Coming to New York in 2 weeks - What shows do you suggest?

[mikelg80]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 9:15am

Hello all,

I'm coming to New York for the first time on 26th December - 3rd January, and I have a couple of questions.

Firstly - what shows do people reccomend at the moment? I have seen most of the shows in the West End, so dont want to see Lion King, Mary Poppins, Wicked, Billy Elliott etc

Also we havent booked tickets yet, are tickets available to buy when we get there, even the week after christmas?

Many thanks for any advice

Michael

[bjh2114]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 9:35am

Musicals: South Pacific and Finian's Rainbow

Plays: In the Next Room and Superior Donuts

[mikelg80]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 9:38am

I've been looking at Finian's Rainbow, I dont know much about it so thought that might be an interesting one.

[auggie]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 9:48am

Depends what you are looking for. If you want to see some great professional acting talent at the top of their game then I would go see Next to Normal. If you want a fun enthusiastic evening of theater I would see Hair.

[Dantes]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 9:50am

Next To Normal
Toxic Avenger

Hair is coming to the UK with most of the cast so you might wanna wait for that one to hit the West End

[mikelg80]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 10:24am

Thanks, I think I will wait for Hair seeing as it is coming over to the UK.

Will I be ok booking tickets for shows when I arrive in NYC or should I pre-book them? I know in the Uk that you can normally get a ticket for any show on the day of the performance, not sure if it's the same on Broadway though.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 10:49am

Dec 26-Jan 2 is one of the busiest theatre weeks of the NY year. Some shows may be sold out already. South Pacific comes to mind because it is a small theatre and a popular show.

You are so smart to want to see shows that are either already in the West End or will be soon.

Ragtime is very American in subject matter. The production is good and will probably be available.

Finian's Rainbow has a silly yet satiric book but the score is a gold mine and the show is very well done.

A Little Night Music hasn't opened for the press yet, but it is one of my favorites. Plus it has Angela Lansbury.

Next to Normal has its partisans. It cut a little close to the bone with me, but it was personal--I have a family member who is mentally ill. Many, many theatregoers praise it to the skies.

Memphis is lively and well acted and sung, but is almost done in by a weak script.

Fela is good and very loud. It helps if you like the Afro-beat sound. There is a lot of African dancing.

Present Laughter is a new production of the Noel Coward play. Who knows since performances don't start until Jan 2.

Superior Donuts is a sweet play that is well-acted but not imperative.

In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play is a comedy/romance that certainly has its moments and is well done.

Race just opened to mixed notices for the play and very good ones for the actors.

Bye, Bye Birdie which I have yet to see, did something unexpected. This here-to-fore actor-proof, audience-proof musical got as lethal a set of reviews as I have seen in many a season. The reviews were so downright hostile that I knew I had to see it. One reviewer even singled out the casting directors by name for special shame-on-you mention! I go tomorrow and I kind of can't wait.

There are also shows playing in smaller off-Broadway theatres too.

[memorexbud]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 11:24am

See Ragtime every single day that you're here. And pay full price. The show deserves it.

[B-maniac]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:19pm

I really want to see "Ragtime"!!!
I hope that it will be still open on 14 Feb.

My travel to NY will be cancelled if "Ragtime" closes.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:34pm

Ragtime, Finian's Rainbow, Next to Normal, and The 39 Steps on Broadway are all great shows. Off-Broadway, I'd recommend The Fantasticks and The Marvelous Wonderettes. Since you're coming during a busy time, I'd recommend getting tickets ahead of time...broadwaybox.com has nice discounts and I believe all of those shows have less expensive tickets in the back of the house that are perfectly fine.

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:43pm

Go have some fun at Rock of Ages one night!!

[Dagobert]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 1:15pm

Ragtime.
The production may never make it across the pond.
It is also great.
Very moving, theatrical and entertaining.

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 2:02pm

I'll be there Dec. 16-21. Line up - Radio City Music Hall spectacular, 39 Steps, Superior Donuts, Hair (3rd time, this time front row center), Memphis, A Little Night Music, Finian's Rainbow, Fela!, and a player to be named later. Sunday night we'll see what's available and what appeals. Probably Rock of Ages - my husband loved it the first time. So excited, and I hope to get back in April for Million Dollar Quartet.

[minicko88]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 2:22pm

Ragtime is by far the best musical on Broadway right now... The story, score, and cast are unbelieveable. This show deserves to be on broadway, and it would most likely be your favorite. This is a must see!

Other possibilities...

Next to Normal is powerful and moving... Alice Ripley is great! If not ragtime, this would be a good substitute...

If tickets are still available, Shrek is a fun, exciting musical. Ben Crawford is great as Shrek... And the song Who I'd Be is simply worth seeing the show.

Lastly, Memphis is an exciting new musical that I rather enjoyed... IF all else fails, go see this!

Don't go see Finian's Rainbow, White Christmas, or Rock of Ages... These shows were not as good as the others...

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 2:26pm

Ragtime!!!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 2:47pm

Here is a list of shows you must see while in New York;

Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Next to Normal
Ragtime

Oh, did I remember to mention Next to Normal?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 3:49pm

You'll be lucky enough to see Hair in a few months over there.

Here's my choices:

1. Ragtime
2. Next 2 Normal
3. Ragtime
4. Memphis
5. Ragtime
6. White Christmas
7. Ragtime
8. God of Carnage
9. Ragtime

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 4:09pm

My choices:
1. 39 Steps- very funny show and will lighten up your day.
2. Shrek- fun, and exciting show. The cast is still amazing
3. Rock of Ages- fun score and book. Very entertaining.
4. Next to Normal- Very touching and moving show. It's AMAZING
5. In the Heights- Very good show, with a powerful second act

[jpbran]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 4:31pm

Next to Normal. Most definitely.

[Hrududu]

Posted: 12/10/09 at 7:01am

Ragtime and Next to Normal are a must see in my opinion. A Little Night Music is also really enjoyable. But you simply have to go see the first two.

[Dantes]

Posted: 12/10/09 at 7:30am

A Little Night Music and the 39 Steps productions started in the UK so the poster has prob seen them already

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 12/10/09 at 7:52am

Next To Normal
In The Heights
Ragtime

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/10/09 at 8:36am

Ragtime, Next to Normal, Memphis