Help me choose a Broadway show
 

We have a gc through Broadway.com and will be spending next weekend in the city sans kids! (YAHOO!!)

Having a hard time deciding what show to see. DH says he generally doesn't like musicals, but I think he doesn't like fluffy, old-fashioned musicals (think, Kiss me Kate). I can't imagine that he'll like a heavy play, either. We both liked Sweeney Todd, notwithstanding its "dark" premise.

We've already seen:
Chicago
Wicked
Spamalot
Lion King
Producers

Considering:
Spelling Bee
Chorus Line
Avenue Q
Drowsy Chaperone
Company

Any thoughts?

A new musical, "Curtains," opens for previews on February 27. It looks like fun: www.curtainsthemusical.com

Jersey Boys and Chorus Line.............

What about Grey Gardens? It sure isn't a "fluffy old fashioned musical". Although it's nothing similar, I sort of think someone who liked Sweeney Todd would like Grey Gardens. Don't ask me why -- I just do.

I'm thinking if he doesn't like those fluffy ones, maybe he would like Drowsy Chaperone which spoofs them. But maybe not. That's a hard one to figure out.

Avenue Q was a riot!!!!! It's a little irreverent but it is also a Tony winner.
We really enjoyed it. I think your husband will like it. Check it out on line.



\

I just saw Gray Gardens this past weekend and it is anything BUt a "fluffy musical." It is tragic and sad but not a total downer trip by any means.

Christine Ebersole is wonderful and must be seen to be believed.

I don't know the way a gc from broadway.com works, but virtually all of the shows on your list plus most of the others mentioned are available with discounts on broadwaybox (although usually not for a Sat. night show). So if you're buying full price tix, I would feel wasteful paying full price for those. The only one mentioned so far that's NEVER on discount is Jersey Boys, THE hot ticket. On your list, I think Drowsy Chaperone is probably the best all around show.

I was not particularly interested in seeing "The Color Purple" until NeoPatrick's recent review. That's another to consider.

uh-oh, now the pressure's on ME.

I meant to put Grey Gardens on the "considering" list.

Mclaurie -- the way Broadway.com gc work is this: someone gave me a gc. It covers the cost of 2 tix to any of the broadway shows they have on their site (which is all of them, I think). You order the tix through them. The amount of the gc is enough to cover the average price of an orchestra ticket, plus all handling fees. If you get a cheaper ticket, the person giving the gc gets the refund. If the ticket for your show is more expensive than what the giver paid, Broadway.com pays the difference.

I've given them before as holiday gifts at the office and stuff and they're always well received.

So, essentially, the cost to me is nothing.

Hmmm, doubt I could talk him into "The Color Purple," what with the Oprah connection and all. LOL. What did you like about it, Patrick?

Well, it really is an interesting story. The acting was good. There are some big rousing numbers. It was the only thing I saw all week which made me shed a tear or two. I think more than anything it just surprised me as I had not had any great desire to see it, yet found it to be very good.

We're going to see Company tomorrow. People we know liked it.

Oh my goodness, I forgot about Jersey Boys!!!! I saw both Avenue Q and Jersey Boys the same weekend. Now it's a toss up. They both were fabulous. I would see them both again.

We saw Avenue Q a few weeks ago. We paid full price ($101 each) and felt it was well worth it. So-o-o-o funny in a totally irreverent way. A cross between Sesame Street and South Park. The audience was full of people of all ages - and EVERYONE was laughing.

Do Not see Company!!! I would recommend Avenue Q or Spelling Bee as both are hilarious. Rent, my favorite show, offers a lottery in which approximately 20 people are selected to recieve front and second row seats for $20 -- Not too many people show up. I've won both times. If you travel with two people, both can put their names in the drawing. Each individual name drawn from the bucket is allowed two tickets. Rent is great! Avenue Q is a bit racy and probably not appropriate for young kids. Spelling Bee involved audience participation; it does not really follow the structure of a traditional broadway show (more casual, more laughs, more fun). Good Luck. Also, check broadwaybox.com for discounts. They have some good Q tickets for 61.25 and some 50 dollar seats for Spelling Bee!

I'll have to strongly disagree with the previous poster and give a solid endorsement of Company. If the OP is talking about last year's revival of Sweeney Todd, then Company was conceived and directed by the same person.
I'd also go along with the recommendations of The Drowsy Chaperone and Grey Gardens.

Avenue Q, without a doubt.

<b>Spring Awakening</b> is not on your list, but it's the best show I've seen in a long time. It has adult themes, so if that makes you uncomfortable, choose something else.

Based on your description and selecting from your list alone, I'd pick <b>Drowsy Chaperone</b>. The premise is great and it won the Tony for best musical.

I personally didn't like Avenue Q, but that's just one opinion.

In follow-up to my previous post, I agree with mcwattersmt. Don't see Company. I saw it today and it was the worst Broadway show I've seen in years.