Your opinion on which musicals to see for first timer family- Page 2

[steven22]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:20am

Go with CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. It's a fun and simple show with an incredible cast.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:38am

Most discounts only run for a limited time and then, depending on how sales are going, renew or come back with restrictions (with black out dates)

I was going to suggest Spiderman, but I did not see it listed on your initial considerations. While it is not the best show out there, it is entertaining and you can see the kids really go for it. If you are not crazy about seeing it, let you husband take the boys and you go and see something else. Hair has some really good discounts right now, there is a fan discount for $55 orchestra seats, that code expires 7/3. I just bought tickets for a Tuesday eve in September. As far as it being date, it is one of my favorite shows, so I can not offer you an unbiased opinion, but I would say not. If you love that music you will enjoy the show.

[ajh]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 9:06am

Of family-friendly shows that are currently running, and have availability and possible discounts, I'd definitely go for Catch Me If You Can. It's terrific.

As a second choice, maybe The Addams Family. I know it got some iffy reviews, both on here and in the media, but I thought it was alot of fun. Quite old-fashioned but genuinely funny, with a tuneful score, and performed, designed and staged with great brio. I saw it at a Saturday matinee with an audience composed largely of American out-of-towners and they cheered it to the rafters...in fact it got the most enthusiastic ovation of the five shows I saw on that NYC trip (and three of the others were big hits)

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 9:16am

I sat in the 4th row of the Rear Mezz in the Broadway Theatre (Sister Act) and I was fine, but I wouldn't suggest going much farther. Spiderman has discounts on both Playbill Club and BroadwayBox I think.

[Ajpuppypal]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 9:40am

i do feel hair is abit dated, as i am from a younger generation. but i agree that the Addams family is a good show i really enjoyed it. Mary Poppins is a great show and currently has the original Mary and Burt and they are both amazing performers. Ii have yet to see Anything Goes or Catch Me but by the clips ive have seen and heard they both look incredible.

[Annie_V]

Posted: 6/19/11 at 5:44pm

Thanks again for everyone's input

Based in part of the feedback I got from this thread we are considering whether it would be worth going over our budget for this element of our trip plans and consider purchasing non-discounted tickets for a 'big Broadway' type musical and going to see one of Anything Goes or How to Succeed (and then one other musical).

In your opinion, which of the following would be the best to see
Anything goes

4 Tickets, Center Mezzanine Row CC, Seats 105-108
Row 3 CENTER MEZZANINE. Seat 105 is 5 seats off aisle
or
4 Tickets, Right Orchestra Row H, Seats 10-16
8 rows from Stage. Seat 10 is 5 seats off aisle.


How to Succeed

4 Tickets, Center Mezzanine Row C, Seats 103-106
Row 3 CENTER MEZZANINE. Seat 103 is 3 seats off aisle
or
4 Tickets, Center Orchestra Row R, Seats 101-104
17 rows from Stage

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/19/11 at 6:45pm

ADDAMS FAMILY and MARY POPPINS

There will be major cast changes in both shows by August, but both shows are fun.

[Annie_V]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 9:28am

Just to close the loop on this question thought I would let anyone who might be interested what we decided on (I always like finding out what people end up doing when they have posted questions on message boards that I have answered!)

We are going to see How to Succeed and RENT.

How to Succeed based in part on the feedback that it would be family friendly, fun 'Broadway musical' style show, but also that the casting - in particular Daniel Radcliffe - would mean that it would be an experience that the kids in particular could only get this specific year and only by seeing it in New York. I ended up getting front row mezzanine (discounted) tickets so we are good to go on that!

RENT - I did listen to the comments on 'appropriateness for a 10 year old' and stepped back and thought about it, and decided that while there were possibly uncomfortable or challenging themes on sexuality, drugs and lifestyle, that there were also themes of community, self-expression and 'finding family' in sometimes unexpected shapes. I am comfortable that we can talk about some of those themes before and after seeing it as required. I was particularly interested to hear from those of you who had said this particular show had made a strong impact on you the first time you saw it and think it could be a good artistic and educational (although that is really too dry of a word for what I am trying to get across!) experience.

We will see those early in the week that we are there, and if the family wants to, have left a gap later in the week where we could look for last minute tickets for something that catches our eye - if the family loves the idea of adding another show!

So thanks to everyone for their input

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 9:53am

Spider-Man has great seats in the balcony for around $90.

Don't ride on the critics back, I highly suggest it for all people wanting an explosive night at the theatre. It is spectacular, and will be talked about with great thoughts for quite a while. There were discounts for $79, but they expire soon. I'm not too sure when the august ones, if there will be some, will be released. But spidey's greatest seats sell fast. (And they opened to some good reviews.)

If not spidey, Billy Elliot is a 100%. Careful not to sit too far on the sides though.

The rear mezz for sister act, or anything at the Broadway, is like sitting miles away. You will surely have a fun time, the music is catchy, and the story is fun, and even if you do sit there, the family won't miss out on the show!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:08am

Great choices Annie! Enjoy

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:12am

Good for you choosing Rent!!! I saw it when I was eleven and it was an eye-opening experience.

