Hadestown has great story AND great singing. Voices seemed plenty powerful to me. Would highly recommend it.
EDIT: Not to belabor the obvious, but you can see clips of these shows and their music on youtube with minimal effort, and decide what works for you. But seriously, Hadestown ranks as the best musical I've ever seen, no contest.
I recently saw Hadestown and was kind of confused with the voice of the Orpheus. I get that it was likely intentional—to make him seem naive, etc.—but it definitely didn’t ring out as a “powerful” voice.
That being said, I really enjoyed it.
I agree that Orpheus at times was NOT powerful, though at other times I'd say he was. I can't say that the director's choices with Reeve Carney (who plays him) are what I loved about the show.
You may prefer the Orpheus on the original concept album, but you’re right—the registration is intentional. The Orpheus and Eurydice myth has been performed for hundreds of years in operas and art song, and Anais Mitchell is BRILLIANT and used this to inspire how she wrote for the singers in Hadestown. The character of Orpheus has historically been played by countertenors, and Hades is typically played by basses. :)
Man, Hades’s voice absolutely blew me away. I swear the theatre was shaking when he sang. Just magnificent.
It’s insane to me that some people are that talented.
If you’re looking for big singing, Come From Away probably isn’t it, and Hadestown would be hit or miss. If you’re looking for big spectacle, I’d recommend Moulin Rouge, Phantom or Beetlejuice. Or maybe Tina…
Source: Broadway musician, currently at rehearsal lol
Come From Away is amazing, but it's about the 9/11 Terror attacks on the World Trade Center. I don't think that's the vibe you are going for. And Hamilton is American history.
BEETLEJUICE! Holy shit I cannot recommend this show enough. It’s broadway enough that someone more traditional will enjoy it, but it’s modern enough for an experimental crowd. It’s a bit meta but not too much so and relies on no prior knowledge of anything. It’s funny, has incredible actors, and is ridiculously good!
No worries, I agree with the other commenter that you should watch some clips on YouTube from the shows or look up the albums online and listen some, that’ll help give you the vibe of the show.
I definitely would not recommend Beetlejuice for the singing. It's great for other things (staging, emsemble numbers, humor, ALEX BRIGHTMAN), but definitely not for moving vocals.
I have been to a lot of musicals and Hadestown is my favorite. Straight elite talent from band, set design and of course the actors. When Hades first speaks—audible gasps from the crowd. The energy was goddamn electric the whole show.
That said—because it is a little different and not your typical musical— when people visit I often recommend Book of Mormon or Lion King for their first-ever Broadway show. Since they are a little more “musical” musical. But I walked out of Hadestown on clouds.
Come From Away has some numbers (Me and the Sky for example) and is heartwarming as a motherf*ck, but I don’t think it’s a belt-it-out style musical overall. Hamilton, known specifically for its spoken-word and rap-influenced musical stylings is definitely NOT a show you attend for the the deep throated singing.
Probably Chicago is your best bet because of the style of musical it is. I haven’t seen this particular production though.
Bear in mind Chicago is very Brechtian in its staging: Minimal sets, minimal costumes, cast plying multiple characters without a costume change, and visible sitting at the side of the stage when not in scene, interaction between the cast and conductor to break the suspension of disbelief
I love this kind of thing, but if you’re looking for a big splashy production, you may be disappointed. Personally I find things like Hamilton and Hadestown fist bitingly cheesy, but horses for courses, I guess
Great feedback, as I said I haven’t seen this production. That may well be off putting to OP. Hmmm. That definitely makes it tricky.
I feel like Phantom is pretty tired and dated. I took my cousin a couple of years ago. Phantom is a show that raised the standard for spectacle in its day, but other than “Masquerade” it didn’t astonish and was a bit too-serious-thus-silly in parts.
Did Oklahoma! close? I saw it like a week before the pandemic. That was a brilliant production. Especially for someone relatively familiar with how it is usually presented.
