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Holiday 2010 Insider
by Molly Marinik on 12.19.10
Happy Holidays, Theasy readers! Hoping everyone has a wonderfully theatrical holiday season (in whatever way you wish to interpret that). We will be back in January with more reviews and New York theatre insight, but until then, we hope you have a chance to get to the theatre before the end of the year.
Reasons to go to the theatre this holiday season:
1. You have time off and can finally get to that show you've been wanting to see
2. Impress out of town guests
3. Last chance to check out over a dozen productions that will close in January
4. Always a good date night option
5. Like your traditional Christmas movie, but way better
While I can't say that this particular season of theatre is full of must-see shows, there are still a few gems on Broadway and off this time of year, and the next two weeks are a great time to venture to the Theatre District. Plan accordingly -- tourism is in full swing so shows sell well. But with the holidays and obvious holiday distractions that keep people preoccupied, you can certainly get seats to most theatrical offerings. Here are some of our suggestions:
ROCK OF AGES
A tribute to 80s hair bands, you can drink beer in the theatre while enjoying this campy musical. It's way more entertaining than it deserves to be, in a self-satirizing sort of way.
(No discounts. More show info at rockofagesmusical.com.)
BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
A smart spoof on America's 7th president, this musical is more comedy than history but still intellectually engaging.
(Get $65 tickets with code BLOODY65 on select seats.
More show info at bloodybloodyandrewjackson.com.)
BRIEF ENCOUNTER
An adaptation of Noel Coward's play (and movie) that utilizes multi-media, film and movement to create a playful theatrical hybrid that pushes the limits of storytelling.
(Get $20 tickets if you are between the ages of 18-35.
More info at hiptix.com. More show info at roundabouttheatre.org/54.)
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
You'd be hard pressed to have a bad time at this musical revival starring Kelsey Grammar and Douglas Hodge as drag club owners and family men.
(Get $58-$85 tickets with code LCBBX1020 through 12/23 only.
More show info at lacage.com.)
TIME STANDS STILL
Amazing performances from a cast led by Laura Linney, this new play chronicles the life of war journalists returning home to New York. Not the cheeriest of topics, but a wholly satisfying drama nonetheless.
(Get $41-$74 tickets with code TSBBX1119.
More show info at timestandsstillonbroadway.com.)
Want a show with holiday flair?
We haven't reviewed these because, well, they have short runs and are sort of self-explanatory, but the following shows are festive crowd-pleasers that will get you in the holiday spirit. Click on the links for the official show websites.
Elf (Broadway musical)
Donny and Marie - A Broadway Christmas (Broadway revue)
Rockettes (Radio City Christmas Spectacular)