Help Me Finish Planning My Trip?

JPeterman said: "Miles, I can’t answer any of your specific questions, but my 2 cents about a couple things:

1)Our trips will overlap!
2)I think you should definitely see West Side Story. I’m really looking forward to it, and that Monday slot on your schedule is screaming WSS!
3)I just wanted to make sure you knew about Judgement Day at the Park Avenue Armory. It is going to be special.
4)What about Sing Street?"

Sing Street seems to be somewhat divisive so far. I figure if it’s really that good, it’ll probably make it to Broadway where I van see it. Not that everything good has to come to Broadway. Or else, it’ll keep extending and I can catch it on a future trip.



I’ll admit I’ve seen adverts (I think I may have even received a mailer?) for Judgment Day, but I know nothing about it.

I can’t speak to Lucy Barton though Laura Linney is a treasure, so there’s that. I will say that I personally try to see as many different shows as I can and rarely repeat anything since like you I only have so many opportunities to catch stuff. Despite that, I can’t fault your logic for considering repeat visits to OK and Hadestown.

If you’re a huge fan of Eva, go see Hadestown again but since you’ve been already you know how big the role is and that it’s arguably the least meaty of the four leads. I finally got to see it this week (also really wanted to see the OBC - LOVE Patrick Page) and fortunately everyone was in (coincidentally, three of the principles were out of Tootsie the next night, but them’s the breaks!). I went with StubHub which worked out relatively well and now “Wait for Me” has been stuck in my head ever since!

What I really wanted to mention is that you could probably still do FLS after Sound Inside, unless you plan to stage door after. I won the lottery for Monday 10 pm so left right from Hadestown (7 pm curtain - thanks holiday schedules!). I would’ve liked to stage door, but it was already fairly crowded by the time I got outside, and the show (and my overpriced cocktail) moved me to spring for a signed window card for BCEFA so I just went right to the Booth and had time to spare. Maybe try the lottery (drawings are the day before) and if you win, you’ve got the option and if you end up not making it, the sunk cost is only $35.

mufish said: "I can’t speak to Lucy Barton though Laura Linney is a treasure, so there’s that. I will say that I personally try to see as many different shows as I can and rarely repeat anything since like you I only have so many opportunities to catch stuff. Despite that, I can’t fault your logic for considering repeat visits to OK and Hadestown.

If you’re a huge fan of Eva, go see Hadestown again but since you’ve been already you know how big the role is and that it’s arguably the least meaty of the four leads. I finally got to see it this week (also really wanted to see the OBC - LOVE Patrick Page) and fortunately everyone was in (coincidentally, three of the principles were out of Tootsie the next night, but them’s the breaks!). I went with StubHub which worked out relatively well and now “Wait for Me” has been stuck in my head ever since!

What I really wanted to mention is that you could probably still do FLS after Sound Inside, unless you plan to stage door after. I won the lottery for Monday 10 pm so left right from Hadestown (7 pm curtain - thanks holiday schedules!). I would’ve liked to stage door, but it was already fairly crowded by the time I got outside, and the show (and my overpriced cocktail) moved me to spring for a signed window card for BCEFA so I just went right to the Booth and had time to spare. Maybe try the lottery (drawings are the day before) and if you win, you’ve got the option and if you end up not making it, the sunk cost is only $35."

I've never seen Eva before. It would be a chance to see her if she hasn’t departed yet. Like you, I rarely repeat shows (I usually wait til it tours if I love a show.). I usually only do it if I want to see a show before it closes (The Band’s Visit, American Idiot) or to catch a different performer (Hello, Dolly!, DEH).

I considered FLS after The Sound Inside, but it would be close. I also don’t know if MLP stagedoors. I suspect I’m gonna love this and might wanna stagedoor especially if I get the windowcard and want it signed. That would obviously rule out FLS. but I do imagine it’ll be bitterly cold which makes stagedooring less enticing.

Also, I believe Apple Maps estimates the walking time from Studio 54 to The Booth to be 15 minutes. And that isn’t considering how long it takes me to get out of the theater and fighting Friday night Times Square crowds. With the running time of The Sound Inside being 100 minutes, that’s cutting it really close. Especially since I believe FLS wants you there a little early to lock up your phone.

I'm not much help here but I'll give what thoughts I can.

As I recall, you liked Hadestown a lot. It's a terrific musical, a fact I've been reminded of since I got the cast recording. Eva Noblezada was wonderful when I saw the show, but as mufish points out, hers is the least essential role to see a particular actor play. My daughter would disagree with me on this; she thought Noblezada was amazing - and she is. I'm just not sure I would decide on seeing Hadestown a second time just for the chance to see her. She might be out that night anyway. That said, I'd love a chance to see the OBC, and especially Andre De Shields, before people start drifting off, so I'm biased there.

I know you didn't enjoy Oklahoma! as much, but you also - as I recall - were exhausted at the time. Was it really just that, or are you trying to talk yourself into giving the show another chance? Again, I liked the show a lot (though not as much as Hadestown) and would love a chance to see it again because seeing it on tour isn't going to be the same. One question I have is attendance. I know it's been spotty of late, with the cast missing performances for a variety of reasons. That might change as it will be in its final weeks by then, but I don't know. If you see a lot of understudies, will you feel bummed given that you've already seen it?