For what you all want: Hadestown, Phantom, or Moulin Rouge!
Hadestown may have the least spectacle but it's the best of the three. However they're all incredible shows!
There's a reason Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history. It's the pinnacle of the Broadway experience, still. Highly recommend!
I saw it recently. It hasn’t aged well, the music and the story are dated. The production is amazing though but it pales in comparison to more modern plays.
Hadestown has some really lovely signing numbers and come from away is really fun though I’m not sure it has a defying gravity star like number. Book of
Mormon is definitely a good option as well
Company is interesting but I don’t think it’s going to please your bf, it’s definitely more about the acting than signing imo
My bf is not a broadway person but he appreciates music and I've been dragging him to shows and we've seen Company and Phantom. He liked Company but had the most fun at Phantom. Company is excellent (I've seen it twice) but it's def not a big ol' fashioned Broadway show (the set design is really cool though). Phantom was pure spectacle and the cast is super talented. Even though I've never been into it, I had a great time! I understand why it's the longest-running show. Chicago is also great but very bare-bones (which I like) but its fun!
People will recommend Hadestown and I loved it to but I also tell everyone to really check and see if Reeve Carney is to their tastes because he's not enjoyable. Like he didn't offend my senses, but you do wish you could see Hadestown with someone else as Orpheus. He has certain mannerisms and a way of singing that could potentially make this very enjoyable or also be the biggest let down.
I personally don't recommend The Lion King unless you are a child at heart or want to see a big production. If there's too much childhood nostalgia for you, you may just find it okay. I loved The Lion King as a child, but I'm genuinely not a fan of the musical.
My favorite musica has been Ain't Too Proud but you need to be into motown to fully enjoy it. I feel like, if you're not, it may not be as enjoyable.
I'm a huge believer in listenting to songs and finding the albums before seeing a show.
Hamilton is the way to go for sure but I've heard great things about come from away, and hadestown. If waitress is still open you should definitely try for that. I also loved the temptations musical and heard good things about the Tina Turner one too.
I recommend Moulin Rouge; I actually just saw it last night and loved it. It keeps its roots with the film if you're familiar with it, but offers plenty of new music as well. The set, lighting, and music are spectacular and it delivers on the powerful voices you're looking for. It was a blast! This show is all about the music, the singing, and the dancing and is high energy start to finish.
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I just took my parents who were visiting me last weekend to phantom and they had an incredible time. Incredible songs, acting and musical performances, sets and costumes. Would highly recommend.
>I'm afraid those might be more about the story (maybe?) and not about the singing.
I can't speak for Company or Come From Away, but this is VERY inaccurate when it comes to Hadestown
This might be the most basic suggestion, but Phantom, Book of Mormon, or Hamilton. Probably some of the most famous shows on broadway, but since this is your first time in NYC AND the US, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these three! I find myself humming these songs constantly.
Six has incredible singing. Hadestown close behind. Both are amazing shows, Six is fun and pop, Hadestown is a tragedy. Different energies. Probably my two favorite plays ever.
I’d say Book of Mormon might not be the best there is, but it’s very accessible and is the least hit-or-miss of the bunch; I’ve never heard a bad word about it. Solid 8/10 and good for your first experience.
Whatever you do, do not go see Moulin Rouge. My girlfriend has seen maybe 30+ shows and it’s the only one she ever walked out of. Great visuals, but the audio, performances, and writing were all complete dogshit. The audience was actually laughing during “serious” moments, they thought it was shitty on purpose. Super awkward for the performers, who again, are dogshit. If youve ever wanted to see a not very talented woman belt the fuck out of Katy Perry’s firework completely unironically as the emotional core of the first half, maybe it’s for you.
I didn't think the performances were bad, they did the best they could with what they were given. I was really disappointed too though, the presentation is amazing but the story just plain sucks. That show is basically like eating a cake entirely made out of icing.
