3 days. 5 shows.

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 12/19/24 at 10:11pm

Woof, always wanted to do one of these.

I was in New York City from November 12 - 15 after 6 years of extensive planning, saving, a pandemic, Hugh Jackman and Britney Spears closing the one show I wanted to see and failing a math test because of my excitement, I made it.

The first day there felt genuinely unreal, a smile did not leave my face, the moment I hit Times Square tears froze on my face. I couldn’t believe that ****, but that’s not what this is about.

My first show was Sunset Blvd. 

My parents and little brother were at the pizza place next to the theatre, and I got in line at 5:30 because I was so damn excited. holy **** what a first show. Mandy Gonzalez is a force and a hell of a woman, I wish she could be nominated for the tony. Yes. Yes. Yes. I saw Diego as joe and genuinely thought he was a bit better than Tom Francis from the bootleg I saw, every other principal was on and they were amazing. The number one for this show was Pierre Marais, the emcee at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. I Met the man, he signed my asf playbill, and more tears were shed that night, damned my parents yelling at me because it was 40 something degrees. 10/10 would go again.

November 13. My second show was Romeo and Juliet, which was a number one experience as well, since circle in the square is my favorite Theatre, Just looking at photos made me wanna see and experience something there. And oh boy this didn’t disappoint. The whole ensemble was amazing, but it was Romeo and Juliet. I would see this again, especially with the 40% off return code I got. 8/10

Cabaret. This was the main reason i came, and it didn’t disappoint. Sure, this production has some choices that I wouldn’t make and as someone who’s seen it 17 times before it kinda took me out. But not for long since this is the best thing I’ve ever seen in a theatre. The preshow consisted of me and my little brother running and watching and exploring the theatre, and we were told by the staff that they loved us and we seemed way to happy and young to be at cabaret. They were right. But the actual show made my jaw drop, I’ve seen bootlegs of the first 5 west end casts but the show live was the best thing I’ve ever seen, the set, everyone in the show, Adam Lamber, Alya as sally, Bebe neuwirth, Stephen Skybell, I came out this show wanting to give up my stereophonic ticket to see this again. I was going to eat that 150$ and see cabaret again, but alas my mom said no. Love you mom. <3 17/10 will see again if it lasts.

November 14. The outsiders.

this was a show. One I wouldn’t see again. 5/10.

My last show was stereophonic, which was a show I didn’t get. I liked it, but I feel like I’d love it if I were older. I was told by someone here and a few people in a discord server that they’re surprised I actually sat through the show, and I can admit it was the longest 3 hours ever. But I wanna see this go on some kind of tour, or some kind of regional theatre spree. I wanna get this show, I wanna understand this show, I wanna love this show. But alas, this isn’t the time. 7/10. It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great.

On Friday November 15 I saw 10 minutes of swept away since my mom needed to run into their bathroom. 12/10 please don’t close swept away.

This trip I would consider a success, I’m saving again to go by myself after my senior year. This trip helped me realize this is what I wanna do with my life, I didn’t get lucky and get math brain but I wanna make cool stuff, to hell if anyone doesn’t like it, I want people to see what my brain can create. And I wanna entertain them, I wanna shock them, I wanna make people think, I don’t want my name in lights or tony awards. But, it would be cool to have my name in a playbill, and that’s all I’d be happy with :)

[inception]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 9:03am

Nice read. 

I was excited to see Outsiders since it was the big Tony winner, but I haven't thought about it again since.

Updated On: 12/20/24 at 09:03 AM

[willep]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 9:40am

What show did Hugh Jackman and Britney Spears close?

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 10:14am

"My last show was stereophonic, which was a show I didn’t get. I liked it, but I feel like I’d love it if I were older. I was told by someone here and a few people in a discord server that they’re surprised I actually sat through the show, and I can admit it was the longest 3 hours ever. But I wanna see this go on some kind of tour, or some kind of regional theatre spree. I wanna get this show, I wanna understand this show, I wanna love this show. But alas, this isn’t the time. 7/10. It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great."

