First time to B-way, What show do I see?
First time to B-way, What show do I see?
complaintdept.
Chorus Member Joined: 1/20/05
#0First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:46pm
Hello All--
I tread lightly as I enter into this arena of discussion. I've seen how you treat some of us newbies, especially those with mundane questions that don't deserve repeating. I hope this isn't one of those such questions.
I'll make my very first trip to the Great White Way in March. I've already purchased tickets to Wicked, but I'm seeking your advice as to the second show I'll see.
I've seen my fair share of national tours, but never a show on Broadway. As you can imagine, I'm more than excited.
I'll tell you of my personal favorites that I've seen here in Kansas City so you have an idea of what I might like.
First, I LOVED Urinetown. Hands down, the most fun I've had at a show. The cast, the show, all were awesome. Second, Miss Saigon. The shear grandeur of the show made me want to stay in my seat forever. Third, I have to say RENT. Simply an amazing show, even though I've seen three different casts. All were excellent. Fourth, I am one of the sappy ones who fell hook, line, and sinker for AIDA. Again, it was emotional and the music took me away. Finally, I have to give kudos to The Producers. The "Leo" tour I saw really delivered.
To give you an idea of what I didn't like... Kiss Me Kate, CATS (non-equity), Contact (non-equity), Saturday Night Fever (who knows???), and (believe it or not), Chicago!
Anyway, I'm counting the days (60, for the curious) until I'm there. Your ideas for what I should see will weigh very heavily into my decision making, so please be a good ambassador to Broadway for me.
Thanks for your time. I'll see you soon.
JC from KC
P.S. Hairspray Natl Tour coming to KC in March and I've got tickets to it then.
What's that I smell in the air?
The American dream.
Updated On: 1/20/05 at 09:46 PM
#1re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:48pmif you don't like "Kiss Me, Kate" I can't help you. that's a sin. burn.
sipos
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/04
#2re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:52pm
HAIRSPRAY.
Hands down from what you said you've seen.
commasplice
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/29/04
#3re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:52pmIf you can get tickets, see Spamalot. I love Urinetown (and Monty Python, of course) and thought Spamalot was just a(n?) hysterical, enjoyable show all-around. I loved it.
#4re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:00pmKiss Me Kate and Chicago are great. I love them. Well, I'd suggest Avenue Q and Hairspray. Also, you may like Forbidden Broadway, which is Off-Broadway.
#5re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:03pm
Hairspray
La Cage
DRS
Spamalot
OK, now I really got to go!
BSoBW out!
"I think Harvey [Fierstein] wishes he were a black woman. I say he's the largest black woman in the show. I wish Harvey were straight, cuz I'd do him in a minute. I like big burly mother f***ers like him." ~Mary Bond Davis on Harvey Fierstein Thanks to Mistress @ spouzic.com
#6re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:30pm
AVENUE Q!
Best Musical for 2004 has gotta mean something! LOL
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
Updated On: 1/20/05 at 10:30 PM
#7re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:32pm
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
(Off-Broadway)
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
Bwaybaby109
Broadway Star Joined: 6/28/03
#8re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:50pmPhantom of the Opera or Wicked!
"Have a child for warmth and a baker for bread and a prince for... whatever!"
Mr. Tuttle
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#9re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:58pm
Hairspray or Spelling Bee.
Promise me you will not have a lapse of good taste and see BKLYN.
Ignorance is temporary. Stupidity last forever.
Watch out BWW...
HE'S BACK.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#10re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:50pm
Spamalot
Little Women (if you want to see Sutton Foster)
Hairspray
And if you want to catch the Producers, with Alan Ruck (straight from the Max tour) and Richard Kind, both of Spin City fame, do so!
I haven't seen La Cage aux Folles but heard good things about it.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#12re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:51pm
bwaybaby - didn't you read her thing? She HAs tix to Wicked.
Honestly...
"I think Harvey [Fierstein] wishes he were a black woman. I say he's the largest black woman in the show. I wish Harvey were straight, cuz I'd do him in a minute. I like big burly mother f***ers like him." ~Mary Bond Davis on Harvey Fierstein Thanks to Mistress @ spouzic.com
#13re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:09amI'd go see Sutton in "Little Women" or "Avenue Q". Don't go see BKLYN. As much as I love Eden Espinosa, I think if you're going to go to New York for the first time, spend your money on good quality theater.
