Thank you, [MENTION=4235]KhainiWest[/MENTION], [MENTION=12295]meowmixx[/MENTION], and [MENTION=1697]FrozNlite[/MENTION], for the tips and advice.
She managed to watch ten shows in 6 days. TKTS proved quite useful, but they don't have tickets to everything - even a long-running show like The Lion King. She was not brave enough to wait for final rush tickets, though - the risk of ending up with nothing to watch for a given time slot was unacceptable. So, some were full price...
Her reactions, in case anyone cares:
The excellent (these are shows she's still squealing and fangirling - she is 17, after all - over):
Wicked. This has been her favorite for years (she's watched the whole thing, with the original cast, on the net somewhere), and it did not disappoint. Even though the cast has changed, and the delivery of almost every line is different, the new people are great and the production and everything are great. The only thing that bothered her is that Glinda's voice is kind of weak (most apparent when she's singing a duet) and she seems to have some trouble with the highest notes. Mind you, my daughter is an operatic soprano in training, so just because it bothers her doesn't mean a normal person would notice anything amiss. She did say Glinda's acting and interpretation of the role were great, though, and easily made up for her slight vocal weaknesses. Daughter also went on the "Behind the Emerald Curtain" tour, which was very interesting even if one isn't a huge Wicked fan, because most of what they talk about is what goes into making a Broadway show in general.
Matilda. She hadn't seen this one before, and fell in love with it. She loved it so much she went again the next day, giving up a chance to see something new. It's an incredible show, everything done well and everyone so talented, both children and adults. Daughter was especially impressed with Bertie Carvel, the guy playing Miss Trunchbull, the horrible school principal. She says he's absolutely fabulous (yes, she used English). He's been with this musical from its very beginning and will be doing his last show on September 1st, so hurry hurry hurry if you haven't watched it before.
The good (couldn't really get a "review" from her, she just said they were good):
1. Cinderella. Quite magical.
2. Annie.
3. Newsies.
4. Book of Mormon. She was bothered by the "explicit language" - namely every other word being f'uck/ing. But other than that it was fun.
5. Chicago.
The disappointments:
1. The Phantom of the Opera. She says it was miscast. The female lead had an irritating voice, while the "peach diva" had a soothing one. And the Phantom sounded like he was 17. He sang well, but just doesn't have the deep impressive voice the role calls for.
2. The Lion King. Maybe she had the wrong expectations. She expected to see some wild "animal" acrobatics/dancing, but it seems the elaborate costumes and headgear really limit what the performers can do.
Other than Broadway and shopping for Broadway merchandise (she got many CDs and music sheets, but also some T's and toys), she didn't have time for much. Spent one morning at the American Museum of Natural History and was disappointed in both the displays (why is it so poorly lit?) and the "special attractions". Still feels like she had a great trip. Your suggestions for "must-sees" will have to wait for the next one
. 6. go to the museums in manhattan but dont u dare pay full price. maybe its the cheap ass me but i dont pay full price. i give a dollar and just go in. sure i dont see the "special" shows...isnt tht y i have youtube lol.
