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

[geniuswithADD]

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:54pm

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.

[sgv123]

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:59pm

For off-Broadway I def. recommend Marvelous Wonderettes.

http://www.marvelouswonderettes.com/

Updated On: 7/19/09 at 11:59 PM

[raggballad2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:25am

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.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:31am

Are you REALLY going to Ellen's Stardust Diner? It's fun, but bring earplugs!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 7:39am

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.

[geniuswithADD]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 8:52am

I've already seen Avenue Q on tour. It was amazing. Yes, I'm going to Ellen's. I'm really excited, because I've heard a lot of good things about it. See, everyone recommends Hair, but for some reason, it sort of scares me. The music is nice, but like, it just seems to be like, overwhelming of a show. Is that weird?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:01am

Yes.

[Leia947]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:42am

I really like Ellen's Stardust Diner, but last time I went the service was horrible and the singing few and far between. Hopefully I was there on a bad night. Plus it's been a while. But it is worth it and very fun.

Re: Hair... it can be overwhelming for some. You just have to go in with an open mind. It's really a wonderful show with great music. You wouldn't be disappointed.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:42am

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.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 10:23am

Genius -- you want to learn about theater...SEE Hair and you'll be learning about many things:

The best Revival of a Musical
Two of the most beautiful performances are b'way (Will and Gavin)
American history
American Musical History.
Since there is no official story, but rather themes and vignettes you'll also be discovering a different type of musical.

I'm not sure what you mean by "overwhelming", but N2N is so much more emotional draining than is Hair. (But Hair has it's moments.)

Please trust us and see it if you can get tix.

[geniuswithADD]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 10:29am

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.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 10:34am

Genius --

It will involve you ways you can't even imagine yet. Trust us.

[siny]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:11am

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

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:44am

SINY you are certainly allowed your opinion and dislike of any show....but I'm afraid you really missed the essence of Hair. While there is no explicit plot by traditional standards, it has meaning and beauty and question. It is a show about choices and conviction.

And I have never been stoned to view or enjoy this (or any other) show. Many would say you need to be drunk to enjoy ROA. (just as silly a comment, don't you think?)

And most of us here would disagree, entirely, that the movie is anywhere in the neighborhood of "better" than the stage version where they totally manipulated the essence of the piece. It just didn't work on film despite some nice performances.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:47am

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

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:49am

Defenitley see HAIR. It defenitley is random and disjointed but I don't agree with the notion that there is no story. It just sorta sneaks the story in lol. For most of Act I you're just having a great time with these characters and then the reality of Vietnam and everything comes in and IMO you really come to care about the characters.....that sounds awkward lol but HAIR is just a really unique piece of theatre that shouldn't be missed.

[zoraksferal]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:51am

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.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:01pm

"Once in a while someone breaks into song..."

Are you sure you saw HAIR? There are what 37 numbers in HAIR. There is a pretty strong story line too: Boy gets draft card, has a crisis of conscience between his life with the tribe and the duty to his country and expectations of his parents. He makes his decision and ultimately pays the price.

The simple yet compelling tale is told through song and giving us a glimpse of the ideologies of the Tribe members and the concerns of their day (which depressingly are pretty much the same concerns we have today. We haven't learned much in 40 years). Say what you will buy HAIR is the father of such shows as RENT and Spring Awakening.
This revival demonstrates that it is still very much alive, vibrant and relative.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:09pm

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.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:14pm

I'd suggest giving Hair a chance but if you feel really uncomfortable about it don't allow yourself to be pressured into it. Ultimately, it's your money and I don't recommend spending it on anything you're not sure you want to see. The currently discount code is $85 which is a lot if you're on a budget. Don't feel you have to see it. If you want to see it then great. And if you don't want to that's okay too.

I second the recommendation for Marvelous Wonderettes - they have a matinee and an evening show on Wednesdays. I, also, add that if you get the chance I recommend South Pacific, 9 to 5, and In the Heights.

Updated On: 7/20/09 at 12:14 PM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:20pm

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

[siny]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:27pm

"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."

Yeah, I got that. And may I add that all the "messages" in "Hair" are very heavy-handed ?

It's impossible to dislike this show because of its very likeable and talented cast, but you may just feel like you need a shower and a cigarette (and a trip to rehab) when you walk out.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:29pm

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

[Leia947]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:32pm

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


...... I'm okay with that.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 12:35pm

"....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!