Chicago...or rent???

Which one is more ';impressive';?

Chicago...or rent???

Chicago...but when I saw it Debbie Gibson was in it, who did her best impersonating Liza Minelli, and I was glad I got the tickets for nothing. I think the movie was much better than the show. If you%26#39;re looking for the quintessential Broadway show, go to Lion King! Hairspray is, I think, much better and more memorable than either of the two you mention. Trouble is all the discounts are (mostly) for the tired, over-hyped standards that often disappoint.

Chicago...or rent???

A few questions come to mind:

Why have you winnowed the field to these two shows?

What have you seen in the past and REALLY enjoyed?

And, finally, how old ar you?

I don%26#39;t really know why i chose these 2 , well for one, i saw chicago at the movie theatre 3 times, and luuuuved it. Rent had me interested from the start, for some reason. I used to be in musicals when i was ';younger';, and love just about anything on stage. In the past, i have seen les miserables 5 times, phantom , fiddler, and that is about it for the shows that are in new york, or used to be. I am 33 years old, and going with my 2 best girlfriends, in which my one friend has NEVER seen any musicals or plays EVER on stage! (she is 35) Mama mia is coming to mind as well. I like shows, where i am familiar with the music i guess??...... Any input would be great!!!! Thanks for asking!

jenny

If you enjoyed the music of Chicago, you will enjoy the musical. Be prepared, however, that Chicago on stage does not have the ';glitz'; of Chicago the movie. It is a relatively simple stage with few set or costume changes. The friend I went with was disappointed in it. I loved the music, so I

enjoyed it.

I really liked Rent, too. The music is great, the staging is creative, and the story is touching, in my opinion. Read the synopsis first, however, to see if it is something that you would be interested in.

Mamma Mia is fun and light-hearted. It is not at all thought-provoking, but it is a good time. It is a good ';girly'; musical, since you are going with girlfriends.

I have heard wonderful things about Hairspray, also- good staging, costumes, story, and music- although I have not personally seen it. It is a big Broadway musical for your girlfriends who have never done Broadway.

Have fun! NYC is a great ';girlfriend'; trip.

If I had a friend who had never seen a lavish Broadway musical I would definately drag them to ';La Cage Aux Folles';.

The music is joyous, the choreography is breathtaking, the sets are luminous, and the characters make you a part of their family.

';La Cage'; is a classic--as is ';Chicago'; but don%26#39;t epxect for ';Chicago'; to be as spectacular in design as the movie.

';La Cage'; is s sure thing. ';Chicago'; is a show that could disappoint some who adored the spectacular film.

Get an aisle seat and the two next to it on the left side of the theater. It adds a bit of a punch to what I feel is one of the greatest ACT I finale songs ever written for the musical theater ';I am What I Am';.

I can%26#39;t imangine chicago dissapointing me, i love the story line. I love the music. A lot of people have given me the advice that nobody ';famous'; is in it. That does not matter to me. I guess everybody has their own opinion, and i could go crazy trying to get everybodys! I%26#39;ll go with my instinct. Thank you all!!!! Mama mia it is.

I%26#39;ve seen this production of ';Chicago'; more times than I can count, from its beginning at City Center%26#39;s ';Encores.'; ';Encores'; produces staged readings of ';forgotten'; musicals. Their productions focus on the music, with little in the way of staging. The orchestra is center stage. Their glorious production of ';Chicago'; was basically moved intact to Broadway, so the orchestra sits in a box center stage, and there aren%26#39;t any big set pieces.

The original cast was astounding! Replacement casts have been hit-or-miss. Unfortunately, the last time I saw the show it seemed like the entire cast was in a daze... it was lackluster from beginning to end. I know it%26#39;s not fair to judge the current cast without seeing them, but if it weren%26#39;t for tourists and the hit movie, this would%26#39;ve closed long ago.

As for ';Rent,'; I ran to see it with the original cast, and while I thought there were good moments, I was disappointed. My take on it was that it had the ';bones'; to be a good musical, but the show%26#39;s gifted young creator, Jonathan Larsen, died before he finished it. To me it%26#39;s a work in progress. Still, it%26#39;s a favorite among the 20-somethings.

I liked ';La Cage,'; but to me this poorly directed revival doesn%26#39;t hold a candle to the brilliant original. Still, I%26#39;m a huge fan of Gary Beach%26#39;s, and both he and the big-voiced Daniel Davis are fabulous. I also saw it when the outrageous and fabulous Bryan Batt went on for Gary Beach. Unfortunately Daniel Davis%26#39; standby was horrible.... couldn%26#39;t remember more than one line in a row!

Honestly, for a girlie trip, my recommendation would be ';Mamma Mia.'; I%26#39;ve done a few girlfriend nights there, and we always have so much fun. ';Hairspray'; is a great choice too. As a third, I%26#39;d go for ';Avenue Q.';

Based on what you%26#39;ve said I%26#39;d agree with Mama Mia, La Cage and also what about Fiddler? A real classic. Remember that these have all been available at the TKTS booth and there may be discounts available at broadwaybox.com. Maybe you can see 2.

Chicago.

Rent - music, plot set all extremely dated - views of 18, 22, 22 and 50-something years olds!