PPS: Forgot to mention another highlight: a perfect sendup of the Patti Lupone-Mandy Potankin relationship.

I'll add Chaplin to the list of shows to see this season. No you won't leave humming the songs (although they do help the plot along very nicely) or the sets (appropriately mostly in black and white and shades of gray until....). However, the choreography is true to the period and the use of real film footage is appropriate without being overwhelming and his story needs to be told. I suspect Chaplin will also be a major Halloween costume this year. (Oh and the lead is great! I think he played Charley in Encores Where's Charley!)

Howard, do tell...Patankin/Lupone sounds like volatile fireworks..

LoveMyLab, the takeoff on the Patankin/Lupone duo was right on the mark.....and very, very funny.
Another post-show observation: The sendoffs of the long-runnng shows Wicked and The Lion King were among the weakest in Forbidden Broadway. Perhaps it's just a case the being old hat, having been satirized so often in the past. The same can said for its handling of Annie, a revival of which opens next month. Nut that's only three. Fortunately, there were plenty of zingers that hit the mark. Besides the ones previously mentioned, a couple other winners worth mentioning were hits on Catherine Zeta-Jones (a real zinger) and Bernadette Peters.

War Horse at the Vivian Beaumont Theater will close after it's January 6th performance. A winner of 5 Tonys including Best Play, the production is known for its creative use of life size puppetry that depict horses. If you're in NY in the next four months, consider seeing this unique production.

The Times' Ben Brantley gave Forbidden Broadway a most favorable review today.

I second Chaplin as a show to see this season. I found the story most engaging and loved the use of black, white and gray as well as film footage in the staging. With a strong cast, this musical should have wide appeal.

Just posted this on the old one, before realizing you had started a new one-

I read that Glengarry Glen Ross is coming to Broadway, with Al Pacino. I've never seen it on stage, but loved the movie so I'm really looking forward to seeing it. One thing I find interesting is that Al Pacino is playing Shelly Levene, who is sort of the opposite of Roma, the character Pacino played in the movie.

Just be prepared for some "tough" language when you see Glengarry Glen Ross.

Yes! "What's your name?"

Just looked at getting tickets for Book of Mormon in November, I see there are no discounts, and tickets are expensive. Any other suggestions for Broadway shows. We are into musicals, and have seen Wicked.

Assuming that you're only interested in shows that have discount offers, my first bit of advice is to forget about The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, Once and Newsies. Chances are slim to nonexistant for getting less than full-price tickets.
Here's a list of some of the musicals which have discount offers. Most of them have current offers thru November. The ones that don't will probably offer them starting in October. Here are those shows (listed alphabetically):

Annie (a revival opens soon)
Chicago
Evita
Mary Poppins
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Phantom of the Opera
Spider Man

Check out broadwaybox.com for details on the offers.

(If you want a recommendation, I'd put Nice Work If You Can Get It at the top of the list.)

PS: Oops, I forgot to include Mamma Mia on the discounted list.
Also, Jersey Boy sometimes offers discounts.

Have seen Lion King in Sydney and Jersey Boys recently in Auckland. I will take a look at Nice Work if You Can Get It.

Hi Howard, we are coming to NYC for 5 days in December.
You know I love my plays.
Anything that is a MUST see for me?

BTW, I was reading "what did he think".
I like:
Once* really want to see it.
Newsies
Nice Work if You Can Get It
Evita?
I was thinking about Chaplin, but the reviews sounded awful.

I'd put Forbidden Broadway at the top of your list!
I would also recommend Once and Nice Work If You Can Get It.
And, of course, The Book of Mormon....if you can get tickets without having to mortgage the house.
If you like Ricky Martin, then maybe you'd like Evita. Though I love the music, it is not one of favorite shows, so I passed on the revival.
Yes, the reviews definitely convinced me not to see Chaplin.

OK, I hate to say it -- almost embarrassed to admit it -- but Annie is one of the great musicals. I'm actually looking forward to the new revival opening in a couple weeks. Every now and then I just have to watch this clip to remind myself what a fun show Annie is -- but admittedly the new cast has some BIG shoes to fill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMTcQnmWut8

On the extreme opposite end, I can't wait to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf next month. I haven't been able to forget Amy Morton's performance in August, Osage County and think she will be amazing in that powerful show. It will be just over three hours of INTENSE drama with some surprisingly very comic moments.

