Good Show for Date with Non Theater Lover

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 11:21am

I am looking to go to a show on a date with a guy I've been seeing for a couple months. He isn't really into theater (not that he dislikes it, just he has no feelings in particular). This will be our first time seeing a show together, so I was hoping to get recommendations (we are gay if that makes a difference).

 

I don't get to see shows as often as I'd like, so I am also hoping to check off a show I wanted to see anyways at the same time. In addition, it has to be a TKTS show because I'm poor lol.

 

Here are some shows off TKTS that I had been planning on seeing at some point or another anyways:

1. A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder

2. An American in Paris

3. Fun Home

4. Something Rotten!

5. Spring Awakening

 

Some of my favorite shows:

1. Into the Woods

2. The King and I (already seen the current revival twice, and already have tickets to go again)

3. Wicked

4. Hairspray

5. Bombshell

Updated On: 10/4/15 at 11:21 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 11:23am

Are you opposed to seeing plays? Because Hand to God would be a very good choice for a non theater-lover.

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 11:24am

Kad said: "Are you opposed to seeing plays? Because Hand to God would be a very good choice for a non theater-lover."

 

Definitely not opposed to, I just personally prefer musicals. I'll look into it. Also, just to re-clarify, non theater lover is a bit strong, he is just not "into" theater like I am, I think he may like it fine.

Updated On: 10/4/15 at 11:24 AM

[hork]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 11:42am

I don't know, those all seem like bad choices to take a non-theater lover to. Maybe Spring Awakening. I'd probably go with something like Avenue Q, which has more universal appeal. Plus it's cheaper than a Broadway show.

[Jshan05]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 11:59am

Yeah not sure any of those are the best options for non-theater lovers. I would highly recommend Avenue Q. If you can get to the box office when it opens, you can snag $25 rush tickets for amazing seats. The show is quirky with a really great score. I've seen it twice off-broadway with my boyfriend(a non-theater lover...) and he really enjoyed it!

[AnarchyinthePreK]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:15pm

If I were taking one of my friends I would pretty much assume any of them would enjoy Fun Home. 

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:17pm

Def take him to see a musical comedy. He won't want to see a dramatic show, and he won't want to see a play. This is coming from someone who's whole family isn't really into theater.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:18pm

Rotten for a really fun night.Ditto for GG

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:33pm

^ Disagree wholeheartedly. SOMETHING ROTTEN absolutely DEMANDS a knowledge of theater, and particularly musical theater to get the jokes, which are constant, and if you don't find the jokes funny, there's absolutely no other reason to sit for 3 hours at that show.

 

GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE requires a love for all things Gilbert and Sullivan, which it is basically an homage to. It's charming, it's fey, it's mannered, and some of it is quite expert, but if you don't love theater going in, and especially British theater, you at least had better be addicted to Downton Abbey and its ilk. Otherwise this could be a slog as well.

 

I think you're right to head to SPRING AWAKENING or perhaps FUN HOME as a second choice. Both are very contemporary in sound and structure, both deal in what it feels likes to be the "other" in a family or in a community. Both avoid the cliches of traditional musicals and sweep you up in emotions that don't require prior knowledge of theater conventions. And they'll both give you a ton to talk about over drinks afterword.

 

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 12:52pm

OP, I was in your exact same boat in May when my boyfriend and I went to NYC. The trick basically only existed so I could see Kristin Chenoweth in On the 20th Century, and he has no real knowledge of or interest in theater or musicals in general. I brought him to 3 shows that I thought he might enjoy (20th Century, Fun Home and An American in Paris) and I had overestimated my abilities. Fun Home he found too dramatic (with too much yelling, according to him) and Paris neither of us enjoyed very much (despite some terrific performances). He loved 20th Century but that's no longer open. I agree with those who have said take him to see a comedy, and Avenue Q is pretty cheap off-Broadway, so I'd go with that one. Or Hand to God if you'd consider a play.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 1:36pm

Whenever I have to drag a non-theater lover to a show, I always pick Avenue Q.  