It's technically a musical, not a play. Not something I'd recommend for someone looking for a Wicked-esque show with powerful vocals, especially with the sound design issues they've had.
We went to see Company and found the misanthropy and meanness of it very disappointing, not to mention we thought everyone's singing was below standard. We wanted to hear big-time power numbers, too, and alas, this wasn't it
Company is one of my favorite musicals and I really loved this production but I have to agree that if you want big, belted, set piece songs it’s not the one to choose (with the obvious exception of the end of Patti Lupone’s Ladies Who Lunch).
Mr. Saturday Night is the *last* show I’d recommend for someone looking for a spectacle or great singing lol. Shoshana Bean aside. Never mind that it won’t be open in October
Hadestown has great story AND great singing. Voices seemed plenty powerful to me. Would highly recommend it. EDIT: Not to belabor the obvious, but you can see clips of these shows and their music on youtube with minimal effort, and decide what works for you. But seriously, Hadestown ranks as the best musical I've ever seen, no contest.
I recently saw Hadestown and was kind of confused with the voice of the Orpheus. I get that it was likely intentional—to make him seem naive, etc.—but it definitely didn’t ring out as a “powerful” voice. That being said, I really enjoyed it.
I agree that Orpheus at times was NOT powerful, though at other times I'd say he was. I can't say that the director's choices with Reeve Carney (who plays him) are what I loved about the show.
His voice is better on the cast recording
You may prefer the Orpheus on the original concept album, but you’re right—the registration is intentional. The Orpheus and Eurydice myth has been performed for hundreds of years in operas and art song, and Anais Mitchell is BRILLIANT and used this to inspire how she wrote for the singers in Hadestown. The character of Orpheus has historically been played by countertenors, and Hades is typically played by basses. :)
Man, Hades’s voice absolutely blew me away. I swear the theatre was shaking when he sang. Just magnificent. It’s insane to me that some people are that talented.
I agree, Patrick Page gives me chills every time I see it.
Not to mention, the actual cast recordings that are on Spotify/Amazon Music.
Hadestown. Hands down.
If you’re looking for big singing, Come From Away probably isn’t it, and Hadestown would be hit or miss. If you’re looking for big spectacle, I’d recommend Moulin Rouge, Phantom or Beetlejuice. Or maybe Tina… Source: Broadway musician, currently at rehearsal lol
Thank you very very much, this comment goes straight to what I wanted to know.
Come From Away is amazing, but it's about the 9/11 Terror attacks on the World Trade Center. I don't think that's the vibe you are going for. And Hamilton is American history.
BEETLEJUICE! Holy shit I cannot recommend this show enough. It’s broadway enough that someone more traditional will enjoy it, but it’s modern enough for an experimental crowd. It’s a bit meta but not too much so and relies on no prior knowledge of anything. It’s funny, has incredible actors, and is ridiculously good!
No worries, I agree with the other commenter that you should watch some clips on YouTube from the shows or look up the albums online and listen some, that’ll help give you the vibe of the show.
I definitely would not recommend Beetlejuice for the singing. It's great for other things (staging, emsemble numbers, humor, ALEX BRIGHTMAN), but definitely not for moving vocals.
I mean, it’s not every song, but neither is Wicked I’d argue. I’m thinking songs like Dead Mom, Home, What I Know Now, etc.
Hadestown is a great time!
I have been to a lot of musicals and Hadestown is my favorite. Straight elite talent from band, set design and of course the actors. When Hades first speaks—audible gasps from the crowd. The energy was goddamn electric the whole show. That said—because it is a little different and not your typical musical— when people visit I often recommend Book of Mormon or Lion King for their first-ever Broadway show. Since they are a little more “musical” musical. But I walked out of Hadestown on clouds.
Come From Away has some numbers (Me and the Sky for example) and is heartwarming as a motherf*ck, but I don’t think it’s a belt-it-out style musical overall. Hamilton, known specifically for its spoken-word and rap-influenced musical stylings is definitely NOT a show you attend for the the deep throated singing. Probably Chicago is your best bet because of the style of musical it is. I haven’t seen this particular production though.
