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Post by Mark on Feb 29, 2020 19:14:57 GMT
Anyone else making a trip this year? I'm headed off for two weeks on Wednesday. I'm very lucky that one of my best mates just moved out there so I have a place to stay around 10 minutes walk from times square!
The long list:
Broadway - Ain't too Proud, Beetlejuice, Company, Diana, Flying Over Sunset, Hadestown, Hangmen, Inheritance, Jagged Little Pill, Mean Girls, Mrs. Doubtfire, Six, The Minutes, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, West Side Story.
Off-Broadway Emojiland, Little Shop, Rock of Ages.
Any glaring omissions? With two weeks to play with I feel like I've got plenty of time.
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Post by 49thand8th on Feb 29, 2020 21:48:30 GMT
Welcome back!
I just saw Emojiland last night. I didn't hate it, and the cast was charming, but it certainly wasn't for me. Do you ever see a show that feels like it was in reverse-engineered from a pamphlet? “It’s cute and sweet on the surface, but tackles depression, bullying, and xenophobia!” That's Emojiland.
If you can, see Cambodian Rock Band off-Broadway at Signature. I think it's mostly sold out, but will be well worth whatever ticket you can scrounge up.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2020 9:23:32 GMT
Wow. You are going to have quite the enjoyable theatre binge.
I would 't say you have any glaring omissions, but if you have slots open and are looking for plays with strong reviews, both Dana H. and Anatomy of a Suicide are worth a look, particularly the former.
Each is "heavy" in topic, but are very thoughtful productions. Slight discounts have been available for both at either theatermania.com or broadwaybox.com.
And Little Shop continues to pack them in. Seeing it an intimate space with such a strong vast is a real treat. Tickets are sometimes tough to come by, but seats often pop up close to the date.
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Post by Mark on Mar 2, 2020 11:13:39 GMT
Little Shop continues to pack them in. Seeing it an intimate space with such a strong vast is a real treat. Tickets are sometimes tough to come by, but seats often pop up close to the date. Yes, Im going to book it for March 18th (my final night) once I get there. Seems to be a fair few $99 tickets left which I don’t mind paying, especially since Jeremy Jordan starts on the 17th. |
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Post by harrietcraig on Mar 2, 2020 14:43:37 GMT
You might consider Unknown Soldier, off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. It’s a small, romantic chamber musical, without any of the spectacle of a big Broadway musical, but charming in its own modest way. Estelle Parsons, still going strong at age 92 (this is the second off-Broadway show she has appeared in this season) has a small but crucial role. Ticket prices (which are reasonable, at least compared to Broadway prices) go up a bit after previews end on March 8.
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Post by ABr on Mar 3, 2020 9:01:51 GMT
That sounds like a great selection to see! We've got plans to go towards the beginning of June, so trying to keep an eye on whats opening/closing around then, so we can get a list together of what to see!  It'll be my first trip across the pond, my other half has been twice, so is an old hat when it comes to seeing something at every opportunity! |
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Post by Mark on Mar 6, 2020 4:21:29 GMT
So first two days in review.
Flew out on Wednesday to Newark in the new British Airways Club Suite - Very nice to finally try it for myself. Very comfortable and great for solo travelling as it's very private! Immigration line wasn't as bad as I've heard it can been, was through in 25 mins or so.
Today I saw Moulin Rouge matinee - I didn't win the lottery but was able to buy a $99 Orchestra ticket at the box office (was offered a wide array of prices). I was very impressed by the show. The vocals were just outstanding, and I really loved how they incorporated all of the new pop arrangements. Visually stunning. When this comes to London next year it's going to be a huge hit, and the Piccadilly will be the perfect venue for it.
Jagged Little Pill. I bought a $40 rush ticket in the orchestra. Row H side, great seat! Not being too familiar with Alanis Morissette, I enjoyed the show, but clearly not as much as some fellow audience members. It's kind of American Idiot meets next to normal/Dear Evan Hansen meets 13 Reasons Why. Yes it's all a bit predictable, but it is well put together and it all comes together to make a great show. With only knowing a few of the numbers it all seemed to go together pretty well.
