Broadway Shows

[lisamarie84]

FF and I are going to NYC in July and are interested in seeing a Broadway show while we''re there. Neither of us have been to any type of musical so I''m not sure what we should see. Have any of you seen Rock of Ages, Shrek or Avenue Q? If so, which show would be best for first time theatre goers? Any information is appreciated!!

This will be our first time in NYC so any suggestions on restaurants/places to see/things to do are also welcome

So far the only thing we have planned is a WNBA game at MSG.

 

[LadyBlue]

Hi Lisa!!

I love Broadway shows, I have been in too many; Chicago, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Equus, Spring Awakening, 13, 9 to 5.

I would recommend Wicked, it''s awsome, 9 to 5 it''s really funny as well. I have not seen any of the ones you want to see, but I heard shrek it''s really funny.

If I get to see one of those before July I will let you know. For popular shows you have to get tickets in advance, for shows like Chicago, the Phantom of the Opera and other shows, you should get the tickets on TKTS on Time Square (Half price). http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

What kind of places do you want to visit? For food I will siggest Little italy for a nice italian dinner, East Village Panna II for Indian food, Max Brenner at Union square for the best chocolate desserts and chocolate drinks. Let me know what kind of food you like and I can give you some suggestions

On july will be a lot of things to do for free, like Central Park Summer Stage and Bryant Park Summer Film Festival link.

For turistic places I would recommend: Pier 17, Brooklyn Bridge, Time Square, Central Park, Top of the Rock since Empire State Building probably it''s going to be very very crowd, Soho for some shopping and Museums, the MET and Museum of natural History are free admission (voluntary cooperation).

I hope this tips will help you, actually my family is comming in the summer to visit me, so I had been thinking as well were to take them while they are here.

 

[KimberlyH]

A link to another thread on the subject (you''ll find a few links to other threads in this link, too!) https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-york-new-york.83681/

My two favorite musicals of all time are Wicked and Avenue Q.

The architectural boat tour is really interesting. Spend some time in Greenwich Village. Go to Chinatown. Wander Central Park. Go to the Tenement Museum.

Casual and delicious tapas = The Bread Bar (the casual bar in Tabla). Pre/post theatre Bistro Moderne.

 

[trillionaire]

LOVED Avenue Q. How old are you? I think it resonates best in your 20''s, and the earlier the better! Hilarious!

Lion King is AMAZING

Phantom is FAB!

Heard great things about Wicked, too!

I HATED Rent...

 

[chiapet]

I agree with the other posters: I loved Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and Lion King. If you like Latin music, In the Heights has really good music and dancing. I thought Avenue Q was okay... a little too puppet-y for me

NYC to-do: Empire State or Top of the Rock. Central Park. Chinatown.

 

[lisamarie84]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Gaby: I'm going to look into the other shows you suggested. I'm just so worried that FF is going to be bored to death at anything I pick. I was leaning towards Rock of Ages because I've read it's more like being at a concert and they serve beer (so maybe it'll help keep FF entertained for 2hrs lol). I was planning on buying from broadwaybox.com since they seem to have discounted ticket prices, but I did come across TKTS before when I was looking at pricing. As for food, we're up for anything. I definitely want to go to a Korean restaurant while we're up there though. Thanks for the list of places!

Kimberly: Thanks for the link! The Bread Bar sounds right up our alley. We love tapas!

Trillionaire: I'm 25 and FF is 29. I'll def look into Lion King, Phantom and Wicked. I don't think Rent is playing anymore, right?

Chia: I saw some clips of In the Heights and I would probably enjoy it...not too sure about FF though. I'm afraid that Avenue Q will be too puppet-y for us also.

Thanks again everyone! Guess I have a lot more research/planning to do!

ETA: BTW has anyone stayed at the Affinia Manhattan? That is where we are currently booked to stay and I'm hoping it's decent!

 

[bebe]

Ditto Wicked. We enjoyed it very much, sat up front in great seats.

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 6/7/2009 8:41:19 PM
Author: trillionaire

I HATED Rent...

Rent was amazing during it''s time, the world has changed so much it''s completely out of context now and feels cliche. 15 years ago it was fabulous.