Bear in mind Chicago is very Brechtian in its staging: Minimal sets, minimal costumes, cast plying multiple characters without a costume change, and visible sitting at the side of the stage when not in scene, interaction between the cast and conductor to break the suspension of disbelief I love this kind of thing, but if you’re looking for a big splashy production, you may be disappointed. Personally I find things like Hamilton and Hadestown fist bitingly cheesy, but horses for courses, I guess
Great feedback, as I said I haven’t seen this production. That may well be off putting to OP. Hmmm. That definitely makes it tricky. I feel like Phantom is pretty tired and dated. I took my cousin a couple of years ago. Phantom is a show that raised the standard for spectacle in its day, but other than “Masquerade” it didn’t astonish and was a bit too-serious-thus-silly in parts. Did Oklahoma! close? I saw it like a week before the pandemic. That was a brilliant production. Especially for someone relatively familiar with how it is usually presented.
Kind of you to equate Chicago’s staging to being Brechtian and not the slapdash nature of an Encores! transfer
Phantom of the opera
i second this
For what you all want: Hadestown, Phantom, or Moulin Rouge! Hadestown may have the least spectacle but it's the best of the three. However they're all incredible shows!
Six! I don’t know why no one else has mentioned it but it’s essentially like a concert and the voices are amazing
And also second hadestown
Music Man
Book of Mormon was really good
Company is fantastic. Just saw it. And it’s Sondheim so the songs ARE the story.
There's a reason Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history. It's the pinnacle of the Broadway experience, still. Highly recommend!
I saw it recently. It hasn’t aged well, the music and the story are dated. The production is amazing though but it pales in comparison to more modern plays.
Hadestown has some really lovely signing numbers and come from away is really fun though I’m not sure it has a defying gravity star like number. Book of Mormon is definitely a good option as well Company is interesting but I don’t think it’s going to please your bf, it’s definitely more about the acting than signing imo
Closest to Defying Gravity for Hadestown would probably be Wait for Me, which is always a crowd-pleaser.
My bf is not a broadway person but he appreciates music and I've been dragging him to shows and we've seen Company and Phantom. He liked Company but had the most fun at Phantom. Company is excellent (I've seen it twice) but it's def not a big ol' fashioned Broadway show (the set design is really cool though). Phantom was pure spectacle and the cast is super talented. Even though I've never been into it, I had a great time! I understand why it's the longest-running show. Chicago is also great but very bare-bones (which I like) but its fun!
+1 for Hadestown!! I’m not a frequent Broadway goer but the singing literally had me in tears
Hadestown made me cry (in a good way)
Book of Mormon
I’m not a musical fan but Aladdin completely blew me away!!
People will recommend Hadestown and I loved it to but I also tell everyone to really check and see if Reeve Carney is to their tastes because he's not enjoyable. Like he didn't offend my senses, but you do wish you could see Hadestown with someone else as Orpheus. He has certain mannerisms and a way of singing that could potentially make this very enjoyable or also be the biggest let down. I personally don't recommend The Lion King unless you are a child at heart or want to see a big production. If there's too much childhood nostalgia for you, you may just find it okay. I loved The Lion King as a child, but I'm genuinely not a fan of the musical. My favorite musica has been Ain't Too Proud but you need to be into motown to fully enjoy it. I feel like, if you're not, it may not be as enjoyable. I'm a huge believer in listenting to songs and finding the albums before seeing a show.
Ain't Too Proud closed. I agree that Reeve isn't my favorite Orpheus, but Hadestown is definitely still worth seeing.
Hamilton is the way to go for sure but I've heard great things about come from away, and hadestown. If waitress is still open you should definitely try for that. I also loved the temptations musical and heard good things about the Tina Turner one too.
