Broadway with 4 Older kids--suggestions, please.
 

Wicked
Spelling Bee
Phantom

???? 21, 20, 17, 14 3 girls/1 boy

Any suggestions?

Over the years, our 23 and 19 y/o daughters have loved Rent (they have seen it 2-3 times), Phantom of the Opera, and Mama Mia (great fun). We have tickets to see Wicked with them soon. Is Movin' Out currently on Broadway (Billy Joel songs/Twyla Tharp choreography)? That's fantastic too.

I don't know anything about Spelling Bee or Phantom. But I'd think that Wicked would be a good choice for kids of the ages you mention. I know that my daughter, then 19, went with a male friend, also 19, and his sister, 17, and they all enjoyed it.

<b>Barefoot in the Park</b>

** Amanda Peet
** Patrick Wilson

I think they'd all like Wicked if you can get tickets. Phantom is one of those things, you either love it or hate it. It's more like an operetta with no spoken words. It's been playing long enough that they either know the music and like it or they don't. (I think) Spelling Bee is more like an off Broadway show (which is how it started). It has one song titled My Unfortunate Erection, fyi.

So of the 3 you mention, I think it's Wicked, no contest. But hard to get tickets. Other options are Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Hairspray, both often available through broadwaybox.com discount codes.

Spelling Bee would be a great choice, and would likely appeal to your entire age range. I've seen it twice, and really enjoyed it- it's hilarious, unique, and has some really fun, catchy songs. It's in a much smaller, more intimate theatre than other Broadway shows, which allows for very creative design and staging choices.

If you're looking for other options, you might also consider Jersey Boys or The Wedding Singer.

Unfortunately, terryr, Movin' Out has closed on Broadway (though you can still see it on tour!)

If you do go for Spelling Bee, your kids might consider entering to be a &quot;guest speller&quot; before the show. A few audience members are chosen to participate, and they are on stage and part of the action for a lot of the first act.

Since you ask specifically about three musicals, I'd say any of those are good, but I would think Wicked would be the first choice.

I'd ignore a suggestion for a non-musical which got mostly negative reviews as it has absolutely nothing to do with your question.

When are you going? Getting ickets will be the difficult part.

Because Roosters included the &quot;????&quot; and &quot;Any suggestions?&quot; after her list of three older options, I assumed a new, non-musical option might be called for.

And with people ages 21, 20, 17 &amp; 14, <b>Barefoot in the Park</b> is an obvious choice. It's funny, an appropriate story for that age range, and they'll enjoy seeing:

Amanda Peet - Syriana, Melinda &amp; Melinda, The Whole Nine/Ten Yards, Something's Gotta Give, Identity, Igby Goes Down, Saving Silverman, Seinfeld (&quot;Summer of George&quot; episode), etc.

Patrick Wilson - Phantom of the Opera (the movie), The Alamo

Just about anyone can see the musicals when they tour around the nation <i>ad infinitum</i>.

Good luck!

&quot;new, non-musical&quot;

HUH? You mean the show that's been done for the past 40 years by every stock, community theatre, and high school in the country? The show that everyone over the age of 20 has probably seen a dozen times, at least if not live than in the almost identical movie version? That &quot;new&quot; non-musical?

Yea, that makes sense as opposed to seeing a major musical that might tour in a lesser production to your home town.

Now I understand.

Not to belabor the all-too-obvious . . .

ages 21, 20, 17 &amp; 14 ...

but while &quot;people of a certain age&quot; prefer the musicals, I'm guessing Roosters' younger crowd would enjoy seeing Hollywood stars in a hilarious play about a young couple getting started in New York City (which is, of course, Barefoot in the Park).

And when the young folks get home, they can netflix the movie &quot;Phantom&quot; and see Patrick Wilson <i>again</i> as Raoul.

:)

&quot;but while &quot;people of a certain age&quot; prefer the musicals&quot;

Huh? Check out audiences at straight plays and check out audiences at musicals. It doesn't take a genius to find that on Broadway the audiences for plays are far older than those for musicals.

Average age at Wicked? Average age at Barefoot in the Park?