Thanks Howard!!!!!
I will be busy seeing what I can line up.
We get in Monday and leave Saturday second week of December.
It is my most FAVORITE Christmas present!!

Neo, I like Annie too.
I know Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf is great theater, but I really need to see some upbeat plays/musicals.

Call me Scrooge, but I didn't like the original Annie!

Oh, Howard. First it was Wicked, now Annie! You must indeed be Scrooge! LOL

Dancing and singing orphans, a rag-a-muffin dog, a drunken female villain -- what more could any musical ask for? But for anyone who only saw that dreadful movie version of Annie -- well, it's a far cry from the Broadway musical! Even Carol Burnett couldn't save that movie.

FYI, I got tkts for Newsies.
I am still working on others, or maybe I'll wait until October?

Patrick, I loved Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon and A Chorus Line and thoroughly enjoyed Phantom of the Opera. Does that count for anything?

No, sorry. Although Les Miserables does have a singing orphan, it hardly falls into the category of "no redeeming social commentary" or "just pure mindless fun" like Annie and even Wicked!

By the way, last week we saw "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" at the McCarter Theatre at Princeton. It's a very funny new comedy by Charles Durang, starring Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce, and the wonderful Kristine Nielsen, which will be coming to Lincoln Center soon. Although the title and even the basic idea (wallowing in human failure?) comes from Checkov, there is no attempt for it to be anything but a night of pure silliness and laughs. I was a bit stunned when one Philadelphia review tried seriously comparing the end result with Checkov as if it were supposed to be regarded in the same way. What's wrong with mindless fun once in a while?

My husband and I saw "An Enemy of the People" last week. We sat in the mezzanine in the center of row B, and the seats were very good because the theater's so small. Boyd Gaines was outstanding.

Is anyone excited about Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella coming to Broadway for the first time? It has previously only been seen in television specials (my sister and I always HAD to watch the 60's version with Celeste Holm and Lesley Ann Warren). I loved the songs in that show.

Patrick, for mindless fun, I loved One Man, Two Guvnors. Surely that counts for something!

OK, Howard, I'll give you that one (even though it did come from the high brow National Theatre in London) -- but mindless fun it is!!!

Phew, I've regained some respectability!

(there's still the Wicked thing...)

C/mon starrs, cut me some slack! Remember that I liked Million Dollar Quartet!

IMHO, "Wicked" has some powerful messages about prejudice, and about history being written by the victors. Not purely "mindless" entertainment. And FYI, I loved it. But I hated "Peter & the Star Catcher" which the critics loved -- so what do I know???

LOL, HowardR. Just kidding you. It was the perfect setup.

Hubby and i are going to NYC in October, and am so excited to see shows. Ive only been to NYC once for a few hours.

Just bought tix for Nice Work if You Can Get It, and hope to also get to see Edwin Drood, Forbidden Broadway, and Once. Just saw Wicked on tour for the sixth time or I would be doing that. Does anyone know anything about the Behind the Emerald Curtain? Worth it? What about War Horse?

I think starrs is the resident Behind the Emerald Curtain expert. Starrs?

Howard, I am looking for a strategy for buying tickets.

I have Newsies for a Wed matinee.

I was going to try TKTS for a Tuesday night show.?
I know my chances for a Friday must see show are slim to none.
So I should get those tickets in advance.

I am wincing at the full prices, but what the hey, it is my Christmas present.

You did say you think there should be more discounts for certain shows, yes?

Hoosiercindy, let me know how you like "Nice Work"!

JudyRem, have you looked at the list of shows with discounts on Playbill.com or BroadwayBox.com? You can order advance tickets online by using the link and using the codes they give you. (Registration is free and easy).
To avoid paying something like $15 in service charges for a pair of tickets, you can print those discount offers out and take them to any specific theatre box office for the show you want to see when you get to the city and there will be no service charges on them. Plus you'll get to pick the seats you want -- or the best available, which is a little harder to do online with Ticketmaster or Telecharge.

I'll post about Behind the Emerald Curtain later tonight. I'm headed off to see War House soon!

