Bringing a newbie to Broadway...any show suggestions??

[Etcy]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 1:11pm

Hey everyone!!

I'm heading to NYC Sept 18th - 21st, and bringing my Boyfriend who has never been to New York and has never seen a musical. Now he really wants to learn more abuot them and I would love to take him to a show, but I didn't know which one to take him too.

Preferably something comedic, that would be enjoyable to someone not too familiar with theatre.

Any suggestions??

*Charissa*

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 1:13pm

Spamalot seems like a show that might be funny and interesting for your boyfriend.

He may or may not like Avenue Q.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 1:14pm

Well if he's familiar with and likes the the source material, shows based on films, like Spamalot or Young Frankenstein, might be good. I found The 39 Steps and Boeing-Boeing to be quite funny and totally accessible.

[Etcy]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 1:15pm

I did think of Spamalot, that's on teh top of my list...Avenue Q would normally be good for newbies, but I've personally seen so many times lol

[FuturePenny2]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 1:29pm

I guess something light and fluffy haha Spamalot would be good.. and Avenue Q, Hairspray, Xanadu, Young Frankenstein something like that :)

[philly03]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:28pm

I would reccomend Legally Blonde, Spamalot or Phantom of the Opera!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:35pm

Don't take your boyfriend to bullcrap like Phantom or Legally Blonde.

Why not try a beautiful production of a classic like Gypsy or South Pacific that are mentally engaging as well as immensely entertaining.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:39pm

Avenue Q, definitely. I took ten of my friends to the tour in Cleveland and every one of them loved it.

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:41pm

In the Heights?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:46pm

"Don't take your boyfriend to bullcrap like Phantom or Legally Blonde..."

I wouldn't call them bullcrap in my opinion...I would actually recomment Phantom for the couple, but the OP wanted something comedic. And Legally Blonde seems more like a girls' night out.

[Etcy]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:48pm

THe problem with beautiful productions like South Pacific or Gypsy, is that people who aren't very familiar with theatre, for the most part, won't appreciate the history behind it.

I think something like Spamalot, Spring Awakening (maybe?), or Young Frankenstein may do well for him. Thank you all so much for your input! It really helped!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:51pm

ITH is an accessible show. I liked the show okay, but I can see why people eat it up.

I'd go with Avenue Q (if you don't mind seeing it again), or Boeing Boeing.

I wouldn't go with SA. I took my brother to SA back in January, and he refuses to see anything with me now. Updated On: 8/11/08 at 02:51 PM

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:51pm

Young Frankenstein or Xanadu

[Elphabatize]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:57pm

I'm in NYC with my brother, who's coming for the first time, and I'm in the same predicament. He's never been to NYC and doesn't really like musicals whereas I've been 4 times this summer alone and am obsessed with musicals. So, I've decided I'm going to try to take him to see:

Xanadu
Avenue Q
Altar Boyz (off-Broadway)
Young Frankenstein

[MyLife]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:20pm

"THe problem with beautiful productions like South Pacific or Gypsy, is that people who aren't very familiar with theatre, for the most part, won't appreciate the history behind it."

When these shows first came out audience members didn't appreciate the history behind the shows. He can enjoy the show for entertainment purposes. They both still have great music, fun sogns, wonderful acting, and they are full Broadway productions. Though I wouldn't recommend Gypsy simply because it may be too long.

What does your Boyfriend like? That should factor in. I don't think simply because it's his first show should decide which show you guys see.

On that note, if "he likes everything" or "doesn't care," I'd recommend Wicked, Hairspray, Spamalot... These are all Broadway productions with costumes, dancing, singing, everything, adn can give him a true Broadway experience. Hopefully seeing one of these will make him want to come back for more (especially if you are together for a long time. You won't want to drag him, he'll willingly go )

[once a month]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:32pm

HAIRSPRAY, especially because of the way the finale builds to climax, and it's easy to get tickets for.

[Broadway Baby 2]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:20pm

Gypsy... Teach them from the get go what Broadway is all about. There is no better show.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:07pm

When my sister-in-law took my older brother to his first Broadway show (and I think it may have even been his first musical, or at least first in many, many years) she picked Chicago, and he said he really enjoyed it. She must have convinced him that musicals were ok after all, because their next show a few months later was Light in the Piazza, which he also enjoyed. She's since been able to get him to the tours of Wicked and Jersey Boys and a few others back in Cleveland.

[Boq101]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:14pm

He'll hate you if you pick Phantom. It's not only theatrical, it's OLD. Nothing like repetitive Webber nonsense to put a newbie to sleep.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:14pm

Though I wouldn't recommend Gypsy simply because it may be too long.

isn't South Pacific just as long, if not longer?

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:23pm

Avenue Q, Spamalot or Young Frankenstein.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:37pm

Jersey boys if you can afford (or get) a ticket. Very exciting. very much a non-musical person's musical.
Also, In the Heights. If he is young and into hip-hop, the opening number will probably grab his interest right away. 10 years ago I would have said the same thing about RENT, but it hasn't been in too great of shape the last few times I've seen it, so that one is at your own risk.
Phantom is the most iconic thing running right now, so depending on his sensibilities it might suit your needs, however, it might be something worth seeing after you gauge his response to lighter fare.
Chicago is a great choice. Fast pace plus women in skimpy outfits for the duration of the show should keep his attention.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 12:54am

I wouldn't call them bullcrap in my opinion...I would actually recomment Phantom for the couple, but the OP wanted something comedic.

I could never, in good conscience reccommend this show to another human being.

Gypsy may be too long? Well, I was fully-engaged in Gypsy for the entire exhilerating evening, while Phantom is, to this day, the only show to ever actually put me to sleep. Who cares if he appreciates the history behind the shows or not? In my humble opinion, Gypsy and South Pacific are the two most entertaining evenings of theater to be had right now on the island of Manhattan!

[Dad'sOldRecords]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 1:43am

I have to add to the "In the Heights" suggestions... I've brought people from all walks of life to that show and all of them have left the theater loving it. It's high energy with a lot of heart behind it. It's also something that gives a kind of slice of New York in the subject matter, which is a nice bonus for someone visiting for the first time. The great thing too is that it's still relatively new, so with the original cast (especially Lin Manuel Miranda) it's still very fresh.

However, if you did want to try a non-musical, 39 Steps is a personal favorite that is absolutely infectious and hilarious. I couldn't stop smiling after seeing it, and it delivers in all areas from acting to lighting to the use of props. It's a great example of using the limitations of the stage to it's full comedic and entertainment potential.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 8:31am

Musical: In the Heights
Non Musical: Boeing Boeing