Waitress or Mean Girls?- Page 2

[irishgator1]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 1:24pm

I’ve seen both (but MG in its DC incarnation, and I hear that they’ve made a few changes since). I loved both, but personally would see MG again. I hadn’t seen the movie, but loved it regardless. Can’t go wrong with either, really!

[ellbellthomps]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 1:32pm

I cannot stress Mean Girls enough. Especially since McPhee is in it, I am sure she is great but the cast isnt insanely special as it was with Sara and Drew. 

[freewilma]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 2:46pm

frapp2latte2 said: "Thanks for chiming in, guys!

You think it would be worth to pay full priced tickets for either show? Most probably around $169 +fees (Ticketmaster). I've checked TodayTIX and their rates aren't much different plus if I'm not mistaken you won't know which exact seats you'll be getting until after you've bought your tickets. Any other place where you can get good seats and discounted rates?"

If $$$ is an issue, you'll find lots of discounts right now for Waitress.  The theatremania code is BUY10.  Mean girls doesn't have much in the way of discount since it's so new and selling well.  

 

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 10:15pm

CT2NYC said: 

"If it fits into your schedule, Wednesday matinees forMean Girlsduring April (from 4/11) offer lower prices on many seats. Some front side mezzanine seats, including the first row, are $129.50, which is a great price."

 

I"ll actually be watching on a Wednesday matinee, 4/11, as its what fits best on my schedule. Thanks for the tip! Is the view fine on side mezz seats? Your view of the stage won't be skewed enough to bother you?

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 10:30pm

Thank you for the ThreatreMania tip, jbird5 and freewilma! 

And thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts! If anyone else wants to chime in, I'd love to hear what you think of both shows, as well! I don't think I'll be coming back to the US or London (West End) anytime soon so I want to make sure I make the right choice. 

Updated On: 3/15/18 at 10:30 PM

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 10:40pm

frapp2latte2 said: "CT2NYC said:

"If it fits into your schedule, Wednesday matinees forMean Girlsduring April (from 4/11) offer lower prices on many seats. Some front side mezzanine seats, including the first row, are $129.50, which is a great price."



I"ll actually be watching on a Wednesday matinee, 4/11, as its what fits best on my schedule. Thanks for the tip! Is the view fine on side mezz seats? Your view of the stage won't be skewed enough to bother you?"

I sat in mezzanine seat A 13, which is 4 seats in from the far left, for GROUNDHOG DAY at this theatre, and I loved the view. Here's a pic I took from my seat:

https://imgur.com/a/ivUaA

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 11:08pm

CT2NYC said: 

"I sat in mezzanine seat A 13, which is 4 seats in from the far left,for GROUNDHOG DAY at this theatre, and I loved the view. Here's a pic I took from my seat:

https://imgur.com/a/ivUaA"

 

Oh that's definitely not a bad view! Thanks for the tip! 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 7:08am

ellbellthomps said: "I cannot stress Mean Girls enough. Especially since McPhee is in it, I am sure she is great but the cast isnt insanely special as it was with Sara and Drew."

I haven't seen Mean Girls and of course no one has seen Katharine yet but the rest of the cast of Waitress IS insanely special. No one can say that Drew, Caitlin, NaTasha, Chris, Benny, Ben and co are not insanely special. I mean just Sara is gone. Everyone else is still there. 

[Broadway Fan2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 5:43pm

I only saw Waitress and liked it very much. My girlfriend saw both and, according to her, they’re totally opposites. She seemed to like Waitress better in terms of music, but Mean Girls she liked the story. So I guess if you are more into the story go with Mean Girls, but if you’re more into music then pick Waitress.

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 9:37pm

Broadway Fan2 said: "I only saw Waitress and liked it very much. My girlfriend saw both and, according to her, they’re totally opposites. She seemed to like Waitress better in terms of music, but Mean Girls she liked the story. So I guess if you are more into the story go with Mean Girls, but if you’re more into music then pick Waitress."

Thanks! I'll consider those points when I decide. :)

--

How's the set for Mean Girls? Is it predominantly digital / projections? Are there any grand moments similar to Defying Gravity in Wicked? I mean I don't need it to be that grand but plus points for a well-decorated set. 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 10:20pm

Yeah, Regina flies around the theater at the end of Act 1.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 10:46pm

frapp2latte2 said: "Thanks for chiming in, guys!

You think it would be worth to pay full priced tickets for either show? Most probably around $169 +fees (Ticketmaster). I've checked TodayTIX and their rates aren't much different plus if I'm not mistaken you won't know which exact seats you'll be getting until after you've bought your tickets. Any other place where you can get good seats and discounted rates?"

