Hunter S.
Yelp
I reviewed the Al Hirschfeld theater separately (but will paste below the production review if I have space).
I am not a musical fan. I've never seen the movie. I had no idea what it was about besides maybe a dance or cabaret club.
I've just been trying to see all the longer running musicals (I've recently seen Hadestown, Book of Mormon, and now Moulin Rouge) that everyone raves about, and you can get premium seats for decent prices since they've been around a while.
I really loved this production! The storyline is "okay," a cabaret star must entertain the whims of a possessive duke in order to keep her club open, while actually being in love with a poet and song writer.
I think the reason I enjoyed this much more than the other musicals is it's, surprisingly, pop based. In fact, it reminded me of my age, because I thought, "oh, these songs are so recent that they must re-write it from time to time." Nah, Bad Romance, Rolling in the Deep, Only Girl in the World, etc. are mid-aughts and elder millennials just keep thinking that was a few years ago.
Some other riffs include Material Girl, Chandelier, an awesome rendition of The Police's "Roxanne."
Regardless, this is a catchy, fun, high-octane, ultra-stimulating production with great acting, talented voices, gorgeous and colorful costumes, intricate, dazzling sets.
It runs a little long at over two and a half hours including a 30-ish minute intermission (which you'd feel better about if you get the 50 dollar VIP lounge ticket with private bathrooms). But you don't notice the time because everything is so beautiful and fast-paced.
I am thinking about taking a couple of my friends to see this play because I think they would love it.
Review of Al Hirschfeld theater (which is done separately as well, but I included it here because it does include some logistics of the show):
Easy entry into theater. Orchestra is directly to the right of the entrance, so that's easy enough. There are stairs and I'm pretty sure no elevator access.
Staff is efficient, professional, and helpful. The set is absolutely amazing. So provocative and flashy, a feast for the eyes. Tons of lights and colors and sparkle. The set spills over into the rest of the theater.
I sat in row C, which is a little closer than I thought, but I enjoyed the seat. The stage set up is a large stage with a runway down the middle of the "cancan table" section (perpendicular to the stage), then a runway that runs parallel to the front of the stage, along row C.
In row C, you are DIRECTLY in front of the runway. So close the attendants tell you not to place anything on the stage. I'm only 5'2, but my sightline for the large stage was perfect. I didn't have to crane my beck. When performers came up to the walkway directly in front of me, I had to look up, but it was awesome to be RIGHT THERE.
Before the show, performers come out and give you a cabaret type show. Because I was front and center, a lot of them stopped and made direct eye contact with me. There were times during the show I thought people were going to fall down on top of us (they were joking around of course)--that's how into the action you are.
Probably some of the best seats in the house, but row D would be pretty good too.
I wouldn't go to the cancan seats. You have to crane your neck AND turn around often to try to catch the action on the runways behind you (and there is A LOT).
Seats aren't the smallest I've ever sat in, but they are tight. Leg room is fine in row C since you're in front of the stage.
I love a theater with a lounge. And there aren't as many in NYC as you'd think. I can remember having a lounge experience at Lyric theater for Harry Potter and recently had a lounge experience at Cabaret (though it was an inconvenient pain in the ass).
The Al Hirschfield theater has a very nice lounge and great VIP staff. And it's totally worth the 50 bucks. The attendant, Abel, was awesome. Very personable and fun.