First time seeing a broadway show- Page 2

[Pose2]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 4:00pm

I disagree about "The Book of Mormon" being a love letter to theater.  I think it's what people see when they don't want to see a traditional Broadway show.

New friends who ask me about this are always directed to "Wicked".  I think it's a great first show because it has everything someone seeing a show for the first time would want to see. I have not seen it in a decade but it seems to be holding up well.  

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 4:10pm

Pose2 said: "I disagree about "The Book of Mormon" being a love letter to theater. I think it's what people see when they don't want to see a traditional Broadway show."

The lyrics to some of the songs might be irreverent, but their structure and melodies are extremely traditional, and, dare I say, old-fashioned.

Updated On: 6/4/19 at 04:10 PM

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 5:13pm

Pose2 said: "I disagree about "The Book of Mormon" being a love letter to theater."

How is it not? Almost every song is a take on other classic musical theatre pieces - Parker & Stone have been very open about the intentional admiration and homage.

 

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 2:28pm

For a first-time experience I think it’s hard to go wrong with a classic musical, particularly a big, splashy musical comedy. Right now, that would be “Kiss Me Kate.” In other recent seasons, “Hello, Dolly!” and “The King and I” would be great choices. They don’t have to be old. Way back in 2001, I took first-timers to one or more of “The Full Monty, “The Producers” and “The Music Man.” All were hits with my visitors.

Recently, a friend from home chaperoned a group of teenagers (I think an age range around 13-16) on a spring break trip to NYC. They saw “Kiss Me Kate” and my friend said they couldn’t stop talking about it. They’d never seen a Broadway production and were blown away. Sure, those of us who’ve seen a lot or “everything,” as some of you have, might not get the same thrill (though I, for one, was thoroughly entertained by KMK). But for those kids, it made them instant Broadway fans.

On my first NYC trip more years ago than I want to count, I went with my family to “Oklahoma,” first, then “Peter Pan,” and then my mom and I saw, “Annie.”

I was hooked for life.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 8:20am

pacificnorthwest said: "For a first-time experience I think it’s hard to go wrong with a classic musical, particularly a big, splashy musical comedy. Right now, that would be “Kiss Me Kate.” In other recent seasons, “Hello, Dolly!” and “The King and I” would be great choices."

While I respect your enthusiasm for this era of Broadway, I feel compelled to offer a counterpoint. I've never liked these types of shows or their music, and if I'd been dragged to one of them as my first Broadway experience, I would never have gone back to musical theater. They are obviously beloved by many people, but I'm living proof that you can indeed "go wrong with a classical musical". 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 10:24am

Lot666 said: "pacificnorthwest said: "For a first-time experience I think it’s hard to go wrong with a classic musical, particularly a big, splashy musical comedy. Right now, that would be “Kiss Me Kate.” In other recent seasons, “Hello, Dolly!” and “The King and I” would be great choices."

While I respect your enthusiasm for this era of Broadway, I feel compelled to offer a counterpoint. I've never liked these types of shows or their music, and if I'd been dragged to one of them as my first Broadway experience, I would never have gone back to musical theater. They are obviously beloved by many people, but I'm living proof that you can indeed "go wrong with a classical musical"."

I totally agree with this. I love musical theatre and at this point in my life feel pretty well versed, but I still find myself fidgeting in these old musicals, even though I enjoy them. If King and I had been the first thing I ever saw, I doubt I would've fallen in love in the first place. 

 

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 10:24am

re: They are obviously beloved by many people, but I'm living proof that you can indeed "go wrong with a classical musical". 

Understood. I'm just going with the odds. Fortunately, in my 20 years or so of taking people to the theater for their first Broadway experience, everyone has enjoyed the comedy/classic musicals. But there are definitely some plays I'd recommend for first-timers, too. "To Kill a Mockingbird" would certainly be on that list right now if tickets were available (without mortgaging my condo). For some friends, "The Ferryman" would be another one. Also, "What the Constitution Means to Me." One of the first shows I took a cousin to years ago was "Bridge and Tunnel," which I knew she'd love, and she did. That was one of my favorite Broadway experiences. (As an aside, wish I could find that script.)

 

 

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 11:49am

re: If King and I had been the first thing I ever saw, I doubt I would've fallen in love in the first place. 

Funny thing about that. We had a terrific series of locally produced summer productions in my hometown, all really well done. But there was one that just didn't grab me: "The King and I." When the Lincoln Center production came around, I didn't go until late into its run, and only then because a friend wanted to see it. I ended up loving it. But you're right, prior to that I doubt I would have recommended it.

Again, not an exact science. I'm just going with the percentages. So far at least, I don't think I've gone wrong with the shows I've recommended to Broadway newbies or those I've seen with them. But I expect I'll strike out one of these days. 

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 5:08pm

Impossible2 said: "uncageg said: "Phatom of the Opera, if they like musicals."

You want to turn them off theatre for the rest of their lives?"

Lot666 wrote: No, we want to turn YOU off.

Lot666, you just made me laugh out loud in a very quiet office environment...

[yesraccoons]

Posted: 6/6/19 at 11:09pm

Know I already suggested BoM but on the topic of falling in love with theater... BoM was the first show I saw and it made me want to see more theater. It’s witty, Orginal, and hilarious while also having classical musical elements. However, it is very inappropriate.