[Tag]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 1:43pm

Maybe don't see a show if he doesn't like them?

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 1:49pm

I would knock out AAIP immediately unless he likes dance. I enjoyed Fun Home and Spring Awakening and given your taste in musicals, I think you might too but they're not really "date night" shows. I mean, you have been seeing each other for a while so it's not like you have to worry about scaring him off but still, I assume you'd want something a little lighter. If not, they're great choices. I don't know Something Rotten which leaves A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder. 

 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 2:10pm

I think Gentleman's Guide would be the best choice. It's very funny, and contrary to what a previous poster believes, I think it's very accessible. So much so that I'm taking a group of 45 college students with varying levels of appreciation for theatre to see it in November. 

Updated On: 10/4/15 at 02:10 PM

[rsaleh]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 5:04pm

I would say Spring Awakening because it is such a beautiful show and I think it would be perfect for you guys. I think Fun Home might be too serious and Something Rotten! requires lots of theatre knowledge. Also AAIP would not be good because he might find it boring and A Gentlemans Guide might not be good for a someone who isn't very into theatre. But Maybe Spring Awakening will even get him more into theatre :)

I hope you have fun no matter what you do!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 6:35pm

Here's a question. What kind of music or stories does he like? Not all non-theatre lovers have the same taste. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 10/4/15 at 6:39pm

My go to would be something a bit lighter - I'd go with Wicked personally. He already knows the backstory (or...whatever the opposite of that is) so it will be easier to get into.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 8:16am

Why take him to a show if he isn't into that???

My choice would be Wicked to take him to.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 8:27am

I don't think your choices are the best options either..no offense. American in Paris - too long and too much dance unless you are really into dance or the movie, GG - just no, I loved the show but it's like an old style operetta. Something Rotten - is greatly enhanced by knowing about many Broadway shows. The others are more questionable.

It's hard to tell without us knowing about what the boyfriend DOES like. I think most of us could give you a better answer if we had an idea what movies he likes, what are his interests, etc.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 8:32am

As others have suggested and as a tourist, my first question would be, what TV shows and film does he like? What other arts, like dance? If you don't even know that, it's an expensive gamble. If you can only afford one show, it's also a risk he'll pass on other shows if he dislikes the first. The obvious question is, why not show him the ads and trailers and ask him if he's interested in something specific?

[brdway411]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 9:33am

I would  say Ave Q as well, fun show. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 9:42am

rsaleh said: "I would say Spring Awakening because it is such a beautiful show and I think it would be perfect for you guys. I think Fun Home might be too serious and Something Rotten! requires lots of theatre knowledge. Also AAIP would not be good because he might find it boring and A Gentlemans Guide might not be good for a someone who isn't very into theatre. But Maybe Spring Awakening will even get him more into theatre :)

 

I hope you have fun no matter what you do!

 

"

Fun Home is too serious, but Spring Awakening isn't?

 

I would go for Gentleman's Guide, Matilda, or Book of Mormon. 

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 9:44am

Wow, thank you everyone for all the answer. So I guess I should clarify.

 

1. He is actually already going to Avenue Q with one of his friends sometime this month.

 

2. This is actually for my birthday, and he know I like theater, that is why we are going.

 

3. The only media I've seen him watch/watched with him has been: The Walk (Movie 2015), Interstellar, Once Upon a Time (TV), I Love Lucy, Modern Family, Scream Queens. Not sure that really helps lol.

 

And again just to clarify, by non theater lover, I just mean not someone who would be on a forum like this. I grew up with theater and performed in High School. I just mean someone who doesn't yet/already love/like theater. He doesn't actively dislike it.

 

Isn't Spring Awakening pretty intense?

Updated On: 10/5/15 at 09:44 AM

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 10:01am

Spring Awakening deals with lots of heavy subject matter. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/5/15 at 12:16pm

pnewelljr said: "just to clarify, by non theater lover, I just mean not someone who would be on a forum like this."

 

Most people have that level of sanity.