Top Six Shows To See On And Off-Broadway

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:21pm

Out of all the Broadway and off-Broadway plays and musicals, which top six do you think is the best/"must see"?

I'm seeing six shows in June, possibly a seventh.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 2:48pm

Sorry, I really am not that up to date on off Broadway shows but as far as Broadway goes it's hard to say without knowing your tastes, I would recommend seeing a broad mix (funny, serious, plays, musicals) if you are seeing six shows. Some general crowd pleasers:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel is a must. (I believe Norbert is going to still be there in June and he is absolutely hilarious)
RENT
Hairspray
Avenue Q
Barefoot in the Park was incredibly cute but I'm not sure when it's closing
Updated On: 3/31/06 at 02:48 PM

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 2:55pm

It really depends what you are into:

If you like dark shows, Festen and Sweeney Todd are both wonderfully dark.

If you like jukebox musicals, Jersey Boys is a top choice.

If you're looking for spectactle, go to Tarzan.

For comedy, Spelling Bee should be your top choice followed by Spamalot and Avenue Q.

For the best music on Broadway, go to Piazza.

If you're with children, go to Beauty and the Beast.

If you're in the mood for brainless fun, go to Mama Mia.

The two best shows I have in the last six months in NYC are "Piazza" and "Pajama Game".

I would avoid Lestat and Ring of Fire at all costs.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 2:56pm

CHICAGO
LION KING
THE PAJAMA GAME
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
DOUBT

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 4:10pm

I've been trying to see a mix of shows that are weightier and darker and those that are more fun-filled, so I'll try to make my list reflect that:

1. "Sweeney Todd" - the production that made me think the most this season.
2. "The Light in the Piazza" - stunning production, Victoria Clark is worth the price of admission.
3. "The Threepenny Opera" - a really interestingly directed production, a really interesting starter course in Brecht's "alienation effect" featuring great performances by Alan Cumming, Ana Gasteyer, and the rest of the cast.
4. "Doubt" - plays typically aren't my thing, but I had a great time at "Doubt." It's a fun play to discuss afterwards as well.
5. "The Color Purple" - the most pure audience-pleasing fun I had this season. LaChanze was great, and the story is really uplifting. It may not be high art, but the music is catchy and the performers make up for the flaws in writing.
6. "Red Light Winter" - a great play with some impressive performances. This was a great thought-provoking night off-Broadway.

Also, though I wouldn't put "Bernarda Alba" on my top six list, I think it's worth seeing. Some great music and performances.

I had a lot of fun at "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" as well.
Updated On: 3/31/06 at 04:10 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 4:18pm

"History Boys" should be GREAT

"Sweeney Todd" is a must see. The cast is the best on Broadway in my opinion, and the direction is brilliant.

"Avenue Q" if you haven't seen it yet. You will laugh like no other show has made you laugh.

"Doubt" will make you think and question things, which is always good.

"Tarzan" I haven't seen this but I've heard it's worth seeing.

"Red Light Winter" Also haven't had a chance to see this yet, but I've heard wonderful things.

Thats 3 plays and 3 musicals. Do you prefer one over the other?

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 4:28pm

Jersey Boys
Spelling Bee
3 Days of Rain
I love you, You're Perfect, Now Change
Spamalot
The Odd Couple but it's closing June 4 but then there's always Some Girl(s) even though it hasn't opened yet

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 4:36pm

Promising for June:

Plays --

History Boys (Olivier winner for Best with the original cast)
Well (clever, funny and touching)
Red Light Winter (intense with great acting)
Faith Healer (very promising with Ralph Fiennes and Cherry Jones)
Shining City (also very promising with Oliver Platt, Brían F. O'Byrne and Martha Plimpton)
Pig Farm (new Greg Kotis play with Katie Finneran, Logan Marshall-Green, Denis O'Hare)
Lieutenant of the Inishmore
The House in Town (new play from Richard Greenberg)

Musicals --

Tarzan
The Wedding Singer
Drowsy Chaperone
Jacques Brel
Sweeney Todd
Threepenny Opera
The Color Purple

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 4:58pm

The Drowsy Chaperone is a definite. The others are up in the air.

