Going to NYC, can only see one show, Advice???

[HairSpray #1 Fan]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:00am

I am a huge fan of theater but due to funds, i dont get to see a lot of shows when they come on tour. But im finally going to be able to visit NYC, but again due to funds,i can only see one show when im there. So...what do i choose? I was thinking of seeing a true classic like th Lion King or Chicago, but it is still incredibly hard to choose. Can anyone offer up any suggestions? Thanks so much! (and any tips for a first timer in New York would also be great!)

[NGD47]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:02am

Gypsy or South Pacific, you can't get any more classic than them.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:06am

I second Gypsy or South Pacific. if you're a student, or have a student ID, you can do rush for Gypsy ($27; can't beat that). South Pacific unfortunately doesn't have rush, but their loge seats are ...I want to say $65. not cheap, but not terrible.

as for other tips on what to do...definitely go to the Met, and eat a hot dog outside while sitting on the steps; that's one of my favorite things to do. Central Park is another must. one of my other favorite spots in the city is the fountain at Washington Square Park, but it's not open right now, unfortunately.

and a big tip is to not stop in the middle of the sidewalk, especially around Times Square and the theater district.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:25am

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 01:25 AM

[broadwaygirl99]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:37am

If you want classic then go for Phantom or Gypsy but if you want a new experience then go for Spamalot( The cast is awsome right now, expesically Tom Deckman and Rick Holmes). More great shows are Avenue Q, Wicked and Hairspray. But if you are really into theater than go to Title of Show. My top show for you is Spamalot, great show and you are garanted to have fun!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:40am

I also recommend Gypsy. If you're looking for a real "classic" and don't want to spend that much, the $27 student rush for Gypsy is your best bet. It's easy to get a ticket and not to mention it's an amazing show with an amazing cast. Have a nice trip!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:43am

You shouldn't miss Gypsy.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:45am

[title of show]. Hands down.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:05am

Patti LuPone GYPSY was my first Broadway show ever. For $27, I was pretty satisfied! Its the right way to do it.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:11am

If you want epic, South Pacific.

If you want the best ticket on Broadway, Avenue Q.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 12:08pm

Seeing as your username is "Hairspray's Number One Fan," I have to say Hairspray's a lot of fun... and different live than the film. But if that's your username, then you might have already seen it.

Even if "Lion King" isn't exactly a true classic, I have to say, it's the type of show you won't be able to stop talking about after you see it, because it's very different from most musicals in terms of staging. I highly recommend everyone sees it live at least once! Just listening to the soundtrack feels weird because it's such an incredibly visual show. However, my mom didn't much like it-- it's much more African styled than the film, with a lot of African chanting and dancing, and she felt a bit alienated by that. I never thought a Disney musical could alienate anyone, but there you go.

Wanna Be A Foster suggested [title of show], but I have to warn that if you're not really familiar with theatre, that's not the way to go. There are a lot of injokes, and unless you're really involved with that type of thing, it might be hard to get. It'd certainly confuse my mom more than "The Lion King!"

Spamalot is AMAZING, but only great for true Monty Python fans. It's a rehashing of the HOly Grail, with a twist. It's actually my favourite musical (tied with Les Mis and Scarlet Pimpernel), and though there's a lot of crude humour, it's hilarious, the songs are catchy, and YES, Tom Deckman is just brilliant. If you think Spamalot is subversive, DON'T see Avenue Q, which makes Spamalot look like "The Little Mermaid!" Very, very inappropriate humour, but great.

Honestly, I really loved Little Mermaid, and that's a really fun, fluffy show, but it's hardly what you'd call a theatre classic. Definitely cheesy and over the top, but I can't remember ever having more fun in a theatre! Amazing cast, though, and if you go see it now, you'll still be able to see the OBC, which is not a common opportunity!

Two extremely popular shows are "Wicked" and "Phantom of the Opera." I've never seen either one live, but all of my friends who have loved them (Well, except for an unfortunate boy whose mother dragged him to Wicked. It is a rather girly show!)and both are packed with songs you won't stop singing for weeks afterward.

South Pacific and Gypsy are revivals of old classics, and they've been getting a lot of praise. Patti Lupone's a legend, and Kelli O'Hara's on her way there.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 12:09pm

GYPSY.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 12:52pm

"South Pacific unfortunately doesn't have rush, but their loge seats are ...I want to say $65. not cheap, but not terrible"

Their lodge seats are us$75 and they are sold out till January last I've heard, so the only seats you might be able to get to see South Pacific are us$ 125 which is expensive!
I'd say go to see whatever show you feel like seeing, and don't listen to anyone on here, because everyone is recommending their own favorite show and we are all different. Pick the one you feel more drawned to.

Updated On: 9/1/08 at 12:52 PM

[Mark_E]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 12:56pm

There must be something that you want to see more than anything else? If you look at the list of what is on which one hits you as being the one you want to see.

If you like Hairspray then I would say go for Legally Blonde as they are both very fun!

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 1:57pm

Gypsy. Enjoy your time in the city!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 5:11pm

See Wicked or Legally Blonde.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 5:18pm

When are you coming? If you'll be visiting in November, see White Christmas for sure. If not, I have to echo the choices of Gypsy and South Pacific. Whatever you see, have a great time!

[Barnaby151]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:15pm

South Pacific!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:33pm

GYPSY GYPSY GYPSY GYPSY GYPSY!!!!
If you want a classic it's gotta be Gypsy or South Pacific, Chicago, apparently has been sort of low energy. The Lion King is a great show, costumes are phenomenal, but really Gypsy is just so full of energy, so inspiring, so wonderful I would HIGHLY reccomend it.

If you change your mind and want to see something more contemporary then definitely In the Heights.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:36pm

In. The. Heights.

[AlgonquinProd2]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:06pm

With that name, how can you not go see Hairspray? But if you are going to veer off, try "Spring Awakening".

[ahmelie]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:08pm

August: Osage County, I've yet to meet a person who hasn't loved it, tourist or not. And why pass up a chance to see the original production of a show that will probably be talked about for ages.

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 8:55am

Wicked

[belle_lover]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 9:36am

While people here are recommending some good shows, despite the fact I have yet to see some of them, you have to go with what you want to see. For me, it mainly depends on what you're looking for in a show and what interests you. Once you figure that out, I think you'll be able to pick a show and have a great experience with it :)

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:05am

GYPSY hands down