Need help picking a show!

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 3:46pm

Next Thursday I want to see a show, and my choices are the phantom of the opera (I've never seen it, and keep putting it off all the time), Next to Normal (I want to see it, but I have a feeling I won't enjoy it). South Pacific (Never seen), or West Side Story. I would just like you're opinions, and recommendations.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 3:47pm

Next to Normal. I have seen it twice and you don't wanna miss Alice Ripley's Tony award winning performance.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 3:59pm

I would have to choose either Next To Normal or West Side Story.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 5:03pm

South Pacific or West Side Story.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 6:34pm

I really dont get why people are always asking what show to see? Just pick one and see it.

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 6:39pm

That's because I'm not able to see a show every single month I see probably about 4 shows a year, so It's hard for me to choose a show to see when there's a lot of good shows out there.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 6:42pm

Next to Normal or Phantom.

Phantom, it's a classic, but it's also on tour.

Next To Normal, it's new and different.


If I were you, I would choose Next To Normal.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 6:43pm

Why do you feel you won't enjoy Next to Normal? It might help us(the ones who actually want to help) make suggestions. I would suggest Next to Normal.

[WickedlyEdna1962]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 6:47pm

Next to Normal.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 7:15pm

I also thought I wouldn't like Next to Normal. I was never a fan of Rent and I thought with serious subject matter and a rock score, it might be another Rent for me. I went in with a pessimistic, but curious attitude. I absolutely loved it. It was one of the most powerful shows I have ever seen, and I've even been listening to the music non-stop.

Phantom will be around for a while longer, I can imagine.

South Pacific was another one of my favorite shows I have ever seen on Broadway. It's such a classic and it's a blessing to be able to listen to that fantastic score with a full orchestra. I saw it with Paulo Szot and Laura Osnes in the lead roles, and they were fantastic. Paulo might be on a break right now, so I can't comment on whoever is replacing him.

West Side Story was very good. I had never seen it onstage before and I really enjoyed it! The sound made it a little hard to hear. It was a great production, but not as touching for me as Next to Normal and South Pacific. If you have to pick 2, pick these two.

Enjoy your trip and let us know what you decide!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 7:51pm

wickedpoppins, i understand your question, but these threads are frustrating because ultimately you are the best barometer of what you want to see. i mean, most of the people on here are telling you to see next to normal, the show you are least gravitating towards. so it is hard to really make suggestions. would you go against your gut and see next to normal if enough people recommend it?

i truly think next to normal is the best of the shows you listed but if you like wicked and mary poppins, the intensity of n2n may be too much for you.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 8:00pm

"if you like wicked and mary poppins, the intensity of n2n may be too much for you."

That was a little uncalled for IMO. I love Wicked AND N2N.

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 9:17pm

I'm not less gravitating to next to normal, I just hear such good reviews about the show, that I want to see it, so I could probably see what the hype is about, but I just wanted people's opinions. And, just because I'm a wicked and mary poppins fan, does not mean I don't have a brain, and can't understand the "intensity" in next to normal. Watch what you're saying, because you don't know me.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 9:25pm

First of all, both of you need to relax. Seriously, I raised a valid point and I never questioned anyone's ability to "understand" anything. Stop reading into things.

N2N is a very intense emotional show far unlike Wicked and Mary Poppins, which you like enough to incorporate into your screen name. All I inferred was that if you gravitate towards those kinds of shows, you may not like N2N. It has very heavy content. Thats all. It made no overtures towards what you would understand. I never said you don't have a brain-no idea where you got that from.

Also, if you don't want opinions, don't start threads asking for them. It seems like you will do fine picking your own show. Peace out.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 9:26pm

Betty said nothing about you not being able to "understand" the intensity in Next to Normal. I enjoy both Mary Poppins and Wicked but Next to Normal is also a show I love and it might be my favorite of the three.

So what your saying is you would want to see Next to Normal to see the hype? I still don't quite understand why your less interested. Maybe you just are, maybe I am looking WAY to much into this, haha. But like Betty said, you are the one that knows best in this situation.

Updated On: 2/11/10 at 09:26 PM

[defygravity24]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 9:45pm

I'd say Next to Nromal. You don't eant to miss Alice Ripley and Phantom sn't goign anywhere.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 9:45pm

I think you should see Next to Normal. I'm surprised nobody has suggested it yet.

[purtynpynk]

Posted: 2/11/10 at 11:18pm

I would say next to normal too. I wanted to see it, but I didn't think it would be as good and interesting as it was. Also, if Alice Ripley isn't in, her understudy Jessica Phillips is excellent too, so you'll see someone good in that role no matte what!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/12/10 at 12:58am

To the OP: your comment to BettyBoy was totally unwarranted. YOU asked for opinions, and he tried to give you one based on things YOU said. You mentioned that he "doesn't KNOW you"...no, he doesn't -- so then why solicit opinions for yourself from an entire board of people that don't know you. Bettyboy meant, nor implied, no disrespect for you OR the shows you like.


If I was going to rank your possibilities:
N2N
South Pacific

I wouldn't reccommend WSS OR Phantom. Phantom is nothing but spectacle and this production of WSS is souless. (Granted, I haven't seen it since the week it opened...but out of my group of nearly 100 -- less than 5 people LOVED it, and maybe another 10 even LIKED it.)

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/12/10 at 1:24am

I haven't seen N2N, but I absolutely loved the other three! You can't go wrong with any of them!