First show suggestion

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 6:57pm

Im taking a friend to NYC for the first time next month to see a Broadway or off Broadway show. Hes entrusting me to pick the show so I do not want to disappoint. What show do I pick?

Im thinking either Hadestown or Little Shop of Horrors. Little Shop is a fun show that will make you smile. And Hadestown is just a beautiful show that highlights the aesthetics of a Broadway musical. Im also considering either Wicked, Hamilton, or The Lion King.

But, Id also love your suggestions and reasons why on shows you would or wouldnt use as a first Broadway show.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 7:19pm

Wicked because after a few school field trips to regional theater, this beautiful musical made me the geek I am today. It was also the first cast album I listened to from start to finish. Hear and see spectacular sights and sound

[ArtMan]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 7:33pm

I would do a classic with spectacle...Phantom, Wicked, Lion King.  Or spectacle with a score that he would recognize.  Moulin Rouge

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 7:35pm

Hadestown might be a bit heady for someone’s first go-around at the theatre, especially because the ending is a bit bleak.

Wicked is a pretty good standard for a first show, and I think he might love Little Shop Of Horrors.

I also want to toss Waitress in the mix as well. I’ve always found it to be a very simple and accessible show with tuneful music, equal comic and dramatic moments, and just very easy to digest (no pun intended). I took my friend a few years back and he absolutely loved it as his first Broadway show.

If you think he might be into an improvised and audience-engaged experience, he might love Freestyle Love Supreme

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 7:57pm

BwayLB said: "Wicked because after a few school field trips to regional theater, this beautiful musical made me the geek I am today. It was also the first cast album I listened to from start to finish. Hear and see spectacular sights and sound"

Agreed. I saw the Wicked tour in Philly when I was… 12 or 13 and was hooked ever since. Didn’t actually see my first Broadway show until I was a freshman in college 5 or so years later! 

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:00pm

ArtMan said: "I would do a classic with spectacle...Phantom, Wicked, Lion King. Or spectacle with a score that he would recognize. Moulin Rouge"

Phantom was actually the first show that came to mind when thinking about what show! I thought it might be too overwhelming for a first show but maybe not. I’ll definitely have to rethink it. The chandelier alone is a draw. And Phantom might be the most affordable show running too. 

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:07pm

quizking101 said: "Hadestown might be a bit heady for someone’s first go-around at the theatre, especially because the ending is a bit bleak.

Wicked is a pretty good standard for a first show, and I think he might love Little Shop Of Horrors.

I also want to toss Waitress in the mix as well. I’ve always found it to be a very simple and accessible show with tuneful music, equal comic and dramatic moments, and just very easy to digest (no pun intended). I took my friend a few years back and he absolutely loved it as his first Broadway show.

If you think he might be into an improvised and audience-engaged experience, he might love Freestyle Love Supreme"

I loooove Hadestown but it took me a three or four shows to fully understand and appreciate what I was seeing on stage. Although the ending is explained and expected, if you’re not paying attention at the wrong second then the ending doesn’t make sense. So maybe Hadestown is not the show for a first timer. 
 

I actually forgot about Freestyle Love Supreme! I’ll have to check the start time to see if we would have enough time for it and get back to the bus before it leaves. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:09pm

Definitely A CHORUS LINE at the Shubert Theatre or CHICAGO at the 46th Street Theatre.

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:16pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Definitely A CHORUS LINE at the Shubert Theatre or CHICAGO at the 46th Street Theatre. "

Great suggestions if we were in 1975.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:26pm

It would be helpful to know what this person likes/doesn't like in general. I would never pick a show to take someone to without processing that information beforehand. How challenged do they like to be? What type of music do they like? Are they the romantic type? Are they old fashioned? Do they have a keen sense of humor? Are they likely to be enthralled by spectacle? The list goes on. What WE like will not answer any of those questions. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 10/23/21 at 8:54pm

adotburr said: "BwayLB said: "Wicked because after a few school field trips to regional theater, this beautiful musical made me the geek I am today. It was also the first cast album I listened to from start to finish. Hear and see spectacular sights and sound"

Agreed. I saw the Wicked tour in Philly when I was… 12 or 13 and was hooked ever since. Didn’t actually see my first Broadway show until I was a freshman in college 5 or so years later!"

I was 14 at the Hollywood Pantages. I’m 28 now but never been to NYC. I’m overdue to revisit Wicked. I saw Eden as Elphaba, Megan Hilty as Glinda and John Rubinstein as the Wizard and Adam Wylie as Boq.

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 6:46am

BwayLB said: "adotburr said: "BwayLB said: "Wicked because after a few school field trips to regional theater, this beautiful musical made me the geek I am today. It was also the first cast album I listened to from start to finish. Hear and see spectacular sights and sound"

Agreed. I saw the Wicked tour in Philly when I was… 12 or 13 and was hooked ever since. Didn’t actually see my first Broadway show until I was a freshman in college 5 or so years later!"

I was 14 at the Hollywood Pantages. I’m 28 now but never been to NYC. I’m overdue to revisit Wicked. I saw Eden as Elphaba, Megan Hilty as Glinda and John Rubinstein as the Wizard and Adam Wylie as Boq."

I wonder if we saw the tour the same year? I saw it April 2006 but there must have had a cast change though because my playbill has a different cast. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 7:35am

I wonder if we saw the tour the same year? I saw it April 2006 but there must have had a cast change though because my playbill has a different cast.

Espinosa and Hilty opened the Los Angeles production in 2007.  This wasn’t a touring production. 

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 7:51am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I wonder if we saw the tour the same year? I saw it April 2006 but there must have had a cast change though because my playbill has a different cast.

Espinosa and Hilty opened the Los Angeles production in 2007. This wasn’t a touring production."

Ohh I didn’t realize! Thanks for clarifying !

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 9:20am

Depending on when you see Waitress, the new Jenna might be announced/getting ready to take over after Jennifer Nettles. Even though Jennifer Nettles is still a wonderful Jenna as well! I'm seeing it myself next month and very excited for this one!

Seconding Freestyle Love Supreme for an interactive fun show and different guest appearances.

And if you see it next month, Amber and Patrick will be back at Hadestown. (Or Lana and Tom until they return, although Afra just went on her LOA !) Which undoubtedly continues to be such an all around amazing show!

[JGPR2]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 9:26am

"It would be helpful to know what this person likes/doesn't like in general. I would never pick a show to take someone to without processing that information beforehand. How challenged do they like to be? What type of music do they like? Are they the romantic type? Are they old fashioned? Do they have a keen sense of humor? Are they likely to be enthralled by spectacle? The list goes on. What WE like will not answer any of those questions. "

Exactly. These type of questions are always too generic and if you really want a meaningful answer you need more information like you stated.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 1:11pm

Exactly.....while I get the worrying part, YOU are the one that knows the person.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 2:16pm

Cant' go wrong with Little Shop, it's so fun, Jeremy and Christian are so talented, along with the ensemble cast. Last week an usher told me it's been selling extremely well, basically sold out every night, so if decide on this show, get tickets ASAP.

Regardless of what you see, I hope your friend has a wonderful first Broadway experience. 

[hak5]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 3:46pm

While my current fave is HADESTOWN

Little Shop is a better pick for a 1st show

But I am surprised no one has suggested COME FROM AWAY

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/24/21 at 4:58pm

hak5 said: "While my current fave is HADESTOWN

Little Shop is a better pick for a 1st show

But I am surprised no one has suggested COME FROM AWAY"

CFA can be easily accessed on Apple TV+ - while it doesn’t replicate the live experience, I would take it out of the mix based on that.