Short show rec for Wed 4/17 PM

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 11:03am

I have to catch a train at Penn station at 10:05 PM on Wednesday, April 17. So I think I have time to add one more show to my trip, as long as it’s over in midtown at or before about 9:30 PM. Unfortunately, it looks like the current slate of shows are all pretty lengthy, and a lot of shows that normally start at 7:00 PM on Wednesdays have 8:00 PM curtains on 4/17. Does anyone have a recommendation for something they loved, either that starts at 7:00 PM or earlier that night, or that is short enough that I’ll be out by 9:30 PM so that I can make my train? Things I’ve seen—or will have seen by then—include Ain't No Mo, What the Constitution Means to Me, and Come From Away. So far, Waitress is my top contender, even though I’ve seen it before, but I might like to see the new cast. Is that my best bet?

Updated On: 4/14/19 at 11:03 AM

[hollebolle]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 11:41am

While I really want to recommend Waitress (the new cast is incredible!), I just saw it last night and it ended up running 2h45m, so that may cut it too close for you. I don’t know if that’s typical—just my experience.

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 12:23pm

2:45 including bows and curtain calls and whatnot? I can usually make that work. It’s the one time I ever cut out before the end of bows. (And I usually end up writing a thank you note after.)

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 12:24pm

2:45 for Waitress is not typical. Both times I've seen the show, I've made a 10:06 p.m. train out of Grand Central with no problem, and I stayed through the curtain calls.

Updated On: 4/14/19 at 12:24 PM

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 12:50pm

Would folks recommend this cast of Waitress over The Play that Goes Wrong, which I have never seen?

[Maybeel]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 4:01pm

The Play That Goes Wrong is a delight. I laughed the while time and then went again two nights later.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 5:52pm

I don't know if this is your thing but I believe both Gary and Hillary and Clinton are rather short and without an intermission.

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 6:04pm

poisonivy2 said: "I don't know if this is your thing but I believe both Gary and Hillary and Clinton are rather short and without an intermission."

Have you seen them? Which one would you recommend? A friend who saw both recommended neither, but I’m open to second opinions. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 6:16pm

annang said: "poisonivy2 said: "I don't know if this is your thing but I believe both Gary and Hillary and Clinton are rather short and without an intermission."

Have you seen them? Which one would you recommend? A friend who saw both recommended neither, but I’m open to second opinions."

I haven't. And to be honest neither interest me. I forgot to add that What the Constitution Means to Me is also a 100 minute intermissionless show.

But if your heart is set on Waitress go for it. I've seen the show five times and the run-time is consistent. It's about 2.5 hours. So you'll be out of there by 9:40 tops which is plenty of time to get to Penn Station.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 6:28pm

See PUFFS! It's my go-to recommendation right now. Perfect for hardcore or passive Potter fans. It's so fcking funny.

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 9:57pm

poisonivy2 said: "annang said: "poisonivy2 said: "I don't know if this is your thing but I believe both Gary and Hillary and Clinton are rather short and without an intermission."

Have you seen them? Which one would you recommend? A friend who saw both recommended neither, but I’m open to second opinions."

I haven't. And to be honest neither interest me. I forgot to add that What the Constitution Means to Me is also a 100 minute intermissionless show.

But if your heart is set on Waitress go for it. I've seen the show five times and the run-time is consistent. It's about 2.5 hours. So you'll be out of there by 9:40 tops which is plenty of time to get to Penn Station."

Yup, I mentioned Constitution in my post. I’ve seen it. I’ve also done Waitress a few times and wouldn’t be sad to see it again. Just wanted to check out other options. Thanks!

[annang]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 9:57pm

VotePeron said: "See PUFFS! It's my go-to recommendation right now. Perfect for hardcore or passive Potter fans. It's so fcking funny."

Safe to assume it may not be perfect for someone who has read none of the books and seen none of the movies?

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 3:17am

Puffs, as can Cursed Child, can be enjoyed as stand alone plays by someone who knows nothing about Harry Potter. I would advise watching the first movie if you have time beforehand just so that a few jokes won’t go over your head that might otherwise.

[annang]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 3:37am

Just_John said: "Puffs, as can Cursed Child, can be enjoyed as stand alone plays by someone who knows nothing about Harry Potter. I would advise watching the first movie if you have time beforehand just so that a few jokes won’t go over your head that might otherwise."

Oh sorry, I meant that as a joke. I have zero interest in Harry Potter (hence why I haven’t read it), so I think Puffs is safely off the table. But thanks for your help!

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 8:33am

What the Constitution Means to Me for sure! Easily one of the best things of the season.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 10:15am

Come From Away is 100 min with no intermission. You also may find that some Wednesday night shows start at 7:30 instead of 8.

[annang]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 10:55am

What the Constitution Means to Me and Come From Away are two of the shows I named in my original post as ones I wasn’t interested in, sorry. I hated Come From Away (I know, me and Peter Marks are the only people who didn’t like it). Constitution, loved the first hour, hated the second hour. 

[acardbway]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 12:50pm

Waitress looks to have a 7p start time on Wednesday the 17th! That should work perfect for you :)

This is the show schedule for the week which also may help highlight other 7p start times...

http://www.playbill.com/article/weekly-schedule-of-current-broadway-shows-com-142774

[annang]

Posted: 4/15/19 at 3:59pm

I think I’m going to go see Lee Pace in Nassim at City Center. Didn’t register on my radar at first, but he’s one of my favorites. 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 4/16/19 at 2:17am

If you haven't see The Play That Goes Wrong, that's your answer. It starts at 7 on Wednesdays and is a little over two hours so you'll be out a little after 9. And you'll laugh your a$$ off.