Little Shop - Got my ticket for the 18th (it seems to far away!) but it is certainly something to look forward to and end my trip on a high.
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Post by Mark on Mar 8, 2020 12:15:43 GMT
Next three!
West Side Story - it’s certainly different. My main issue wasn’t so much with the direction or production, but rather that there were no star turns or standout moments from the cast. They were all just kind of... there. Anita should be a standout role, and here, it just wasn’t.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Exceptional. I mean with that cast would it be anything but. Laurie Metcalf I saw in Hilary & Clinton last year and whilst that play was terrible, she was great. This however is a different story altogether - a fantastic play and wow she’s having fun with it. Wouldn’t be surprised to see her pick up another Tony. Rupert Everett is great opposite, especially in the third act.
Tovey & Ferran also great here, especially Ferran who is just so so funny. Top notch!
The Minutes - what a bore. So much so that I think I may have nodded off at one point. I didn’t get it, probably didn’t help that I’d seen such a great play in the afternoon and was a little dozey.
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Post by callum on Mar 8, 2020 14:35:52 GMT
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Exceptional. I mean with that cast would it be anything but. Laurie Metcalf I saw in Hilary & Clinton last year and whilst that play was terrible, she was great. This however is a different story altogether - a fantastic play and wow she’s having fun with it. Wouldn’t be surprised to see her pick up another Tony. Rupert Everett is great opposite, especially in the third act. Tovey & Ferran also great here, especially Ferran who is just so so funny. Top notch! Wow wow what brilliant comments Mark - I am hoping to make a trip stateside to see this one myself. I am unsure about the viability of a transfer; I thought it was possible because of the 75% British cast - however the relatively recent run for the Staunton/Hill production and the unlikelihood of Metcalf coming with it because of her sitcom schedule (she’s the main attraction for me), are making me just want to bite the bullet and head over! |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Mar 9, 2020 11:05:45 GMT
Living vicariously through you!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 13:44:30 GMT
This is a bang-on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf with everyone in the cast offering strong performances. Everett is a bit short of where I think he'll ultimately end up, but was still a great George. And Metcalf. Thank your god for Laurie Metcalf being on the Broadway stage as regularly as she is. The woman simply does not give a bad performance. She is stunning as Martha.
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Post by Mark on Mar 9, 2020 14:58:04 GMT
So glad you concur Steven. It really was remarkable!
Yesterday I saw The Inheritance, double bill. I saw them separately in London and loved them, but wow it was really incredible to see both parts in a day. The audience reacted much more strongly to it here I thought, but it is such a New York story. Such a shame it hasn't done better over here.
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Post by ABr on Mar 9, 2020 15:31:29 GMT
Yesterday I saw The Inheritance, double bill. I saw them separately in London and loved them, but wow it was really incredible to see both parts in a day. The audience reacted much more strongly to it here I thought, but it is such a New York story. Such a shame it hasn't done better over here. Thinking back, I don't think I could have seen them both separately! It was such an experience to see them back to back, if it wasn't closing if we were struggling for things to see I would have gladly seen it again when we go over in June! How was Tony Goldwyn? |
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Post by Mark on Mar 11, 2020 12:33:06 GMT
Tony Goldwyn was excellent! Really the whole cast were fantastic and the whole day will stick out as a highlight of my trip.
Monday evening I saw Diana - a bit of a slow first act, although enjoyable, and then the act one finale was a total knockout - brilliantly done. Act two was 5 star brilliant musical in my eyes, great lot of comedy, and the finale number “If” really great. Kind of like an Evita/Bombshell story.
Last night was a return to Mean Girls - there were a lot of new cast members making their debut and it took a little while to get going, but once it did it was the great fun musical I fell in love with two years ago. I really can’t wait for this to hit the West End.
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Post by Mark on Mar 13, 2020 1:42:02 GMT
And then, it was over!
Two last shows Wednesday - Ain't Too Proud matinee, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a real feel good show with great music, great dancing and great performers. I think it would do very well in the West End
And last night - Company, which I enjoyed every bit as much as the West End production. Musical Comedy Gold. Whilst I didn't know it at the time it was a great way to end the trip.
