Swing Joined: 5/9/16
Bandstand, and by very far. The last will be more than emotional, probably a performance to remember, given the impact and message of the show. While closings always are - I do think it'll change more in terms of giving something to the show, to the audience, than at GHD.
Leading Actor Joined: 8/9/14
If I wasn't on vacation, I'd be at Groundhog Day in a heartbeat.
Understudy Joined: 5/10/14
I'll be at Groundhog Day closing
I was in between seeing these two shows as well and I ended up going with GHD. I was able to see Bandstand perform live in Bryant Park but I felt that GHD was something that had to be seen with all the props and scenery.
Granted, I was not a fan of GHD all together, but if I could be in town there would be no question - Bandstand. The emotion of the Donny Nova band during Welcome Home? You will not be able to replicate that.
Not to mention - the one thing everyone has commented on in this board (even the show's detractors) is that this cast is full out every time, no one is half-assing it. I would kill to see them leave it all out on the stage.
Stand-by Joined: 11/30/13
lotsanew said: "Bandstand, and by very far. The last will be more than emotional, probably a performance to remember, given the impact and message of the show. While closings always are - I do think it'll change more in terms of giving something to the show, to the audience, than at GHD."
It has GOTTA be Bandstand (and I loved Groundhog Day). But Bandstand offers so much more emotion and power, which will be at the max on closing night. Welcome Home that night will probably be one of the best Broadway experiences you'll ever have. Plus there are more stunning performances who will be giving it everything they've got. Groundhog Day has Andy Karl (everyone else was really good, but no other roles are insanely complex). Bandstand you'll have like 7 people giving career highlight performances, I so wish I could see the final performance of that.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/5/17
Can people please just support the show they love without tearing down others? Both shows are closing and it sucks, don't make it worse. Especially with comments about which cast is the "one giving it their all." All of the actors in both shows are doing that every night and will leave it all on the stage on 9/17.
Personally, I think Groundhog Day is more powerful and emotional than Bandstand, with the more complex characters. John Sanders' final "Night Will Come" is going to kill me. As will the entire cast during "Seeing You." Bandstand just has Corey. I wasn't impressed by the others, particularly because the weak book just made me feel like I was being cheaply manipulated into caring. Except it didn't work.
See how it feels?
10086Sundays said: "Can people please just support the show they love without tearing down others? Both shows are closing and it sucks, don't make it worse. Especially with comments about which cast is the "one giving it their all." All of the actors in both shows are doing that every nightand will leave it all on the stage on 9/17.
Personally, Ithink Groundhog Day is more powerful and emotional than Bandstand, with the more complex characters. John Sanders' final "Night Will Come" is going to kill me. As will the entire cast during "Seeing You." Bandstand just has Corey. I wasn'timpressed by the others, particularly because the weak book just made me feel like I was being cheaply manipulated into caring. Except it didn't work.
See how it feels?"
Chill.
All I said is that one of the consistent comments about Bandstand is that the entire company is working their butts off. There was nothing in my statement comparing it to GHD. Sometimes you can talk about one show without it inherently dissing the other. I was praising Bandstand - not putting GHD down.
The comment after mine did not put down the performers, rather pointed out that there are less meaty, principal roles. That is the nature of the story, nothing wrong with it.
It's a pretty sad state of affairs that you can deliberate about seeing either of these closing shows for a while, and then still lock in a seat pretty easily...
Stand-by Joined: 6/5/17
haterobics said: "It's a pretty sad state of affairs that you can deliberate about seeing either of these closing shows for a while, and then still lock in a seat pretty easily..."
yes.... it was the same with Sunset Boulevard, which was one of the best shows of this season in my opinion. There were a ton of rush tickets left and a handful went to TKTS. They weren't sold out even half an hour before curtain. The closing show was so full of emotion I'll never forget it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/30/15
I would do Groundhog Day final performance - and if you could do bandstand sat matinee or evening so you can do both if you want.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/22/14
Making a trip to NYC for GHD final weekend! I am sad it is closing but excited to see it 2x that weekend. I've already seen it 2x in June
I think I can fit in Bandstand in one of the weekend slots. I haven't been yet
I saw "Bandstand" in April and really liked it, sad to know it is closing. I have tickets to "Groundhog Day" on Saturday so can give you a very late opinion after this weekend - lol.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/16
yaoqian said: "haterobics said: "It's a pretty sad state of affairs that you can deliberate about seeing either of these closing shows for a while, and then still lock in a seat pretty easily..."
yes.... it was the same with Sunset Boulevard, which was one of the best shows of this season in my opinion. There were a ton of rush tickets left and a handful went to TKTS. They weren't sold out even half an hour before curtain. The closing show was so full of emotion I'll never forget it."
We got very nice orchestra seats a few rows behind ALW for the final performance of Sunset from TKTS. It helps to use the South Street TKTS as I recall, since they sell matinees the day before. If I didn't already have my GHD closing ticket, and if other discounts weren't available, I'd consider that route for the 17th.
Interesting that the show that basically sold out two weeks before it's closing was Comet. I wonder if that was related to the drama of its exit, to love of the show, to the holiday weekend, to something else it to a combination of them.
Oh, there's another final performance on the 17th. The original cast of "the play that goes Wong" has their final performance that night.
Videos