[Q]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:21am

I love the content and tone of this thread SOOOO much! Hope you have a wonderful trip, and let us know how the experience was when you get back home, please

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:29am

Me too, Q! We got one right for a change.

Annie, I applaud your thinking and I know you'll have a great time. Let us know!

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:34am

Hope your family has a blasssstttt!

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:51am

I am surprised no one mentioned Lion King.

[Annie_V]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 7:01am

thanks again to everyone

I have a seat question for our Rent tickets - it is off-Broadway at the New World Stages. On the day I am looking at I can get centre orchestra tickets in row C or row G. Can anyone give an opinion into whether the C seats would be 'too close' or how 'flat' the orchestra is (trying to figure out the chance of 'tall guy with a big head' sitting in front of the kids. Any insight to this theater would be welcome

Thanks!

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 1:11pm

You've already made your choice, so far be it from me to question, but essentially the same stuff said about Rent could be said about Hair. Both are very similar. And personally I prefer Hair, though I love both. But that's just me.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 1:14pm

Annie, it is playing in Stage 1 at New World. Pretty much every seat is a good seat. The orchestra section slopes down a bit but you will be quite fine in row C or G. I actually would sit in G just to be a bit further back.

[charlesjguiteau]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 4:45pm

Really hope you and your kids will love How to Succeed and Rent. Great choices covering opposite ends of the show spectrum.

The one thing you might want to consider is that neither show offers much in the way of old-fashioned Broadway extravaganza. Both are basically unit-set shows with costumes bordering on street clothes (for their specific eras). So for that possible THIRD wild card slot if you sneak in one more, I would STRONGLY urge you to consider either Spider-Man (amazing production values with a lame score), or Billy Elliott (amazing show, amazing score, and quite a bit of show-biz spectacle as well). Enjoy.

[Annie_V]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 6:04pm

Thanks again for the input The info about the seating really helps...

I am thinking that a 3rd 'wild card' is becoming even more likely as this whole process has drummed up lots of enthusiasm within the family! And I will definitely file away the advice re: Spider-man and Billy Elliot (as well as other feedback!) - with so many choices, the fact that there aren't yet discounted seats that I have been able to find for those specific shows has kept them off the 'go for it' list for now - but I will obsessively be watching the discount list between now and when we leave to work on fitting in a third!

thanks again...
AV

[Mark_E]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 7:11pm

For a 3rd show, Billy Elliot would be the perfect option!

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 8:10pm

"Addams Family" is pretty fun. Have you seen "Mamma Mia"? ALWAYS good seats available at TKTS booth. Also, not a musical, but if they've never seen Blue Man Group, that might be an option. If you are going to be there on a Sunday, you might try your luck at the "Wicked" lottery. "Only" 200 or so there the last time we went, and we won!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 9:10pm

Okay, so you've probably had more advice here than you can handle, but still I feel like adding my own two cents...

I would echo charlesjguiteau's point about missing out on a grand-scale spectacle. To this end, I would highly recommend Mary Poppins - c'mon, she flies! Plus, I think it would be fun for the kids to see something that they (presumably) are already familiar with re: story and songs. I think it helps so much to have a little familiarity. So if you do decide to see a third show (and why not, when are you next going to be in NYC?) I think Mary Poppins is to one to aim for!

The exact same argument could also be made for Wicked, but Mary Poppins is just my personal preference...which counts for nothing, I guess!

[LFazin]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 9:28pm

You picked wonderful choices. I saw How to Succeed back in April and I still rave about it. Your family will love it. It's perfect for any age; great music, great dancing, and it's VERY funny. Plus, the excitement of seeing "Harry Potter" on stage can't be beat. I would avoid the stage door experience though. It's an absolute mob scene afterwards...lots of pushing and shoving, people lined up everywhere (even across the street) to get a glimpse of Daniel Radcliffe. Otherwise though, it's a wonderful experience, in an absolutely STUNNING theatre.

I also just booked tickets to see RENT at New World Stages...third row too! I was advised that they wouldn't be too close, but I think you'd be just fine with row G too.

As far as another option for a third show, definitely consider Sister Act. Not sure if there will be discounts available when you visit, but it's another show I still rave about. I'm a regular theatre goer and I've never had so much fun at a Broadway show before. Definitely consider it!

[Annie_V]

Posted: 6/25/11 at 7:52am

thanks again! LFazin -when do you go and see Rent? I ended up getting the G row tickets. So now we have 2 shows booked, and two days at the end of week we are there that could still fit in another show if we decide.
I had a question about the 'stage door experience'. What exactly is it I am guessing it is waiting at the stage door for the cast and getting your programme signed. Is that it? I think the kids would love to do that - when we have gone to small town high school productions they are always very excited to see the actors in the lobby after the show. Is the how to succeed mob scene an exception? Is that something we could do at Rent (plus whatever else we might end up going to)

thanks!