Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#1Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 7:29pm
hey broadway experts,
I’m heading to NYC at the end of the month for my annual Broadway binge (10 to 12 shows in 6 days!!!) and need recommendations for my hubby who isn’t the huge theatre fan I am.
Right now I have him booked for Harry Potter and the cursed child and Friends the musical paradoy off Broadway.
Here is a list of shows that I’ve “dragged” him to that he actually enjoyed. I’m hoping the list will help the Broadway community help with determining shows for him. The ones near the front of the list are his are his favourites. He likes comedies in general.
Avenue Q, something rotten, little shop of horrors, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Hairspray, School of Rock, fiddler on the roof, wicked, we will rock you, dear Evan Hansen, pirates of Penzance, elf the musical, kinky boots, man of la mancha, kinky boots, Sweeney Todd, Hedwig and the angry inch, million dollar quartet, sister act, wizard of oz
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#2Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 7:42pm
Surprised he liked Pirates. I would think Beautiful would be a perfect choice...a lot of very famous songs that he will be familiar with. I don't see Phantom of Chicago on the list of shows he's seen. Both are terrific shows that occasional viewers flock to see...they wouldn't be opened for 30+ and 20+years respectively if a lot of people didn't love them. Stay away from Anastasia at all costs.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#3Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 7:50pm
Thanks Jarethan. He has seen both Phantom and Chicago. The list I provided is the shows he enjoyed but because I am such a huge theatre geek, he has seen far, far more. I tend not to bring him to shows anymore unless I think he will enjoy them.
He did enjoy some of the classic songs in Phantom but wasn’t really a fan. I was actually excited for him to see a Chicago because he loves movies with Lawyers but alas he wasn’t a fan of Chicago either.
I agree with you completely on Anastasia. I saw it on last year’s broadway binge and it was near the bottom of my personal rankings for sure.
I WAS thinking of HELLO DOLLY! and maybe THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG for him.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#4Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 7:55pm
Oh I forgot to comment on your Beautiful recommendation. Good choice, I will definitely consider that one for him. And as for Pirates...he is just a fan of the music, more so than the show.
We will also be entering some lotteries for him. He would definitely see Hamilton again for $10! Then again, who wouldn’t? in The unlikely chance that we won, I would probably have to go too and miss whatever show I have booked that evening.
#7Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:10pm
i took my non-theatre loving father in law who is by far to most uptight and strictest person ever to Come From Away and I watched him cry like a baby and tell me afterwards it was the greatest show he'd ever seen. So yeah Come From Away
Ahmy
Understudy Joined: 11/15/15
#8Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:15pm
Escape to Margaritaville is a surprisingly decent show. Mean Girls could be an option, depending upon his feelings about Tina Fey's humor.
willep
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
#9Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:26pm
The Play That Goes Wrong sounds like a good choice if he enjoys comedy.
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#10Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:29pm
A Bronx Tale, Waitress and Escape to Margaritville are good choices from a non-theater loving husband. Or better yet, send him to Chelsea Pier to hit golf balls and go to the shows you really want to see without him. I enjoy a show so much more when I go alone. My partner doesn’t care for it and I’ve learned that it impacts my theater experience when I have to worry about someone’s else’s good time.
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
#11Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:39pm
My friends who are non-theatre folks loved In & Of Itself off-bway.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#12Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:40pm
Anakela said: "Would he like Sleep No More?"
He has already seen it. It definitely captured his attention but I don’t think he would go again.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#13Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:42pm
actress00 said: "Try A Bronx Tale"
This is one I actually haven’t managed to see myself. Even though I’ve been lucky enough to have 4 visits to NY in the last two years, I haven’t been able to squeeze it in. I hear it has a Jersey Boys feel, so could be a good one.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#14Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:45pm
TheatreRocks said: "i took my non-theatre lovingfather in law who is by far to most uptight and strictest person ever to Come From Away and I watched him cry like a baby and tell me afterwards it was the greatest show he'd ever seen. So yeah Come From Away"
I’m from Toronto and saw the pre-broadway engagement 3 times. I’ve seen it twice this year as well as they have a Canadian production here for an open run. I’m actually half Newfie as well, so yes we are both fans of Come from away. I can’t believe I forgot to add that to the list. It has to be one of the shows I’ve seen the most times!
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#15Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:47pm
Ahmy said: "Escape to Margaritaville is a surprisingly decent show. Mean Girls could be an option, depending upon his feelings about Tina Fey's humor."
I wasn’t sure about Escape to Margaritaville even though he does normally like jutebox musicals, since he isn’t really a Buffet fan.
He does like the film Mean Girls and I’m going so we will likely try the lottery for that one. I’m going on a Saturday and it’s pretty much sold out. I think it’s advance sales are pretty impressive. We both love Tina Fey!
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#16Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:51pm
mc1227 said: "A Bronx Tale, Waitress and Escape to Margaritville are good choices from a non-theater loving husband. Or better yet, send him to Chelsea Pier to hit golf balls and go to the shows you really want to see without him. I enjoy a show so much more when I go alone. My partner doesn’t care for it and I’ve learned that it impactsmy theater experience when I have to worry about someone’s else’s good time."
