Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with broadway

What kind of service, exactly?

Bizurke — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:04:37 -0800

What does "Look I'll call you in the morning or my service will explain" (from the song "Another Hundred People") mean? It's a line from the song "Another Hundred People" from Company (youtube link) What kind of service is she talking about?

NYC broadway birthday brunch on short notice

Oktober — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:05:33 -0800

Looking for a good place to have a birthday brunch for my mom in midtown manhattan before a matinee at 3. There's six of us and we're leaving in an hour or so.

Help me see God of Carnage!

msali — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:47:39 -0800

How do I get a good deal on a big Broadway show? I hope that by getting a jump on this, I can secure the best price/seats as possible. I will be in New York at the end of October, and would love to see God of Carnage, which is currently playing at the Berrnard B. Jacobs Theater on Broadway. At broadway.com, they charge some hefty processing fees. I know that there are discount sites, but I am unsure which ones are reliable. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks.

How to get cheap tickets for Broadway shows?

howgenerica — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:33:23 -0800

A couple of my friends are coming to New York to visit near the end of July, and we want to take in a show (preferably a musical). We're all students and we're trying to find cheap tickets, but we want to have this sorted out in advance instead of waiting to buy tickets day-of. Does anyone know a good way to do this? I'm in New York if it's something that needs to be done in person, although through a website would be preferable. We're just looking for good deals or discounts, or something. Also I know nothing about Broadway, so recommendations for fun shows would be very welcome!

Videos of plays?

prior — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:05:05 -0800

Is there an archive somewhere that has films of specific productions of plays? I'm not sure if most productions even get filmed, but it strikes me that some of the broadway plays must.

Specifically what I'm looking for is a video of the 1993 production of Angels in America in NYC, I think at the Kerr Theater (which does have a small archive of video clips from recent past productions). But really any pointers on where to look for films of plays in general would be helpful.

nycfilter: romantic night

knockoutking — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:40:57 -0800

nyc filter: need advice for a romantic night in the city (on Sat 4/11) first of all, i have been to NYC multiple times before so i can figure my way around the general area without a problem...

that said, gf is currently in nyc and i am coming up from DC to meet up with her/take her out

would like a suggestion for "simple" food -- maybe italian? -- and something else to do -- maybe broadway play? walk? desert? -- on Sat, April 11th.

things to know:
-her hotel is located on times square
-timeline is anywhere from ~6 o'clock-ish until ???
-dont want to break the bank unless i have to haha but if its worth it im all for spending the cash required
-alcohol/wine/drinks is not particularly important
-would prefer that its not TOO far of a walk from public transportation...

thoughts/ideas:
-dinner (obviously)
-broadway play/off-broadway play (but which one is the question)
-dessert (if not a play maybe dessert somewhere else?)

if it was in DC i would have a list of places to go/things to do a mile long -- but NYC is another story entirely...

Dark, confessional, female musical theater song?

dziga — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:53:16 -0800

Asking for a friend: Please suggest a dark, confessional female pop/blues song, suitable for a "Spring Awakening" musical theater audition. A friend is auditioning for the role of Martha in Spring Awakening. Martha's solo song is called "The Dark I Know Well" (a short clip of the song is online here- scroll down). Context: just before singing this song, Martha accidentally confesses to her young girlfriends that her father is sexually abusing her and her mother knows but isn't stopping it. The song is the story of her twisted homelife.

Please suggest a song my friend can audition with, something similar in style and theme to "The Dark I Know Well".

The specs:
Alto / Contralto range (any race)
Dark, bluesy tune
Minor key
Not too fast. A creeping/building tempo, restrained urgency.
Character is not empowered (yet), so no Aretha-Franklin style anthems like Chain of Fools.
The singer should seem angry, helpless, sad, quietly desperate.
Tone of song should be confessional, rueful, ashamed, hurt.

YouTube links to the songs you suggest would be much appreciated, as well.
Thanks.

The best of 21st-century Broadway

Flying Saucer — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:34:35 -0800

I'm looking for showtunes from recent Broadway and off-Broadway musicals. This is not for any project. It's just to expand my horizons when it comes to recent musicals.

