entire show. Would pay full price to see that one. Last year, we saw Putnam County Spelling Bee and thought it was only worth the $20 lottery ticket price.

As to other shows, the Lion King is unlike anything you have ever seen, but I wouldn't go unless you have decent seats. Les Miz is my all-time favorite.

leeshiebean Jan 29th, 2007 10:11 PM

I saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels this past August, and it was fantastic! Very funny.

Not sure if it's playing currently, but I would definitely recommend it if it is.

mclaurie Jan 30th, 2007 06:08 AM

Unfortunately, it closed a long while ago.

TarheelsInNj Jan 30th, 2007 07:57 AM

The show is touring, however, so if it stops near your city you should definitely consider it!

Momof5 Jan 30th, 2007 10:06 PM

My favorite would be either Wicked or Jersey Boys. I have seen Wicked twice and it is fantastic yet last SPring saw Jersey Boys and still listen to the CD. Both would be worth your time.

TarheelsInNj Jan 31st, 2007 06:17 AM

Unfortunately, I imagine they're unlikely to get tickets to either Wicked or Jersey Boys in March, unless they're willing to pay VERY high premium prices!

TexasGirlTravels Jan 31st, 2007 06:29 AM

LOVED Wicked, and The Producers was great as well. Tony Danza is only so-so, but Roger Bart is fabulous.

Arizona07 Jan 31st, 2007 06:32 AM

Wicked was great. We really enjoyed Mamma Mia too, and that's a much easier ticket to get. Bebe Neuwirth is back in Chicago, but she's playing Roxie this time around. We saw her as Velma.

Arizona07 Jan 31st, 2007 06:33 AM

Sorry, forgot to mention Les Miz. Saw the original twice; and loved the revival too, with the exception of some miscasting.

TarheelsInNj Jan 31st, 2007 08:00 AM

Arizona, I think the miscasting you refer to may be resolved in the near future- Lea Salonga is slated to play Fantine beginning March 6! I'm sure she'll be wonderful.

Dohlice Jan 31st, 2007 08:47 AM

Oh, great. I'm going on 2/22. :(

BarbaraR Jan 31st, 2007 03:18 PM

My daughter and I saw Wicked and Jersey Boys last Oct. Wicked blew us away. Can't wait to see it again. Jersey Boys is fun if you enjoy that kind of music.

mommy106 Feb 3rd, 2007 08:41 AM

Ok, I am down to two choices. Drowsey Chaperone sounds wonderful, and there is a star in the show. Even if it eventually comes to Nashville, A. Lansbury won't be in it. I have seen the Les Mis movie, but never the show. When you say the tour is over, does that mean it will never tour again?
Between Chaperone and Les Mis? Your opinion please?
We are 35, if that helps.

HowardR Feb 3rd, 2007 10:19 AM

First of all, I'm a little confused. Angela Lansbury has nothing to do with The Drowsy Chaperone. There are no "stars" in show. (Sutton Foster is an award-winning and talented performer, but I wouldn't call her a star at the Lansbury level.)
It's tough to recommend one show over t he other. Both are good....and totally different. If you want to have fun, fun evening, than it's The Drowsy Chaperone. If you want something more serious, with some beautiful music, then it's Les Miserables (which incidentally, as a musical, is quite different from its movie versions).
You can't go wrong with either.

Birdie Feb 3rd, 2007 10:45 AM

In a moderately long list of shows that I have seen, Drowsy Chaperone is at the bottom of the list. But that is only my personal opinion. Many have enjoyed it. When we saw it at the beginning of Jan., Georgia Engel was in the production. That could be who you were thinking of.
I LOVED Les Mis.

Dreamer2 Feb 3rd, 2007 03:42 PM

I'm the opposite of the above post... but these shows are so opposite each other, that's not surprising.

First of all they are both amazing. You'll be blown away be either in regards to the sets, acting, spectacle, etc. So it really comes down to the style you prefer.

Les Miz is in that same operatic style as Phantom, but a "downer" of a tale. (Okay - so I was 9 mos pregnant and seated in the very last row of the theatre - not a great situation for a good review.) After all, they're all "miserable." It's a heavy plot. The set and costumes are dark and grey.

Drowsey Chaperone is light and fluffy and thoroughly delightful. Beware that it's a good deal shorter, and played with no intermission. Very funny and clever, but lots of "inside" jokes. If you were ever a kid who experienced Broadway by sitting next the stereo and reading along in the album cover, you will LOVE this show. (But you're probably too young for that! ) The sets and costumes are bright and colorful.

Hope this helps you make up your mind.
Enjoy either way!



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