Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
I'm headed to NYC the weekend of February 9, and I've got a handful of shows I'm considering. Looking to get input from the board on my current list. I'm planning on seeing three shows over the weekend, and I've got a trip planned in March as well - most of this list can't wait until then since the shows I'd like to see in March will make it simply impossible for me to catch everything I'd like to. Here's what I'm looking at, listed in the order I've currently got them prioritized:
1. SpongeBob - looking at grosses and the discussion in that thread, not sure I want to put this one off
2. The Band's Visit
3. Jerry Springer the Opera - Really enjoyed Terrence Mann in Pippin
4. Latin History for Morons
5. Once on this Island
6. Farinelli and the King - Know very little about it, but Mark Rylance!
Since I mentioned March, the candidates for that trip include Carousel, Angels in America, Lobby Hero, and Good for Otto. I may only have room for 1-3 shows on that trip. I may be back again in April to see the Brewers play the Mets, but I'd shoehorn in a show or two then as well.
As always your insights are appreciated!
You cannot miss The Band's Visit and Once on This Island. Those would be my #1 and #2. SpongeBob is a very close third. It's a really good show, but the first two are just phenomenal.
The biggest shows for your following trip will probably be My Fair Lady, Carousel, and Angels in America.
SpongeBob is really the only one I can personally recommend on your list (I did not see Jerry Springer, though)... Latin History for Morons and Farinelli and the King were two of my least favorite things this season. Latin History was poorly executed, offensive, and just awful. Farinelli and the King was terribly written, anachronistic, and meandering. While I personally did not care for The Band's Visit and Once On This Island, I would recommend either of those over the two plays I just mentioned.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/15
Farinelli is not very good as a play, but if you sit in the lower box or front row you get to interact with the cast (especially Rylance) which is kind of cool. I would make sure to see Spongebob because I assume there’s a hard stop with the upcoming renovations at the theater. The Band’s Visit is going to be around for awhile, but this cast is special.
The Band's Visit is amazing and echoing what others have said a must see at some point. If you have the time I would highly suggest it. Great music, interesting plot, and a great cast.
Can't speak for the other ones expect Latin History for Mormons. The best way I can describe it is it's basically John Leguizamo seemingly going off a few pages of notes for two hours. I know it's scripted and all but that's what it feels like. It's aimed at Latinx people and has a good amount of jokes you have to speak Spanish to understand. It's fine overall but it tried to be educational, about family, and funny and it kinda did meh at all of them. Not bad if you're looking for a cheaper show but I wouldn't suggest it if you're offended by racial humor and things along those lines. Or if money is not a consideration.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/28/17
Definitely see The Band's Visit - it's unbelievably beautiful. SpongeBob is also tons of fun and could use the help right now! I just saw it a third time. Try to see both of those if you're doing two.
The only other ones I can speak to are Farinelli and Latin History (kinda). I really disliked Farinelli - didn't even enjoy Mark Rylance's performance, so I'd say skip it. I saw Latin History pre-Broadway (for free) and enjoyed it, but I certainly wouldn't jump to see it. I don't know what's changed between now and then, but you wouldn't be missing anything.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/15/17
The Band’s Visit is not to be missed. Especially while this cast is in place...Katrina Lenk alone is worth the price of admission, but the show itself was truly wonderful. Would also recommend Once on This Island.
For March I’m partial to Angels in America and My Fair Lady, as I’m traveling in March to see those, lol. Can’t go wrong with Carousel though!
If you're seeing three I'd go with Once On This Island, Band's Visit, and SpongeBob. (In that order, if it matters.) A play would be nice for diversity of experience, but these three shows couldn't be more different, and you have plays to look forward to in March.
My husband and I recently saw both Once on this Island and Spongebob SquarePants.
We enjoyed Once on this Island more than we were expecting to. The staging was unique and immersive and the cast was quite good (the actors playing Mama Euralie and Tonton Julian were particular standouts). We went in without much advance knowledge of the story and were pleased to discover that the show does not end with a trite, fairy tale wrap-up (i.e., despite the "we're telling this story to a child" structure, this is not an Anastasia-like cartoon show).
The good people don't win, the bad people don't lose, and the girl does NOT get the boy in the end.
We saw Spongebob SquarePants with friends who had already seen it and encouraged us to do so. Unfortunately, I can't say that we share their enthusiasm for this show. The principal cast is very strong with some great vocal performances (the girl who plays Pearl being a standout) and nice choreography, but in the end we thought it was essentially a theme park show with eight times the budget and eight times the running time. Virtually nothing happens, plot-wise, in the entire first act; that hour is simply a series of "I'm so-and-so and this is my take on life" numbers for each of the main characters. There is mention of a looming disaster for Bikini Bottom, but nothing is actually done about it until the second act. Even with the BroadwayBox discount code ($99), we didn't feel it was worth it. Also, we went on a Friday night and the place looked like a day care facility; I've never seen so many kids in a Broadway theatre in my life.
Swing Joined: 1/30/18
I will be in town next week and have Saturday free and was thinking of trying for rush tickets for Come From Away or The Band's Visit. Reviews for both have always been glowing but for someone from KY and one chance to see the show which would be recommended?
