Jersey Boys or Legally Blonde?

[evitakita]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:44pm

In a perfect world, I would see both shows, as I live in the Bay Area, but money and time being what it is...I need advice.

Of course I have heard that Jersey Boys is fantastic, but I'm not sure that I'd love it, partly because I'm not a huge fan of the jukebox musical (although I've heard it's definitely not your typical jukebox musical) but also because I'm not too much of a fan of the particular music on which it's based. On the other hand, like I said, I have heard the show is wonderful...I'm just wondering if that's enough to overcome my (admittedly subjective) lukewarm feelings toward the music.

As for Legally Blonde, I actually really like the movie (plus I'm in law school, which makes it even more fun, if more than slightly idealistic). My problem is that I also really liked the movie The Wedding Singer but wasn't terribly excited by the musical; plus, I'm not loving the two songs available online.

So...for those who have seen both...any thoughts? (I don't mean to pass judgment on shows I haven't yet seen, by the way; I'm just noting my pre-viewing feelings so as to give enough info about my preferences to get the most useful advice.) Thanks everyone!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:48pm

If you're not liking the LEGALLY BLONDE music thus far, go with a surely good night in the theatre as opposed to a skeptical one. Go with JERSEY BOYS. Wait for reviews, more buzz, and more music samples of LEGALLY BLONDE before you decide to see it.

[stagegrrrl]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:50pm

um...is that even a serious question? i have heard that jersey boys is great. i have heard that legally blonde is a hot mess. i would definitely go with jersey boys.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:51pm

Go see Legally Blonde. I would imagine Jersey Boys will be around for a while, but Legally Blonde hasn't opened on Broadway yet, so right now it's a crapshoot as to whether it will be around for a while or not.

[lfae]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:00pm

I just spent a whirlwind three days in SF and I saw both and in my opinion - for the love of god, go with Legally Blonde. I LOVED it - I saw the first preview and was astounded at how tight it was already! I also rather enjoy the movie, and now I can't imagine it NOT as a musical. It was very well done, almost seamless. I've a feeling by the time it hits Broadway, it WILL be seamless :) As for Jersey Boys, I felt like leaving at interval. I loved the music, but the overall show bored me, which is sad because I usually love everything I see. You already don't sound sure on JB, go with your gut and don't waste your money if you're not keen on the music on which it's based.

Which two Legally Blonde songs have you heard anyway? Because the music in it is fantastic, but there ARE a few numbers that I think need a lot of work (in one case a clean cut would be ideal!)

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:06pm

Jersey Boys hands down

[evitakita]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:06pm

The two LB songs I've heard were "Omigod You Guys" (which I found a little annoying) and "Take It Like a Man" (with which I just wasn't that impressed). Are most of the songs similar?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:14pm

I would go with JERSEY BOYS because you know that it is great, while with LEGALLY BLONDE it is far from great because it is previews. It might be great by the time it gets to Broadway but that would be a different show than the one you are seeing. It's the same as chosing to hand in your rough-draft paper or your final draft paper.

[Julian2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:19pm

I would say Legally Blonde for a couple of reasons . . .

1. Jersey Boys will be around for a long time, its currently doing 100% buisness in NY, Legally Blonde may fizzle out quickly or simply not be around as long.

2. Your seeing what will be the Original Broadway Cast, in the out-of-town tryout, that's one of those unique veiwing experiences that you can say in later years "I saw the such and such".

3. You already know that you don't like the "score" for Jersey Boys, but you've only heard two songs from LB.

4. You liked the movie.

5. You're in Law School.

6. This is Legally Blonde, not The Wedding Singer. They may draw from similar sources (Popular Movies), but they are two different shows by two different creative teams about two different things.

[Julian2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:21pm

The reason for Jersey Boys is . . .

1. Its a confirmed hit, and its supposed to be fantastick, so its possible the show will sweep you up and you will overcome your aversion to the music.

I would pick Legally Blonde, but its up to you.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:31pm

JERSEY BOYS won Best Musical (which doesn't neseccarily mean it's good or you'll like it, it simply means Tony voters thought it was the best new musical of the season).

Definitely go with your gut. JERSEY BOYS is going to tour and will be on Broadway for a long time. LEGALLY BLONDE is fresh with the original cast, but is still very new. When are you seeing the show? How soon do you have to choose? Is money an issue?

[evitakita]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:45pm

I'm seeing the show with my Mom, whose coming to visit next weekend (we'll probably a Sunday matinee). Money may be an issue...however, I'm mobility impaired so am usually able to get the slightly less expensive accessible seating tickets (I think this would be the case for both shows, although I've never actually been to the Golden Gate, so I'm not sure what their set up is).

Also, not that this is highly relevant, but we're seeing The Pillowman at the Berkeley Rep that Friday, so I would imagine that after that a lighthearted show would be in order (although I imagine both JB and LB fit that bill.)

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:56pm

PILLOWMAN AT BERKELEY REP IS AWESOME.

Haven't seen Jersey Boys yet. The two songs you heard were a pretty good sample of the songs in Legally Blonde - not the best in the show, but not the worst. It basically depends a little on whether you'll ever get out to NY - Jersey Boys will be playing there for a decade, most likely, and Legally Blonde may not. If you want to see them both eventually, see Legally Blonde now.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:10pm

JERSEY will be difficult to get tickets to, but I'm not sure how the wheelchair seats work.

[evitakita]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:10pm

I'm actually going to be in NY for work all summer, so I guess that is something to take into consideration...

Also, shesamarshmallow...did you happen to do rush for PILLOWMAN?
Updated On: 1/27/07 at 11:10 PM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 10:25am

No, I went on weeknights where tickets are half price for those under 30. But the second night I went was only about 80% full, rush would have been easy if anyone wanted to.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 10:42am

go with what u want. i don't read reviews until after i see the show, because if i want to see it, nothing is stopping me.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 10:53am

If you are a fan of "musical theatre" as an entity and love the creative process - I'd say see LEGALLY BLONDE, simply because, as others have said, its a unique opportunity to see a show during its pre-Broadway tryout - warts and all.

If you are simply somone who wants to see a good show and only get to see a couple of musicals a year - go see JERSEY BOYS, which I think is safe to say is the far superior production of the two.

Assuming your mom is over 40, JERSEY BOYS will almost assuredly be the show she would enjoy more. That music is her generation. Updated On: 1/28/07 at 10:53 AM

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 12:28pm

I'd go with "Legally Blonde"...but that's just my opinion.