NYC play advice needed
 

I could no longer plan a trip without the help of all of you. We will be in NYC again for 4 nights in late March and hope to see 4 plays.

I thought it might help if I listed plays I've seen and whether I liked them.

Mamma Mia! - Las Vegas – liked a lot
Movin' Out – NYC – OK
Avenue Q – Las Vegas- liked
Wicked – Chicago – had trouble hearing
Monty Python's Spamalot – Las Vegas – not wild about
Jersey Boys – Las Vegas – really really liked
Mary Poppins –Indianapolis- loved sets- disappointed in changes from classic movie
In the Heights – NYC - really liked
Billy Elliot the Musical – NYC - loved
Rock of Ages – Indianapolis - not wild about
Memphis –NYC - really liked
Million Dollar Quartet - NYC – felt it was slow until the end
Anything Goes NYC. liked
How to Succeed. Nyc. Just ok to me
War Horse. Nyc. Really liked
After the Rainbow NYC. Really liked
Priscilla. NYC. Just ok.
Book of Mormon - Chicago - did not like
Pippen - NYC - Liked
Once - NYC - Loved
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - NYC - Loved
Peter and the Starcatchers - NYC - Liked

We saw the last 4 last year upon everyone's advice and the previous 5 NY ones the year before that.

Can anyone help us out. Your advice has always been spot on. I was thinking about Kinky Boots since it won the Tony last year. I'm not sure what beyond that. T

It sounds like you have had many unrequited relationships.

I am not sure what you mean IMDonehere.

Kinky Boots is pretty much sold out for March, so unless you are willing to pay a premium, I think you can mark that one off your list.

But there are a huge number of musicals and plays that are opening or have just opened.

Of these, I think you would not appreciate Here Lies Love, a disco telling of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in the Philippines ... though it got rave reviews at the Public Theater).

You might like Bullets Over Broadway, which is using 1920s music in an adaptation of the Woody Allen movie.

Bridges of Madison County got good reviews (great for Kelly O'Hara), and it's available at a good discount now.

Rocky was just reviewed today in the NY Times, and it's not a surprise that Ben Brantley didn't like it.

I think you'd really like the new Carole King musical Beautiful (great music), but it's a hard ticket and could be sold out.

And Cabaret is in previews (same production that played a few years ago). If you buy tickets now before it official opens, I think it will be available.

If you like Disney, Aladdin is opening in late March in previews and will be much more like the movie than Mary Poppins, which was based on the BOOKS not on the MOVIE, which made those changes the musical ignored.

Also After Midnight ... set in a Harlem Jazz Club. Not really a musical ... more of a real nightclub-like performance, but it's gotten really good reviews and everyone seems to love it. It's often at TKTS except on weekends.

For plays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is quite good. Mothers and Sons looks promising. There are many others, so forgive me for glossing over favorites. I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses.

I dont see Phantom on your list. I think it is quintessential broadway with the sets, costumes and of course the music. I have not seen these particular actors but I dont think it matters.

It was a joke. It was like a list of old lovers. Forget it.

"A Gentlemen's Guide To Love and Murder" is a musical...sort of English music hall meets Gilbert & Sullivan. VERY entertaining and on discount on broadwaybox.com and elsewhere. If you like Motown music, Motown. Ditto Carol King music for "Beautiful." If you like Barbra Streisand and/or Michael Urie from Ugly Betty, HIGHLY recommend Buyer &Cellar off Broadway. One man show very funny..also on discount.

Sorry about that "Gentleman's Guide" is indeed a musical.

But Michael Urie is leaving Buyer and Cellar shortly ... not sure of the precise date. He is being replaced, so the show may or may not go on. I think he's been the real draw there.

1happy fam - Somehow, we've never seen Phantom of the Opera. I will admit though that I did not like Cats nor Evita (not listed above as we saw them before I started that list and not on Broadway). We might consider it though because it is a classic.

IMDonehere - OK : ) It did look like that with all the likes, really liked, etc. That would have been a really long list for something like that.

mclaurie - Thank you for the ideas. I like all of them.

Doug_Stallings- Thank you for your detailed note!! You have given me a great place to start. So many plays, so little time.

Saw After Midnight in January. Really really liked it. I really liked Memphis, too.

Beautiful was fabulous. Loved.

The Classic Stage Company rarely disappoints. It is an intimate theater. Here is what will be presented during your stay.


http://www.classicstage.org/season/p.../heirapparent/

Don't dismiss the possibility of Kinky Boots tickets! My sister saw Kinky Boots last month, buying tickets for a matinee show the same day. Motown was also available that day. She purchased tickets at the tkts discount booth in Times Square. Fantastic show.

I just saw Realistic Joneses. I thought it was very boring. Like you, I didn't like Cats.

