Which show should I see with my parents?
Which show should I see with my parents?
#1Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:36pm
I'm travelling to New York for the first time with my family and my girlfriend from June the 5th and leaving on Sunday the 8th. My parents are looking at getting discount tickets from Travelzoo and they want my opinion of what we should see. Not thinking I'd be going to NY any time soon, I hadn't really been following any of the shows this year, so I don't really know what's any good. My first choice would have been South Pacific, but it's hella sold out.
The shows that are available (according to this list which is hopefully up to date) are:
Hairspray
Passing Strange
August: Osage County
Sunday in the Park with George
Cry-Baby
A Catered Affair
Chicago
Curtains
A Chorus Line
Spring Awakening
Mamma Mia
Avenue Q
Spamalot
Legally Blonde
My parents have already seen Curtains on Broadway, which they loved and expressed some interest in seeing again. They also saw Spamalot in Vegas and mentioned they don't really want to see it again. My mom also mentioned off-handedly that Avenue Q didn't interest her. My dad has expressed some fondness for campy musicals, and they've both said they'd rather see a musical than a play.
I mentioned I was interested in seeing SITPWG but after describing the premise to them, they didn't sound too thrilled. Even my sister, who's an art school student, said a musical about creating art sounded 'pretty boring'. I played the bit about the original production in the BWAY documentary DVD for them but they didn't have a lot to say about it.
I've explained to them that I'd rather not see a show that's been running for 10 or more years (my mom seemed interested in Chicago).
Does anyone have any recommendations for me? They liked the tour of the Sweeney Todd revival that we caught back in November in Toronto, so they're not generally opposed to esoteric Sondheim shows... but I'd prefer to not take them to something they'll hate. HELP?
#2re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:41pmI think you guys would enjoy A Chorus Line and Avenue Q, Spring Awakening would be pretty awkward with parents, Passing Strange is also good if they're into rock music. and Sunday in the Park with George is so beautiful...
#3re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:44pm
I would probably recommend HAIRSPRAY for the whole family.
If they dont like the idea of Sunday...most likely they will get bored on these: August : Osage County (too long- 3 hours and 1/2) A CATERED AFFAIR- might get sleepy..
broadwayjim42
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
#4re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:47pm
Where's Xanadu on your list?
That certainly nails the camp factor if they're in the right mood for it. Discounts are available through broadwaybox.com, playbill.com, TKTS, etc etc.
Hairspray is also a great choice and I'd also think about "Mamma Mia," but my good memories of that show go to 2001 and then-star Louise Pitre and not a 2003 revisit with Dee Hoty.
If you can ditch the folks, you'd probably like Avenue Q and Spring Awakening.
#5re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:50pm
That's right, my mom saw Mamma Mia ages ago in NY and liked it, but I doubt my dad would want to see it and I wouldn't either (though I will see the movie, no doubt).
I might see a second show if possible (with or without the parents, don't know).
#6re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:57pm
Hairspray or A Chorus Line would probably be good for the whole family.
If you have the opportunity to see a second show without the 'rents go for it. Tell them to go have a nice dinner or something. I've done that a few times with my parents and siblings, and sometimes it's nice to be able to enjoy a show without worrying how others are liking it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#7re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:59pm
For their second show, send them to Gypsy. Legendary performances, legendary director.
They can get TKTS the day of, at the Marriott, for half price.
TKTS Booth
#8re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 4:03pmMy mom has just expressed an interest in Gypsy after I told her what it was and mentioned 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'.
#9re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 4:13pm
Mary Poppins is great for the family and if you are from "that age" of the movie then it is a lot of fun to see. I loved it.
Also-- go see Curtains. It is a good old fashioned musical where the talent can sing, dance, get the laugh, get the girl and everything in between. I loved this show!
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#12re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 4:55pm
I would say Hairspray from your list, but why In the Heights is not on the list I can't figure out. It's a perfect show to see with parents.
Gypsy would be really great too. I just saw that with my mom and grandma.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Updated On: 5/22/08 at 04:55 PM
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#13re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 5:56pm
In the Heights wasn't, I think, on the list from the discount tickets site my parents were looking at (maybe it was and I didn't see it?).
It's looking like it's going to be Gyspy. I've wanted to see this ever since Bernadette's performance of 'Rose's Turn' on the Tony's several years back, so I'm pretty happy with that choice.
Thanks for all the help, everyone. I'm thinking if I can get away from the folks for a day I might see SITPWG... or my girlfriend might want to see Macbeth... Patrick Stewart is her 'old man crush'.
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#14re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:00pm
My family and I are seeing Gypsy on my sister and my birthday weekend. Enjoy it! :)
I'm pretty suer Macbeth closes this weekend. I'd say definitely try and see Sunday. I loved it.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#15re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:47pmGo with Blonde. It's a really likeable show, and catch the OBC before they leave.
Hunter: Your teeth need whitening./ Heidi: You sound weird./ Jeff: You taste funny.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
LittlexFallxOfxRain
Featured Actor Joined: 2/25/08
#16re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 8:07pm
"Hairspray or A Chorus Line would probably be good for the whole family."
Couldn't agree more. Avenue Q, In the Heights, Spring Awakening etc. are incredable shows, but ACL and Hairspray are more appropriate for the family.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#17re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 8:27pmHairspray
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#18re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 8:27pm
Yeah, ACL is great for families!
Not.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#19re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 8:30pmGypsy. Have a wonderful trip!
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
#20re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/22/08 at 9:24pm
A Chorus Line sounds good for your situation.
Its a great show =)
"I told you, NO Rodgers and Hammerstein!"- Bart Simpson
#21re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:24amHairspray - I just to my family to see it and everyone enjoyed it.
bwaybabe2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/08
#22re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/23/08 at 2:19am
Hairspray, A Catered Affair (any comments on this one, anyone?), and if all else fails, try A Chorus Line. :)
However, I would still try for South Pacific, if at all possible, and is Wicked still playing then...?
Oh, yeah, YF!
Updated On: 5/24/08 at 02:19 AM
#23re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/23/08 at 10:24am
Wicked
Hairspray
Young Frankenstein
Gypsy
#24re: Which show should I see with my parents?
Posted: 5/23/08 at 10:34amSpring Awakening
He's a faker, and you've been taken in by his con. And in doing so, you are enabling him. He is doing more damage to aspergers than papa's words ever could. -Chane/Liverpool on me having asperger syndrome.
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