Broadway In The Fall

[+ Lucky]

With the coming of Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths in Equus, for which I have tickets in November, and the American premier of the musical Billy Elliott, for which I also have tickets, I now must decide what else to see.

 

I couldn't get tickets for South Pacific the last time I visited New York, but I would like some of you that have seen it to tell me if it really is worth seeing. After all, another new musical is opening, one that could knock Billy Elliott off the charts!

 

I refer, of course, to 13, the first Broadway musical with an all-teenage cast. (Whew! I bet I just sold that show a few tickets!)

13 is described by its producers as :"A grown-up story about growing up"

 

When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done.

 

The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors. (sounds like Hooville at times!)

 

With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "13" is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it."

 

I think I'll pass on that. Billy Elliott, although not having a great book, is stunning in its use of 12-year old (or so) boys who are so talented that you can't imagine how they do it. I saw it in London with 14 year old Mathew Koo playing Billy. I was amazed at the poise this guy had, his ability to control a stage as he did, not to mention memorizing all of those lines and singing while he dances spectacularly across the stage. I doubt 13 will compete with that.

 

All My Sons, is also opening with John Lithgow, Patrick Wilson and (Mrs.) Tom Cruise. I think I'd like to see that with the hope that an Arthur Miller play doesn't wear me out.

 

I'll probably skip A Tale of Two Cities and Godspell, and I doubt very much that I could handle Chekov- The Seagull opens in September with Peter Sarsgaard. Even though I get there just after Shrek: The Musical starts previews, I can skip that one too.

 

And, finally, after having loved Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon, how could I not see him in A Man For All Seasons?

 

I'll leave Mandy Patinkin to the Shakespeare fans.

[Lankypeters]

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>I couldn't get tickets for South Pacific the last time I

>visited New York, but I would like some of you that have seen

>it to tell me if it really is worth seeing.

 

 

SOUTH PACIFIC is splendid. Bartlet Sher's direction is the most detailed, masterful staging of a musical PLAY I've seen since the original Jerome Robbins' staging of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in 1964. I've had friends score excellent house seats at the last minute by waiting online at the box office about an hour before show time. One of them waited until the very last minute and made it to her seat as the orchestra was into the overture. She loved the show, as has everyone I've talked to who sees it -- I haven't heard a single negative report. Not to be missed.

[ted]

South Pacific and August:Osage Country are the class of the 2008 season. Neither should be missed. South Pacific cast isn't changing until sometime in Nov; there are scattered seats available last time I looked. Beaumont seating is pretty good except perhaps on the very edges. August have not seen the new cast, but Estelle has had some very good word. The other key is the Amy Morton part, which is changing soon. I will probably see it again after everyone's settled in.

You dismiss Shrek, but early reports are quite encouraging. In the Heights, which I was prepared not to like, was quite enjoyable. Have not seen the current Gypsy, but will in Sept.

[edjames]

The fall season of theater is almost upon us but some of the offerings are not of any interest to me.

 

Lucky, you've chosen the two highlights of the fall season, "Billy Elliot" and "Equus", so you're well positioned to have at least two good evenings of theater.

 

13? No way. I'll leave that to the younger audiences. It's like having "Hannah Montana: The Musical!" open on Broadway. Alas, I also have no interest in "Shrek."

 

"Godspell" is a very good show with great songs and I'll be getting tcikets for that.

 

By all means, get a ticket, if you can, for "South Pacific" ASAP! This is musical theater at it's very best and should be number one on your list of must-sees. Unfortunately gay hearthrob stud, Paulo Szot is about to depart, but I am sure his replacement will be more than acceptable. Kelli O'Hara is magnificent and the rest of the cast is just terrific. I highly recommend this show.

 

I'm awaiting word on "A Tale Of Two Cities" before I commit to getting a ticket.

 

Yes, some good drama coming in. "All My Sons," and "A Man For All Seasons" will be worth looking into. I am still under the spell of "August: Osage County" and I have heard that Estelle Parsons is doing a great job as the pill-addicted matriarch of this dysfunctional family.

 

"Boeing-Boeing" is worth seeing only for the great performance by Mark Rylance. I found it a bit dated, and Christine Baranski wasted in her role of the housekeeper, Berthe. Without a doubt, Patti Lupone is magnificent in "Gypsy," and I've seen it three times. Definitely worth seeing. Another classic.

 

There are some interesting choices coming off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theater Club and 2nd Stages. Look on their websites for more info.

 

Enjoy!

 

ED

[+ Lucky]

I saw Gypsy and In the Heights on my last visit, and August: Osage County before that. Since the latter is coming out as a movie, I think I can see that instead of the new cast.