JudyRem, NeoPatrick has given you some solid advice.
Tuesday is the slowest night for Broadway shows. So, you should have plenty of options. As for getting tickets at TKTS for Tuesday, keep in mind that the line there is just about non-existant at 5 or 6 p.m. There's a chancd that some popular shows like Jersey Boys may just have tickets available at TKTS on Tuesday.
You right about Friday, though there is always the chance of something decent at TKTS.
Meanwhile, keep NeoPatrick's option in mind. The difference in price may be little or nothing compared to TKTS.

Judy, if you do go to TKTS, keep in mind that there is a separate line for plays. And the "Play Express" line usually moves quickly.

Wow, thanks for the good advice Neo, Howard and kmbp!!!

Patrick, I did lookup Broadway box, it is my go to site.
I did join Playbill, thanks for that advice!!!

They had a few discounts but not for the shows I want to see, except for Newsies and Nice Work.
Of course, no Once.

Any comedies(plays) that you all can recommend?

I could see some shows that I loved again.

BTW, I remember standing in the TKTS line freezing
my fanny off,BUT tlaking tosomelovely theater lovers....nothing better.
I LOVE NY.

BTW, Howard, I made the fatal mistake of telling my DH that A Christmas Story: The Musical is playing through Dec, and now he wants to see it.

Yowser, did you hear anything about it?
It was in ATL last year, but did not go.

Judyrem, remember that I'm the guy who didn't like Wicked and Annie. Do you expect me to have positive feeling about A Christmas Story?????

Now listen here Howard, you DID recommend Million Dollar Quartet, which my DH LOVED! I even told him you loved it!

So help me out here.

He liked Wicked but did not love it, and I think he only saw the movie Annie.
He also loved Jersey Boys so much, he saw it twice.

On THAT note - Behind the Emerald Curtain Very enjoyable for Wicked fans. Two of the original cast members host the tour. Half of the tour groups starts in an upstairs lobby while a tour guide talks about the show, sharing interesting tidbits. What I liked best was the display of the costumes - Glinda's bubble dress and Elphaba's fanciest black dress - are inches away. Masks and accessories are available to look at including Doctor Dillamond's. The other half of the group starts in the theater itself and the two groups flip-flop. The theater part of the group focuses on the technical aspect of the show including a fast action video of setting up the show on tour. I've seen it X number of times (not admitting how many) in six different cities, and was amazed at the show setup. Actually two caravans alternate setting up in the cities because the setup is so complex and the finishing touches roll in when the cast of the national tour shows up. That gives enough time for setup and breakdown of the production. At the end of their presentation they answer audience questions. One was what happens during equipment malfunctions during Elphaba's big moment at the end of Act 1 - and that actually happened during one of the shows I saw. Anyway, the tour is VERY well done and if one is a Wicked fan I think going "Behind the Emerald Curtain" is a great choice. Maybe not for HowardR, but for a lot of people.

what is my best source for getting discounted tickets for Christmas week? I am thinking of War Horse. My 12 year old granddaughter loved the movie. Will she like the play? Also interested in the revival of Annie. When does it open. Can you get discounted tickets for the Rockettes?

<< My 12 year old granddaughter loved the movie. Will she like the play? >>

The play has some very harsh and sad moments. The puppetry is absolutely amazing. The enjoyment of the whole package would depend on the 12 year old.

Annie starts previews on Oct 3rd with a Nov 8th opening.

I saw War Horse last night. I agree that it depends on the 12yo, but if she knows the story (via the movie) IMO she'll enjoy the play. The puppetry of the horses is absolutely amazing. At first you watch the puppeteers and how they work. Then all of a sudden you forget they are there and there are horses on the stage. Amazing. Here's a video of the horses on the lawn at Lincoln Center - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw8ruoIqGxI I refused to see the movie until I saw the horses in the play.

Some interesting off broadway productions this season - some with unusual staging, some great performances, some celebrities and all heavy - certainly not for everyone.

C*ck - powerful - very small theater - you're almost 'in it'
Red Dog Howls - Kathleen Chalfant at her most horrific
Exonerated - 10th anniversary of the original - still moving and relevant
If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet - Jake Gyllenhal's debut - interesting use of water

starrs - are you back?

ita, there will be limited discount offers for Christmas week, since that's the busiest time of the year for the theater. Yes, there will probably be some, but you'll have to wait for a few weeks until the offers are available for December. Keep checking broadwaybox.com and playbill.com.

