Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby

hey broadway experts,

I’m heading to NYC at the end of the month for my annual Broadway binge (10 to 12 shows in 6 days!!!) and need recommendations for my hubby who isn’t the huge theatre fan I am.

Right now I have him booked for Harry Potter and the cursed child and Friends the musical paradoy off Broadway.

Here is a list of shows that I’ve “dragged” him to that he actually enjoyed. I’m hoping the list will help the Broadway community help with determining shows for him. The ones near the front of the list are his are his favourites. He likes comedies in general.

Avenue Q, something rotten, little shop of horrors, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Hairspray, School of Rock, fiddler on the roof, wicked, we will rock you, dear Evan Hansen, pirates of Penzance, elf the musical, kinky boots, man of la mancha, kinky boots, Sweeney Todd, Hedwig and the angry inch, million dollar quartet, sister act, wizard of oz

Thanks Jarethan. He has seen both Phantom and Chicago. The list I provided is the shows he enjoyed but because I am such a huge theatre geek, he has seen far, far more. I tend not to bring him to shows anymore unless I think he will enjoy them.

He did enjoy some of the classic songs in Phantom but wasn’t really a fan. I was actually excited for him to see a Chicago because he loves movies with Lawyers but alas he wasn’t a fan of Chicago either.

I agree with you completely on Anastasia. I saw it on last year’s broadway binge and it was near the bottom of my personal rankings for sure.

I WAS thinking of HELLO DOLLY! and maybe THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG for him.

i took my non-theatre loving father in law who is by far to most uptight and strictest person ever to Come From Away and I watched him cry like a baby and tell me afterwards it was the greatest show he'd ever seen. So yeah Come From Away

The Play That Goes Wrong sounds like a good choice if he enjoys comedy.

My friends who are non-theatre folks loved In & Of Itself off-bway.

actress00 said: "Try A Bronx Tale"

This is one I actually haven’t managed to see myself. Even though I’ve been lucky enough to have 4 visits to NY in the last two years, I haven’t been able to squeeze it in. I hear it has a Jersey Boys feel, so could be a good one.

Ahmy said: "Escape to Margaritaville is a surprisingly decent show. Mean Girls could be an option, depending upon his feelings about Tina Fey's humor."

I wasn’t sure about Escape to Margaritaville even though he does normally like jutebox musicals, since he isn’t really a Buffet fan.

He does like the film Mean Girls and I’m going so we will likely try the lottery for that one. I’m going on a Saturday and it’s pretty much sold out. I think it’s advance sales are pretty impressive. We both love Tina Fey!

willep said: "The Play That Goes Wrong sounds like a good choice if he enjoys comedy."

I think it would be good but it’s touring in Toronto next year and he could see it then. On the other hand, I hear it’s easy to rush, so we could pick up a $30 ticket, probably even close to showtime for him.

Does anything think ‘The band’s visit’ would be good for him?

Im also seeing the following shows myself: Spongebob, Frozen, Mean Girls, My fair lady, Sistas, Once on this island. We are both seeing Harry Potter and Friends together.

Also, does anyone think any of the above would work for him given the parameters I listed in my original post?

TorontoBroadwayFan said: "Ahmy said: "Escape to Margaritaville is a surprisingly decent show. Mean Girls could be an option, depending upon his feelings about Tina Fey's humor."

I wasn’t sure about Escape to Margaritaville even though he does normally like jutebox musicals, since he isn’t really a Buffet fan.

He does like the film Mean Girls and I’m going so we will likely try the lottery for that one. I’m going on a Saturday and it’s pretty much sold out. I think it’s advance sales are pretty impressive. We both love Tina Fey!"

I only saw Margaritaville because I won the lottery and needed something to kill some time with before the broadcast of Jesus Christ Superstar. (I'm not really a Buffett fan. Before the show I could name maybe 2 songs of his.) The songs didn't seem like they were forced in, at least. The book of the show is entertaining, if dad jokes and puns are your thing.
The lottery for Mean Girls (before opening night) was pretty hard to win. I got lucky the first time I entered, but failed every time after that. The person in charge of the lottery said it'd probably get easier after opening night, though.

As for Jersey Boys, thanks but again another one he has seen that I forgot about. He did enjoy but probably wouldn’t want to see again.

Waitress is touring in Toronto next season so I may pick up a ticket for him at that point. Not sure though, I saw it with Jessie Mueller and loved it but it may not be his cup of tea.

Maybe Margaritaville...it will likely be fun, and not too complicated of a story to follow.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should be focusing more on plays for him. Perhaps he would like Travisities. Anyone seen it? Or Lobby Hero.