May 2019 trip advice

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 9:57am

Hey BWW! I am planning my May trip (I know another one of those posts), and while I am a broadway fanatic, I am not an expert per say. Sometimes I may think a show is one thing, and it turns out to be another! Im usually good at researching, but sometimes coming here is just honestly more helpful.

Anyways, my intention is to go on May the 4th, and catch Adam Driver in Burn This. I believe I'll be doing that for the evening show, since it is a Saturday.

That leaves me with 2 open slots, Friday night and Saturday afternoon. This season I've already caught Waverly Gallery and The Ferryman, with tickets to TKAM and Network for this March. I may add The Prom to that trip as well. Loved both of those shows as well. I generally try and go for plays when I'm in NY, as most of them do not tour, while most musicals will tour their way through Boston, however I am not deadset on a play for both of these slots if theres something really worth seeing on Broadway. Anyways, I think my selections are going to narrow down to these 4 shows:

Ink

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Hadestown

Tootsie

I know they are all quite different from each other lol, I have a wide variety of tastes! Any advice for a 22 yo gay man and his boyfriend would be great! Any questions I can answer as well.

Updated On: 1/18/19 at 09:57 AM

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 10:13am

Based on Taylor Mac and Nathan Lane alone, Gary seems the biggest potential surprise/winner of the season, if only because no one's ever heard it before. That may also be a good reason to stay away until it has previews, though, heh.

As a Great Comet fan, I'm also anticipating Hadestown off that list.

The other two are very much wait and see for me.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 10:14am

All four of those have the potential to be some of the best of the season, so it's hard to say. Tootsie and Hadestown will both likely tour, but not with these casts that have been so praised. Gary is probably the best bet since that's definitely an irreplaceable cast and should be a must-see, but since no one's actually seen it... who knows!

I'd say go with your gut on this one - whichever two interest you the most. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 10:42am

I hate to make things more complicated, but would you have any interest in Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof Off-Broadway? I haven't heard anything other than great things about it, some of the strongest reactions to any production that opened last year. Of the four on your list, the three that have already been produced have been received very well, although all of them have some mixed reviews.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 11:09am

I'm in total agreement with haterobics: from your list Hadestown and Gary are my two must sees this spring!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 11:46am

Absolutely Gary and Hadestown.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:00pm

Anyone mind filling me in on Taylor Mac and his past work? Wont lie I am not too familiar with him. I have seen praises for him across this board however. I do think Gary is my top choice out of the others. My worry with Hadestown is the music haha. I admit I'm picky when it comes to music, any song recommendations from the recording that won't give too much away from the show but still give me a good taste? Any reports on INK from the west end are welcomed too. Appreciate all the help guys! 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:05pm

What is your concern about the music?    You can listen to samples at Amazon.com  (or iTunes I'm assuming)

 

Scroll down to the bottom of this page.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:09pm

Knowing nothing about Gary, this might be your only chance to see it (limited run). Hades and Tootsie feel like the Tony frontrunners for this year, if you care about seeing things before they win. At minimum, they'll probably be around through Labour Day, likely longer if buzz/reviews are strong. Skip Ink, read the script.

To throw another wrench into your itinerary: don't miss the reimagined Oklahoma!

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:10pm

dramamama611 said: "What is your concern about the music? You can listen to samples at Amazon.com (or iTunes I'm assuming)



Scroll down to the bottom of this page."

Thank you for the link. 

I don't mean to sound bratty but I can be picky towards some music, and if this is a show that is sung thru, keeping track can be quite difficult for me. I doubt it would be an issue for this show considering all the high praise, but it is a concern I have going in. Although this was never an issue with Hamilton however the music is quite different lol. 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:17pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "Knowing nothing about Gary, this might be your only chance to see it (limited run). HadesandTootsiefeel like the Tony frontrunners for this year, if you care about seeing things before they win. At minimum, they'll probably be around through Labour Day, likely longer if buzz/reviews are strong. Skip Ink,read the script.

To throw another wrench into your itinerary: don't miss the reimaginedOklahoma!"

Eh, not the biggest Oklahoma fan, going to wait on the reviews for this one. I will be back in August before Moulin Rouge but I prefer booking in the spring, tickets are usually just. a tad cheaper. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 1/18/19 at 12:39pm

Mike Barrett said: "I don't mean to sound bratty but I can be picky towards some music, and if this is a show that is sung thru, keeping track can be quite difficult for me. I doubt it would be an issue for this show considering all the high praise, but it is a concern I have going in. Although this was never an issue with Hamilton however the music is quite different lol."

