I will be visiting NYC in two weeks and have enough time (and money) for one more show. I've narrowed it down to A Tale of Two Cities or Gypsy. Which one should I go for and why?
I read A Tale of Two Cities twenty years ago and although I don't remember any details, I loved the book. I also like the fact that if I do see it now while it's in previews, it's cheaper with a discount code than when it officially opens. As far as Gypsy, I have never seen Patti Lupone in anything but love her voice. I don't know much about the story but like the fact that it is a "classic".
Patti is giving the performance of her career (some would argue Eva takes that spot), as is Laura Benanti IMO, and Boyd is fantastic as always (not to mention all three of them won Tonys).
Not to be missed.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
As much as I am not a big fan of this production nor am I a big Patti fan. I think that people should see this production. I went into the theatre wanting to see the show knowing that it was a classic musical that I should see because I love musicals. I thought that I would have to put up with Patti for a couple of hours. Yet, I was very happy and she blew me away. I loved Laura's performance as well as Boyd's. They all deserved the Tonys they got.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
Not even a question sweetie. GYPSY! You will realy regret it if you let this production pass you by. It is going to go down in theatrical history as one of the greatest.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
if the buzz on the show is any indicator, there will be PUH-lenty of discount tickets even after TOTC opens, so don't let $ be your guide. I hear the sets, costumes, lighting, etc are glorious, however.
Gypsy, on the other hand, feels a little cheap. If not for the caliber of the actors and the full piece orchestra, I would have thought it was community theatre. That said, the story is a great one and the music is iconic. The children's vaudeville routine in the beginning was horrible, but the mature burlesque dancers were my favorite part. They were great! At times, I felt like Patti and Laura were "acting"...that is, marking a moment and artificially building up to a desired--and probably directed--emotional result as opposed to being organic and really feeling it...but those are just squibbles. By and large, if you keep your expectations low, you'll have a good time at Gypsy. I can't promise the same thing at TOTC.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
I don't know that I remember a show sending this many shills out ever before.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
As much as I love A Tale of Two Cities, the answer to this question is obviously Gypsy. One of the best musicals ever written, in my opinion. Patti's performance is not to be missed.
Thanks so much for your opinions and suggestions everyone. Gypsy it is. I just ordered a ticket with a 40% discount code and got Orchestra J, Seat 1. Hopefully this is a good seat. Thanks again everyone, really appreciate it!