Wonderland or Priscilla?

[broadwayjunkie3]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:08am

I am headed to NY in the March and have figured out mostly what I am seeing but can't decide between Wonderland and Priscilla. Leaning towards Wonderland. Priscilla feels like a drag queen version of Mamma Mia! - which is great but I didn't love Mamma Mia! So I am not sure if I would like it - but it seems to be all the buzz. Any thoughts?

I will be seeing Catch me if You Can, Book of Mormon, Spiderman, and Kurshner's Homosexual Guide...

Fav's from last trip were American Idiot, N2N and La Cage, and In the Heights. Could take or leave Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot. Did not like Fela. I typically like emotional/edgy/rock but was surprised by how much I loved La Cage.

Would love your thoughts.

Thanks!

Megs

[dragonlp86]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:17am

If it were me, I'd see Wonderland. I'm not a HUGE fan of Mamma Mia either, or that kind of musical. I'd prefer something not based on pre-existing songs, despite the buzz that's being generated for the show from its other productions. However, my friend saw it in London and said it was the most fun she'd ever had in a show...

[steven22]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:50am

Saw Mamma Mia a few years ago and thought it was a fun show, nothing amazing, but very enjoyable. Lisa Brescia is in it now as Donna as is amazing, from what hear.

[philly03]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:53am

WONDERLAND. An original musical with some great B'way talents (Kate Shindle, Darren Ritchie, Karen Mason & the upcoming Janet Dacal), and a great score by Frank Wildhorn.

[dramarama3]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 5:58am

I've seen Priscilla, and based on the material I've heard from Wonderland, I'm prepared to say Priscilla is probably a better show. I saw it in Sydney a few years and it was good then, and it's been revised a lot since so I'd assume that it's even better now. It's far better than Mamma Mia, and unlike Mamma Mia - it's actually funny.

[CONAries]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 6:52am

PRISCILLA! To start, its nothing like Mamma Mia, as it actually works as a show!

The songs are performed brilliantly, and more than anything, its worth going just to see the gorgeous costumes, and the star of the show... the big bus! Probably the most clever piece of set I have ever seen!

My biggest problem with Wonderland is that it's a typical Wildhorn score! The good songs are fantastic, but then the other 10 or so are just drab filler songs that do nothing!

Priscilla is enjoyment from the first note of music played by the orchestra til the reprise of "I will survive" at the end!!

[alterego]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 7:43am

PRISCILLA (and it is NOTHING like MAMMA MIA, where did that comparison come from?).

[Justin D]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 7:44am

I'm actually in the same boat, will b e up there late April and can;t decide which of the 2 I should try for.

I like interesting sets and all that spectacle. From what I;ve seen of Priscilla, there does not seem to be much else going on besides the costumes and bus. Pluss, as silly as it sonunds, I've never been into the Marquis so that is also a draw for me.

But when I get there it will come down to who has the cheapest tickets since I;ve already spent most of my show budget on 4 other shows.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 7:51am

Priscilla 100 percent

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:01am

PRISCILLA's website has the song list as follows.

But isn't this the London song list?

Is the only major change from a Kylie medley to a Madonna medley?



ACT ONE

Downtown
I’ve Never Been To Me
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Don’t Leave Me This Way
Venus
Go West
I Say A Little Prayer
I Love The Nightlife
Both Sides Now
Follie! Delirio Vano E Quoesto!…Sempre Libera (from Verdi’s La Traviata)
Colour My World
I Will Survive

ACT TWO

Thank God I’m A Country Boy
A Fine Romance
Shake Your Groovy Thing
Pop Muzik
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Hot Stuff
MacArthur Park
Boogie Wonderland
Come into My World
Always On My Mind
Kylie Medley
We Belong
Finally

[CONAries]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:27am

That is the song list for London, there a few major changes, not just the kylie/madonna medley switch!

Im sure the opening has changed as has Both Sides now... but for the life of me I can not remember what to!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:52am

saw WONDERLAND several times in Houston. Great design. SOme great songs. Great voices, great perfs. Not a fan of the librettists, no offense, and have no great expectation they can really fix the book.

PRISCILLA has a great book, also great perfs, great visuals, though i haven't seen it live yet. Song list looks fun.

Splurge and see both, then report back here. Resist the Western tradition of putting one above the other or making a hierarchy. Avoid comparing one show to another despite similarities, or even comparing the same material in different mediums. Would you rather see a story about fierce individualists living out their fantasies despite awkward circumstances or a timid girl whose adventures are thrust upon her? do you like the actors in either cast list and hope to see their work regardless of context? are you a fan of the composers of either song list? try it all that way.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:11am

"Downtown" was replaced with "It's Raining Men" and "Both Sides Now" was replaced (sadly) by "True Colors" when I saw it in Toronto. Yes, it's a Madonna medley, not a Kylie medley.

I say see Priscilla-its a hoot. Tony Sheldon may very well win a Tony for his Bernadette and Will Swenson and Nick Adams are wonderful.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:17am

I'm going with the masses -- from what I've heard from folks that have seen both productions out of town: Priscilla seems the victor.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:19am

"'Downtown' was replaced with 'It's Raining Men.'"


x 10,000

[JRybka]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:40am

I would go with Wonderland. Priscilla is going to have a very very long life. Wonderland will probably be (pun) wonderful but probably will not have the life that Priscilla will have. See it and then see TAOPQOTD next time.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 10:00am

JRYBKA has a good point. Eat the ice cream while its on your plate, as Kander and Ebb have Sabina singing.

[BroadwayBoy3]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 7:17pm

I agree 100% with CONAries, It is not like Mamma Mia! Saw it twice in Toronto, and it is amazing! Go see it!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 10:03pm

I also agree 100% that Priscilla is nothing like Mamma Mia.

Mamma Mia is actually very good.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 10:13pm

You might end up having to drop Spider-Man so maybe you could do both

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 10:28pm

Priscilla is a million time better than Mamma Mia. See it.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/14/11 at 8:13am

See both. Live it up a little. :)

Seriously though Priscilla will leave you they hugest smile on your face. I was a doubter to begin with (for all the reasons oft-mentioned) but the show blew me away.

I personally never got the big fuss of the change from the Kylie Medley to the Madonna Medley to begin with since (a) it isn't that big of a part in the show and (b) Kylie replaced ABBA from the movie.

[minicko88]

Posted: 1/14/11 at 11:10am

Wonderland... did not enjoy Priscilla...