Mamie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/26/04
#14re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 6:29am
Avenue Q
La Cage
Hairspray
(It would probably help if I knew what you didn't like about Kiss Me Kate, Chicago, etc.)
www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
complaintdept.
Chorus Member Joined: 1/20/05
#15re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 9:03am
To CATSNY--
If I had sinned in my life (and I have), I atoned for them by sitting through the entire production of Kiss Me, Kate that was presented last year in KC. I'm not exaggerating, the presentation was lackluster and painstakingly long. It was the first and only time that I had been to a show where the curtain call out-lasted the applause (literally). People were flying out of the aisles. I'm sure that the show may have potential, but I didn't see ANY such glimmer of hope that night.
Having explained myself, can you now offer your opinion as to what show I should see in NY?
To the rest of you who have offered your advice, thanks!
What's that I smell in the air?
The American dream.
Updated On: 1/21/05 at 09:03 AM
#16re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 9:48am
They said they've already got tickets to the Hairspray tour and they didn't like Chicago. Do people not read before they post?
If you loved Urinetown (as did I), I would most highly recommend Spamalot and Avenue Q first, though you should probably book them now. If you haven't seen Rent or Phantom, they would be good TKTS choices. Otherwise, trying picking up Fiddler or La Cage to see some good productions of classic shows. Or Little Women and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for something new that most likely will not be a waste of money.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
NotInMyStudio
Swing Joined: 1/21/05
#17re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 6:56pm
I'm from Columbia. I saw many of the same shows you saw in Kansas City. Agree that Miss Saigon at Starlight was incredible. Didn't see Kiss Me, Kate, but I heard the same reviews from others that you listed here.
Just got back from NY, and I saw three shows. Don't bother with BKLYN. I saw Bombay Dreams on its last night, not bad, but I think I just caught closing night electicity. So what do I recommend? Avenue Q. If you thought Urinetown was funny, this will make you pee your pants.
Not too excited about shows at Starlight this summer, did you see the lineup? You cansend a message if you want to chat more about theatre in KC or MO.
GT from MO (-: Just teasing.
#18re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 7:04pmAvenue Q!!!!!!!!!!!!
"At the opening night party, they had clowns on stilts, jugglers, a chocolate fountain, popcorn, hot dogs. [My son] looked at me like I had been holding back. Like, 'This is what you do?' I had to tell him, 'No, no, darling. Opening nights don't usually look like this.' It's usually a dark bar with a bottle of vodka." ?Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's Jan Maxwell
plus i proudly share the title of the shortest member over the age of 10 with wickedrentq!
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#19re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 7:10pm
Here is my must see list:
If you are over 13- Avenue Q, IS A MUST SEE! You will miss Tags but I hear Foa is also great.
Hairspray- Fun. Great music and dancing.
Bklyn Boy- Intelligent play at MTC.
La Cage- The Cagelle's are incredible. So are the costumes. 
Some important info for your trip:
www.nycvisit.com
www.nyctourist.com
#20re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 7:11pm
Avenue Q
700 Sundays (only standing room left I've been told)
Fiddler may be interesting to see with Harvey
Little Women to see Sutton although I hope they made it a bit better since previews when I saw it.
#21re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 7:36pm
Fiddler is excellent.
Wicked is a MUST!!!
Little Women is supposed to be good too.
And you think of all of the things you've seen, and you wish that you could live in between ,and you're back again only different than before...
After the Sky.
-Into the Woods (Jack)
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#22re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 8:17pm
Some of you are so judgemental(yes,I'm looking at you,catsny)-complaintdept didn't say Chicago,Kiss Me Kate,Contact,etc. sucked,that no one should see it-just expressed personal likes & dislikes(like chocolate and vanilla).
Having said that,I'll agree with those that have suggested Spamalot,AveQ,and Hairspray.Whatever you choose,enjoy,and don't let anybody tell you what you should or shouldn't like....welcome to NYC.
edited to say-I think you'll enjoy Wicked-it's a great spectacle...and to ask-do you remember who you saw as Leo in the road Producers?
Updated On: 1/21/05 at 08:17 PM
#23re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 8:45pmI agree with Hairspray. The Producers is great too.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#24re: First time to B-way, What show do I see?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 9:47pmSee "Good Vibrations" or "Little Women". Both are fun, and different sides of the spectrum in terms of musical theater. If you're looking for a great play, see "Gem of the Ocean".
Check out the Tony Awards Haven!
www.tonyawardshaven.com
Videos