NBR: Broadway Shows

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

This year my SIL & I want to take my MIL to see a Broadway show for her Christmas gift. None of us have ever been to a show. Do any of you have any recommendations on what to see, seating, what to wear, etc.? I think I would like to see Wicked (not that it is a gift for me, and besides the fact that I did not care for the book). We plan on taking a bus for the day and would also like to eat dinner somewhere good, but not super fancy, before we leave. Help?

myJunegirls · November 2013

DH took me to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway for my 40th last year. it was AMAZING!!! I can't remember the theatre but it was just so great. We've seen it countless times over the years but it was by far the best there.

I have seen the Rockettes in NY for Christmas. I know it isn't a Broadway show- but so fun!

myJunegirls · November 2013

Oh and we ate at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain and it was DELISH!

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

Thank you so much, @myJunegirls! It is showing at the Majestic Theatre on the day we are thinking about going.

quickstepstar · November 2013

Depends on what kind of show you/her like. Wicked was great. I LOVE that show. Phantom is amazing too, I have seen it multiple times on broadway. Mama Mia is a popular one if you are into Abba. Lion King is also pretty amazing. The recent "in" show is The book of Mormon, which is made by the creators of South Park, and it is supposed to be really funny, although I have never seen it.

To eat, I would just walk west from broadway and see if you find a smaller place. Most places there are good. We liked The Russian Samovar, which is close by.

To wear, pretty much anything. I usually wear what I would wear to work, since we frequently go after work, so jeans and a nicer sweater/cardigan.

sassypants527 · November 2013

Does it have to be a musical, because Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are doing No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot, and I would dearly love to see those myself. http://www.mckellen.com/stage/godot/broadway-2013/index.htm

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

sassypants527 said:

Does it have to be a musical, because Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are doing No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot, and I would dearly love to see those myself. http://www.mckellen.com/stage/godot/broadway-2013/index.htm

I personally would prefer it not to be a musical, but we are up for anything, being newbies to this and all.

Adjudi-Kate · November 2013

I LOVE BROADWAY SHOWS. How exciting that you are going for the first time!! What show depends on your personality and what kind of things you enjoy. I personally adored Newsies when I saw it last year - the dancing was out of this world!!!! It was youthful and exciting and inspirational. If you are more into a traditional show with glorious singing (not so much dancing), then Phanton of the Opera is amazing every time. I've seen it four times and I would see it again. If you want to laugh your butt off and you are not easily offended by Mormon jokes, the Book of Mormon would be a good choice. You know, you might want to borrow a couple of Original Cast Recordings from the library or check out a couple videos of current shows on youtube. You will be able to get a feeling whether it's the show for you. I haven't seen Kinky Boots, (songs by Cindy Lauper!) but of course it is getting lots of raves.

Rockefeller Center is pretty close to Times Square if you want to walk over and go ice skating ($30) or look at the famous tree.

Seating - if you see Newsies, the first row of the loge on the left or right side is IMO the best seats in the house. It's a small theater and the balcony has a deep overhang. Better even than orchestra and less expensive. Whatever the show, do NOT cheap out and get back row balcony seats. It's your first time and good seats really make a big difference.

What to wear - Layers, in case you get hot. Most people wear something nice, but not very fancy. No sneakers.

AshleyT121 · November 2013

Phantom Phantom Phantom!!!!! Everyone should see this at some point.

Young_Love · November 2013

FYI - Wicked the show is nothing at all like the book. The character names are the same and it has the same very basic premise and that's it. The show is so, so much better than the book. It's cute and fun and completely delightful. Don't think it will be anything like the book. It's not.

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

So what about seating for the theatre? If we get the cheap seats, is not even worth going or is it not even a big deal?

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

Young_Love said:

FYI - Wicked the show is nothing at all like the book. The character names are the same and it has the same very basic premise and that's it. The show is so, so much better than the book. It's cute and fun and completely delightful. Don't think it will be anything like the book. It's not.

Glad to hear that! Thanks!

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

Adjudi-Kate said:

I LOVE BROADWAY SHOWS. How exciting that you are going for the first time!! What show depends on your personality and what kind of things you enjoy. I personally adored Newsies when I saw it last year - the dancing was out of this world!!!! It was youthful and exciting and inspirational. If you are more into a traditional show with glorious singing (not so much dancing), then Phanton of the Opera is amazing every time. I've seen it four times and I would see it again. If you want to laugh your butt off and you are not easily offended by Mormon jokes, the Book of Mormon would be a good choice. You know, you might want to borrow a couple of Original Cast Recordings from the library or check out a couple videos of current shows on youtube. You will be able to get a feeling whether it's the show for you. I haven't seen Kinky Boots, (songs by Cindy Lauper!) but of course it is getting lots of raves.
Rockefeller Center is pretty close to Times Square if you want to walk over and go ice skating ($30) or look at the famous tree.