And if that was meant as a personal slam, you're way off -- I see both, but much prefer good straight plays -- not necessarily 40 year old revivals that nearly all the critics said was mediocre, however. But then I go to see the play and the production -- how sexy a lead in the show is, is not my main concern.

And when the kids get home, they can also netflix and see Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in Barefoot in the Park.

Roosters, can you give us a bit more info about your kids? What made you name the musicals you included on your list? Have they seen other shows that they enjoyed?

Also, which age is the boy?

Stick with the musicals for a very simple reason: Part of the New York experience for children is seeing a big, splashing Broadway show...not some dated play that got fair (at best) reviews!

Indeed, &quot;back in the day,&quot; that was part of the New York experience. Today, however, in part to touring shows and in part to celebrity mania, part of the experience is seeing your favorite Hollywood stars on the stage.

Did Nicole Kidman start the trend with her &quot;performance&quot; in 1999's The Blue Room?

Now we have Julia Roberts in Richard Greenberg's &quot;Three Days of Rain.&quot;

Spamalot!!!

Yes, definately Spamalot!! This is a no-brainer, can't believe it took so many posts for someone to recommend it.

I don't how to break the news to you Gekko:
1. Celebrities were doing star turns on Broadway long before Nicole Kidman made her NY stage debut in 1999.
2. Seeing a big, splashy musical show on Broadway is still very much a part of the New York experience. Otherwise, how do you explain the fact that the majority of theater attendees on Broadway are tourists?
3. The current production of Barefoot in the Park is not the greatest thing since sliced rye! (PS: You omitted mentioning two of Patrick Wilson's best performances--the lead role in The Full Monty and his ensemble role in TV's Angels in America.)

I agree with Howard, see a musical. I actually saw Barefoot in the Park in February with my 16 year old daughter and another 17 year old girl. While we enjoyed it, the experience didn't quite compare to seeing a good musical. The girls liked it, but there wasn't much discussion about it afterwards. The story line in Barefoot in the Park is not in my opinion something that 14-21 year olds can identify with or are particularly interested in. Again, enjoyable but not WOW. I saw Wicked in Chicago in Sept. and highly recommend it. Mamma Mia and Hairspray would also be good choices.

To anyone recommending a worn out revival like Barefoot in the Park over the big blockbuster musicals -- I'm curious which of those blockbusters musicals they've actually seen to make a comparison?

It's funny that the &quot;in&quot; thing is to see a Broadway play (not a musical) starring a movie star, yet among the long running, biggest grossing hits on Broadway you won't find any of those. I guess we're saying the &quot;in&quot; thing isn't popular? Huh?

For some, yes I'm sure going to the theatre is all about seeing someone famous. In a way that's kind of sad that such a goal takes precedence over seeing a wonderfully written play or musical or equally great performances, but on the other hand I realize that's the only way to get some into the theatre to begin with. And that's a good thing.

Nicole Kidman starting the trend? Huh?
Ever hear of a famous movie star named Lauren Bacall who left Hollywood and starred in Cactus Flower on Broadway and then won Tonys for both Applause and Woman of the Year? Or for that matter ever hear of movie star Raquel Welsh who replaced her in Woman of the Year? Or did you ever hear of film actress Angela Lansbury who got a couple of Academy award nominations before doing Broadway and winning four Tony's there? Should I go on, the list is extensive.

Meanwhile I can't believe I'm sitting her raving about the big musicals, when as I said I actually prefer straight plays. So why am I? Because this post wasn't about me and what I like, but what the original poster and her kids would be most likely to LOVE. If it were about what I like, I'd probably suggest Doubt, but I can't honestly believe that would be the best choice for this group.

If you are comfortable with seeing puppets have sex on stage, see Avenue Q.
Its amazing. Spamalot is also fantastic.
I thought Phantom was tired and boring.
I hear that The Pajama Game is fantastic.

Hey gang!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The &quot;boy&quot; is 21...and, he is easy to please. All of the kids appreciate any good story...I am a drama teacher so they have been exposed to straight plays and musicals. They like them both.