 

But you guys have convinced me to get a ticket for South Pacific. But really, I can't imagine seeing Shrek. Maybe if I still lived there and could see a multitude of shows...

 

UPDATE: Telecharge wants me to pay $134.50 to sit in what appear to be the worst seats in the orchestra. I have always found that going to the box office in person works best, but I am not there, so I will gladly accept a volunteer...

[edjames]

All seating at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center are good seats. It is not a large theater.

The theater is designed as a descending semi-circle. Only the seats on the very end of the semi-circle have some blocked views of the back of the stage, which really doesn't matter too much in this production. The stage is extended out into the audience.

Lucky, you should be aware that the Beaumont at Lincoln Center is primarily a subscription/membership audience which is why the best seating is reserved or already taken by the membership. The seating at telecharge is the same as the Box Office. They all access the same database.

 

ED

[Lankypeters]

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>I'm awaiting word on "A Tale Of Two Cities" before I

>commit to getting a ticket.

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> Then there's "Nine to Five," produced by Dolly Parton, aka "A Tale of Two Titties."

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"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[OneFinger]

Lucky,

 

Thanks for starting this thread. I just got tickets to Equus for mid-October. I, too, was looking for suggestions on other plays to see. South Pacific sounds like a good option.

 

But, I've never seen Avenue Q. The idea of puppets on stage just doesn't float my boat. But, others I've talked to really enjoyed. Is it worth seeing?

[+ Lucky]

OneF, Avenue Q is worth seeing. It's very funny and well-done. The only question I have is the cast. The original people were great, but sometmes when a show hangs on a long time, it's the bottom of the rung who take the jobs. I don't know if that is the case here.

 

Ed- Well, the seat offered was at the end of the semi-circle, in the second row. For that price, I would rather have a better perspective.

[pegasian]

EVERYONE who has seen XANADU has said it is the most FUN they have had at a Broadway show (VERY CAMPY/FUN TACKY). Cheyanne Jackson is back in it from what I hear.

[edjames]

>Ed- Well, the seat offered was at the end of the semi-circle,

>in the second row. For that price, I would rather have a

>better perspective.

 

I sat in that extract location, it was perfectly fine. Since you're awaiting a better seat, I hope you get "Lucky!"

 

LOL

 

ED

[Traveler North]

Hey Lucky, you are cheating yourself by not seeing The Tale of Two Cities. Saw it in Sarasota, Florida where it premiered at the Asolo Repertory Theater. It was fantastic. The music is haunting and the play really great adaptation of the book. Hope it does well on Broadway. It sold out every night in Sarasota in a very short time.

[+ Lucky]

TN- Well, maybe I will. Here is what I found about the Sarasota production:

 

http://www.talemusical.com/reviews.php

 

EdJ- Patience is a virtue. I tried again today and got a better seat. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Traveler North]

James Barbour has a fabulous voice. Saw him not only the the production but also in a benefit concert he did for the Asolo. Also, it is interesting that many of the audience in Sarasota are people from Manhattan who live in Sarasota part of the year and support in a big way cultural institutions like the Asolo. They expect the best!

[edjames]

Several shows have been cancelled this season before even getting into casting or rehersals.

 

The latest fallout from the bad economy and lack of production money is "Godspell," which is a shame since it was a show I had wanted to see again.

 

Also cancelled are "For Colored Girls ..." and "Brigadoon."

 

Shame.

 

 

ED

[OneFinger]

>OneF, Avenue Q is worth seeing. It's very funny and well-done.

 

I've decided to see if I can snag a last-minute ticket to that for Friday night. It's been around long enough that I might have a chance at getting a good, cheap seat. Not sure I want to pay full price to see it.

 

But, based on your first post, I looked at the Billy Elliot website. Purchased great tickets to that for Saturday night (orchestra center row G).

 

So, for my weekend visit looks like it's going to be Avenue Q (hopefully), Equus, and Billy Elliot.

 

Now, just have to find someone for a little time under the sheets. Any recommendations on that one? }(

[+ deej]

> Not sure I want to pay full price to see it.

 

Avenue Q is worth it.

 

Hey, how many times do you get to witness a sex scene on stage? (OK, *legitimate* stage!) So who cares if it's two puppets getting it on?

 

Any show that has a song called "The Internet is for Porn" is right up this crowd's address. }(

[Lankypeters]

>But, based on your first post, I looked at the Billy Elliot

>website. Purchased great tickets to that for Saturday night

>(orchestra center row G).