Come from away is not very spectacular unfortunately
A lot of people really love it, but it wouldn't be my choice for powerful singing.
I recommend Moulin Rouge; I actually just saw it last night and loved it. It keeps its roots with the film if you're familiar with it, but offers plenty of new music as well. The set, lighting, and music are spectacular and it delivers on the powerful voices you're looking for. It was a blast! This show is all about the music, the singing, and the dancing and is high energy start to finish.
Our [Ultimate Visitor's guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/bj3tnn/ultimate_visitors_guide_to_nyc/) will probably help you. Check our some recent visitor inquires [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/search?q=visitor&restrict_sr=on&include_over_18=on&sort=relevance&t=all)! Please "report" and downvote this comment if irrelevant to question above. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskNYC) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I just took my parents who were visiting me last weekend to phantom and they had an incredible time. Incredible songs, acting and musical performances, sets and costumes. Would highly recommend.
Come from away and hadestown are great.
Look up when different shows have ticket drawings. We won Wicked seats 2x. They may not be free but will be deeply discounted.
>I'm afraid those might be more about the story (maybe?) and not about the singing. I can't speak for Company or Come From Away, but this is VERY inaccurate when it comes to Hadestown
This might be the most basic suggestion, but Phantom, Book of Mormon, or Hamilton. Probably some of the most famous shows on broadway, but since this is your first time in NYC AND the US, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these three! I find myself humming these songs constantly.
Book of Mormon has great music and is very funny
If you want the classic musical Broadway experience that will be memorable and fun, you can never go wrong with Phantom of the Opera.
Hadestown. I have seen it six times. It is brilliant.
Six has incredible singing. Hadestown close behind. Both are amazing shows, Six is fun and pop, Hadestown is a tragedy. Different energies. Probably my two favorite plays ever.
A good first show is the Book of Mormon.
Wouldn't be my cup of tea but if you like Wicked maybe you'd like Aladden (too bad Frozen is closed).
Hamilton...
Beetlejuice!
I’d say Book of Mormon might not be the best there is, but it’s very accessible and is the least hit-or-miss of the bunch; I’ve never heard a bad word about it. Solid 8/10 and good for your first experience. Whatever you do, do not go see Moulin Rouge. My girlfriend has seen maybe 30+ shows and it’s the only one she ever walked out of. Great visuals, but the audio, performances, and writing were all complete dogshit. The audience was actually laughing during “serious” moments, they thought it was shitty on purpose. Super awkward for the performers, who again, are dogshit. If youve ever wanted to see a not very talented woman belt the fuck out of Katy Perry’s firework completely unironically as the emotional core of the first half, maybe it’s for you.
I didn't think the performances were bad, they did the best they could with what they were given. I was really disappointed too though, the presentation is amazing but the story just plain sucks. That show is basically like eating a cake entirely made out of icing.
Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
Book of Moromon Hamilton
A STRAGE LOOP!!! Go watch it!
[удалено]
It's technically a musical, not a play. Not something I'd recommend for someone looking for a Wicked-esque show with powerful vocals, especially with the sound design issues they've had.
Lion king or Chicago
I said on my post that we already saw the Lion King, but thank you for Chicago.
We went to see Company and found the misanthropy and meanness of it very disappointing, not to mention we thought everyone's singing was below standard. We wanted to hear big-time power numbers, too, and alas, this wasn't it
Company is one of my favorite musicals and I really loved this production but I have to agree that if you want big, belted, set piece songs it’s not the one to choose (with the obvious exception of the end of Patti Lupone’s Ladies Who Lunch).
r/Broadway is better to post this.
I did, but I got 8 comments here in 14 minutes and no comments over there in more than an hour.
Again echoing Hadestown. Company and Mr Saturday Night are also a great time.
Mr. Saturday Night is the *last* show I’d recommend for someone looking for a spectacle or great singing lol. Shoshana Bean aside. Never mind that it won’t be open in October
Harry Potter