Yes I know how you feel. Here at home I usually pick up a couple of shows a week and often go alone. It’s great not worrying about someone else. He’s not a golfer, but in the past, I’ve left him at museums while I binge shows all week. It would be nice to add 1 or 2 more shows with him in the evenings though so he doesn’t just sit in the hotel and watch Netflix when he could be exploring the greatest city! I’m open to more non-theatre suggestions for him. He’s a sci-fi nerd if that helps with suggestions:)
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#17Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:54pm
willep said: "The Play That Goes Wrong sounds like a good choice if he enjoys comedy."
I think it would be good but it’s touring in Toronto next year and he could see it then. On the other hand, I hear it’s easy to rush, so we could pick up a $30 ticket, probably even close to showtime for him.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#18Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:55pm
Wick3 said: "My friends who are non-theatre folks loved In & Of Itself off-bway."
Can you tell me more about it? There isn’t much chat about it here on the forums.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#19Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 11:10pm
Does anything think ‘The band’s visit’ would be good for him?
Im also seeing the following shows myself: Spongebob, Frozen, Mean Girls, My fair lady, Sistas, Once on this island. We are both seeing Harry Potter and Friends together.
Also, does anyone think any of the above would work for him given the parameters I listed in my original post?
#20Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 11:53pm
I’m open to more non-theatre suggestions for him. He’s a sci-fi nerd if that helps with suggestions:)
The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 18 - 29, if any of the Science Fiction films screening there would be interesting: https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide?genre=Science+Fiction
I'm not a sci-fi nerd, but I have a bunch of friends who are :) and here are some non-theatre, sci-fi and/or nerd type places that I've seen on their Facebook pages/heard them talk about, etc. if you want to send him to explore some places while you go to some shows.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/the-way-station-a-doctor-who-themed-bar
http://actionburger.com/about-action-burger/
https://www.societyillustrators.org/exhibits (also Comic And Cartoon Art At The Museum Of Illustration)
http://www.tannens.com/
https://www.fpnyc.com/
Ahmy
Understudy Joined: 11/15/15
#21Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/14/18 at 11:55pm
TorontoBroadwayFan said: "Ahmy said: "Escape to Margaritaville is a surprisingly decent show. Mean Girls could be an option, depending upon his feelings about Tina Fey's humor."
I wasn’t sure about Escape to Margaritaville even though he does normally like jutebox musicals, since he isn’t really a Buffet fan.
He does like the film Mean Girls and I’m going so we will likely try the lottery for that one. I’m going on a Saturday and it’s pretty much sold out. I think it’s advance sales are pretty impressive. We both love Tina Fey!"
I only saw Margaritaville because I won the lottery and needed something to kill some time with before the broadcast of Jesus Christ Superstar. (I'm not really a Buffett fan. Before the show I could name maybe 2 songs of his.) The songs didn't seem like they were forced in, at least. The book of the show is entertaining, if dad jokes and puns are your thing.
The lottery for Mean Girls (before opening night) was pretty hard to win. I got lucky the first time I entered, but failed every time after that. The person in charge of the lottery said it'd probably get easier after opening night, though.
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#22Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/15/18 at 12:16am
I was going to suggest Come From Away when I decided to focus on old shows loved by so many. CFA would be a good choice, because the story is so universal.
I do not think Waitress is; I actually liked Waitress, but my wife and I went with two couples who don't go to the theatre that often. Not one of them thought it was more than okay. I suspect it actually appeals more to frequent theatre goers, who don't expect every musical to be 'big'. I did not mention Hello Dolly, but it is a wonderful show.
#23Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/15/18 at 12:26amJersey Boys. It is now playing off-Broadway. I enjoyed it.
Just give the world Love.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#24Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/15/18 at 3:12am
Anakela said: "I’m open to more non-theatre suggestions for him. He’s a sci-fi nerdif that helps with suggestions:)
The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 18 - 29, if any of the Science Fiction films screening there would be interesting:https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide?genre=Science+Fiction
I'm not a sci-fi nerd, but I have a bunch of friends who are :) and here are some non-theatre, sci-fi and/or nerd type places that I've seen on their Facebook pages/heard them talk about, etc. if you want to send him to explore some places while you go to some shows.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/the-way-station-a-doctor-who-themed-bar
http://actionburger.com/about-action-burger/
https://www.societyillustrators.org/exhibits(alsoComic And Cartoon Art At The Museum Of Illustration)
http://www.tannens.com/
https://www.fpnyc.com/"
These suggestions are fantastic. Thanks so much. We are actually both nerds so I definitely want to hit up some of these as well. The museum of illustration looks especially cool.
TorontoBroadwayFan
Stand-by Joined: 2/19/15
#25Show recs for non-theatre loving hubby
Posted: 4/15/18 at 3:19am
As for Jersey Boys, thanks but again another one he has seen that I forgot about. He did enjoy but probably wouldn’t want to see again.
Waitress is touring in Toronto next season so I may pick up a ticket for him at that point. Not sure though, I saw it with Jessie Mueller and loved it but it may not be his cup of tea.
Maybe Margaritaville...it will likely be fun, and not too complicated of a story to follow.
Now that I think about it, maybe I should be focusing more on plays for him. Perhaps he would like Travisities. Anyone seen it? Or Lobby Hero.
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