Help me prioritize: N2N, Exit the King, Irena, Happiness, and more...

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 11:57am

Since I don't live in the NY-area (I only go to school here), I only have until early-May to see shows. Due to this (and money too) I'm not sure I'm going to be able to hit up everything I want. So I need some of your help in prioritizing!

Right now, I have tickets for Hair, 9 to 5, and will be getting God of Carnage tickets tomorrow. I will also definitely be seeing West Side Story.

Now for the rest of them. I have heard Next to Normal, Exit the King, Irena's Vow, and Happiness all described as must sees at some point. However, the latter two also have detractors, who describe them as overly-sentimental (which is something I HATE). I also have a great deal of interest in seeing The Philanthropist and Waiting for Godot.

So what do you think my order of priority should be? I'm thinking something like...

1. Exit the King
2. Waiting for Godot
3. Next to Normal
4. The Philanthropist
5. Irena's Vow
6. Happiness

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:07pm

No one has seen GODOT or THE PHILANTHROPIST yet.

And I haven't seen EXIT THE KING yet.

But this would be my list:

1) NEXT TO NORMAL
2) IRENA'S VOW
3) HAPPINESS

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:09pm

It probably depends on what you like. I am not a fan at all of absurdist theater, so Godot and Exit the King would be very low on my list.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:16pm

See EXIT THE KING. Do not miss it. A fascinating piece of theatre, with splendid performances.

Unless of course you want to see a piece of witless self-congratulatory sentimental schlock, in which case go for HAPPINESS.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:50pm

I'd skip WSS...really quite the disappointment: then you have finances for better things:

From your list this would be MY priority:

Next to Normal
Irena's Vow
Godot
Exit the King
Philanthropist
Happiness

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:54pm

Not skipping WSS. Classic musicals will always be my true love, so I can't see myself skipping out on any major revivals.

I'm not really sure I've ever seen any absurdist theater, but I'd imagine it'd be right up my alley.

As for Happiness being "self-congratulatory sentimental schlock," that is exactly the type of thing I despise. I guess I can skip that one.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 12:59pm

Irena's Vow should be at the top of everyone's list.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 1:04pm

You must see NEXT TO NORMAL. That just has to be at the top of your list.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 1:25pm

I've seen all four of the open shows you were interested in and I would go in this order:

Irena's Vow
Exit the King
Happiness
Next to Normal

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 2:10pm

King
Normal
West Side
Irena
Happiness

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 4:17pm

It's great to see that there are so many shows that people feel so passionate about!

Thanks for the all suggestions so far!

[manic_magic_n2n2]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 4:25pm

I'm actually in the opposite situation as you, being away at college for most of the year, but only coming home to the area for short amounts of time. Because of that, I haven't seen most of the shows on your list because I don't have enough time in the city (oops). Still, Next to Normal is FANTASTIC and you definitely shouldn't miss seeing it. I have heard from multiple people that Irena's is also really incredible. Sorry that's all the insight I can give, but I'd recommend not missing those.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/29/09 at 5:48pm

next to normal and Irena's Vow.