Suggestions for the summer?

[Annie_V]

Our family visited New York last summer for the first time - my husband and I and our 2 boys aged 10 and 13. This time last year I posted on this message board for help with choosing shows and got great feedback. We didn't act on all the advice, but took it all in and it was great. In fact it was so successful that the family has decided they want to come back again this summer...

So I am again hoping to get your help

Last summer, we saw How to succeed with Daniel Radcliffe and it was a huge huge hit with the whole family. We saw Rent which husband and youngest enjoyed but oldest and I loved - the two of us did the 'stage door' thing and that was also a great part of the experience. We also saw Priscilla which we collectively felt was our least favourite. We decided that what we didn't like about it was the randomness of existing songs being forced into a story, and that it was based on a movie that my husband and I both enjoyed, but we thought was better suited to the movie.

If Rent is still playing in July, oldest son and I are going to go and see it (does anyone know if it is expected to still be running?).
I would prefer not to pay too much more than $100 per ticket - psychologically if I have payed more than $500 for the families night out I will spend more time trying to assess if it was worth it but open to suggestions from here of what might be 'worth it'. We like front row mezzanine - too far back for a lower price is also 'not quite worth it' for us.
I am thinking Anything Goes. My husband would like to see Chicago and/or book of mormon. Youngest wants to see Wicked but I don't think I can find tickets in our price range.

We are fine with more adult content for the kids (i.e. some people last time cautioned against Rent and even Priscilla as possibly inappropriate, but we were fine with it).

Against that backdrop... any suggestions?

thank again!
Annie

[tmbyru]

Rent should still be running. Haven't heard anything about it closing. I saw an ad not too long ago for $50 tickets, check playbill for discounts. They have some decent discounts, some up to 50% off. I haven't paid full price in awhile and I encourage you to not pay full price either.

I loved Anything Goes. It was fun, energetic, and hilarious. Sutton Foster is gone now so I don't know how much that changes the show. A more grown up show for you and your husband would be Once which is plain amazing. Very heartfelt and well written. I also recently saw Jesus Christ Superstar and loved it as well. Many people are giving Ghost a hard time, but I also loved that one. The design is amazing, the singing is strong, and the illusions would be cool for the kids.

Also if you haven't seen Rock of Ages, I bet your boys would like that one. It's fun, has a lot of popular music, and it's actually a decent jukebox show.

I am not too impressed with Chicago. It was too basic for my tastes (I like a big show) but it really depends on your liking. I would never take a guest in town to Chicago. I would probably do Jersey Boys or one of the shows I mentioned above.

Hope this helps some!

[michellek45]

Chicago's weaknesses are the production and the stunt casting (I'm not sure who will be playing the leads in June). It's not much to look at, and the choreography isn't too involved. The stage is minimalist, and I don't recall many (if any) props. You're getting more of a concert than a theatrical production with this show.

I agree with tmbyru about Anything Goes, especially if you, your husband, or your kids enjoy dancing. There's a lot to look at, and you will definitely leave the theater humming the songs.

I would show the kids the Once movie or let them listen to the songs before you decide whether to buy for them; your 13-year-old might be alright, but I don't know if it would hold the attention of a 10-year-old.

When I did the lottery for Rent, they had $40 lottery loser tickets, so even if you don't win, you'll still be getting a cheaper ticket.

I think you definitely should not miss Peter and the Starcatcher- it's a show for both kids and adults. Your boys are old enough not to get lost in the constant word play, and there are some great adult jokes in there for you and your husband. The show is more play than musical, but, as someone who doesn't usually go to straight plays, I found it incredibly enjoyable. It's both hilarious and heartfelt, and I think you would be missing out on one of the season's highlights if you skipped it.

For discounts, I assume you know about the TKTS booth. broadwayforbrokepeople.com tells you about lottery/rush, but those are a risk and I'm not sure if you want to do that. To buy in advance, you can check broadwaybox.com or theatermania.com. They usually have discounts anywhere from 35%-50% off.

Hope you have a good trip this year!

[dramamama611]

You won't be able to get Book of Mormon tickets -- in your price range, or likely, at all this close to the summer.

Check out Newsies, the boys will love it. Peter and the Starcatchers would be fab as well. I hope to be taking my 11 year old son to both. (He really like Chicago a few months ago, and my daughter loved Godspell.)

Anything Goes would be nice and tix are easy to come by.

[tmbyru]

I was not too happy with Newsies, in fact was disappointed for the price of tickets I paid. But it is getting a lot of good feedback so it all depends right?

Here is the link I was referring to for the $50 RENT tickets: http://rentmusicalsale.com/Site/rentmusicalsale.com.html

[Annie_V]

thanks for taking the time to reply

Sounds like Anything Goes is a sure thing for our 'last night in the city' showstopper musical.

I personally adored the movie Once - which on one hand makes me a bit apprehensive about seeing it as I will have the movie (probably one of my favourites ever) in mind. My husband and I went and saw the Swell Season (the two leads on tour) after seeing the movie, so I am trying to gently suggest it, but I don't know as it would be a huge hit with the kids (and everyone knows I love the movie, so me lobbying it for it would be seen as biased

Will definitely look into Peter and the starcatcher.

Chicago - I have seen a university production, so I think I understand the 'minimalist staging' feedback - I'll talk that through with the family - in some ways maybe it would avoid direct comparisons with the movie. Though I do fear stunt casting - does anyone know about plans for casting for the summer?

We aren't a huge Disney house, but maybe I am judging Newsies as 'disney' - sounds like it was disappointing to some, but fun for others. Thanks for the feedback

Maybe a bit off the wall or off the beaten path, but we were also thinking of Old Jews telling jokes... My older son has been very interested in comedy lately and we got him a book of 'one liners' and have been having lots of discussions on what makes something funny. Terrible idea?

thanks

[macnyc]

Annie, if you happen to have an iPhone or an Android, download the free TKTS app. It's really fun! You can't purchase discount tickets through the app, but you can see what's available at the three booths in real time. Also, there is a new feature, the "go list." From the main list, touch the little gold star next to the name of the show to add it to your list. Then, next time you click on your list, you can instantly see which of your shows are available at the booth. It's really neat.

Of course, you may prefer to get tickets in advance, which is not possible at TKTS.

[FJL2]

Annie V - I tried out to work on OLD JEWS in a small way (didn't get the job, sadly), so i got to read the script. it's really a brilliant script, in many ways to Jewish comedy what SUGAR BABIES was to Burlesque, totally original while taking jokes you know to a new level. If your son is interested in comedy, definitely go, but know that some of the language and sexual situations will shock younger kids (maybe age 12 is the cut-off).

[Annie_V]

Thanks for that insight FJL2 We will have to mull that one over re: fit for the younger one. Last year at Priscilla the potentially 'shocking sexual situation' aspects went over the younger ones head, and the older one we handled with a combination of 'lets use this as a teachable moment' and 'that isn't something you are old enough for me to explain to you' which he was happy to leave at that... We'll give it some thought though