Newbie question - advice

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 5:43pm

I will be coming to NYC July 4 weekend for a few days and am trying to decide what shows to see (musicals and plays).  Of course I want to cram as much in as possible!  Forgive my ignorance, but will more plays be announced to open between now and then?  I assume the musical options are set, but I wasn't sure about plays.  Also, should I wait to see reviews of the new shows before booking?  I like most everything so I know I'm going to have difficulty deciding.  Thanks for your help!

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 5:58pm

What is your general taste in musicals or plays? Do you like the modern musicals, or the more traditional ones? Do you like comedies or dramas? 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 6:02pm

Under the Shows tab^^^ there is a section for Bway plays and it has a section for help pickinga show ( ask our experts etc) try that option 1st and see if it helps.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 6:15pm

It's unlikely, but not impossible, that anything else will be announced.

 

You can wait to buy tickets, but I think you'd better get idea from reading the boards here instead of waiting for the official reveiws. 

 

What is currently on your list?

 

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 8:13pm

Thanks for your responses.  I did not know about the ask the experts tab.

For musicals, the only one I have booked is Waitress.  I am considering American Psycho, Tuck Everlasting. Bright Star, Shuffle Along, Something Rotten, and Fun Home.  I will probably choose 3 of those.

For plays, it looks like the only options are Crucible, Humans, or Fully Committed.  I want to see one play.

As for my fave musicals:  Wicked, Book of Mormon, Hairspray, Urinetown, Aida, and Les Mis.

As for fave plays: I saw one called Take Me Out a few years back which was incredible.  I also liked War Horse and Cat on Hot Tin Roof from a few years ago.  

I will watch anything, but it's nice to find this message board to seek input from others.

 

 

Updated On: 2/7/16 at 08:13 PM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 8:20pm

Can I ask what 'Houses' is? One of the plays you mentioned in your last post?

 

There are plenty of great things opening this Spring, most of which are already on your radar.  That weekend is typically a slow one for Broadway, so I would advise to definitely wait until most, if not all, begin performances and then return back here to see what's getting the hot word of mouth and what's getting the boot from the experts on here who generally have great opinions and wonderful insight on both musicals and plays. I say to wait only because that weekend is typically a struggle to sell, so except for Hamilton not many shows will have tickets flying out the door. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 8:23pm

How many days are you in town for?  

 

From your musicals, I'd reccommend either Shuffle Along, Fun Home.  I've got tix to everything else you listed, but have no opinion.

 

What about Curious Incident?  Fabulous play.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 8:27pm

In case you were unaware of it - Playbill Online keeps a running list of upcoming shows. 
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/schedule-of-upcoming-broadway-shows-113677

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 8:28pm

Sorry I meant to type Humans not Houses.

I am there for 5 nights. 

I didn't realize Curious incident was still playing then, so I will consider that, too.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 9:06pm

I don't know if you have access to tour productions where you live, but if you do, "Something Rotten" is touring and, although all the leads are great, it's not a star vehicle, so a good tour is likely. "Fun Home" is also touring, but I'd suspect a smaller tour.  ("Curious Incident" is also touring).

"Shuffle Along" looks very good, and has a great cast - although I believe Audra will be in London and out while you're visiting. (I'm visiting in May and have tix for "Shuffle Along," "She Loves Me," and "American Psycho" and am holding off for the final 2 slots)

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 9:27pm

That's helpful to consider!  I am seeng Kinky Boots on tour, so maybe I could see those two on tour.  What do you think about Shuffle without Audra?  And what do you think about American Psycho?  I didn't see Spring Awakening, so I'm not sure if I would like the music.  The storyline does sound interesting but also not sure about the cast.  What made you choose it?

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 9:45pm

The cast of American Psycho is pretty excellent. It's not on your list, but have you considered She Loves Me? It has an excellent cast, and it's a great show.

If I were you, I would see She Loves Me, American Psycho, and Fun Home, as well as the Crucible, but that's just my opinion :)

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 9:59pm

Tkristop said: "What do you think about Shuffle without Audra?  And what do you think about American Psycho?  I didn't see Spring Awakening, so I'm not sure if I would like the music.  The storyline does sound interesting but also not sure about the cast.  What made you choose it?"

 

Of course, I'll ALWAYS choose something with Audra (and I did, in May) - the rest of the cast is great and I think it'll be an electric experience in the theatre. But you're right. It's no longer a no-brainer if she's out.

To be frank, I booked AP on a whim. I heard great things about the staging in London, and of Benjamin Walker's performance in "Bloody, Bloody..." While not an enthusiastic fan of the "Spring Awakening" score, I'm willing to give it a shot.

Personally, I've got "The Humans" tentatively penciled in for one of my two remaining spots (I DO love a good play), but am waiting to hear about "Waitress," "Nerds," "DISASTER!" or perhaps "Tuck Everlasting" before making my last two choices. The banjo folk/country number I heard from "Bright Star" wasn't to my taste, so it's not on my current list.

Updated On: 2/7/16 at 09:59 PM

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 10:44pm

Thanks for sharing.  I was leaning towards AP, but I heard a couple of tracks and read it's all synth electric which kinda scared me.  And then Benjamin Walker as Patrick Bateman I am not sure how that will work.  And so I held off on that to see what kind of reaction it draws.  I also considered Finding Neverland but after reading reviews here and elsewhere decided against that one.  Do you think the main cast of Fun Home will be gone by July?  And I would love to see She Loves Me...but I believe it ends a week before I arrive.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 11:14pm

If you can fit it in at all, I want to put Daddy Long Legs on your radar. It's off-Broadway but it is the most beautiful, endearing show. I've just returned from seeing it the 2nd time, and I'm just in love with the show: the story, the music, just perfection.

 

I agree about what was said about Something Rotten and the tour option. The same applies for Curious Incident. It's a wonderful show, but absolutely not dependent on the cast. It will also likely run for a while longer, it's an open-ended run and still doing well. Not sure about the Fun Home cast, but Sydney Lucas (Young Allison) has already left. However, I hear her replacement is fantastic, and I don't think the show would lose much of its impact with different actors.

 

Most of the other musicals on your list haven't opened yet, so we can't really advice you yet. I wound however not recommend waiting for the official reviews to come out. If a show gets really good reviews discounts codes might go away (if you were planning on using those), and it might get harder to get good tickets - however non of those shows will sell out completely weeks in advance.

 

If you're looking for other play options, maybe look off-Broadway. Playbill has a good overview of upcoming Off-Broadway shows as well, and some shows are getting quite a bit of buzz already. The list doesn't have closing dates though, so double check that they are still scheduled to run in July, since plays are almost always limited runs.

Updated On: 2/7/16 at 11:14 PM

[Tkristop]

Posted: 2/8/16 at 4:55pm

Thanks for sharing.  I will definitely look at Daddy Long Legs.  I am hoping that some of you will provide reviews as soon as you see the new shows, and then I will just have to make up my mind based on that.  I like the thought of booking three and then leaving one or two spots open until I know more.  

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/8/16 at 5:05pm

I would maybe leave one open and then rush or use TKTS on it for your last day, to see what show you are really feeling at that point or what has good reviews. There are a lot of good shows that should be out around then so you should have a great crop to pick from!