 

[AmberGretchen]

We saw Avenue Q and we thought it was HILARIOUS - highly recommended

 

[Kaleigh]

Wicked is awesome. I want to see it again....

 

[trillionaire]

Date: 6/8/2009 11:20:07 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
We saw Avenue Q and we thought it was HILARIOUS - highly recommended

I second this one again! I was 25 when I saw it last year, thought it was hysterical! And you stop seeing the puppets pretty quickly, which is cool from a psychological perspective. You should see it now while you all are young!

 

[Allison D.]

I''d HIGHLY recommend Hair. (Not Hairspray, but Hair).

It has come back to Broadway to amazing rave reviews after a long absence, and it''s won the Tony already for Best B-Way Revival in 2009.

I took my husband to see it about 4 weeks ago and we LOVED it!

 

[lowphat]

For someone that''s never been to a Broadway play, Wicked would be one of the best choicest.. hands down. It has a very good mix of music, story and humour. Phantom is a good choice as well, although it''s an older show. Avenue Q is good but it''s not what you want for your first "broadway experience".

If you want Korean food, you''re going to head down to 32nd St between Fifth Ave and Broadway. The whole block is full of Korean restaurants. If you have a specfic dish in mind, ppl can give you recommendations on their favorite places.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 6/9/2009 12:32:30 PM
Author: lowphat
For someone that''s never been to a Broadway play, Wicked would be one of the best choicest.. hands down. It has a very good mix of music, story and humour. Phantom is a good choice as well, although it''s an older show. Avenue Q is good but it''s not what you want for your first ''broadway experience''.


If you want Korean food, you''re going to head down to 32nd St between Fifth Ave and Broadway. The whole block is full of Korean restaurants. If you have a specfic dish in mind, ppl can give you recommendations on their favorite places.

I agree that Wicked would be a good first Broadway show. It''s hard for me to find a show I don''t love, but I think for first timer''s Wicked is a good choice.

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 6/8/2009 10:18:33 PM
Author: KimberlyH

Date: 6/7/2009 8:41:19 PM

Author: trillionaire

I HATED Rent...

Rent was amazing during it''s time, the world has changed so much it''s completely out of context now and feels cliche. 15 years ago it was fabulous.

I concur with Kimberly. When I saw it in high school I thought it was great.

I saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (or something like that) a few years ago and it was hilarious. I am not sure if it is still playing though.

Its really too bad Spamalot is done.

It was really funny as well, especially if you have ever seen Monty Python films.

 

[NakedFinger]

Ive seen Cabaret, Chicago, Lion King, Rent, Beauty & the Beast, Hairspray (twice), Urinetown, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys....hmmm I think thats it.

Funny some of the other opinions, because I thought Rent was awesome when I saw it. That one was my favorite. But I do agree with the "relevance" of it now. Plus, its not on broadway anymore anyway.

I would suggest Lion King if you are looking for a memorable show, very well done. However, if you are looking to have fun and laugh your @$$ off, then see Avenue Q. HILARIOUS!

 

[lisamarie84]

Date: 6/9/2009 12:32:30 PM
Author: lowphat
For someone that's never been to a Broadway play, Wicked would be one of the best choicest.. hands down. It has a very good mix of music, story and humour. Phantom is a good choice as well, although it's an older show. Avenue Q is good but it's not what you want for your first 'broadway experience'.

If you want Korean food, you're going to head down to 32nd St between Fifth Ave and Broadway. The whole block is full of Korean restaurants. If you have a specfic dish in mind, ppl can give you recommendations on their favorite places.

I guess it's probably going to come down to Rock of Ages (has anyone seen this show??) and Wicked.

No specific dish in mind really. I grew up on Korean food, so I like it all

Just want a place with a good variety that isn't too expensive.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[lowphat]

You can go to KeunJip on 32nd between broadway and 5th. I think their food is probably one of the best in ktown and they have a really good variety and it''s not too expensive. Only problem is that sometimes there''s a bit of a wait.

 

[mayachel]

I just had a conversation today with a friend who brought her guy to see Avenue Q because she was worried he''d fall asleep if there was too much broadwayness...they both adored it. I have to say when df and I saw it, we laughed from start to finish. It was a wonderful, innovative musical.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 6/8/2009 8:22:37 PM
Author: lisamarie84
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!