Seeing DEH on wednesday matinee and Waitress friday night.
delanemb said: "I will be in town next week and have Saturday free and was thinking of trying for rush tickets for Come From Away or The Band's Visit. Reviews for both have always been glowing but for someone from KY and one chance to see the show which would be recommended?
Seeing DEH on wednesday matinee and Waitress friday night."
I haven't seen The Band's Visit yet, but do have tickets to see it in June.
I've seen Come From Away twice and would happily go again. I like it better than Dear Evan Hansen and feel that it should have won Best Book and Best Musical at the Tonys.
I really recommend Spongebob and The Band's Visit, and Farinelli is the best new Broadway play of the season IMO. Plus you should never miss Rylance. I didn't love OOTI like everyone else but it's worth seeing.
I haven't seen Jerry Springer yet!
delanemb said: "I will be in town next week and have Saturday free and was thinking of trying for rush tickets for Come From Away or The Band's Visit. Reviews for both have always been glowing but for someone from KY and one chance to see the show which would be recommended?
Seeing DEH on wednesday matinee and Waitress friday night."
If you want to see another crowd-pleaser along the lines of DEH and WAITRESS, I would recommend COME FROM AWAY, without question. I also liked THE BAND'S VISIT, but I enjoyed CFA much more.
Wait - you can TOTALLY go wrong with THIS cast of Carousel.
Swing Joined: 12/16/17
I can't speak for the plays but --
1) Once on This Island is beautiful. I've seen it twice, and I'm looking to go back soon. The whole production is incredible. The immersive elements are stunning, and the cast does such an incredible job bringing this show to life.
2) I actually wasn't a huge fan of Spongebob or TBV but I would probably pick TBV over Spongebob. TBV is subtle, and relies a lot on the silences, which I thought there was too much of. I loved the music of the TBV though, and the cast is great. As for Spongebob, it was fun for a bit, and I liked some of the music, but none of it felt very cohesive -- I felt like there was really no strong plot. Wesley Taylor as Plankton was great though.
(OH -- and CFA is AMAZING. One of my favorite shows currently open!)
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
SpongeBob is on my list more or less because of Wesley Taylor. Especially if I end up going with The Band's Visit and Once on This Island, SpongeBob might be a good palate cleanser, and honestly I don't need to have a deep, meaningful experience every time I go to the theater. A little mindless entertainment never hurt! Latin History seems to be out based on the tenor of the limited feedback thus far and seemingly little buzz it's generating. The mixed reaction to Farinelli doesn't have me terribly eager to see it, despite Rylance.
All of that makes me feel like it's really down to 2 options for the last spot: OOTI or Jerry Springer. I was leaning towards TBV in the top two because of the nearly unanimous positive feedback I've read here and elsewhere, I like Tony Shalhoub, and really enjoyed Katrina Lenk's performance when I watched Indecent on PBS. I may attempt the JS lottery and if I don't win that one (or BRUCE!) give OOTI a shot via either the lottery, if the timing works out, or TKTS if that's an option.
And I'll echo the recommendation of Come From Away. Saw it on a whim while on vacation in DC and then again on Broadway. Wonderful show!
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
Quick update - my trip has begun. I was going to go with Jerry Springer if I won the lottery or The Band’s Visit with a cheap ticket via stubhub for tonight’s slot, but I hedged and entered the SpongeBob lottery and because I’m a glutton for punishment I guess, The Parisian Woman. As it happens, I won all three!
I am going with SpongeBob as the lottery thread has me optimistic about the potential seat location and it was a must see for me (Thanks, Wesley Taylor). TBV is still fairly affordable for the remainder of the weekend so it’ll continue as #2, while Springer will probably sneak in there if I win the lottery again. OOTI seems plausible for Sunday with that dynamic pricing they’re using.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
See The Band's Visit!! You won't regret it - and it's lovely.
yesraccoons said:
“Can't speak for the other ones expect Latin History for Mormons."
Well this is my favorite typo of the day!
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
Headed back to Boston but thought I’d close the book on this trip.
Saturday night I did The Band’s Visit after losing the Springer lottery and not answering when TodayTix called to offer me a ticket anyway (at least that’s what I’m assuming it was based on feedback in the JS thread- also this all turned out quite well given the cancelled performance - hopefully everyone is OK of course). Grabbed a ticket on StubHub, orchestra row A seat 1. Wonderful spot! Enjoyed the show a lot, particularly Katrina Lenk.
Today, I was limited to 90 minute shows (JS would’ve started at 2 so I still would’ve considered it) so I tried the OOTI lottery with every intention of going to tkts barring any loser discounts. As it happens I was the third name drawn - lotto was 28 tickets for the matinee, all SRO. What a great decision! Loved the immersive experience and in spot #1 I had a fair amount of traffic going by me throughout the show. Performances were wonderful, didn’t necessarily love the story but loved the experience, if that makes any sense at all. Actually got goosebumps during the last number.
All in all, a really good trip seeing three shows on my list for rather affordable prices. Paring the list for my March trip will be quite difficult!
Skip23 said: "Wait - you can TOTALLY go wrong with THIS cast of Carousel.
"
I’ll bite. Why?
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