Seating - if you see Newsies, the first row of the loge on the left or right side is IMO the best seats in the house. It's a small theater and the balcony has a deep overhang. Better even than orchestra and less expensive. Whatever the show, do NOT cheap out and get back row balcony seats. It's your first time and good seats really make a big difference.
What to wear - Layers, in case you get hot. Most people wear something nice, but not very fancy. No sneakers.

Just saw this! Thank you!

packfan20 · November 2013

I'm a musical junkie...

I had no desire to see Wicked but the second act BLEW ME AWAY.

My brother saw Newsies (technically, I think it's off-Broadway) over the summer and said it was phenomenal.

I've heard good things about The Book of Mormon.

I'm the oddball and am not a fan of Phantom, though I saw it in London, not in NYC, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

If you want something a little different, how about Stomp or Blue Man Group?

Young_Love · November 2013

OH, and I totally recommend Once. I saw it in London and loved every second of it! I'm a huge fan of the movie, and the musical totally holds up...the music is even better live!

MrsC7 · November 2013

Ditto everyone re: Wicked. Absolute must see! The musical is 10000000x better than the book.

I am DYING to see Book of Mormon. And Lion King.

Chicago is a classic, as is Phantom. You can't go wrong with either.

LaBellaBarv66 · November 2013

I have season tickets for the broadway series in cleveland. IDK what's playing right now in NYC but Book of Mormon was hysterical, American Idiot is very good if you like Green Day if not then don't bother, Once (I'm seeing this weekend) won a bunch of awards and is supposed to be amazing!, Wicked is good but IDK if your husband would care for it or not. My favorite show I've ever seen is still Lion King the costumes are just amazing and it's totally a fun show for all ages. Jersey Boys is really good too. If you're thinking of any specific shows let me know, I see about 10 a year with my season tickets so I've seen a fair share of shows

RevJen · November 2013

My personal favorite is Les Miserables which is coming back next spring. Obviously, that doesn't help you now though. Were you thinking about going during the Christmas season or purchasing them now and then going later?

fabk · November 2013

Young_Love said:
OH, and I totally recommend Once. I saw it in London and loved every second of it! I'm a huge fan of the movie, and the musical totally holds up...the music is even better live!

Good to know! Once is coming to Toronto this winter and we got my sis tickets to see it. She loves the movie.

fabk · November 2013

Also I loved the lion king. I took my MIL to see it and she loved it.

Young_Love · November 2013

SilverGlitter05 said:

I have season tickets for the broadway series in cleveland. IDK what's playing right now in NYC but Book of Mormon was hysterical, American Idiot is very good if you like Green Day if not then don't bother, Once (I'm seeing this weekend) won a bunch of awards and is supposed to be amazing!, Wicked is good but IDK if your husband would care for it or not. My favorite show I've ever seen is still Lion King the costumes are just amazing and it's totally a fun show for all ages. Jersey Boys is really good too. If you're thinking of any specific shows let me know, I see about 10 a year with my season tickets so I've seen a fair share of shows

SilverGlitter05 and @fabk

When you see Once, get to the theater at least 30 min early. They have a bar set up on stage and you can go up there and gets drinks and stand around. Then 30 min before showtime, the musicians come out and play an amazing set of pre-show music. It was the highlight of the show for me.

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

RevJen said:

My personal favorite is Les Miserables which is coming back next spring. Obviously, that doesn't help you now though. Were you thinking about going during the Christmas season or purchasing them now and then going later?

They want to go during the Christmas season.

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

SilverGlitter05 said:

I have season tickets for the broadway series in cleveland. IDK what's playing right now in NYC but Book of Mormon was hysterical, American Idiot is very good if you like Green Day if not then don't bother, Once (I'm seeing this weekend) won a bunch of awards and is supposed to be amazing!, Wicked is good but IDK if your husband would care for it or not. My favorite show I've ever seen is still Lion King the costumes are just amazing and it's totally a fun show for all ages. Jersey Boys is really good too. If you're thinking of any specific shows let me know, I see about 10 a year with my season tickets so I've seen a fair share of shows

While my SIL & I would love to see American Idiot, I don't think my MIL would enjoy it as much and it is supposed to be a gift for her.

DH isn't coming so we don't have to take his opinion into account.

