One of those what show to see thingies.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:04pm

This Saturday, I'm seeing Wicked at the matinee. I want to add a second show for the evening, and I know full well that I'll pay full price for a Broadway show (first time since March '01) to do it, but that's okay.

It has to be a show I haven't seen before, but that I have interest in already. I have to be able to buy a fairly good seat on Friday morning when I get paid. And it can't be Avenue Q, because I already asked for tickets for that for Christmas.

My options: Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors, Movin' Out, Nine, Urinetown. All other shows need not apply.

A bit on each of the shows.

Gypsy - I would like to see Bernadette Peters live, having enjoyed her work on cast recordings and taped performances. I really like the score for Gypsy, though I don't love it. I'm hesitant because, in retrospect, I was majorly put off by Mendes's staging for Cabaret (though I love the show), and have heard that he didn't pull off a coup here either.

Little Shop of Horrors - It's controversial around here, I know. I remember enjoying the movie when I was a kid, but that's about all that would motivate me to see it.

Movin' Out - I'm a fan of some Billy Joel music. Two hours of dance show is an iffy thing for me, though, and I'm not sure if the music could get me through it.

Nine - Umm...I liked Stamos in Cabaret. The only one of the women who I've actually seen is Rona Figueroa, who I chorus-watched for some reason the last time I saw Les Miz. And I sorta like the score to Nine, in the sense that I find a couple of numbers really good and the rest not unpleasant.

Urinetown - I've held off from seeing this its entire run because...I find something disingenuous about its score, I think would be the way to put it. I'd like to see Carolee Carmello and Amy Spanger live, having greatly admired their work in cast recordings. I realize it's closing, but that has only lessened my hesitation and not removed it entirely.

So, um, now that I've given more than enough information, can anyone suggest which show would be best?

-Wayne

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:08pm

this cast of MOVIN OUT is not to be missed. The rest i think have as good as productions and casts elsewhere to catch. That being said, i enjoyed Bernadette's Rose and also Mendes' staging, but i also liked his staging of CABARET. This time round is MUCH more traditional if that is encouraging. There are better roles for Bernadette, but if you've never seen her live it might could be worth the shot. i also think the "stripped-down minimalism" of MOVIN OUT would contrast nicely with the bravura emotion and spectacle of WICKED.

Just my humble opinion.

[tkts]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:11pm

If you are paying full price, take the one you can get the best seats for.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:11pm

Movin Out is fantastic if you like Billy Joel's Music and choreography. I saw Nine because I like Antonio when he was in it. But the play itself was not that great. Urinetown I would not see again if they paid me. Gypsy was great. Little Shop I will be seeing in January so I can't give my opinion on that

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:13pm

Usually I would say Gypsy, but consdering that Urinetown is closing in January, you might want to catch that while you can. :)

[logan30]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:18pm

I'd go with either GYPSY (how often do you get to see a bona fide star in a broadway musical) or MOVIN OUT (because the Billy Joel songs are wonderful and Twyla Tharp's choreography is dazzling and jaw-dropping and never dull)

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:19pm

I would say Little Shop or Nine =-)

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:25pm

I would say Little Shop or Gypsy. Little Shop as a whole is great- great performances from each of the performers, great plant, special effects, lighiting, etc. It's an all around fun experiece.

I agree- you don't get a chance to see a bonafide Broadway star play one of Broadway's most challenging roles. Bernadette was phenomenal. So it's between those two.

I'd say Gyspy, though.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:42pm

Hmm...everybody seems to be mentioning Gypsy, at least second. Would you say it's the star factor, the rest of the cast, the material, or the production itself that makes it worth seeing? Or is it a combination of the above?

If it didn't have BP, I'd absolutely write it off and catch it in stock sometime. So is she, and are the cast and the production, worth a hundred bucks? Is it a see-it-discounted show? Is it a see-it-in-stock show?

-Wayne

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:59pm

It's definitely worth seeing while Bernadette is still in it. The rest of cast is great, and the set is interesting and unique the way it's a stage on stage. It's certainly worth the money.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 9:14am

Well, I went with Gypsy. First time I've paid top price, and honestly...I hope it's worth it.

-Wayne

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 9:17am

I was going to suggest either Gypsy or Little Shop. But Gypsy in my humble opinion, is a great choice. Bernadette Peters gives a wonderful and historic performance that is not to be missed. You will enjoy the show.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 9:24am

I definitely recommend Little Shop of Horrors, especially if its going to be an evening performance. You'll most likely be worn out by the end of the day and Little Shop is the type of show that has no boring points in it at all! You'll be re-energized at the very first sign of drumroll for the first song, and the show that follows is a real blast. You may not learn some valuable life lesson, but you'll have a lot of fun!

[Hank]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 12:27pm

If you're buying tickets this late for a Saturday night you will probably not get very good seats. In the case of Gypsy, you will probably get stuck way up there in the balcony, that's where I saw it and I wish I were closer. I couldn't even tell if there was nudity.
Urinetown is also a great show and in a tiny theatre. There are no bad seats here.
Movin Out can also be enjoyed from anywhere in that theatre.
I didn't really like Nine very much and I haven't seen Little Shop yet, so... I vote for Urinetown.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 12:29pm

Hank:

I never go to shows where I can't sit in orchestra. In this case, K22 for Gypsy.

Single tickets are almost always available in much better places than blocks of tickets, simply because people will buy in odd numbers and leave one seat floating free.

-Wayne

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 12:30pm

Go see URINETOWN! After all, "the tickets should say 'Urinetown.'"