My NYC Trip! (July 13-16)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 4:42pm

I just got back from a quick trip to the city! I left on Monday morning and came home today. I caught 4 shows in the time that I was there, and I thought I would share my thoughts on each!

 

Monday July 13 at 8pm -The Phantom of the Opera

I have seen this show countless times before, but I really wanted to see James Barbour, and boy was he incredible. Easily the best Phantom I have seen next to Andrew Varela who understudied the role on the tour in 2009. There aren’t many shows to choose from on a Monday night, but I never mind making a return visit to the Majestic. I used the TodayTix app for the first time for this. I used a friend’s code and got $20 off my ticket price, so I spent $95 for a seat in the front mezzanine. Great view. This show is still in top notch form even after all these years. It looked and sounded great.

 

Tuesday July 14 at 7pm -An American in Paris

I will admit that I was skeptical going into this. Does Broadway really need ANOTHER Gershwin jukebox musical? However I was blown away by the sheer beauty, grace, and elegance of this production. The cast for this including the leads, featured performers, and the entire ensemble were all wonderful. One of the best casts I have see on Broadway in a while. I LOVED the set and lighting designs, and I can definitely see how they won Tonys. The projections worked seamlessly with the movement of the set pieces. Overall, this is just a REALLY beautiful show that I would highly recommend to anyone.

 

Wednesday July 15 at 2pm -Fun Home

I don’t even really know how to begin writing about this one. Basically I feel the same way most of the members on here feel, though. This show is powerful, moving, and poignant. Sam Gold’s direction is unlike anything I have ever seen in a theatre. Michael Cerveris and Judy Kuhn were both out of this world. I fell in love with Days and Days on the cast recording, and seeing it performed live in the context of the show was just incredible. I did not get to see this at the Public, so this was my first time seeing the show. I LOVED the staging, and I really think this show benefitted from being in the round.

 

Wednesday July 15 at 8pm -Hand to God

Good god almighty… this play is insanely brilliant. I was really excited going in because it sounded like my type of play (dark and sinister yet still funny), and my expectations were wildly surpassed. Every actor in this play is just remarkable. What Steven Boyer does up on that stage is unlike anything I have ever seen from a performer. I LOVED the reveal of the set in act 2, and I loved how the set moved on the turntables. I could not breathe the last ten minutes of this show because it was so intense and frightening. This is probably one of my favorite plays I have ever seen.

 

Overall, it was a really great trip, and all of the shows were thoroughly enjoyable! I usually always have at least one show that I am not crazy about on a trip, but not this time!

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 5:02pm

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip :) Loved hearing your thoughts!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 5:59pm

Always enjoy hearing opinions..thanks for sharing..and glad you had a great time!

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 7/17/15 at 7:12am

Great list.

 

I must admit, after seeing Phantom, American in Paris and Fun Home I did NOT expect to see Hand to God (with a rave) listed next!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/17/15 at 9:54am

^ Haha I had quite the diverse round of shows this time! Hand to God was incredible, though. Probably one of my favorite plays! It's up there August: Osage County, Take Me Out, and Doubt!