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Message |
    
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 227
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:26 am: | 
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My Dad is visiting us next month and will be here for his birthday. We want to do something special for him. Since he has never seen a broadway show, we thought we would surprise him with tickets .
We want to pick a show with a big WOW factor, something truly spectacular, but not anything too fluffy. So, if you could only pick one show, which one would it be? |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4588
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:41 am: |
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Chicago? Great dancing. |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1352
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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"The Producers". Even without a headline cast the show is uproariously funny. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 182
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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For musicals, Wicked. It's "new" by Broadway standards- the music is new and the story based on a book, which is slightly more original than the remakes of previous Broadway shows, Broadway shows recycled from movies or animated features, or Broadway shows recycling pop music. Avenue Q is a close second, but I wouldn't bring my parents because they are conservative. That said, people who are coming to Broadway for the first time often like to see the classic shows, they have been popular for years and years for a reason! |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1486
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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So to Jennifer's point, Phantom of the Opera would be a good bet. It's a classic show, and it is appealing to all genders and ages and political persuasions. That and Chicago are the two mainstays these days. (I am guessing Rent is probably not of interest to your dad.)
Have not seen Wicked, but would love to. I did see Avenue Q, and LOVED it, but it does "push the envelope" a bit. |
Lee
Citizen
Username: Leh118
Post Number: 8
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
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If by spectacular you mean great all around including sets, costumes - the whole shabang I would recommend:
The Producers
Phantom of the Opera
Wicked
Lion King
Hairspray
Chicago is absolutely fabulous and if you liked the movie, go see it. But it doesn't have the amazing set part of some shows. The costumes are cool, but skimpy - but some men think that's the best part of the show.
Hairspray - this is completely entertaining, but may be a little cheesy at parts. It is based on the movie story-line about 1950's Baltimore and some racial themes. It's really good though with dancing, costumes, sets.
I haven't seen Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but you may want to consider that as well. I've heard and seen some on TV and it looks great and worth the money. |
Oldstone
Citizen
Username: Rogers4317
Post Number: 661
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:51 pm: |
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sweeney todd by a mile. |
Oldstone
Citizen
Username: Rogers4317
Post Number: 662
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
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and for old-fashioned broadway, 42nd street. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 372
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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Dirty Rotten was fantastic-saw it this past fall. John Luthgow is great-not sure if he is still there. Very funny & great music.
oots |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4596
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:47 pm: |
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Leo Norbert Butz is still in it. He was up for a Tony (did he get it?) Lives in Maplewood. |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1753
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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norbert did win and still lives near maplewood. he and i celebrated his tony win at the liberty tavern! |
SO Ref
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 1617
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:46 pm: |
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Jonathan Pryce has taken over for John Lithgow in DRS. Norbert will be one of the celebrities reading at CHS on the 27th. |
The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1674
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:56 pm: |
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Liberty Tavern? I've always wanted to go there. What's it like? |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1756
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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if you like a good, seedy tavern, (like i do), then it is the best! |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 145
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:32 pm: |
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Ah, this is a subject I know something about since I've seen most of the current productions.
I highly recommend "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." It's one of the best shows playing right now- funny, good music, and something that different generations can appreciate.
As far as "Wicked"- unless you're willing to pay for "premium tickets" that are $200+ each, it's very difficult to find seats. It's more of a spectacle-type show.
"The Light in the Piazza," playing at Lincoln Center Theater, is beautiful and a romantic score. That said, I don't know if it's great for a first show.
"Sweeney Todd" is an excellent production- it's very modern and minimalist. The actors sit onstage and double as the orchestra.
"Chicago" and "The Phantom of the Opera" are both old standbys. IMHO, "The Producers" has lost a step. It's still funny, but I wouldn't pay for top tickets with the other offerings.
If your father is a Monty Python fan, there's always "Spamalot." It's one of those "hate it or love it" shows.
There's so many great shows right now, but honestly I'd recommend DRS above all of them. It's a story that you'll all enjoy, and the performances are wonderful. Johnathan Pryce has taken over beautifully for John Lithgow, and brings something extra to the role. And Norbert Leo Butz is absolutely amazing. He definately deserved the Tony for this role- he steals the show. Every time he's on stage, your eyes are drawn to him.
Good luck picking a show- there's a lot of great shows playing right now. I'd just try to avoid jukebox shows (as a genre for the first Broadway experience). |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1974
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 12:25 am: |
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Most recommendations here are musicals, but I highly recommend "Doubt", a play that won many Tony's in 2004.