The last musicals I've seen are Wicked and Monty Python's Spamalot, both of which I enjoyed. But anything in the last ten years would be appreciated.

I'm asking for individual song recommendations rather than an entire album. If I like the one or two songs you suggest, I'll take a look at the whole show.

I prefer more rockin' musicals like Chess and Rent, but I don't mind old-school sounds in the style of, say, Guys and Dolls. Please feel free to include little-known or "failed" shows; after all, the book for Chess is pretty clumsy but "One Night in Bangkok" will live forever.

Thanks for your help. Until musicals become part of the algorithms for iTunes' Genius feature or Pandora, I'll have to rely Mefites for Broadway recommendations. Just like the "old" days...

Interesting restaurants near W44th Street?

lonemantis — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:44:30 -0800

RestaurantFilter: Restaurant Recommendations for NYC on Saturday evening (13Dec2008), around the Broadhurst Theatre - near W44th St. (more inside) My wife and I are lucky recipients of two free tickets to see Equus this Saturday, in NYC. To thank the couple who are so graciously giving us the tickets, we are going to buy dinner before the show. Any ideas on interesting and tasty restaurants (moderately priced) around the Broadhurst Theatre near W44th Street? They're an older couple who we'd rather not inundate with the too exotic. A nice place with some character, and food which isn't too bland would suffice. Preferably within walking distance (a few city blocks at the most) to the theatre. Thanks!

worst broadway

sharksandwich — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:27:45 -0800

What are the worst on or off Broadway shows playing currently?

Help me "Put on a Happy Face"! (sorry, had to do it)

trillian — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:20:41 -0800

What would you ask a well-known Broadway composer, maybe even a "legend"? Tomorrow I am interviewing Charles Strouse for a story. I have been reading up on his life (he turned 80 this year), and I usually come up with good interview questions, but on this one I am almost blanking. Help!

Find me a great Broadway video

moof — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:48:44 -0800

Can you recommend a good live-but-recorded upbeat Broadway performance in the style of MTV's Legally Blonde or the London Oklahoma with Hugh Jackman a few years back? I'm not looking for a Hairspray Movie (though I loved it) but rather recordings of shows performed as shows, not as movies. Thanks!

Broadway Commentary

LeeJay — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:51:46 -0800

Looking for Broadway funnymen...and women! In the spirit of this post, I am looking for theater know-it-alls who comment on theater with a detached but loving sense of humor. I am looking not for the best of the stage but for the best of commentary on popular roles. I am looking for criticism like Rudetsky's, which obviously stems from love of the theater. I want to know about mistakes that theater royalty make and commentary that makes the best of American theater even better.

I want to get to know those who make Broadway their business. Point me toward hilarious theater commentary.

Songs with overlapping verses?

trivirgata — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:47:18 -0800

What is the musical term for songs that feature overlapping or simultaneous verses? The only two examples that I can think of to illustrate what I'm talking about are "All for the Best" from Godspell and Irving Berlin's "You're in Love." Anyone ever come across a list of songs of this type, specifically songs from the world of musical theater?

What is this line from "Little Shop of Horrors"?

Flying Saucer — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:01:46 -0800

What is this song lyric from "Little Shop of Horrors"? From the movie version of "The Meek Shall Inherit," which was cut from the film but appears on the soundtrack.

I've tried lyrics sites, but they only seem to have the Broadway version; I guess because the song wasn't in the film, it's not considered the official version.

It's at the very end of the song when Seymour has decided to take all the offers. As the ladies sing "You know the meek shall inherit..." he exchanges dialogue with the TV people, the Life magazine lady, and the "lecturing tours" guy, starting with "Where do I sign?"

Right after "It's not a question of merit," the Life magazine lady says...what? It sounds like "Drop that old line," but the word "line" was already used to rhyme with "Where do I sign?" I honestly can't make out the words.

Can anybody help?

Help me not hate Broadway

Area Control — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:27:09 -0800

Broadway Musicals? Why do I hate them so? I cringe when I hear "that music". What would you say to a hater of musical theater that might create an appreciation?

Why is 9th ave called Broadway?

