New York City Boys

Broadway Bares

To kick off Pride week, we thought that it would be fitting to attend one of the best benefit concerts there are, Broadway Bares!

If you've never attended the show, then you are truly missing out on some of the best entertainment (and nudity) this side of Vegas all performed by the chorus kids of most of the major musicals/plays. Its also a good cause.  Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids puts on this little show every year with proceeds going to fight the disease, for prevention and also research. 

With Tony Award winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell at the helm every year, the show offers a burlesque style variety show sprinkled with tits, ass, and (if you're lucky), sometimes penis.  This year show included sketches with stars like Christina Applegate, Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, little Dr. Ruth, Bruce Vilanch, and Shoshana Bean of Wicked. 

We managed to snag tickets to the 9:30 show Sunday which was held at Roseland Ballroom and were treated to a night filled with sexy dance numbers, funny sketches, and as usual... lotsa tits, lotsa ass, and one penis!  Gaiety who?

Altar Boyz

Altar Boyz is the story of a Christian boy band riding the wave of America's latest fascination w/ religion. Armed w/ catchy melodies, freaky moves & product in their hair, these self-appointed apostles of pop (Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan... & Abraham - he's Jewish) bring their soul-saving tour to NYC w/ their heavenly lyrics like "Girl, You Make Me Want to Wait" & "Jesus Called Me on My Cell Phone."

Off-Broadway premiere @ Dodger Stages, Stage 4
340 West 50th St (W of 8th Ave)

Tix online: www.broadwayoffers.com

Broadway on a Budget

There is no denying that I love what New York City has to offer in the form of theater and musical comedy.  It is truly the best!  Those of us that live here have some of the best entertainment at our fingertips and we are lucky to be able to enjoy it whenever we want....but boy can it get expensive.  Phew!

Luckily for all of us, (that includes non NYC people) there is a new trend in ticket pricing  and many popular shows are catching on!  I myself took advantage of it this past weekend. 

All of us know that TKTS has really great discounts for Broadway and off-Broadway shows. But sometimes not all shows are available, especially if that show is ultra popular like Wicked.  There's still a chance, however, that you might be able to get in to see Wicked...but you have to work to get in...and luck plays a part. 

The Lottery or "Rush Tickets" as some shows call it, is an alternative to TKTS and can save you lots of cash.  Wicked has a lottery two and a half hours prior to show time, and with 28 seats available at $25 for FRONT ROW, many folks have caught on to this deal. Its's become so popular that this Saturday's 8:00pm performance saw around 400 people waiting to sign up for this chance!!!

Here's how it works: Show up 2 1/2 hours prior to show time (sometimes it's 3 hours, so check the show), line up, then on a card write your name and how many tickets you want (1 or 2).  Now drop that card in the barrel, and wait.  At the 2 hour mark, the nice man stops the line and starts calling out names.  My name was the last name to be called this Saturday night, so I took the sister with me (at $25, front row seats..you can't lose!!).  Of course, the more people show up, the less your chances...so good luck!!!

Shows that have lottery tickets available....

Wicked!

Hairspray

Rent

New Broadway

Broadway and London's West End are set to debut a couple of new shows that I am very excited about.  The first of which I am seeing tonight in previews, La Cage Aux Folles the winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical, is coming back to Broadway in a glammed out production that's the must-see show of the season.  I can't wait for the fabulous Cagelles to hit the stage!!!

Another new show that is debuting at London's West End is none other than Mary Poppins!!!  Based on the Disney Film and the book by P.L. Travers, the production will open at the Prince Edward Theatre on 15 December 2004, forty years after the premiere of the film.

Mary Poppins will include many of the original songs from the film . The new stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes who has written the book, and the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe who have written the new songs and additional music and lyrics.  Let's hope that it crosses the pond over to Broadway very soon!!!