Going to NYC in July... should we see...?

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 9:18pm

Hey all,

Going to NYC this summer in July. Taking my mom, and my two sisters. They have never been to NYC and are extremely excited. I wanted to try and take them to a few shows but I wasnt sure what we should see. My wife and I had seen alot of the shows out there already and most of them dont even have the original casts anymore.

Here are some of the shows I thought we could consider... can anyone give me any advice on if these shows are still good? whats the buzz out there:

Hairspray - we saw it with the original cast and loved it.. but does it even have a decent cast anymore?

Jersey Boys - we loved loved LOVED this show... but again... by uly its doubtful the original cast will be there anymore right?

Mary Poppins - its new and my wife and i havent seen it yet so it seems like a good idea... but is it?

Wicked - we've tried the lotto maybe 6 or 7 times with no luck, but maybe its time to just buy tickets? worth it anymore? are the casts still any good?

Thats pretty much it! I was surprised to no longer see shows like "The Wedding Singer" listed... i guess it closed?

I think we need to avoid shows like "Grey Gardens"... i actually really want to see that, but i dont think my fam would like it at all. They'd like the more "fun" shows like Hairspray and Wicked...

so i'll have to postpone Grey Gardens until my wife and I can go back alone...

so any advice?

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 9:20pm

How old are the kids because if they are young I would for sure recommend Mary Poppins!

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 9:23pm

Wicked is very Good. From the reviews, legally blonde sounds amazing. Mary poppins is very Good and you should go see it. The color purple is an amazing musical with a touching story, a must see!

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 9:26pm

COMPANY!

[javertjunky]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 9:45pm

Les Miz! Even though it won't be the original revival, the replacements will be outstanding.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 10:01pm

Mary Poppins

[renthead333]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 10:02pm

Just because the orginal cast isn't in the show anymore, doesn't mean the show will be "bad" or the show won't have a good new cast. Every show differs and you should see a show because of the show. I enjoyed Mary Poppins and Spamalot was great fun. Consider that.

[another_take2]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 10:11pm

I would strongly recommend Legally Blonde. I saw it twice here in its San Francisco previews and found it a surprisingly funny, quite delightful show - as did the entire audiences for both performances. I would be very surprised if it's not a major hit in New York.
Updated On: 2/27/07 at 10:11 PM

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 10:14pm

Of course, I'm going to have to say Spelling Bee, because I always do.

Have you thought about Drowsy Chaperone? or A Chorus Line?
Updated On: 2/27/07 at 10:14 PM

[e]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 10:59pm

How about Curtains?

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 12:28am

I'm sure if he has younger kids I don't think they would want to sit through a show like Company, Chorus Line, or Les Miserables..just because they might not understand the depth to the shows

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 1:59am

Id say any of the Disney shows are a good choice for entertaining non-theatre snobs.

And I think the Grease revival is supposed to be in previews in July.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 2:18am

Given the current cast, now's not at all a bad time to see Wicked. Actually, it may be one of the best. To be perfectly honest, I would see it if you haven't seen it before. It's not the best thing ever, but it's fun, and really not as bad as people make it out to be. The fans are much more annoying than the show itself.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 8:14am

My little sister is 13... so even tho she's old enough to understand the more serious shows, like Les Mis, i dont think she would enjoy them as much. This is her first trip to NYC and I promised I'd take her to two shows... its all she talks about... all day... she calls me almost daily with excitement! :) I want to take her to something fun.

"Legally Blonde" actually seemed like it would be alot of fun but then i thought i read on here that people were saying it sucked??? so it doesnt suck after all?? I know the movie is one of her favorites so i'm sure she would love the show... but for some reason i thought people were saying it was no good... when does it start in NYC? and who here has seen it and how good is it in comparrison to say... hairspray, jersey boys, wicked... etc... the fun shows.

Will the current cast of Wicked still be playing in July? anyone know? I know tts still a few months away which makes it hard to know...

I know that a replacement cast doesnt ruin a show... i saw The Producers with a replacement cast and i thought it was GREAT! But sometimes the replacement cast does suck... so i wanna make sure that when we go to see the show, its at the right time with a good cast.