Judyrem, we thought that Nice Work If You Can Get It was great fun and thoroughly enjoyed it. And, as I wrote before, we think that Forbidden Broadway is a must-see!

cpg, I saw it on tour. Never got to Lincoln Center to see it. ita, I agree with HowardR. The discounts on broadwaybox.com won't show up for a while...but with the combination of Christmas week and the show closing I'd buy tickets now if you want to see it. It is an amazing show. I loved it as much as I expected to - and I wanted to see it for three years.

Starrs - I saw War Horse last night too. Amazing. I was way over on the side very near the front...very close to the horses and the duck and it was truly amazing theatre. Anyone who hasn't seen it should do so before it closes.

Howard, I am trying to talk DH into Forbidden Broadway.
I think he feels he will not "get it".
Yikes, I say.
He has seen quite a lot of shows in NYC and London.
I am working on it right now.

Nice Work is So on my list.
So is Once.
I got an email from Playbill about Glengarry Glen Ross/
Described the play to him, and he said sounds like my old job...it was a no go.

Judyrem, I think you'll "get it" in reference to Forbidden Broadway. As an example, we haven't seen Once yet. Still, just by watching the excerpt of it on the Tony show, we fully appreciated its satirical blast in Forbidden Broadway.
One good bit of advice about War Horse, the Vivian Beaumont Theater, where it is playing, has no bad sightlines. You have a good view no matter where you sit.

HowardR is right. No bad sight lines for War Horse but I will say that you get a unique perspective from each seat and I certainly enjoyed mine.

Sue and Howard are right, no bad sight lines at War horse.
We were close to the duck also...loved it.

Starrs, Behind the Emerald Curtain sounds amazing. My daughter wanted to see a new musical when in New York but she would have loved, loved that tour. Oh well, at least we got to the Cloisters!

JudyRem, I just got a discount offer for Forbidden Broadway from playbill.com. $57.50 for tickets thru December 23; tickets must be purchchased by mid-November. That's a great bargain for a delightful show!

PS: It's a very small theater, so all orchestra seats are fine.

Thanks Howard, I just got an email from Playbill today.

I am trying to get you know who to cooperate.

This week, I saw 'Cyrano' in previews. It is starring Douglas Hodge who won a Tony for his 2010 performance as Albin in 'La Cage.' I think he is terrific. The range of his talent reminds me of Mark Rylance (La bête, Boeing Boeing, Jerusalem). Based on 'La Cage' and 'Cyrano,' I would see him in anything. This was the first time that I saw 'Cyrano' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my friends left during intermission - to each his own in the theater.

I was interested in Cyrano, thanks for posting.

No sooner did I finish the above post when my husband showed me a wonderful article about Douglas Hodge in today's WSJ. He talks about his love of the NY theater scene and his obsession with getting the 'nose' right for this production. Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance were his classmates at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443686004577637470855358692.html?mod=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_4

I was also looking at the Mystery of Edwin Drood.
My Dh saw it on TV recently and liked it.
Howard, did you see it?

I saw the original 25 years ago. It was just fair. I remember that it had some sort of a gimmick about the audience voting on the ending...or something like that. That idea, I'm sure, was inspired, I believe, by the fact that Dickens never finished the book before he died.
Keep in mind that the TV production was, like the Dickens original, without any music. This theatrical version is a musical.

Thanks Howard.

I have time to decide.

BTW, I was looking at A Civil War Christmas...sounded differant, and my DH is a civil war nut.

Just thinking.....

I would like to see Ed Asner in Grace - http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/10/03/paul-rudd-ed-asner-grace/1599753/

Me too, starrs. I've heard very dark and well acted.

Anyone seen Detroit? I've seen many of the "big" musicals and I just got tickets to Forbidden Broadway - so excited! But I want another show so was also considering "Marry Me a Little" (love Sondheim) or Mary Broome. Going mid October - maybe something I've missed that is about to open?

This morning's Times gave a favorable review of Grace, though the play does sound a little odd (for want of a better word).
Haven't seen Detroit yet, though it's on my must-see list. The reviews have been good.

I saw Ed Asner yesterday on a talk show and after he talked about Grace, and even after showing a brief scene, I have no idea what it's about. So I think "odd" is indeed a good word. I think I want to see it.