LaBellaBarv66 · November 2013

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

SilverGlitter05 said:

I have season tickets for the broadway series in cleveland. IDK what's playing right now in NYC but Book of Mormon was hysterical, American Idiot is very good if you like Green Day if not then don't bother, Once (I'm seeing this weekend) won a bunch of awards and is supposed to be amazing!, Wicked is good but IDK if your husband would care for it or not. My favorite show I've ever seen is still Lion King the costumes are just amazing and it's totally a fun show for all ages. Jersey Boys is really good too. If you're thinking of any specific shows let me know, I see about 10 a year with my season tickets so I've seen a fair share of shows

While my SIL & I would love to see American Idiot, I don't think my MIL would enjoy it as much and it is supposed to be a gift for her. DH isn't coming so we don't have to take his opinion into account.

Lol i missed that somewhere, silly me. MIL is definitely different. Les Mis would be great and yes she'd probably LOVE wicked then as well as lion king

GreenBride624 · November 2013

Newsies! Newsies! Newsies!!!! It is awesome! And MUCH better than the movie! I agree about the 1st row Mezz - great seats!

They will be starting a national tour soon so ALL NESTIES should see it!

Lauren620 · November 2013

MrsC7 said:

Ditto everyone re: Wicked. Absolute must see! The musical is 10000000x better than the book.

I am DYING to see Book of Mormon. And Lion King.

Chicago is a classic, as is Phantom. You can't go wrong with either.

Book of Mormon is HILARIOUS. I saw it in NYC and London and loved it both times, but my parents probably wouldn't find it very funny. The Lion King is beautiful I absolutely adored it. I didn't love Wicked, but I think it has way more to do with the day I was having and I just wasn't that into it. It was a wonderful production though.

Nova726 · November 2013

I know I'm in the minority on this but I thought Wicked was just okay. We saw Once a couple months ago and I loved it but DH wasn't a fan, it's definitely not a traditional play. If you go to Once, I highly suggest getting there early and then when they finally open the doors you can go on the stage and have a drink, the musicians/actors come out and start playing in the middle of the stage and it's really awesome.

Most people don't really get dressed up any more [-( so I'd say you can dress like you would for dinner, nothing fancy is necessary.

I LOVE Phantom and will tell everybody that they should go see it, I know that Jersey Boys is supposed to be fantastic (I know plenty of people who have back to see it multiple times), Mama Mia was good if you like ABBA, The Lion King and The Book of Mormon are supposed to be really good.

sweetrhythms · November 2013

There are SO many places to eat around there once you figure out what you're going to see and what time it'll be, you can narrow it down a bit. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to eat and get to the theater (if you go at night especially make sure you include a ridiculous wait time before you even get seated to eat).

Whatever you see, definitely don't scrimp and get uber cheap seats. You don't want to be TOO close because then you can't see but you definitely don't want to be in the back. Get your tickets early if you're going during Christmas because there are a lot of tourists during that time so show sell out quickly and you won't have as much choice. Also, make sure there isn't a pole in your way--I know that sounds stupid but sometimes there looks like there's a really great seat open and then when you check into it a little more you realize it's open because there's a pillar or whatever in the way. Try for the middle or side (but not ALL the way at the end of the aisle) if you're in orchestra or middle if you're in the mezz.

Wicked is an awesome choice. It's one of my favorites! I've also enjoyed Stomp!, Les Mis, Lion King, Phantom, Mama Mia and Chicago. I think those are the ones that are still playing that I've seen and enjoyed. Whatever you go see, I definitely suggest downloading the music and listening to it in advance, it makes the whole experience even better.

I've heard good things and want to see Jersey Boys, Once, The Book of Mormon.

You don't have to be super dressed up but you don't want to be wearing sneakers and if you wear jeans I'd dress up the rest of my outfit. Business casual would be appropriate.

CeeCeeSugaPie · November 2013

Thank you guys so much for all of your help! I think we have actually decided to go next year and plan a little more in advance to make sure we make the most of the trip. The only dates that we could go this year were 12/7 and 12/14. Instead, we are going to go to Lancaster, PA and shop & go to the Dutch Apple dinner theater. Definitely not NYC and Broadway, but it will have to do for this year.

sweetrhythms · November 2013

If you're going to do NYC, you definitely want to do it right!

GreenBride624 · November 2013

CeeCeeSugaPie said:

Thank you guys so much for all of your help! I think we have actually decided to go next year and plan a little more in advance to make sure we make the most of the trip. The only dates that we could go this year were 12/7 and 12/14. Instead, we are going to go to Lancaster, PA and shop & go to the Dutch Apple dinner theater. Definitely not NYC and Broadway, but it will have to do for this year.

That's in my neck of the woods!

I'm about an hour East of Lancaster. We actually lived in Lancaster for a year before we were married. If you can, try to track down Wilbur chocolates. Very good!

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