My husband and I are going to NYC for the first time Thursday, October 2 through Tuesday, October 7th. We're in our early 30s, no kids. We're already booked to see the off broadway show Fela! on Saturday because we love Fela's music and all things African.

We definitely want to see one broadway show in addition to Fela, maybe two. We get into town very late Thursday, so we really only have 4 nights to do things. Would dedicating 3 out of 4 nights to shows be too much? I know there are daytime shows, but I was thinking we should use that time to do other things since this is our first trip.

We can't decide which show to see! My husband wants to see Spamalot, but if I'm only going to see one broadway show I want it to be something that will be visually and musically amazing. I'm sure Spamalot is funny and a great show, but I just don't think it would be the show to see if you're only seeing one. I'm leaning towards Lion King or Wicked. Everyone raves about Wicked, but I'm wondering how much my husband will enjoy it. And since we don't have kids, maybe Lion King isn't the best choice.

Any suggestions? I wish Rent was still around or West Side Story was opening sooner, those would be my first choices.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Wicked is visually and musically amazing, but tickets are hard to get. Lion King is visually amazing but the music is blah and the story more blah. But, if you like Africa, it's still blah plus (but visually stunning).

If he wants to see Spamalot (it's definitely a guy thing), then why not give him that one night.

If you like Rent, then you might like In the Heights or Spring Awakenings.

When I go to New York, my attitude is generally "how many shows can I see in the time I'm here?" But that's just me. The great thing about New York is restaurants are open late, so you can see a show and then go out to dinner or desert or drinks afterward.

I agree, if you like Rent, both In the Heights and Spring Awakening have a similar appeal. Spring Awakening has a rock score that is just fantastic. The creator of In the Heights says that he was inspired by Rent, though In the Heights is a less intense. I'd listen to some clips of the shows online, and see what you think.

That being said, see Wicked if you can get tickets. I haven't met anyone who hasn't enjoyed it (all ages, genders, and musical interests.)

Also, Jersey Boys is fabulous. There are still some tickets left for your dates (I just checked Telecharge.) My brother, who incidentally hates musicals, took me to see it and he actually enjoyed it. Though, if you do see Jersey Boys, see an evening show so you don't get an understudy for the lead (the new lead is really great, by the way.)

Frankly, I wasn't that enamored with Lion King. Costumes and staging are cool, all else is kind of meh.

Also, have you thought about straight plays? Boeing-Boeing is hilarious, and August: Osage County is supposed to be fantastic. Equus is in previews, and got good reviews in London. Also, there are some other shows with "stars" that might be fun and are discounted - Speed the Plow comes to mind.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

We saw Wicked in London recently. I agree that it is visually amazing(costumes, story, sets, staging), and everyone in our group of six (4 women, 2 men) enjoyed it but noone thought the music was anything to write home about!

Like Bethke, we were underwhelmed by Lion King.

Jersey Boys - we loved it (but that's "our era").

If you do choose a musical like Wicked, I'd highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the music in advance, since group singing can be hard to understand.

Thanks for your quick replies. I just watched a recording session for In The Heights and was stunned. I loved the music, the actors, and it looks like it has a great story. I think I'll probably go with this one, but I'll check out Spring Awakenings and others before I purchase tickets.

Bethke14, I think you might have the right idea with trying to see as many shows as possible. Just watching that recording video practically brought me to tears and I wanted more...

I am the same as others -- I go to NY to see as many shows as possible. This year we saw 7 shows in 5 days. We shop or do museums during the day, have a big late lunch, nibble during cocktails and have a great after theater dinner to wrap up the night. Go for it!

I don't think you'll hate Spamalot as much as you think you might. However if this is your first trip to Broadway, you might want to see something that is visually big. Something not likely to be as good in a road show.

I saw Lion King in London and think it is amazing. If you love all things Africa or have ever been to Africa, you will be stunned at the choreography, costumes and animal's movement. They are spot on. I don't have small children, so the story wasn't familiar to me, but I didn't mind it one bit. No different than any other fairy tale - such as Wicked or Spamalot.

This spring I saw South Pacific. It is wonderful -- big and theatrical - just what you'd expect from a Broadway award winning show. The sets and talent are absolutely first rate. This is the show you will hum after leaving the theater.

I also loved In the Heights, but its not what I would pick for my first ever Broadway show. It would, however, be comparitable to Rent and a great second choice.

Wicked is the other big show on Broadway right now. By big, I mean, a huge, complicated set and stunning costumes. I saw it years ago with Ida Mendel and Christen Chenoweth so not sure how the talent is currently. This show has been around for a while. It also tours.

Have a wonderful trip.

I'm SO glad that you like In the Heights! The story of its creator (Lin-Manuel Minanda - he's 28!) is great too. I found the passion during the show really moving. I cried several times

Enjoy!

P.S. I'm very jealous of anyone who saw Wicked with Idina and Kristen!

When my husband and I go to NY, it's for a theater weekend, and we see four shows in three days. If we stayed longer,we'd see more shows.

We're in our 50s, and went to see Lion King--loved the spectacle, costuming, choreography, but I agree that the story and music aren't thrilling.

I wonder if the Jersey Boys music would appeal to people who didn't grow up with it.

I'd definitely recommend looking into seeing a straight play. Good ones are stunning in a different way than a musical.

"P.S. I'm very jealous of anyone who saw Wicked with Idina and Kristen!"

Oh, I love it when people are jealous of me.


Add me to the list of the wrong people to ask. We spent 30 days in NYC in June and only saw 23 shows. Being in New York for at least 7 days with no shows was a new thing for us. When we go for a week, we usually see 9 shows -- maybe 10.