I had a rush ticket for Beetlejuice tonight which unfortunately I didn't get to. I pray that it comes to the West End so that i'm able to see it. I then booked a ticket for Emojiland which also got cancelled! My Little Shop ticket got cancelled for Wednesday also. I'm on a fully flexible staff ticket so am looking to head back Sunday evening now. If the West End is open next week (who knows!), I'll hopefully take advantage of what seems to be an abundance of available tickets as officially my "holiday" isn't over until the 22nd.
I was with some industry friends tonight for drinks and they're pretty certain some shows won't even re-open. A real shame.
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 9, 2020 17:19:14 GMT
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Post by 49thand8th on May 12, 2020 15:41:39 GMT
www.playbill.com/article/broadway-shutdown-extended-through-the-summer-due-to-ongoing-coronavirus-crisisAs the weather warms and the prospect of softer regulations looms, The Broadway League has confirmed that, with a return date still to be determined, productions will now offer refunds and exchanges for performances through September 6 as Broadway stays dark.
Ticketholders for performances through September 6 will be contacted via email by their point of purchase with information regarding refund and exchange options.
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Post by Mark on May 12, 2020 17:23:39 GMT
I feel so lucky I was able to see any Broadway shows now!
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2020 21:34:20 GMT
I hope fall is indeed a possibility for at least some offerings, but I remain skeptical we will see much theatre in NYC before winter.
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Post by HereForTheatre on May 13, 2020 9:52:00 GMT
I'm not destined to go. Several years ago myself and a friend booked to go to New York, it would have been my first time, however in the run up to the trip I had a (very random) health complication that made it impossible for me to go. Since then finances have never been in the right place for me to try again until this year, when at the start of the year i was actively starting to plan a trip for the summer/autumn but yet again, the plans have been scuppered! Maybe it's a sign.
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Post by 49thand8th on May 22, 2020 15:40:58 GMT
There will be no collective comeback for Broadway’s 41 theaters. Shows will likely resume performances in waves, with one insider speculating that the hefty long-runners like Wicked, The Lion King, and Hamilton will come back first, followed by smaller-scale shows from more recent seasons like Come From Away and last season’s best-musical winner Hadestown. And then, finally, the musicals from this past truncated season that either had the chance to open or were just about to can pick up; Jagged Little Pill, Six, and the Company revival potentially among them.
www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/05/broadway-struggles-with-how-it-can-reopen
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2020 21:03:25 GMT
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Post by 49thand8th on May 26, 2020 20:29:58 GMT
www.barrons.com/articles/what-actorsand-audiencescan-expect-when-we-return-to-the-theater-01590234852“It’s foolish to imagine people will be willing to gather with strangers in a dark room while they’re still worried about getting infected,” says Oskar Eustis, artistic director of New York’s Public Theater.
He should know. He was hospitalized with a grueling case of Covid-19 in March. It’s not just a flu, he warns. “I’ve had the flu. That was not like the flu.”
Moulin Rouge star Danny Burstein can identify. Soon after Broadway’s shutdown a fellow cast member was diagnosed with Covid-19, and Burstein found himself hospitalized, testing positive and fighting for his life about a week later. “You wish so hard it had never happened to you,” he says. “It’s a sad and lonely experience.”
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Post by 49thand8th on Jun 16, 2020 15:37:08 GMT
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/06/new-york-arts-scene-shuts-down-indefinitely-can-evolve-survive/
Comedian Wyatt Cenac worried that the city’s culture of creation will be even more gentrified than it was before.
“I think whatever bounce back that happens, that bounce back is probably going to benefit wealthy white people before it starts to benefit everybody else,” Cenac said. “That production of Hello, Dolly! may get back on its feet faster than theater made by a creator of color who’s doing a play that is a thought-provoking examination of race and class and culture. That may struggle and that's where I wonder, as things bounce back, if the bounce back centers a more homogenized view of what we consider art and creativity.
“What are the plays, what are the musicians, what are the comedians, what are the movies, the TV shows that people think of as sure bets? And you know history has told us that people unfortunately have a very racist view of what a sure bet is.”
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Post by 49thand8th on Jun 23, 2020 16:06:31 GMT
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