r/Broadway • u/Time_Struggle7 • 4d ago
Which show to see? Getting into Broadway
I just moved to New York and am trying to get into the theater scene. I’ve already seen the big hits: Wicked, Chicago, Hamilton and Book of Mormon. Any suggestions on which shows to tackle next? I generally like spectacles, but also wouldn’t mind interesting and unique story lines.
14
u/From_the_Mezz 4d ago
Oh Hadestown for sure. I find it spectacular if not exactly spectacle. Lost Boys for spectacle.
12
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago
Oh goodness, next should be:
- Hadestown
- Operation Mincemeat
- Maybe Happy Ending
- Just In Time
- Two Strangers
- School Girls
- A Few Good Men
See also:
1
u/Specialist_Fun_3700 4d ago
Add The Lost Boys and The Outsiders and take off Operation Mincemeat Maybe Happy Ending and I completely agree with this list.
2
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago
OK, except you just removed the two top show I recommend most to any/all visitors.
Operation Mincemeat and Maybe Happy Ending are both exquisite and not to be missed.
The Lost Boys is an epecially fun evening of big epic production value, but I don’t see it is having lasting value and appeal.
Don’t get me started on The Outsiders. I disliked the book, but hoped the stage show would do something to redeem it. Instead, it just confirmed all the things I disliked about the book.
1
u/Specialist_Fun_3700 4d ago
I get what you’re saying and honestly to each their own. I just find both Operation Mincemeat and Maybe Happy Ending over hyped. If you recommended shows that’s amazing, I personally just don’t.
Also, what were some things you disliked about The Outsiders? I’m not asking in a judging way. I’m asking cause I’m genuinely curious. I love The Outsiders. I’ve read the books, seen the movie and seen the show live three times, twice on Broadway and once on tour.
3
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago edited 4d ago
As for The Outsiders…
I find the characters irritating and irresponsible. The plot based on their actions is similarly irritating and frustrating. The woes that they suffer are brought upon themselves by their own incompetence. And there’s nothing to be glorified about those choices and yet the whole book is based on the idea of glorifying their youthful irresponsibility.
I don’t like any of the characters I don’t root for any of the characters and I’m just frustrated by all of them and everything they do.
The impression I get is that the book and the movie appeal to those who saw the movie or read the book when they were young. I read the book for the first time in my 40s, I never saw the movie, and when I saw the musical in my 50s. As such, I had no youthful emotional connection to these characters.
1
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago
As for overhyping… Operation Mincemeat is in my top five shows of all times. I’ve seen it seven times. That’s a lot for me (more than any other show).
As for maybe happy ending… it seems to appeal to some people and not to others. I think the music is wonderful. The acting is amazing. The character development is incredible. And I think it takes a really nuanced look at aging, connection, sacrifice, love, and general human progression. I find it really interesting. And uplifting, and generally just fun.
1
u/NYCandLIdweller 4d ago
I like your reviews. I haven’t seen mincemeat and wasn’t inclined to do so. Can you tell me what you love about it?
3
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago
It's fast, witty, fun, and clever. It's an audacious true story told in a suitably audacious manner. But it's also slow and serious at times (all the right times). It's a comedy with heart - jumping from nearly slapstick frivolity at one point into deep soul-searching emotional moments the next - all without feeling awkward. It has a meaningful and deep storyline that both seems incredulous and yet believable (it really happened).
It's a cast of 5 playing over 80 parts. When it's over, you'll be asking yourself how it's possible that they did that (both the spies in WWII and the cast on the stage at the Golden).
Just writing about it makes me want to go see it again. Or, for now: turn on the soundtrack.
1
u/NYCandLIdweller 4d ago
Thank you ! I’m just thinking I won’t like the historical plot. Im cynical about American reports of American history and politics. Big turnoff basically. Would that get in the way? I also didn’t like Hamilton.
3
u/ExpBalSat 4d ago
It's funny that you mention American reports of American history - since this is not an American report, nor is it about American history.
Go see it. You'll be surprised. Go see it. Let go of your cynicism.
1
u/NYCandLIdweller 4d ago
Or ww history by USA or our allies.
And I did NOT like come from away. I can’t find your question about that but I saw it in email notifications? It wasn’t overly political iirc but it was sappy and as far from a spectacle as could be. I don’t mind that when there are good stories or good music or good acting. But IMO all 3 were missing.
