The Lion King, on Broadway

Subject: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 11:59 PM

I just have to recommend this to any 'catters within reach of this magnificent production. last week I went to see The Lion King at the restored New Amsterdam Theatre. Friends I was staying with told me it was great, but I was not at all prepared for how incredible this production is.

Now, I never saw the movie. Never even considered it. Maybe the idea of going to the movie seemed to "Disneyish." It just wasn't on my list. This stage production, however, is apparently a whole 'nother matter.

This is the most stunning live theatre I've seen since my parents took me and my sister (sixtieschick) to see West Side Story when the Broadway cast came to San Francisco in the 1950's! And I've seen lots of shows since then.There is not a dull moment, and you are drawn right into it from the first note to the last. it is a celebration of African song and dance, not traditional dances, but choreographed and composed with a traditional feel in some of the numbers, with incredible set designs, costumes, choreography, music. There isn't a wasted moment. Absolutely a stunning, magnificent production.

Orchestra seats are $100, but you only go around once in life, so if this one show is something you can afford to splurge on, I'd say get an orchestra ticket. It's the best way to see the show.
I think The Lion King completely raises the bar on Broadway shows, setting a very high standard.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 12:22 AM

Purchased ten advance tickets - treated family and fiends - over the course of a year.

Trendy then....(better than The Producers) brillant in their use of puppets - and creating theatre roles for blacks.

Surprised, given the choice and your location you did not go to "WICKED"

Sincerely,

Gargoyle

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 12:24 AM

B . S. B. S. B. S. B. S.

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 11:53 PM

I don't know of Wicked, Gargoyle. I'm curious to know about it. I was in NYC for four days, but try to get there every year, and while I'm there, see at least one show.

Hey, it's nice to see the Bleating Society of Beer Swilling Barbarian Squelchers of Boise and Saskatchewan on this site, with your patented streaming logo! Welcome to the Mudcat, you guys! Awesome!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: GUEST,Kt
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 11:10 AM

I agree with you about Lion King, Chanteyranger. I saw it a couple of years ago and it was splendid! I had never seen the movie either, but that first scene, where all of the animals make their entrance, brought tears to my eyes, because of the pure magnificence! We didn't have orchestra seats, as we bought our tickets three hours before the performance, but we had first row of the mezzanine, I think, and they were fabulous! Highly reccomeded!!

KT

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 11:14 AM

recommended, even!

KT

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 12:12 PM

Hey, recommended, reccomeded, recopteded, or recoverted, it's all good!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Cool Beans
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 10:42 PM

"The Lion King" is indeed a great show, much better than "Wicked," which has one good song. I can also highly recommend "Hairspray" and "Avenue Q." "Avenue Q" is not for the kiddies; it's like X-rated 'Sesame Street.'

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: jimmyt
Date: 20 Jun 05 - 10:30 PM

Considering Lion King for weekend trip with the grandsons to NYC in September.   Jayne and I are leaving Atlanta Thursday evening on the train with both of our 5 year old grandsons along. We will sleep in sleeper berths, arrive in NYC Friday early PM, get dinner, go to a show. Next AM, subway to south ferry, Statin Island Ferry, then back up town in taxi or bus, then to LaGuardia for return flight Sat PM.   Pray for us! I am calling this the 36 hour whirlwind transportation tour.

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 12:30 AM

I think you'll find it worth all the hustle and bustle. I was fortunate to get a single ticket on a few days notice, but for a family, I'd say nail tickets down early .....and if you do go, let us know how you liked it, eh?

Best,

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: M.Ted
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 01:49 AM

Notwithstanding Cool Beans idea, "Wicked" is an amazing and incredible show. I have seen it at least five times, and, even with the understudies, it is one of the greatest musicals ever--The music is great, the story has much more depth than your usual musical, etc, etc, etc. And the the audiences love it--

I saw the "Lion King" in London a few years back, and liked it--a good show for kids--

Just saw "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", and recommend it, especially to you, Gargoyle--you'll love the songs!

The best new show is "Altar Boyz", actually an off-Broadway show(about two blocks off) which is about a Christian Boy Band--It is hysterically funny--in no small part because the music and the performances would pass for the real thing--

JimmyT--Can't you squeeze an extra day into your itinerary? All that travel, you might as well get as much of the City in as you can--

Incidentally, you don't have to spend $100 to see a show-- half-price tickets for Broadway shows are now available on-line, so you don't have to wait in line anymore, and many shows offer a limited number of $25 seats an hour before showtime--

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 09:50 PM

I have seen Lion King a couple years ago. It was a great show but we had extrordinary bad seats. It is back when they were selling upper balcony seats for $250. We also saw Producers the same trip and again, paid a fortune for poor seats. Urinetown was a throw in show that we picked up great tickets to from a friend in the theater district, and it was the best show we saw on that trip. I love NYC and seeing theater. I am a little concerned that theater is going to price itself into trouble though.

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:06 AM

jimmyt, the $100 seat I got was orchestra, center, nine rows from the front. M.Ted, in your experience could they get good seats taking the half price route? In any case, I'd suggest getting them early and assuring yourselves great seats.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: fretless
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 12:19 PM

Saw it in Pittsburgh from great seats in the orchestra. It is a spectacular visual and acoustic experience, although the "book" is a bit thin. The live version, which much more emphasizes the African character of the story, is vastly superior to the movie

Subject: RE: The Lion King, on Broadway
From: M.Ted
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 01:06 PM

You can get good seats at discount--the trick is knowing which seats in the theatre are good--the seating charts are often available on line--here is a very, very, helpful site for the theatregoer--Playbill.com poke around and you can find all you need to know about getting tickets, what shows are on, what's hot, and what's happening.
(to get discount tickets, you need to join the "Playbill Club", which is free, and you can do at the site--the link is in the upper left hand corner)

My wife once got me discount tickets for a play while I was taking a cab to the theatre!

The theatre ticket prices are ridiculous--and getting worse! There is even a song lyric, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, to the effect that when the character steals enough money, he will even be able to afford to see a Broadway Show--

If you liked "Urinetown" you'll love "Altar Boyz", and, since it is "Off-Broadway" the tickets are considerably less expensive--(it is nearly all music, and very high energy, so the kids might even like it--)