Suggestions for my daughter's NYC trip? — Page 2

If your daughter's trip is Tony's weekend in June, there might be a chance Ben Platt would be out in one of those performances to rest his voice for the telecast. Nothing against him but I remember in 2017 he missed 2-3 performances of Dear Evan Hansen during Tony's weekend to rest his voice. Again, not sure if this will be the same case for Parade but just putting it out there that it may be better to try and get tix to see Parade on Thursday rather than that weekend.

Alas, the smoke and poor air quality due to the fires in Canada are coming at an especially poor time for my daughter and her friend, who are scheduled to fly from California to New York City on Thursday.

Does anyone have an idea what impact all of this may have, not only on outdoor activities but possibly on indoor ones as well (shows, museums, et cetera). Much of their plans involve being outside.

As a Californian, she knows well what it’s like for the air quality to deteriorate badly due to wildfires and has the appropriate masks. But I am wondering how much of the city will close down if it’s too miserable outside. Are indoor activities proceeding as normal, or are some places not open?

Is there any chance that shows will cancel?

This is supposed to continue into Thursday evening then clear late night/.early morning Friday. To be safe I’d do indoor activities and make sure they bring a stash of N95 masks ( or similar) to wear outdoors. I got a public health alert today saying you can’t reuse masks in this climate so having replacements is safest. A couple of museums closed early today but I’m guessing they’ll be more prepared tomorrow.

Thanks, all. My daughter won’t be arriving in New York City until Thursday afternoon, smoke permitting, and is theoretically seeing Parade that night.

She and her friend may have to do a lot of improvising. (They’re supposed to see a Yankees game on Saturday night along with shows on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.) I am hoping, for everyone’s sake, that the smoke clears a bit. But I know, having experienced this sort of thing in California too frequently, that it can often take a while to clear up. And theater performers need to take care of themselves.

Updated On: 6/7/23 at 08:25 PM

My daughter is planning another, short New York City trip for the last weekend of January. I am not sure how many shows she would see this time but she has expressed interest in Merrily We Roll Along, which my wife and I saw in October.

A few questions: Any idea about any upcoming vacation schedules or is it too soon to ask? As she is looking for bargains, how far back in the balcony starts seeming too far back? And given that it’s the dead of winter, would it make sense to wait and try to snag better seats after she’s arrived - or is that too risky? Obviously, ticket prices and demand have been off the charts, but part of me wonders if things will get a little easier in January, especially if the show extends until June or July.

Gutenberg comes from the world of improv theatre. The writers were involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade, which is where the show originated in the early 2000's. If that sort of anarchic humour appeals - like Second City type shows - then Gad & Rannels are giving everything they've got to this. But if someone doesn't go for that sort zany, off-the-wall, completely illogical type humour then they will not enjoy it.

Good luck on your trip! My daughter is in New York City now. She saw Kimberly Akimbo last night after a cross-country flight, got an $83 seat in the second row of the mezzanine. She was very impressed with Justin Cooley and his interaction with Victoria Clark, less enamored with the musical overall. (It must be something about my family that is resistant to that show’s appeal. She was touched by the older women sitting next to her who were very moved by it.)

She’s seeing Merrily We Roll Along tonight. Not sure about the rest of the weekend; she’s playing it by ear. She may be priced out of Gutenberg! unless she wins the lottery or a rush ticket because tickets are hard to come by on its last weekend. She is considering Titanique. I haven’t seen it so cannot advise.

I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to my daughter, but she saw Days of Wine and Roses on Saturday night. She got partial view box seats for the closing night performance of Gutenberg! (At the TKTS booth, less than two hours before showtime.) I assume it will be an event. I will find out from her later about what she thought of the seats and the show.

Updated On: 1/28/24 at 06:06 PM