March is not February. It's a much I busier month for tourism. And Kinky Boots is indeed mostly sold out for the month. While it's always possible that house tickets will be released close to performance, that's much less likely in busier months.

YOur list of likes and dislikes isn't that predictable, as you liked some musicals. I don't like many of them, but did like Cats. I think that is one of the most original musicals ever done. Now I did not like Wicked nor Billy Eliot much at all (especially the latter). Phantom was just okay IMO, and plays for those who like big effects, but I also prefer something other than the big musicals for tourists.

If you didn't like Cats or Evita or Wicked (you just say you couldn't hear much, not much of a compliment), I really would not spend my time and money going to Phantom.

Christina - I do like musicals as a whole. I think I don't like Andrew Lloyd Webber ones as well because of the format - all singing and no lines (pretty much). And if I'm not close enough to read facial expressions and see the lips, sometimes the enunciation is not clear enough for me to follow the plot.

I was thinking some more about Phantom. I am crossing it off my list. Even if I wanted to see it, I could probably catch it sometime somewhere else.

I spent some time this morning making a list of the musicals and plays mentioned here and then doing a little more research such as when they are dark.

There are not many plays offered on Monday nights. I am thinking of Forbidden Broadway that night.

Assuming that we can't get tickets for Kinky Boots, here are the plays in the top running right now:

Buyer & Cellar (play I think)
Forbidden Broadway (for a Monday night when most are dark)
After Midnight (nightclub-like)
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (musical)
Beautiful (musical)

I'm not sure if we will be able to fit in all of those, but we should be able to see 4 for sure.

Ones that are not am not top list - but I am open to change are:

Motown
Bridges of Madison County
Mothers and Sons

Any thoughts?

Might any of these be in the running for a Tony?

Didn't proof well -

>Ones that are not am not top list
should say - "Ones that are not on my top list"

Mothers and Sons seems Tony-bound, as do Beautiful and Gentleman's Guide.

I'm of two minds about After Midnight (in terms of Tony possibilities, not in terms of its quality). It's not really a musical, but then neither was "Movin' Out" and it won a Tony. But there will be nominations somewhere.

The composer of Bridges of Madison County won a Tony for Parade (Best Original Score), and the music sounds beautiful. I'm not seeing it for a couple of weeks so I can't say anything personal, but Kelli O'Hara is bound to be nominated since by all accounts she carries the musical. I suspect the music will also be nominated. Win? Who knows.

I think Beautiful will be your hardest ticket on the list. If you don't buy something soon (today even), you will likely not get to see that one (assuming tickets are still available for two weeks from now ... doubtful, in my opinion, but I haven't looked).

PHantom is hokey, people like the special effects. Those kind of shows just aren't the same as serious drama, of course.

My thought would be why would anyone see Bridges of Madison COunty, the book and film were nauseating enough to last everyone forever. AS a musical, it could only get worse. But you must know the story. It did actually get decent reviews, especially for the lead female.

I can't get over how so many Broadway shows now are not from a real theater piece, but just shows put together around songs. That's because a lot of people don't really like drama or theatre, they want something easy. Motown sounds good if you like that kind of music, of course, sounds like fun and it has gotten good reviews.

If it were me, I'd want to see Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen or the Terrence McNalley one, if not a musical. You couldn't pay me to go see Bridges of Madison COunty.

I have to admit, I feel the same as Christina about "Bridges of Madison County". And yet it is getting really good reviews, so maybe its not as nauseating as the movie??

I loved "Gentleman's Guide." We laughed a ton, the performances were excellent and I thought the staging was really well done. Highly recommended!

traveler2005, from your last list you posted, I'd replace Buyer and Cellar with Mothers and Sons.

Forbidden Broadway is a good choice, especially for Monday night when there is almost no choice.

I've seen After Midnight twice (with Phantasia and with k.d.Laing) and LOVE the show.

In my book, both Beautiful and Gentleman's Guide are much better choices than Bridges. Although if you're looking for big and fun musical that will be Tony bound, I'd head to see Bullets Over Broadway!

I don't exactly agree with some of the comments by Christina. I AM a total theatre person, with a theatre degree. While I LOVE important big drama, I am not "above" sitting down and really enjoying a lively musical -- even one put together around a bunch of songs. Some people think if it's just fun then it isn't worthwhile, and I totally disagree with that.

By the way, in my book, Bridges of Madison County is one of the most beautiful to listen to musicals I've seen in ages. Not much book and the dialogue and productions values seem lacking, but it is one beautifully written and performed score. So while overall I wouldn't rate it a must see, I will acknowledge how good the "original score is" and that seems rare today. Some insiders are already complaining the only bad thing about Bullets Over Broadway is that it isn't an original score, but frankly I know of NO ONE today who could begin to match the wonderful score of songs put together for that show.

