Gypsy vs. August: Osage County

[Jonna]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:34am

I am thinking of seeing either Gypsy or August: Osage County in October. I was curious on all of your thoughts on these two. Which would you recommend more over the other? I hear they are both amazing.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:40am

I would honestly say both.

One is the performance of a lifetime, and the other is the play of a lifetime.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:43am

I would personally go with August. Not to downplay the performances in Gypsy, but there is always going to be another revival of that show waiting around the corner with another set of great performances to catch, while I think August is not going to be equalled for a while.

[Jonna]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:50am

I would LOVE to see both but it won't be an option (we already have tickets for IN THE HEIGHTS) and can only fit in one more show. (Although I would loooove to go see the other while the other two I am going with shop or something)

Thank you for the suggestions and the good points!

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:51am

I've seen this production of Gypsy an absurd number of times (so obviously I love it), but I'd vote for August if you have to choose. Amy Morton's last show is 10/12 then she leaves for London, so see it before then if you can.

And, of course, see Gypsy later! "Patti Lupone Gypsy" is around 'til March 1st.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:01pm

I just got a plane ticket to go to NY to see Amy Morton's last performance. It'll be my first time seeing a Broadway show more than once. I very much recommend AUGUST: OC over GYPSY (if you have to make the choice). Remember with GYPSY you at least have the cast recording to give you a sense of what the show is like and what the performances are about (just a mild sense, I know), but there is nothing out there that will let you know what an intense great experience it is to see AUGUST: OC.
Just my two cents. It really is a win/win situation though.

[Jonna]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:36pm

It is so difficult because I come from Canada and I basically try to get to New York once a year. Thank you for the tips!

I would be going about the 14th or 15th to see the show - who will be replacing Amy Morton?

If I do go for A:OC which seats would be better?
CENTRE ORC J
LEFT ORC D

I really like being close but would being on the left obstruct our view at all?

I am still for suggestions about both shows, but just trying to plan ahead.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:49pm

Both were absolutely amazing. It really depends if you are in the mood to see a play or musical.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 12:53pm

August in October, perfect.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:03pm

God, this is like choosing the twin that gets to live.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:41pm

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 2:19pm

If you decide on August, go to the center. I got a ticket in D on the left side and missed alot of the action at the table because I was too close.

As to what you should see, I agree with the poster who said it's a performance of a lifetime vs a play of the lifetime. I would tend to say GYPSY, only because August will be around for awhile, probably by your next visit and if you're going to miss the INCREDIBLE Amy Morton, then you can probably wait.

Just my opinion.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 3:08pm

Doodle! I just let out a big laugh in my office. Genius!
I agree that if you see AUGUST: OC you should be center stage.
I'm not sure who will be replacing Amy Morton (there was a rumor on the board about Johanna Day) but I have the feeling that even without Morton, the show will still be thrilling.
Plus, I'm not sure if AUGUST: OC will necessarily run longer than GYPSY. Like I said before though, you can't really go wrong with either one.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 3:08pm

Center Orch. J for August! Enjoy the show!

[Tap]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 4:07pm

I've been reading here that Patti's last performance is 3/1/09. But on her website the show schedule goes till 2/28. What do you think is the correct date?

[Jonna]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 8:56pm

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I have some follow up questions.

I understand that both of these shows have student rush. This would be a really nice cheap alternative to great shows. Could you please inform me more about the rush?

I understand Gypsy has 10 front row seats and then they have other partial view seats? What time would be best to go to the box office. I won't be in until around 10:30ish on the Tuesday and would like to get tickets that night. Would the front row tickets be sold out by then? How good/bad are the partial view seats? Would we be able to get 3 seats together? Sorry to pester, I have not done rush before, only lotto.

For August: Osage County - where are the rush seats located? What time would we need to be there for the seats and could we get 3 together again? I should be able to make it to the box office by 11:00 after checking in and whatnot.

Is it hard to get rush tickets for these shows? Any more tips or advice? Thank you for your help! :)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:04pm

The AUGUST rush seats are located in the mezzanine and are really good seats. You'll probably be able to move to an even better seat in the mezz. during the first intermission.

The AUGUST rush tickets are harder to get...I stopped by around 11:50ish for the Friday show last weekend and my friend and I got the last two rush tickets.

If, by time you get there, they're sold out it will definitely be on TKTS.


And the GYPSY seats you will most definitely get. In fact, the "partial view" seats are NOT partial view at all. I mean you miss literally ONE five second part of Gypsy's strip but that's all. The partial view seats are better than the front row seats. They give away the front row seats first and the people at the box office are usually very nice and lenient about how many tickets they give away per I.D. They are, on the other hand, very strict at the AUGUST box office and one of the box office workers is a total a**hole.

Updated On: 9/23/08 at 09:04 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:06pm

I can't answer all of your questions, but...maybe you could get front row seats for Gypsy on a Tuesday. I've read that the partial view seats they sell after the front row seats are wonderful though, and hardly partial view. and yes, you can get 3 seats together. if the three of you go to the box office window together and say you each want a seat, they should be able to accommodate you.


ETA: I don't mean to threadjack, but I have my own question about rush. if my friend and I want front row seats and are literally the first people in line, can we request which specific seats we want or do they sell them in order?

Updated On: 9/23/08 at 09:06 PM

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:06pm

Tap, March 1, 2009 is Patti's official closing day. And that's from the horse's mouth. =)


Oh, and after the front row seats are gone at Gypsy, they give away box seats and then the side orch 'partial view'. Updated On: 9/23/08 at 09:06 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:08pm

...and probably closing day for the show in general.

I doubt they'll try to recast the role for this production.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:09pm

you mean it won't go something like...
DONNA MURPHY
IN
PATTI LUPONE GYPSY?

[Patash]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:10pm

I'm going to a really nice restaurant and want a great meal. Should I order steak or fish?

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:11pm

^chicken.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:14pm

go for the rack of lamb.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:15pm

givesmevoice, I can answer that. In days past, if you were the first in line for Gypsy rush, you could request what seats you wanted - like front row center - but due to complaints by the actors (they complained of being distracted by seeing the same people who had requested front row center time and time again - and it was probably Patti since she speaks down to the person in the very center), they no longer allow you to request what seats you want. So if you're first in line you get the first two seats by the aisle Patti walks down.
Updated On: 9/23/08 at 09:15 PM