Taking a spur of the moment trip to London next week and maybe can see 2-3 shows. What would you choose? Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly. Standing at Sky’s Edge, something else? Thanks for helping me!
Without knowing your tastes, I can’t recommend “Sky’s Edge” highly enough. I’ll say it whenever the show is mentioned, that it’s one of the greatest musicals I’ve ever seen.
I have read lots of your posts here for years and can say I trust your opinion immensely! So Sky’s Edge is a definite. What do you think of Operation Mincemeat or Kiss Me Kate with SJB? Or would you try out Hello Dolly with Imelda that’s just opening? I’ve also never seen Slave Play…so that is another option…thanks for your response!
“Mincemeat” is excellent. Seeing “Kiss Me Kate” & “Dolly” when I head over next week and am looking forward to both of them. I think you can get some pretty decently priced “Dolly” tix right now if you’re looking. As for “Slave Play”, I saw it on Broadway and that was more than enough for me.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I would definitely say 'Sky's Edge' as well, and it's a hard pass on Kiss Me Kate, there are so many amazing shows on the West End right now and this really fell short for me - With all due respect, I just didn't care for the male lead Dunbar, there was just no chemistry or presence for an actor who has been around for awhile. I blame a bit on the direction too, the opening and ending fell flat. Saw it this past weekend.
A little out of left field but for something a little different and very worth it - how about the Immersive Guys & Dolls? I would have Hello Dolly on my list too. Have fun
Just saw a bunch last week! I highly recommend People, Places & Things and Next to Normal. I'm still thinking about those two.
Operation Mincemeat, Guys & Dolls, Two Strangers and Standing at the Sky's Edge were also great.
Much Ado About Nothing, Kiss Me Kate and Starlight Express were fun, but I would prioritize the others. Unless you're dying to see Stephanie J Block. She does not disappoint!
Jumping on to say I'm also going to London next week. Seeing Two Strangers, Guys and Dolls, Fawlty Towers, N2N, Starlight, Mincemeat, and Les Mis. Really looking forward to it. First trip across the pond since covid!
Thanks to everyone - reporting back here what I have seen:
Next to Normal - love loved it! This is a tremendous cast and I saw the OBC with Alice and Aaron. Operation Mincemeat - really liked it - “Dear Bill” brilliant
Stranger Things - loved it! Surprisingly good acting and amazing effects
Standing at the Sky’s Edge - really liked it- I think this is one that I will grow to love but the score didn’t stand out to me