Fishing for Show Recommendations!

Hey everyone!

Me and my boyfriend are headed to NYC this October to see some shows. Unfortunately 2 of the shows we were planning on seeing (BMC and Prom) recently closed. So I still have yet to book Broadway shows for a few nights (3 to be specific).

Shows Ive seen on Broadway:

Hello Dolly
Anastasia
Waitress
Phantom
Mean Girls
Pretty Woman

Shows Ive seen many times elsewhere:

Wicked
Aladdin (at the Hyperion)
Frozen (at the Hyperion)
Lion King

We try to avoid the Disney shows because we live in California and see many Disney shows at the parks and surrounding theaters (he works for the company.) Im sure they are spectacular but if I’m going to fly all the way to NYC I want to see something unique!

Any and all recommendations are extremely appreciated. I need 3 shows to fill 3 nights that are currently blank on my vacation itinerary.

Updated On: 8/14/19 at 11:42 AM

My go-to recommendation these days is Come From Away. For all that it's subject matter is dark, it's an incredibly uplifting show.

Hadestown is a pricey ticket, but well worth the money IMO.

From the shows you've listed, you may also like Moulin Rouge, but I can't personally vouch for it (yet).

These are all great recommendations!

Silly me forgot to mention that I'm already seeing Beetlejuice on one of the nights.

I'm banging my head against a brick wall that somehow I didn't know Little Shop of Horrors was getting another revival?? I'm a huge fan of that show and have never seen it on (off) Broadway. Unfortunately the previews are all sold out for the weekend I'll be in the city. Darn!!!

RWPrincess said: "There is a Pasadena revival coming this Fall as well starring George Salazar. I think there is a thread on here about it."



yeah dont waste a slot on Little Shop here go see it at Pasadena Playhouse

I would check out America Utopia if it is playing by then. Linda Vista if you want a play.

I agree with a majority of what's been said so far on this thread:

Hadestown if you have the money - very unique

I've heard Moulan Rouge is really beautiful and awesome set design - may be up your alley since you're used to Disney shows and the bigger/flashier ones

Come From Away is my go to recommendation for everyone no matter what age/gender/race/etc. It is, to me, a perfect show and just checks off every box for me. It's simplistic in it's set design but that's almost what makes it special. Their use of story-telling is amazing

I agree go see Little Shop in Pasadena since you live near there. I actually bought a ticket (and plane ticket to LA) once it was announced that George Salazar was starring in it haha

Would also always recommend Dear Evan Hansen if you haven't seen it, although it tours and I think it's in LA so you may be able to just do that there when you have a chance.

Would recommend Tootsie too. It was hilarious

Skip23 said: "AGAIN - I don't get the negativity about BEETLEJUICE! Glad you're seeing it.


"



I actually really love the OBC recording! And I love everything I've seen so far in the promo clips. I'm somewhat obsessed with the characters of Barbara and Adam already... Lol.

I'm concerned about Tootsie. I want to see it because I feel like we should see at least one flashy comedy show on our trip but I've heard a lot about the trans controversy, and I'm also not really impressed with the score. Although I'm guessing the experience is much different in person. Thoughts?

Updated On: 8/14/19 at 09:42 PM

to be fair American utopia is going to me more of a thematic live music experience so it will fall somewhere between a concert and a musical just more abstract and I mean seeing Byrne in such an inttimate venue

Tootsie isn't the best musical out there, and its sitcom style is a bit dated, but there's really nothing wrong with it unless the man-in-dress plotline will bother you. Plus, it's an easy ticket to get at a discount, and the theater is comfortable (if a bit sterile). The score is, with one exception, forgettable, but I didn't sit there watching the show thinking how awful it was. It's a conventional show with a talented cast and some pretty funny jokes.

My reason for suggesting it is that the money you save can be devoted to Hadestown, which, if the money isn't a dealbreaker, is the unique show you seem to be seeking that won't be the same on tour. You get to see the original cast and staging that can't be replicated. It was the most successful show I saw during my recent trip (I also really liked the Oklahoma! revival, but I'm basing my recommendations on the shows you have seen and enjoyed - and this doesn't seem to fit with the rest of your list.)

Moulin Rouge! is another expensive show that's got a lot of spectacle, from what I've read. (I haven't seen it.)

Come From Away is a solid, well-directed one-act musical that I didn't like as much as many others did. But it's a good show.

goovermon said: "I'm concerned about Tootsie. I want to see it because I feel like we should see at least one flashy comedy show on our trip but I've heard a lot about the trans controversy, and I'm also not really impressed with the score. Although I'm guessing the experience is much different in person. Thoughts?"

The "controversy" is overblown, but you're right, the music is not impressive. The sets and production numbers are uninspired. However, the show has some very funny laugh-out-loud lines and the overall book is pretty good. There are fine performances from Fontana and several of the featured cast. It's a cute show, but not compelling theater. Based on your theater history and interests, I think you might enjoy the show.

HADESTOWN is a MUST see w/ the original cast and staging

and I'd say see Oklahoma! as it's a classic with an exciting staging