Not sure what the case will be once McPhee joins the show, but Waitress (which I saw in November and loved) has been at the TKTS booth quite often so if you’re willing to wait you could possibly wait til the day before (I believe you expressed interest in Wednesday matinee which I think all the TKTS booths except Times Square sell the day before). Haven’t seen Mean Girls (and won’t unless reviews are strong; I love Tina Fey but I have never seen the movie and this show doesn’t appeal to me, at least not yet).  I will say on the Mean Girls Previews Thread, a few people who saw MG in DC and now in NYC previews are disappointed that so far they’ve cut strong songs that opened Acts 1 & 2 and replaced them with inferior ones.  

Something to consider, not sure if Mean Girls will be on TKTS too, but it’s possible you could snag tickets for both at TKTS for not much more than what you’d pay for just those Waitress Ticketmaster prices you listed above. Wasn’t sure if you were limiting yourself to just two shows due to budget so, if it was, that might be a way to fit in a third show. I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $100 for any ticket at TKTS and I’ve used TKTS frequently. 

[Great Dame]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:04pm

I haven't seen Mean Girls, but I did see Waitress on tour last month and felt very meh. It's not flashy, it's very mellow and the story is rough for me. I remember liking the movie, but now I question my younger self. In the year of "me too" Waitress does not feel like a very female-empowering show. Although I'm not sure Mean Girls meets that criteria either hahaha! I had a really hard time with Waitress, so if it were me I'd see Mean Girls. Actually if it were me I'd scrap both and see Frozen, but if it's between Waitress and Mean Girls I'd go with the latter  

[Broadway Fan2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:19pm

frapp2latte2 said: "Broadway Fan2 said: "I only saw Waitress and liked it very much. My girlfriend saw both and, according to her, they’re totally opposites. She seemed to like Waitress better in terms of music, but Mean Girls she liked the story. So I guess if you are more into the story go with Mean Girls, but if you’re more into music then pick Waitress."

Thanks! I'll consider those points when I decide. :)

--

How's the set for Mean Girls? Is it predominantly digital / projections? Are there any grand moments similar to Defying Gravity in Wicked? I mean I don't need it to be that grand but plus points for a well-decorated set."

You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful in terms of your question: my girlfriend was the one who saw Mean Girls and because I plan to see in a near future, I asked her not to give me any spoilers (I know, so hard in this digital era...) so, at my request, she gave me very little info. We didn’t talk about the set, but given that is Casey Nicholaw who is directing, I assume it will be very nice. She talked more about the story and the little she told me I could tell it’s very funny. She thinks Tina Fey has big chances to get a Tony nomination and I hope she does. I love her work. So, if you’re looking to see something fresh, right out-of-the-oven, then Mean Girls is the way to go. And you will get to see the original cast if that’s appealing to you. Waitress has been out there for awhile and probably if you choose, you will see the show with Katherine McPhee. I’m not familiar with her work, so I don’t know how her performance will be. I saw Waitress with Sara Bareilles and thought she was fantastic.

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:21pm

@Great Dame

Actually I'm leaning pretty heavily towards Mean Girls now because, at the least, I know I'll find it funny given that I grew up with the movie. I was considering Frozen at one point but isn't it targeted at a much younger audience? I'm afraid my aunt would find it too childish or she'd complain about too many kids in the audience. I did like the movie though. 

@Miles2Go2

Yes, I went for TKTS during my previous visit and got tickets to Hedwig. As much as I'd want to watch 3 shows unfortunately I only have time for 2 and already got tickets for Anastasia. So it has to be one or the other now. 

[Great Dame]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:29pm

frapp2latte2 said: "Actually I'm leaning pretty heavily towards Mean Girls now because, at the least, I know I'll find it funny given that I grew up with the movie. I was considering Frozen at one point but isn't it targeted at a much younger audience? I'm afraid my aunt would find it too childish or she'd complain about too many kids in the audience. I did like the movie though."

Haha I do love Mean Girls the movie, and I'm optimistic since Tina Fey is involved in the musical. When I fly out there in May I'm going to see Mean Girls for just that reason alone, plus the movie is hilarious. I actually think Frozen the musical is targeted at an older audience than the movie. There are some pretty adult themes, like Elsa briefly considers suicide for example. I saw the show in Denver a few times and absolutely loved it... and I'm 34 haha! I'm going to see it again when I'm in NYC in a few months. But if you or your aunt aren't Disney people then I'd go Mean Girls. It sounds fetch  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:32pm

I suppose I can see why some might find that Waitress is not empowering for women, but....

