<p>My wife and I have stopped buying stuff for each other for holidays and birthdays and instead we pick up tickets for Broadway. So any suggestions?</p>
<p>We have seen Jersey Boys, Mama Mia, Billy Elliot. I received a mailer for Million Dollar Quartet looks interesting. We will be going to South Pacific in March. I am also forgetting some others but I would appreciate some recommendations.</p>
<p>We lean towards musicals but I would like to try a comedy.</p>
<p>We loved “Chicago” and you can get some pretty good deals on it lately.</p>
<p>Friends have raved about “Lion King”. I don’t know how much longer it will be on broadway.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>Thanks Chicago is a great idea. My wife has seen Lion King- she loved it. She has also seen Mary Poppins.</p>
<p>I saw Wicked in London and thought it was one of the best “modern” musicals I have ever seen. I would assume it is still running on Broadway.</p>
<p>For musicals, I recommend seeing Hair and In The Heights. Seen both. Both are great. </p>
<p>While I haven’t seen this play, it is supposedly an excellent comedy: God of Carnage. </p>
<p>While not a comedy, my daughter just saw the play, A View From the Bridge and said that was excellent.</p>
<p>“Wicked” is wonderful and I would see it again.</p>
<p>D has seen “In the Heights” multiple times, it has great music and is on my list of must see.</p>
<p>Wicked, hands down.</p>
<p>I’ve seen Wicked and it is worth seeing too.</p>
<p>If you have yet to see Avenue Q yet, it’s a great musical comedy (with songs such as “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” how could you lose?) . </p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion for Wicked. It is delightful from start to finish (with plenty of comical elements, but not a comedy per se).</p>
<p>And Lion King is a treat for the senses.</p>
<p>Oh, and have you see Blue Man Group yet? It’s a must.</p>
<p>We have been buying the fairly expensive seats but obviously you can purchase the discount seats which are usually rear mezzanine. We could buy 2 tickets that way for less than the cost of one full pay ticket in the better seats. Is it worth the premium for the full pay seats? Since we have been “gifting” each other the seats we were willing to splurge. With some cut backs at work and some other expenses I was wondering if we should take advantage of the discounts. Does it hinder the enjoyment of the shows?
For several reasons the TIX discount booth is not an option so we would try the Playbill discount offers.</p>
<p>I have had expensive tickets and not so expensive tickets. I try to look at the seating chart, and be above the stage for a better vantage point. Several times I have found my more expensive seats to be worse than a less expensive one. I like the TIX booths & Playbill offers.</p>
<p>I would second Avenue Q, especially if you’re looking for something with comedic edge.</p>
<p>When The Addams Family opens, I’d see that, too. How can you beat Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth? Although the story is not as well put together as other shows, it is truly entertaining and I’d see it again in a heartbeat (that’s my litmus test for shows).</p>
<p>What about Hairspray? Have you seen that one yet?</p>
<p>terwitt- we have not seen Hairspray but we considered it. Maybe we should buy the cheaper seats and go once a month from March through November rather than going every 3 or 4 months.</p>
<p>Three suggested shows: </p>
<p>If you’re looking for something really good and different try Next To Normal, which is a Brodaway rock musical about a suburban housewife’s battle with bipolar and how it affects her and her family. Sounds grim, but its not because its truly a brilliant and breathtaking show. </p>
<p>Also consider Fela, with its West African pop score. Absoultely joyous. And its also the story of the musician (Fela) who was thorn in the side of the authorities in his native Nigeria. Politics and music and more. Incredible. </p>
<p>And for the funny/sad dramatic thing check out God Of Carnage, a short straight play whch has an astonishing theatrical affect in it and hits home for any of us who have ever raised kids. ( It starts with a two couples trying to make sense of their kids schoolyard fight). </p>
<p>In The Heights, Wicked, South Pacific, West side Story, etc. are all wonderful productions but still fairly traditional musicals. (Someone called Wicked a “modern” musical, but I dont see how). The new Little Night Music has great performances and that great score (Send In The Clowns) but one of those undsersized orchestras that I just can’t stand anymore.</p>
<p>I’ll third Avenue Q–so innovative and very, very funny. And if you watched Sesame Street with your kids, you shouldn’t miss it. I think it’s in a smaller Off Broadway house now, which I think would be even better.</p>
<p>If you happen to be a big fan of The Wizard of Oz (movie or book), you may find, as I did, that the liberties taken with the story in Wicked are not to your liking. I didn’t care for the show, though I know I’m in the minority. But I find that if a show is beloved by the teenage girl contingent (Spring Awakening was another in that category), I won’t like it.</p>
<p>I absolutely adored South Pacific–wish I could go with you!</p>
<p>Next to Normal is another musical I think is worth seeing. Alice Ripley is a phenomenon in the lead role. But it can be a disturbing topic, and definitely not the show to see if you’re looking for something upbeat.</p>
<p>God Of Carnage is fairly amusing (to me it was strictly a comedy) but it’s a VERY short play–one act, no intermission. I felt rather ripped off as I found myself back in the lobby so quickly! I think some of its appeal was the original casting–James Gandolfini et al. I don’t know how well the replacement cast is being received.</p>
<p>I would not consider In The Heights traditional musical theater. I thought it was innovative and the music is NOT traditional. It really is great. </p>
<p>Avenue Q is now Off Broadway. Definitely humorous material.</p>
<p>I am addicted to musical theater. We never go to the movies or have dinner out, but we go to theater often. Next to Normal is unbelievable. We saw it off- and on- Broadway three times, and found more in it each time. I saw Memphis last week, and while it was not life-changing, I enjoyed the performances, and the music just rocked. If you shop carefully, you can get incredible ticket deals on just about anything, especially if you have a spirit of adventure, and are willing to take a chance on something during previews without much buzz. I saw Jersey Boys for $25 that way, and Spelling Bee for even less. Make sure you check out off-Broadway and the local colleges, like NYU, which has a theater department that is beyond compare. They are doing Light in the Piazza in a few weeks, and I expect it to be up there with the LCT production, which WAS life-changing. There is a wealth of amazing stuff to be had. Have fun!</p>
<p>I thought that In the Heights was very well done-- and definitely different music-wise from most broadway fare. I saw it off and on broadway and thing that it improved in the move. I saw Gods of Carnage, and while I loved it, I saw it with the original cast. I’m not sure if the new cast plays quite as well. There is “Come fly away” opening soon- Twyla Tharp and Frank Sinatra songs sounds like it’s going to be good. </p>
<p>Avenue Q is definitely funny if you haven’t seen it yet.</p>
<p>Basing it on the ones you’ve liked, I’d see Spamalot. And if you ever get the chance: Starlight Express and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, but I don’t think they are on Broadway now.</p>
<p>Hair is just pure joy and if you feel the need you can go up and dance on the stage with the cast at the end-- I loved it. Also In the Heights. If I was in your position (I wish!!) I’d see Fela! and Next to Normal. Have fun!!</p>