which 2 shows (hadestown, beetlejuice, ain't too proud, or tootsie

Ranking order: top to bottom

Hadestown

Tootsie

Aint too Proud







Beetlejuice.

Tootsie and Hadestown

Hadestown and Tootsie for sure.

Of those choices, I would definitely recommend "Hadestown." But you'll be cheating yourself if you don't see "Oklahoma!"

Updated On: 5/5/19 at 08:56 AM

Hadestown is this year's Hamilton; the show that most people (especially on this board) feel compelled to love. Tootsie is this year's The Producers; the show that most people (especially on this board) feel compelled to loathe, or at least dislike. Personally, I loathed Hadestown (couldn't wait for it to end) and I LOVED Tootsie (funniest and most enjoyable night of theater in a long time)! I won yesterday's lottery, and while the seats weren't the best, I'm seeing it again on 5/28 from much better seats. Tootsie is an old-fashioned Broadway musical comedy farce. If that's not your thing, steer clear. Hadestown is what I would consider to be "new Broadway" (eg. Once, Hamilton, Come From Away), so if that's your thing, then go for it. I haven't seen Ain't Too Proud or Beetlejuice, and have no interest in either.

Updated On: 5/5/19 at 12:02 PM

Hadestown and tootsie

Asking a question like this just brings out the haters...

I am in NYC in about 3 weeks, will see Hadestown, Tootsie, and Beetlejuice. Saw the first preview of Ain't Too Proud (missed it at Berkeley Rep, but it got great reviews here). I think the poster who noted the 90's vs 80's vs growing up when Motown was big covers it best, and it also depends on your taste in theater.

Per the info I have accumulated doing research for my Spring Trip to NYC:

Hadestown is the more arty and unusual of the shows. When done well, I think shows like this need to be supported to avoid having B'way be a bunch of movie retreads and jukebox shows (and I DO NOT dislike either of these types of shows if they are done well, like Tootsie and Ain't Too Proud). Hadestown may be a little more obscure of a story to many (I know Comet was for me a few seasons ago).

Tootsie - being more traditional - had a great book writer to infuse the comedy element, David Yazbek is an awesome theater artist (Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and last year's The Band's Visit), and the setup on a show like this is more intricate with a big payoff in the story.

Ain't Too Proud is a jukebox musical on the scale of Jersey Boys (decent enough story, great performances all the way around, and that awesome music). Very enjoyable (for me at least), but Motown was part of the soundtrack of my youth... so you know how I would lean on this.

Beetlejuice is one of those shows like SpongeBob last year - leave your brain home and just enjoy the ride. I was not going to see this show, and now I am excited to see the set and all the crazy off the rails nonsense they bring from the movie onto the stage. Not all shows have to carry a social message, and from what I have read on the message boards, the audience is part of the fun.

My recommendations are in this order:

Hadestown (different and arty), Tootsie (old-fashioned musical comedy with a twist), Ain't Too Proud (quality jukebox), Beetlejuice (crazy stupid fun).

But those are MINE, based on my tastes and what I like to see.

Updated On: 5/5/19 at 01:30 PM

CT2NYC said: "SFFrontRow said: "Asking a question like this just brings out the haters..."

Not sure I see any haters in this thread, just the opinions of people who've seen the shows in question.

"

That was just a general comment, but check above from another "legend" dramamama - "^ lol, that comment puts Ain't Too Proud even further down my list!" How is that productive for someone asking for help to spend a lot of money for entertainment?

And lastly, not going to get into a spit fight with you on this, just felt the need to comment back on you. And for clarity, I did not point out anyone, it was just a general comment, I have asked the same in posts and gotten all kinds of hate on shows I actually liked.

So, thanks for your "feedback" and this is why I do not post very often on these boards anymore.

Updated On: 5/5/19 at 01:52 PM

Just returned from NY and saw three of the four you’ve mentioned. Hadestown is a must! I really figured Tootsie would be great too, but was just not enamored with it (great book though). Ain’t Too Proud was surprisingly better. The others I saw were Oklahoma & To Kill A Mockingbird and I found those better than Tootsie as well.

I’m sure you’ll have fun with whatever you choose.

Updated On: 5/5/19 at 04:24 PM