You get this show if you are a music fan who enjoys seeing/hearing the process of making an album. If you liked or heard about the band "Fleetwood Mac" then you may appreciate it more. Play showcases the dynamics between the band members and how they balance their personal /professional relationships. It is subtle play IMO and there are no "wow" moments that will razzle/dazzle you. Length of the show did not bother me because I was fully engaged in the show. My personal opinion is you could see it again and never think it was great, show is not something that personally appeals to you. My bet is you went to see it because it won Tony award and not because of what the show was about. That being said, glad you stayed the whole time and at least thought it was good.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 11:36am

This was fun to read, and I'm glad you had such a great trip to NYC!

[THDavis]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 7:38pm

Sounds like a blast! And your enthusiasm for theatre is both exciting and refreshing. 

I, too, was left speechless by Outsiders in the wrong way. My husband and I were the only ones of our theatre-loving friend group that felt that way - although, the same friends also loved Bad Cinderella. 

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 12/20/24 at 9:34pm

I would have picked Water for Elephants, Once Upon a Mattress, Sunset, Death and maybe Back to the Future. The 1st 2 I mentioned were the best shows of the season and they closed, so you can never see these productions again.

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 7:39am

muscle23ftl said: "I would have picked Water for Elephants, Once Upon a Mattress, Sunset, Death and maybe Back to the Future. The 1st 2 I mentioned were the best shows of the season and they closed, so you can never see these productions again."

I’ve seen water for elephants during its world premiere in Atlanta and felt like it wasn’t anything I needed to see again. It was great, don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t for me. And I also specifically picked shows that were not going to tour (EX: Sunset, Cabaret R+J and Stereophonic) Because I knew once these were gone I would never see them. Water for elephants is touring soon, back to the future is on tour, death becomes her will probably tour soon and mattress is a possibility. I would’ve seen more if I could’ve, believe me we originally planned to stay longer. But I’m happy with what I saw and no one can take this experience away from me.

Updated On: 12/21/24 at 07:39 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 9:40am

Sounds like an awesome trip. 100% agreed on The Outsiders. I thought it was "fine", but honestly, I was a little bored.

[inception]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 10:11am

It sounds like it was a great first trip to New York.  You will be back. For now focus on school, and if you wish to pursue a career in theate or the arts be prepared to buckle down for some intense work.  I know the theatre schools here require a lot of commitment - probably more than would be required studying for something more lucrative financially.   

I still say study accounting and get your CGA.  I wish I'd done that instead of the career I'm in as it's less stress & more money. 

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 10:51am

inception said: "It sounds like it was a great first trip to New York. You will be back. For now focus on school, and if you wish to pursue a career in theate or the arts be prepared to buckle down forsome intense work. I know the theatre schools here require a lot of commitment - probably more than would be requiredstudying for something more lucrative financially.

I still say study accounting and get your CGA. I wish I'd done that instead of the career I'm in as it's less stress & more money."

Math isn’t my strong suit and never was so I’m not sure accounting would be good for me. I’ve always been pulled towards the entertainment industry for some reason. I’ve wanted to make a dark crystal sequel for the past 6 years, I’ve been writing a black parade musical for ghits and shiggles and I have more ideas I have drawings and plans for. No clue how but I wanna make it happen. Especially that dark crystal sequel :)

[Kad]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 11:05am

My first trip to NYC happened when I was 16, too! And my show-going schedule was similarly packed :) 

 

Hope you’re able to return to the city soon and see more of what it has to offer!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 2:05pm

That makes sense then! Glad you caught W4E then. I missed that you saw Adam Lambert in Cabaret. That was a good pick! But also didn't care for The Outsiders, so the only one you really missed out on was Mattress then, in my point of view.

[Huss417]

Posted: 12/21/24 at 3:40pm

I'm glad to hear you had a great time and were able to see the shows you wanted to. :)