I HATE to be like everyone else, but NY Trip Advice

I'm going to New York City from August 3rd to August 7th (though really only there Monday night to Friday morning.)

Monday night- I'm going to the Bobby Cronin CD recording (Natalie Weiss emailed me about it- I'm sooo excited).
Tuesday- we're doing the normal touristy stuff of the city. Then we're seeing Next to Normal. Afterwards, I'm going to Broadway Sessions (hopefully).
WEDNESDAY- This is the day I need advice on. This day, all we're doing is walking around the theatre district and I was thinking of adding a show (by getting rush tickets) for the matinee. We're doing Ellen's Stardust Diner for dinner and then seeing Wicked.
Thursday- Broadway in the Park, then a developmental reading at the York Theatre. We're seeing Jersey Boys that night.

So I have 3 Broadway Musicals. I'm really interested in something off-Broadway or something on Broadway that isn't as popular, but still good-different than the shows I'm already seeing. It has to be something easily rushed. I would consider plays, but I'm very interested in theatre. I don't like Fantasticks, so don't recommend it. I saw Alter Boyz on tour, so I wouldn't be interested in that either. I was thinking Little Mermaid since it's closing, but since it might be touring, I think I'll just wait for that.

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I'm going two weeks after you, and am seeing N2N, Hair, and The 39 Steps (a play) on Broadway, and probably going to try the Rock of Ages lotto...and Off-Broadway, I'm going to check out Toxic Avenger at New World Stages...it seems like a fun night out.

Hope those are some ideas. Hair is very popular, but different and I think such an experience you don't want to miss in your life. The 39 Steps is a play, and seems like a very funny one, but it's going to tour, so maybe you want to wait? And Rock of Ages...I don't know if there's anything like it? Maybe a Jersey Boys with rock music from the 80's? It seems fun as well.

HAIR would be what I'd most tell you to put on your list.
39 Steps
Toxic Avenger
Avenue Q is closing and that's a HOOT....but very raunchy.

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Yes.

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Don't miss HAIR if at all possible. It is an amazing experience. I am not one to see shows multiple times, but I can't get enough of HAIR.

haha. By overwhelming, I was talking about the Tony performance. There were just so many people on stage and then they're running off stage! haha. I know that I relaly shouldn't be scared of a musical, haha. It's just a little intimidating. But I guess sooooo many people like it, so obviously there's something in that.

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I did not like "Hair" at all. Granted, the cast is very talented and interacting with them while they are running through the audience and then getting a chance to go up on a Broadway stage is fun.

But - like someone said, there is no story. It's basically a bunch of people on stage having lots and lots of explicit (simulated) sex and acid trips. The whole thing drags from one such sequence to the next. Once in a while someone breaks out in song (the music is still very good of course). There are some vignettes thrown in for no reason whatsoever (the tourist couple from Midwest). It probably helps to be stoned when you see this show. Just rent the movie - it's 100x better.

"Rock of Ages" on the other hand is pretty enjoyable. The storyline is silly, but at least there is a story and it's quite funny at times. You have to like the music from the 80's though - and I do, so no problem here.

Updated On: 7/20/09 at 11:11 AM

genius,
Listen to dramamama and go see 'Hair'. You will thank her for it.

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Siny, I totally agreed with you up until you said something positive of Rock of Ages haha :P But yeah, glad to see some other life form on this board is not obsessed with Hair! Plot over simulated sex and drug use any day for me.

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I had fun at ROA also (it certainly helps that they serve drinks during the show), but it can't hold a candle to HAIR. HAIR is an important piece of American musical theatre history. Without HAIR, we might have never seen Rent or SA or N2N.

It does have a story ... its Claude's story about his dilemma with serving his country in war he doesn't agree with. The vignettes take us thru the story, but there most definitely is a story.

You think the midwest couple was thrown in for no reason? It must have gone over your head, because the reason is quite obvious ... we are all different, but we need to be accepting of each other. The woman's speech about telling parents to go home and let their kids be who they want to be is very important to the piece.

And no, the movie is not better than seeing this wonderful production live.

The Midwesterner woman is Margaret Mead, famous anthropologist of the 60's and 70's.

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...every party has a pooper, that's why we invited you!

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"....but you may just feel like you need a shower and a cigarette (and a trip to rehab) when you walk out."

And and you'll feel the entire audience of ROA needs that by intermission!

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