Aren't Idina Menzel and Sutton Foster both starring in soon-to-open musicals? Or are they not opening soon enough for OP's trip?

Violet (Sutton Foster) first preview is March 28

Idina Menzel in If/Then is in previews now.

Thanks, Neo! I hope some Fodorites attend one or both and will report back.

I'm seeing If/Then on May 10, not sure when I'll see Violet.

Wonderful sounding production of Threepenny Opera opened this week at Atlantic Theatre Company with F.Murray Abraham and Laura Osnes among others. I'm seeing that week after next.

Sorry, I should have said Threepenny Opera started previews this week. It opens in April.

RE" Buyer and Cellar - Broadway Box says that it is starring How to Succeed's Christopher J. Hanke. So I take that to mean that Michael Urie is no longer there.

A check through Broadway Box didn't show any tickets available for Mothers and Sons. However, I went to what I think is their direct site (sometimes hard to know) and did see tickets AND they are dark on Tuesday rather than Monday.

I wonder if I should replace Forbidden Broadway with Mothers and Sons.

An update:

I wish we had some more slots to fill because there are more plays that I want to see than available times. We hope to arrive early enough on Sunday to go to an evening play and plan to leave on Thursday. That gives us 4 nights and 1 matinee.

Still assuming that we can't get tickets for Kinky Boots and might be able to get tickets for Beautiful, here are the plays in the top running right now:

Mothers and Sons (possibly Tony Bound)
Forbidden Broadway (for a Monday night when most are dark)
After Midnight (nightclub-like)(worth seeing twice acc to NeoPatrick)
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (musical) (possibly Tony Bound)(also funny)
Beautiful (musical) (possibly Tony Bound)

Ones that are on the fall-back list - but I am open to change are:
Buyer & Cellar (play I think) (highly recommended by mclaurie- very funny) (check on when Michael Urie is leaving - it is a one man show)
Bullets over Broadway - Tony bound - big musical

More choices, but now they are in my third string:
Motown
Bridges of Madison County - good score, but mixed thoughts

More thoughts?

And thank you all because I would have had no idea where to start without your help.

I am going to try to take time tonight to check on availability of Beautiful and Kinky Boots. In the past, I usually just took the Broadway Box coupon code to the box offices. But that might not be a good idea for some of these.

First of all, there is a discount offer for Mothers and Sons on playbill.com.
I would add my strong recommendation for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. An absolute delight.
I also enjoyed Buyer & Cellar with Michael Urie, who has left the New York production to take the show on the road.....to Los Angeles, I believe. Who knows how good his replacement will be, but it is a delightful show.
Also, Matilda is one show that no one has mentioned. We really liked that one, too.

I think you are going to have problems getting same-day or same-week tickets for almost everything on your list except for Buyer and Cellar, Forbidden Broadway, and After Midnight.

The others are pretty hot tickets, particularly Beautiful.

I don't see After Midnight up there, but it was definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen. Just jaw-dropping, and if you like jazz, there's nothing quite like the Jazz at Lincoln Center band.

After Midnight is up there - thanks for verifying that it is great.

Thanks also for the tip about discounts on playbill.com. I checked broadway box, travelzoo(none on my list) and expedia (none on my list).

Decisions, decisions.

Does anyone know the theaters well enough to know if some of my first or second list shows are off the beaten track? If so, that might be a good one for the Wednesday matinee.

Mothers and Sons
Forbidden Broadway
After Midnight
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Beautiful

Buyer & Cellar
Bullets over Broadway

Bridges is very enjoyable.. not glitzy or gimmicky but beautifully sung. Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale give wonderful performances

Buyer & Cellar is, as you put it, off the beaten track in Greenwich Village. And, it certainly qualifies as an interesting area to spend a few hours in, with many options for lunch.

I checked both Kinky Boots and Beautiful. Tickets are available through Telecharge. So I guess that add Kinky Boots into my mix.

Thanks for the location, HowardR. I am making a spreadsheet of times and locations in addition to the one that has all the other notes. I did found some conflicting information for Mothers and Sons. I need to make some phone calls, but too late for tonight since the box offices are closed (at least the first one that I tried).

Not to muddy the waters, but I wonder also about If/Then. I saw that it was by the same person as Next to Normal and I thought that was excellent (not on my list as it was local).

So it looks to me like all of these would be good choices.

Mothers and Sons
Forbidden Broadway
After Midnight
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Beautiful
Buyer & Cellar
Bullets over Broadway
Kinky Boots
If/Then

To look at this another way, if you could see all of these EXCEPT say 3, which would you eliminate?

Well............ Jessica Mueller (sp?) is not going to be there on the nights that we have available - (Beautiful)