Took my daughter to NY for 4 shows this weekend

[mule]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 9:57am

Saw Wicked, Dracula, Brooklyn and Mamma Mia.

A few observations. First, thanks to so many who responded to my questions a month or so ago when I planned the trip. Not only the thoughts on the shows but the hotel, where to eat, etc.

Biggest surprise show was Brooklyn. I really had no idea what to expect and the main thing was the voices. All 5 had great voices and I cannot recall seeing a show with such voice talent
other than perhaps The Civil War. This show had a nice book though and was clearly the pleasant surprise of the weekend. I think anyone would enjoy this show.

Next biggest surprise was Dracula. I saw it in previews and was frankly disappointed. I am not sure what it was but I enjoyed it much more this time. The show was tighter and the acting better, but I think I was expecting so much the first time that I was simply disppointed. My daughter really wanted to see it so I assumed the worst and was pleasantly surprised.

Wicked was what I expected having seen it before. It was my daughters favorite of the weekend and it was fun seeing it Halloween weekend.

Most disappointing was Mamma Mia and primarily the lack of awesome vocal talent. I enjoyed the show but was expecting more. Carolee was the only voice that really impressed. The book is ok and the show is fun but I really expected more out of the cast vocally. None of the fathers had over the top voices nor did the daughter. Don't get me wrong, everyone could sing well, just not up to Broadway standards.



All in all a great weekend

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:00am

During my first trip to New York, I saw 5 shows in 3 days - Gypsy, RENT, 42nd Street, Hairspray, and Cabaret. It was the best 3 days of my life.

[check your personality]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:02am

Your daughter is a lucky girl! .. Wish I had a father like you! Glad you enjoyed it, and it was especially interesting to hear what you said about Mamma Mia, I could never decide if it was worth seeing.

[pab]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:11am

edenespinosalover, aren't trips like that great? I try to do those kind of trips ever so often. The last one was a few weeks ago. We had nine nights in NYC and we saw 13 shows. Here are a few of the posts that I put up about that trip:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=432798#432798

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=459779#459779

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=435961#436139

Updated On: 11/2/04 at 10:11 AM

[PennyLou]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:35am

if i lived to far to be in the city as much as I am I would tottaly be there for long weekends seeing all the shows I could see! I live 30min from teh city and I have still done 3 shows in 2 days lol!

[pab]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:40am

When I lived in the city, I went as often as I could. Now that live VERY far from the city, I do these marathon trips which are a lot of fun.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:40am

I am lucky to have an awesome dad. He is taking me to NYC this spring to look at colleges and always takes me to shows up in Cleveland. HE ROCKS!

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:46am

Mule...you're daughter is lucky to have a great mom like you..

How old is she?

[mule]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:02pm

she is 16 and I am the Dad. Funny how I did not put that in my post and one reply assumed I was the Dad and another assumed I was the Mom.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:03pm

Will you be my dad and take me to see shows, because I REALLY WANT TO GO!

Updated On: 11/2/04 at 01:03 PM

[Jim2]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:14pm

So glad to hear you had a great trip. Where did you stay? Would you recommend it?

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:30pm

I went for my first time this August and saw Aida 2nd row center, Wicked first row center, and RENT 2nd row center, the best trip ever. I think I'm going again in May, does anyone know what new shows will be playing by then? Sweet Charity? Mary Poppins?

Thanks!!

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:17pm

Sorry Mule! You're a great DAD!!I assumed you were the mom because that's what I do with my kids.. Hubby is not a theatre person

[luvWICKED416]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:20pm

aww.... see... we can be nice on this board if we really try

[mule]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:20am

Stayed at the Edison for $150 a night. Very close (1/2 block from TKTS booth) and a nice price for the location. The room was clean and ok, about a 3 star hotel. Not the Marriot or the Doubletree but about 45 to 50% of the price.

For the money it was great espeically given the location. We could easily pop up to the room for the "freshen ups" that are critical to a 16 year old girl. Also, could pop up to store shopping bags in the room. It was the last week of street fair and she picked up a number of the earrings, purses, etc., that you can get for such a good deal at street fair.

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 7:11pm

I am a 15 year old girl, and I live in the city and I also saw Dracula. I am surprised that you liked it. I know that sounds harsh, but I did not enjoy it. The actors were amazing, the special effects were amazing, but they just didn't fit.
Next time you come you should see Wonderful Town (although you missed it with Donna Murphy), I've heard that it is good with Brooke Shields. Chicago is another really good one.
What state do you live in? Do you come here often? NY is a great place to live, I can't imagine the excitement while visiting.

[timote316]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 9:13pm

I've convinced my mother to go to NYC twice, but got yelled at both times for wanting to see a second show lol.

Really mule, you should start like a rent-a-dad type thing, everyone can have you as their dad for a weekend lol

[jmaclover]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 9:17pm

bdwaybelle,

Not to make this a Dracula fight, but....
Did you see the show during previews or when it officially opened?

I saw it in previews thought it had a bunch of kinks - but overall enjoyed it. I can get tickets for $50 - just need to figure out what day I want to go...but want to know if it's worth seeing it after it's opened (or if it's still the same)

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:24pm

jmaclover,
I saw Dracula after it opened. I won't get in a fight with you, I don't do that. You are completely entitled to your opinion.
I just didn't care about the characters at all. The show seemed more about special effects than the characters. And thats great if you're really into that, and if thats what the show is based on, but they also had these songs about how they want to be loved.... Those type songs didn't fit. The actors were amazing, and their voices were beautiful, but the show was just awkward. But thats just me.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 11:16am

I'm happy you liked "Wicked." I have an online acquaintance who is planning a trip to NY (from California). He's bringing his almost 20 year old daughter with him and he asked me to recommend a show they might both enjoy. I picked "Wicked."