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

since Jenna decides to raise her child alone without her abusive husband or her unethical married doctor, I think that is empowering. If the show had ended differently, I’d definitely feel differently. 

I will agree it is not the “flashiest” stage set, but I liked the Waitress set. But I’ve also heard Mean Girls relies largely on projections for its set. “Flashy” sets are not the be all, end all. For me, it is more important that the set fits into the show and helps tell the story rather than distract from it or not do its part effectively.  Case in point, my two favorite shows of my NYC November vacation were Hello, Dolly! and The Band’s Visit. Both great shows. While Hello, Dolly! had great, “showy” sets, The Band’s Visit  had a minimalist yet inventive set that worked equally well for its show. 

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:36pm

Broadway Fan2 said: "You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful in terms of your question:my girlfriend was the one who saw Mean Girls and because I plan to see in a near future, I asked her not to give me any spoilers (I know, so hard in this digital era...) so, at my request, she gave me very little info. We didn’t talk about the set, but given that is Casey Nicholaw who is directing, I assume it will be very nice. She talked more about the story and the little she told me I could tell it’s very funny. She thinks Tina Fey has big chances to get a Tony nomination and I hope she does. I love her work. So, if you’re looking to see something fresh, right out-of-the-oven, then Mean Girls is the way to go. And you will get to see the original cast if that’s appealing to you. Waitress has been out there for awhile and probably if you choose, you will see the show with Katherine McPhee. I’m not familiar with her work, so I don’t know how her performance will be. I saw Waitress with Sara Bareilles and thought she was fantastic."

 

Sounds enticing! I think I'll go for Mean Girls now because at least I can say I saw it with the original cast. And your girlfriend seemed to really enjoy it so it can't be bad. I'm sure Katharine will do a good job but seeing it with Sara Bareilles can't be beat. Love her!

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 11:42pm

Great Dame said: "But if you or your aunt aren't Disney people then I'd go Mean Girls. It sounds fetch "

I DO love my Disney, though! Ahhh, but I think I'm going to take Frozen out of consideration this time as it'll only make me more confused about what to go for. Choices, choices... 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 12:03am

frapp2latte2 said: "Great Dame said: "But if you or your aunt aren't Disney people then I'd go Mean Girls. It sounds fetch "

I DO love my Disney, though!Ahhh, but I think I'm going to take Frozen out of consideration this time as it'll only make me more confused about what to go for. Choices, choices..."

I think you’re smart to limit your choices since I believe Frozen is selling very well so won’t likely have discounts plus Disney never lists their shows at TKTS, at least not frequently or recently. Your two main choices will be easier to snag discount tix for. I will say that Waitress garnered several Tony noms, but won none. I think that’s likely to be Mean Girls’ fate, too. McPhee is an unknown factor in regards to this show. Her rendition of “She Used To Be Mine”, while lovely, doesn’t feel as definitive as Mueller’s version or as nuanced as Stephanie Torn’s who I saw in the show in November. It sounds like you really want to see Mean Girls so I recommend you see that. Plus, as previously mentioned, if you see Mean Girls, you’ll likely be seeing the entire original Broadway cast. Even the shows I’ve seen that disappointed me (and I obsess like you on what shows on my list I will actually see) end up having elements I admire. I’m happy with pretty much every show I chose to see even if it meant missing other shows I might have liked better in retrospect. But then again, what do I know? I absolutely loved Hedwig. LOL

Updated On: 3/17/18 at 12:03 AM

[Great Dame]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 12:26am

Miles2Go2 said: "I suppose I can see why some might find that Waitressis not empowering for women, but....

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

since Jenna decides to raise her child alone without her abusive husband or her unethical married doctor, I think that is empowering. If the show had ended differently, I’d definitely feel differently.

"

 Ya that helped, but I still left feeling like:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Jenna was saved from a terrible marriage by a baby. Babies shouldn't be brought into this world to save their parents. Part of it might have been that the husband wasn't as scary in the musical as he was in the movie. I remember the movie feeling more like she was in danger than in the musical. The musical left me feeling like, "Girl, dump that a$$hole, and get out of there." Show over. But obviously that would be boring so she stays with him WAY too long which I found irritating. I didn't have a lot of compassion for her to be honest, and he felt lazy and doofy not physically threatening. I did like that she didn't end up with either guy, but it still takes a baby for her to realize she should get out of there. As a woman with no children I was frustrated by that... but recognize it's a musical based on a movie. 

