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The Play's the Thing: Theater Thread
- Thread starter Kepler
- Start date
unofan
Well-known member
Back to the Future was shockingly well done. We had no idea how they'd turn it into a musical, but they did a great job. Not the best musical in the world, but a solid B+ that anyone who enjoys the movies will delight in. Honestly shocked it didn't win any technical awards at the Tonys, the set design was suburb and the special effects were well done. Even the cheesiest part of Doc running up the clock tower near the end was properly leaned into for humorous effect.
Favorite Easter Egg: The opening to Act 2 has a bunch of nods to the two sequels. It also had a Tardis, which immediately made my day as I own this t-shirt.
Favorite Easter Egg: The opening to Act 2 has a bunch of nods to the two sequels. It also had a Tardis, which immediately made my day as I own this t-shirt.
MichVandal
Well-known member
So today marks 10 years that Hamilton has been on Broadway. Looking forward to the celebration.
MichVandal
Well-known member
And while in New York, some brief reviews.
Saw The Book of Mormon Sunday- really funny. And very much a South Park roast of the religion. It will stay on broadway for some time to come, for sure.
Saw Hells Kitchen on Monday- which was written a lot by Alicia Keys, it’s her rough life experience and has a lot of her music. Even though we are not huge fans of hers, we like her music, and really enjoyed this musical. Lots of movement, and a lot of great singing by the cast. Especially the mom, we have to say.
Tuesday was for Maybe Happy Ending. A very charming story, and it feels like what it is- Korean art. It also had a strong feel of animated film, in a very good way. I don’t see this staying for too many years, though.
Saw The Book of Mormon Sunday- really funny. And very much a South Park roast of the religion. It will stay on broadway for some time to come, for sure.
Saw Hells Kitchen on Monday- which was written a lot by Alicia Keys, it’s her rough life experience and has a lot of her music. Even though we are not huge fans of hers, we like her music, and really enjoyed this musical. Lots of movement, and a lot of great singing by the cast. Especially the mom, we have to say.
Tuesday was for Maybe Happy Ending. A very charming story, and it feels like what it is- Korean art. It also had a strong feel of animated film, in a very good way. I don’t see this staying for too many years, though.
MichVandal
Well-known member
To put this into some perspective- that is currently 16th. Would be about another 8 years to crack the top 10. Add 3-5 more to that for the top 5 (a lot depends on how much longer current shows run). And needs about 35 years total to pass Phantom. Although by the time it can come close, Chicago will blow by that record (probably, and this is the revival from 1996).
Ahead of Hamilton are 5 shows that are still running and touring. Chicago, Lion King, Wicked, Book of Mormon, and Aladdin.
MichVandal
Well-known member
One last show- Buena Vista Social Club. If you liked the albums from them, you will love this musical. The story is not much- kind of a background of key members, it’s far more about the music. And unlike other musicals that use old music, the music doesn’t tell the story- it’s part of it.
MichVandal
Well-known member
Trip 2.
Just got out of Stranger Things. This is a prequel to the Netflix series. I only saw the episode recommended to better understand this, but my wife has watched all 4 seasons.
Pretty wild show- I really enjoyed it, and the live special effects are pretty spectacular. Since it’s been going on for a while, it’s not sold out and you should be able to get tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square.
Just got out of Stranger Things. This is a prequel to the Netflix series. I only saw the episode recommended to better understand this, but my wife has watched all 4 seasons.
Pretty wild show- I really enjoyed it, and the live special effects are pretty spectacular. Since it’s been going on for a while, it’s not sold out and you should be able to get tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square.
MichVandal
Well-known member
To to finish trip 2....
Lion King- it's been on Broadway for a really long time, and it's really good. Pretty simple story, but the music is good, and the acting with the puppetry is pretty cool.
Just in Time- this is a show about Bobby Darin- which you would totally recognize his music when you hear it. But the reality is that it's a feature of Jonnathan Groff- he's a pretty spectacular performer. Given how Broadway actors can't do shows forever, I don't see this one going past another 3 or so months that it has been extended for so that Groff can do other things. It's SUPER popular, as it was packed tight for a 2pm show.
& Juliet - if you grew up and listened to pop music in the 90s, you will really enjoy this show. It's basically a show "if Juliet lived instead of dying with Romeo" and it's a pretty fun show. I have to say, one thing that kind of bummed me out was that Juliet went out on a super independent journey of life, and it didn't really end that way. Fun show, should be able to get cheap tickets during the week.
Lion King- it's been on Broadway for a really long time, and it's really good. Pretty simple story, but the music is good, and the acting with the puppetry is pretty cool.
Just in Time- this is a show about Bobby Darin- which you would totally recognize his music when you hear it. But the reality is that it's a feature of Jonnathan Groff- he's a pretty spectacular performer. Given how Broadway actors can't do shows forever, I don't see this one going past another 3 or so months that it has been extended for so that Groff can do other things. It's SUPER popular, as it was packed tight for a 2pm show.
