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

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

Ragtime!!!

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

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Next to Normal. Most definitely.

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

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Ragtime, Next to Normal, Memphis