Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:14pm
Hi, I am new to this Board, and I am travelling alone to New York for the first time ever (from the UK!) in the New Year!
Firstly, I have time for 2 weeks worth of shows (I am coming pretty much for Broadway but also maybe a little sightseeing!) any suggestions of the best shows to see?
Also, any general advice about New York (how much money to bring etc...) would be great! :)
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:18pm
Hi DanielDavid, I'm so excited for you!
Do you have an idea of the timeframe you'll be here? I think you'll get a greater response from people on the boards for show recommendations if we know when you'll be in the city (some shows will be closed by certain dates, others will have yet to open, etc.).
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:37pm
Ah yes, of course I forgot to mention that haha! I'll be in New York in February I believe :) around by 22nd birthday 
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:43pm
Well, first of all, welcome to this board. I can only recommend a show that I have seen myself. "Chicago" is sexy and brassy. Also, "An American In Paris" is fantastique. It will make you feel like you're really in Paris.
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:49pm
Welcome and I hope you have a blast. How much you are willing to spend and have you seen anything that is currently on Broadway in the UK would help in responding.. Without knowing that, I would recommend seeing "Matilda", "Hamilton", "Kinky Boots", "Spring Awakening" and "Wicked". If you are coming in several months, then you may have a shot at "Hamilton" (mezzanine seats are the most affordable). The other shows should be easier to get tickets IMO.
As for sightseeing, so much to do but depends on your particular taste. You can't go wrong with many of the musuems (exp. Musuem of Modern Art) in NYC. I would recommend seeing the 9/11 memorial, very well done and moving. Walk in Central Park is a must if it is a nice day, stop by "Strawberry Fields" and see the John Lennon tribute. One of my favorite tours in NYC was the Radio City Music Hall tour, it is really cool. I also think it is neat to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, great view of downtown NYC and a great photo opportunity. If you are into Broadway and want to take a night off from a show, check out the schedule for club called "54 Below" which has some great concerts by Broadway performers.
As for eating, I would advise to eat your big meal of the day at lunch. Prices are cheaper in restaurants for lunch and then at dinner time you can do the cheaper things like pizza, hot dogs, deli sandwiches etc. For restaurant recommendations, this board would need to know foods you enjoy. You can find anything in NYC - lol. For convienance to Broadway shows, hotels in the Times Square area would be the best for you to see shows and get to subway stations to sightsee. They will cost you more money so if that is an issue, check out other areas of the city. There are websites like priceline.com and hotel. com that can help you with better prices. Regarding cash, that is a tough thing to advise you on. Obviously, you can use credit/debit card for anything but not sure if you get charged foreign transaction fees every time you use your card. In my opinion, I would bring at least $500-$1000 for a two week stay in NYC.
Hope this helps, others have more Broadway expertise than me so I hope you get a bunch of replies to help you for your trip to NYC.
Updated On: 9/13/15 at 01:49 PM
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:51pm
Will also be helpful to know what kinds of shows you most like/dislike as well as what you've seen in the UK.
As to cost, Manhattan IS an expensive city, so I'd just suggest you decide how much you can afford to spend and budget well. (We can likely help you later with suggestions for cheaper eats and the like.
The best news is that Feb is a slower time on Bway (the weather is often yucky) so MANY shows will have discounts for you to take advantage of.
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:53pm
If you want to see a Broadway staple, check out Wicked, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, or Chicago.
If you want to see something relatively new and excellent, see An American in Paris, Fun Home, The King and I, or Something Rotten.
If you want to indulge yourself in Broadway brilliance, go to Hamilton (but get your ticket now!).
Can't yet speak for things from the 2015-2016 season, but be on the lookout for reviews for imminently opening fall shows!
Updated On: 9/13/15 at 01:53 PM
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:55pm
Oh yeah, sorry I am leaving so much information out hahaha! I have quite eclectic tastes in Theatre... below are the shows (and amounts of times) I have seen them! All are West End :)
MUSICALS...
Wicked (12), The Wizard of Oz (2), Ghost (1), Shrek (2), Stephen Ward (1), Viva Forever! (2), The Bodyguard (7), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (3), Thriller! Live (1), Mamma Mia! (1), Les Misérables (1), The Lion King (1), Matilda (2), Dirty Dancing (1), I Can't Sing! (1), Cool Rider (2), Billy Elliot (1), Forbidden Broadway (1), Made in Dagenham (4), Cats (2), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1), The Phantom of the Opera (1) and Gypsy (2).
PLAYS...
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (1), Fatal Attraction (1), Let the Right One In (1) and My Night with Reg (1).
Posted: 9/13/15 at 1:56pm
February is a little far to predict which of the fall shows will survive and other longer running shows end their runs around New Years Day.
But, Hamilton is apparently the show to see and may be the most difficult to get tickets. So, book that now. School of Rock may be Andrew Lloyd Webber's first hit since....Phantom. You'll want to check out the cabaret scene (54 Below, Joe's Pub) as well as the off-broadway and off-off broadway scene.
You didn't say where you were coming from in the UK. But, as with London, NYC can be expensive so bring more money than you plan. Also, know that US ATM's charge for transactions when using a bank card that is not theirs - which is a lot different than in the UK. So, you might want to look into getting a US account linked to your UK account (Citibank and RBC may do this).
Posted: 9/13/15 at 2:37pm
I'm dying to see Shuffle Along. Audra! Joshua Henry! That will be playing by Feb.
You can't come to NY and not see Hamilton so buy your ticket now. Go, go get it.
A personal fav is Fun Home. I think it's lovely. So moving, but funny too.
As for money, bring a ton! As much as you can afford. NYC is spendy, for sure.
Posted: 9/13/15 at 2:59pm
Happy to recommend the New York production of The 39 Steps at Union Square Theatre! It's the same Tony-winning Broadway production in a very stylish and intimate theatre. And Mezzanine seats are only $39! http://www.39stepsny.com
Updated On: 9/13/15 at 02:59 PM
Posted: 9/13/15 at 3:05pm
If you didn't see American Psycho there, it starts here on February 19.
Fuerza Bruta is also a fun time, and can often fit in around other shows, depending on their schedule at the time, or if they are still running then... http://www.fuerzabrutayc.com/ I wouldn't study up on it too much, though, since the WTFery of it is sort of the fun for a newbie.
Posted: 9/13/15 at 4:36pm
Shuffle Along preview starts March 14, opens Aprll 21 (not February as a poster above mentioned) Goggle Shuffle Along for reference)
Some recommendations: Something Rotten, King and I, Hamilton, School of Rock