And I'm a little confused by a couple of your comments:
"if I'm only going to see one broadway show I want it to be something that will be visually and musically amazing."

and then:
"I wish Rent was still around."

Somehow those two thoughts just don't go together for me. And by the way, Spamalot is fairly amazing visually -- certainly miles more than Rent!

Wicked would fit the bill, but can you get tickets that are decent, or are you willing to pay an arm and a leg to get them? South Pacific and Jersey Boys present the same problem.

I honestly think the current production of Gypsy is one of the best total musical productions I've seen on Broadway -- with all three leads turning in Tony winning performances and great staging, and a truly great and full orchestra, something so many shows today are missing.

Non musical -- August/Osage County is a don't miss for drama.

Well - I don't think Spamalot is a guy thing. I, and a bunch of my female friends, are big Python fans - and loved it. Lion King to me is really for kids (but then I feel the same about all the Disney shows - too Orlandoish).

You can try for Wicked now - but seats my be gone and you might have to do a scalper.

I would think 2 shows is enough - and leave time to explore other areas of the city at night - for dinner, a drink, perhaps some music or late shopping.

Yes - you will have way more than you can begin to see during the day.

You're assuming you're going to have all these options and I don't think you will unless you're prepared to pay big bucks for tickets. Since your visit is around the corner, I think one way to decide/narrow options is to see what's available. YOu can actually get Spamalot and several others on discount on broadwaybox.com (left column). Why not start there. If you get discount tix, then maybe you'll feel better about seeing more shows. The TKTS booth is also an option if you're not fussy about what you see. Info at tdf.org/tkts

we did 3 shows in 3 days on our recent trip, so I think more is better...but you will be fairly limited in your choices for Sunday night or Monday night.

Count me as one who thought "Spring Awakening" was disappointing. I did like the score, and the performances were good, but the plot is cliche-ridden and predictable. I liked "Wicked" much better. And agree with Patrick that "Gypsy" is a better bet as well. And I and my husband both loved "Spamalot".

And "August: Osage COunty" was one of the best things I've ever seen on Broadway, so if you get your musical tickets for something else, and decide to squeeze in a 3rd show consider this one.

P.S. I'm very jealous of anyone who saw Wicked with Idina and Kristen!

They were both amazing at the time....and boy, did I get the spelling wrong in my post! I know better, just don't type well. Ooops!

Also agree that August, Osage County is one of the best things I've seen on Broadway in years, but not sure if I would have appreciated it when I was 30 and made my very first trip to NY.

My first Broadway show was the original, A Chorus Line. What was yours?

My first Broadway show was the original, A Chorus Line. What was yours?

Well, I'm not sure who you're asking, but mine was Music Man, in 1960.

I would try to see Equus. Have not seen the upcoming show on broadway but was dragged along to see it in London when I was a student and found it to be fascinating. Spamalot in London earlier this year was ok. Wife and I hated Lion King in london a few years ago. Kids thought Lion King was ok. Mama Mia in London earlier this year was surprisingly fun. Gyspy on Broadway in July was ok.
Whole family including my teenagers enjoyed Jersy boys.

I also saw Wicked with Idina (Kristin was performing in Candide that week but we got Laura Bell Bundy instead, and she went on to be nominated for a Tony for Legally Blonde).

I also saw Rent with Idina, Taye, Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega...you get my drift.

Saw Hairspray with Marissa, Jersey Boys with John Young, blah blah blah.

Gotta LOVE my mom for being the best ticket hustler and taking me to shows.

Oh-and Boy from Oz with Hugh-TWICE!!! Full Monty with Patrick Wilson..the list goes on. It pays to live in NYC.

As for how many shows, are there any other night time activities that are definite "must dos"? If not, do a show a night.

Thanks for all of your replies. I don't know how I would plan vacations without this board!

I went ahead and purchased tickets for In The Heights on Sunday. After watching a few of the videos, I fell in love with the music and knew I had to see this show. I got seats in the Orchestra section, row B, seats 105-106. I thought they were excellent seats, but then I read a review on broadwaybox that if you're too close to the stage in Rodgers theatre you can't see everything. Hopefully they'll be good because I paid full price--broadwaybox said all discounts for this show have been cancelled due to its Tony awards.

After all of the advice here, I would really like to go to another show! We're booked for Fela Saturday and In The Heights Sunday, which only leaves Friday night since shows are closed on Mondays. I'm trying to convince my husband that we should see another show, but we've already spent so much...there weren't any discounts for Fela either, I guess because that will be its final weekend.

Then I found out Mary J. Blige is going to be at Radio City Music Hall on Friday. Love her! She obviously tours around the country, but I'm wondering if it would be worth it (if I can convince my husband to go to another show!) to skip another broadway play to see her at Radio City Music Hall???

Otherwise, my husband just won't go for Wicked no matter how many rave reviews I show him...

AHH! I am equally if not more jealous of anyone who saw the original cast of Rent! Adam Pascal as Roger holds a special place in my heart. John Lloyd Young in Jersey Boys was heaven as well - I saw him last summer in the show, and then saw him in concert at Lincoln Center in the winter as well.

As far as seeing Mary J. Blige at Radio City - it sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Also, I think those seats for In the Heights are great. If you search Google images for "Richard Rogers Theatre interior," you can see a picture of the interior of the theatre - it will be a good perspective of where your seats are. (I'd post the link, but it's really long.)

Enjoy your trip - it sounds like a lot of fun!

We sat in Row C, Seats 109-110 for In the Heights. They were very good seats. We could see and hear everything just fine.