A question for Broadway lovers...

[linklarkinlovesme]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 6:17pm

Hey everyone- I live in Florida, but will be coming to New York to see some shows the weekend of June 25th. I was just wondering what some of your opinions were on some of the shows playing right now. Which ones should I avoid? Which ones should I run to see? Which do you recommend for student rush and/or standing room?

Also- silly question but.. does anyone know if Bare: A Pop Opera is playing anywhere in NYC? Thanks!

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:37pm

The Norman Conquests is the best thing playing on Broadway right now, and if you are in the city on June 25th they will be performing ALL three shows of the trilogy on both Saturday and Sunday, and is the only show you should without a doubt RUN to. It has a student rush policy... I think $27/show. If you only want to see one (even though I would recommend catching the entire trilogy) choose Table Manners.

You can walk quickly to Billy Elliot and Hair, as they are the best musicals from this season (well, the best ones that are still open). Billy doesn't have rush on the weekends, and Hair has a fairly difficult lotto; and after the Tonys I can't imagine things getting any easier at those two.

Avoid the revivals of West Side Story and Guys and Dolls, they are, in my opinion, tired and very difficult to watch. If you must, WSS has a lottery that is usually crowded, and Guys and Dolls has a pretty easy rush (at least, it did a few months ago).

Avenue Q is also still open, which, for me, is always a great time (and I have seen it many times)! That has a lotto that is one of the hardest to master because they give away so few seats.

God of Carnage also shouldn't be missed; book your tickets soon, it will be a hot ticket after the Tony Awards. They have standing room, and it is a 90 minute play that absolutely flies by.

If Norman, Hair, Billy, Q and Carnage are unavailable, you can try things like Next to Normal (which has a pretty difficult general rush in the mornings; and in my opinion, not worth waking up for), Rock of Ages (which has a pretty easy lotto that draws 1.5 hours before the show), or 9 to 5 (which just switched to a lottery).

And I don't think Bare is playing anywhere in New York... but I am not completely sure.

Enjoy your trip!

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:41pm

I highly recommend 'next to normal'... I feel it's the best new musical of the season and Ben Brantley from the NY Times agrees with me. Also, 'Billy Elliot' is a great show and extremely heart warming...

Although I can't say enough good things about 'next to normal', really, go see it....




Also, if you want something light and fun... '9 to 5'.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:50pm

Is there anything you have seen already?

I think everyone who loves Broadway should see Phantom of the Opera live on stage at least once.

9 to 5 is a fun show. Is it groundbreaking theatre? No, but it's an enjoyable show. Then there's South Pacific which isn't to be missed. I recommend West Side Story only because it's West Side Story. Yes, this revival is flawed but this could be the only chance to see it on Broadway. Who knows when it'll be revived again.

As I've said before Marvelous Wonderettes is my, current, favorite show.

Updated On: 5/21/09 at 10:50 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 2:12am

Must sees: Hair, Next to Normal, Billy Elliot, Norman Conquests, God of Carnage.


Have fun!

[sgv123]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 2:18am

I have been recommending Billy Elliot, In the Heights, Hair, and Next to Normal.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 1:02pm

In order, shows to NOT LEAVE NEW YORK WITHOUT SEEING:

BILLY ELLIOT
HAIR
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

In order, shows to DEFINITELY CHECK OUT:

NEXT TO NORMAL
GOD OF CARNAGE
AVENUE Q
IN THE HEIGHTS
WICKED
THE LION KING

In order, shows to SEE IF YOU HAVE TIME:

MARY POPPINS
9 TO 5
SHREK

In order, shows I would recommend based on word of mouth but have not yet seen:

NORMAN CONQUESTS TRILOGY
BLITHE SPIRIT
MARY STUART
JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE
reasons to be pretty
SOUTH PACIFIC
DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS
ROCK OF AGES
33 VARIATIONS
IRENA'S VOW
THE LITTLE MERMAID
THE PHILANTHROPIST
ACCENT ON YOUTH

In order, shows that may be HIT OR MISS DEPENDING ON YOUR TASTE:

EXIT THE KING
WAITING FOR GODOT
WEST SIDE STORY
JERSEY BOYS
THE 39 STEPS

In order, shows I would say to STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM:

MAMMA MIA!
CHICAGO
GUYS & DOLLS
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

In order, shows OFF-BROADWAY I HEAR ARE WORTH SEEING:

THE TOXIC AVENGER
ALTAR BOYZ