PercussivePaul — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:30:59 -0800

In Vancouver, BC, the avenues are numbered sequentially, except the street that should be 9th Ave is called Broadway. I thought nothing of this until noticing that the same is true in Eugene, OR. Is that a bizarre coincidence or is there more to it? I thought maybe it was the same in NYC but it doesn't look like it. What gives?

Dimming the lights on Broadway?

Oriole Adams — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:37:02 -0800

BroadwayFilter: My Google-fu is failing me... When did the tradition of dimming the marquee lights on Broadway in mourning or as a sign of respect begin? And who was the first person so honored? I found one "This Day in History" post from 1977 that said the lights were dimmed for Alfred Lunt, who had just passed away, and that that was only the third time such a tribute had been made. Any other info, such as the selection process as to who gets recognized, is appreciated as well.

Wherefore "big girls don't cry"?

bingo — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:52:29 -0800

Which movie really inspired Bob Gaudio (of the Four Seasons) to write the song "Big Girls Don't Cry"? It's not Tennessee's Partner. I recently saw "The Four Seasons" on Broadway. In the play, the Gaudio character tells the story of his inspiration for the song: he was watching a movie in which a girl gets slapped and then says "big girls don't cry." I didn't catch the name of the movie.

According to wikipedia, it was Tennessee's Partner. But I own that movie on DVD, and it's not in there.

I'm just a girl who can't say no

nax — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:23:16 -0800

What is the origin of the name "Ado Annie" in the musical Oklahoma? We figured out Annie, but what does Ado refer to?

i'll have my name in lights...

kidsleepy — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 15:04:38 -0800

In a few weeks, I have the wonderful opportunity to go see a Broadway show (my first!). My options are Hairspray, Wicked, or the Drowsy Chaperone. Which one should I pick?

Good seats for "The Lion King"?

Wylie Kyoto — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:29:14 -0800

My mother wants to take the entire family to see "The Lion King" at the Minskoff Theater in New York City. The party will include my ten-year-old twin nephews, who will be seeing a Broadway show for the first time, so we want this to be a memorable experience. (Also, the tickets are very pricey!) Seat maps of the theater, not showing all dimensions of the space, do not really give one a good idea of which would be the best place to sit. Has anyone seen this show, or is anyone familiar with the Minskoff? How would this best be enjoyed - especially if one is ten and doesn't want to be stuck behind someone with a big head?

Are there recordings of Stephanie J. Block's Elphaba?

Rowgun — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:34:08 -0800

BroadwayFilter: Is it possible to get a non-broadway cast recording of Wicked? I've slowly turned into a fan of Wicked: the Musical. The first time I saw it was the first national tour, when it featured Stephanie J. Block and Kendra Kassebaum as Elphaba and Glinda. Unfortunately, as much as I like the original 2003 cast recording, it does not feature these two (Trust me, I like Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, but you only get once to make a first impression).

The only things I've been able to find is bits and pieces on youtube, and bits from the video trailer for the official tour (see here and here).

Is there a recording of these two wonderful women out there? or am I stuck with these clips?

No lyrics like Broadway lyrics, like no lyrics I know

GaelFC — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:14:22 -0800

I'm looking for the lyrics to the song "In My Own Lifetime," from the 1970 Broadway musical, "The Rothschilds." I know lyrics sites are spotty at best, pop-up and virus havens at worst, and probably all illegal...but maybe someone even knows the lyrics? Or can give me a line or two I can search on? The title, musical name, etc, pulled up nothing useful for me. Thanks!

TKTS - Downtown or Broadway?

rorycberger — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 14:51:48 -0800

Question regarding strategy for which TKTS location to try next Tuesday to get Broadway tickets... I am staying at the Affinia Fifty Hotel (E 50th St. & 3rd Ave.) - would you recommending trekking down to the downtown TKTS location (supposedly with much shorter lines) or going to the closer (but more popular) Broadway location? At either location, what time is best to get there for the shortest wait? They open at 11, is it good to get there a half hour early? An hour? Any other tips for either location?

For context, my mom and I are looking to go to a show, but we are not theater buffs and don't have any target shows in mind. Our goal is to have as little hassle as possible to get cheap tickets to pretty much whatever show sounds good on the spot. Come to think of it, is there any sort of guide to shows that might be handy to have in line with us so we can make a semi-informed choice?