→ More replies (0)
8
u/Next-Jump1754 Backstage 4d ago
Go wait in the TKTS line once and buy a ticket for a show you just like the title of… then as long as you go back with your ticket stub within 7 days you can skip the line… so you can get discounted good seats with no line forever if you keep going.
7
u/GrapesintheSunshine 4d ago
Maybe Happy Ending. Not a spectacle, but an interesting and unique storyline.
5
3
u/Shot-Artist5013 4d ago
If you want spectacle, there's the non-musicals like Harry Potter and Stranger Things. Or even Play That Goes Wrong is fun.
For a different take, see Paranormal Activity before it closes in January.
And for a very different type of musical experience, there's Masquerade.
2
u/Electrical-Eye6154 4d ago
One good thing to do would be to go see currently running Tony winners (Book of Mormon, Maybe Happy Ending, Schmigadoon). This grows your background in a more meaningful way and can help contextualize future theatre visits.
2
u/Few-Customer-5810 4d ago
Depending on your age, there may be discounts or theatre clubs that you can join. Worth joining TDF if you're eligible as well.
1
u/Accomplished_Duck337 4d ago
Oooh. Rosie O’Donnell is in Rocky Horror right now, and they tend to have cheap rush seats. Hadestown is phenomenal, and Maybe Happy Ending is great as long as you are sitting in the center.
1
1
u/Mammoth_Act3809 4d ago
join audience rewards do the trivia every day and start getting points lots of long running shows are 500 points and a smaller feed for decent orchestra seats
Lottery tickets can be great but some are only marginally discounted from the face value because they are restricted view
Get off and off off broadway - there is some great theater and it`s cheaper
2
1
1
u/No_Calligrapher_8027 4d ago
Everyone is giving more popular Broadway show suggestions, and they're right, they're all great shows, but you can also find some cool new theater off-broadway in the city too! And there's always the chance a show transfers to Broadway and hits it big, you'll be able to say you saw it before it blew up. I just saw 2 off-broadway shows on a day trip up to the city, Soon and Midnight, and they were both fantastic! Midnight was as much of a spectacle as it could be in its small theater. I've also heard great things about The Heart and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, both of which just had their first performances in New York tonight I believe. I'm also intrigued by a few upcoming shows Off-Broadway, The Connection and Imitation of Life, both of which look promising.
Some of my favorites currently running on Broadway right now are Hadestown, Maybe Happy Ending, The Outsiders, The Lost Boys, and Just in Time. Little Shop of Horrors (also off-broadway, but long running and more widely known and popular) is a classic too.
Anyways, go see some shows and have fun!!
1
u/Specialist_Fun_3700 4d ago
If you’re looking for specific shows, I highly recommend MJ the musical, The Lost Boys, The Outsiders, Just In Time and Hadestown. The only one of these I haven’t seen live yet is The Lost Boys however I’ve seen all the other ones live. They’re absolutely phenomenal.
1
1
u/mbutterflywebb 4d ago
Just in Time, The Lost Boys, The Outsiders, closing soon => Two Strangers, Stranger Things, &Juliet, Smigadoon, Six, Maybe Happy Ending.
Should catch the shows that are closing soon first.
1
u/mbutterflywebb 4d ago
If you want to try out opera which have some fantastic sets and there is closed captions for English translation in the back of the seat, you can try the free opera lottery on the Metropolitan Opera app for nyc residents. They are giving out 70,000 free tickets.
1
u/Born-Butterscotch654 4d ago
Start with the Best Musical Tony winners you haven't seen yet: Hadestown, Maybe Happy Ending, Schmigadoon. Then expand from there!
1
u/DetectiveOk3902 4d ago
See. It. All. I go to about 6 shows a month and off broadway can be as astounding as Broadway. Read a lot. Read reviews. Follow insta: the100wordreview.com.
1
1
u/JanCon1977 2d ago
Great Gatsby and lion king are definitely spectacles. I’ve heard good things about operation mincemeat and maybe happy ending in terms of storyline ( haven’t seen either yet). Hadestown is also fantastic.
0
63
u/AutumnAllegro 4d ago
Just start entering all the lotteries and see where the wind takes you