If/then vs. Violet

[David2]

If/then vs. Violet#1

Posted: 5/17/14 at 4:00pm

I'm going to be heading to New York in a few weeks and I have time I see a show and the two I really want to see are if/ then and violet. I was wondering which show I should see or is there any better shows to see?

[mrgiovanni]

If/then vs. Violet#2

Posted: 5/17/14 at 4:09pm

If/Then. Simple

[#1Elphie]

If/then vs. Violet#2

Posted: 5/17/14 at 4:11pm

Out of those two, I prefer Violet. Both shows feature great performances by their leading ladies, but I think Violet has a better book and an absolutely gorgeous score. I was much more moved by Violet than If/Then.

[DramaTeach]

If/then vs. Violet#3

Posted: 5/17/14 at 5:13pm

Violet, IMHO. Despite some good performances, I was not a fan of the music and storyline in If/Then. Violet has some beautiful songs and great performances.

[brdway411]

If/then vs. Violet#4

Posted: 5/17/14 at 5:14pm

I preferred Violet, I HATED If/Then.

[SomeOtherMe]

If/then vs. Violet#5

Posted: 5/17/14 at 5:45pm

I enjoyed both very much. It just depends on what kind of musical you're more into seeing. "Violet" has a much more "classic" and country type of feel to it where as "If/Then" is a contemporary, romantic pop musical. Both have a talented cast and a number of good songs. Personally, I favored If/Then a bit more but that's just personal preference. Both were great.

[NeverSoShy]

If/then vs. Violet#6

Posted: 5/17/14 at 6:17pm

I felt that If/Then had a little bit more of a wow factor, and (for obvious reasons) felt a lot more modern, whereas Violet was a lot more polished. I do find it difficult to favour one over the other, but those that I saw it with preferred If/Then overall but thought that the performances were better in Violet (but to an extent struggled to connect with the show as much). Both casts are absolutely fantastic though.

[theatregeek02]

If/then vs. Violet#7

Posted: 5/17/14 at 7:15pm

Definitely Violet. In my opinion, the only thing keeping If/Then alive is Idina Menzel's name.

[Bettyboy72]

If/then vs. Violet#8

Posted: 5/17/14 at 7:31pm

Violet-better score and story. If/Then has an incredible performance by Idina but the book and score suck balls.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

[haterobics]

If/then vs. Violet#9

Posted: 5/17/14 at 7:33pm

"suck balls"

You say that like it's a bad thing?!

[Sutton Ross]

If/then vs. Violet#10

Posted: 5/17/14 at 7:41pm

Yikes, this is a broadway theater site dude!

Yeah, If/Then wasn't great but both Idina and Sutton are giving such incredible performances, either one would be good.

[binau]

If/then vs. Violet#11

Posted: 5/17/14 at 7:42pm

All the more sense to make such a comment :P.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

[YouWantitWhen????]

If/then vs. Violet#12

Posted: 5/17/14 at 11:43pm

I was not overwhelmed with Violet. In fact, a. It underwhelmed.

[jnb9872]

If/then vs. Violet#13

Posted: 5/17/14 at 11:44pm

VIOLET has an emotionally rich story, a musically diverse and vibrant score, some absolutely thrillingly realized performances and a spiritually and theatrically fulfilling catharsis by its beautiful journey's end.

IF/THEN has a really shiny mirror that occasionally is brought down to reflect on actors and singers trying to make sense of a needlessly complicated (and yet still somehow incredibly shallow) tale with little to take home by way of tuneful music or emotional resonance. It is much belting and fury, signifying nothing.

Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.

[bwayphreak234]

If/then vs. Violet#14

Posted: 5/17/14 at 11:49pm

If/Then.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

[orangeskittles]

If/then vs. Violet#15

Posted: 5/18/14 at 12:35am

Better Score: Violet

Better Lead Performance: If/Then

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

[Visceral_Fella]

If/then vs. Violet#16

Posted: 5/18/14 at 1:15am

I preferred Violet. If/Then has all the potential in the world, but something just didn't come together.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

If/then vs. Violet#17

Posted: 5/18/14 at 9:49am

Haven't seen If/Then but Violet is phenomenal.

[Comden Green]

If/then vs. Violet#18

Posted: 5/19/14 at 11:36am

If/Then
1. (Perhaps minor point) I am frequently disappointed when my Broadway show is over after only 95 minutes. (Exception - Hedwig was great fun even without an intermission)

2. The book of if/then has been criticized. i had no problem with it. The book of Violet was absurd. SPOILER ALERT? that she has two men fighting over her shortly after meeting her? i wasn't buying it.

3. idina -magnificent

4. loved the music in both shows - bought both cast recordings

5. supporting casts of both shows were amahzing. incredible voices.

6. I was thrilled by if/then. violet was underwhelming.

[Mister Matt]

If/then vs. Violet#19

Posted: 5/19/14 at 12:46pm

I haven't seen If/Then, but Violet is the sole reason I booked a trip to NYC. Saw a regional production of the show three times and couldn't miss seeing the Broadway debut. Great book and beautiful score.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[Bettyboy72]

If/then vs. Violet#20

Posted: 5/19/14 at 4:25pm

"2. The book of if/then has been criticized. i had no problem with it. The book of Violet was absurd. SPOILER ALERT? that she has two men fighting over her shortly after meeting her? i wasn't buying it."

If/Then has several men fighting over a dour, self involved woman-that seems more credible to you?

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

[Sutton Ross]

If/then vs. Violet#21

Posted: 5/19/14 at 4:28pm

"If/Then has several men fighting over a dour, self involved woman-that seems more credible to you?"

OH SH*T!

To the original poster, you are going to get a million different opinions on these shows, but I do hope you experience both because there are positives with both productions. Have fun!

[BroadwayGirl107]

If/then vs. Violet#22

Posted: 5/19/14 at 4:37pm

Neither show was perfect, but I was deeply moved and thoroughly entertained by both. And both have stellar performances from their leading ladies...I wouldn't miss either!

[binau]

If/then vs. Violet#23

Posted: 5/19/14 at 5:12pm

I don't know Violet so apologies if this sounds silly but doesn't the lead have a disfigured face? It's probably more plausible that guys would be throwing themselves at Idina Menzel's Elizabeth - she's hot, funny and intelligent.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

[Sutton Ross]

If/then vs. Violet#24

Posted: 5/19/14 at 5:17pm

Sutton Foster isn't disfigured or scarred up in any way. She is gorgeous in this.