Wicked the musical? Any good? Other shows in Feb. 2005?
 

We will be in NYC for 5 nights coming from the UK and really would like to see a show on/off Broadway. I looked at ticketmaster.com and the only shows I could find listed for mid-Feb. is Wicked and Democracy. Anyone seen these? I know Wicked did well at the Tony's, but I was hoping for more of a selction to choose from. Thanks!

I would wait a while to buy tickets for Feb 2005. Some shows are closing, others are opening and others don't sell that far in advance. I did see you could also get tickets now for Phantom but you may have already seen that. Wicked is very good, haven't seen Democracy. If you want to keep on eye on what is happening on Broadway, use broadway.com or playbill.com and they have all the information. I saw that "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is set to open in Jan/Feb. They are doing the first run here in San Diego at the Old Globe Theater and I have tickets to see that in a couple of weeks. Lots of shows preview at the Old Globe. Some do well on Broadway, some don't. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is directed by Jack O'Brien who did Hairspray and is starring John Lithgow, Sheri Renee Scott among others. Actually the reviews should be out this week, so we'll know soon if it might be a show to see.

I really enjoyed Wicked, so I'd recommend that. I've also heard good things about Movin Out and Avenue Q (which is what I want to see next). Feb is quite a bit away, maybe wait until November to book if you're unsure about which show?

The reason why you have an apparent minimal choice for February is that most shows don't make tickets available that far in advance.
I'd wait until late fall--unless you definitely decide on Wicked--and check again. If you want to see Wicked, then I suggest you get tickets now.
Also, keep in mind that February is a fairly slow month for the theater in New York. So, except for sellouts like Wicked, you should have no problem getting tickets.
If you're looking for new musical, there will only be only one new one opening in the next few months, a show called Brooklyn, which may be a too "Americanized" for you to truly enjoy.

Besides Brooklyn, there are a couple of other shows scheduled to open before Feb although some of them are in previews. I mentioned "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". Also in preview and scheduled to open in December is Little Women with Sutton Foster. She is wonderful. La Cage aux Folles is more of a musical review, opening in November. There is the possibility that these shows will not do well when they open or in preview and then will not available in Feb. As Howard mentioned it would be better to wait except for possibly the Wicked tickets.

NY Theater.com (below) has a coming attractions listing in the "What To See" section of their web site. It lists many shows due to open between now and May 2005. Obviously, not all have tickets available now, but it might help with your planning.

I have seen Wicked and loved it. It is a huge razzle-dazzle production with massive sets and amazing costumes. Kristin Chenowith is wonderful in her role -- quite funny. One note: the theater is enormous. I sat in the front row of the mezzanine and would not have wanted to be any further back. Even there, I felt the need for binoculars to get costume details. That said, sit too close and you will miss some of the overview.

www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/coming.htm

Kristin Chenowith is no longer playing the role of Glinda, I believe it is Jennifer Thompson who was in Urinetown. Idina Menzel is still in the cast and she won the the Tony for best actress in a musical in 2004 for her role. TC is right, the theater is very big so it might be best to get your tickets for Wicked now.

I can't help you with what shows might be available in February, but I can heartily endorse Wicked. I've seen many, many Broadway shows and this is one of my all-time favorites. If you like musicals, you can't go wrong with this one. As others have recommended though, if you are interested in more selection I think you'll have to wait a little bit.

Just one more endorsement for Wicked! I saw it in June, 04, with the original cast and loved it. Idina Menzel is fabulous, as is the entire show. I think it's one worth seeing while you're in town.

I am so relieved to read all the endorsements for Wicked on this post! I talked my eight girlfriends into seeing Wicked for our annual get-together in November...we've been all over the easter US, and this is our first visit together to NYC. I just finished reading the book, and I was getting worried. It's so...evil! Kind of depressing, especially the ending. Apparently the show is more humorous, maybe even upbeat???

Wicked is great.

Message: Just went to broadway.com and found this!! (A true Brit would LOVE it!! ) :

Monty Python's Spamalot
A musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the 1975 film that is the best loved and most successful of the Monty Python screen ventures. In Spamalot, King Arthur and the knights of the round table go on a haphazard and hilarious search for the Holy Grail.

Category: Musical
Starts: February 7, 2005
Opens: March 10, 2005



More questions....



Book by Eric Idle
Based on the Screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin
Music and Lyrics by Eric Idle and John Du Prez
Directed by Mike Nichols
Choreography by Casey Nicholaw
Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley
Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design by ACME Sound Partners

Tim Curry, King Arthur
Douglas Sills, Sir Galahad
Hank Azaria, Sir Lancelot
David Hyde Pierce, Sir Robin
Steve Rosen, Sir Bedevere
Michael McGrath, Patsy
Sara Ramirez, Lady of the Lake

Wallace and Gromit! Oh thank you, thank you. My husband is a true brit (I am the flaky American) and he will be chuffed (is that the spelling) when he sees tickets for this. Thank you thank...Wicked for me and Monty Python's Spamalot for him!

I too would get seats now for Wicked. The Gershwin is hugh- I would NOT get the Mezz nor balcony but within 15-20 rows of the front.

BudgetQueen or anyone else...is Idina Menzel still performing in Wicked? I heard rumors she was pulling out to do another project. I really would like to see her and not a replacement. Thanks to all of you for your help!

Idina Menzel is leaving Wicked on January 9, so unfortunately that wouldn't help our original poster. However, the show should still be wonderful!

Also, Spamalot has a GREAT cast, so I think it will be a treat to see! I am looking forward to it very much.

Thanks TarheelsinNJ. I am a bit bummed now, but still think I will see Wicked.

Glad to see you made that decision -- my daughter and her friends loved Wicked. I've had several friends who are/were actors in NY and must say on their behalf that even as the origanal cast turns over in a big show, you are still guaranteed a good nights' entertainment.

Wicked the Musical and Wicked the book are very different. Doesn't follow closely at all. Even the ending is different. See the show. Not depressing at all.

Oh thank you thank you bugswife. I'm so glad the show will be different from the book. And our seats are Orchestra Row R (which according to my calculations is the nineteenth row), although on the right end. Sounds like we lucked out here!