AtlTravelr - If you are visiting NY and have limited opportunities to see theater here, pass on Mary Broome as an Off Bway choice. Although I did enjoy it, there are far better choices. See my post above on some current Off Bway productions. Red Dog Howls has some very disturbing scenes.

Centralparkgirl-I did look at your list, thank you for posting some not so obvious choices. Looks like the two id be interested in, Red Dog Howls and the cockfight play, end before I get there. Want to add any more? I'm so envious of you as it looks like you get to see so many shows! Wit my limited time I have to balance between the desire to see a sure thing and the chance to see something/someone I I wouldn't otherwise do! My tastes are probably pretty mainstream-nothing too experimental-I saw Tribes in May and loved that. Watched the online clip of Detroit so I'm probably leaning toward that.

Beowulf Boritt did the staging for Chaplin, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet and now, Grace. He's been busy, diverse and very creative! I saw the first two and loved the staging of Chaplin. His very interesting use of film and the colors black and white captures the mood and era. In 'If There Is,' there's use of a lot of water on stage and I don't mean rain!

AtlTravelr - that's why I try to temper my recommendations. There are many good productions but not necessarily for a short list. As you read, I think seeing Douglas Hodge is an experience! Tribes is on my list to see. I've heard good things. Glad you saw it.

We have tix for Nice Work on a Sunday at 3pm. It is 2 hrs 40 minutes. Would we be ok to make it to Forbidden Broadway on 47th St at 7:30pm, grabbing food somewhere along the way?

Thanks for the info on Behind the Emerald Curtain, starrs.

Sure. I have friends who do 'double headers' all the time although they are usually on Wednesdays when the matinees begin at 2. You will be out of the theater by 6 and as long as you don't want a leisurely dinner you'll be fine. Eat near the second theater and tell your server you want to be out by 7. Ask for your check as soon as your last course is served. Enjoy!

You can relax a little more and stay in a nearby restaurant until 7:15 and easily make it to the theater in plenty of time.

PS: Your selection of those two shows that day will really be extra special when you see Forbidden Broadway's brilliant satire of Matthew Broderick's performance in Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Centralparkgirl, you need to book a trip to London in June or after. Did you see that Douglas Hodge is playing Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory there? Huge production at Drury Lane Theatre!

NP - I knew about the play, but hadn't read that Hodge is starring. I'm curious because I haven't been to London in decades - when planning a trip like that, how do you know how long Hodge or another lead is signed for. Suppose someone plans a trip for the winter, buys the tickets and finds he's no longer in the role?

London? My daughter would kill to see Matilda. It was one of her favorite movies of all time.

Ben Brantley's review of Cyrano:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/theater/reviews/cyrano-de-bergerac-with-douglas-hodge.html?hpw

Hi, New York Fodorites.

Just got another promo email and am plugging "TJ and Dave" at Barrow Street again. Hope someone can go! Seen these guys lots of times in Chicago and they are seriously wonderful. AND... with Tracy Letts and Amy Morton (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, August: Osage County) and other Chicago theater folks in town... Michael SHannon and Kate Arrington (Grace), there might even be a chance you'll see them at the show on dark night. Tracy Letts and Michael Shannon have even improvised with TJ and DAve before. (I was fortunate to catch them!)

4 PERFORMANCES ONLY - DECEMBER 7 through DECEMBER 10, 2012

"This is an impressive feat of mental athletics, but the results are also observant, complex and frequently enormously funny."
- NEW YORK TIMES

"BRILLIANT, HEARTBREAKING, MIND-BLOWING, INSPIRING! The best 50 minutes of improv comedy that we've ever seen."
-TIME OUT NEW YORK

10:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
9:00 p.m. on Monday

USE CODE TJDBST TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR ONLY $15
ONLINE at smarttix.com and enter code TJDBST
BY PHONE: Call 212-868-4444 and mention code
IN PERSON: Bring the code TJDBST to the BST Box Office located at 27 Barrow Street (on the corner of Seventh Avenue South, one block south of Christopher Street), Open 1PM daily.

Another recommendation for riveting drama: Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? Tracey Letts (author of August: Osage County) and Amy Morton give electrifying performances. If you're into toxic drama at its best, this is a production that you shouldn't miss.

