<p>Yesterday six of my friends and I went to see Wicked on Broadway. I got the tickets a couple of weeks ago and got them pretty cheap ($50 - $55 each) because they were all single seats and some had obstructed views. While some of us were so close we could see every detail (but not the full stage), others were so far away they couldn’t see if their mouths were open or closed. It made for a funny stories later when we compared notes and we decided to do another ladies day out next year, but this time with good seats.</p>
<p>So, any suggestions for good shows? Ones that we ruled out: Phantom (several have seen this more then once) and The producers. I’m assuming I can book something a year in advance.</p>
<p>Kath:
I’d never been able to get tickets to Lion King on Broadway when my kids were young…so I took a contingent of little nieces and nephews last month when it arrived in Philly. It is amazing.</p>
<p>Last week I saw the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and it was big, big fun!!! We had good seats, but it’s such a small theater, I don’t believe there were any bad seats. My mom and I loved every minute of it.</p>
<p>We saw Spamalot recently and it was hilarious. I could easily see it again to see/hear the gags that I missed the first time. Going into it I thought that it would be only for the Monty Python fanatics and for non-insiders like myself that the humor would be too hard to discern. Happily this was not the case.</p>
<p>I would also suggest Hairspray and second the suggestion for Lion King. Avenue Q is hilarious (never seen it, but I have the soundtrack), but might be offensive to you and your friends. Read a bit about it before you buy the tickets.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend Spamalot, Avenue Q or Jersey Boys. All are wonderfully entertaining and are at the top of my list. I may be in the minority about this, but in my opinion, while I liked Hairspray, I didn’t think it was worth all of the high praise it had received. And although good, I would put Mamma Mia and Lion King more towards the bottom of the list. I hear good things about Spelling Bee. I’d like to see that one.</p>
<p>Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone are the two shows I would go see if I were heading to NYC anytime soon. We have the soundtrack to Spelling Bee, and it’s just plain fun. Drowsy Chaperone has received raves from everyone I know who has seen it, and how can you not love Sutton Foster?</p>
<p>kathie, if you’re not going til next year, you’re better to wait until you know your dates and ask then. Shows come and go and there’s no way to know what will actually be running when you decide to go. Of current shows (and I’ve seen all of them!), I’d highly recommend, in this order, Jersey Boys, Rent, The History Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, Faith Healer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spamalot, and The Color Purple. </p>
<p>Opening in the coming months are others which have a positive buzz already: A Chorus Line, High Fidelity, Grey Gardens, The Times They Are A Changin’, an anniversary revival of Les Mis, Company, 110 in the Shade, The Pirate Queen, The Year of Magical Thinking.</p>
<p>The problem is narrowing the choices down! :)</p>
<p>S & I loved Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He liked Avenue Q (but not as much as his father thought he would – he was a junior in HS, and his English-major college brother liked it more). We all want to see Spamalot.</p>
<p>I like Spamalot a lot but the second act kinda falls apart as they wander while wondering where to take the joke(s). Still, it’s great fun. And the music has some great rhymes:</p>
<p>She’s one unhappy diva,
The producers have deceived her.</p>
<p>Jersey Boys!!! I saw it in March and sang along to every tune (quietly, of course.) After the show, the cast were in the lobby signing shirts and posters. Everyone in our group, from age 17 to 50 loved it because the every song is one you know or have heard…have fun! Also saw Avenue Q and you can’t beat that one for laughs and the creativity is amazing.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. We will probably pick a date in a couple of weeks when we get together again and then I’ll see what’s available for next year. What kind of music is in Jersey boys - are we talking 50’s stuff or Bruce Springsteen??</p>
<p>Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard that the character who plays the Frankie Valli role sounds just like him.</p>
<p>kathie, have a look at the official site for Jersey Boys. It will give you lots of information about the show and you can listen to some of the cast recording. As FF indicated, it’s about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and it’s a great show. I’ve been fortunate to see just about everything that’s been onstage in NYC in the past 15 years and it’s near the top of my favorites list. John Lloyd Young plays Frankie and he’s amazing. His Tony win was well-deserved. Have fun!</p>