Gaby: I''m going to look into the other shows you suggested. I''m just so worried that FF is going to be bored to death at anything I pick. I was leaning towards Rock of Ages because I''ve read it''s more like being at a concert and they serve beer (so maybe it''ll help keep FF entertained for 2hrs lol). I was planning on buying from broadwaybox.com since they seem to have discounted ticket prices, but I did come across TKTS before when I was looking at pricing. As for food, we''re up for anything. I definitely want to go to a Korean restaurant while we''re up there though. Thanks for the list of places!


Kimberly: Thanks for the link! The Bread Bar sounds right up our alley. We love tapas!


Trillionaire: I''m 25 and FF is 29. I''ll def look into Lion King, Phantom and Wicked. I don''t think Rent is playing anymore, right?


Chia: I saw some clips of In the Heights and I would probably enjoy it...not too sure about FF though. I''m afraid that Avenue Q will be too puppet-y for us also.


Thanks again everyone! Guess I have a lot more research/planning to do!

ETA: BTW has anyone stayed at the Affinia Manhattan? That is where we are currently booked to stay and I''m hoping it''s decent!

Broadway Box is great! Go see Jersey Boys. Jarrod Spector is now playing Frankie Valli and he is wonderful! It is also a terrific show for those who aren''t really into musicals. Really good story, really good music - no lulls, no fluff.

 

[deegee]

I loved Avenue Q and HATED Rent.

 

[KimberlyH]

Jersey Boys was fabulous too. So was Billy Elliot (which ran away with all the awards yesterday). I have not seen Rock of Ages. I would highly recommend Wicked, I want to see it again.

RE: Rent, when they made a movie out of it they really dumbed down its'' (I put an apostrophe where it didn''t belong earlier in this thread, sorry!) meaningfulness, and the New York that existed during the time it was written is so drastically different now. It''s a fantastic musical, but it is no longer relevant (the soundtrack is in my car and I can still sing it from beginning to end, so it is not that I don''t love it! I just wouldn''t choose it for a first time Broadway show).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I happen to be going to NYC next week! We have tickets to Wicked and Phantom, so I''ll let you know I like them! I''ll tell you any other favorites as well, but you have to put Tiffany''s on your list as a PSer!

 

[Eva17]

Lisamarie,

Rock of ages, was awesome!!


Shrek was great too, but if your worried about being bored, you won't be bored at Rock of Ages. There is also plenty of eye candy for your SO. They also have waitress service during the show, which we loved!!!

Just make sure you BOLT to the bathroom during intermission. With everyone drinking during the show, the line gets long.


I will be seeing it again, and again...

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 6/9/2009 11:04:14 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I happen to be going to NYC next week! We have tickets to Wicked and Phantom, so I''ll let you know I like them! I''ll tell you any other favorites as well, but you have to put Tiffany''s on your list as a PSer!

Jealous! Phantom is my favorite musical.. Ever!!

 

[lisamarie84]

Date: 6/10/2009 10:58:35 AM
Author: Eva17
Lisamarie,


Rock of ages, was awesome!!



Shrek was great too, but if your worried about being bored, you won''t be bored at Rock of Ages. There is also plenty of eye candy for your SO. They also have waitress service during the show, which we loved!!!


Just make sure you BOLT to the bathroom during intermission. With everyone drinking during the show, the line gets long.



I will be seeing it again, and again...

Thank you! I was hoping someone would chime in about Rock of Ages

I think I''ll go ahead and order our tickets and still look into attending 1 more show if our budget will allow it.

 

[Eva17]

please let us know what you and your FF thought of the show!!

 

[lisamarie84]

Date: 6/10/2009 10:48:08 PM
Author: Eva17
please let us know what you and your FF thought of the show!!

Will do! Where did you sit if you don''t mind me asking? Are there any "bad" seats in the theatre?

 

[dragonfly411]

lisa - Avenue Q Is absolutely hilarious, but go with the thought in mind that you WILL see the actors behind the puppets.

I also recommend : Lion King, Les Miserables, We will Rock you the Musical, Wicked, Rent if any of these are showing when you go