 

[Great Dame]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 12:31am

frapp2latte2 said: "I DO love my Disney, though!Ahhh, but I think I'm going to take Frozen out of consideration this time as it'll only make me more confused about what to go for. Choices, choices...

"

Haha fair enough! I'm kind of a slut for Frozen and I absolutely LOVE Caissie Levy! She could sing the dictionary and I'd pay $200 to see it. I'm definitely seeing her as Elsa as many times as possible. BUT in the interest of deciding I think you're smart to narrow it down. There's just way too much to choose from, best problem ever  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 1:22am

Great Dame said: "Miles2Go2 said: "I suppose I can see why some might find that Waitressis not empowering for women, but....

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

since Jenna decides to raise her child alone without her abusive husband or her unethical married doctor, I think that is empowering. If the show had ended differently, I’d definitely feel differently.

"

Ya that helped, but I still left feeling like:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Jenna was saved from a terrible marriage by a baby. Babies shouldn't be brought into this world to save their parents. Part of it might have been that the husband wasn't as scary in the musical as he was in the movie. I remember the movie feeling more like she was in danger than in the musical. The musical left me feeling like, "Girl, dump that a$$hole, and get out of there." Show over. But obviously that would be boring so she stays with him WAY too long which I found irritating. I didn't have a lot of compassion for her to be honest, and he felt lazy and doofy not physically threatening. I did like that she didn't end up with either guy, but it still takes a baby for her to realize she should get out of there. As a womanwith nochildren I was frustrated by that... but recognize it's a musical based on a movie.

"

You make a valid point. However, 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

many women feel even more trapped in an abusive relationship once children are involved for various reasons. So, I was glad she chose to leave. Admittedly, he is not as scary as I recall in the movie and the show perhaps makes it look easier for her to leave than is the reality for many women who find themselves in similar circumstances. 

Also, l’ll take this show’s view of DV over that of Carousel, which is currently being revived on Broadway. I’ve only seen a filmed stage version, but that show demonstrates its age with how clunkily it deals with the issue. The female protagonist only gets away from him when he dies and then still appears to minimize the impact of his abuse. 

 

Updated On: 3/17/18 at 01:22 AM

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 1:53am

Miles2Go2 said: 

"I think you’re smart to limit your choices since I believe Frozenis selling very well so won’t likely have discounts plus Disney never lists their shows at TKTS, at least not frequently or recently. Your two main choices will be easier to snag discount tix for. I will say that Waitress garnered several Tony noms, but won none. I think that’s likely to be Mean Girls’ fate, too. McPhee is an unknown factor in regards to this show. Her rendition of “She Used To Be Mine”, while lovely, doesn’t feel as definitive as Mueller’s version or as nuanced as Stephanie Torn’s who I saw in the show in November. It sounds like you really want to see Mean Girlsso I recommend you see that. Plus, as previously mentioned, if you see Mean Girls, you’ll likelybe seeing the entire original Broadway cast.Even the shows I’ve seen that disappointed me (and I obsess like you on what shows on my list I will actually see) end up having elements I admire. I’m happy with pretty muchevery show I chose to see even if it meant missing other shows I might have liked better in retrospect. But then again, what do I know? I absolutely loved Hedwig. LOL"

 

That's true. I've heard that clip of her singing a part of "She Used To Be Mine" and while nice it does lack that extra factor and soulfulness in Jessie's and Sara's version. On the contrary we didn't really enjoy Hedwig. I watched it with my aunt and a cousin who's born and raised in the US.  My cousin liked it but my aunt and I didn't. I think it's because we didn't understand many of the references they made. I don't remember much if it's because they were political or cultural in nature but we felt lost throughout many of them. LOL! I don't think that will be the case for Mean Girls (or I'm hoping it won't) as the jokes will probably be around pop culture, which seems more universal.  

Updated On: 3/17/18 at 01:53 AM

[frapp2latte2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 4:47am

Great Dame said: 
"Haha fair enough! I'm kind of a slut for Frozen and I absolutely LOVE Caissie Levy! She could sing the dictionary and I'd pay $200 to see it. I'm definitely seeing her as Elsa as many times as possible. BUT in the interest of deciding I think you're smart to narrow it down. There's just way too much to choose from, best problem ever "

 

So I decided to check out the tickets for Frozen in case I'll feel like throwing Frozen into the mix. Gulp! There's NONE left for 4/11. Nothing except a few seats in the very last row of the balcony or the very front of the orchestra. Haha!