& Juliet - if you grew up and listened to pop music in the 90s, you will really enjoy this show. It's basically a show "if Juliet lived instead of dying with Romeo" and it's a pretty fun show. I have to say, one thing that kind of bummed me out was that Juliet went out on a super independent journey of life, and it didn't really end that way. Fun show, should be able to get cheap tickets during the week.
MichVandal
Well-known member
Just got home from a trip that included seeing a bunch of shows in New York....
Operation Mincemeat- this is based on a true story of the same name. Really fun comedy that illustrated how real life can be so much more absurd that some stories. Music was really fun, and the staging is light but very interesting. The cast is made of up 5 people, all of which play multiple people throughout the story- and they do it really really well. This show has been extended many times, and will at least play through most of the summer. And we see that it will tour in the US- strongly recommend seeing it. We liked it so much we saw it twice in the week.
Oh Mary- this is a play about Mary Todd Lincoln. Well, at least in name. It's a farce kind of play, really funny, with hardly any real history in it. And the humor does lean toward the crude side, if you are ok with that. It got a lot of mention in last year's Tony's, so it should stay a little longer in New York.
Six- roughly a musical about the 6 wives of Henry VIII. This is a lot more of a concert than a musical, as the story is really not there. Which is fine- just not really for us. The modern pop music tries to too hard to be good, and it ends up kind of weak. Very popular with younger women. It's been playing for a few years and has toured a lot.... Saw it, don't have to see it again.
Hadestown- this is a modern telling of Greek Mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice, and follows the original myth a lot closer than a lot of other stories that are based on the same myth. Like Operation Mincemeat- this one was planned to see well in advance, as one of our favorite current playwrights suggested it in their social media. And it did not disappoint. This was a great show and even though you may not know the myth, it's told really well, and you get to know the characters in their Greek names. We were kind of lucky that the main character of Orpheus could not play his part, so we got an amazing stand in. I'm sure the original actor is great, but this kid was spectacular. Should be on a must watch list, for sure.
Wicked- lets put it this way, it's been playing on Broadway for over 20 years for a reason. It's deservedly an icon of Broadway Musicals. No need to describe it with the movie and all, But the two movies covers the entire 2:30 play.
The Outsiders- based on the book the Outsiders. Many of you may have read the book in school, for some reason, in Idaho we did not. But I'm familiar with the book- and we bought a copy if it so we can read it and compare to the musical. This show won best musical in 2023, and we thought it deserved it. The music that was great, and I'm sure the story is well based in the book. We saw this as a matinee, and it there were like 10 schools that brought groups of students to the show- who were all thanked with an insert in the playbill. We plan on seeing this one again.
Chess- this is a revival of a failed 1984 musical. The book was edited to help with the original story. It's roughly about love and relationships constructed around some important chess people and some cold war stories. First act is good, story was pretty easy to accept and the songs are good. The second act story is kind of weak, and rather repetitive- but that is kind of made up by the incredible voices that sing the songs. So great songs and singing, weak story. It will probably get a mention for best revival for 2026, but there are not many revivals right now.
Two Strangers (carry a cake across New York)- this is a pretty tight story with just two characters and a very simple stage. Songs and singing are good, the acting is really good, and the story is pretty interesting as it unfolds. Mostly about relationships and some coming of age, the story is really complex and interesting with just two characters. I've seen mention that this will be one of the leaders of the 2026 Best Musicals, but there are some that are coming out in the next few weeks (cut off is early April for the 26 Tonys).
We kind of discovered last year how much we like seeing shows on Broadway, and some of our movie friends make a trip every year to see a bunch of them. So we are adding this to our retired lives. And now that we are catching up on all of the shows we've not seen, we will be adding more and more newer shows when we visit in the future. Although, we are planning on seeing both Hadestown and The Outsiders again when we go back this summer.
If anyone cares about the lower times at Broadway, Feb-March and Aug-Sept are the slower times- so in theory, you can find tickets for less money either at the booth on Times Square or going directly to the box office the day before the show. The main box office has better seats, generally.
Operation Mincemeat- this is based on a true story of the same name. Really fun comedy that illustrated how real life can be so much more absurd that some stories. Music was really fun, and the staging is light but very interesting. The cast is made of up 5 people, all of which play multiple people throughout the story- and they do it really really well. This show has been extended many times, and will at least play through most of the summer. And we see that it will tour in the US- strongly recommend seeing it. We liked it so much we saw it twice in the week.
Oh Mary- this is a play about Mary Todd Lincoln. Well, at least in name. It's a farce kind of play, really funny, with hardly any real history in it. And the humor does lean toward the crude side, if you are ok with that. It got a lot of mention in last year's Tony's, so it should stay a little longer in New York.
Six- roughly a musical about the 6 wives of Henry VIII. This is a lot more of a concert than a musical, as the story is really not there. Which is fine- just not really for us. The modern pop music tries to too hard to be good, and it ends up kind of weak. Very popular with younger women. It's been playing for a few years and has toured a lot.... Saw it, don't have to see it again.
