I'll be in NYC Feb 2-6 and going with tradition will see a show while I'm there. Unfortunatly, I've visited too many times lately and have come to the end of my "MUST SEE" list. I don't know what I should shoot for of what is left.

Quick about me - I'm a 21 yo college student and can only afford to see those shows I can get rush tickets for (which makes the prices under $30 a ticket). I've been pretty lucky and have yet to not get tickets.

What I've seen and Loved:
Aida, Wicked, RENT, Ave Q, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

What I've seen and Liked:
Chitty Bang Bang, Hairspray and Brooklyn

What I've seen and was disappointed in:
The Producers, Cabaret, and Movin' Out

I'm dead set on seeing a musical over a play, and almost dead set on seeing a Broadway show vs. an Off Broadway (not that they aren't just as good, sometimes if not better, but that's just how I feel about it)

I know Jersey Boys, 25th Annual, Light in the Piazza, and Sweeny Todd are a few shows that have the rush policy.

Any ideas, help on these shows would be greatly appreciated. I have looked up some reviews, but I still worry. Is Jersy Boys going to Remind me of Movin' Out with it's unoriginal music? Is Sweeny Todd to minimalisitc for me? Is Light in the Piazza to old school musical?

Thanks for any help in advance

Judging from your preferences, I think you’d like Jersey Boys most. Sweeney Todd is a wonderful show, but the music isn’t “Broadway” in the traditional sense. I saw Light in the Piazza when it previewed in Seattle, and I thought it was way too precious.

lion king

Jersey Boys and Spelling Bee.

Jersey Boys.

Broaden your horizons -- see Sweeney Todd. The production might be minimalistic, but the content is excedigly rich.

What about Chicago?
vcl, based on Cinderella02's likes and dislikes, I don't think she's ready for Sweeney Todd.

If she didin't like Movin Out, why would like like Jersey Boys? Isn't it the same concept?

I think Spelling Bee would be a great choice. What about Spamalot? For some reason, I also think she'd like either Sweeney Todd or Lion King, although it is odd seeing them in a sentence together!

If you didn't like Movin' Out b/c of it's 'unoriginal music,' I can't imagine you'd like Jersey Boys, esp at your age when it is not "your generations music" which part of the success is, I think, that it brings back those memories and is for those who love the music of the Four Seasons. You know beforehand what you are going to hear, every Frankie/4 seasons song or parts of it with a sotry in between (unlike Movin' Out) where there are speaking vignettes/monologues explaining what happens to the group along the way.

Sweeney Todd is , I think, an excellent top notch show, but from your favorites I am thinking you might be disappointed in the lack of sets and I think, as you said, too minimalistic for you compared to the ones you listed as favs.

The Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful evening (which started waaay off broadway -
with lots of laughs. From the things you've seen and liked I would veer more towards Chicago, Rent, Lion King, but you may have seen all those. Spamalot is great, but I don't think you'll have much luck getting tix to that at this point.

If you don't have a review page you like, I might suggest going to theatermania.com (which you can also join for free and get ticket discounts of up to 35-45 percent on some shows which might interest you since you go so often) and once on their main page, click on Broadway Shows, then click on the different shows listed for a quick review, and many of them have a choice of "more news/reviews" and those should help you choose what interests you based on what the reviewers write about (amazing sets, spectacular singing, etc) Good Luck.

If she's not ready for Sondheim, especially after seeing and judging all those other shows, when will she be? Go to Sweeny Todd.

Thank you for all of your help - I have never actually "not liked" a musical, just some I like better than others. They always manage to keep me entertained.

I'm not sure that I didn't enjoy Movin' Out as much because of the unoriginal music (although I do enjoy going home with a new CD to sing along to) but perhaps because there was no story to it. This makes me think Jersey Boys may be okay. Espec. since many of you as well as reviews I have read tell me it's good.

I remember the first time I ever saw a piece of Sweeny Todd it was a clip on a Broadway TV show with Angela Lansbury. I liked it, and then I saw some movie Jersey Girl I believe and thought wow, that looks really interesting, is it still playing? Alas it wasn't. Last time I went to the city I saw that it was again (after hearing it was coming back) and I thought about seeing it. Maybe I'm just second guessing myself.

Dreamer2 - I'd LOVE to see Spamalot, alas I don't think I'm getting tickets either.

As for Chicago - unfortunatly when the movie came out (and I know - it's different) my roommate played the CD a few too many times and turned me off from wanting to go and see it.

Lion King, I'm not 100% sure on this cause I've always done rush tickets and never had to look for discount tickets, but I don't think I can afford it. With rush I am usually front 2 rows (which yes is a little close but better than the last row in the building) or front row Mezz. I did however see the Backstage tour and was blown away by the building and all it's history. It's gorgeous.

Cinderella02, you've lost me:
1. You say there was no plot to Movin' Out? If you think that, then you weren't playing close attention. Sure, it was all dance, but there was definitely a plot.
2. What does Jersey Girl have to do with Sweeney Todd (or Jersey Boys, for that matter)?
3. Not wanting see Chicago because you heard the music too many times? No comment!

Alas, when I said no story, I'm sorry I didn't mean no plot - that there was. I danced for 13 years and appreciated it because of the dance, it just wasn't what I was looking for.

Jersey Girl and Sweeny Todd - I was just thinking how I have seen parts of Sweeny Todd (Yes I know a small part from a movie doesn't really count) and wasn't going in totally dumb on the matter and had wanted to see it when I had originally learned about it and the story.

And as for Chicago - Hearing the music day in day out all day long for such a long time makes me not really enjoy it. Had someone said here's tickets to Chicago go see it, I would. But I rather spend the money to go see something that I would enjoy perhaps a bit more.

Since I consider The Producers, Cabaret and Movin' Out among the best shows of the last 10 years and you were disappointed in all three, I guess there's little chance that you'll agree with my recommendations!

I'm not too far from your age (25) and I would highly recommend Jersey Boys. It most definitely has a plot- it tells the really interesting story of how the group came to be. It's almost like a play with music, because the music is used primarily in context- NOT forced into an unrelated plot. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works, and it's one of my new favorites.

Spelling Bee is great as well, and it seems that many of the shows you've loved lean towards comedy. It's very funny, and once you've actually made it through adolescence you appreciate it that much more. Don't know about student tickets though.

Based on your preferences, I'm not sure this particular Sweeney Todd is for you. I love Piazza as well, but I'm also not sure that's your style.

I know you said you didn't want off Broadway but Drumstruck was a lot of fun!
http://www.drumstruckny.com/

karinw, it's so funny that you mentioned Drumstruck- I just saw it last night (finally), and really enjoyed it as well! I don't know if I would choose it over some of the Broadway shows, but it could be a fun addition to the weekend.

Thanks for all your help (again) I just returned from my trip and did see 25th Annual. I loved it, it had me laughing the whole time.

They did have student rush tickets - $25 a piece by lottery. The biggest downfall to that? They were "bench seats" meaning we were practically sitting on the floor, but also practically on the stage.

Drumstruck looks great to me - I think I may try that sometime as well.

What did you expect for $25?

Actually, you can often get great seats for $25, if you're flexible. Many shows offer very nice rush and student rush seats if they have them available- I've even gotten orchestra seats this way. Obviously, you can't plan ahead, and you probably won't get a ticket to a hot show, but it can be an excellent option if you're on a budget.

That being said, HowardR does make a good point. While you CAN get great seats for $25 sometimes, you also can get crappy ones. So you take your chances...but if your funds are limited, it's a great way to get to see a show.

Enjoy!