Thank you, all, for your suggestions!!

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 5:13pm

The Color Purple
The Light in The Piazza
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Luitenet of Inishmore
ThreePenny Opera
Faith Healer

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 5:16pm

Avenue Q
Spelling Bee
The Color Purple
Jersey Boys
Title of Show
Bernarda Alba was fantastic (Very dark)
Sweeney Todd
Hairspray
And after you see all of these, see FB!
Plays:
Family Secrets
Rabbit Hole
Doubt
Entertaining Mr Sloane was so demented, but i loved every creepy second.

Updated On: 3/31/06 at 05:16 PM

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 5:41pm

Based on what I've seen, I would say:

Broadway:

The Light in the Piazza
Jersey Boys
The Lion King
Avenue Q
Rabbit Hole
Bridge & Tunnel

Off-Broadway:

[title of show]
George M. Cohan Tonight!
Altar Boyz
Stomp
Abigail's Party
Bernada Alba

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 5:46pm

Bernarda Alba, Rabbit Hole, Abigail's Party, George M. Cohan Tonight! and Entertaining Mr Sloane will all be closed by June. And [title of show] is scheduled to run only through May, but might extend.

Updated On: 3/31/06 at 05:46 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 6:12pm

I think Sweeney Todd and Doubt are two definite must sees if you haven't.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 6:14pm

Don't miss Altar Boyz.

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 6:58pm

I will tell you the seven I am seeing in June:

Jersey Boys
Barefoot In The Park
Faith Healer
Three Days of Rain
The Drowsy Chaperone
Avenue Q
and
Awake and Sing!

I would also suggest from already having seen them and loving them:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sweeney Todd
and
Hairspray

You can't go wrong with any of these.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 7:02pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sweeney Todd
The Color Purple
Hairspray
RENT
Light in the Piazza

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 9:14pm

Three I would highly recommend:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - absolutely hilarious; much, much smarter than I thought it would be, and the comic performances are among the best you'll ever see
Light in the Piazza - beautiful, romantic, and lush
Sweeney Todd - brilliant re-envisioning with outstanding performances. Patti Lupone reinvents herself, and Cerveris is positively chilling

Shows I am interested in seeing when I return in June:

Festen
The Color Purple
Well
Bridge and Tunnel (if it's still running)
Jersey Boys (if I can get tickets)
The Drowsy Chaperone (depends on the reviews)

It all depends on what's available at TKTS.

Have fun!

lc

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 10:37pm

Isn't the whole point behind suggesting a show is that you yourself have seen it?

How can it be "must see" if you yourself have not seen it?

Posted: 4/1/06 at 3:33am

Avenue Q
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Drowsy Chaperone
Jersey Boys
Sweeney Todd
The Threepenny Opera

and yes, I have seen all of these.
(I saw chaperone in LA)

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 4/1/06 at 9:31am

Ooops. Missed the part about June. Sorry.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/1/06 at 1:51pm

Sweeney Todd
The Light in the Piazza
Doubt
Jersey Boys
Rent
Hairspray

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 4/1/06 at 1:56pm

June, okay. My top six, on and off-broadway:

Sweeney Todd
Jacques Brel
[title of show] (If it extends. Which it should. Because of it's awesomeness)
Jersey Boys
Well
Spelling Bee

If [title of show] doesn't extend, I'd tack Piazza on the end of that list.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 4/1/06 at 2:58pm

My top six (in no order):

The Drowsy Chaperone
Sweeney Todd
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The Light in the Piazza
Spelling Bee
Jersey Boys

[brad3]

Posted: 4/1/06 at 3:20pm

MAMMA MIA!
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
WICKED
SPAMALOT
AVENUE Q
PHANTOM