show advice

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 9:54pm

I normally hate these messages, but am looking for some insight among those of you that have seen/heard buzz about the various straight plays on Broadway or soon to be hitting Broadway.

I am going to be in town the last weekend in March (on a whim) and have tickets to see Pirate Queen (Boubil and Schonberg score, ok?) and Spring Awakening. I have room for one more show on Saturday night.

I am considering seeing Les Mis because I pretty much have worshipped Lea Salonga since I was 13. But, I don't like doing repeat shows when there is new stuff I have not seen. I am also considering Company, because, well, it's a Sondheim show (though I have to say- although I loved the recent revival of Sweeney, the video clips I have seen don't convince me I will like this staging of the show or the musical talent). Curtains sort of appeals because it is Kander and Ebb, but I was not wowed by Drowsy Chaperone other than the Man in the Chair. I am afraid it would be similar.

Don't mention Grey Gardens/Chorus Line etc because I already saw them during my fall trip.

However, as a big fan of straight plays, I am also considering Translations, Inherit the Wind, and The Year of Magical Thinking. The thing is, I see many straight plays in DC- a few a month. I want to see plays I might not be able to catch at home in a year or two at Studio Theatre or something. Obviously, you can't predict the future, but are any of these getting a tremendous amount of buzz (besides buzz based on what actors are in them)?

Any advice? I have a pretty diverse taste. My favorite shows are Side Show and Urinetown, but I also have a great love for Caroline or Change, Grey Gardens, and Gypsy.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 9:56pm

I was going to say Grey Gardens, but you saw that already. I'd say go with Company.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 9:59pm

I would stay away from Les Miz because you already are saw a B & S show that weekend. But since you like Lea alot then go for it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:16pm

While I'm sure it goes completely without saying, my vote goes, as it almost always does, to Company by default. The video clips are bizarre. I like watching them because I love the show, but I think don't the movement and camera angles are properly indicative of what you see on stage. It wasn't meant to be seen that way, because the big picture is so integral, and I think it looks funny. I can see why they'd be unconvincing, though I do urge you to please give it a chance -- especially if you liked Sweeney. I feel very strongly about the fact that it's one of those experiences people will not want to have missed when it's gone. It'd probably be an interesting show to see on the same weekend as Spring Awakening, too; I find it to be sort of... the "anti" Spring Awakening, in a lot of ways.

So as not to sound like a broken Company-loving record, though, I've been considering seeing Les Mis lately and have more or less decided to skip it. I never really liked the show when I saw it during its original run, and figured maybe I should give it another chance. But if such a significant amount of people who loved the show in its first incarnation aren't liking this production, I don't really see why I should bother. If the show's fans don't even like this production, why on earth would I? I really like a lot of the actors in the show, but I can't see a performer being worth it for something like that.

Translations isn't really anything to write home about. The play is beautifully written, intellectually stimulating and historically fascinating but save yourself the money and just read it. The staging does nothing for the play, and it sort of gets eaten up in the theater. I found it terribly boring, and I really thought I was going to like it.

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 10:16 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:19pm

If you are looking for a straight play, Inherit the Wind sounds like a good idea. The assembled cast sounds fantastic.

If you chose to go for a musical, Curtains is supposed to be very good.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:23pm

what about CORAM BOY?

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 8:34am

Coram boy opens in May

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/10/07 at 10:31am

thanks everyone.

Updated On: 3/10/07 at 10:31 AM