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Post by LaLuPone on Mar 7, 2022 7:17:04 GMT
Finally making it back to Broadway this Easter for my 21st and I couldn’t be more excited! I have so many questions for our American board members (and of course British members who do New York trips a lot!)
I’m going to have the chance to catch 3 shows and it’s so hard to narrow down! Company is 100% locked in so that’s one sorted. The other shows I’m considering are Little Shop of Horrors, Beetlejuice, Hadestown and Funny Girl. I’ve seen Little Shop of Horrors before but not for 4 years now (Regent’s Park) and it’s always been one of my favourites. This production looks exciting and with a great cast plus it’s cheaper than most of the shows what with it being off-Broadway. I’ve heard lots of good things about Beetlejuice but I feel like that will make it’s way over to London at some point and I’ve never seen the film so I’m not swaying towards it massively. I missed Hadestown at the National and the main draw for me would be to see Eva Noblezada, I don’t know too much about the show. I saw Funny Girl with Sheridan but I would like to see someone who can really belt out that score (I know nothing of Beanie Feldstein, is she more of a singer or an actor?) I love Jane Lynch and I’m sure Ramin will be brilliant as well, it would definitely be big bragging rights to say I saw the long awaited Broadway revival of Funny Girl during previews to be fair!
Discount codes are only valid until the beginning of April right now, does anyone know if there are likely to be ones for later in the month coming out soon or if they’re unlikely at Easter? I guess NYC and Broadway is a lot busier in the school holidays?
A long post but TL;DR I’d appreciate anyone’s recommendations for shows and advice for looking for discounts.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Mar 7, 2022 8:08:52 GMT
Ooh I'm also looking to do my first Broadway trip around Easter-ish time. Looking forward to hearing what advice people have  |
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Post by Mark on Mar 7, 2022 8:44:10 GMT
I’m just about to board my flight for 2 weeks in New York!
Company I saw on a trip a few weeks back - it’s in great shape. Hoping to catch Little Shop/Hadestown on this trip. Funny Girl/Beetlejuice won’t be open but hoping to catch next month.
Regarding discount codes at Easter - holidays on Broadway tend to be a really busy time so not sure how discount codes will be for then. But what I will say is I’ve always managed to buy my tickets on the day or close to it, even if it meant paying full price (that’s including Bette in Hello, Dolly where I got from the returns queue).
Another show to potentially consider is “A Strange Loop” - seems to be a favourite going into Tony season.
Any questions feel free to ask, and feel free to follow my Twitter @markeastaugh - will be keeping a tab on all my theatregoing on there too.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 7, 2022 10:48:57 GMT
Beanie Feldstein is probably more an actor than a belter too
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 7, 2022 12:05:22 GMT
Ooh I'm also looking to do my first Broadway trip around Easter-ish time. Looking forward to hearing what advice people have Company and Strange Loop. |
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Mar 7, 2022 19:01:46 GMT
I’m going to New York at Easter too. If you’re there on 15th and 16th then 94 year old singer Marilyn Maye (nicknamed the Queen of Manhattan Cabaret) is performing at Feinsteins at 54 Below. She sings songs from Hello, Dolly!, Mame, Cabaret etc.
There’s also a new comedy musical starring Billy Crystal and Shoshana Bean called Mr Saturday Night. I’m thinking of tying that in with lunch at Katz Deli (which featured in Billy’s famous film When Harry Met Sally). Also seeing Plaza Suite and combining that with afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel where the play is set (the tea is expensive and you would have to book soon).
Also if you’re interested in doing an Easter type thing, you can enter the ballot for tickets to Easter Solumn Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Easter Sunday at 10:30am.
I think they are predicting a busy Easter. Lots of shows already selling fast, so you would be unlikely to get discounts.
A lot of shows are offering the chance to exchange or refund at the moment, so it can be easier to change your plans if you need to.
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Post by lucyhoneychurch on Mar 7, 2022 19:55:48 GMT
Third for A Strange Loop! This production of Little Shop is fantastic, and it's a real treat to see it in a small theater. Are you open to plays, such as Take Me Out or The Minutes?
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Post by Stephen on Mar 8, 2022 0:08:10 GMT
I'm going to New York at the beginning of April. I tend to book to see things that I feel are unlikely to transfer to London and this time have chosen The Music Man and Cursed Child. It was cheaper to see Cursed Child on Broadway than in London and I was tempted by the 'now one part' thing.
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 8, 2022 14:46:02 GMT
Thanks everyone for your advice before and hope you had a great trip Mark! Has anyone used TodayTix for New York before? They have good deals with no fees for Company right now but I’m a bit wary because of them not telling you your seat until you pick up your tickets. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2022 15:27:00 GMT
Currently in New York. Quick pick up on some comments in this thread.
Funny Girl is open now (in previews). At least I hope it is. I’m booked for tonight (sadly right at the back, but there’s really no discounts about).
Company, I saw last night. It is on TDF if you qualify for membership. I got third row side Stalls. From experience, the TodayTix seats will not be great. Rush is an option, I heard some others saying Rush tickets were available until right before the start.
In fact two people arrived right before the start in the seats at front. Within minutes, their masks exposed their noses. An usher came and spoke to them and masks went up. Soon, at least one mask was part way down. At the interval, security were straight there, they were told to take their belongings and did not return. Good to see mask wearing, Covid pass checks etc all being taken seriously (they’ve even set up metal detectors to walk through going into theatres).
