What To See In 2014:Part One

Hard to believe but 2013 is just about over. Seems like only yesterday that I was celebrating the end of 2012 and here we are about to start a brand new year. Time sure does fly my friends. Especially in the big bad city. So as we get ready to embark on 2014 I figured it was time to showcase all the brand new shows set to open on the Great White Way in the coming months. Now instead of writing about the shows I am looking forward to the most first I will instead list all the shows alphabetically. And away we go!

Act One
Vivian Beaumont Theatre
First Preview: March 20, 2014
Opens: April 17, 2014

Tony winner James Lapine directs his own adaptation of Moss Hart's classic autobiography which eloquently chronicles the playwright/director's impoverished childhood and his determined struggle to escape poverty and forge a career in the theater which led to his collaboration with George S. Kaufman and their partnership, culminating with his first great success, Once In A Lifetime. Having lived in New York for the better part of two decades I can tell you that some of my most favorite Broadway experiences have been because of Lincoln Center Theatre which is producing this new play. I for one can't wait to see it.

Aladdin
New Amsterdam Theatre
First Preview: February 26, 2014
Opens: March 20, 2014

Now those of you who read my blogs now my disdain for all things Disney. Particularly when it comes to them on Broadway. But lets' face it. They don't really care what I think anyway. After all I'm not the one buying the tickets now am I? Anyway enough about what I like. Aladdin which is based on the 1992 of the same is set to open at their flagship theatre the New Amsterdam.

Directed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon) and featuring the classic Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice score with songs like "Friend Like Me" and the Academy Award-winning "A Whole New World," Aladdin will use a new book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). Now as we all know both The Lion King and Mary Poppins played at the same theatre and they were big hits. Will Aladdin be just as successful? We will soon find out.

All The Way
Neil Simon Theatre
First Preview: February 10, 2014
Opens: March 6, 2014

Now we all know that one of the main reason's this show is coming to Broadway is because it is starring Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston. Let me guess you've never heard of him right? Wrong! He's only the star of one of the most critically acclaimed television shows of the past fifty years. Ever hear of a little show called Breaking Bad? Now it's ringing a bell isn't it? The show which just finished a successful run at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge takes the audience behind the doors of the Oval Office and inside the first years of Lyndon B. Johnson's (Bryan Cranston) presidency, and his fight to pass a landmark civil rights bill. O.K. Sounds like it could be some what interesting. Either way expect the show to do big business at the box office.

The Bridges of Madison County
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
First Preview: January 17, 2014
Opens: February 20, 2014

You've seen the movie. Now see the Broadway show. Believe it or not but I have never seen the movie. Big surprise right? The truth is I really never had a desire. Does that mean I won't see the Broadway show? I might. After all a free ticket is a free ticket. Now for those of you who aren't familiar with the movie or the show here is a little info on it. Four-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara reunites with director Bartlett Sher for a stunning new musical by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning team of Marsha Norman and Jason Robert Brown. O'Hara is joined onstage by Steven Pasquele for this classic love story based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller. Don't miss this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross. Who knows? Maybe I will check it out. Stranger things have happened.

Bronx Bombers
Circle in the Square Theatre
First Preview: January 11, 2014
Opens: February 6, 2014

Now while I may be a big Mets fan I have to admit that I am might just have to check this one out. Even if it is about the Yankees. Yes I know. New York has and probably always will be a Yankees town. That will never change. Now for you Yankees fans that want to see the show here is a synopsis about the show from the play's official website.

Bronx Bombers is a new American play from the team behind Broadway's Lombardi that follows beloved icon Yogi Berra and his wife Carmen through a century of the team's trials and triumphs, bringing generations of Yankee greats together on one stage. As it celebrates and explores the timeless legacy of baseball's most iconic team, Bronx Bombers takes a fascinating look at how and why the Yankees have remained so undeniably great... and so powerfully inspirational. See you at the game. I mean the show.

Well that ends Part One theatre fans. Check back here in the next few days for Part Two. Happy New Year Everyone!