It's a well written, well acted and well staged
play about a very serious (and topical) topic (I admit I saw the original cast that has since changed, but has gotten very good reviews)
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jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1517
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 6:51 am: |
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42nd Street closed quite a while ago, so don't bother looking through the listings for it. It definitely would have had the requisite "wow" factor. I had never seen so many sequins in one place. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3378
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 9:00 am: |
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Roundabout Theater's Pajama Game with Harry Conick, Jr. Pure joy (and getting great reviews!)
Wonderful dance, music, acting, costumes, and Harry plays the piano in it.
See it.
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moving soon
Citizen
Username: Movingsoon
Post Number: 85
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 11:23 am: |
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I loved Sweeney Todd, but I don't think it's the best choice for Dad's first show, better for a seasoned theater-ite.
If he was born in the 50's, he might like Jersey Boys. Particularly if was into Frankie Vali/Four Seasons. Not as classic/well crafted as Chicago, but it's a fun show, and almost everyone I know who's seen it has had a great time. |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 146
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 8:29 pm: |
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"Pajama Game" is totally sold-out for the rest of its run, and it won't be extending since Harry Connick, Jr has other commitments and doesn't want to break them. The only way to get tickets is day-of cancellations.
Here's a breakdown of what (should) be running next month on Broadway (without comment):
Musicals
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Avenue Q
Beauty and the Beast
Chicago
The Color Purple
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Drowsy Chaperone (previews 4/2, opens 5/1)
Hairspray
Hot Feet (previews 4/18, opens 4/30)
Jersey Boys
Lestat (in previews, opens 4/25)
The Light in the Piazza
The Lion King
Mamma Mia
The Pajama Game*
The Phantom of the Opera
The Producers
Rent
Ring of Fire
Spamalot*
Sweeney Todd
Tarzan (in previews, opens 5/10)
The Threepenny Opera (in previews, opens 4/20)
The Wedding Singer (previews 3/30, opens 4/27)
Wicked*
Plays
Awake and Sing! (in previews, opens 4/17)
Barefoot in the Park
Bridge and Tunnel
Caine Mutiny Court Marshall (previews 4/14, opens 5/7)
Doubt
Faith Healer (previews 4/18, opens 5/4)
Festen (in previews, opens 4/9)
The History Boys (previews 4/14, opens 4/23)
The Lieutenant of Inishmore (previews 4/18, opens 5/3)
The Odd Couple*
Rabbit Hole
Shining City (previews 4/20, opens 5/9)
Three Days of Rain* (previews 3/28, opens 4/19)
Well (in previews, opens 3/30)
* is a show that's usually sold out and you'd have to get premium tickets. |
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 228
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
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Wow -- thanks a lot for all your suggestions! I personally really want to see Wicked, but I also don't want to break the bank as we have to get 4 tickets. So right now I'm debating between Chicago and DRS. Don't ask me how I settled on these, but your comments, and watching clips of the shows on broadway.com helped.
Also, any suggestions for where I should buy the tickets to get a good deal? I once got great tickets through ebay and might try that again. I want to buy the tix in advance, so the TKTS booth will not work. Thanks again! |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 10:27 pm: |
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No need for ebay or TKTS...
Broadwaybox.com. It's a collection of discount codes.
(You can also join the Playbill club for free, which gives you access to many of these codes.) |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 3373
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 6:31 pm: |
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Too many to count.....
Mama Mia 
click video play
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/view?&h=105&w=140&type=msmedia&rurl=www.clas siqueproductions.com%2Fpages%2FPAGE10UB.HTM&vurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.classiqueprodu ctions.com%2Fpages%2Fmedia%2Fabba.wmv&back=p%3Dabba%26sm%3DYahoo%2521%2BSearch%2 6fr%3DFP-tab-vid-t%26toggle%3D1%26cop%3D%26ei%3DUTF-8&turl=scd.mm-so.yimg.com%2F image%2F1748335642&name=%3Cb%3Eabba%3C%2Fb%3E.wmv&no=14&tt=290&p=abba&oid=9a764c fe2dd21d60&size=1.1MB&dur=59 |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 184
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 10:41 am: |
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I went through playbill.com a few days before a performance, which connects you to telecharge.com. Last fall I sat in the last row of DRS for $43 or so per seat on a weekend. You can see just fine from there, and it's easy to get a bunch of seats together. |
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