A question about Broadway shows?

Question:A friend and I will be going to NYC at the end of April. We want to see a musical on Broadway. Here are some of the big ones that have tickets available:

Chorus Line
Billy Elliot
Chicago
Cry-Baby (John Waters)
Curtains (with David Hyde Pierce)
Gyspy (Patti LuPone -- love her!)
Grease
Hairspray
Jersey Boys
Mamma Mia
Mary Poppins
Rent
Shrek the Musical
South Pacific
Spamalot
The Color Purple
The Lion King
Phathom
Xanadu
and Young Frankenstein

Out of all of these (for those of you who have seen *any* of these Broadway shows), which one would you recommend?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: A friend and I will be going to NYC at the end of April. We want to see a musical on Broadway. Here are some of the big ones that have tickets available:

Chorus Line
Billy Elliot
Chicago
Cry-Baby (John Waters)
Curtains (with David Hyde Pierce)
Gyspy (Patti LuPone -- love her!)
Grease
Hairspray
Jersey Boys
Mamma Mia
Mary Poppins
Rent
Shrek the Musical
South Pacific
Spamalot
The Color Purple
The Lion King
Phathom
Xanadu
and Young Frankenstein

Out of all of these (for those of you who have seen *any* of these Broadway shows), which one would you recommend?

Alright, here we go.

The Color Purple is closing in February, so that won't be an option for you.

A Chorus Line is a really classic, great broadway show, and has made broadway into what it is today. It's really funny and entertaining, and the cast is IMPECCABLE. Great, great show. However, it is a dance show, so don't go if you can't stand to watch a group of people who don't stand still. Also, there's no intermission.

Young Frankenstein is equally funny, though if you're a huge fan of the movie, you may or may not like it. It's very similar to the film, but also very different. I personally love it, not to mention that with Roger Bart and Sutton Foster in the lead roles, it's hard to resist!

The same goes for Spamalot. Fantastic show, but if you're a Holy Grail loyalist, you might not like it.

Mamma Mia is very campy, I don't personally like it. A real cornball show, ya know?

Someone mentioned Spring Awakening...I wouldn't go for that one either. It's a rock-concert gone wild. It's really a teenage-y show. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the cast is talented and what have you, but as a 35 year old, you most likely won't appreciate it.

Shrek doesn't open until the fall.

Phantom you can see just about anywhere.

Also, if price is any concern, you can join the Playbill Club @ www.playbill.com. it's free. If you click on the link on the left hand task bar on the site that says "Discounts", you can get all SORTS of discounts for many of the shows on Broadway.

Here's my list of suggestions, abridged:
A Chorus Line
Curtains
RENT
Spamalot
Young Frankenstein

There's also Avenue Q, which is VERY funny!good luck with your search, and have fun, whatever you see!

I'm assuming you're a young 'un - so I'd recommend Hairspray for sure, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Xanadu. Rent will be closed by the time you get there. You might enjoy Phantom. Young Frankenstein was fun. But the first ones I mentioned are the top ones.

If you like ABBA's music, then Mamma Mia would be good to see. It had catchy songs and a pretty good story. I would DEFINITELY reccommend Rent. The songs range from rock songs to ballads and everything in between. The story is fantactic, too. However, it does adress issues such as homosexuality, AIDS, and poverty. Phantom is always a classic, but sometimes can drag on for a long time, and there isn't much diologue. Have Fun!

I recommend Gypsy {I LOVE Patti LuPone, too.}, Hairspray, Rent {it'll still be open. It ends in June}, Spamalot, Phantom, and Young Frankenstein. They're all so good!

I saw Billy Elliot in london and it was amazing

DEFINETLY either Chicago or RENT. Chicago is AWSOMe, and RENt will give you goossebumps from head to toe:)

I know this show is not included in your list, but it's my favorite Broadway Musical : Spring Awakening! If you find tickets you should go, because it is nothing like any other broadway musical that is on... I warn you: You're not going to find special effects... If you like theatre for the special effects don't go, but if you want a great plot that moves you and songs that rock and haunt you at the same time, this is the musical to see... You won't forget it...
I must tell you it is not for kids and there is partial nudity and simulated sex/masturbation... It is a musical about sexual awakening, so be prepared to deal with mature content... If you're uncomfortable with these situations I would recommend you to go to a more traditional musical...
I hope I've been helpful

A Chorus Line is a good script but dated.
Chicago is very good. I recommend it.
I loved Jersey Boys.
Mamma Mia...let's see a play with an Italian title that takes place in Greece and features music by a Swedish group. Makes sense to me. It also makes good entertainment.
I really loved The Color Purple. The music is sort of gospel, ragtime. If you don't like that type of music, pass it by. The story is great though and when I saw it in San Francisco, the performers were perfect.

i absolutely LOVED Lion King and Phantom when I saw them but you can't really go wrong with Broadways. Hope you and your friend have a GREAT time!

HAIRSPRAY i was in the second row but it was the greatest play ive seen 5 broadways and this defintaly was the BEST and if u wait 10 min after the show they come out of the stage door and sign autographs! the BEST show ever!

Ok, If you are looking for something that is a lot of visual with some good music, The Lion King is really good, and tons of fun. If you are looking for something a little more serious or 'grown up', I would go for RENT, or The Color Purple. Myself, I love The Color Purple. Amazing music, great story, and if you get a good cast, the most heart warming and heart breaking story you will ever see.If you are looking for funny, Hairspray is way better live than in a movie theater, and Spamalot will make you laugh you tush off! Have fun!