Recommendation for Students
Recommendation for Students
Chorus Member Joined: 1/22/05
Recommendation for Students#1
Posted: 12/3/10 at 11:46am
I am bringing a group of high school students to NYC at the end of April 2011. I am trying to get tickets for a Broadway show, but can't decide which will be best for them to see. As a Broadway enthusiast. I want them to get a good idea of the awesomeness of Broadway and not be bored or unimpressed. This is will be the first time traveling to the City, even the first trip on a plane, for many of them. I tried for Wicked and they are sold out for our dates and WSS is closing. Here are my other options:
The Lion King
Mary Poppins
Spiderman
Chicago
Phantom
What are your thoughts? Keep in mind these are students and I want them to be able to understand and be able to follow the story while getting a classic Broadway experience.
Recommendation for Students#2
Posted: 12/3/10 at 12:08pm
From your list, I would choose Chicago because it is an American Music Theater classic.
If not that, I would choose Spiderman. It's new, they'll be able to say they saw it before it appears on The Tony Awards.
Did you also check into "Anything Goes" or "How To Succeed in Business"?
Recommendation for Students#2
Posted: 12/3/10 at 12:23pmDefinitely Phantom. As a student who recently graduated high school. Phantom would be perfect for an introduction to theater.
Recommendation for Students#3
Posted: 12/3/10 at 12:25pmChicago. It's a classic. And trust me: they will *not* be bored by it.
Recommendation for Students#4
Posted: 12/3/10 at 1:34pmChicago would be good. My first instinct for big schools groups with lots of people who really don't know theatre is to go with a high-energy show with lots of dancing. So Chicago fits that, also Memphis or Mamma Mia! Another one to maybe consider would be Billy Elliot, since I've never met anyone who didn't at least enjoy that show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
Recommendation for Students#5
Posted: 12/3/10 at 4:18pm
Are these DRAMA students or just HS kids going to NY? I think there is a big difference there.
I would AVOID Phantom as it is more a love it or hate it piece. If you don't enjoy the style of music, it can be a loooooooooong show.
Chicago can be a good choice...unless your group is particularly uptight....the sexuality is strong.
Although many here will disagree with me, The Lion King is lovely and most of them will already have really fond memories of it from childhood.
Chorus Member Joined: 1/22/05
Recommendation for Students#6
Posted: 12/3/10 at 4:55pmThanks for the input. This is just a group of high school students........no drama background. I think we are going to try for Spiderman with Chicago as a back-up.
Recommendation for Students#7
Posted: 12/3/10 at 5:00pmIf you do take your students to see Spiderman, PLEASE let them know about what musical theatre has been for the past 100 years, and teach them why Spiderman is different. I honestly don't think it's a good show for people who have never seen a musical before. Out of those choices, I'd suggest Chicago, as it is a very good musical (the script itself..the particular production is another story).
Recommendation for Students#8
Posted: 12/3/10 at 6:58pm
Great ideas. Since you're taking an eclectic group of students, I think Spider-Man is by far the best choice. Out of the options you mentioned, The Lion King and Mary Poppins may be too juvenile. However, since The Lion King is such a spectacle, the students may enjoy themselves regardless. Conceptually, Spider-Man will appeal to teenage interests more than any other show. It's a recognizable title and quite a spectacular production (from what I hear). While some students may appreciate Phantom, others will be bored to death. Chicago is probably the best second choice. But I'd really aim for Spider-Man, since that appeals to a much wider audience (many of whom may not be as interested in musical theatre). If that doesn't work out, I'd also consider How to Succeed, solely because Daniel Radcliffe is starring. Every teenager knows Harry Potter, and would probably be excited to see him in such an intimate venue.
And a comment to ahhrealmonsters - while the musical theatre greats should be respected, Broadway is not a "sacred" art form. Like any other entertainment medium, it's constantly evolving. There will likely always be room for the classics (ex. South Pacific, etc.), but in my opinion, productions such as Spider-Man are the wave of the future. And while your "special Broadway moment" may have been seeing a show like Anything Goes, for these students that moment may be Spider-Man. Big ideas will propel Broadway into the 21st century, and help sustain our wonderful industry.
Updated On: 12/3/10 at 06:58 PM
Recommendation for Students#9
Posted: 12/3/10 at 9:38pm
for a group of regular high school students... i wouldn't pick chicago. your talking about teenagers who have not been exposed to theatre yet.
yes Chicago is great, but the simple one-peice set and somewhat sexual tones are very specific.
They would enjoy something more show-y overall such as wicked, spider-man, or memphis... bright lights, big dance numbers, fun sets, and crowd-pleasing music.
note: i think memphis sells cheap blocks of student ticktes too.
Recommendation for Students#10
Posted: 12/4/10 at 12:23am
marcblack-
I completely agree, but Spiderman is even further- it is something that has never been done before. There has never been a show with that high a budget, etc. I haven't seen the show, so I can't really talk, but I feel that a primary introduction, while not necessarily R&H, should have at least 1% of anything that musical theatre has been for the past 100 years. Yes, trends change. But I feel that to appreciate the trends, you have to know where they came from. You wouldn't teach American History from the year 2000, would you?
Recommendation for Students#11
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:41am
West Side Story would have been my 1st choice, but as you said it's closing.
I'd go with Memphis or Chicago. But Memphis would be my 1st pick for a group of students for sure.
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