NYC trip...show suggestions

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 1/31/07 at 10:03pm

I know it always gets old when people come on here and ask what shows they should see on their vacation to New York City, but...being very well educated in the world of musical theatre, I wanted to leave it up to people who have actually SEEN the shows. I am already seeing Mary Poppins and A Chorus Line and for my third show I can't decide between Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, or The Pirate Queen. Any suggestions or comments?

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 1/31/07 at 10:15pm

No question.
Spring Awakening.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/31/07 at 10:18pm

Grey Gardens.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/31/07 at 10:28pm

No question.
Grey Gardens.

[kgallo]

Posted: 1/31/07 at 10:34pm

SPRING AWAKENING!!

[teka21]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:10am

I've seen both Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens-

Spring Awakening is the Must See between the two- it's the whole package- wonderfully talented cast- amazing, soaring, haunting music, and powerful content.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:14am

Grey Gardens!!! - if nothing else, Spring Awakening will probably be open longer because of all the buzz.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:16am

Grey Gardens was absolutely brilliant and I loved every minute of it in the theatre.

Spring Awakening, I was expecting so much and was slightly disappointed but it's stuck with me long after seeing it.

Honestly I think it just depends what you're in the mood for.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:16am

Drowsy Chaperone is a MUST

Company (Classic Music)

Grey Gardens (Great music)

The Apple Tree (I am actually seeing it in a month) But it is Christen Chenoweth. Worth the price of admission.

Spring Awakening - Jusrt See it! I saw it at the Atlantic and cannot wait to see it again! The music is quite stunning! (IMO)

[CompletlyNakedStatue]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:26am

If it was me, I'd choose Spring Awakening.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:35am

I saw them both, and I would say GREY GARDENS, hands down.

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:08am

Definitely Grey Gardens. Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson are wonderful in it.

Spring Awakening was ok. I enjoyed the show, but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 11:55am

Phone rings, door chimes, in comes COMPANY!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 12:24pm

I'd have to say GREY GARDENS, simply because its got the Ebersole...you can't miss the Ebersole.

Oh, and do consider seeing some straight plays while you are here.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 2:46pm

i'd have to jump on the bandwagon for Grey Gardens as well. i've seen them all and i keep reflecting on how truly f*cking brilliant that show was. even my roommate was only iffy on it and turning back to the cast recording has been enthralled.

Spring Awakening is good theatre, don't get me wrong. but i feel like it lacks the something special that Grey Gardens has to offer. i feel like Spring Awakening mistakes homosexuality with "art" and sort of tears as the seams of what we constitute good theatre. it's still very catchy and whimisical but Grey Gardens feels more historical in a way.

i know right now you're really torn between these two and that's why i thought i'd offer that up. also Company is something special as well but i know it's not really up to that at this time. Raul Esparza is going to win the Tony for that and this may be something you're going to want to consider seeing.

ditto for Christine Ebersole. when she wins the Tony do you wanna be the one crying because you saw post-adolescents get naked on the stage with a bunch of chairs?

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 2:54pm

Have to agree with the majority: If those are the choices, go for Grey Gardens. While I feel that as a whole the show is a bit lacking (especially the first act, which drags on for a little too long and doesn't offer quite the necessary background for Act II), the score is beautiful, the cast superb, and it's one of those "absolute must see" shows. Christine Ebersole's performance (all but guaranteed a Tony Award) will be talked about for years - and if you have the chance to see her, do yourself a favor and go. You'll be happy you did.

I would recommend checking out the wonderful documentary film (of the same name) beforehand. It's not necessary to be familiar with it to understand and appreciate the musical, but will certainly help in your overall enjoyment of the show, and these wonderful women.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 2:55pm

Ohh my god ! Between SPRING AWAKENING & GREY GRADENS is soo hard.. I have seen both.. - Both were EXCELLENT !!! If I only have 1 - I will see GREY GARDENS (first then youre next trip- SA ) with Christine Ebersole is a definitely A MUST SEE...bec. she might not be playing a year or two from now or your next trip... while SA will definitely win the Tony's and will play longer ( I hope both play longer) but C. Ebersole & MLP -- to see both of them is PRICELESS !!! See them and you will be rewarded !!!

Or BETTER- ADD Another SHOW to your trip(better yet !) - that's what I will do- I can NOT MISS
both SA & GG. I have seen ACL & MM- both were good , but not as EXCELLENT as GG, SA or Company for this season

Good Luck and have a Blast in NYC !!!



Updated On: 2/1/07 at 02:55 PM

[educator06]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 3:04pm

Well Grey Gardens probably will not last more than a year with the magnificent Christine. So if you are not going to return anytime soon, I would say see her. I say her because she is the main reason GG would be the show to see over Spring Awakening. If you do plan to return soon, see Spring Awakening. You get 13 wonderfully gifted and talented performers, just an amazing cast singing amazing songs. Highly entertaining! IMO

Oh and SA is a think piece. You said you were highly educated.
Updated On: 2/1/07 at 03:04 PM

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 4:45pm

Thanks guys! I did also consider COMPANY, don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Esparza fan and am in love with Sondheim, but I kind of want my third show to be something I don't know everything about. I'm very familiar with COMPANY and I sort of want to have a theatre experience that will enlighten my musical theatre knowledge. I don't know a whole lot about Spring Awakening or Grey Gardens and I'm not going to lie; I am dying to see Christine Ebersole's performance! I'm returning to NYC this summer in either June or July, so I can see Spring Awakening then and I'm sure it'll still be just as strong of a show. I think I'm going to see Grey Gardens and hopefully COMPANY will still be playing in the summer as well, with Esparza.

I've already seen Drowsy Chaperone and loved it! I've seen every other popular/new show on Broadway (with the exception of Jersey Boys, I'll wait for the tour and I just don't understand all of its hype anyway).

Grey Gardens it is!

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 5:56pm

You mean you're not going to see "Christen Chenoweth"??? Sad times.

[WriteInNYC]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 6:16pm

See "Grey Gardens" for Christine Ebersole's perfect performance. It's one of those performances people will be talking about years from now and you will be kicking yourself saying, "I should've seen it when I had the chance." Also, Mary Louise Wilson is extraordinary. When these two women share the stage, there's nothing better in town.

[bandit964]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 11:35pm

i have only seen Spring Awakening and I highly recommend it, but I would personally go see Pirate Queen. I am a HUGE fan of Les Miz and Miss Saigon, and even though reviews havent been stellar, i still would be interested in seeing it.