I hear you on being music-picky, as I am too. I think Hadestown is extremely easy to listen to – it sounds more like a Joe Cocker album than a typical musical. Fans have been making animatics of the songs, and here’s one that will give you a good sense of the musical style without really giving any of the show away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM-ERc3eKDk

Disclaimer that I haven’t actually seen Hadestown yet, but was in the same boat as you and listened to the recording to decide if I would like it. I was hoping to listen to a song or two just to get a taste, but I loved it so much that I’ve listened to the whole thing several times. 

 

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 1:21pm

I too am going in May and as always with so many great shows I'm struggling with my list. I have 7 slots with 4 spoken for:

Be More Chill

TKAMB

Burn This 

Waitress (if it's still open)

 

My last 3 slots are open. I'm deciding between:

Oklahoma

Tootsie

Hadestown

Ink

Gary

 

I've never seen Oklahoma and don't know the story. I'm not a fan of the "traditional" old school musical but all  the articles I've read make it sound like it's a modern version? I am not really a fan of Comet so I worry that Hadestown won't be my cup of tea. Tootsie seems to have some good buzz. This board has served me well with recommendations in the past so I'm hoping for help again.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 3:53pm

I wouldn't call Oklahoma a modern version insomuch as a reinterpreted classic.

Similarly, as a Comet fan, I don't think this is revisiting any similar territory, more than people fell in love with its wondrous direction and experience and its similar creatives make us hope for another dip in that level of theatrical bliss.

Aside from Gary, I doubt many of your other open slots shows will be sold out. Of course, as a rule, I try to buy as few advance tickets as possible anymore. I rather wait until it's good, and then sort it out, usually jumping into seats released as downgraded premiums or unused accessible seats a day or so in advance.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 4:11pm

I echo support with Hadestown and Gary


Hadestown for me was a magical surprise when I saw it in December.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 6:24pm

I like Haterobics strategy. You should know before May how reviews are for each of the remaining shows and that should help give peace of mind on which one to spend money on. Some of the shows may also end up with a new discount code or generous rush/lottery policy closer to open date. Sounds like a fun trip already based on what you've already booked!

[bear88]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 6:33pm

I'm going in May as well, and I must say this is the most difficult trip to plan in terms of shows. (The only good thing about The Band's Visit closing in April is that it eliminates an option.) 

My wife and daughter are more musical-inclined, although we have seen plenty of plays locally and regionally.

We've probably got four open slots (May 18, May 19, May 21, May 22).

Here's my tentative list, just off the top of my head:

Hadestown (probably my first choice, even though I'm not sure I will necessarily like it)

My Fair Lady (it will tour, but it seems inexpensive in New York, and the cast sounds good. Plus, my wife loves the score, and she - like JudyDenmark and the OP - is big on scores)

Tootsie (selling well, it appears, and probably will win awards; a bit of a conventional movie-turned-musical choice with a star turn)

Oklahoma (my wife is less enthused; while she likes the score, I'm not sure if the reimagined version or a hypothetical conventional version would make her list)

Gary (as with several plays, its appeal lies mainly in the stars you'll never see on tour, but no one has seen it)

Burn This (less knowledgeable about this one, but a famous play with a star-laden cast)

This doesn't even include outside possibilities like The Ferryman (really long play is a tough sell), King Lear (Glenda Jackson is the obvious draw), Franky and Johnny in the Clair de Lune if it's open, The Prom if it's still around, and even Ain't Too Proud (my wife and daughter liked its out-of-town tryout; I'll agree that the choreography and some of performances are excellent).

Obviously, this adds up to a lot more than four. Luckily, I have no interest in To Kill a Mockingbird (reviews notwithstanding) or Be More Chill.

I'm inclined to wait and see how these things are received. haterobics, does your ice-vein strategy of waiting until the last minute work when buying for 3? My question: Which of these shows (not counting Gary and King Lear) do we need to decide on in advance? I wouldn't mind being a little flexible, as my wife does like just snagging tickets when we're there, but I want two shows lined up before we go.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 6:41pm

My Fair Lady doesn't seem too difficult to get last minute but it also runs close to 3 hours. Not sure if it's just long plays you're concerned about. 