Anxious to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf from the front row this Wednesday.

Centralparkgirl, in response to your London question above, well there is no real answer. No one really knows how long someone will stay with a production. But then you can't really buy tickets for an individual's performance anyway. We bought Broadway La Cage tickets for the main point of seeing Hodge (I had already seen him do it in London), but at our performance he was off and his understudy did it.

NP - interesting that you mention where you're sitting. I have a friend who saw VW from upstairs and didn't love it. She wondered if she would have felt differently sitting closer. I was in row E and it was perfect. You are in for a treat.

I'd hate a big musical from the front row -- but I'd enjoy an intimate show like Virginia Woolf even more if I were sitting on stage within the stage setting, so yes, I'm looking forward to that.

Loved watching both Augustsage County and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in the intimate setting of Steppenwolf Theatre. Never more than 38 feet from the stage. When Amy Morton roared, "I'm running things now!" at the intermission, I was nailed to my seat. Such a great actress. I envy anyone who can see her perform for the first time, and pity Julia Roberts who has to take on that role in the film.

Loved the inadvertent "shocked" emoticon when I typed the colon and an 'o.' Come to think of it, probably how I looked at that curtain line.

Good news about a couple new things at the TKTS booth in Times Square:
1. You can now buy both matinee and evening performance tickets at the same time on dual performance days (usually Weduesday and Saturday).
2. You can now buy full-price tickets for shows at TKTS--both for the same day and future dates.

ChgoGal - I did see Amy Morton in Osage County.

<You can now buy full-price tickets for shows at TKTS--both for the same day and future dates.>

Do you know if that applies to all shows? I wonder if buying a full price ticket at TKTS would get you the same seat options as buying it from the theater's box office.

Also ... are the full priced tix a separate line? If not, it'll make the lines longer for cheap people like me .

Looking forward to my next trip to NYC -- Nov. 28th!! (FYI, that was an exceptionally expensive time for hotels. Ouch!!!)

Here's how the full-price ticket will be:
1. You can buy same-day tickets at full price for those shows not offering discounts.
2. You can buy full-price tickets for ALL show for future dates.
And, yes, the full-price ticket option is a separate line.

Nathan Lane to return to Broadway in March in 'The Nance.'

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/nathan-lane-will-return-to-broadway-in-the-nance/?ref=theater

Don't read Ben Brantley's review of 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.' Just go see it and be entertained by a wonderful cast led by Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Price. You do not need to be well versed in Chekhov to enjoy this funny play performed in the intimate Mitzi Newhouse theater. I'm guessing this could transfer to Broadway.

And if you're looking for a serious off B'way performance, Peter Strauss gives a compelling performance in 'Outgoing Tide' at 59E59. Also starring Michael Learned and Ian Lithgow.

I love Broadway, but seeing a good play with a strong cast in a very small venue can be very special.

Oops. Make that David Hyde Pierce!

Centralparkgirl, YES! I saw Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at McCarter last month and raved about it. But the real star of the piece is the very talented Kristine Nielsen in my book, despite her not being as "famous" as Pierce and Weaver! I had the good fortune to see her play Crazy Mary a couple years ago in a production also starring Sigourney Weaver. She is magic on stage.
I think I'll avoid reading Brantley's review, but would assume he wouldn't enjoy it. It's far too "silly" for him!

There was a very weird review from someone on the McCarter production that went on and on about how it didn't compare to Chekhov, as if that was supposed to somehow make sense. Just because the fictional and weird parents of the main characters happened to name their kids for Chekhov characters and there is a vague comparison to several Chekhov plays, it is NEVER EVER intended to be even remotely "like" a Chekhov play. I felt a critic who suggested it should, is simply showing his ignorance.

NP - I agree. Kristine Nielsen was wonderful and the broad range of her character made it almost as if she played two different parts - and done so well! Brantley's review wasn't bad. His descriptions and comments would not make me want to see this play. His words, usually articulate, just don't do justice to or even begin to hint at the cleverness and fun of this play. It sounds silly and idiotic. And it is so much more.

NP - I was watching an early Harry Potter movie on tv last night, and I swear, I'll never look at Maggie Smith (whom I really like) the same way again! Ever! Thank you Kristine Nielsen.

