I am headed to NY in the March and have figured out mostly what I am seeing but can't decide between Wonderland and Priscilla. Leaning towards Wonderland. Priscilla feels like a drag queen version of Mamma Mia! - which is great but I didn't love Mamma Mia! So I am not sure if I would like it - but it seems to be all the buzz. Any thoughts?
I will be seeing Catch me if You Can, Book of Mormon, Spiderman, and Kurshner's Homosexual Guide...
Fav's from last trip were American Idiot, N2N and La Cage, and In the Heights. Could take or leave Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot. Did not like Fela. I typically like emotional/edgy/rock but was surprised by how much I loved La Cage.
If it were me, I'd see Wonderland. I'm not a HUGE fan of Mamma Mia either, or that kind of musical. I'd prefer something not based on pre-existing songs, despite the buzz that's being generated for the show from its other productions. However, my friend saw it in London and said it was the most fun she'd ever had in a show...
Saw Mamma Mia a few years ago and thought it was a fun show, nothing amazing, but very enjoyable. Lisa Brescia is in it now as Donna as is amazing, from what hear.
WONDERLAND. An original musical with some great B'way talents (Kate Shindle, Darren Ritchie, Karen Mason & the upcoming Janet Dacal), and a great score by Frank Wildhorn.
I've seen Priscilla, and based on the material I've heard from Wonderland, I'm prepared to say Priscilla is probably a better show. I saw it in Sydney a few years and it was good then, and it's been revised a lot since so I'd assume that it's even better now. It's far better than Mamma Mia, and unlike Mamma Mia - it's actually funny.
PRISCILLA! To start, its nothing like Mamma Mia, as it actually works as a show!
The songs are performed brilliantly, and more than anything, its worth going just to see the gorgeous costumes, and the star of the show... the big bus! Probably the most clever piece of set I have ever seen!
My biggest problem with Wonderland is that it's a typical Wildhorn score! The good songs are fantastic, but then the other 10 or so are just drab filler songs that do nothing!
Priscilla is enjoyment from the first note of music played by the orchestra til the reprise of "I will survive" at the end!!
I'm actually in the same boat, will b e up there late April and can;t decide which of the 2 I should try for.
I like interesting sets and all that spectacle. From what I;ve seen of Priscilla, there does not seem to be much else going on besides the costumes and bus. Pluss, as silly as it sonunds, I've never been into the Marquis so that is also a draw for me.
But when I get there it will come down to who has the cheapest tickets since I;ve already spent most of my show budget on 4 other shows.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
Is the only major change from a Kylie medley to a Madonna medley?
ACT ONE
Downtown I’ve Never Been To Me What’s Love Got To Do With It? Don’t Leave Me This Way Venus Go West I Say A Little Prayer I Love The Nightlife Both Sides Now Follie! Delirio Vano E Quoesto!…Sempre Libera (from Verdi’s La Traviata) Colour My World I Will Survive
ACT TWO
Thank God I’m A Country Boy A Fine Romance Shake Your Groovy Thing Pop Muzik Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Hot Stuff MacArthur Park Boogie Wonderland Come into My World Always On My Mind Kylie Medley We Belong Finally
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
saw WONDERLAND several times in Houston. Great design. SOme great songs. Great voices, great perfs. Not a fan of the librettists, no offense, and have no great expectation they can really fix the book.
PRISCILLA has a great book, also great perfs, great visuals, though i haven't seen it live yet. Song list looks fun.
Splurge and see both, then report back here. Resist the Western tradition of putting one above the other or making a hierarchy. Avoid comparing one show to another despite similarities, or even comparing the same material in different mediums. Would you rather see a story about fierce individualists living out their fantasies despite awkward circumstances or a timid girl whose adventures are thrust upon her? do you like the actors in either cast list and hope to see their work regardless of context? are you a fan of the composers of either song list? try it all that way.
Will: They don't give out awards for helping people be gay... unless you count the Tonys.
"I guarantee that we'll have tough
times. I guarantee that at some point
one or both of us will want to get out.
But I also guarantee that if I don't
ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for
the rest of my life..."
"Downtown" was replaced with "It's Raining Men" and "Both Sides Now" was replaced (sadly) by "True Colors" when I saw it in Toronto. Yes, it's a Madonna medley, not a Kylie medley.
I say see Priscilla-its a hoot. Tony Sheldon may very well win a Tony for his Bernadette and Will Swenson and Nick Adams are wonderful.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I'm going with the masses -- from what I've heard from folks that have seen both productions out of town: Priscilla seems the victor.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I would go with Wonderland. Priscilla is going to have a very very long life. Wonderland will probably be (pun) wonderful but probably will not have the life that Priscilla will have. See it and then see TAOPQOTD next time.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
JRYBKA has a good point. Eat the ice cream while its on your plate, as Kander and Ebb have Sabina singing.
Will: They don't give out awards for helping people be gay... unless you count the Tonys.
"I guarantee that we'll have tough
times. I guarantee that at some point
one or both of us will want to get out.
But I also guarantee that if I don't
ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for
the rest of my life..."
You might end up having to drop Spider-Man so maybe you could do both
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Seriously though Priscilla will leave you they hugest smile on your face. I was a doubter to begin with (for all the reasons oft-mentioned) but the show blew me away.
I personally never got the big fuss of the change from the Kylie Medley to the Madonna Medley to begin with since (a) it isn't that big of a part in the show and (b) Kylie replaced ABBA from the movie.