>

How did you score those locations? I've tried several times, several dates and the locations have been lousy -- extreme sides, "the edges." Generally, they hold the really good sears back until the last minute. I even tried with my AMEX Gold Card. Nada. Any tips?

 

 

"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

Radcliffe naked on a horse.

 

>With the coming of Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths in

>Equus, for which I have tickets in November,

 

Recently, Annie Leibovitz and Vanity Fair expressed the enthusiasm they also share with you.

 

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/1395/danielradcliffe11jw2.jpg

[Lankypeters]

RE: Radcliffe naked on a horse.

 

Is anyone else offended, as I am, by the blatant exploitation of seeing Radcliffe nude as a come-on to see "Equus." The ads make it quite clear that's what's being sold. "Equus" is a strong, provocative play and I'm sure Radcliffe will acquit himself admirably in the play. But it bothers me that people will rush to it just to see him naked.

 

Perhaps they'll go for other reasons, as well.

 

The original production, featuring Peter Firth nude, was not sold in this way. Broadway may have had better taste and standards at that time. Though I'm wary of generalizations.

 

 

"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[AdamSmith]

>Now, just have to find someone for a little time under the

>sheets. Any recommendations on that one? }(

 

We already talked about Jonathan/CampusEscorts over on MER.

 

Based on what you've said about preferences, you might also enjoy Ralphie at MaximumEscorts:

 

http://www.maleescortreview.com/index.php?file=escort_review_view&review_id=1027&escort_id=208010013

 

And definitely consider Andy Lopez, if he's in town:

 

http://www.maleescortreview.com/index.php?file=escort_review_view&review_id=1026&escort_id=208010012

 

And not to forget that Andre is in NYC until Sunday:

 

http://www.men4rentnow.com/ds/index.asp?cmd=view&id=143527&Login=HARDworkinBOY

[foxy]

I saw "Equus" 3 times. The first time was with Richard Burton who was the main draw. I was in the first row orchestra in a seat on the the right side by myself because of the way the stage was set up with a round table that spun around. I was so blown away by the experience, I couldn't get up during intermission. I was that drained looking up at that stage from that extreme angle. Burton was amazing and his voice came up though your feet and out your head. The nudity of the actors seemed so unimportant (although Peter Firth was cute). I saw it again but further away with less impact but still good. Later I saw a production with Anthony Perkins playing the Burton part. He was ok.

 

I will probably go see this production to see how it stands up but not really because Daniel Radcliff is nude (briefly, and in shadow if they follow the early stage direction). I do admire Radcliff for trying to break out of the Harry Potter mold. Good for him to be so set up for life finacially to only do work that interests him. I hope he turns out to be a really good actor with or without his clothes on.

[Lankypeters]

> The first time was with

>Richard Burton who was the main draw. The nudity

>of the actors seemed so unimportant (although Peter Firth was

>cute). I saw it again but further away with less impact but

>still good. Later I saw a production with Anthony Perkins

>playing the Burton part. He was ok.

 

Are you sure Firth played the youth? I think it was Keith McDermot, who

turns out to have been a working boy, as documented by one of Ed White's memoirs (he also was, mostly, one of White's roommates, with a "mercy fuck" or two thrown in -- according to the published accounts.) The actor wrote a beautiful novel a few years ago. I think its title was "Aqua Calda." Keith McDermott, I think, was the name of the author, actor and rentboy. Not all at once.

 

Also ,are you sure there was an intermission? I don't remember one. Maybe they put one in for Burton, so he could slug a fifth of vodka. Good for the voice.

 

Anthony Hopkins and Firth opened the play in New York, followed inauspiciously by Perkins and yet another actor as the boy. His name escapes me. He was then out gay, which damaged his career. He's now a producer. Then Burton came along for a limited run, but with McDermott, I believe.

 

All in the interest of keeping the record straight, as it were.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[Lankypeters]

> Perkins and yet another actor as

>the boy. His name escapes me.

 

 

Tom Hulce, it was, who played opposite Perkins. Perkins attempted to play with several of the actors in and out of the production. But he was getting on then.

 

Hulce was offered a profile in PEOPLE magazine. He said you interview me AND my lover. The editors spiked the story.

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>"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now

>wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

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>Lankypeters

 

 

"I'd say that's a bit of an extreme reaction, now wouldn't you?" -- N.F. Bates

 

 

Lankypeters

[foxy]

I'm sure you're right. I would have to drag out my old Playbills to see who played the part that Radcliff is playing. There was definitely an intermission and maybe Burton did need a few drinks to keep going. His performance however was astounding.