Good Musicals For The "TYPICAL" Teenager
Good Musicals For The "TYPICAL" Teenager
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#1Good Musicals For The "TYPICAL" Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 8:40pmI'm a part of my student government association at school. Recently, I suggested to my advisors that we should go see a show in NYC. Since not all of the students in SGA are theatre lovers, I need some ideas of shows that whould like. My main 3 shows I thought of were In The Heights, Wicked, and The Lion King. Can anyone please help me pick the right show for my classmates to see. Preferably a show that hasn't just opened or is about to open. Thank you.
#2re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 8:42pmAVENUE Q OFF-BROADWAY. It kind of recently opened haha :P.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#2re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 8:46pmI don't know what a "typical" show might be, but ROA would probably be the best for non-theatre lovers.
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#3re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 8:58pm
"AVENUE Q OFF-BROADWAY. It kind of recently opened haha :P."
I really was think that, but it might go against school regulation. :/ But I will try to ask.
"I don't know what a "typical" show might be, but ROA would probably be the best for non-theatre lovers."
Very true. A lot of students are starting to love "old" music now anyways. Thanks!
#4re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:10pmIn the Heights.
I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&.
"Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."
MusicSnob1
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/09
#5re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:17pm
80's rock music is considered "old" to your friends and their generation?
Either I've aged a ton or you're a fetus.
When I think about you, I touch myself.
MCfan2
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/06
#6re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:17pm
I was totally "Phantom"-obsessed when I was a teenager. Of course, that was a while ago. But it's still a good show and it has a little something for everyone: romance *and* special effects. 
#7re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:21pm
MusicSnob, the last people born in the 80s turn 20 this year (and most of us don't remember too much of them, what with the learning to crawl and all), so for a teenager, it is old in the sense that "it happened X years before I was born" is old to all of us.
And I would probably go with In the Heights. Especially out of the ones you listed, it's the best show, and the one you could probably get tickets to the cheapest/easiest.
Updated On: 11/17/09 at 09:21 PM
#8re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:28pmAltar Boyz is another good suggestion or Toxic Avenger if you're going before January. Since busing students to NYC can get pricey you might be able to convince them to let you see an off-Broadway show over a Broadway show.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#9re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:32pm
In The Heights
And I would suggest against Phantom. I saw that with my school and everyone was bored and antsy including myself.
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#10re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:34pm
"80's rock music is considered "old" to your friends and their generation?
Either I've aged a ton or you're a fetus."
old was the only word I could think of at the time.
"Altar Boyz is another good suggestion or Toxic Avenger if you're going before January. Since busing students to NYC can get pricey you might be able to convince them to let you see an off-Broadway show over a Broadway show."
We're planning on going in in spring. If Toxic wasn't closing that would really be my first choice. I saw it in OCT and thought it was amazing!
#11re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:36pmCheck out Altar Boyz in that case. I held off on seeing it because I thought I was going to get Catholicism smashed in my face and it wasn't that at all.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#12re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:49pm
"Check out Altar Boyz in that case. I held off on seeing it because I thought I was going to get Catholicism smashed in my face and it wasn't that at all."
When I saw Altar Boys, for some reason, I just didn't like it. So is In The Heights a good choice? It seems like an "MTV" kind of show. And most of my classmates are "MTV" kind of people. If that makes sence. :/
#13re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:24pmMy top two suggestions would be In the Heights or Avenue Q. Rock of Ages or Wicked are also decent ideas. I would recommend Hair too, but if you're not sure about Ave Q then I'd say Hair would be out of the question. Or since you're going in the spring, maybe the The Addams Family?
#14re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:34pmIn the Next Room or Race
siny
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/07
#16re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 10:30amI am surprised nobody suggested "Billy Elliot". My son who is 18 and not a theater-lover loved that one.
MusicSnob1
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/09
#17re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:13am
Boys, who want to do ballet, crossdressing and singing?
I'm sure every non-theatre teen, specifically guys, is clamoring to see the show.
When I think about you, I touch myself.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#18re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:46amIt's fine people ask these questions, but why not ask various classmates and give them a brief synopsis of each show?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#19re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:49amIn The Heights
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
siny
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/07
#20re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 12:18pmThe crossdressing bit was the funniest part of the show for my son. I am sure most teenage guys would find it funny.
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#21re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 3:25pm
"It's fine people ask these questions, but why not ask various classmates and give them a brief synopsis of each show?"
I'm going to make a mini presentation about each show. And show them a little clip of it (like a Tony Awards performance.) And then probably have them choose wich show they want to see.
#22re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 3:34pmI bet 1/2 of them have already heard the song "The Internet is for Porn"...if the school allows it I'm pretty sure this will be the BEST choice.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#23re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 3:37pmWhy does it matter what you sse? They'll probably be texting the whole show.
#24re: Good Musicals For The 'TYPICAL' Teenager
Posted: 11/18/09 at 5:39pmI wouldn't recommend Altar Boyz. Current high schoolers were in first and second grade during the 'N Sync/Backstreet Boy era, so the parody humor won't land well.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
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