Trip Reviews - 10 Broadway shows in one week!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:58am

So I finally came over to New York for a holiday with my family and top of my list was to see plenty of Broadway shows, although I honestly didn't think I would get this many in!

So here goes my week of reviews.

Monday - We stayed at the Salisbury Hotel on 57th and we got there about 7, so we walked down 7th avenue to planet hollywood to get our New York passes. I wasn't going to see a show that night because of Jetlag etc but what happened to be just around the corner but [title of show], so I was allowed to go (got a student ticket 2nd row balcony for $37) and my parents and sister went and ate in planet Hollywood.

I thought the show was very funny, although being from the UK (and only 17) i didn't get alot of the references to the older shows/american shows. I was very impressed by Heidi in particular. I thought the beginning of the show was very good but when they started to get past the 3/4 part it started lagging abit and seemed they just wanted to stretch out the show abit, although i loved Nine peoples favourite thing.

My rating - 7/10


Tuesday - Today we did the empire state building, took awhile to get through security but we did the skyride and then went on up to the top where the views were amazing!

So that night we decided we wanted to try doing lotteries for some shows. First we went to the Hairspray Lottery to try and win tickets for my mum and sister. The four of us put our names in but none got called, then loads of people left and they had 2 spare tickets so drew again and we won! So they got 2 tickets for Hairspray.

I wanted to see Rent with my dad so we walked down and then we put our names in and I thought oh crap, there must have been at least 300-400 people there it was mental! We didn't win but they had a offer on $40 for front mezz - couldn't argue with that so we got two seats in the 5th row of the mezz - Perfect

This was my favourite of the entire trip. Was dissapointed with the remixed version in London but this was something else, after waiting years to see it I loved it and it met all my expectations. Karmine was on as Mimi and she stole the show.

My Rating - 10/10

Wednesday - Got up early and went to Spring Awakening to get a student rush ticket for the matinee, then went and explored central park with my parents/sis before leaving them to head for the show. Front row of Orch two seats off the side, was quite a good seat only missed a little bit off to the side. Can't complain for $27.

Really enjoyed the show, was abit... meh.. in some points but in general I found it to be a really good show and can't wait to see it in London.

My Rating - 8/10


For the evening show we all went to Legally Blonde - Front row mezz seats, amazing views, amazing performances and I loved every minute of it. It really is pure fun from beginning to end.

My Rating - 10/10

Thursday - Did the Liberty Island/Ellis Island trip - Very good, got some great photies.

Got a student rush ticket half an hour before curtain for $37 for Young Frankenstein. Was surprised they sold me it for this price because I thought they didn't have a rush policy. The theatre was pretty empty though in the circle (I was in the 4th row or so). I enjoyed the show but I was expecting it to be alot better from what I had read about it. For me, Beth stole the show and He Vas My Boyfriend was the show stopper.

My Rating - 7/10

Friday - Today we went up to bronx zoo and had a great day. On the night we all saw little mermaid. We had the understudy for ursula, but what I found interesting is it was the girl who was in Heidi's (from TOS's) track, and it hit me what it must be like to be an understudy for a big part like this. She was very good I must say, probably the highlight along with the u/s we had for Sebastian.

My rating - 8/10

Got student rush for both A Tale of two cities and Gypsy on sat - $27 each.

Did some shopping in the morning at Macys, then went to ATO2C - FANTASTIC. Was in the front row (maybe abit too close) but it was fantastic. Especially Act 2, it was so well done. With a little bit of cutting from Act 1 this show could be great. Out of Sight, Out of Mind was probably my favourite song.

My Rating - 8/10 (although I want it to be 10/10 when I next see it when it is completely finished!)

Gypsy - Wasn't sure about this before it started but absolutely loved it. Patti Lupone - didn't know much about her but she was fantastic, as were the rest of the cast.

My Rating - 9/10

Sunday - We had tickets to the Harlem Gospel Brunch which was stunning and lovely food. That got out at around 10 to 3. Hmmmm - "Dad, do you want to see Xanadu with Whoopi" and he said ok lol. Got a discount leaflet and got tickets for $70 and sat down pretty much a minute before the show started. Talk about doing something last minute.

This show never interested me, but it was in the top 3 or 4 of the shows I saw. it was so funny. Kerry Butlers U/s was on and she was extremely talented. Whoopi was so funny, and so nice at the stage door afterwards.

My Rating - 9/10

Final show was Mamma Mia! We went in, the show started then right in the middle of Honey Honey my sister was feeling really sick to my dad took her out, would like to thank all the staff who helped her feel better. They watched the rest of act 1 from the back but she was so exhausted from the week my dad took her back so they didn't see act 2 . Kinda ruined the moment abit. Still loved the show though, Winner Takes it all was my fave part.

My Rating - 8/10

So yesterday we few back home. Went shopping and went to get our bags and stuff from the hotel. We asked the receptionist to phone a town car and then OMG - we got a LIMO! All the way to JFK and it was the same price as a towncar ($55) - Put the icing on the cake, and then it was so simple at the airport and only a 6 hour flight back because of strong winds. Fantastic.

Already looking to book up again for next year. Thanks to everyone on BWW for helping with ticket information over the last few months and info on rush/lotteries etc THANK YOU!!!!

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 11:01am

Thanks for taking the time to write reviews! I'm glad you had such a great time, and saw such great shows.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 11:16am

Wow! And I thiught I got a lot in during a week's stay in NYC. You got to do the Gospel Brunch. That's cool. I have been planning to do that on every trip since 2004 and haven't done it yet. Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing your week with us!

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 11:58am

Glad you had a great time, good to see you made the most seeing all those shows! Out of interest, being from the UK, what type of ID do you use to get the student seats?

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 1:20pm

I used my college ID from Newcastle college. Hardly got looked at anywhere, didn't even ask for it at Gypsy. And I wanted to see shows i couldn't see in London so I think i did pretty well there lol.
Updated On: 8/26/08 at 01:20 PM

[Magdalene]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 1:39pm

Sonds like you had a great, very full trip! Thanks for the reviews!

[logan0215]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 2:08pm

Glad you enjoyed yourself

With the way the pound is kicking the dollar's ass you got some pretty good deals

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 4:06pm

Awesome that Meredith Inglesby went on as Ursula!!!! I'm glad to hear she was good!

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 5:12pm

I keep meaning to do the gospel brunch and haven't yet. Can you say more about what made it stunning?

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 5:26pm

Just the amazing harmonys and singing, but also the stories behind some of the performers which is talked about and just the whole atmosphere was electric.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 8:39pm

Looks like you did a lot in a week! Nice to hear you had fun!