Front Row.com Blog

 For the uninitiated, theater tickets may seem a bit snooty. I must admit, my first thought when informed by my wife that we were headed to New York was that I would have to wear a top hat and tux to go to the theater. This is untrue. While I was unable to get away with a T-shirt and a Bud Lite I still wore jeans. I just love this culture of casual. Furthermore, rather than snooty opera style stuff I was able to catch some very down to earth and entertaining stuff, ala:

Jersey Boys – While I’m a little too young to remember these events first hand the music is very familiar and very good. I also love the behind the scenes story.

Spamalot – I do remember Monty Python. This show is simply hilarious and as un-stuffed shirt as you can get.

The Lion King – What can I say? I’m a grandpa and would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t take my grandson to see the play after watching the movie a gazillion times.

Ron White – Blue Collar Comedy Tour is just a taste of this guy. An everyman funnyman with an acid tongue.

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 Looking for something a little more meaty? Want to spend a couple of hours contemplating larger issues removed from the daily grind and the economic woes of the current climate?

Try Equus tickets. Currently on a run at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York, this thought provoking play is perfect for those of us with minds that wander to larger issues and the underlying currents of life. Centered around a psychiatrist and a disturbing patient,  Equus will take you places you have yet to explore and ask questions that have only been hinted at. I won’t reveal the plot anymore than that but I will say that when you leave the theater you’ll find yourself doing some deep thinking.

Equus tickets will be available from Frontrow.com for performance through January and early February. 

While you’re in the Big Apple here’s a few other things you might consider:

A trip to the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill where you’ll find great music and entertainment on a nightly basis

Madison Square Garden – No trip to New York is complete without a visit to this world famous landmark. See the Knick, the Rangers, concerts and more.

Bowery Ballroom – The newest and the next greatest will always be found first at the Bowery Ballroom. Be the first kid on the block to rave about New York’s latest find.  

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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Las Vegas – If you’re there in October get Dennis Miller tickets. He’ll be at the Orleans showroom for three nights.  If you’re into intelligent commentart with a humorous zing this is the guy to go see. I love the rants.

Bill Maher is also touring and will be in Vegas in November. I don’t always agree with old Bill but I have to admit, his insights sometimes make me uncomfortable with my own opinions.

Carlos Mencia will be almost everywhere sometime between now and December. Check out the schedule for the show nearest you.

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 You may have heard of this Broadway musical by now, but if you haven’t you will. It’s the kind of quirky stuff I like. Of course, I’m the guy that sung the praises of Sweeney Todd here in Iraq, and had everyone looking at me like I’m crazy. I am, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish. I just like live performance and anything that’s different. The Drowsy Chaperones exploits practically every Broadway cliche ever created and make it entertaining again. The music is solid and the acting very good.

 The Drowsy Chaperone is currently on tour, playing Houston and Dallas until early July, then moving on to Los Angeles. Catch it if you can.

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 The difference between movies and theater is huge. Here in Balad, Iraq we’re lucky enough to have a movie theater to provide some diversion. So, on a weeknight my friend Earl Gonzales and I headed off to the movies to see Sweeney Todd, the movie, starring Johnny Depp. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not to give anything away, but the story involves a barber bent on revenge. Like a Greek tragedy and filled with twists and turns, the ending is excellent. While the movie was good I couldn’t help feeling this was a story perfect for theater and I intend to catch a live performance when I return home. For you lucky enough to be in the U.S., Sweeney Todd will be at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles until early April when it moves to the Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona. Catch it.  

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 Defying the local union that has kept theater tickets useless of late on Broadway, The Grinch returned to the stage. A local judge has ruled the show could resume it’s run because remaining shuttered would cause “irreparable harm” to the theater. Does this mean the other Broadway shows such as Spamalot, Hairspray, and The Lion King won’t be far behind? We’ll have to wait and se but it certainly is a sign of hope as the holiday season gets underway.   

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 There’s been some concern that Broadway theater tickets might be useless given the recent work stoppage by stagehands. While this is true for some shows until the situation is resolved, others are still alive and kicking. This is because some venues are operating under a different contract and as they say on Broadway “The show must go on”

Here’s a short list of tickets still valid”

Mary Poppins Tickets

Young Frankenstein

Mauritius

Pygmalion

The Ritz

Xanadu

 So don’t get discouraged and think Broadway is completely shut dow. Remember too, that Las Vegas, Chicago and other areas are still running productions of top Broadway shows.

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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OK, so you’ve seen The Lion King and Le Mis. You’ve grooved to Jersey Boys and laughed at Spamalot. You were enthralled by the possibilities of Wicked and enjoyed the scary thrills of Phantom of the Opera. Now take a dive into an unlikely world with Grey Garden tickets.

Grey Garden revolves around the relationship between two reclusive relatives of the Kennedy clan. Without giving anything away it begins with good days and ends with them falling on harder times. The music is excellent and the performances are even better. Christine Ebersole gives one her best performances of a sterling career. An unlikely world, yes, but one that gathers you in and gives you enough food for thought to make you leave the theater wondering: What if?  

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It’s nice to know that some things never change. George Carlin tickets are still a great way to get a new perspective on the world. Carlin has a unique way of looking at things and while often crude, his humor always has an intelligent edge to it. What I personally enjoy is the way Carlin always has me slapping my head and asking myself why I never saw things his way. True, he can sometimes degenerate, but when he does, his next topic will be a cutting view of a the bizarre world we inhabit. 

Tags: Theater by edrouant
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 News on theater tickets from New York. My good friend has informed me that he and his wife recently caught a performance of ‘Curtains” at the Al Hirschfield Theater. This is actually a musical about a musical. We won’t give too much away, except to say that it stars David Hyde Pierce, formerly of Frazier.

 ”I usually hate musicals” says my buddy, “But this one was actually enjoyable.” That’s high praise coming from this guy. If you enjoy Broadway, and musicals in particular, make a note to catch “Curtains.”

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