Not sure about the others since most are new but I'd think Burn This may benefit from advance purchase since it's a more limited run plus the star power.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 3:22pm

bear88 said: "haterobics, does your ice-vein strategy of waiting until the last minute work when buying for 3?"

It depends on the show and how aggressive their premium seating holdback is. My strategy only started when tickets for a new show went on sale, and the only available regular-priced tickets were often the extreme sides and rear orchestra.

The main thing to consider is this strategy is to nail the best seats without paying premium prices. While some shows slip up and also make these seats available with a discount code, most do not. So, if you want discounts, this won't work.

Also, I live like 2ish hours outside of NYC, so my other benefit is I don't have to be concerned with when I go. If I have an open weekend, I can pop online on Thursday and Friday and if a Saturday ticket I like for a show I want to see opens up, I get in the car Saturday and drive in...

As for whether you will be able to get 3 tickets instead of singles/pairs, it will vary based on the theater's accessibility options and premium strategy. Pretend you want to buy accessible seating in advance, and see what sort of numbers they have available. Some will have two or four seats together near the stage for low vision/hearing-challenged patrons, or potentially transfer seating. Those will typically be the ones you want, as opposed to being in the last row or on the extreme sides for wheelchair seating. You can learn in advance the schedule for when a theater flips accessible seats into regular seats online by pretending to buy tickets for this week, for example. You can also ensure those seats are still available for purchase, too, since that is critical. As for premiums, it will depend on how they are configured. Shows will often have two premiums on side orchestra aisles, and far more in the center. But for three people, it will depend on how they release them when they start downconverting them. If they release the side orchestra aisles, then you'd need them to release two rows at once, to sit together(ish) with one of you sitting behind the other two. Whereas if they release 3 or more in the center, you'll be fine.

Also, keep tabs on StubHub, since those sellers may get skittish even before Telecharge/Ticketmaster and start reducing their prices.

Usually you can practice in advance and see how it going to work. But the major downside of this strategy is that you are counting on buying unsold seats. So, if a show sells all of its seats, then you're not going. Fortunately, they seem to prefer being greedier than smarter these days a lot of the time, so they really do hold out as long as possible to make extra money on premiums.

The only other thing I would say is your characterization of Gary as "its appeal lies mainly in the stars you'll never see on tour, but no one has seen it," is only its appeal now and, having attended the 24 Hour Taylor Mac concert and seeing Hir twice, Taylor is someone I'm hesitant to consider a gamble. In any case, once it starts previews, this will become a known quantity and quickly. Gary is one of the few shows I did buy advance tickets for, since they offered very few regular price seats in the second or third row on the center orchestra aisle the day tickets went on sale. 

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 8:51pm

BwayinVan said: "I too am going in May and as always with so many great shows I'm struggling with my list. I have 7 slots with 4 spoken for:

Be More Chill

TKAMB

Burn This

Waitress (if it's still open)



My last 3 slots are open. I'm deciding between:

Oklahoma

Tootsie

Hadestown

Ink

Gary



I've never seen Oklahoma and don't know the story. I'm not a fan of the "traditional" old school musical but all the articles I've read make it sound like it's a modern version? I am not really a fan of Comet so I worry that Hadestown won't be my cup of tea. Tootsie seems to have some good buzz. This board has served me well with recommendations in the past so I'm hoping for help again."

I don't know your particular taste, obviously, but having seen Ain't Too Proud in DC I'd see it before several of the shows on your list.

 

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 3/18/19 at 12:03am

Well after a bunch of research and as always advice from these boards I've just bought my last ticket for my trip and I doubt anyone cares but here it the final lineup:

05/01: Tootsie 2pm, TKAM 7 pm

05/02: Oklahoma!

05/03: Be More Chill

05/04: Waitress 2 pm, Burn This 8 pm

05/05: Hadestown

I think I have a pretty good variety and I'm now especially excited for Waitress with Jeremy Jordan.

[Claire8]

Posted: 3/18/19 at 4:58pm

Jeremy Jordan doesn’t start until 8th april. I leave NY on the 2nd noooooo

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/CONFIRMED-Jeremy-Jordan-Will-Play-Dr-Pomatter-in-WAITRESS-20190318