Is Hairspray good anymore? I'm guessing JLY will be off Jersey Boys by then (or is he off already?)... will that Michael Longoria guy be taking his place? I heard he was good...

and how long will the original cast of Mary Poppins be in it? ALSO! I saw on Ticketmaster that Mary Poppins has $25 seats which appear to be all the way in the back... do they suck royally?

I know my wife is DYING to see Poppins but id I'm buyign 4 tickets, I may not be able to afford nice premium seats... but I dont want to buy the $25 seats and need binoculaurs because we're so far away.
Updated On: 2/28/07 at 08:14 AM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 12:12pm

anyone? :)

[another_take2]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 12:52pm

Legally Blonde surprised a lot of people here in San Francisco. It opened to quite positive reviews and started to play to full houses shortly after that. They even had to add a Thursday matinee in the final week to accommodate the added demand. The buzz has become quite positive in the face of those who felt the last thing Broadway needed was another light musical based on a movie. (The reviews, I think, are available on one or another of the Legally Blonde threads.) I have seen Jersey Boys and Wicked this year and am surprised to admit that I enjoyed Legally Blonde ever bit as much as I did both of those. It would most definitely appeal to a 13 year-old, especially if she already liked the movie. One can never be too sure about such things, but I'm guessing it is going to be hit in NY.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 12:57pm

Yeah, it's not my favorite show on Broadway (or, won't be, when it opens), but Legally Blonde is probably a good choice based on your prior experiences. It was hella cute.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 4:15pm

maybe a possibility for her then... hmmm... i tend to like the fun shows more. I loved Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Avenue Q, The Producers... those type of shows. but seems like nothing fun is playing these days except Poppins.

and there are alot of more serious shows i wanna see like Grey Gardens and The Color Purple, etc... but this wont be a good time for those.

can anyone tell me if hairspray is still doing well? when will the jersey boys cast change?

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 4:36pm

Drowsey Chaperone is fun and fluff.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 4:43pm

The Color Purple has a serious theme but is not a downer. It has a great message and I was actually in tears, good tears, at the end. Drowsy Chaperone, I think, is a must. It was the 1st show I took my best friend to who had only seen one Broadway show when he was a teen and doesn't even remember much of it. He said it was a great start to our vacation. People are also saying that Curtains is good. I would definetly do Legally Blonde if it is one of your sister's favorite movies. Word on it is pretty positive and it sounds like that would be perfect for her 1st trip to NYC. Have fun!

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 4:44pm

hairspray is doing just fine, saw a week ago. I have no idea how long the people who are currently in it will be there for tho.

[jess20882]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 6:45pm

hairspray is doing very well and the cast is fabulous. wicked is also a good option, if you're able to get tickets. mary poppins is fantastic, so i do recommend that too. i know people will come down hard on me for this but tarzan was a very enjoyable night of theatre as well (some beautiful performances there).
whatever you end up seeing - enjoy

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 8:48pm

I sat in the $20 Mary Poppins seats and yes they were all the way up I was in the LAST row of the balcony but I could still see everything ok I was pretty high up though but for $20 I can't complan

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:20am

so Poppins $20 seats arent horrible? I remember I saw Hairspray back in 2003 on the last row... because of the lottery... and even tho i had a great time and loved show, i was a little bummed that we were so far away... only because that theater is so huge.

Is Poppins the same? Will I really be squinting my eyes to see? :)

My little sister is addicted to musical theater. she does all the plays in school and she was recently the Wicked Witch in a musical they did about the Wizard of Oz. I think shed love Wicked most of all... but it seems nearly impossible at this point to snatch up 2 tickets... and i need 6!

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:44am

The 13 year old will adore Hairspray and Wicked. For you, Avenue Q and Forbidden Broadway.

I could see Hairspray every single month. It is the best time. Take them to Hairspray, and Spelling Bee. A 13 year old would probably get a kick out of the lotto tickets. They are in the first few rows on the floor. A great experience at 13. (You sit a few rows back on regular chairs, trust me)
Updated On: 3/1/07 at 10:44 AM