Please, help me to decide on a Broadway show.
 

This is my first visit to NYC and will be my first time to go to a Broadway show. I have been trying to decide by reading this forum and other websites. I want to see something with alot of dancing , singing,costumes... big production. I want something that says BROADWAY and since I haven't been to any , I could attend one of the longer running ones should it fit that description. Could anyone help me out with this? I could go to probably two of them. I really want my trip to be memorable. Thanks so much!! I'll be going in July.

We have seen many of the current shows on Broadway and I would suggest Thoroughly Modern Millie. It has been one of the most fun musicals we have seen in awhile, and we've seen many of them.

I can't say enough great things about "Hairspray." It's truly fantastic--the music is super and will have you dancing in your seat. The whole show is full of great song/dance numbers and will give you a terrific Broadway experience.

Those two shows have been recommended often so, they may fit the bill. Thanks for your recommendations!

What about 42nd Street? It appears to be what I'm looking for. Can someone recommend it?

Nononono - go see Thoroughly Modern Millie - it absolutely knocked me off my feet - it's great!!!! (42nd street could be fine too, but I'm biased - I, and many others, just love TMM!)

Of course if you've never seen anything, you could see one of the all time classics, Phantom of the Opera...If you're here before 5/18 - you can see Les Mis too (I don't think all the shows are sold out yet?)

We saw Thoroughly Modern Millie, Gypsy, and Hairspray on the same week in April and our whole family (all ages) liked TMM the best.

I'd recommend seeing Chicago or Aida. I saw both last May and both were great.

I loved both "Throughly Modern Millie" and "42nd Street". You cannot go wrong with either of these shows. "42nd Street" has a large , rockette type dance number, as well as very pretty mirror dance routine. "TMM" has a fun story line filled with comedy. If you can't see both of them, opt for the show that offers the best seats for when you would like to go. I have not seen "Hairspray" , but hope to do so on next trip to New York.

Based on your criteria, I would put 42nd Street at the top of the list!

I haven't seen Hairspray or Millie yet (have tickets for two weeks from now), but having seen the original 42nd Street in the 70's, I was even more impressed with the current production. It is big, beautiful, and impressive. It does meet all your criteria. Listen to Howard!

Thankyou, for all of your suggestions!I think 42nd Street and Thoroughly Modern Millie are the two that I want to see. I did go to Hairspray's website, even though so many people recommend that one, the website convinced me that it's not what I'm looking for. My husband on the other hand wants to see the one about George Burns (I forgot the exact name). I'm not crazy about that but, I guess we will have to do three. Has anyone seen that one? I tried to convince him that ,"The Play What I Wrote" might be better than that but, he isn't convinced. He wants to see comedy. The good thing about these shows is that I think I can get them at a discounted rate. Thanks again!

Trisha, Hairspray is a far better show that Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Really Howard? I trust your opinion from what I have read on this forum. You think I should chose Hairspray and 42nd Street? Is the George Burns ,Say Goodnight Gracie, good also? Michael (My husband) wants to know. What should we do? We have decided to chose three.

I guess I'm one of the few who did not care for Hairspray. Because this is not only your first visit to NYC but also your first Broadway show, I think you should see 42nd Street. You will love it, and it meets all the requirements you mention (singing, dancing, costumes).

Trisha, I haven't seen Say Goodnight Gradce, but if your husband is a big fan of George Burns, then go for it!
As I previously wrote, 42nd Street definitely fits your criteria and should top your list. Hairspray is great, great fun--and it does meet your criteria, as well!

Remember to check the TKTS booth at 49th Street and Broadway for half priced tickets. I believe "Goodnight, Gracie" is often on sale there. I doubt "Hairspray" is, but you never know.

I would also say that Chicago is a true Broadway musical.

Trisha, please please please see 42nd Street! It's my all-time personal fave and I"ve seen tons of musicals/shows over the years. Hairspray was also fantastic, but it's not as flashy and showy as 42nd Street. It opens with this spectacular number that you will never forget. It's fun and a wonderful experience. You will not be disappointed. Haven't seen Millie, sounds like I should get on that from what other people say! I also just saw Nine, in which the individual performances were terrific but overall was just okay.

Am not a huge fan of musicals, but I really enjoyed 42nd street. It big, flashy and definitely says "Broadway". Seems like what you are looking for. I got reduced priced tickets at the Tkts booth.

I have tickets to Chicago on the 25th, I am really excited, it is my first show too. Hope it works out well for you!! By the way did others like Chicago, love the movie, looking forward to it.

42nd Street at the top of the list. Then you can consider Gypsy, Hairspray or Phantom for the second musical. Personally, I would take whatever I could get the best seats for. It makes a huge difference if you are 'at one' with the performance and not up in the rafters. The Play What I Wrote is a slapstick British Comedy. You either love it or hate it. The George Burns thing is a one man show. Haven't seen it. But, if your husband wants comedy, don't rule out Avenue Q. It is an adult puppet show that is so hysterically funny and terrific, that they are moving it from off-broadway to broadway.

This is your definitive answer!

1) If you want the biggest musical on Broadway, see 42nd Street. I, personally, did not enjoy it all that much; BUT, I was tired and up in the rafters. So, word of caution - do NOT sit in the rafters. The theatre is fairly large. I felt as though I wasn't in on the action. The $30 ticket price for the balcony is tempting (it is why we opted for it), but not worth it! Buy the $100 tickets and sit in the orchestra. However, I wouldn't sit too close. It is a "big" musical and best viewed from about 7 to 10 rows back.

2) Forget TMM. Go see HAIRSPRAY! I have been to NYC quite a few times now (I LOVE it there) and have been to many of the current shows playing. Hairspray has more energy and heart than any show out there. It is BY FAR the best muscial I've been to (yes, better than The Producers - why has no one recommended this one?). AND, since you will bet there in July, you'll catch the current (and original) cast. Harvey Firestein is AMAZING along with the rest of the cast. There is not one weak member. They all give stand-out performances. It will be your last chance to see them - the contrats expire in August and, as I understand it, many might be leaving. TMM does not compare to Hairspray as far as music and dancing go. Also, TMM and 42nd Street are fairly similar - they are both old-timey musicals; they are both about a girl heading to NYC; they both have very similar music; and they both have similar comedy. Since you're already going to see 42nd Street (or at least it is what you are leaning towards), you should, I think, see something a little different (that would be HAIRSPRAY).

However, when it comes right down to it, you should see the shows YOU want to see. I just think you would be making a mistake missing Hairspray.

PS - My brother (an Eminem loving, bling bling wearing wanna-be rapper) absolutely hates musicals; but, at intermission, he turned to me with a huge grin on his face and said: "Man! This is f****ng awesome!". on top of that, on the way back to our hotel, he was singing and dancing to "You Can't Stop the Beat"! Just thought I'd share.

IMO, Phantom of the Opera is synonymous with Broadway. Phantom IS Broadway.

Second choice: 42nd St.

Hairspray and Producers are clever and excellent but only after the others.

We loved 42nd Street, especially the way it bursts off the stage with powerful songs and tap. 42nd Street is a show about Broadway on Broadway and you will coming out of it loving Broadway like me.

Okay a rapper enjoying a Broadway musical has totally convinced me to see Hairspray over TMM. I appreciate your comments jan80 and the other posters that have piped in. I'm going to purchase Hairspray and 42nd Street right away. This is such a good forum!