OK, I couldn't stand it any longer, so I read the Ben Brantley review. Yes, he sort of liked it -- I think? Certainly much more than I would have expected. But he spent so much time rambling about "intellectual" things and meaningless background which once again really has little to do with just sitting back and enjoying a very clever and very funny play. Maybe he enjoyed the opportunity to ramble about his Chekhov knowledge? Sometimes it's hard for a critic to say, "wow. This is just plain fun."

Went to Nice Work If You Can Get It yesterday afternoon. Loved it, what a fun musical. A great afternoon's entertainment.

Saw The Mystery of Edwin Drood yesterday. Wonderful fun. I think Roundabout Theatre really got this one right!

I saw Vanya etc. the first nite of previews and enjoyed it immensely...... and I'm not that well versed on Chekov. I adore David H-P but when Billy Magnussen strips down to his whatevers he sort of commands the stage -
(How in the world does one develop a physique like that?) Also, it was the first time I'd seen Kristine Neilsen..... I understand now why she has such a fine reputation.

Has anyone seen 'Dead Accounts,' currently in previews, yet? I saw it this week and was disappointed in this new comedy. Although Norbert Leo Butz and Jane Houdyshell are wonderful B'way veterans, this script doesn't quite come together, at least not for me.

Read this if your considering buying tickets for 'Dead Accounts:'

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/theater/reviews/dead-accounts-with-katie-holmes-at-music-box-theater.html?hpw&_r=0

Or don't read it and just save your money.

I had an experience that was a first for me in theater tonight. I went to pick up my discounted tickets for Tribes and to my surprise, they didn't have them because they were for TWO nights ago. I don't know how I did this, but somehow when purchasing them online, I clicked on the wrong day. I had my email confirmation with me and sure enough, it was for two nights ago. I couldn't believe it, but the box office was terrific and gave us seats for tonight anyway. Fortunately, they had them and helped us out. Although the ending of Tribes is a bit abrupt, it was a very interesting play with a great cast and unusual story.

Yes, c[g, once in a while, humaning does prevail.
While not in the league with your experience, a few years ago, I had an experience which proved that there are still real people in the theater world. I had tickets for a cancelled performance of Pal Joey. When I went to the box office to exchange the tickets, I was shocked to learn that you are supposed to have your payment receipt with you to guard against anyone exchanging tickets that might be stolen or whatever. I had long since discarded that receipt. After a pleasant, unheated discussion with the box office person, I was able to exchange the tickets.
Two lessons learned:
1. Never throw away the receipt.
2. Be pleasant!

Actually that review of Dead Accounts in the NYTimes is perhaps one of the kinder ones!

Saw Grace this week, which was interesting, but I'm still scratching my head. Had hoped to see The Performers, but it closed really quickly and is gone already. And I was interested in seeing The Anarchist. But so far I've heard nothing good about it despite the cast composed simply of Debra Winger and Patti Lupone. Somehow this just doesn't seem to be a very good season for new plays on Broadway.

Incidentally, I was surprised a few weeks ago at the box office buying tickets for this Wednesday's matinee of Grace, when they offered me (with my discount coupon in hand) either last row of orchestra, last two rows of balcony (not mezzanine) or side sections of orchestra. I chose the third and fourth seats over from the aisle in the fifth row. But I was surprised that the theatre was about half empty. I'm getting really aggravated that they limit the discount codes to only lousy seats even when a show isn't selling very well.
Fodorite, Rhea, who was with me moved to the mezzanine which she prefers -- no problem as it was probably two thirds empty!
And apparently they moved the balcony people to the mezzanine. So they still couldn't offer some of those seats for $89 instead of the $132 they aren't selling for?

When we went to Nice Work if YOu Can Get It a couple of weeks ago, I booked tickets online the night before through Broadwaybox.com. When we picked them up before the show, the guy in the box office said do you want to move to 6 rows from the front, in the center. I said we sure do. What great seats, I love being able to see the expressions on the actor's faces.

