I'm coming to nyc Nov. 7 and 8th. On monday I'm seeing POTO for the 7th time, because its amazing and I love Howard McGillin. I dont know what to see on Tuesday. Here are the choices.
DRS Color Purple Sweeney Todd
I've seen alot so these are three shows that I really want to see.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Right now, The Light in the Piazza is a stealer for me. A) Everything's GREAT about it, the cast, costumes, lighting, scenery, music, lyrics, the like...and b) if you're a student (high school to grad school) you can get $20 tickets from LCT's Studentix.
http://www.lct.org/studentix/ However, it's a one-time opportunity (Studentix), literally. A warning about Light, however. It's quite classical, and if you're more into rockish, poppy stuff, you might be better off seeing RENT. But you never know...just give it a try.
If you're looking for something comedic, try Dirty Rotten Scoundrels or Avenue Q. Both are extremely clever and witty, but they're sort of...raunchy. Not something you'd take your young 11-year-old daughter to. If you're a Monty Python fan, check out Spamalot, but like Wicked, it's very hard to land tickets. The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee is also great for laughs and the family. Check out The Producers as well.
If you're normally a non-theatre goer, definitely consider both Disney musicals, The Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. Both are great for children, as well. Or perhaps The Phantom of the Opera or Hairspray, both of which are highly-appealing shows to non-theatre goers. Or the current smash Wicked. Undoubtedly, you've heard of this one.
If you're into rockish things or maybe more "popular" music, try RENT. The late composer, Jonathan Larson, passed away before seeing his show in action, but obviously, it was a great success. Some issues that are discussed in the plot may be iffy (another show you don't want to take your 11-year-old daughter to) but nothing that you don't see on MTV nowadays. Also check out All Shook Up, whose music revolves around Elvis and Mamma Mia! whose music comes from ABBA. Movin' Out has its songs based off of Billy Joel. The recent Lennon has been getting mixed reviews, but it might be worth the visit.
For children, I would recommend the aformentioned Disney musicals, maybe Wicked (for that 11-year-old daughter that keeps popping up), Sweet Charity, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Hairspray may also be a winner.
If you want something dramatic, definitely consider the straight plays, and perhaps a touch of Chicago? As for plays, Doubt, The Pillowman, and Who's...Virginia Woolf? are all good choices. However, Neil Simon's The Odd Couple will soon be out in theatres, so you might want to postpone that last flight out.
I would try Color Purple. DRS was a major letdown for me. Sweeney would be a good choice only if you are already familiar with the show and not expecting tradition staging or storytelling.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian