Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 3:55pm

I know it is early to bring this up, but for us non-New Yorkers, this is a chance where we can see some of the new Bway shows. What shows do you think will perform this year? Here are some I would like:
1) Wicked
2) LSOH
3) RENT (a song other than Seasons of Love!)
4) Boy From Oz
5) Aida (My Strongest Suit)
6) Taboo
7) Avenue Q (kids watch parade, so I doubt it!)
8. Never Gonna Dance

Updated On: 9/25/03 at 03:55 PM

[Tiny_Dancer]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:02pm

That is a great question. I'd be very interested to know that also.

[magruder]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:19pm

In the last few years, Macy's has expressed interest in nothing but big numbers from big new shows. Given that Little Shop of Horrors and Avenue Q are smallish (and Avenue Q's songs don't exactly have family-friendly lyrics), I'm not sure if they are going to fit in. I think you'll be more likely seeing things like "Conga!" or "Wrong Note Rag" from Wonderful Town, "I Go to Rio" from The Boy From Oz, a big number from Wicked, and perhaps Never Gonna Dance, unless Taboo has a wholesome, energized company number that can fit the bill...

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:20pm

I can see Wicked or Little Shop of Horrors performing.

Shows like Rent & Aida aren't really new but if they have a celebrity they'll most likely perform.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:22pm

I would give my tonsils to see an AVENUE Q float!

[tpdc]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:26pm

I was thinking just this morning that we're very likely to see Donna Murphy and company doing Conga on the telecast. It will have opened just a few days before and this would be great publicity. Would Hugh Jackman do the parade? If he declines, I bet BOY would do the Liza/Fosse number. I would be surprised if WICKED wasn't included. CBS also does the parade and last year they featured MAN OF LA MANCHA, FLOWER DRUM SONG as well as CABARET. So maybe they will go after the smaller shows like LITTLE SHOP and AVENUE Q.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:34pm

They might want to spark people's interests in the smaller shows. I know Avenue Q probably won't fly (note I said that in the original post). Also, I am aware that Rent and Aida are older shows, I just would like to see them perform.

[magruder]

Posted: 9/25/03 at 4:44pm

Wishful thinking, but Macy's doesn't care about sparking anyone's interest in the smaller shows. They want big production numbers, period.

Posted: 9/26/03 at 11:39am

MasterLcZ-- I gave my tonsils last two years ago for something and have been thankful ever since. If they do Avenue Q, I know a great doctor.

[little-sally]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 11:44am

little shop, gypsy, ave q maybe, wicked, boy from oz

[jo]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 1:13pm

Where's the best street to watch the parade? I've never been to one - but I will be in New York for Thanksgiving this year. What time does it normally start?

Thanks.
Jo

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 8:29pm

Jo, the best place to see the parade is along Central Park West from 59th to 76th street. The parade has just started and the participants are fresh and excited and there is a lot of energy in the air. If you are going with friends, GET THERE EARLY.....5 am is not out of the question. There are bleachers set up on the park side and everyone goes for those first. The parade starts at 11 or 12 I believe so bring a small cooloer and Thermos and DRESS WARMLY.

Updated On: 9/26/03 at 08:29 PM

[jo]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 9:03pm

Thanks, MasterLcZ !

Jo

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 9:10pm

Jo, beware of falling street lamps. I remember a few years ago that one of the balloons hit one and made it fall on one of the spectators!

D

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 9:26pm

The city RE-DESIGNED all the street lamps along Central Park West right after the city settled the case with the woman that was hit, so I think Jo is safe!

[jo]

Posted: 9/26/03 at 9:27pm

D,

Thanks for the warning

Jo

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 9/27/03 at 10:55am

I went to the Parade a couple years ago, and if you do only one thing that was mentioned here, DRESS WARMLY. You don't want to be stuck in a mob of people and freezing. Also, I would bring some food and some Thermos's full of something hot, like coffee or hot cocoa. It will come in handy, believe me. Getting there early also helps a lot too.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/27/03 at 11:07am

I enjoyed the CBS musical numbers more than the NBC numbers. They placed them in different areas of the city. I can picture LSOH doing "Feed Me" in some florist shop somewhere.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/27/03 at 11:33am

What do you mean, BrdwyThtr? Is there another parade on CBS with Broadway performances?

[Hank]

Posted: 9/27/03 at 4:40pm

NBC usually picks 4 new musicals for the 9 to 10 hour and they are staged in front of Macy's Herald Square. From 10 to 12 they just show the parade itself with Santa making his first appearance at the conclusion. Many celebraties are featured on the floats lipsyncing their best known tunes. It's all very commercial, but hey, I just can't help but get into the spirit.
As for my picks for NBC's 9 to 10:
Wicked
The Boy From Oz
Never Gonna Dance (it opens Dec 4, do they ever do shows still in previews?)
Gypsy
That leaves out Wonderful Town (I may be wrong on this one) Taboo and Ave Q (you know why) and Little Shop (too small).

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 9/27/03 at 5:21pm

I think Wicked and Gypsy are shoe-ins.....probably the kids from Gypsy will sing "Let Me Entertain You." It's a great family number, and children always love to see other chidren perform. :)