Gah! Decisions, Decisions...

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 10:52pm

As I mentioned on a previous thread, I'm heading to NYC late next month with a friend who a) has not been before, and b) whose only experience of theatre was an ill-conceived outing to The Music Man with Jeff Hyslop, which has made her weary of live theatre in its entirety.

We're still trying to narrow down our list of shows to see. We're definitely seeing Aida, Rent and Boy From Oz. Here are the shows we're tinkering with:

Phantom of the Opera (I've seen it twice, she's never seen it)
Assassins
Wicked
Bombay Dreams

I've gotta pick two shows that we'll both like. Keep in mind that my taste in theatre tends to be more contemporary, not really into the Oklahoma/42nd Street kind of shows, but I also like grand sets and large-scale productions. Which two should I see?

Thanks! :)

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 11:05pm

Wicked should deffintily be one of the shows you chose if you want to win your freind back to the side of live theater the show is wonderful. Also it has great sets as you mentioned you liked to see. I think both of you will enjoy it.

Other then that out of the shows you are chosing from I have only seen POTO and I enjoyed it but It's not one of my faviort and not really knowing really anything about Bombay Dreams I really can't juge. I am lookng foward to seeing Assassins myself if that helps.

I would persanaly see Wicked and Hairspray but thats just me I guess.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 12:35am

It seems like Assassins tickets are selling fast, eh? Have you already bought your tickets?

Is it difficult to get tickets to Wicked? I'm guessing it's never on the TKTS block? If we get cheap seats, will we be missing out? (I've heard horrible things about the lottery system - what with 150-300 people in line, so I'd rather pre-purchase if necessary). (BTW, what type of musical is Hairspray, if you could compare it to any other musical in terms of music, mood, set, etc.?)

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 12:54am

Wicked does have Crazy amounts of people show up for the lottery. You right in guessing it's not on the TKTS boards now. When I saw it I sat in row e of the orchestra but my mom ended up sitting further back and loved it just as much if not more then I did. It's very much like statutum seating rather then a normal orchestra seating. I have also had friends set in the mezz and love it so I really don't think you will be missing anything.

I currently do not have a ticket to Assassins. My favorite actress in Hairspray just announced she's leaving very soon so I think I'm going to have to put of buying the ticket to Assassins a little longer so I can she her last performance.

As for Hairspray the music is very much up beat it's a very fun show with a wonderful message behind it. It's the kind of show that you see and can't help feeling happy when you leave. The set's are fun theyre all very bright and fun to look at. One thing that's very cool is the giant light wall it's like a light bright toy but very big.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:44am

I would chose Assassins just because I wouldnt want to miss my chance to see it with it having a limited engagement. But, aside from that, Ive heard the best things concerning Wicked. I havent seen Phantom in a really long time but I dont remember being very wowed when I saw it, the story was touching but the chandelier effect isnt as amazing as its built up to be, maybe it was a bigger deal in terms of special effects when the show was first made, but its not that awe inspiring anymore... and I dont know much about Bombay Dreams.

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:56am

WICKED and ASSASSINS!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 4:19am

I was on the TDF/TKTS website and it posts the shows that were on the boards for the previous week. Is Boy From Oz really doing that badly? (Or maybe I'm misinterpreting the raison d'etre of the TKTS booth...)

I agree w/ you Madame, the chandelier in Phantom isn't what it's all cracked out to be (but it's not as disappointing as the virtual 'copter in the touring non-union version of Miss Saigon!).

Thanks for the input! I think I'll narrow it down to Wicked, Assassins and maybe Phantom. (Anyone care to treat a Canuck to a pair of tickets to any of the above? )

[ozboy]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 5:03am

Wicked and Assassins. I recently saw Phantom in both London (where I absolutely loved it) and New York. I hate to say it, but the broadway production shocked me for all the wrong reasons. I didn't enjoy it at all, it felt like some of the cast were going out of their way to be bad... Just my opinion!

As for wicked, you asked about sitting far away. I sat in row U of the orchestra, a long way back, but it really wasn't all that bad. It's a big show, I think it would lose something seeing it from, say, front row center. And the mezz overhang doesnt obstruct the view at all where I sat. So I wouldnt worry too much about sitting at a distance. Plus, if you use a discount code you don't have to pay full price, but you also don't have to deal with lotteries.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 8:21am

I would say Avenue Q and Assassins... we had a friend in town awhile back who had become jaded about the state of the arts in NY and he thoroughly enjoyed Avenue Q, enough to see it twice during his visit! Updated On: 3/16/04 at 08:21 AM

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 9:42am

I'd say definetely try HAIRSPRAY if you want a show that will leave you with a huge happy smile on your face and make you glad you are alive. It's the pure joy of life on a stage. Trust me, your mood will be better for days to come. It has fantastic 60's style music, great choreography, lighting and sets, lots of laughs, a very nice message and wonderful performances. The audience is dancing and cheering on the aisles at the finale and you feel like you just have been to a great party !!!

Take care

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:01pm

Judging by the fact that you like "grand sets and large-scale productions," I'd say go with Wicked. I don't know if it's absolutley the best of those you listed, but it is definitley very visually stimulating.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:12pm

Definatley Wicked. I brought friends with me to see it who hate theater, and they absolutely loved it. It's a really good show for all kinds of people- theater lovers, and first-timers.

For the second show, I'd go with POTO. It's such an amazing show!

[Michelleruth]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:28pm

Wicked and Assasins. Good luck in getting your tickets!

[Benzy92]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:29pm

Wicked (wont be at TKTS)

and either Hairspray or Assasins.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:30pm

Ok, so I guess the one sure thing is Wicked. I'm on ticketmaster and it says the $55 tickets for a Tuesday have obstructed view in Row DD. How bad is the view from those seats? (It's right in my price range so I hope it's not heinous!)

Updated On: 3/16/04 at 01:30 PM

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 6:33pm

it's becasue the set extands past the stage but no one actually goes over there. It's just for decoration. Um I really can't give a good point of view from over there I sat in the center when I say it (for once I had good seat for a show) If there like the first few seats in that section it should be fine but I don't know where they are.

[BroadwayPer4mer03]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 6:47pm

Wicked and Hairspray or Assaians

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 7:21pm

Hairspray and Wicked

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 7:34pm

Wicked!!

The partial view seats are fine! I've sat in them and you hardly miss a thing! You can also try calling Ticketmaster-then you can be a lot more specific about where you want to sit. But partial view is okay as well!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/17/04 at 11:08pm

Thanks for the advice! Got the partial viewing seats to Wicked yesterday. (BTW, whoever posted that website with all the 3-D charts of the seats, THANK YOU!) And really really looking forward to it. I'm sitting on the extreme left, row DD. What parts will I miss? Oh well, for $55 I can't complain - except after services fees and the Canadian currency, that's a whole lotta change to spend!