Suggestions for New York Shows

<p>My D and I will be in New York the first week of April visiting colleges and can squeeze three shows into our schedule. (In fact we'll have to see two on a Wednesday, our only day that we are not seeing a school.)We both want to see August Osage County. She is suggesting Hair also. Would like one more, it can be a straight play or a musical but leaning towards a straight play. We're considering West Side Story, Blithe Spirit, Hedda Gabler (don't even know if they're on when we're there), but don't really know. I'd like Guys and Dolls but she's less into it (she knows the show.) Or South Pacific (also knows it) Also, any off-Broadway suggestions? I'm really kind of out of the New York loop. Any thoughts are welcome, particularly from those of you who have actually seen the shows. Thanks!</p>

<p>I always check the broadwaybox.com site first for discount tics if you are not wanting/having time to go to the TKTS booth the day of the show. West Side Story and South Pacific I would put over Guys and Dolls this go 'round IMHO. Hair was amazing in Central Park but have no idea how staging is in the new venue. My D loves John's Pizza in Times Square--it's a cheaper (but good) place to eat, Zagat-rated, and in an old church. Also Red Mango for frozen yogurt (though I hear good things about Pinkberry, too). Have fun!!</p>

<p>Oh--for a straight play suggestion, how about Our Town. Theatre is in the Village.</p>

<p>I strongly recommend In the Heights!</p>

<p>^Absolutely. Listening to it now, saw it last week.
Incredible. Absolutely Incredible. See In the Heights.</p>

<p>I strongly recommend In the Heights as well. </p>

<p>Same with Hair.</p>

<p>In the Heights or Billy Elliot. Billy Elliot was so moving for us, as Billy wants to be a dancer. Many of his dreams and some of his roadblocks were similar.</p>

<p>I recommend West Side Story and South Paciifc. Saw WSS in DC and with the Spanish now puts a new spin on things. And SP is just SP, a wonderful show, great singing.</p>

<p>I second the Billy Elliot, In the Heights or West Side Story choices for musical. D has seen The American Plan and thought Mercedes Ruehl and Lily Rabe were great. She is also seeing God of Carnage and Impressionism which come highly recommended as well. I also vote for going to the TKTS booth in Times Square to see what is available at a discount.</p>

<p>We also loved In the Heights and would highly suggest that. I would also reccommend West Side Story as I've heard good things from those who have seen it.</p>

<p>Next to Normal at the Booth Theatre! My daughter and I saw it when it was at Second Stage Theatre last year and it was amazing. Great music and an incredible story.</p>

<p>August Osage County is fabulous, one of the best plays I've ever seen, and I've seen hundreds. :) If you want another play, I'd recommend Blithe Spirit, an amazing cast and a wonderfully entertaining evening of theatre. For a musical, you can't go wrong with In the Heights, Hair, Billy Elliot or South Pacific. In the Heights and Hair do not have a Wed. mat., August, Blithe, Billy and South Pacific do. One off-Broadway (at the Mitzi Newhouse at Lincoln Center) that I'd recommend is Happiness. I haven't seen it myself but a few friends whose theatre opinion is usually in line with mine have said it's very good. I also know a couple of the actors in it so like to support friends. :) It, too, has a Wed. mat. Hedda Gabler closes March 29. I wouldn't have recommended it anyway.</p>

<p>Too bad you'll be too early for Desire Under the Elms and 9 to 5.</p>

<p>Thanks guys! Just so you know, we saw In The Heights last year and LOVED it. Hadn't really considered Billy Elliot, but now will do so. Will look into Next to Normal, austinmtmom. Also, lauriemom, I was considering American Plan, good to know your D liked it so much, and was also eyeing God of Carnage and Impressionism. alwaysamom, you confirmed our desire to see August: Osage County, that's a definite. Good to know that Hair doesn't have a Wed. matinee, it might be a good candidate for the night of our day trip to Sarah Lawrence, we'll be a bit tired and it won't be too taxing. Thanks to everyone and keep it up---I'm sure this is great for all of us who will be heading into NYC over the next few months or so!</p>

<p>I forgot about Billy Elliot and would like to see that myself. But a couple of months ago, it was not possible to get tickets on short notice. Not sure if that has changed. </p>

<p>If you want to see a play (I'd have to check if it is still playing, not sure), my daughter also liked Cripple of Inishman (in addition to August Osage County).</p>

<p>Try TicketsNow.com for last minute tickets to popular B'dway shows like In the Heights and Billy Elliott. </p>

<p>It's my understanding that TicketsNow buys back theater tickets from corporations (i.e., the tickets they buy to entertain clients). In my experience, the company is very honest and reliable. I've used them dozens of times and gotten great orchestra seats for In the Heights, Spring Awakening (when it was up on B'dway), Jersey Boys and other super-popular shows on very short notice. </p>

<p>And while some of the tickets listed on the TicketsNow site are over-priced (I believe the ticket seller sets the price each time), I've purchased amazing seats to the shows named above for way less than the "premium" prices charged by Ticketmaster and Telecharge. </p>

<p>Plus, when you purchase in advance you don't have to carry so much cash (as is the case with the TKTS booth unless they now accept credit cards).</p>

<p>Hope this helps ... have fun!</p>

<p>BrownEyes-Thanks for the TicketsNow tip, I'll remember them.
HSN-Glad you're set on August Osage. Saw it last June and it was one of the best shows I've seen, and I've been seeing Broadway since 1978. A friend recently saw Estelle Parsons in the lead and thought she was magnificent. D saw fuerzabruta down in the village. It's apparently like music video come alive, participatory and you have to stand and move around. But she and friends liked it a lot. You can see clips of what it's like on their website. Hope you have a great time!</p>

<p>don't see guys and dolls. the worst night in theater in a long time.</p>

<p>august osage county= the best night in theater in a long time.</p>

<p>SEE BILLY ELLIOT! We got rear mezz tickets for the matinee the same day...they were $41 (full price) and the view of the show was excellent. I have to say that it was better in London but still it was an amazing show. we saw Hair on Saturday and that was a lot of fun, too. And i second ccsmom about John's Pizza.</p>

<p>^ Also saw Billy Elliot in both London and NY. Agree that London was better, but it is a wonderful show. Great theatre...music (Elton John written), story, dancing. Billy dancing with his "older self" is so memorable I can close my eyes and see it now...the song Electricity will be a favorite for most who love to perform...</p>

<p>Avenue q!!!!</p>