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
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Final Week To See Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark On Broadway

That's right theatre fans. You only have eight more chances to see the most expensive show in Broadway history. Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. The show which will play it's final performance on January 4  has been more scrutinized and written about then any show in recent memory will play it's final performance on January 4.Thanks Michael Riedel. Don't get me wrong. I actually like the guy. Oh sure you may not care for everything he has to say but the man says what's on his mind and tells the truth. How many other columnists do you know do that? Not too many my friends. When it closes the show which will have losses of up to sixty million dollars. As of now plans are to revamp the show and reopen it in Las Vegas in 2015. Good luck with that. Until next time Spidey fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Only Five Days Until Christmas

Where or where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that I was having turkey and stuffing at my friend's Todd's house and here we are ready to celebrate Christmas. Now for those of you last minute shoppers out there I have the perfect gift for the theatre lover in your life. That's right. An Applause Gift Certificate It's the gift that keeps on giving all year long. You pick the amount and we do the rest. It's that easy. Plus our gift certificates are good for any show or event in New York as well as London and Nationwide. Not only that but most of the shows that we offer are available at prices that are lower than if you walked up to the box office yourself. How can you beat that? Don't forget that Applause is open seven days a week. 365 days a year. That means we are always here to help with all your ticket needs. Happy Holidays!

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Customer Story

Today's customer story comes all the way from across the river. That's right. I'm talking about New Jersey. Two days ago I received an email from a friend of mine who wanted to take his family to see Matilda for the holidays. Now he knew that it might be tough since the show was less a week away. Luckily for him I had seats available in our inventory which meant not only were they good seats but a little less as well. When all is said and done I was able to get them three very good seats in the Mezzanine and as I mentioned for a price that was lower than if they had bought them from another source. I guess having me as a friend does have it's rewards huh? Another satisfied customer. Will you be next?

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Customer Story

Today's customer story comes all the way from the great state of Massachusetts. Woburn to be exact. This past Saturday I received a call from a travel agent who's client was planning a trip to Las Vegas and wanted to see a show while they were there. Their first and only choice was Cirque du Soleil O. Now to be honest I have never seen one of their shows and quite frankly have no desire to either. Anyway enough about what I want to see right? Their the ones that are paying for the tickets after all. So after finding out when they would be here I asked the agent how many tickets they needed and where they wanted to sit. Well as it turns out they needed twenty-four tickets. No that's not a typo. They needed twenty-four tickets. Luckily for them they still had some left that close to the date. When all was said an done I was able to get them excellent seats in the center back to back. Not only that I was able to get them for a lower rate as it was for a group. Another satisfied customer. Will you be next?

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Harvey Fierstein's New Play Casa Valentina To Open On Broadway This Spring

That's right theatre fans. Four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein is returning to the Great White Way. And this time he's not in drag. In fact his new show Casa Valentina is his first new play on Broadway in almost thirty years. The show while will also be his first ever collaboration with Manhattan Theatre Club is set to begin previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on April 1, 2014 with opening night scheduled for April 23, 2014. Here is a description of the show from the play's official website.

Back in 1962, most men went to the Catskill Mountains to escape the summer heat, but others took the two-hour drive to escape something else entirely: being men. Nestled in the land of dirty dancing and borscht belt comedy sat an inconspicuous bungalow colony that catered to a very special clientele: heterosexual men whose favorite pastime was dressing and acting as women. It was paradise for these men—white-collar professionals with families—to spend their weekends discreetly and safely inhabiting their chosen female alter egos.

But when faced with the opportunity to become an official organization, these "self-made women" had to decide whether public recognition would help them gain a place in open society or spell their own personal disaster. Infused with Fierstein's trademark wit, this moving, insightful and delightfully entertaining new work offers a glimpse into the lives of a group of unforgettable characters as they search for acceptance and happiness in their very own Garden of Eden.

Sounds like a lot of fun now doesn't it? By the way for those of you that are interested in getting tickets to see Casa Valentina you have come to the right my place my friends. Not only do we sell this show but every show both On and Off-Broadway. Get your tickets to see Casa Valentina at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Ticket's To New Play Mothers And Sons Starring Tyne Daly Is Now On Sale

That's right theatre fans. One of Broadway's most acclaimed stars is set to return to the Great White Way next year. Yes I know. She's a big television star too. Tyne Daly, a Tony and Emmy winner for her work in Gypsy and Cagney and Lacey is set to star in Mother's and Son's. The show which is written by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally (Master Class, Ragtime) is set to begin previews at the John Golden Theatre on February 23, 2104 with opening night scheduled for March 24, 2014. Here is a brief synopsis about the show from the play' s official website. Enjoy!

