Should I See These Shows?- Page 2

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/27/09 at 2:14pm

I wouldn't recommend HAIR either. I preferred both WEST SIDE STORY (which I loved) and SHREK (which was the lesser of two evils).

[Callie]

Posted: 4/27/09 at 8:20pm

Well, I lived through the 60's and didn't get to see Hair the first time around. But I LOVED the music and knew it by heart. I couldn't wait to see this show. But I was disappointed. I thought the costumes were over the top, kinda like if I went to a costume store and asked for a hippie costume. The singers were good and some were great, but nothing there that was better than the 60's cast. There was no real choreography to speak of, just lots of gyrating and swaying and running into the audience. The set was ok but didn't DO anything. There is really no plot; it's all about the songs. The nude scene which of course I was expecting came without warning, and, honestly, seemed more for shock value than for enhancing the story. I paid full price and ultimately felt like I didn't get really more enjoyment out of it than listening to the CD. I respect opposing opinions, but that's mine. And my teenage daughter liked it a lot.

[sgv123]

Posted: 4/27/09 at 8:23pm

"The set was ok but didn't DO anything. There is really no plot; it's all about the songs. The nude scene which of course I was expecting came without warning, and, honestly, seemed more for shock value than for enhancing the story."

I never saw the OBC, but I am pretty sure all of the above is part of the show and not just this production. The nudity, I am sure, was more shocking in the 60's then it is now. How would you like them to warn you the nudity is coming? You know that it is there...... I think that is warning enough.

I do have to disagree with the set..... the sun on the brick wall along with the truck is gorgeous.

I went into this show knowing nothing about it, and not much about the time period. The cast was amazing and they told a beautiful, heartbreaking story. It is one of my favorite (maybe my favorite)shows currently running. I def. recommend seeing it. Updated On: 4/27/09 at 08:23 PM

[chenothegood]

Posted: 4/27/09 at 9:26pm

Thanks for the clarification Callie! and sgv123 for the recommendation

So should it be that i go see
9 to 5
N2N
Hair
BE
and Shrek (or West Side Story)

And again thanks for the help guys!!

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/27/09 at 11:59pm

Seriously, you might pick Shrek over West Side Story??? Say it ain't so, WSS is the most beautiful B'way score in existence, will give you chills and make you cry!

[Callie]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 11:22am

sgv by "warning" I just meant that nothing in the story really led up to that. One minute they had their clothes on burning draft cards and the next minute they didn't, then it was the end of act 1 and done and never mentioned, and when act 2 started they all had their clothes on again. Huh? Why did they do that? I didn't think it really fit the song. "Walking In Space" is where I imagined the nudity to be. Of course nobody asked me lol :)

[sgv123]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 11:44am

Oh, ok. I am pretty sure that is the way it has always been, so you can't blame the production. Not saying you are....

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 3:18pm

There aren't many shows about which I would say the following: NEXT TO NORMAL is not to be missed.

(I really enjoyed WEST SIDE STORY. I was disappointed by HAIR. I chose not to see SHREK. I have not seen the Broadway production of BILLY ELLIOT, but it was very good in London and outstanding in Sydney.)
Updated On: 4/28/09 at 03:18 PM

[Callie]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:04pm

AMDG, I want your life. Seeing "Broadway" shows around the world sounds way cool.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:15pm

I loved Billy Elliot in London, and thought it was even better on Broadway.

5 shows I would recommend:
N2N
Billy Elliot
Hair
WSS (if you've never seen a professional production)
and throw in a play: one of the Norman Conquests (Table Manners if you can only see one), Exit the King, God of Carnage.

I do not know anyone personally who has liked 9 to 5 (including me) so IMO you could skip that one.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:20pm

Go see
9 TO 5
NEXT TO NORMAL
HAIR
BILLY ELLIOT
and WEST SIDE STORY

All of those are far superior to SHREK.

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:34pm

If you don't live in New York and refuse to "miss a slot" when you come to town, 9 TO 5 is a good Monday night show to see.

[Mike3]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:42pm

And never miss the Thursday matinee at the Paper Mill - no matter what is showing - for the same reason.

[Anakela]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 5:58pm

If you don't live in New York and refuse to "miss a slot" when you come to town, 9 TO 5 is a good Monday night show to see.

9 to 5 only had Mon night shows during previews.

[janice4]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 8:00pm

WTH??? Why so much hatred for Shrek???? It's such a fun show to see.... I just don't get it. I'm a grandmother who has brought her grandkids to see it. I LOVED it. My grandkids loved it. Why oh why is there so much anti-Shrek on this site?

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:32pm

I'd say that you should substitute West Side Story for Shrek...Shrek is cute and I thoroughly enjoyed it but it's not an amazing show.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:46pm

SHREK is fun and cute but when there are masterful productions like BILLY ELLIOT, NEXT TO NORMAL, and HAIR on Broadway, "cute" takes a backseat.

But that's what 9 TO 5 is for; it's both "fun and cute" and also better-crafted than SHREK.

And WEST SIDE is just a masterpiece in terms of material; even though the production is a bit of a letdown, the material shines through.

[kristinchenofan570]

Posted: 4/28/09 at 10:56pm

I thin you should ditch shrek and go with seeing Hair. hair has great music and the plot is more interesting!

[masb19872]

Posted: 4/29/09 at 12:36pm

I saw Shrek on my last trip to NYC, and really wish I'd seen Hair again. Especially if you have limited show slots, skip it. I saw Rooms for my Monday night show and enjoyed it. Even though I haven't seen WSS yet, I'd go with it over Shrek.

And janice, no offense, but that sums up the target audience: kids, and the people bringing them along.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 4/29/09 at 5:59pm

I thought HAIR was a blast.
I never saw the movie Shrek-
If you loved it- go for it.

I don't get the Disney on Broadway thing.
If I want to see Disney I'll go to the movies.