That said, I might be tempted to see all-new stuff. You're in New York City more than I am, but not all the time. Laura Linney is a treasure even if the play isn't perfect (and might resonate with you). I have issues with the West Side Story revival based on what I've read thus far, but I'll admit to being curious about it. And depending on how things go, maybe you could make a mad dash to see about Freestyle Love Supreme one night.

I'm trying to put myself in your shoes (albeit with my own biases). You seem to want to see Hadestown again primarily (though not exclusively) for the chance to see Eva Noblezada and - ideally - the entire cast. But who knows who will be out the night you would go? Maybe everyone's there. Maybe Noblezada is out. Maybe someone else is out. The odds seems reasonably high that someone will be out in early January after the grueling Christmas to New Year's week (in a show that will run for the forseeable future). If you would be perfectly happy to see the show again and just take your chances on vacations/illnesses, then you have your answer.

I am just speculating about Oklahoma! absences, although I know Rebecca Naomi Jones has been in and out due to a TV show commitment and there have been other absences as well. The show is coming down the home stretch, with a closing date Jan. 19, so attendance might pick up. But a Saturday matinee two weeks before closing, after the Christmas to New Year's Day week? I would just be guessing. Others might have more of an idea, but you would just have to be prepared for someone you want to see (or multiple someones) being out.

It's not like there's a guarantee there won't be understudies in the newer shows you're seeing either, so that's a crapshoot. And in my experience (and yours), understudies tend to be excellent anyway.

A few thoughts:

See Hadestown again. It's worth it. I saw it a second time and wasn't sure about doing it because it meant I saw one less show but oh was I glad I did. There's not a bad seat so just get what ticket you can and go.

FLS, I did a mad dash and got a ticket right before showtime, sat in the back of the orchestra and loved it. I'd highly recommend giving it a go. Stage door plans may take precedence if you're feeling that, but FLS is just so fun. I wish I could have ended each night of my last trip with that show. Also, MLP is amazing in that show but Will effing Hochman isn't getting near the praise he deserves. In fact, now that I'm thinking back on that show, don't try for FLS. It's a piece that needs reflection after and time to sink in. There's a lot to process after and would do well for a good post-show ponder and slow walk back to bed.

Oklahoma, I'm seeing this for a second time because I adored it so much and had to make sure my wife saw it before it closed. So yes, worth a second go in my mind.

Wild card: Waitress with Katharine McPhee. Not sure if you've seen it or not but when I saw her in it the last go around I fell hard for her and the show. The closing cast is really strong and inspired a quick upcoming weekend trip just to see them. Something else to consider.

I love your show lineup, it's almost the same as what I did earlier this month. You're in for a great week of shows!

Thanks all. Trip completely planned now.

Here’s my schedule:

Friday, January 3 - The Sound Inside (Purchased with discount code)

Saturday, January 4 (matinee) - Oklahoma! (Probably will buy cheapest seat as all seats are good to great at CITS; discount codes don’t work on cheapest seats)

Saturday, January 4 (evening) - Slave Play (Purchased with discount code)

Sunday, January 5 (matinee and evening) - The Inheritance Pts. 1 & 2 (Purchased with discount code)

Monday, January 6 (evening) - West Side Story (Cheaper regularly priced ticket - far left front orchestra)

Tuesday, January 7 (evening) - Hadestown (“cheaper” mezzanine seat)

Wednesday, January 8 (evening) - Tina! (Purchased for $54 via Audience Rewards)

Thursday, January 9 (evening) - Jagged Little Pill (Purchased for $54 via Audience Rewards)

Friday (evening), January 10 - Grand Horizons (Purchased for $48 via Audience Rewards)

Updated On: 11/30/19 at 12:59 PM

Rosette3 said: "FYI Oklahoma has deal through Cyber Monday. Cheapest mat weekend seats are $69 instead of $99. Theres few different active codes on the Black Friday thread"

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Was able to grab a great $69 seat for a different vantage point and closer to the stage than last time.


Update: Just checked to see what my seat would’ve cost without any discounts. It would’ve been $169. I saved $100. Thanks again!!!

Updated On: 11/30/19 at 05:03 PM

inception said: "Just wanted to give some info on WSS merch:
Bought 2 of the shirts the white one with the show logo on the rectangle faces collage, and also the black one wirh just Zuri Noelle Ford's (Anybodys) face.

I was told that all shirts are unisex, but the white shirt is 100% polyester and seems much bigger than the same size of the black shirt which is 100% cotton. I did laundry today, the 100% cotton shirt did NOT shrink, which is good. But I wish the white one had since it feels oversized.

Since there is no program yet, I bought the set of 10 postcards. I wish they had the names of the actors photographed on the reverse. If you count the cover card that says West Side Story, there are actually 11 cards in the set.

Also they gave me a paper bag for free, unlike Moulin Rouge where they charge 50 cents extra for a paper bag"

Thanks for the info. Are they selling window cards yet? Also, what about magnets and mugs?

Miles2Go2 said:

Thanks for the info. Are they selling window cards yet? Also, what about magnets and mugs?

Yes, all 3, most merch uses the imaging from all the advertising of the rectangle face collage with West Side Story overtop in white. I think there may also have been water bottles and keychains.

What a slacker, not trying for a rush ticket to the 5:30p David Byrne's American Utopia to put in between Oklahoma and Slave Play?!?