WE are going to be in NYC June 5 for four days. Yes, Wicked is sold out or tickets for $300.00 are available. For that price, we will just read the book. (smile)

We like to laugh AND we like to be moved. But, is that asking too much?

I'll throw another show into the mix--Chicago. It's great fun, and I think all of you will enjoy it.

'We like to laugh AND we like to be moved. But, is that asking too much?'

Hmmm. Maybe Doubt wasn't such a bad thought after all.

In that case, Roosters, I would strongly consider Light in the Piazza. It's a beautiful, romantic, sweet musical with a wonderful story. It sounds like your family has an appreciation for all types of theatre, and this might be one you'd all really enjoy.

Having loved the play Barefoot in the Park some 40 years ago when I thought it was fresh and funny, I began today to think maybe I was missing something about this current revival -- perhaps, just perhaps it might be worth seeing on my next trip to NYC. So I just googled a few of the reviews to make sure.

What did I find? Some of the best one line zinger insults of all time in Broadway reviews.

Here are a couple of the highlights from the critics who didn't like it as well as a few (and apparently very few judging by the empty seats) who have seen this production:

&quot;When the curtain rises on the torurous new revival. . .&quot;

&quot;Elliott (the director) and his cast are unable to weave any spell whatsoever. . .&quot;

&quot;The play seems decidedly irrelevant to contemporary concepts of humor.&quot;

And even the very &quot;hot&quot; Amanda Peet has been described as &quot;an emotion vacuum&quot; and noted for her &quot;laborious comic inefficiency&quot;.

Makes you want to run, not walk, right out to see it, doesn't it?

I would recommend Mama Mia.....people of all ages love it. The play is easy to follow and has great music your kids would like.

I took my kids, 25 and 28 to see &quot;AVENUE Q&quot;. They honestly believe everyone of their friends NEEDS to see it! I guess it rang too true to 20 somethings trying to find themselves. I really liked it, but for me, once was enough.

Ooops. If you do want to see Barefoot in the Park you might want to hurry. I see their weekly grosses slipped to less than 50% capacity this past week. I'm not so sure the show will finish its scheduled run till July. They can't make it on houses less than half full (and most of those discounted).

So, Rooster, have you had any more thoughts about what to see?

I think it is between:

Mama Mia
Rent
Phantom of the Opera

Don't consider Barefoot in the Park.
it is closing 5/21 after the matinee
performance.

Yes, I see that was announced this morning, as I assumed it would be after yesterday's posting of the less than 50% audience figures. Others did not share the enthusiasm of a few.

Have you asked the kids what they want to see? I can't believe they would rather see Rent, Mama Mia or Phantom over Spamalot.

They don't know a thing about Spamalot. The only &quot;Broadyway-type&quot; touring shows they have seen are Cats and Miss Siagon. They loved them both. So, they are open to any experience.

I've heard that Wicked is excellent and since it deals with the 2 witches as young adults that would seem appropriate for that age. I personally thought Phantom was a bit slow. I love Rent (excellent for that age and anyone open-minded although I don't know how worldly your 14 yr old is. Mama Mia was so much fun. Lion King great for any age and Aida was terrific too. Good luck and have fun!

One doesn't have to be open minded to enjoy Rent. If they haven't already heard the songs, it won't make any difference as the sound is so overamplified, they won't understand any of the words anyway.

C'mon Neopolitan,
You have to admit that the &quot;Cow Jumped over the Moon&quot; song is &quot;out there&quot; (performance art). Kids at our high school performed it at a cabaret night and the people that weren't familiar with Rent were perplexed! Too funny. I just meant that the issues are heavy, there is a death, etc. I wouldn't let my 9 or 12 yr. olds see it.

Sorry. I guess my little attempt at light humor failed miserably. Of course the show is a bit over the top and not for the very young (although Roosters' youngest is 14). I was only pointing out that when I first saw the show and didn't know any of the songs, there were some that I literally could not understand a single word they sang. After learning the show and hearing a recording where it was audible, I enjoyed the show a whole lot more. So my point was that if the kids didn't know the show, they probably wouldn't be able to understand any of the words anyway. That's all.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes........