I'm planning a trip to NYC in December. I have theatre nut daughters aged 14 & 12. We know we want to see Wicked and Hairspray. We have already seen Phantom, Rent, & Chicago. We have narrowed down our third show choices to: Millie, Urinetown,Producers or Gypsy. Please help us decide!
Cant't speak for the Producers (I've only listened to the CD, which I don't particularly care for); but of the others, Urinetown is still the sharpest and funniest. And Carolee Carmello as Ms. Pennywise is not to be missed! Your daughters (depending on their taste) with either be swooning over Jeff McCarthy or Luther Creek.
Millie was...nice. A lot of eye candy, with not a lot of heart. Gypsy is a decent production, but not much more. Bernadette at least puts some effort into Madame Rose (as opposed to when she walked through playing Annie Oakley), but her singing was forced and she tended to swallow both the ends of notes and her lines. Not a definitive production or performance by any stretch of the imagination.
Enjoy Wicked. I hope to have seen it SEVERAL times by December.
Your daughter would fall in love with Millie, and I hope you would too. As of now Sutton Foster's contract in Millie only runs through November 2nd, but if she renews through December, it would be foolish to see any other show. Millie is brilliantly funny with a lot of heart, and its a beautiful production to look at. If you have the chance to catch SUtton in that I promise you simply cannot be disappointed. If your daughters are 14 and 12, that seems to be the age group that really latched onto this show. I say Millie's gotta be the show to see. No questions asked.
I have to disagree about Millie. I felt it was all glitz and no substance. Sutton Foster certainly worked hard, but that was a large part of the problem for me. She *looked* like she was working hard. If you're in them mood for fluff and eye candy (and nothing wrong with that from time to time), Millie is a good candidate.
I had seen Frog and Toad (pity that it closed) the night before Millie and couldn't help thinking how much I preferred something that was funny, sweet and, most of all, genuine.
I'd still go with Urinetown (pun intended) - it's not only funny and superbly acted, but it's also *smart*. I wouldn't say it has a lot of heart either, but it's not meant to.
However, we do seem to agree on Wicked. This is going to be THE show to see next season (fingers crossed and breath held).
They also might like AIDA, it's a little pop-ish for a show, but has great costumes, scenery, and the cast right now is great. It's also a great love story that is not too complicated, so it's easy to follow! Enjoy NYC!
If they haven't already been exposed to it, absolutely absolutely absolutely GYPSY.
Second choice: Millie.
Then (in order) Producers and Urinetown. I in no way mean to question your daughters' intellect, but satire is more meaningful to adults. I also think the other 2 shows are more entertaining for adolescent girls.
To the others on this message board: 12 and 14 year old kids, even "theater nuts," do not have the same taste as a New York-based adult theater buff. They're not going to be comparing Bernadette to her perfomance in Sunday in the Park or to Ethel Merman or noticing how she inflects the third from last line in Some People, etc., and they probably don't have as expansive a frame of reference as you to appreciate Urinetown on the same level.
To the person who wrote the original message: Have a great time, and congratulations on raising young theater lovers!
Hairspray was a great choice for you and the kids. I haven't seen Gypsy, but Producers would be enjoyable for all ages, if you could get tix.
Between Urinetown and Millie, I preferred Urinetown myself. However, although I think Urinetown is a better show, I am also viewing it from an adult perspective. I would have to agree with FrontRow on this, and say that for adolescent girls, Millie would be the better choice. It's a great all around fun show.
For 12-14 year old girls, I would say Hairspray over the others, then Gypsy, Urinetown and Producers...
Aside from being entertaining for the whole family, I think it's good that they would be seeing 3 shows centered aroung strong, young leading female characters.
I know youve listed your options, but i really think you should consider little shop of horrors. its great music, and i think a 12 and 14 year old would love it. just an option
That's too bad about the Producers. Is it still even worthwhile paying full price for then? I know there are no discounts available, as there are for Millie and Urinetown. I saw Producers back when Lane and Broderick were still starring, although Lane was out (as was usual at the time) and I saw Brad Oscar instead. Loved the show and the cast at the time.
Yes, that's it Millie. Trust me, your daughters will love it. It's just a thing for this age group, you can guaruntee they'll love it. I really think you all would really love it. If Sutton's there she'll blow your mind. And if she isn't her boyfriend is great as Jimmy. Trust me, that's the show you gotta see.
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