American In Paris or Something Rotten

I will be in NYC Labor Day weekend and have several things planned besides Broadway shows (US Open, Yankee Game). My family and I already have tickets for "Hamiliton" but now I have to make a choice between the two shows the family wants to see. The rest of my family will see both but due to other events I will only get one other show. I am trying to decide between "American In Paris" and "Something Rotten" I know I will love the dancing in "American In Paris" and you can't go wrong with Gerswhin. On the other hand, "Something Rotten" looks incredibly funny and I really like the cast. Looking for some opinions.

Updated On: 6/21/15 at 11:08 AM

All my support goes to Something Rotten which is a frothy delight. I love the movie An American in Paris so much and think the show is a really pale imitation. I know many don't agree! I just found it well-danced but totally lifeless otherwise.

Rotten all the way. I guess since it was nominated for 10 Tonys it should be considered high class garbage

AAIP is a chic chic show. Cannot hold a candle to the movie.

Rotten is the more family friendly one. AARP has great dancing . Think a family would like Rotten much more

Updated On: 6/21/15 at 11:38 AM

It just depends on what you like. American in Paris is more along the lines of a classic show, with beautiful dancing and whatnot. Something Rotten! appeals to a certian sense of humor and it may or may not be for you.

if you want to laugh your ass off, and see a newly crowned tony winner Christian Borle, along with some of the best comedic actors broadway has to offer, see Something Rotten.

if you want to take a nap, see Paris.

AAIP will tour well

See Rotten with its original cast.

I think it's also important to know what kind of humor you're getting into with Something Rotten. Most of the jokes in Something Rotten are one of these three things:

1. In-your-face Shakespeare puns/references

2. In-your-face Musical Theatre references

3. In-your-face sex jokes/puns

There are some miscellaneous, clever jokes as well, but I'd say 85% of the humor in Something Rotten is one of the above three things. If that sounds fun to you, then go for it. I personally found the humor extremely lazy and tiresome (in the way that it was WRITTEN, not in the way it was performed), but most of the audience was laughing their asses off.

It seems to me that the people who dislike AAIP are bored by heavy-dancing and/or Gershwin music. You've already said that you will enjoy those things, so I doubt you will be bored by AAIP.

Updated On: 6/21/15 at 01:53 PM

An American IN Paris was great, but I'd go with Something Rotten! The funniest I've seen in a while (including Spamalot and Book of Mormon).

"On a par with Spamalot."

Well, I really enjoyed "Spamalot" and Sara Ramirez as "Lady Of The Lake" was incredibly funny.

Updated On: 6/21/15 at 05:11 PM

"I liked them both - American in Paris better than Something Rotten. But choices are pretty subjective as you can tell from this thread - and all the posts on any show. I think, based on your history of posts, you would like both. I know your family is interested in dance so that might give the nod to American in Paris"

Both my daughters majored in dance in college, younger one is dancing professionally. Due to that, I have always enjoyed dance of all types. I haved loved shows like "Moving Out" and "Billy Elliot" due to the dancing and liked the movie "American In Paris". "Something Rotten" seems like it would be very entertaining and good for a bunch of laughs. My general feeling is I can't go wrong with either so when the time comes I will with just go with my gut decision.

As has been mentioned they are such disparate experiences.

Rotten is cute. The entire cast really looks like they're have a blast and their energy is infectious.

AAIP is a gorgeous show. It's elegant and, of course the dancing is front and center.

I loved them both, but in a few years I'll probably have forgotten most of Something Rotten whereas AAIP will stay with me.

Completely agree Taz.

Something Rotten was entertaining fluff. I loved the cast and agree with your description.

But AAIP was entrancing. I was caught up with it the entire show. I did not think the actors were bland. I thought the cast was wonderful. And the dancing was great. Don't tell PalJoey, but I liked more than On The Town.

Agree with your analysis - liked AAIP better.

Yankee7 - I agree with your analysis. Go with your gut. You've seen enough shows that you'll know what you want to see. And in my opinion, you will enjoy either.

Well I would argue that Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen are worth the price of admission to American in Paris alone, and that you wouldn't want to miss their performances. Honestly, while Borle is good in Something Rotten (as is d'Aarcy James), they both have done better work in other shows, and they will continue to do good work in future shows.