Anyway, Company was excellent. About half the cast were covers, including the lead, but no one would have known. It is changed from London and much better for it. Would happily see this again (and I didn’t feel the same need to return for the London version).
I didn’t prebook tickets this time (just in case I couldn’t travel), so am rather winging it. No shortage of choice though. And the New York rain has finally disappeared today.
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Post by mattnyc on Apr 8, 2022 15:52:49 GMT
Glad you’re having a good time! That rain was intense, so happy it’s gone for now. I’m jealous you got to see Nikki in “Company”! I live right down the street, I should try and see her while she’s in.
What else are you going to try to see?
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 9, 2022 12:00:41 GMT
Funny Girl thoughts. Very good, but I wasn’t blown away. Prefer the recent London and Paris stagings.
This is very traditional. Elaborate set and a larger ensemble than the other versions.
Ran nearly three hours too. A lot of this was aided by the audience randomly cheering and breaking into applause after certain lines (and in the middle of songs).
I think most of the cheers were for Jane Lynch, but all the leads were popular. Beanie Feldstein is a great comic performer. Vocally, I was less keen. Jared Grimes really shines with the tap scenes. Ramin, took me a while to warm to as this is rather different to the roles I naturally associate him with, but his vocals were sublime.
The book is essentially the London revival, although I thought there was a bit more music added.
I was sat right at the back and even had spare seats beside me, so very comfortable. A clear view, but I would want to see this up close at some point.
Really not sure how long this will run for and how well received it will be. I heard two different groups of people with negative comments on the way out, which is unusual. They were along the lines of the second half being too long and depressing. That’s the show and not something you can easily change. I did enjoy it and glad I got to see this so early in the run.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 9, 2022 16:17:54 GMT
Might interest some. Tried for The Music Man rush today (Saturday), got there about 7:15am (10am box office).
When I arrived, I was about 40th in the queue. When they counted heads just before 10am, I was 78th.
There were at least 100 people behind me.
Anyway, I did make it into the box office, during which time they announced the evening sold out, matinee sold out and $99 restricted view sold out. It was about 10:40am by this point. I did hear what time others had arrived and there were people in front who I know had arrived at 5am who went away disappointed.
Now, the box office did help me out and sold me a $99 restricted view for Sunday (side Mezzanine B). No fees either for buying from the box office. I’m expecting it to not be much of a view, but it was the best option available. Whether I could have just purchased that without queueing, I’m not too sure.
Do bear that in mind for anyone planning to rush at a weekend, especially over Easter. Otherwise, it was a very pleasant queue (apart from the people “holding places”) and I’ve never known New York so quiet without continual car horns going off!
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Post by mattnyc on Apr 9, 2022 20:48:46 GMT
If you got a restricted view at The Winter Garden, it’s probably either a front seat all the way to the side or a box seat. At that theater, both views are restricted but you should still be able to see most of everything.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 17, 2022 16:57:27 GMT
I didn't ever get chance to write some thoughts about the other shows I saw (not as many as intended due to late Covid-19 cancellations and the like).
The Music Man - excellent and very glad I went with the restricted view seat which only lost a bit of the back corner of the stage. A clear close view otherwise. This is really a star power show and has a special atmosphere.
Coal Country - this is billed as a musical but really a play with music. It's performed with the actual words of the survivors of the Montcoal mining disaster. Excellent and moving.
Harmony - I managed to get rush for this. This is a musical I've been tracking since Barry Manilow first started showcasing songs at his concerts. It's presented at the Jewish Museum in a really nice theatre (and the tightest security checks out of all the shows I saw). High quality production values and a large cast. This is the story of the real-life Comedian Harmonists from 1930s Germany, knowledge which may rather foreshadow the outcome. Very glad I saw this, recommended, and I'm sure this will be a big success.
A fun trip, although I hope next time I feel more able to plan everything. Not that you can ever get bored in NYC.
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Post by n1david on May 2, 2022 16:19:43 GMT
A few notes on things I saw last week:
Take Me Out: very good production of a good play. Jesse Tyler Ferguson dials up the comedy a bit too hard at times, preferred Denis O'Hare in the original production (which I had not realised started in London before going off-Broadway and then on Broadway - I had always assumed it came here after NYC). A muscular script with muscular acting, one of those it's just a pleasure to sit and watch the cast do their stuff.
A Strange Loop: kinda the polar opposite on Take Me Out, this threw everything on stage in a fever dream of a show. Very densely textured, I loved it even though I didn't understand half of it. Remarkable performance by Jaquel Spivey. Extremely enthusiastic audience, this is going to be an immense hit, and it should be, it's like nothing I've seen before. Filthy in all sorts of ways and definitely not for the faint-hearted. Had to Google who Tyler Perry was.
The Minutes: Tracy Letts' new play (also starring him), this was a tight little satire of small-town USA in the age of BLM. A sharp 90 minutes, it does lose its way at the end but the fundamental point is made without hammering it home.
To My Girls: pretty awful set of people, some great bitter-queen lines but ultimately completely unbelievable in many ways. By far the weakest of what I saw - the good news is it only cost me $2 as an add-on to Take Me Out because they are both Second Stage productions.
Didn't have the money of patience to get to The Music Man, and had decided beforehand I wasn't going to pay $500 to see Bond playing Macbeth, and judging by the word-of-mouth and reviews for the latter, that was a very wise decision.
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