I bought two tickets for Nice Work If You Can Get It the Sat after Thanksgiving at the TKTS booth. It was a last minute jaunt into the city, but we got very lucky. The line was not long at all, and we got 2 tickets in the orchestra for significantly less than the direct online price for last row mezzanine seats. While I wouldn't consider the show one that will stay with me forever, I thought it was fun, entertaining, and certainly perfect for an outing with mom (who did not want anything too dark or intense that day.) While Broderick may not be the best dancer and singer (especially compared to Kelli O'Hara), he has excellent timing and simply knows how to entertain. I enjoyed his performance as the good-hearted ne'er-do-well. The regular cast all performed and we had a great time at the matinee.

Nelsonian, you've given a reason some people prefer to have the box office hold their tickets. If the tickets had been sent to you or if you had printed them out online, then they would not have offered you those better seats which were clearly house seats which had gone "unclaimed" -- the best seats in the house some of which they hold until just before the show.

I have tickets for Newsies Wednesday matinee, Thursday, A Christmas Story (Ben Brantley gave it good reviews)Friday is Annie.
My Tuesday will be a standing in line day for either Nice Work, or if I am lucky, Once.

Judy, don't get your hopes up for Once. The chances for TKTS availability are slim, since the show is selling out. Good luck. Still, it won't be a total loss if you get tickets for nice Work If You Can Get it, which, as many of us have posted, is great fun.
As for tghe varied experiences with discount tickets, I had both the bad (i.e., Patrick's experience) and the good (Nelsonian's). It's all in the luck of the draw (or the quality of the show management)!

Thanks Howard...Nice Work sounds fun and lighthearted. Once sounds somewhat meloncholy....so Nice Works seems just the thing.

In fact, I am trying to see as many "happy" shows as possible.
Have had some sad news lately, so I "need a little laughter, ringing in the rafters".

With that background information, Judyrem, Nice Work will be the perfect medicine for you!

It's my final night of a wonderful trip to NYC. A highlight was having pre-theater dinner with Matthew Broderick at the cafe at the Edison Hotel. Okay, well maybe I wasn't exactly "with" Matthew .... but he was sitting in the booth next to mine .

There wasn't anything I was dying to see. (I've already seen all the big shows that interested me.) I'd wanted to see "Chaplin" and "Forever Dusty" but the horrid reviews (from friends, as well as the critics) scared me away.

So ... every evening around 5PM I went to the TKTS booth at Times Square and there was always an enormous variety. I never waited more than 5 minutes.

LOVED LOVED LOVED "Old Jews Telling Jokes" (Off-Broadway). At one point I was laughing so hard I thought I was about to lose it and have to leave the theater. It was more than just "stand-up"; it had sketches, a little bit of music, and animation. But those jokes were HILARIOUS!!!

Next night: "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." I liked it; it was fun--but I didn't "love" it. I was disappointed in Chita Rivera's interpretation of "Don't Quit" which is a favorite song. But I liked her other numbers--and I liked the ending. I saw that Neo thought it was "wonderful fun," but I wouldn't go quite that far. Also, I found it a little bizarre and uncomfortable that Chita got the big, final curtain call when she was clearly not one of the stars of the show. Obviously it was because of her well deserved star status--but still didn't feel right in light of the size and depth of her role.

Final show: "The Heiress." Really liked the show: the sets, the costumes, the story, and loved the cast ... except for Jessica Chastain. I had to keep telling myself that she was doing a valid interpretation; that she wasn't just "bad." But it just didn't feel right. But that said ... I still liked the show.

Loved Old Jews Telling Jokes also.

As for Grace, I agree w/Neo - Paul Rudd & Ed Asner were good but still can't 'get' the play. It required speaking to 3 guys before I was allowed to move from orch. to center mezzanine 4th row...cannot imagine how this play will run to January w/their attitude.

My husband and I saw a preview of "Picnic" on Saturday and really enjoyed it. I wasn't thrilled with the actor who played "Hal", but the rest of the cast more than made up for that. The standouts for me were Elizabeth Marvel, Ellen Burstyn, and young Madeleine Martin.

Our seats were in the middle of the mezzanine, four rows back. We could still see the actors' faces quite well from there.

Need some help. Planning a 1st of Feb weekend trip and want to see 3 shows, matinee Sat/Sun and Sat nt… discounted to help enjoy more! Don't get to NYC often at all, but did go this summer and saw Wicked & Mary Poppins, another in our group saw Nice Work. Definitely are going to Newsies. If you were going to add 2 more which would it be?

Thanks for helping Broadway rookies!