Pippin or Once?

[Libby1209]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:14pm

If you had to choose one, which would you choose? (Wishing I could get discounted tickets for either, but clearly that's not going to happen anytime soon...) So which should I spend the cash on?

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:19pm

No contest.

Once was good but once was enough.

Pippin was spectacular. You'll want to go back.

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:21pm

Pippin. I've see both at the TKTS booth. Pippin is usually 20% off. Once I've seen for 50% quite often.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:21pm

Pippin. Patina and Andrea Martin are worth the ticket price alone. It's wildly entertaining.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:22pm

both are outstanding in their own, unique ways. Once probably has cheaper tickets now.

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:23pm

Some people love Once, but I found it boring. Pippin is spectacular! I vote for Pippin.

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:23pm

Here is a discount code for Once

http://www.seasonofsavings.com/shows/broadway/once

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:23pm

Here is a discount code for Once

http://www.seasonofsavings.com/shows/broadway/once

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:28pm

PIPPIN is a better production of a worse musical. Spectacular staging and performances, mediocre book and music. ONCE is an amazing musical, one of my favorites, though I have heard differing opinions about the replacement cast members.

It just truly depends on the kind of show you like. They are both great in very different dimensions.

[Libby1209]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:43pm

gfaustswa, Thanks for the discount codes! I don't mind spending some serious cash, for shows / actors that I REALLY want to see. But these are two shows that I'm sort of interested in seeing. (Okay let's be honest...I feel obligated to see them and give them both a chance, despite others' opinions) So to me, discount tickets for these two would be great.

Now I've heard that for Pippin, mezzanine seats are a must. How about Once? (Can I go for the cheapest seats for both of these and still enjoy the show? How about partial view?) Thoughts?

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:48pm

I'd go with Pippin, it's one of my favorite shows currently on Broadway.
I haven't seen Once, but mezzanine seats are probably the best for Pippin. I've only done partial view with orchestra seats, and I've been fine.
I doubt you would miss much with Once partial view, but I could be wrong.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 10:55pm

Libby, you feel "obligated to see them and give them both a chance, despite others' opinions?" Who are these "others" who've slammed productions that each won a ton of awards and will run for years? You make it seem like received opinion is against them.

[Libby1209]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:08pm

I've heard not-so-stellar reviews about ONCE (I've heard it's boring). I've been hearing about how wonderful PIPPIN is (not necessarily this production but the show in general) since I was a kid...but I'm not crazy about some of the songs (which makes me wonder if I'll like it). I feel obligated to see them and form my own opinion. Make sense? But being lukewarm about both, discounted tickets appeal to me more.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:10pm

Once is gorgeous from the Mezz, but from what I recall hearing you want to avoid the sides of the theatre, both levels (this includes partial view, natch) primarily for the sound design. It's an intimate, gorgeous score, that is apparently best-served from the center angles.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:17pm

Loved both of them, but for very different reasons. They both are basically unit sets, although, Once, is very intimate and Pippin, is a spectacle.

Are you looking for a charming funny love story (Once), or a epic coming of age tale about someone trying to find one's "Corner of the Sky" (Pippin)?

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:44pm

Definitely Pippin.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:48pm

I'll echo what the others have said: they're both excellent shows, but for very different reasons.

As far as seating goes, SRO for "Pippin" is fine, as are any full-view orchestra seats, but front mezz really does offer the best view.

When I saw "Once" (with the OBC), I sat in the last row of the orchestra all the way on the side. While I would like to have been closer, the view was perfectly fine, especially for the rush price. I've heard that the box seats are terrible for this show, as are the extreme sides in the front of the orchestra.

[kingslim]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 12:05am

My vote goes to Pippin. Went Friday and thought it was amazing. Patina and Terrence Mann were good, but Matthew James Thomas, Charlotte D'Amboise and Rachel bay Jones were the standouts for me

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 5:47am

I loved them both. It really depends on your taste, so I find it hard to suggest to someone I don't know which THEY might prefer.


With Once begining to lose steam at the box office, I suspect they will be around about the same length of time. (Revivals usually succeed for about a year to 18 months.)

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 7:29am

Dramamama, I think it's safe to assume Pippin will be around longer than 12 - 18 months. It's a sell-out smash with no sign of slowing down in a small house. Andrea Martin was out last week and it dipped one percent. I'd say it'll be here for at least two more seasons.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 9:10am

Hair was a pretty big hit too, for about a year, then it fell apart.

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 10:03am

Once won EIGHT Tonys including Best Musical. so to say its boring or got bad reviews is just silly.

I have seen Once a bunch of times and loved it every single time. Each lead bring something diff to it. Cristen, Laura and Joanna are each specular in their own way. No one can match up to Steve, but Arthur brings his own vibe with him and is good as well. I havent seen Pippin but my parents have and they enjoyed it very much

That being said, you shoud consider this. If youre older, you will probably like Pippen, its a traditional Showtune Musical with all the bangs and whistles and people breaking out in song.

If youre younger, youd probably prefer Once. As someone said above its much more intimate, and more of a real story with a rocker score. Ive cried each time ive seen it.

You really cant go wrong with either. if you like Cirque solell, youll probably like Pippen, if you like Love Stories, youll probably like Once.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 10:19am

As a few others have already said, “Pippin” is a spectacular production and an absolute blast to experience. However, I definitely feel that “Once” has more substance and depth – it is a show that sticks with you (or, at least, it stuck with me). “Pippin” was something I am extremely happen to have seen and is a feast for the eyes, but, if it’s between the two, I think I would urge you to check out “Once.”

I left “Pippin” amazed at the feats and talents and almost cloudy with over-stimulation (in a good way), but I left “Once” extremely moved. If I have to choose between the two for what I would like to get out a theatrical experience, I would choose the latter.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 10:47am

I'm probably going to say basically what everyone else has said. I haven't seen Once but will be seeing the tour in January and I'm very excited for it. I'll guess that tickets are cheaper and more available for Once. I haven't really checked grosses but my guess is that Pippin will be around much longer. I have seen Pippin, it is amazing. The show itself is weird but I liked it. The score has some good songs but overall it's not my favorite. Just the few songs I've listened to from Once surpass the entire score of Pippin. If you like good music and a love story, go see Once. If you want to be amazed but hear a weird story with decent music, go see Pippin. Also, Once probably has more discounts. Sorry for saying basically everything everyone else said but whatever, enjoy whichever one you see!

[ethan231h]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 11:14am

PIPPIN
The show is so spectacular I have seen it 3 times now it is amazing!