Tackling national themes in the most intimate of settings, Mothers and Sons is Terrence McNally at his most uncompromising, compassionate and revealing. Twenty years after her son's death, a mother turns up at the door of his former lover, who is now married to another man and has a young son. This man and his family challenge the woman to confront the truths of their shared past, and a future she never imagined. Values clash as they struggle to reconcile their vastly different worlds. As powerful and provocative as it is warm and humorous, Mothers and Sons explores the very essence of family and forgiveness in a rapidly changing society.

Sounds like an interesting night in the theatre now doesn't it? By the way for those of you who are looking to purchase tickets for the show you have come to the right place. In fact not only do we sell tickets to this show but every show both On and Off-Broadway. Get your tickets to see Mother's and Sons at the John Golden Theatre on Broadway. Expect it to be a big contender at the 2014 Tony Awards. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Customer Story

Today's customer story comes all the way from the great state of Oklahoma. Edmond to be exact. Yesterday afternoon I received a call from one of my regular travel agents who's client was planning a trip to New York for the Christmas holidays and wanted to see a few shows while they were here. Their choices were Motown, Wicked, and The Lion King. Now of those shows the only one that I haven't seen is The Lion King. I take that back. I did see Act One. That was enough. So anyway after finding out what they wanted to see I needed to find out when they wanted to go. Since they were only here for a couple of days I told them that in order to squeeze in all three shows they would need to see two shows on one day and the third show on Christmas. Luckily they were fine with that.When all is said and done I was able to get them excellent seats in the Mezzanine for all three shows. Plus because we had seats in our inventory for The Lion King I was able to get them for a lower rate than they were expecting. Another satisfied customer. Will you be next?

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

My Thoughts On The Current Broadway Season

Hard to believe but the year is almost over. Yes I know we've still got four weeks until the end of 2013 buy trust me my friends. It will be 2014 before we know it. Scary right? Now when I look back at the season so far I have to say it has been a lot better than last year a this time. In fact at this time last year three new shows had already closed with more set to close the following month. Now we all know that's nothing new. In fact next in the next few weeks five shows including Spider-Man:Turn Off The Dark and Annie are scheduled to close. Like I said nothing new. The good news is that the rest of the season looks pretty good.

Now of all the shows set to open the two that I am looking forward to the most are both based on movies. Yes I know I have written many blogs over the years about my distaste for Broadway musicals based on movies. Doesn't mean I don't want to see these them. Who knows? They might actually be good. Another show that I am looking forward to is Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Emmy Award winner and Tony host Neil Patrick Harris. This production which will mark it's Broadway debut is one of this season's most highly anticipated shows. Plus between now and the end of April there are a total of eighteen shows set to open. Now if that doesn't get you excited then I don't know what will. Here is a list of those shows.

Aladdin

All The Way

Beautiful

The Bridges of Madison County

Bronx Bombers

Bullets Over Broadway

Cabaret

Casa Valentina

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

If/Then

Les Miserables

Machinal

Mothers and Sons

Of Mice and Men

Outside Mullingar

A Raisin in the Sun

Rocky

Violet

Which one's will fail and which one's will succeed? We will soon find out. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

Customer Story

Today's customer story comes all the way from our friends up North. That's right. I am talking of course about Canada. Last week I received a call from a travel agent who's client was planning a trip to Las Vegas in January and wanted to see a couple of shows while they were there. Let me guess? You didn't know we sold tickets for Las Vegas did you? Well we do. In fact we sell tickets for every city around the world. So anyway after finding out when they would be there I asked her what they wanted to see. Their choices were Celine Dion and Cirque du Soleil: O. Two events that I personally have no desire to see. But who cares what I want to see. It's what they want to see is what is important right? After all if people weren't calling us to buy tickets I would be out of job and I know you don't want that to happen do you? I didn't think so. Anyway after finding out when they wanted to go I asked them where they wanted to sit and more importantly how much they wanted to spend. After a little research I was able to find them great seats for both shows and at rates there were lower than even I was expecting. Not only that but they said they might call us if they have time to see another show while they are there. Another satisfied customer will you be next?

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service