NYC trip report
 

I just got home from a five day trip to NYC! What a great time!<BR><BR>We stayed at the Holiday Inn Martinique. This place is a great deal! Very clean, friendly sevice, and great location for $120 a night! <BR><BR>Also, we had the pleasure of getting a Big Apple Greeter. This is a great service! It was probably the highlight of the trip. Our greeter, Glen, took us through the financial district (he was at ground zero during 9/11 and very openly told us his story), then he took us through China town and Little Italy, showing where to shop and get good deals. It was really fun and he was very friendly.<BR><BR>We also went to three shows. I enjoyed them all. Because Broadway seems to be a popular discussion on this board, I'll give you my two cents on each show.<BR><BR>*SPOILERS*<BR><BR>PERFECT CRIME<BR><BR>We saw this show on Monday out of desperation. We were bound and determined to see some theatre and, at this point, we still thought the strike was going to last a while. It was a cute show. However, can someone tell me how this play has lasted for so long? Like I said, it was a fun evening, but I have seen much better plays before. I would however like to mention Charles Beyer. I thought he was fantastic.<BR><BR>HAIRSPRAY<BR><BR>I was in shock about actually being in the Neil Simon on Tuesday night. I had finally come to grips with the fact that I was not going to be able to see Hairspray. Yet, through some miracle, I was actually there. Needless to say, I was pumped. The cast was phenomenal. Danielle Lee Greaves was on as Maybelle and blew the roof off the joint in her two songs. Marissa is fantastic - she had me in tears (laughing) during her dance when she first appears on the Corny show (the bobbing wig). Harvey, as we all know, was hysterical in his role. He shined in the &quot;what am I wearing?&quot; scene. I would also like to add that I absolutely loved Linda Hart. I thought she was perfect for the part (I loved her &quot;stripper&quot; slide down the pole!). I have no complaints about this show. Even my brother, an avid Eminem fan who VERY much resented paying $150 CAN to attend a Broadway show (I tricked him into it), turned to me at intermission and said: &quot;Man! This was worth the money and then some!&quot;. <BR><BR>THE PRODUCERS<BR><BR>I was very excited to be able to see what all of the hype was about. This show was definitely enjoyable, but it didn't live up to my expectations. However, I can see where this show would have been great when it first openned. To me, the show seems tired now. Many of the actors seem to be saying the jokes, but not really trying that hard to make them funny. I think I only laughed out loud about 5 times during the whole show. Brad Musgrove was my favourite. He was the only one who really seemed to be into it. He absolutely nailed the part of Carmen and got most of the laughs. Gary Beach was good, but again, seemed to just be running through the motions. Brad Oscar was also quite good, and, from up in the balcony, he may as well have been Nathan. He looks and sounds a lot like him. Also, Ida Leigh Curtis was on as Ulla and I was very impressed by her. Finally, as much as I wanted to like him, I didn't like Roger Bart as Leo. He was too whiny and just not that funny. Overall, it is a good show, but just doesn't live up to its hype. I found myself thinking &quot;oh, that's clever&quot; or &quot;that's really funny&quot; but never actually laughing (I wasn't alone either - the rest of the balcony was very silent through the whole performance also). I've only seen about 6 Broadway shows and this one only ranks as the third funniest (with Hairspray and Noises off beating it by a long shot). I'm glad I saw it, but I'm also glad I only paid $30.<BR><BR>I'd like to thank everyone who help plan this trip. This site has been such a great help!

Hi, sounds like a great time! We are going for the first time this August and have requested a Big Apple Greeter also, was glad to hear how much you enjoyed that part of the trip. When did you hear back from them? I did receive an automated email regarding my request but nothing more than that yet, I know it is a long way off, when should I expect more details?<BR><BR>Thanks for all the information about Broadway, did you get the $30 Producer tickets at the TKTS booth? Just curious?

4khansen, To see what's available at TKTS, check http://newyork.citysearch.com/feature/34843/. Check this site around the time of your trip, usually the same shows are on it fairly regularly. I don't think the Producer's has shown up there yet but you never know. For advance sale discounts (not always as discounted as TKTS but much more convenient) check playbill.com, theatermania.com, hitshowclub.com,www.broadwayoffers.com, www.showsonbroadway.com.

Hey 4khansen,<BR><BR>We didn't hear anything from the Big Apple Greeaters until we arrived at our hotel. There was a fax waiting for us telling us to call out greeter and confirm our time slot. Basically, I think it is up to the greeter if they want to contact you before you leave for your trip. If you don't hear from them, don't worry about it. We signed up only three weeks before we left, so I'm sure you are pretty much guaranteed a guide. <BR>We bought our Producers tickets before hand from telecharge.com . The $30 price is available for all matinee performances. Also, this price is for the last two rows of the balcony. It is a really good deal, however, be warned that it is REALLY far up.<BR>

Thanks for the information, that will be helpful. Since I wasn't sure how they contacted us.<BR><BR>:)

ian80:<BR><BR>See, didn't I tell you The Martinique would be a great place to stay? I'm really glad you had a great time in Manhattan, . You were REALLY lucky with your timing with the Broadway Musicians strike. <BR>Oh, BTW, what did you do with your car? I know you had some questions about parking outside Manhattan, and taking the train into Manhattan.Did you end up doing that, or did you opark in Manhattan?

Hey Anthony,<BR>Thanks again for your advice about the hotel.<BR>We actually ended up driving to New Brunswick and then just taking the train into Manhattan. It added about 1/2 hour to our trip, but at least we KNEW the town and KNEW there would be parking. It worked our great and we will probably always do it that way now.

Thank you for your trip report! I am going to NYC next Satruday (3/22) for the FIRST time and I'm so excited!! I loved reading your review of Hairspray b/c that's the only show we'll be seeing, and I've been waiting a long time for this. It's great to read a recent review and to know you really liked the show. I've been listening to the sound track for over a month now--I just can't wait to get there. Thanks again.