Hadestown- this is a modern telling of Greek Mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice, and follows the original myth a lot closer than a lot of other stories that are based on the same myth. Like Operation Mincemeat- this one was planned to see well in advance, as one of our favorite current playwrights suggested it in their social media. And it did not disappoint. This was a great show and even though you may not know the myth, it's told really well, and you get to know the characters in their Greek names. We were kind of lucky that the main character of Orpheus could not play his part, so we got an amazing stand in. I'm sure the original actor is great, but this kid was spectacular. Should be on a must watch list, for sure.
Wicked- lets put it this way, it's been playing on Broadway for over 20 years for a reason. It's deservedly an icon of Broadway Musicals. No need to describe it with the movie and all, But the two movies covers the entire 2:30 play.
The Outsiders- based on the book the Outsiders. Many of you may have read the book in school, for some reason, in Idaho we did not. But I'm familiar with the book- and we bought a copy if it so we can read it and compare to the musical. This show won best musical in 2023, and we thought it deserved it. The music that was great, and I'm sure the story is well based in the book. We saw this as a matinee, and it there were like 10 schools that brought groups of students to the show- who were all thanked with an insert in the playbill. We plan on seeing this one again.
Chess- this is a revival of a failed 1984 musical. The book was edited to help with the original story. It's roughly about love and relationships constructed around some important chess people and some cold war stories. First act is good, story was pretty easy to accept and the songs are good. The second act story is kind of weak, and rather repetitive- but that is kind of made up by the incredible voices that sing the songs. So great songs and singing, weak story. It will probably get a mention for best revival for 2026, but there are not many revivals right now.
Two Strangers (carry a cake across New York)- this is a pretty tight story with just two characters and a very simple stage. Songs and singing are good, the acting is really good, and the story is pretty interesting as it unfolds. Mostly about relationships and some coming of age, the story is really complex and interesting with just two characters. I've seen mention that this will be one of the leaders of the 2026 Best Musicals, but there are some that are coming out in the next few weeks (cut off is early April for the 26 Tonys).
We kind of discovered last year how much we like seeing shows on Broadway, and some of our movie friends make a trip every year to see a bunch of them. So we are adding this to our retired lives. And now that we are catching up on all of the shows we've not seen, we will be adding more and more newer shows when we visit in the future. Although, we are planning on seeing both Hadestown and The Outsiders again when we go back this summer.
If anyone cares about the lower times at Broadway, Feb-March and Aug-Sept are the slower times- so in theory, you can find tickets for less money either at the booth on Times Square or going directly to the box office the day before the show. The main box office has better seats, generally.
FadeToBlack&Gold
Microlot Marxist
The Outsiders adapted to Broadway surprisingly well, IMO. Though a consequence of sitting in the first three rows was that we got splashed by the unexpected stage rain.
MichVandal
Well-known member
And the fake gravel. We went down to the stage after the show to check it out- pretty cool set up to have rain during an important part of the story.
I bit the bullet and bought a subscription to Proctors for the season. It’s a Schenectady theatre and a stop on all the national tours. It’s not bad, 1300 paid in ten monthly installments and get to see 7 shows (6 with an opt-out which I get a credit back for. This season was A Beautiful Noise, Spamalot, Sound of Music, Water for Elephants (my opt-out), The Outsiders, & Juliet and Moulin Rouge. Got presale access to Wicked and Kinky Boots. It’s been great so far, I renewed next year. You also get one Aggie of your choosing at a smaller, sister theater. We chose to see Mystic Pizza: Tte Musical. I chose end seat, and they gave me a handicapped row because at 6’4 220, the leg room is non existent. I do feel bad getting a handicapped row, but it’s needed. I also feel bad when a kid sits behind me due to me being a giant
unofan
Well-known member
Outsiders was great. Spamalot is a classic at this point, as is (obviously) Sound of Music. Beautiful Noise was well done but not my thing. Don't know anything about Water for Elephants.
I'm sure & Juliet is good, but that was our own trade out this year so we could take our daughter to Les Mis for the first time instead.
Moulin Rouge is awful. See my review earlier in the thread.
MichVandal
Well-known member
Did you know that Hadestown and Moulin Rouge are both based on the same Orpheus and Eurydice myth? Had no idea until we were researching Hadestown. Ironically, they both won best musical in consecutive years....
Some kind of random info.... (according to the myth's wiki page that notes all of the various versions of it)
And MR is closing on Broadway this summer.
Already renewed for next season. Phantom of the Opera, Hell’s Kitchen, just In Time, my Opt Out is The Notebook, Mamma Mia for next year (I forget the other two) My additional show at sister theatre will be Young Frankenstein
MichVandal
Well-known member
WRT Mama Mia, it's still being shown on the Allure of the Seas, and is included as part of the cruise fare. Talking with the cast and crew of that show, it's identical to both the one that recently was on Broadway and all of the touring shows.
