Pre-Tony FOMO

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 8:15pm

Hi all, I've been to a bunch of shows this year and made some poor assumptions on what I wouldn't like and shouldn't bother with. If I win the lottery I usually go anyway because of the great prices, so I have realized lately I've been very wrong in those assumptions. I'm hoping for some help on deciding what to see next. I'm not really interested in rush or SRO, after living here for 7 years I'm tired of standing in line for everything.  I'm having a little pre-Tony FOMO that the tough-to-get expensive tickets will only be harder to get and more expensive. I'm also interested in venturing off-broadway, if anyone has any suggestions there.

Here's what I've seen recently:

Sunset Bld - Saw this last night. My expectations were low and was surprised  that I absolutely loved it.

Miss Saigon - I liked it. Wouldn't see it again, even at lottery/rush prices.

Amelie- I was seemingly one of the few that really liked it.

Bandstand - Eh. Laura was great and the music was ok, the story didn't do it for me.

Dear Evan Hansen - Love Ben and love the music but the show itself doesn't resonate with me as much as I thought it would and I have some issues with the story.

Groundhog Day - Obsessed. I didn't like the movie and was sure this was going to be a #fail. I was blown away by everything - the cast, the set, the originality, and the message. In. Love.

School of Rock - Kids were great and enjoyed it, but not usually what I'm looking for

Wicked- Love it, will never get old.

Anastasia - It was ok. The scenery and costumes were beautiful, I thought the cast was a bit weak.

Come From Away - I bought a ticket for July, this is one of the shows I'm being told I have to see but not sure if I will like it.

----

Natasha - I keep entering the lottery hoping to win. Is this a mistake? Should I bite the bullet and just buy tickets? Where should I sit?

Hello Dolly - Didn't think I would be interested in 'old broadway' until I saw SB last night. Now I wonder if I'm making a huge mistake skipping this.

I also have not seen Beautiful, Waitress, Kinky Boots, or War Paint. Anything I haven't mentioned I have put in the "don't bother" pile, but wondering if I should give any of those a chance too.

Thank you all!

 

 

Updated On: 6/9/17 at 08:15 PM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 8:29pm

Personally I'd say definitely don't bother with Kinky Boots or Beautiful. War Paint is worth a visit if you're desperate to see the 2 leading actresses, if you're especially interested in the subject matter, or if you love the work of Frankel/Korie. Otherwise, skippable. I say bit the bullet on Great Comet. It's incredible. Others may disagree, but I'd say your best seating options would be either onstage, front mezzanine, or front orchestra. I like Waitress a good amount, but it's not a must-see if you're trying to squeeze in shows from this season. 

Hello, Dolly! is the theatrical event of the season. If FOMO is a big factor for you (as it is for me), that's one to bite the bullet on. 

Updated On: 6/9/17 at 08:29 PM

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 8:38pm

JBroadway said: "I say bite the bullet on Great Comet. It's incredible. Others may disagree, but I'd say your best seating options would be either onstage, front mezzanine, or front orchestra."

If you get tickets to Great Comet, do not get front orchestra!! We sat front row house left and the majority of the show was blocked by the elevated tables and chairs directly in front of us. Front mezzanine or on-stage seating are the way to go.

I say bite the bullet on Hello Dolly. The show is great, but more than that it really feels like an event. The energy in the room is palpable.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 8:51pm

Thank you, both! I just looked at tickets for HD and they don't appear to be as out of reach as I expected! There is quite a lot of availability on Tuesdays, I assume because Bette isn't there. Is that a deal-breaker? (I didn't expect to get to see her anyway). Any recommednations on where to sit? Looks like front mezz is available along with plenty of seats in the side orchestra. I generally love to be close to see the actor's faces, unless their theater doesn't have a good slope (I'm kind of short) or if it's better to take in the whole stage from further away for a particular production.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:05pm

Trust JudyDenmark's word over mine on Great Comet! I assumed front orchestra would be best because you're more in the heart of the action, but if she actually sat there and had a bad experience, that's a more trustworthy report. Sorry for the bum steer. 

Yes, Tuesdays are the days that Bette is out. Donna Murphy, her alternate, is an incredible actress and singer, and more than worthy of the role. But "BETTE MIDLER in Hello Dolly" is the theatre event of the season. The show without her would still be a ton of fun with an excellent cast, but if you think you don't like "old Broadway," and you're driven by FOMO, it might not be worth your time and money without her. 

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:07pm

Love that Great Comet and Hello, Dolly! are the two shows being recommended/discussed... they're 100% the ones I'd recommend, even if you didn't include them at the end of your original post!

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:10pm

JBroadway said: "Trust JudyDenmark's word over mine on Great Comet! I assumed front orchestra would be best because you're more in the heart of the action, but if she actually sat there and had a bad experience, that's a more trustworthy report. Sorry for the bum steer. "

Perfectly logical assumption! This show is just an anomaly because of the unique set design, and we couldn't tell until there were bodies in the raised seats in front of us just how blocked we would be. I went back and sat front row mezz and it was perfect.

Edit... re: Hello Dolly seating, front of the mezzanine is great - word is, don't sit past row C because the balcony overhang will block it. The orchestra is raked, so those are also great views. If the availability is waaaaay on the side I don't know if I'd do it, but otherwise you should be good to go. There are moments that would be better up close, and moments that would be better from a further back full stage view, so I wouldn't sweat it. It's great either way. Agreed that Donna Murphy will make a fabulous Dolly in every way, but if you're going for the "event," I'd stick with Bette.

Updated On: 6/9/17 at 09:10 PM

[Messytheatregirl]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:14pm

I sat in the banquette seats on stage for The Great Comet, and it was, hands down, the greatest theatre experience of my life (I've seen 40+ shows on broadway.) Definitely bite the bullet and by the ticket if you are going to sit on stage. If you can't get tickets for on stage, I would settle for another show. Miss Saigon was also phenomenal! 

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:18pm

You all are the best! Got it on Natasha. I'll take another look to see what is available! My coworker and I listened to the cast recording yesterday and both thought to ourselves how we've been missing out.

After Sunset Boulevard last night, I do think I'd like HD. I did just search for what was available with Bette and seats left in mid-mezz are over $400. Unfortunately I think my husband would literally kill me, spending that kind of money! Still tempted to see it with Donna though :)